My Family Doctor Saved My Life

Family Doctor: Dr. Elizabeth Dixon

I have been under Dr. Elizabeth Dixon’s care since 2010 when I was pregnant with my son. She was my sister’s family doc and I was fortunate to witness her deliver my niece. Weeks later I found out I was expecting and wanted the same care, concern and compassion from my maternity doc. She agreed to take me on. Fast forward 3 years…Dr. Dixon has kept me as her patient as well as my son. I have received numerous personal calls checking up on different health concerns (nothing other docs would consider a need for a phone call), I always have all my questions answered, and Dr. Dixon is always kind and thorough. She is rarely late and always has a smile for her patients. She takes the time to listen to concerns and offer help and solutions and does not just offer meds.

This summer I fully believe Dr. Dixon was an instrument in saving my life! I was in a “minor” car accident in Jan and suffered massive whip lash as a result. I saw a chiropractor and massage therapist to help with it initially as I didn’t believe I needed medical attention for soft tissue injury. I continued to go downhill instead of getting better and in July the chiropractor diagnosed me with a slipped disk in my back. At this point I called to Dr. Dixon’s office and made an appointment to ask for pain control and a possible MRI to see what was going on. I ended up in emergency a few days prior to my appointment so a MRI was ordered.

Upon my arrival at my appointment with Dr. Dixon, she knew immediately I was not well. We talked about what my options were and that I possibly was not a candidate for surgery. We talked about pain management and rehabilitation options since my MRI was set for Dec 4, way too far down the road for the seriousness of my pain. Dr. Dixon said she would try and have it moved ASAP, not promising anything, but would do her best. She was leaving on holidays so she went above and beyond what any doc I know would have done and gave me her email and asked that I keep her updated. Wow! The next morning before 9 am I was called and my MRI was moved to the following week. Dr. Dixon delivered her promise of making the call:)

I had emergent surgery within the week for my massive herniated disk (was days away from paralysis according to the surgeon). Dr. Dixon checked in with me after surgery to see how I was doing and actually wanted to thank my surgeon for taking such good care of me. Had she not saw the urgency of my pain and helped move my MRI up I would have lost bladder function and possibly been paralyzed before I had that late MRI!

I am so very thankful she treated me like a human and not just another case. It means the world! I think Dr. Dixon rocks and is one of a kind!

Shannon Hoadley, Edmonton