Mrs. Finley's Secret

By Steve Paulus, DO

As a Family Practice resident at the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno, I had the opportunity to take care of a wide variety of interesting people. My patients included the homeless and disenfranchised as well as musicians and showgirls for the major casinos. While on specialty rotations, many patients were referred to the University Medical Center from outlying small communities in rural Nevada. Physicians would send patients to Reno for care not available in the numerous small towns scattered throughout northern Nevada.

While working in a Cardiology rotation during my third year of residency I admitted an elderly woman who lived outside of Gabbs, Nevada. This very small town had just over 600 citizens and Mrs. Finley lived twenty miles outside of Gabbs. She and her husband were farmers and raised cattle. She lived on the same piece of land for 62 years. Her husband had died 15 years previous and the oldest son tended the property and did the farming and ranching.

Mrs. Finley was sent by the only physician in Gabbs to the University Medical Center to have a pacemaker placed for recurrent sinus bradycardia. Her heart rate would drop down into the 30’s and cause her to become dizzy and fatigued. She was admitted to the Cardiology service and I was to perform the initial history and physical exam and begin her work-up in anticipation for the pacemaker procedure.

From outer appearances, this 80 year old woman looked incredibly healthy and vibrant. While in the hospital under observation and telemetry she did not have any of the “sick spells” as she called them. She was a woman of few words but in the silences in between her few sentences her eyes spoke volumes. As an exhausted resident just being in her still and confident presence helped to quiet my stressed nervous system.

After Mrs. Finley and I talked about ranching in rural Nevada, her grandchildren and great grandchildren, I opened my formal history by asking when was the last time she saw a physician for any reason prior to the visits for her current heart problem. She paused for a long time and replied, “50 years.” I was astounded and struck silent for a moment. If it wasn’t for the presence of absolute honesty in her bright yet soft brown eyes I would have laughed sarcastically.

Proceeding with the interview I asked her what medical problem she had treated by a doctor 50 years ago? Without a pause she responded, “the doctor came to the ranch to deliver my last baby in 1938.” Blinking with amazement, I allowed a heartwarming smile to emerge on my face.

Needless to say, Mrs. Finley’s remaining history was quite brief. However, I had one final, essential question to ask Mrs. Finley. I needed to know her method, her secret for remaining in such a high state of health. If I could understand how she achieved not only a significant lack of disease but a noticeable presence of vitality, then surely I could help other patients on my quest to serve health rather than disease.

Apprehensively, I asked Mrs. Finley what was the secret to her excellent health over the past 80 years? Without skipping a beat she responded, “not going to doctors.” There was no contempt or cynicism for the medical profession in her voice. This remarkable woman trusted something inside herself to provide the opportunity for healing without outside intervention. Yet, she was not opposed to asking for help if necessary.

The pacemaker was placed without complication and she had an uneventful hospitalization, from a conventional point of view. But Mrs. Finley gave me an unconventional experience that still brings a smile to my face and a greater sense of perspective in my role as a physician.