I started this research process with high hopes; I had an overflow
of ideas and I was very optimistic. Well
things changed after I made a decision, and actually started my research. Things started hitting the fan. I thought I was writing my paper on
breastfeeding, because for some odd reason this is an interesting topic to me…
but after doing research in the library, and talking to Ms. Ingram, I realized
I had come to a stopping point with this topic before I really even took
off. Soooo I went back to my
brainstorming outline (really a sticky note in my room with my ideas) and chose
something else. I am now researching
lupus and the natural remedies compared to steroids and pharmaceutical
drugs. I was disappointed that I didn’t
get to write about babies and pregnancy, but this topic proved to be
interesting as well and a lot more in-depth.
The peoples that would be involved in my inquiry include
people that suffer from lupus, which to me includes families of those with
lupus, doctors who are researching cures for lupus, and nutritionists. There is a large lupus community out there
that includes support groups, different blogs, and a few non-profit
organizations that provide information. As
I search everywhere to hear different established opinions, I found many
doctors who are doing research on lupus, and most of them are taking the route
of pharmaceutical drugs. Doctors are
trying drugs that are already in use such as prescriptions as well as drugs not
yet approved by the FDA. This is very
informative to me, because I want to know about all side effects, time spans to
which theses medicines are being used or showing results, and other detailed
information like that.
Nutritionists see things in a more subtle approach, more of coaxing
the disease rather than defeating it. They
take into account everyday life and the small practices that can make a
difference. I am looking for more
detailed information such as time spans and effectiveness. On the blogs that I have looked through I haven’t
found many personal opinions, but I have talked to personal family members that
have lupus, and I asked my cousin her approach to dealing with lupus. I found her opinion most valuable, and I am
leaning more towards her idea. She mainly
goes without medication, and uses at home remedies (when she is in-between
sicknesses or dealing with a sickness that is not as severe). She said she only likes to use steroids and
antibiotics when she is dealing with something serious that can’t be taken lightly.
As I write dialogue for this next piece, I will take into
account the summary of my cousin as a major perspective within my paper, and
one of the doctors who is conducting research at Johns Hopkins University in
Baltimore, MD.
First I will set the scene, my cousin goes to see this
specialist, in hopes of new innovative ideas she can apply to her everyday life
as she deals with lupus:
Cousin: “Well hello, I
came across your website online and I see you are doing major research towards
the cures for lupus. What have you discovered so far?”
Doctor: “Lupus is
such an evolving disease, I see it necessary to ‘grab it by the horns’ and ‘show
it who’s boss’. I feel my previous
collegues have been too subtle up to this point.”
Cousin: “That sounds all
fine and well, but what do you mean ‘show it whose boss’?”
Doctor: “I am testing
my lab rats on a very rigorous and somewhat aggressive pace of medicines. Antibiotics and steroids that have worked
best in the past and have similar ingredients to successful medicines.”
Cousin: “And how is
that working out?”
Doctor: “Quite well
actually.”
Cousin: “Well enough
to try on humans yet?”
Doctor: “Yes but not
as well as I’d hoped, there were a few complications.”
Cousin: “And by
complications, you mean bad side effects… just be honest doctor.”
Doctor: “These are
all kinks that WILL be worked out, I just can’t ease up.”
Cousin: “See that’s
where you’re wrong… I had one of my previous doctors telling me the same thing,
and I suffered more from the side effects of so many different steroids than I did
my actual disease. Might I offer some
suggestions of less evasive methods, something more humane and patient.”
Doctor: “Why in
heavens would I do that?”
Cousin: “Because
people are more than just experiments and lab rats. You are so focused on your goal you are
forgetting to weigh out pros and cons…”
Doctor: “Well don’t
you want a cure for the disease?”
Cousin: “Yes, but in
time.”
Doctor: “Well we’ve
wasted enough time, and I don’t plan on wasting anymore of mine.”
Cousin: “You have
your way, and as someone who suffers from the disease, I have mine. Good luck with that though.”
