Monday Moment - Two Reasons to See My Doc

On Friday, I had my annual doctor’s visit. He did the usual screenings including blood work, pap smear, and breast exam. I walked out knowing that all signs indicate that my systems are working normally, that the mole on my collar bone is nothing to worry about, and that I have less than 4% chance of having a heart attack in the next ten years – down one percentage point from last year’s appointment.

As you might imagine, I walked out of his office feeling good! For two reasons.

One – well, hey, it was all good news. I feel healthy and now I’ve had my good health confirmed by my medical consultant. That’s how I look at my doc. I’ve hired him – because of his expertise and experience – to help me assess and monitor my health.

And two – going to see my doc once a year is an important thing I do for myself. And for anybody who cares about me for that matter. I feel an obligation to take care of myself so that I can be useful, helpful, and able to care for or about anyone else. Seeing my doc – and getting my mammogram and dental checkups – helps me feel like I’m doing something important to be a healthy, contributing member of the world.

I didn’t always feel this way – or act in what I now consider a responsible manner. I grew up in the Dr. Kildare, Marcus Welby days when dear old friends dropped in to see their docs to take care of a hangnail and walked out with a dire, life-threatening diagnosis. Cripes, that was enough to scare me off from making an appointment! That and my all too present tendency to procrastinate.

But once I got off the particular dime I was stalled on and got myself into the office, I got the above-described sense of well-being and I’ve been faithful to my annual visits ever since. It feels good, and I like doing things that help me feel good – in both the immediate and far-flung future.

What will you do this week to help you feel good? Is it time to make an appointment?

Wishing you lots of feeling good in this first week of spring!

Sally