I was going though some old files and decided to share two thoughts with you.
Miscarriages: Is a D&C necessary after a miscarriage? I had three miscarriages. The doctor insisted on performing a D&C (dilation and curettage) after the first miscarriage. I learned I did not have to have a D&C after the second and third miscarriage. Today D&Cs continue to be common after a miscarriage. I asked Dr. Greg White, now deceased, to write on this issue, and he did. He said in almost all cases Nature takes care of this and no D&C is needed. In his opinion, one in 20 cases might need a D&C. In a personal note, his wife said she “had a total of 3 miscarriages and never had a D&C,” and added that her husband “doesn’t do them and the patients are fine.” (Oct. 30, 1989) An unnecessary D&C probably produces more money for both the doctor and the hospital and more expenses for the couple.
Retirement: A dear Jesuit friend who married us was assigned to a Jesuit retirement home in his old age against his wishes. When we visited him, he had an oxygen tank at his side. He never smoked but his condition was due to the smoking of others in his community. He wrote the following on his Christmas card which I’d like to share. Some of us have probably already had these same thoughts.
“Wish you’d write a book on how to grow old without losing one’s faith, hope, charity, getting grumpy or fat or lazy or irrelevant, or making people wish one to go away, disappear, be warehoused somewhere out of sight and mind. No role models for old people—ever notice that? Have a wonderful Christmas, dear hearts. In union of prayers, Fr. Z” (Eugene Zimmers, S.J.)