The Legacy Continues by: A. Jay Kessinger IV, DC, ND, DABCI, DACBN


“Physician, Heal Thyself” is a catchy title. I believe I’ve read a synopsis, that was of an autoimmune disorder reversed by utilizing the tried and true scientific healing methodology from simpler times. Though this is a subject near and dear to my heart, and is interwoven in all my writings and methodologies, it is not the subject to which this article is being put forth, as this is being designed to follow through with the premise that “Doctor, if you’re going to be your own Doctor then don’t surround yourself with Yes Men.” We are instruments utilized in the harmony of health provision, but we are not the whole orchestra. It’s our prerogative, if not our absolute duty to scrutinize every new idea as well as those of old; however, it’s also our responsibility to study and listen to the ‘new’ ideologies and techniques. Grandad, Dr. AJ Kessinger told me that being a doctor is having a bag of tricks. The bigger the bag the better the doctor. He also said that you find what works for you, make sure that it works, then add to, never take away from it.


I came to work with Dad in January of 1995. The Friday after Thanksgiving, a 63 year-old male came to our clinic with chief complaint of constipation of several days duration. I referred him to Grandad for colonic irrigation. Though that was an agonizing 3 ½ hour trip for him, I’m so thankful that I made that decision. Grandad noted a blockage in the colon of a non-fecal matter consistency. There was a tumor. This man, who later became my father-in-law, had colon cancer. The tumor was surgically removed and he received a temporary colonoscopy. He was found cancer free, discontinued chemotherapy, and remained a patient for the rest of his life. He was able to have his colon successfully resected, and appeared to be in good health. 15 years later, near 6 years my father- in-law, his daughter/my wife, noted his comings and goings weren’t up to par. She challenged me to do a more intensive diagnostic work-up, to which I totally agreed. We were in Hartford, Connecticut where I was delivering Dad’s prepared lecture to the post-graduate DABCI class that weekend. On our way back home we had a layover at Dulles Airport in Washington DC. We were playing cards with my folks and staff, having a good time, when Joy (my wife) got a phone call. Dad told me, “She needs


THE ORIGINAL INTERNIST MARCH 2018


your help.” I caught my wife as her knees were caving beneath her. Her Mom had just told her that her Dad had hepatic carcinoid syndrome, and it was all over. I think that was in August or late July of 2010. He passed in October. I had been running thorough comprehensive blood tests (K-Panels, as our lab knows it) with general tumor markers, every 6 months, but I could’ve/should’ve done more. Did my optimism hinder my resolve because of the closeness of the patient?


I believe it was 2001 when my Dad got really sick. We/he did blood tests and his ferritin kept rising. It looked like cancer a brewing, but we couldn’t figure it out. He went to a urologist who diagnosed a carbuncle on his kidney, treated it with strong antibiotics and his health returned. The urologist wanted him to have another CT scan, to which Dad refused, thinking “Why do I need this test, when the problem’s obviously resolved.”


I am an optimist and I look for the very best in everyone and every situation; however, I’ve become a realist in my understanding that not only do some people have undesirable agendas, there are many situations that no possible good can be immediately deduced from. Regardless of the realism, I prefer to hold onto my smile as I look for the very best in everyone and every situation. I don’t think the world deserves a(nother) cynical old man prowling the land spouting negativity, but I am going to try and keep my eyes open for anyone or anything trying to slick me while I’m lost in complacency. u


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WEEKEND St. Louis, MO


March 15-18, 2018 prohealthseminars.com


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