Statue of Madonna
Part Two:
I said my good-byes to the family and then turned to Dr. Bergen. Neither of us said anything--the bewildered look on our faces said it all. I did say, "I'll get back with you," just before I opened the door to leave.
People just don't turn stark raving mad suddenly , get over it completely, and then do it again and again and again. All I could think was one question: "Where to turn next?" I was truly lost and I knew it full well, there was no self-debate. I decided two strategies: I would talk with my colleagues in the two clinics where I spent most of my time: Psychiatry and Endocrinology. My message would be simple: "Help." The next step would be to go directly to other clinics whose specialties would be related, in my opinion, to my (and my patient's) quandary. I picked Neurology and Gynecology.
I thanked God that I was at one of the largest and best teaching hospitals in the world. Johns Hopkins Hospital and School of Medicine is a collection of highly specialized and superb clinics. Each clinic typically has two areas of focus: clinical and research. There are some doctors in a given clinic who do mostly research, some who do mostly clinical work (treat patients) and some who split it about 50-50. The come in all shapes, sizes, sex and nationality. They share one commonality: they are very good at their jobs.
My first SOS produced results within 24 hours. At the early morning journal group, a contingent of three doctors from Endocrinology approached me. Peter, assistant director of the clinic; Kay, a third -year resident; and Claude, the clinic director. Claude told me I should see the one of the Medical School's Deans, the one over Pediatrics. I ask why, but he just said, "Go see him."
Peter and Kay offered direct assistance with research and clinical work. This meant they each would examine the patient, do the indicated medical work-ups and offer specialty assistance with hormonal considerations. It also meant virtually unlimited access to the Endocrinology Laboratory and all it's exotic equipment. I was overwhelmed with appreciation and the amount of money this would cost. The doctors came free, but the chemicals, supplies and technicians for the laboratory tests, I knew, could run as high as
