“That
the automobile has practically reached the limit of its development
is suggested by the fact that during the present year no improvements
of a radical nature have been introduced.” So reads an excerpt from
Scientific American in January 1909.
More
recently I exchanged several emails with a software engineer turned
miracle healer who reversed his mother's incurable lung disease
largely through eliminating most carbohydrates, believed responsible
for the progression of her illness. I shared my own experience with a
low-glycemic natural sugar replacement, along with the rejoinder “The
research is never done, is it?” to which he responded, “My
research IS done! I've found the answer and I don't need to do more!”
Presumably that software engineer is still on dial-up service for his
1976 Macintosh.
Many
years back, surgery loomed for my spouse, with one last effort to
block the chronic pain in the form of a procedure termed nerve block
injection. In principle, the aggravated nerve is numbed so the pain
is abated, avoiding the scalpel. Success rates vary, but the numbers
were not high. Sometimes more than one application was required.
Scrutinizing the brochures, I cast my vote for this last-ditch effort
before resigning to the ultimatum of the knife.
It
failed. Worse, it was discovered AFTER the surgery that cortisone –
the key ingredient in the series of shots – inhibits healing. The
damage could not be undone, and the pain would accompany him to the
end of his days.
My
sense of guilt about encouraging him to undergo a procedure with such
a dismal record in the first place was amplified by this news.
Although he didn't blame me, I felt responsible for his lifetime of
unending agony.
So I
don't advise anyone anymore. Ever. I owe it to myself to do the
footwork, make educated choices based on the information I have and
reap the risks and rewards accordingly.
And
the onus is on you to do the same.
Undoubtedly
there will be unforeseen events and factors. That's life, after all.
No one can imagine or predict all possible scenarios. Making
decisions for ourselves is imperative to our freedom, dignity, soul
even. Gather the opinions and evidence you feel necessary, weighting
each according to your gut instinct or hard science. Courage and
faith are required to make mistakes, risk your reputation, gamble on
the outcome.
I
believe that, like me, most people make the best decisions they can
at any given moment. But like Alice, people change sizes frequently,
sometimes several times daily. Then the key cannot be reached on the
tall, tall table, or the house suddenly closes in, effectively
restricting any movement or progress.
Sometimes
my lack of available courage leaves me unable to peek out from under
the covers, and that's my best for that moment. But at other times I
am Capable Woman, inhaling mightily to inflate that
red-white-and-blue leotard 3 sizes larger than Life. Most days, I am
the same size all day long, and my capacity to make decisions for
myself is relatively stable.
I
respect you, as a chronological adult, enough to allow you to make
your own decisions. If you want my personal experience or views,
you're welcome to them.
Just
don't ask my advice.
