The list of patients lay before me on my desk. Fifteen procedures for me to perform promised to fill up my entire day. Some of these procedures were minor and might take only ten to fifteen minutes. Others might take hours. As a radiologist, my job is to utilize my imaging technology to assist in performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for the ordering physician on their patients.

For instance, the first name was a man with a history of cancer who now had a “spot” on his ribs that might be recurrent cancer. My job would be to take him to my CAT scanner, locate the “spot” on his rib and put a needle in it, take a sample and send it to pathology. The pathologist would then evaluate the tissue to see what was causing the “spot”. This is my job as a radiologist. Not only do I interpret all types of imaging tests for the ordering physician, I help complete the diagnosis by obtaining tissue.

But, here is the problem. The patient knew his doctor very well. But, he had no idea who I was or what I did. Such is the lonely obscurity of the radiologist! Now, I had to walk into our holding room and meet a perfect stranger and tell him I was sticking a needle into his rib. How would you feel if a perfect stranger showed up to stick a needle in your chest? Probably scared, apprehensive, frustrated!

That’s what I thought! So, let me explain my approach to these situations. 

First, I have to get to know the patient’s imaging procedures. How did we determine he had a “spot”? What “modality” did see it on? Could I even find this “spot” on CAT scan if we only found it on, let’s say, an MRI? Let me tell you without hesitation that NONE of this information is conveyed to me by the ordering physician. All I have is a written, or usually computer generated, order that simply says “Biopsy right side rib lesion.” Many times, the patient has had his prior imaging at another institution, perhaps even in another city! I have to make sure that we have those images for me to review or I have no idea which rib to stick! What we have here is a failure to communicate! Now, I’m the one who is frustrated!

Second, once I have gathered the necessary information, I make my way to the holding room where our nurse is preparing the patient for their procedure. As I am walking down the hallway, I am praying for “my” patient by name. I am praying for the technologists and nurses who will assist me. I am praying for the patient’s friends or family members who may be with him. I am praying, last, for myself that God will give me the knowledge and the strength and the ability to do what must be done without harming the patient. As I stand just outside the door to the holding room I remind myself of one very important fact, 

“Right now, right this minute and when this patient is on my examination table, they are the MOST important person in the universe!”

Every time I go through this I am faced with what many would assume is an almost impossible situation. You see, most of the time, the patient hasn’t been told anything! They have no idea exactly what “test” they are having. They have no idea a needle is involved! And, very often, they have no idea their physician is concerned they may have cancer!

On this particular day, I faced my patient and realized very quickly all of these facts were true. He had no idea who I was. He had no idea we were performing a needle biopsy. And, he had no idea his doctor suspected his colon cancer had returned! I, a total stranger, had to tell him this bad news. 

But, because I rely on the Lord as my strength and as my portion, these opportunities ALWAYS transform into an encouraging, ministering event. I tell them what I just wrote above. I don’t care about their religion or lack of it. They need to know where my strength comes from and it amazes me each time how comforting such an admission can be.

Why?

Because I ALWAYS put myself in my patient’s place. How could I want to be treated? What would I want to know? How would I want to be treated?

Why is this important? In our newest depression book, “Hope Again: A Lifetime Plan for Conquering Depression” I often emphasize the importance of communication with your physician and counselor. Don’t let the fact they are a professional keep you from asking questions, demanding answers, expecting to be treated with empathy. As physicians, we often get swamped by government and bureaucratic busy work and we forget our FIRST responsibility is to our PATIENT!

I’ve learned this the hard way because I have been a patient myself and I know what it is like to have that biopsy or that surgery or that “invasive” procedure. So, understand this very important fact:

When you are with your health care professional, you and you alone are the most important person in the universe while under their care.

 We take this seriously and if you feel that we don’t, never hesitate to convey your discomfort, your fear, your frustration, or your reservations. We are ready to help you and to do our best to deliver the care you need.

You see, when God stood in the midst of His beautiful garden at the beginning of humanity he made a decision that would ripple down through the ages. He did not make mankind as just a slightly higher step of animal on the evolutionary scale. No, God made mankind in His image! He gave mankind a very special status and a very special ability to relate to mankind’s Creator, God! You are special. And, every health care professional has taken a solemn oath to take care of you because you are special!

So, for this moment in time, when you are suffering from depression, pause and realize that our book is for you – and for this season you are the most important person in the universe!