"Dallas Has a Real-Life Dr. Gregory House in Dr. Richard Buch," by Glenna Whitley, April 10
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I'm 29 years old, working as a chef and bartender, loving life and experiencing all the fabulousness of being a single professional in Dallas. I am able to say this, in large part, due to Dr. Richard Buch. Fifteen years ago I was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. Dr. Buch possessed the expertise to replace the bones in my leg while other doctors would have amputated it. Due to his dedication and brilliance in his field, I was given a second chance at a normal life.
When my leg broke in an accident when I was 22, he offered to perform emergency surgery free of charge. He deals with extremely complicated diagnoses and has to give people bad news every day. Rather than candy-coat things, he told me the truth about what I would face during chemotherapy, surgery and physical therapy. Dr. Buch is what you'd call a "straight shooter." He doesn't tell you what he thinks you want to hear. He tells you the truth. I'm sure this rubs many people the wrong way. But the nature of his work isn't to make warm-fuzzies, it's to save joints, bones and lives, like mine.
Julie Stevenson, Dallas
Glenna Whitley's story on Dr. Richard Buch reminds me too much of suffering my mother went through at the hands of a Dallas doctor in the late 1960s. My mother had broken her wrist in a fall. The doctor who handled the break missed the evidence of small bone fragments that caused continued swelling. She had no prior breaks and did not know what to expect, but was in agonizing pain. Her pleas and concerns were largely brushed off with "elevate it and take pain medicine."
After three weeks, when our family doctor returned from vacation, she sought him out to examine her. He removed the cast to find the swelling and tight pressure caused massive tissue and nerve damage to the palm, thumb and fingers of her right hand. It was attached for six weeks to her stomach to secure a flap of flesh to cover the damage. Emotionally unable to go to trial, and on poor advice, a settlement was received that subsequently did not cover the following operations to repair as much as possible. Today she has very little use in the hand.
It should not be rocket science that it takes more than "genius IQ" to be a good physician or surgeon. You're dealing with people; empathy and people skills should be high on the required list too. There needs to be better peer oversight and less "protectionism" among medical professionals for those who clearly have issues not in the best interest of their patients. Reminds me of the saying "the more things change, the more they stay the same."
Michael, via dallasobserver.com
"Buzz," by Patrick Williams, April 17
Heart and Sole
I too have been to the Holocaust Museum in D.C. I found relatives on the board and was deeply saddened. I was shocked in the section which showed the experiments performed on individuals. I did fine and kept my composure. However, it was the bridge with all the shoes under and around it that got to me...all the children's shoes in particular. I sobbed like a baby.
I do not feel that what the Collin County Crime Victim's Assistance Council did is appropriate. Since I have actually viewed the shoes in the Holocaust Museum, I would have automatically known what the shoes at the Collin County Courts stood for, and, yes, if I had been a juror on those particular days, it would have profoundly affected me. Those who have no awareness or have not experienced the Holocaust Museum would not have been affected.
There are crime victims of all walks of life and all types of crimes, and all must be acknowledged. However, I have a major problem with equating the mass murders which occurred during the Holocaust with the individual crimes of today. I am deeply disappointed with the Collin County Crime Victim's Assistance Council for using the shoes in general.
Cynthia O, via dallasobserver.com
