What’s So Important About “5,230” ?
08 Oct 2006
"Yes, we will start publishing your column on October 9, 1975". Clark Davey, managing editor of The Globe and Mail added, "You realize your life will never be the same again". How true. Now 30 years later I’ve written a column 52 weeks a year for a total of 5,230 articles. But what an experience and one I would not have missed. But have I learned anything"
First of all I’ve become more skeptical of some medical procedures and drugs. I realize some medication is life-saving, but more and more we hear about drug reactions. I believe you could toss most medication in the ocean and so much the better for humans, so much the worse for the fish. I wonder why so many people believe they can take medication without expecting side effects. Will they ever learn you never get anything for nothing.
I would gladly hang some lawyers. How these parasitic ambulance chasers have required doctors to take needless x-rays and increased the cost of medical care in so many ways by questionable malpractice cases.
I sure know how to lose newspapers. I wrote what I thought was a hilarious article about the fractured male organ. But seven newspapers in the U.S. bible belt didn’t share my humour and fired me.
I realize you can win battles and lose the war. How I struggled for six years to legalize heroin to ease the pain of cancer patients. Then see needless roads blocks set to make it hard for doctors to prescribe it. So when my parents were dying it was not easily available.
I’ve tackled controversial issues. But I’ve come to realize I could write 5,000 columns about them and never change the minds of some people. How some believe it’s humane to ease the terminal suffering of a loving dog, yet can witness a loved one suffer day after day from an incurable illness with mere days to live.
Bur it’s not all bad. I’ve seen great progress in procedures. 30 years ago large incisions were needed to remove gallbladders. Now with new optical instruments even large cancers of the bowel are now being removed through tiny incisions.
What worries me the most? I’m appalled at the obesity and how it’s triggered an epidemic of diabetes. And how few people realize the huge economic impact this is going to have on our society.
I’ve seen many editors come and go. And I continue to be amaze that some one who had no formal training in journalism hasn’t been fired decades ago.
How long will I write this column? As my Father used to say, "Quien Sabe" who knows. But if an editor fires me I hope you will all threaten to hang him or her in the town square and burn down the building". After all, I can dream can’t I?
