's Motd Tues March 25, 2008

[Guest guest]

DOCTOR'S OFFICE, MAY I HELP YOU?

Tuesday, 25 March 2008

Do you remember the name of your pediatrician? I remember mine. He was Dr. Veith. I just loved him so. He had a very soft-spoken voice and his eyes looked right into yours when he talked to you. He would always give me a hug when I walked into his office and another hug before I left.Dr. Veith never gave me a lot of hassles about my weight. Of course, he did always tell me to lose the weight and that I should work harder at trying to lose those extra pounds.

My parents also made sure that my brother and I went to the dentist twice a year. And because I had pretty severe asthma, I also had to see the Ear-Nose & Throat doctor once a year. On the calendar in our kitchen, my parents would also write down their own doctor's appointments. So doctors were a part of my life from a very early age. And I have to say that I have always respected and trusted my doctors.

My family was even friends with the doctors in our lives. I can remember how my parents would have one of them over to the house for dinner every now and then. When Dr. Veith came over, oh, you should have seen how I ate. I was so good. I hardly put anything on my plate!

But those good relationships with my doctors, as a child, have taught me to continue to see my doctors regularly. As a matter of fact, I get my annual physical next week.

Now, so many of you tell me that you haven't been to visit a doctor in years. And I know that's especially true for people who are very overweight. But let's face it, if you're overweight, you pick up the paper every day and see stories about "yourself." You read stories about people who've become diabetic, who've had heart attacks or strokes and often because of their obesity. Those fears you have from reading those stories often put you into a state of fear of or denial about the condition of your own health and that's not good.I can't believe it when I talk to men or women who say they have not had a physical in 10 or even 20 years. Or I talk to a woman who has not had a mammogram or seen her gynecologist for a long, long time. Again...not good.People tell me they don't go see their heart doctors or their dentists for fear that there may be something wrong. I know that one of the big factors that may also keep them from going to see their doctors is the money factor. People say to themselves:

"Oh, I may hurt a little now but I'm sure it'll go away. And I don't want to go to the doctor and find out there's something wrong with me. If they do find something wrong, well, I'm sure it'll cost a fortune to fix it!"Hey, you can't be thinking like this. Sure, going to the doctor will cost you some money but if you don't go, well, it may cost you your life! If you're one of those who haven't done so, I need you to go and get yourself a physical as soon as possible. You need to know what shape your body and your health are in. You need to have your blood pressure checked and depending on your age, maybe get an EKG and definitely get some blood work done. This way, they can see how your insides are doing and check your life level.

Maybe you don't know which doctor to go to. Well, ask around and get some good recommendations. And once you choose a doctor, make the commitment and the appointment to go see him or her.Do I get a little scared when I walk into the doctor's office for my physical? Yes, I do..a little. But once I look into my doctor's eyes and he talks softly to me, I'm ready to bare my soul and...my other parts, too. LOL.So, do you remember your pediatrician's name?Love,