My wife and I started a "fit camp" last night at the YMCA.
It will meet for an hour every Tuesday and Thursday night for 8 weeks.
I try to exercise weekday mornings at the same "Y" from 5:30-6:15 AM and thought I was in decent shape.
However, after doing the initial assessment last evening it's crystal clear I need to:
1. Lose weight (after tipping the scale at 240 pounds)
2. Increase my upper leg strength (was only able to "wall sit" for a little over a minute-not good)
3. Improve my core strength (was also only able to hold the plank position for a little over a minute-pretty pathetic!)
I'll report an update periodically.
I'll have to figure out if/when to call upon my many previous orthopedic injuries/interventions for an excuse if a particular exercise is too painful.
I'll also need to actually start exercising to a level that makes me sweat again.
Alright...here goes...my goal weight in 8 weeks will be 225 pounds. Hopefully now that it's "out there", I'll have some extra motivation to stop snacking so much!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
"Coulda" saved some time
A 66 y/o male came in for a new patient visit.
After taking his lengthy history, I stepped out while he undressed for the physical exam.
When I came back in the exam room I noticed he had a large tattoo on his chest.
On closer inspection it was a list.
On even closer inspection, I noticed it was his medical history.
Allergy: Penicillin
#1. Tonsils 1958
#2. Appendix 1967
#3. Heart bypass X 4: 1988
#4. Repeat bypass X 2: 1991
#5. Gallbladder 1998
Me: I've never seen such an informative tattoo before.
Patient: I just figured it would be helpful if I'm ever brought into an emergency room and can't speak.
Me: You got a point there.
I could have saved a lot of time taking his history, if I had only known. I can't help but smile thinking about the response I would get if I started all new patient visits by asking, "before we start, do you happen to have your medical history tattooed anywhere?"
After taking his lengthy history, I stepped out while he undressed for the physical exam.
When I came back in the exam room I noticed he had a large tattoo on his chest.
On closer inspection it was a list.
On even closer inspection, I noticed it was his medical history.
Allergy: Penicillin
#1. Tonsils 1958
#2. Appendix 1967
#3. Heart bypass X 4: 1988
#4. Repeat bypass X 2: 1991
#5. Gallbladder 1998
Me: I've never seen such an informative tattoo before.
Patient: I just figured it would be helpful if I'm ever brought into an emergency room and can't speak.
Me: You got a point there.
I could have saved a lot of time taking his history, if I had only known. I can't help but smile thinking about the response I would get if I started all new patient visits by asking, "before we start, do you happen to have your medical history tattooed anywhere?"
Monday, August 29, 2011
Not a great start to the week
Mr. B. has been a challenging patient over the years.
He has chronic hepatitis C, cirrhosis, is awaiting a liver transplant and also has chronic non-cancer pain due to degenerative joint disease.
He has been on narcotics for pain after trials of other medications were not successful.
His son has been his caregiver.
I was always very impressed by his son.
He seemed genuinely concerned about his Dad and always said all the right things.
I came in today to a fax that was received over the weekend from the local police department.
His son was caught diverting his fathers pain medications to himself and possibly others through selling.
There will be a further investigation.
My name is on all the prescription bottles, of course.
Joy, joy.
Just another reminder, unfortunately, of the world we live in and also why health care professionals are often so ambivalent in taking care of chronic pain patients.
This is not the first time I have been burned.
Burned once-shame on you.
Burned twice-shame on me!
He has chronic hepatitis C, cirrhosis, is awaiting a liver transplant and also has chronic non-cancer pain due to degenerative joint disease.
He has been on narcotics for pain after trials of other medications were not successful.
His son has been his caregiver.
I was always very impressed by his son.
He seemed genuinely concerned about his Dad and always said all the right things.
I came in today to a fax that was received over the weekend from the local police department.
His son was caught diverting his fathers pain medications to himself and possibly others through selling.
There will be a further investigation.
My name is on all the prescription bottles, of course.
Joy, joy.
Just another reminder, unfortunately, of the world we live in and also why health care professionals are often so ambivalent in taking care of chronic pain patients.
This is not the first time I have been burned.
Burned once-shame on you.
Burned twice-shame on me!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
You are welcome
My kids (aged 15 and 16) have been attending a church sponsored youth group on Sunday nights.
Both are very independent and have been very cautious in making and maintaining close friends over the years.
So far, they each have a few close friends who seem to be "low maintanence" and who also seem to make good choices.
My wife and I have been pleasantly surprised how much they enjoy the youth group.
Recently my daughter let us know that "everyone is just so nice. Usually, when you walk into a group of kids everyone just seems to be standing there, not really interacting other than with their closest friends, or you feel like you are being judged on what you look like or on the clothes you're wearing. At the youth group everyone says "HEY" the second you walk in and seems genuingly interested in you as a person."
The youth group leaders and other long term members have done a great job.
It's awesome to be that welcome.
I wish I could attend!
Both are very independent and have been very cautious in making and maintaining close friends over the years.
So far, they each have a few close friends who seem to be "low maintanence" and who also seem to make good choices.
My wife and I have been pleasantly surprised how much they enjoy the youth group.
Recently my daughter let us know that "everyone is just so nice. Usually, when you walk into a group of kids everyone just seems to be standing there, not really interacting other than with their closest friends, or you feel like you are being judged on what you look like or on the clothes you're wearing. At the youth group everyone says "HEY" the second you walk in and seems genuingly interested in you as a person."
The youth group leaders and other long term members have done a great job.
It's awesome to be that welcome.
I wish I could attend!
Friday, August 26, 2011
My favorite form
Filling out forms for patients is part of my job.
I particularly like to fill out FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) forms.
It's a real treat to answer a subtle variation of the same question over and over again.
For example:
Is the individual going to miss work while being treated for the medical condition?
Is the individual going to need to be absent from work while undergoing treatment for the medical condition?
Is the individual going to be unable to work a full day while being treated for the medical condition?
Is the individual going to need to undergo medical treatment while being treated for the medical condition?
Is the individual going to be treated by you while undergoing treatment for the medical condition?
If so, will the individual need to be absent from work while undergoing treatment by you for the medical condition?
If not, will the individual need to be absent from work while undergoing treatment by another medical provider for the medical condition?
If so, how often will the individual need to be treated by the other medical provider while undergoing treatment for the medical condition?
Will the individual be able to work less than a full day while undergoing treatment by the other medical provider for the medical condition?
Will the individual ...you get the picture.
I wonder:
Did the developers of the FMLA form have a lot of fun devising it?
In devising the FMLA form did the developers have a lot fun?
Did developing the FMLA form lead to fun for those involved ?
Gee, maybe I should get a moonlighting job developing 5 page forms...it seems pretty easy!
I particularly like to fill out FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) forms.
It's a real treat to answer a subtle variation of the same question over and over again.
For example:
Is the individual going to miss work while being treated for the medical condition?
Is the individual going to need to be absent from work while undergoing treatment for the medical condition?
Is the individual going to be unable to work a full day while being treated for the medical condition?
Is the individual going to need to undergo medical treatment while being treated for the medical condition?
Is the individual going to be treated by you while undergoing treatment for the medical condition?
If so, will the individual need to be absent from work while undergoing treatment by you for the medical condition?
If not, will the individual need to be absent from work while undergoing treatment by another medical provider for the medical condition?
If so, how often will the individual need to be treated by the other medical provider while undergoing treatment for the medical condition?
Will the individual be able to work less than a full day while undergoing treatment by the other medical provider for the medical condition?
Will the individual ...you get the picture.
I wonder:
Did the developers of the FMLA form have a lot of fun devising it?
In devising the FMLA form did the developers have a lot fun?
Did developing the FMLA form lead to fun for those involved ?
Gee, maybe I should get a moonlighting job developing 5 page forms...it seems pretty easy!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Hits home
I went to a funeral last night for a friend and fellow physician.
She died a few days ago.
She was diagnosed with ALS approximately a year ago.
We were the same age (51).
We both have two children.
I've coached her son on YMCA basketball teams for 4 years.
The service was inspirational.
Her husbands eulogy was excellent.
I haven't been this contemplative over a death in quite a while.
We had a lot of similarities in our lives.
I'm just so thankful for still being alive with my wife and kids for as long as I'm meant to be.
She died a few days ago.
She was diagnosed with ALS approximately a year ago.
We were the same age (51).
We both have two children.
I've coached her son on YMCA basketball teams for 4 years.
The service was inspirational.
Her husbands eulogy was excellent.
I haven't been this contemplative over a death in quite a while.
We had a lot of similarities in our lives.
I'm just so thankful for still being alive with my wife and kids for as long as I'm meant to be.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Supermans younger brother
Mr. R. is an incredible specimen.
He is 88 years young, runs, lifts weights, works part time at a health club and is a volunteer track and field official for high school and college meets.
I saw him the other day.
Me: Have you been up to anything new lately?
Patient: No, my younger brother was just here from New York for a visit. It was pretty sad. I hadn't seen him for about two years and he's really let himself go. I told him so.
Me: What's going on?
Patient: I don't really know. He doesn't really give me details on his medical problems but he has terrible teeth, has trouble with his eyes, macular degeneration I think, walks with a walker and wears Depends.
Me: How old is he?
Patient: He's 83, 5 years younger than me.
Me: Well, you probably just need to give him a break. You're in amazing health for someone 88 years old and I know you're very thankful for your health. The description of your brother describes most of the 83 year old patients I see here everyday. You're a tough act to follow.
He nodded but I don't think he agreed with me.
He is 88 years young, runs, lifts weights, works part time at a health club and is a volunteer track and field official for high school and college meets.
I saw him the other day.
Me: Have you been up to anything new lately?
Patient: No, my younger brother was just here from New York for a visit. It was pretty sad. I hadn't seen him for about two years and he's really let himself go. I told him so.
Me: What's going on?
Patient: I don't really know. He doesn't really give me details on his medical problems but he has terrible teeth, has trouble with his eyes, macular degeneration I think, walks with a walker and wears Depends.
Me: How old is he?
Patient: He's 83, 5 years younger than me.
Me: Well, you probably just need to give him a break. You're in amazing health for someone 88 years old and I know you're very thankful for your health. The description of your brother describes most of the 83 year old patients I see here everyday. You're a tough act to follow.
He nodded but I don't think he agreed with me.
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