I think we tend to lift physicians up to God-like status when they are only humans with a lot of education under their belt. All that schooling does not automatically mean they are an expert or even good at their job. I prefer a physician who is an O.D. and looks at my body as a whole. Most O.D.s I have had are very accepting of alternative medicine in combination with traditional medicine and they listen to MY intuition with regard to my body. Let's face it, we are with our bodies 24/7 and are really the only ones who can feel when something is off. Absolutely hate when a Doctor tries to tell me that I am fine and just "imagining" things. I ended up getting anxiety attacks after a thyroidectomy...only to have a Dr. tell me that I could not possibly have anxieties because I had no more thyroid...and I needed to be on Anti-Depressants. First and last time I ever listened to a physician against my own instincts.

My doctor has me check my cheek to the back of my hand. They are about the same when you are well. So it is a pretty good indicator if you feel your face is much hotter that you have a temp.

I always kissed my son's forehead to check for a fever. If it was hot, he had a fever. I did same with husband. Lips are very sensitive to heat. I am not a doctor or a nurse, but I always knew when either one had a fever. I gave them a couple of aspirin to bring the fever down. And if the fever was gone for 48 hours, the son went back to school and the husband went to work. But I made them stay home for the 48 hours. A little common sense works a long way. They got better and most important, they didn't pass the darn germ around. And a little babying never hurt anyone. A malted milk works wonders!!! Me? I wasn't allowed to get sick, much less have a fever!!!! We are the Omnipotent ones!!!! Edie

In 1963, my doctor told me I needed a hysterectomy because of fibroids. I thought he needed a new BMW. I still haven't had the surgery, so I guess it wasn't really necessary. I have, however, had two more children - and they have provided me with 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

We all would be in so much trouble!!

For the most part I have found my doctors to be supportive and understanding. I have hypothyroidism and have found male endocrinologists to be condescending, like I brought this on myself. They don't believe me when I talk about symptoms.

I remember house calls too...oh how mom would go into a cleaning fit before that dr. arrived.
I to this day use my hands to determine fever. but not on the forehead, always feel the chest and back. Some tools never get old : )

At a Dr. visit a few years ago I was telling him about how my joints
hurt so bad some days that going up and down 3 flights of stairs
(we live on the 3rd floor no elevator).

So he ran blood work than proceeded to tell me the blood work
did not show any indication of arthritis.

I told the blood work may not say there is arthritis, but it can't tell
where I am hurting.

Just made me so made, guess the Dr thought because I was only
in my 40's that I can't have pain in my joints.


I started taking glucosamine tablets everyday it has helped some
but still have really bad days where the thought of navigating those
stairs makes me think twice if I really need to go anywhere.

When my daughter was young (she is 31 now) we lived in the country
our family Dr was an old time country Dr who kept up to date on all the
newest medical practices he could. To walk into his office which was in
the basement of his house you would think you stepping back in time
to the 1940's but his two "back" rooms was filled up with some of the
newest technology of the 80's.

He treated my daughter for croup via telephone so that we did not
have to take her out, told us exactly what to do to help her.

Sure miss old man Cutchin's

As a nurse (RN) myself, I fully appreciate the new technology but as a mom my best thermometer was putting my hands on my kids faces to know when they had a fever. Even with patients in the hosp. I could see the flushed face or just felt their skin to know when their temps. were up.

The eyes are a great tool, too. You can see a difference in their eyes to know something is wrong.

Yes, I worked with doctors occas. whose opinion I had no faith in at all. Thankfully they were rare. With nost doctors, I really appreciated their extensive education.

Pat G

My DH had hip surgery and was not feeling prime to begin with, but then he started to look pale, weaken, and cough. He had low grade 99.0 - 100.0 fever, coughing up "stuff" that was an off color. I listened to his lungs and they sounded raspy and wet. I took my DH to the doctor immediately! He had pneumonia. I am glad that I was able to assess him and know something was wrong. My daughter with no training, came to the house as we were leaving and said "Mom, Dad sounds and looks bad" do you think he might have pneumonia? LOL.

My other thing to say is that many times we think that since we are not "doctors" we don't know what is happening to our family. Use your common sense and you will be surprised at how often you know in your heart and in your gut what is happening.