The God of Medicine

The ancient Celts of Ireland had a God of Medicine named "Diancecht" (pronounced Dianket). Diancecht presided round the clock at the "Spring of Health", a spring whose waters restored to life and health all those who bathed in it. However, during the great war between his people and the dark race of the Fomors, the latter discovered it and rendered it useless by placing a stone over it. When the Nuada, the king of his people lost his hand in a combat against the Fir Bolgs, Diancecht made him a silver hand so skilfully that it moved in all its joints and was as strong as a real one. However, no Celtic king could rule once blemished and Nuada had to stand down. One of Diancecht's son, Cian, who had followed in his father's footsteps, went to see Nuada and digging up his severed hand, replaced the festering silver hand with it, so that it renewed itself and fixed itself back to Nuada's arm. On hearing that his son had surpassed his skills, Diancecht killed him in a jealous rage.

In another story, Angus, the Celtic Eros, fell in love with a mysterious beautiful maiden and lost all sleep and appetite, but none of Diancecht's powers could restore him to health.

A good doctor is one who recognises when he is out of his depths, and doesn't hesitate to call upon another. So, if you find a lump and your GP doesn't refer you to a specialist to have it properly checked out, don't let him get away with it. I have heard some horrendous stories where a patient who later was diagnosed with breast cancer, was either dismissed on account of being too young (!!!), or told to return six months later when the tumour could be "located". Don't be victim of a defective system.

A good doctor is also someone who, no matter how great his knowledge, recognises that he doesn't hold the answer to everything, and listens to his patient's needs. Like religion, medicine originated from one source but its various branches have now become wildly opposed. There is more than one approach to an illness. It is your life, your body and as with Angus, some things cannot be cured by conventional medicine alone. Don't let fear and intimidation rob you of your will and judgement. Some people say to me that they had to have a certain treatment because they weren't "given a choice". You always have a choice. You alone can decide what you want for yourself.

Finally, accept that some things just can't be fixed and know when to give up. I wish my mother had. Just as the Fomors managed to neutralise Diancecht's "Spring of Health", so the time may come when cancer is just stronger than you are or any therapy available. When this happens, bow out gracefully and don't surrender your dignity.

I of course, am very lucky to have found a true "God of Medicine", but if yours still behaves like a Diancecht, make him change his attitude or look elsewhere.

It's your body, your life, your decision.