Killing the Alien Within

For months now I've been battling an alien. It lives in my abdomen and gnaws like mad -- think Sigourney Weaver in the film Alien. My health-care team named this alien "Ulcer" based purely on its personality and characteristics. But convincing my alien to leave my body has been a more difficult task than any of us could manage.

Today, we called in the heavy-hitters at Franklin Endoscopy Center. Dr. Wilmot Burch is a Gastroenterologist who practices in the Cool Springs area of Franklin. He has a ready smile and quick wit. His bedside manner is top notch, exuding confidence but not cockiness in his speciality as well as offering his patients a genuine sense of compassion and concern. Today, he sent his film crew down into my esophagus and stomach to catch my alien in action.

From the moment I walked in the front door, I met smiling care givers who seemed to enjoy their roles in the health care of their patients. The business and administrative staff shuffled all the necessary paperwork expediently and graciously, offering assurances about my care and comfort even from their relative remove from the operatory. A smiling nurse escorted me back to my cubicle and introduced me to my nurse and my anesthetist, as well as introducing me to the nurse who would care for me in recovery. Each person on Dr. Burch's team treated me with individual concern and friendliness. Though they were consummate professionals, they never treated me as though I was just another body to work through. When I woke up, my recovery nurse even made me my favorite cup of hot tea. They all joined in my happy dance when Dr. Burch told me he'd identified my alien and shared the battle plan to kick Old Ulcer's nasty booty out of my belly. I go back in a couple of weeks to assess this plan's effectiveness.

I've heard all the awful stories about having scopes stuck down your throat and -- well, you know. If I ever have any other health issues with my Gastro track, you can believe that this picky little Southern woman will head straight back to Dr. Wilmot Burch and his fabulous team of health care providers.

Comments

[Gail Hyatt]

Rhonda,

I'm just reading this on Sunday, six days since I've been home from my trip. I'm so glad to hear you're getting some helpful info ... no matter what you have to go through to get it.

You're in my prayers.

Lots of love,
Gail

[Emily]

I am glad that you have found a great practitioner like Dr. Burch. Even in the healthcare Mecca that is Nashville, doctors and other practitioners with superb bedside manner are hard to find! I hope you begin to feel better soon.