I just wanted to add one thing, which, I said, but, not clearly enough. Although Chinese medicine has been my-everything, has given me back the quality of life and ability to thrive, if not for Western medicine, I would not be alive. For that I am eternally grateful. 

Had I been born a couple decades earlier, I probably would not have made it past  my youth because ther would not have been a surgery available to save my life. I remember being so young and completely wrecked from fear just before they "put me under". The anesthesiologist asked me why I was crying. I said, " I am afraid I won't wake up". I was just so afraid of such an intricate surgery. He leaned into my bedside and replied, "I am really good at what I do, and I promist to take good care of you and that you will wake up ok". I don't remember that man's name or even what his beautiful face must have looked like. But, he has stayed with me in my heart all of my life because I have been ever grateful that he delivered on his promise. I was young and almost completely alone (other than a boyfirend I had been dating for about 6 months) going through all of that and it was a turning point in my life.

Obviously I was also grateful for the incredible work of the surgeon who operated on me. I wonder where he is today. He must be quite old. I doubt he would even remember me. The work they all did on me was just miraculous really. But, beyond that--well that is where their talents ended. This brings me to my point. It is not that I do not have great respect for Western medicine. It is that I think Western medicine has it's place as does Alternative medicines of different kinds. And, I think that where thye each shine is where they each should focus. I do not think Western medicine shines in the area of chronic illnesses such as the likes of IC and this is where my tongue probably becomes sharper than it should.

So, this post is in response to Jeanne's post yesterday. She is a nurse, and I do not dismiss the incredible work and trememdous value of her profession and all that is attached to it. So, I wanted to clarify my position. I am all for every kind of medicine. I do have my opinions regarding which medicine is good for what kind of problem, but, that is for each individual to decide for themselves. Thank goodness, we live in a free thinking and speaking country and we can verbalize our own thoughts and make our own decisions on those kinds of topics-well, mostly (not always).

Dr.M