Raymond Abbott

Raymond Abbott is a social worker and novelist.

Choosing the right cardiologist takes longer than you think

Raymond Abbott

Patient

October 25, 2015

After having an echocardiogram recently, I saw a cardiologist, which seemed the prudent thing to do. I was not symptomatic, and I think the echo was pretty much unremarkable — to use a bit of doctor’s lingo. I saw the word “mild” here and there in the report describing processes of my heart’s functions. When you’re over seventy-three, “mild” sounds pretty all right. Better than the word “acute,” I figure. …

Surgery in a patient with schizophrenia. Did it affect decision making?

Raymond Abbott

Patient

July 14, 2015

Well, decision time was here and it looked as if Bill would choose surgery, and why not, with the doctors liberally throwing around the word “cure.'” The various tests Bill endured, breathing tests, echocardiogram and MRI of the brain, were all within tolerable ranges, we were told. The oncologist noted some marks in the brain that suggested mini-strokes, but Bill didn’t hear this or it didn’t register with him, or …

A little muddiness isn’t half bad: This social worker’s story explains why

Raymond Abbott

Conditions

June 12, 2015

I am often struck that those I work with who have enormous reasons to be depressed — they may be poor, physically ill, uneducated, and very crazy — are not depressed, not at least as I describe depression, a state of melancholy and dejection. In my view, there is a terrible, terrible hopelessness in these situations and in these lives. And then, there is William Jenkins.

With William, I find I …

You’re taking my blood pressure wrong. Listen to this patient.

Raymond Abbott

Patient

May 27, 2015

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I went to the doctor yesterday, my semi-annual visit, as it were. These days I see a nurse practitioner, a woman. Recently, she and the practice she is a part of moved into a renovated building, state-of-the-art, they are calling it. It almost sparkles in its newness. The practice is owned by one of the large hospital corporations in our city.

See …

How will I know that you’re not dead?

Raymond Abbott

Patient

April 28, 2015

I never thought it would go on for so long — seeing Donald Wyatt, I mean. I certainly didn’t plan it this way.

More than six years ago, I retired at age sixty-six from my social work job at a mental-health agency. Donald had been my client there for about eight years.

As I was cleaning out my office, his mother called. She explained how Donald’s father had left when Donald was …

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How will I know that you’re not dead?

I’m happy: A social worker’s story

Raymond Abbott

Patient

January 9, 2015

On my voice mail is a message from Donald Wyatt. He doesn’t often call, but every Monday morning he comes to see me at the Louisville, Kentucky, mental health clinic where I’m a social worker.

His message is brief: “I’m not feeling well, and I am planning a trip to either St. Louis or Elizabethtown.”

I smile, wondering at the odd pairing. Elizabethtown is a small city of 50,000 people. And, well, …

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I’m happy: A social worker’s story