I confess...

...I was way, w-a-y over due for my annual physical.  I was well, w-e-l-l over the two year mark.  Then when I moved I had a hard time finding a physician that was taking new patients.  It turned out those that were, were specialists, or pediatricians.  I don't need a specialist and I'm
w-a-a-a-a-y beyond needing a pediatrician.

Then, one day I found a physician in family practice who was taking patients and I immediately made an appointment with her.

Naturally my stress elevated from that moment on....I hate going to a doctor...and I told the nurse and the doctor today I knew my blood pressure was gonna' be up.  It was.

Anyway, a few years back my daughter indicated she thought it was a good idea if she met my physician, and I agreed...but then...I stopped going to doctors.  That took care of that.  However, I got to thinking about that when I made today's appointment and I asked her if she would like to come along and meet this new doctor.  She said yes.

Off we went.  This was a new clinic I'd never been to before and as clinics go it was brightly painted, very organized and easy to maneuver.   In addition everybody was friendly and helpful.  We checked in and took a seat.  Sadly, the wait to actually see the doctor took some time, but my HMO has a policy of spending quality time with each patient, so I was prepared for the wait.  Of course, sometimes there are actual emergencies, too, making a wait necessary.

Eventually they called my name, I was on my way,  I told the nurse my daughter wanted to meet my doctor, and could she eventually join me. I was told that would not be a problem.  The doctor and I talked for quite a while.  Was I having any problems?  How was I feeling, generally speaking?  Do I sleep well?  What medications do I take, etc, etc?

I asked the doctor to check my file to see if I had an 'emergency' contact in the file and was not the least surprised when she said I didn't.  I said I thought I should and that my daughter was waiting to meet her could she come in.  Not only did the doctor say she could...she personally went to the waiting area to get her.  Turns out it is indeed a good thing for an older person to have an 'emergency' contact in their file, it is also a good idea for the patient to fill out a form stating that this 'emergency' person is to be privy to "some or all' the medical information and problems the patient has.  And, here's the thing...if you don't have such a form on file...the doctor CANNOT...divulge ANY...of the information in your file to family members or anybody else.  It's part of the 'right to privacy' legal stuff.   I was quite surprised and filled mine out so that my daughter will have access to all medical information.  What I want to point out is I don't think my doctor would have even brought up the form if I had not been making inquiries. Maybe this is something you should discuss with your physician as well.

Of course after my visit, I had to have blood work done, and a new prescription to fill as well.  I can think about a mammogram, which brought about the discussion of cancer, and treatments.  I told her if I ever did get cancer the first thing I would do is sign up and join a cancer study program.  She seemed surprised I was willing to be a guinea pig.  Shoot, at my age, why not?

As it turned out my appointment went very well, my daughter and I decided we really like my new doctor...not that I won't get stressed out the next time I have to go see her.  Some things will never,
n-e-v-e-r change.