House Calls and Hitching Posts
Stories from Dr. Elton Lehman's career among the Amish
As told by Dorcas Sharp Hoover ISBN 9781561485024 Binding Trade Paper Publisher GOOD BOOKS Publication Date October 05, 2005 Size 140 x 216 mmMedical technology meets rural values of simplicity, home health remedies, and unwavering faith in divine providence when a country-boy-turned-country-doctor returns to his roots. House Calls and Hitching Posts is a sometimes humorous and often intimate account of Dr. Elton Lehman's 36 years practicing medicine among the Amish of Ohio, for which he was named Country Doctor of the Year.
This is the story of a beloved doctor working among a respected people and the insights they exchanged, told by someone who knows both firsthand.
Hoover's anecdotal style takes readers on house calls and into the private moments between doctors and patients. Joe brings his dismembered fingers to the office in a coffee can filled with kerosene. Katie delivers a boy for the doctor's first home-birth. And three-year-old Davy rallies to overcome a life-threatening illness at birth, only to be crushed under a tractor wheel.
Hoover captures in sometimes local vernacular the joys and dilemmas of a family practitioner among a rural and predominantly-Amish community. Includes many photographs from Dr. Lehman's distinguished career.
A country-boy-turned-country-doctor goes on house calls among the Amish of eastern Ohio in this warm collection of true-life tales.
Alert to his patients' preferences to have their babies born close to home, and their illnesses and injuries treated in a home-like atmosphere, Dr. Elton Lehman also created a treatment and birthing center in the hills of Wayne County, Ohio.
From these years of medical technology meeting rural values come these unforgettable stories:
Joe brings his dismembered fingers to the office in a coffee can filled with kerosene;
Dozens of babies are born with Dr. Lehman's help; Katie's little boy is his first at-home birth;
Three-year-old Davy rallies to overcome a life-threatening illness at birth, only to be crushed under a tractor wheel;
Barb, the Amish leader's wife, joins Doc Lehman in an unusual partnership, setting aside a bedroom in her own home as an alternative "delivery" room.
Writer Hoover captures in sometimes local vernacular the joys and dilemmas of a family practitioner among a rural and predominantly-Amish community.
Photo Gallery
Introduction
1. The Scent of Trouble
2. A Country Boy Come Home
3. Patients on the Floor
4. Checky and Becky
5. Against Better Knowledge
6. Barb's House
7. Dogs, Bullets, and Other House Call Hazards
8. Slit Throats and Office Dilemmas
9. Quivering Sheets and Other Hospital Escapades
10. The Case of the Rare Blood Factor
11. The Quandary of the Amish Bishop and the Telephone
12. I'm not God!
13. Amish Church at Barb's
14. My Son!
15. Twilight Rendezvous
16. Blizzard Babies Don't Wait
17. Coroner Duty
18. A Dog in Doc's Bed
19. Court Order
20. Jeep Doctor
21. Med School Memories and Mishaps
22. Hang in There, Barb!
23. Doc's Amish Birthing Center
24. Zebra-Striped Toast and Contagious Contractions
25. The Mysterious Case of "Little Boy Blue"
26. The Puzzle of the Perplexing Pains
27. A Jewish Kippah for Doc
28. Five Small White Crosses
29. No Million Dollar Work-Up
30. The Pie Takes the Prize
Epilogue
Endnotes
Glossary
About the Author
A country-boy-turned-country-doctor goes on house calls among the Amish of eastern Ohio in this warm collection of true-life tales.
Alert to his patients' preferences to have their babies born close to home, and their illnesses and injuries treated in a home-like atmosphere, Dr. Elton Lehman also created a treatment and birthing center in the hills of Wayne County, Ohio.
From these years of medical technology meeting rural values come these unforgettable stories:
- Joe brings his dismembered fingers to the office in a coffee can filled with kerosene;
- Dozens of babies are born with Dr. Lehman's help; Katie's little boy is his first at-home birth;
- Three-year-old Davy rallies to overcome a life-threatening illness at birth, only to be crushed under a tractor wheel;
- Barb, the Amish leader's wife, joins Doc Lehman in an unusual partnership, setting aside a bedroom in her own home as an alternative "delivery" room.
Writer Hoover captures in sometimes local vernacular the joys and dilemmas of a family practitioner among a rural and predominantly-Amish community.
When my husband Jerry and I first met Dr. Lehman, his calm, thoughtful manner and commitment to integrity impressed us immediately. We knew we could trust this country doctor to deliver our children, even if it meant driving nearly an hour to his small-town clinic.
Dr. Lehman went on to deliver four of our six children in the peaceful birthing center he designed for his Amish patients. At each delivery, my husband asked the doctor about his adventures, and "Doc" proceeded to entertain us with another account, keeping us between laughter and tears.
"Doc, you need to write a book," my husband always said. Dr. Lehman would glance up with a look of startled horror on his face. Quickly, he'd slip back into his shy reserve and dash off a row of notes on his clipboard. "Oh, no," he'd say, heading for the door. "I'm not a writer."
Then one afternoon Doc called me at home. "Folks have been telling me I need to record my experiences," he said, "but I'm not a writer. Would you consider writing my story for me?"
Later, as Jerry and I listened to Dr. Lehman share his stories in the living room of our log cabin home, we recognized the inspirational value in the stories from this community servant. He embodied the biblical concept that in dying to self, we truly live. My husband and I decided we were willing to make sacrifices of our own to bring these stories to others.
Dr. Lehman's patients have selflessly shared their hearts, thoughts, and memories with us so I could share them with you. I have tried to protect their privacy by changing their names, with the exception of the characters in "Five Small White Crosses" and "The Mysterious Case of Little Boy Blue," which received wide media coverage. As a rule, I used the actual names of Dr. Lehman's staff, his relatives, pastor, historical figures, acquaintances, colleagues, and his Mennonite patients. I also used actual names in "The Pie Takes the Prize," with the exception of "Harry" at the beginning of that chapter.
In my efforts to protect Dr. Lehman's patients-many who, by religious conviction, wish to humbly stay out of the limelight -- I have taken a writer's liberty to make minor changes to insignificant details in the accounts, while being tenaciously loyal to the basic facts. In order for the book to read as a story, the factual account is recorded in historical narrative -- using conversations based on facts. In a few rare incidents, it was necessary for several events to be placed within the same story. Where there were conflicting accounts from the countless interviews, I have chosen to use the perspective of the person closest to the incident in question. All the events recorded in the book are, in fact, true. If there are errors, the author acknowledges they are hers.
Since neither 911 emergency services nor squads were available to the Mount Eaton community in the mid '60s when Dr. Lehman began his practice, he occasionally found it necessary in those early years to transport patients to the hospital in his personal vehicle. Med school professors had advised against using a personal vehicle to transport patients, but the little village of Mount Eaton, Ohio, with its large Amish population, defied convention!
Finally, this book could not have been published without the gracious assistance and support of patients, friends, relatives, and colleagues to whom I am indebted. Though I regret I am unable to mention each by name, I cannot forget to express my appreciation to:
Dr. Elton Lehman, Phyllis Lehman, and children Brenda, Brent, and Beverly for sharing their lives
Dr. Lehman's patients and the capable office and Care Center staff for sharing their stories
The late and legendary Barb Hostetler
Dr. Wain Eberly, who invited Dr. Lehman to Mount Eaton
Dr. Nolan Byler for contributing stories and checking for errors
The late Louise Stoltzfus, who first began this project
Celia Lehman, who carefully researched several chapters
Paul M. Schrock, former director of Herald Press and Dr. Lehman's EMU classmate, who graciously advised and guided the project
Myrrl Byler, the teacher who encouraged me to write
Merle and Phyllis Good and Delphine Martin of Good Books for their expertise in refining the book
My uncle Dr. David R. Miller, Dr. Lehman's classmate, who reviewed the medical terminology
Supportive colleagues and patients of Dr. Lehman, as well as friends and relatives of the Lehmans and the Hoovers
My husband, Jerry Hoover, and our children, Jerry Allen, Justin, Judith, Joshua, Janae, and Janelle, for their patient support
My parents, Urie and Delilah Sharp, college classmates of Dr. Lehman, for their encouragement and support
Our precious Lord-the ultimate example of selfless service -- for his grace and guidance through this project
For the glory of God,
Dorcas Sharp Hoover
March 2004