THE CAREGIVER AND THE DOCTOR

THE CAREGIVER’S DOCTOR.

Recently, I had a doctor’s appointment—4 myself, the Caregiver. Just an annual routine check-up which I had been routinely ignoring annually. That was until I became a Caregiver. I decided to give up the idea that I would be returning to my old life with my previous PCP anytime soon and find a Doctor here were I currently reside.

Last year’s appointment was fairly routine. I wasn’t expecting any major changes, I just wanted to check out my overall health. I was a tad concerned.

I was concerned because I wasn’t living the life that I used to live—a healthy life complete with vitamins, exercise, salads, fish, the Beach, fresh vegetables, Friends, and not so much meat. A life with a level of stress over which I had many methods to control—now I have wine.

My Mother, like millions of Americans has an odd attachment to unhealthy foods which Nutritionists would not recommend in a daily diet. And so, I do my best to not only cook healthier foods for my Mother but also prepare dishes which fit into my lifestyle.

I was also concerned because my stress level is off the charts, and I am convinced that being my Mom’s Caregiver has taken a toll on my health. If not completely driven me crazy!

Anyway, last year at this time, my doctor’s appointment went well. The exam and bloodwork were not only normal but put me in the healthier percentile of people one would refer to as my peers.

The results this year, mirrored those of last year or were even better. Caregiving for my Mother does not appear to have had a negative effect on my health.

How can that be?

My Stress level is through the roof—yet my Blood Pressure and all tests associated with showed no signs of aggravated stress.

And although I feel as if I cannot control my daily diet due to my efforts to cook my Mom’s favorite meals of things I wouldn’t normally eat, it hasn’t seemed to adversely affect my health.

And the wine is adding benefits as opposed to creating any health issues. Not that I expected anything different.

My weight remains in my acceptable range. I haven’t gained or lost a significant or noticeable number of pounds.

I don’t sleep well but that doesn’t seem to have affected me physically.

But I know that Caregiving is NOT good for my health.

What about the huge knot in my neck? Or the additional number of headaches? And then there are my bloodshot eyes, and I can clearly see dark circles which my Doctor did not appear to notice even when I called his attention to what I see in the mirror. And how about the fact that I am ALWAYS tired!

Doctors are just people who took different classes in school and some of them earned C’s and D’s. Meaning they don’t know everything. And blood tests see things that are there but perhaps not those things that are not.

Clearly Caregiving is a hazard to my health.

The results just don’t seem to show up on a physical exam or a comprehensive blood/urine panel.

Due to the current Health Care System, I would need a referral to see a psychiatrist; however, when I casually asked, my Primary Care Physician chuckled when he said that he would give me a name, but he didn’t really see the need for such a referral. He said that he found me, “outgoing, young, healthy with a very positive outlook.” Never mind, that there are occasions when I truly believe that I have lost my mind! Apparently, that’s positively “normal” in Caregiving situations.

And so, after a thorough complete physical examination and an overview of the bloodwork results, I was pronounced 100 % healthy.

If I were a grading Professor, I would give the Doctor a B-.

I must note that the “B” was due to his very pleasant bedside manner.

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THE CAREGIVER & THE DOCTOR