I remember when I only had one doctor. He did my physical so I could play sports, set my arm when I broke it, came to my house when I was sick and gave me a shot, and delivered my son. Today I have a few more doctors. The doctor I go to for my physicals directs me to all the others. I have an orthopedist for my shoulder and knee, a hand doctor, an endocrinologist, a cardiologist, a travel doctor, an eye doctor, a urologist, a gastroenterologist, a dermatologist, and probably several others. And there’s isn’t much wrong with me except that I’m getting old.
When I don’t feel good, or something is hurting I have to think… which doctor should I go see? I called for an eye appointment for my annual checkup and they could fit me in next month. While riding my bicycle last month I felt tightness in my chest, and pain down my left arm. Was I having a heart attack or did I just start riding too fast in cold weather? If I watch too much television I know from the commercials there are at least ten things that are wrong with me. I remember my mother telling me “Take two aspirin and you’ll feel better in the morning.” Maybe one doctor and a caring mother is enough.
Great blog post. It’s valuable information.