Annual Physical

I love my primary care physician. She insists on seeing all of her patients on a regular basis, no less often than every six months, just to check in and see what is happening. If something is going on or you are going through life changes, you can come in more often even if you are not feeling ill. She would rather prevent than cure. Great philosophy. She let me know that even though I have been seeing doctors throughout my treatment, she needs to check in with me, and I immediately see why.

She asks about every aspect of my life. Am I dating anyone? Who is still living at home with me? Am I being abused in any way? What is my mood like given all I have been through? When was my last ob/gyn exam? Do I have a regular ob/gyn now? No? Here is a list of names. Call and see who might be taking new patients. Am I taking enough Vitamin D and Calcium? She makes recommendations, types notes into my record, asks about my kids in North Carolina and my grand children.

Since I haven't had my H1N1 shot, she consults with my oncologist and makes sure I get that before I go out the door. And a baseline EKG because my last one was a long time ago and pre treatment. She looks at levels in my bloodwork, wants a fasting blood sugar to be done, says my thyroid is fine despite the struggles with the Bexxar. She looks in my mouth and worries about how small my opening is. This could be a partial cause of my blood pressure problems, not just tooth issues. Later, when I am more up to it, she will investigate whether I have apnea which could be corrected and clear up other issues, including overweight.

She looks me over carefully, checks my skin, any moles, my eating habits, do I smoke or drink? She thumps me here, taps me with her rubber hammer there, has me press against her hand to resist so she can test my strength. After all that, I suspect she knows more about me than I do! But she takes good care of me. I love that part. She partners with me to help me get into better shape and do all I can to stay that way.

We talk about losing some weight, she says the Y will help me there. She defers addressing cholesterol testing until I have had more time to recover from the cancer treatments, but we will get to it. She helps me follow through with the additional plans that I discussed with my oncologist. She steers me towards a breast clinic that is less busy than the premier one because I won't get so lost in their shuffle and I should have individual attention right now. Better for me. Yes, this is the way health care should be.

She not only knows my name and face, but my complete medical history and my life situation. Given what I am following up with, and the start of the Rituxan in May, we agree that I should connect again with her in late April to review and make sure everything is in place before the maintenance stuff starts. Yes, it was a good change. I expect a lifelong relationship that will encourage me to be better in caring for myself and those around me. Prevent. I like the sound of it.

Bottom line today? I am in great shape! She patted me on the back and said, "Good girl. You had an excellent check up." And I put on my clothes and left, some of the song returning to my heart.