How long had you been in the group? 

I was introduced to the group about 12 years ago, by a colleague at a CE meeting. It sounded like a great idea, so I inquired, submitted my resume, and was accepted into the group. There was some formal paperwork to fill out and an annual meeting to attend, for us all to recommit to serving if the need arose. 

How many times did you have to serve? 

When I joined, I was told that it had only been activated once or twice in the years it had been in existence. Once for  a broken arm (skiing) and another instance I can’t recall the details of. During my 12+ years with the group, it was never necessary to activate the system. I served as the Coordinator for a 2 year term a few years ago. The Coordinator would be the one to activate the system if called upon and schedule the various members into the disabled members office for 3 days per week for up to a maximum of 3 months. 

What happened that you needed the group? 

With 29 years of general practice under my belt and a history of high school and college summer jobs that involved furniture moving, I was not surprised that my back was chronically sore. However, it became progressively worse. When my left leg started to get weak, I knew I needed to get it checked out asap. Assuming I had a bulging or herniated disc that would need some routine surgery or PT, I was shocked to learn that I had a very large tumor in my spinal cord, from L2-L4. I was told to immediately find a neurosurgeon with spinal oncology expertise. To say the least, this was devastating news. I needed to get things rolling asap, as my leg was getting weaker, and my low back, more painful by the week. I had a complete ‘Neuroaxis MRI scan’ with and without contrast from brain to cauda equina, to rule out a drop metastasis. I was able to find a talented neurosurgeon with the requisite experience in North Seattle and was on the table for 7.5 hours of microsurgical dissection within three weeks of the tumor being discovered. 

How long did you need the group? 

For the entire 3 months. After that, I hired the person who would ultimately buy my practice as a ‘temp associate’ while the sale progressed. After the surgery, my neurosurgeon spoke to me at my first follow up and said, “I really don’t think you should attempt to go back to general dentistry. I removed a great deal of bone getting the tumor out and your back is unstable. You risk slippage and further damage. It’s not worth it.” So, I found myself asking my coach to find a buyer for my practice while the assistance group kept the doors open. I was essentially flat on my back for much of the first 6 weeks, then as much as possible for the next 10 weeks. I needed to relearn to use my left leg properly, as nerve damage had created ongoing muscle weakness, paresthesia and ‘drop foot’. I used a walker for a while, graduated to a cane and eventually was able to walk unassisted. I still use walking poles when I am walking on uneven ground, like in a forest. My left leg remains weak and partially numb. I am grateful the entire tumor was removed and that I can walk.   

How did the group help you? 

Wow. I’m not sure I can even begin to answer that question. I was in shock at this sudden turn of events. My total medical experience up to that point had been a knee arthroscopy. My world was turned upside down. Two sons in private college whose tuition I had planned to pay comfortably with the income I was making as a dentist. The group was awesome! The Coordinator (good thing it wasn’t me by then !) activated the system and had a calendar of group members up and ready to go. It was a bit easier since we had a little warning, as opposed to a major car accident, but still. The peace of mind of having my colleagues’ step into the breech for me. To say, ‘don’t worry, we’ve got this handled’ meant so much to me and my family that even today, almost 3 years later, it still causes tears to well up in my eyes. The certainty, caring and financial stability this brought to my family, my team and my practice was a huge relief and comfort while I was facing what was to come. The preliminary diagnosis (no biopsy possible until surgery) was cancer. Spinal cancer does not respond well to chemo or radiation without major side effects, so this was doubly troubling news. It was during the surgery that a ‘frozen section’ biopsy was done and determined that, although aggressive, the tumor was actually benign. Those seven and a half hours were the shortest day of my life, and the longest day for my wife and sons. 

How did the process make you feel? 

Cared for and cared about. My team mentioned that several of the volunteers not only showed up to care for my patients and keep the doors open but were encouraging to the team too. A lot of uncertainty for them; some of which had worked for me for over 20 years, was alleviated by the members, which was awesome. They also mentioned how much the patients appreciated that it was “Dr. Rich’s colleagues are volunteering time out of their own practices to help him take good care of you while he is gone." I don’t think they would have as understanding about a ‘temp dentist’ filling in for me. People like to know about the goodness in other people, especially if they can be a part of that. 

Why would you recommend this to others? 

I certainly could have tried to find and interview various Locum Tenens dentists to fill in for me while I was gone. That would have added even more stress to me and my staff, and I don’t think the results would have been as good. The variety of my colleagues who came to serve (some of them multiple times) showed my team and my patients what good people dentists are in general. I liked the fact that it was people I knew caring for my patients and team, not just a ‘hired handpiece’. To be a part of the group takes commitment. Little did I know when I signed up to be a part of it so many years ago, that I would benefit from it more that anyone else. It is both humbling and with sincere gratitude that I remember those months of pain and uncertainty about the future… and of my friends who stood in my place when I needed them most.