Blog Post #1

The Audre Lorde piece "A Burst Of Light: Living With Cancer" inspired many personal stories from our class involving doctors and how females get the short end of the stick when it comes to healthcare. I am very familiar with doctors' offices due to a chronic condition I have and have, thus, endured my more than fair share of condescending medical professionals. I remember going to a plastic surgeon to find out if I could get some scars removed and the doctor told me to just rub them for 10 minutes a couple times a day and they'll go down. This was ridiculous. Is this man serious? Before I left the appointment, I asked him about a large scar on my stomach. This scar basically covers my belly button so I don't truly have a belly button like other people do. I asked him if he thought that, down the road, he could "give me" a bellybutton. He answered that he supposes that he could try at some point but I basically have to lose weight first to make it easier. This absolutely reminds me of when Lorde's doctor  told her that she needs to do what he says without question, or she will "die a horrible death" (1). He could have given her the option and kindly expressed the seriousness of the issue without dismissing her right to her own body. I am truly convinced that my plastic surgeon with the thick Irish accent was simply in the business of enlarging women's breasts. Maybe that's an unfair assessment but, after the way that he treated my mother and I, I wouldn't be at all surprised. He told her to stop worrying and she worries too much. If I remember correctly, he even patted her back like a dog. Most doctors treat my mother in that way because she asks many questions and resists the doctor's expertise at times. She resists the prescription of new medications and repeats her questions over and over, trying to receive an answer she will be satisfied with. She researches any medicine I am prescribed and knows every side effect. Doctors and nurses always comment that she's "such a good mom" and "she really worries about you, huh?". It's incredibly embarrassing but after reading this essay, my eyes are open to the fact that doctors don't know everything and they should absolutely be questioned. After my recent surgery, my skin had some patches of discoloration and my doctor told me to just exfoliate with body wash. It didn't work because it wasn't dirt at all. I now know that my mother is advocating for me when I feel that my voice is silenced and/or I am embarrassed to speak out. Audre Lorde is brave and confident and I hope that I can be half the patient and woman that she is.