Recently a friend posted on
Facebook, “I injured my shoulder today. It hurts when I raise my arm. Does anyone
have an idea what may be wrong?” Typically, people love challenging questions on
Facebook. This was no exception. Sympathetic responses with armchair diagnoses
like, a torn rotator cuff or a dislocated shoulder. The response that stopped
the banter, “Your mother is a nurse and your brothers are both doctors. Why
would you ask for advice on Facebook instead of just asking one of them?”
I was reminded of this today. My
friend called and said that her finger was numb. I asked. “Which finger?” She
said her middle one. I responded, “Could it be overuse?” She didn’t think that
was very funny. She wondered if it might be a heart attack. I asked if she was
having any pain, numbness or weakness on her left side. She said, “No, just a
numb finger that is pale and white.” I said that it could be a pinched nerve in
her back. She said maybe so, since she has slight spinal degeneration. She also
had frostbite on her fingers many years ago, which may be the culprit.
Today’s gift was to give my friend
medical advice. I told her to have another glass of wine and call me in the
morning if it was still numb. If you want free medical advice, give me a call. Just
understand that I am not a doctor and don’t even play one on television, so the
advice might be worth what you paid for it.
In Giving,
Robin
No comments:
Post a Comment