For
the first time since I can’t remember when, I think it has been about a year, I
made time to see the doctor. Actually, I have been to two doctor’s appointments
in the past week. I think that is enough at least for a little while. Don’t
worry, it is nothing that is to be concerned about, they were just a couple of
checkups. The first was with the regular doctor and the second was basically a
double check.
Fortunately,
I have the flexibility at work to set appointments that are otherwise not
possible… this was an issue when I was working hourly and either didn’t have
the time or I was just too darn tired during the normal waking hours to get
myself to the office. But now, I have the time, and I am able to make sure I
get to the checkups. Maybe I should make this a regular thing just to make sure
that nothing does come up.
While
I am not a fan of how the health insurance industry if forced to operate these
days, it still works, and I really don’t know if such appointments would be
possible without it. There have certainly been issues lately with coverage,
specifically with getting my wife covered, but that has all been taken care of
now. Things seem to be back to usual at the moment.
One
thing that I have really come to appreciate in the last couple or few years is
the importance of having a doctor that works for me. The office I go to is a
very small husband and wife team that harkens back to the neighborhood doctor.
Actually, my father grew up with him and he, after medical school, took over
his father’s practice and bought the house in which he grew up. He can have a
bit of an abrupt demeanor at times but it is always with a sense of looking out
for what is best for me. On top of that, these days, with referrals a
requirement, this office makes the process easy. It truly is the epitome of a
family practice.
While
these kinds of offices are slowly disappearing, the recent healthcare
legislation seems to be speeding up their disappearance at a staggering rate. The
family practice and the attention one receives from such offices, will soon be
nothing more than a memory. But until that day comes, even with his
shortcomings, I will continue to see my family doctor and do my best to listen
to what he says. I’ll at least try.
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