The Absent Uncle: Modern medicine

As I look forward on the calendar to the coming week, it reminds me of how fortunate I am to be able to take advantage of modern medicine techniques and practices, of Medicare, and the reasonably good health I have been blessed with. 

For instance; last week on Friday I had a blood draw with tests be performed specified by my Primary Care Physician (PCP).  On Saturday evening the results of those tests were posted on a website designed for me to see such things and to keep up with the complicated task of tracking my health.

I have every confidence that I will receive a note from my PCP that she and I will discuss these results on my Tuesday appointment (she always sends me that note). In between I can compare the results to previous tests, see the changes, think about it, and have ready questions to ask her.

And she will have questions to ask me.

At this point in my life I guess I point to the quote attributed to Mickey Mantle when asked about his longevity: “Had I known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself”.

In no league with Mantle on any number of levels, I started to know the value of taking care of oneself when I passed 60. I deal with diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, cataracts/glaucoma, and now some painful knees. But in the whole spectrum of my friends, acquaintances, and other folks I know my stuff is minor; treatable, just take care of your kind of stuff. No terminal diagnosis’. Thankful is what I am.

That is where modern medicine for me is so much a wonderful thing. I have resources, people that care, a system that is there for me, and I just need to listen (and do better!).