Medical Misfit:  Doctor, Why Can't You Diagnose Me?
Jalene Corbin
Booklocker.com
ISBN: 1-59113-828-0
172 pages

Medical Misfit: Doctor, Why Can't you Diagnose Me?  was written by one gutsy lady--Jalene Corbin.  If you are interested in your own health--this book is a must!

Having been relatively healthy most of my life, it was a shock to me when I was diagnosed during my early 50's as "clinically depressed."   And, that the severity was life threatening.  Fortunately, I had a wonderful doctor working with me throughout that time.  Although I could argue that the real diagnosis should have been "work burnout," nevertheless, the treatment affected and improved my condition.  I am thankful for that.

So, each of us might have our own medical history, concerns, or bad experiences as we turn to Ms. Corbin's book.  Once I had read it, I found a certain release--a freedom to accept that I was right in making choices for myself, in weighing what I am being told, with what I believe is right for me.  Jalene Corbin may never reach that point, for she's had too many bad experiences--she has been "emotionally struck down."  I, too, had been emotionally struck down, but had immediate, constant care.  What a difference in our stories!

Jalene shares openly and honestly. She begins with her first trauma as she attended her seventh year in school when she discovered a lump on her neck.  Many months of testing, several operations, trials of medication followed, until the day Jalene collapsed and was rushed to the hospital and prepared for immediate surgery.  The doctor was not optimistic and shared this opinion with her parents.  Jalene Corbin was miraculously healed that day on the operating table.  When she came awake, she knew that a Holy Light had burned away the infection and healed her--and she knew that it wouldn't come back.  And, it didn't.

Jalene has chosen the most intimate way to tell her story--she shares her interviews with her psychiatrist.  In doing so, she acknowledges that the experiences through which she had gone had become so terrible that she needed help to return to the point of just being able to visit a doctor for a routine examination.  It is ironic to the story that this psychiatrist died before that time ever came and it is only through Jalene's grit and determination and belief in God that she was able to move forward.

 Interestingly, Jalene shares some of her personal history with parents and some of her intimately guarded secrets from the past.  For instance, she shares that her father's calling her "blockhead" was hurtful and demeaning.  She shares, also, that she was physically abused as a child by a neighbor, but that her parents did not allow follow-up to these actions.  Oftentimes, an individual who has had early emotional traumas will intuitively "bow" to a medical professional.  Not so with Jalene, she was turned away, had it suggested that her ailments were all in her head, and, interestingly, finally received apologies from doctors when her physical ailment was correctly diagnosed and healed. I believe that, in allowing the reader to question her, she is also helping each of us to learn to question our problems and those professionals in our lives.  She has permitted her own pain, anger, and frustration to become a possible healing influence to others.  Like I said, she is a gutsy lady to be admired!  And, to learn from.

It is not my intent to cover much more on actual medical experiences of Ms. Corbin.  They are too involved and complicated to reproduce in this short statement.  However, one experience, when she was very ill, and referred to a new doctor, is alluded to throughout the book…that of being sexually abused by that medical doctor.  It is clear that the issue, which she never addressed formally, still bothers her.  Perhaps this open sharing of the event will exorcise it.  I hope so.  I also hope that that doctor gets his hands on the book and a "Holy Light" reveals his need for shame and remorse.

Ms. Corbin also includes her good experiences and healings with doctors and, indeed, has included comments from professionals in her Foreword and follow-up Perspectives.  I must admit having these included provided me with needed credibility.  Otherwise, the reader might cast the book aside and think that "all this couldn't have happened to one person."  Note that she also includes incidents involving her family, not just herself.  I felt that these were just as traumatic to her as her own illnesses and actually reinforced her own experiences and perceptions to herself as well as to others. 

Almost as an aside to the medical issues, Ms. Corbin has been able to write a difficult story in a way that is entertaining to the reader.  While she includes some research in support of her opinions, her writing is real, sincere, sometimes funny, but always open and honest.  Her writing is excellent and dialogue strong.  This book is a must-read!

Review by G. A. Bixler
For Independent Professional Reviewers