CALL THE DOCTOR.

  A nickname of mine is Dr. Mom.  Quite a few family members and friends actually call me before their own M.D.   I guess many years of mothering, a first aid certification, a degree in child development qualifies me as a expert of sorts. I pretty much can diagnosis baby rashes at a glance and apply pressure bandages to wounded appendages while driving to the ER.v  Once i was actually called upon to "Heimleck" a chocking toddler and  give CPR to  an cardiac arrested teenager. So why would a qualified medical person like myself need a doctor.
"Physician,heal thyself."

This plan has not been working for me. First of all, I am not very good at taking my own advice.  Second, I am not even very good at taking other people's advice.  Third, I actually have medical issues that need to be addressed.  I made an appointment for today and finally kept it. 

 I recently injured my right knee dancing at my nieces wedding.  The pain I find myself in is not helping the depression I have been trying to manage.  Also in injuring my knee  I was informed by the emergency room doctor that the knee(in fact both knees) suffer from arthritis.  I am not surprised at this diagnosis because I have had knee discomfort for some time.  I am also 100lbs over weight.(or 3 feet under tall.)  No wonder my knees are complaining.  My doctor will be giving me an Nsaid for relief of some of the pain.  But he also wants an MRI to confirm the diagnois of inside mennicus tear.  Hello rehab, surgery or both.  Also he asked the dreaded lady question.
"Do you have a mammogram scheduled?" 
The answer..I did not.

Well if I am willing to get stuck in  a gerbil tube to diagnosis a knee pain I may just have to live with.  Why didn't I plan to squish "the girls" to diagnosis a disease that I could die from?  Which test is more important?

So here's a challenge...if you are 30plus and haven't had a baseline mammogram or if you are 40plus and haven't had a yearly mammogram..please join me in making the call.  Most insurances will let you have one without a referral.  Some companies have wellness benefits or AFLAC that will pay money for them.  If you don't have insurance see your local health department.  Don't delay and schedule one this month.  I AM!

Challenge #3: Call the doctor: Don't face medical issues alone and make sure to have a mammogram.


As always,
Trish