DOCTOR? PLEASE!

I know what you’re thinking, guys. You haven’t been to the doctor in years and since that’s the case, you fear you have every disease known to man. It’s your punishment for not going to the doctor for that yearly “experience”. Or it could be that you’re thinking it’s a waste of time. They look in your eyes, nose, ears, and mouth, down your throat, listen to your heartbeat and charge you fifty bucks (or more)! You feel fine, except for the fact that you have every disease known to man because you haven’t been to the doctor in years!

We’re men. We don’t go to the doctor because……..well…………we’re men! We don’t need a doctor to tell us we’re fine. Just like we don’t need to ever ask directions.

But take a deeper look, guys. You’re afraid. Come on, admit it. It’s ok. I did. You’re afraid to find out that there really might be something amiss. You don’t want to hear it. You figure what you don’t know can’t and won’t hurt you. I know because I used that same head-in-the-sand logic for as many years as possible. I even used the fact that I was, a few years ago, overweight. I told my wife that I don’t need to hear the doctor say, “You’re overweight”! Perfectly reasonable, right? But that was just an excuse for not going.

I was even at the point that whenever my wife asked, “don’t you think it’s time for you to have a physical?”…I would freak out and even get angry! You see, if she even mentioned going to the doctor that meant I had every disease known to man! That’s how it works!

Even my education as a paramedic didn’t convince me to go. I’ve seen a lot of sick people. I know what sick looks like! I’m not sick! Right?! Right?! I had no problem telling others to go to the doctor or even taking them there in the back of an ambulance!

I don’t know about you, but my fear of doctors started when I was a youngster, about 9 or 10. The only doctor around was Dr. Miller in Hortonville, NY. He was an antique who practiced medicine (and torture, I’m sure) out of his home. He was wheelchair-bound and used a high-backed, draconian wheelchair, just to add the setting! I was terrified of him! He would do things like hold out my finger to take blood, wait for me to turn away and then say, “All done”! I’d turn around only to have him jab me! He thought it was funny! I wanted to smack him! He sent me on my lifelong path of doctor-fearing!

For the past four years (I wish it was longer) I’ve made and kept my appointment for that yearly task. I’ve had all the tests that a man over fifty needs to have. I found a great doctor who actually will sit down and listen to me without being judgmental and fear-mongering. That’s really what it took to keep me coming back. It’s ok to be afraid. I can’t guarantee you’ll be in solid health every year. But chances are, if you feel ok, you are ok. Really. But why not know for sure? Know your “numbers”, i.e.; your cholesterol, your blood pressure, your PSA (prostate) number, sugar level, etc. Believe me, knowledge really is power. By the way, on the way out, make next year’s appointment!

Part of being a man is stepping up to the plate and doing what is right. Set an example for younger men. Yes, it’s scary to have to get in there and have that yearly exam. It’s no fun to sit there wearing nothing but a napkin or getting to the point in the exam when Dr. Jellyfinger does his thing!

But it’s time for you to overcome your fear. I did. And it’s a source of great personal pride. Will there be a day when the results aren’t as expected? Maybe. I hope not. But, by having that relationship with my doctor and knowing my numbers, hopefully, whatever it may be, can be fixed.

Besides, what have you got to lose? You already have every disease known to man!