OK. So it’s that time of year again, when we vow to makes changes and really, really mean it this time. (Yes, Virginia, there is a treadmill). For 2012, my resolution was simple: To stay alive, not just fit. Which means being better about making doctor appointments.
In 2011, I had a funny-looking bump on my arm. I’ve had cancerous spots removed before and it didn’t look anything like those, so I ignored it, thinking it would go away. I’d have my dermatologist take a look when I went in for my regularly scheduled exam in two months. How bad could it be? Pretty bad, as it turned out. It was cancer, just a kind I’d never seen before. I’d done it again – played doctor – which is just plain idiotic considering I didn’t even pass Algebra much less go to med school, and now I have a 5-inch scar on my arm and the lingering effects of a nasty infection where I would’ve had a much smaller scar and probably no infection. Ugh. Well, I learned my lesson: Don’t wait. If you see a suspicious spot or lump, pick up the phone. That goes for regular checkups, too. I realized I was way overdue for a a gynecological exam. Holy moly – I didn’t even have a gynecologist; not since the last one I went to retired. So two days ago I found one in my neighborhood and picked up the phone.
Ugh. No one likes going to the doctor. Me? I had to have my arm practically twisted out of its socket before I went in for the dreaded colonoscopy. It’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, and at times painful. But the worst thing of all is to hear something could have been nipped in the bud, if only…
Life is full of if-only’s. If only I hadn’t had that last bite of pasta….shot my mouth off…watched that stupid reality show when I should’ve been reading…et cetera, et cetera. But let’s face it, mouthing off, or gaining a few pounds around the holidays, or indulging in the guilty pleasure of Real Housewives, isn’t going to kill you. Putting off going to the doctor just might.
