One of, if not THE most revered and respected and beloved men in Tallahassee died yesterday at the age of 94. Alexander Dumas Brickler.
You see that face? That is the face of a man who delivered over 30,000 babies in his life. And one has to wonder how many births he attended, as a mentor or just...because. I have spoken about him many times and always with great reverence because I have known and respected him through infrequent but memorable interactions since 1978 and because of facts I know about him and have learned about him and because of the gentle, knowledgable ways that he has always demonstrated.
The last time I can recall actually seeing Dr. Brickler was when Lily was in labor with Owen. He was head of the midwife practice then who was taking care of my girl and although he did not do the delivery, he was there, popping in and out to check on things the way he did, dressed in scrubs and probably talking to my still-in-utero grandson in the same calm and soothing way he talked to us, but of course in the silent method of communication he used to talk to the being-born babies. The nurses claimed that he could do that. Talk to the babies before they were born.
Lily put it so well in a text today after we all got the news that he had died.
"And mom, why do I just picture his ghost self still scrubbing up every day and walking the halls of the l&d like nothing's changed?"
I think there are many, many people who will always think of him that way and honestly, if I believed in heaven, I think that Dr. Brickler's idea of it would be an endless Labor and Delivery unit with so many mothers and babies to take care of. To safely deliver the babies into their mother's arms.
I wish I had the words to truly describe how much Dr. Brickler is admired around here. I wish I had words to truly describe how proud people are to be able to say, "I'm a Brickler baby."
Here's the article that ran in the paper today about him.
I used the picture that ran with the article because I love it so much.
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I called the urologist today and made an appointment for Thursday. This kidney stone is giving me the same symptoms that the other one did and they are all too familiar. I do not want to wait until I have to be driven to the ER in the middle of the night seeking morphine. I am sure there will be a scan to see where the stone is now and then a plan of treatment will be made depending on the location of the little motherfucker. I am not looking forward to any of this. I am vastly unhappy about it, in fact. But it must be done. I remember how with the last stone I felt terrible for at least a month before the real pain began- the gastric problems I had, the malaise. My walk yesterday, and one I took at the beach, both gave me the same feeling of what I can only describe as "pukiness". Amazing how a stone in the kidney can affect so many other parts of the body.
Strangely enough- when I had my very first kidney stone, when I was pregnant with Jessie, I went to the hospital and before they diagnosed the stone, Dr. Brickler came in because I was pregnant, to check things out and give his opinion. As always, he was very quiet, and calm, and I distinctly remember him being there and feeling that things would be okay because...he was there. Just that. His presence.
I wonder how many women have known that same feeling when he entered the room where they were laying in travail. A feeling that all would be well because he was there.
How incredibly lucky Tallahassee has been to be the place where A.D. Brickler lived and so skillfully practiced his art and his science.
He will be sorely and deeply missed, not only by the tens of thousands of families whose lives he touched in such profound ways, but by his family for whom I wish peace and comfort in the knowledge that he will not be soon forgotten.
Love...Ms. Moon
That's a beautiful tribute to a great man. Such an important life.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm sorry you're in kidney stone territory again. I'm glad you had the trip already. Let's hope this can be resolved quickly.
Your lips to the gods' and goddesses' ears.
DeleteYou are so right- Dr. Brickler did lead an important life. Exactly.
sorry to hear of the loss of the wonderful Dr Brickler........SO sorry. But to just begin to fathom the many lives he touched.........is amazing. Truly a life well and fully lived that will span generations.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your stone acting up still...but yep...probably time to tackle whatever you need to in order to deal.
I've been having a very reflective and retrospective last few days..and it continues, but it's good. you know it well (as do most of us). We lost a dear distant neighbor last week..... *Farmer Donna*........ who was a 30 year friend, neighbor, mentor.....tutor ...and I've spent the past few days contacting people still IN my life now....who have been important,,,,,,and letting them know just HOW much I love and appreciate them. I think we all go through these phases of life......but it's so important to acknowledge them....NOW, while we can
Love and hugs to you........
Susan M
I think you are right, Susan. It is very important to acknowledge those we love while we still can. I am sorry to hear about Farmer Donna. The death of a dear one can certainly make us think and reflect. And when we remembering them, we think and reflect some more, don't we? We have to include the loss of them in our thoughts about them.
DeleteWhat a heartwarming story about Dr. Brickler. I worked with a physician very much like Dr. Brickler. He even looked like Dr. Brickler. One of the most dignified, kindest, intelligent physicians I ever worked with. I believe he also worked until he was about 90. He was not OB. He was a family doctor. Beloved by all who ever came in contact with him.
ReplyDeleteWell, I hope you get that 'motherfucker' of a stone sent to hell where it/they belong. Glad you're going in now and not waiting. Feel better and keep us posted.
Paranormal John
Dr. Brickler was a gyn, too, of course, and in that capacity he helped even more women. And isn't it an honor just to be in the presence of these people who have been the very essence of what a doctor can be which is a healer? I've never heard a bad word about Dr. Brickler. Even years before his death he was always spoken about with reverence and respect. And humor.
DeleteI'm glad you got to work with such a physician. They are teachers for those they work with, aren't they?
Yes. I'll go see what the doctor tomorrow says about this damn stone. None of the alternatives are exactly ideal but some are better than others.
How wonderful that Dr. Brickler lived and practiced for so very long! And his family connection to Harriet Tubman demonstrates how close we still are to the days of slavery. Margaret
ReplyDeleteI know! I had no idea until the article about him that came out when he "retired" that he was related to Harriet Tubman. But it is a perfectly believable thing. And she died in 1913 which was less than ten years before Dr. B. was born. Is my math right? Seems unbelievable, doesn't it?
DeleteHow down you were yesterday, and today the kidney stone's ugly face is appearing again. I'm glad you are making the appointment.
ReplyDeleteA kind and caring doctor is another thing we know in common. My only obstetrician had been my husband's family doctor for five generations. He claimed his first patient was my husband's great-great grandfather, and his job was removing his leg. Also something about a Civil War injury I do not recall.
Yep. I think my body knew I was fixing to face some more trauma. Which is depressing and anxiety-producing.
DeleteOh my god! That's crazy about that doctor! And can you imagine your first patient being someone you had to remove the leg of? Good Lord!
I'm glad he stayed in practice and you were able to be his patient. What a world of wisdom he must have had.
What an amazing human being and what a wonderful legacy.
ReplyDeleteI do hope that by tackling the stone issue early you won't have such a torrid time of it.
Me too, Ms. Merlot. Thank you.
DeleteA wonderful tribute. I love the fact that Dr Brickler was named after a popular French novelist of the 19th century - he of "The Three Musketeers" fame and "The Count of Monte Cristo".
ReplyDeleteI am sure that his family expected great things for him and probably his siblings, too. And they were correct in their expectations! A very strong and fine name. I agree. My maternal side of the family's last name is Alexander so it is always special to me.
DeleteI hope they can do something about that stone. I wish there were more Dr. Brickler types in this world. I like his name too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, e, for your kind thoughts.
DeleteDr. Brickler was one of a kind. It would be a better world if there were more like him.
I hope smething can be done about the stone and hope it is all over with quickly. I also hope you never get another one.
ReplyDeleteI swear to you- when this is over I am going to be drinking lemon water like it was...well, water.
DeleteI'm sorry that kidney stone is kicking up again. Dr. Brickler sounds like a remarkable man. I feel like those types of doctors are more rare these days, but maybe not!
ReplyDeleteI do love my Dr. Zorn, you know. He's not exactly like Dr. B. but he is kind and intelligent and very thoughtful.
DeleteWhat a nice tribute you wrote to such a fine doctor.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a simple solution to that kidney stone and you will be pain free soon, Mary!
Thanks, Ellen. What I am having now is more "discomfort" than pain but honestly, I would really like to avoid that particular feeling.
DeleteHe sounds like he was an amazing man and doctor. Perhaps your kidney stone acting up has been causing some of your existential dread, and good that you're getting it dealt with.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you are right, Pixie. I know it has been nagging at me in several different ways which does indeed add to my general feeling of "unwellness."
Deletedoesn't it seem like the good ones go while the bad ones stick around? but even the bad ones go eventually. my neighbor had a recent death in his family and his generation is now the oldest like me; parents, aunts, and uncles all gone. and we were talking about how more and more of our peers are going and we will too, sooner rather than later.
ReplyDeleteI hope they get that kidney stone straightened out without all the horribleness you went through with the last one.
Well, at the age of 94 we knew he had to go at some point. But hell. I wish he could have just stuck around forever, talking to not-yet-born babies and bringing them into the world.
DeleteYep. We do not have that generation in front of us anymore as a barrier to be next to go, do we?
Thanks for the hopes about the stone. I just want it out of me. Painlessly. Unfortunately, that is not really a possibility when you consider peeing out the grit when they blast a stone. But- better than the blood and agony of the entire stone trying to pass.
What a nice tribute, I’m so glad you got to know him. I’m sorry about your kidney stone, my husband was in the er for one very recently, I’ve never seen him in so much pain. They did give him morphine, that helped immensely. Unfortunately it was too small to zap so they sent him home to wait for it to pass, which happened the next day. I hope to never know that particular pain and hope they can treat yours before it gets worse.
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Barbara
I worship at the feet of the God of Morphine! That shit does indeed work, given in sufficient quantities through our veins.
DeleteI'm so sorry your husband had to go through that and so glad that he passed the stone.
37paddington: He sounds like a truly special human. He had a good innings and gave so much to the world. Thank you for sharing Dr. Brickler with us. I am in awe of such goodness and light as he clearly had. As for your kidney stone, hoo boy I will glad when it’s out. Keeping vigil with you over that thing.
ReplyDelete