Yesterday I went to go see one of my patients as she had a celebration for her 90th Birthday. I have helped take care of Grace since I came to Watertown in 1994. One thing for sure, when you are a Family Physician, you truly are taking care of the family. You do what you can to help your patients get through the bad times, and good times, the struggles, and the joys. Everybody experiences up and downs, and we all have issues that can come up with our health. The hope is that we can do something about those issues when they come up. One day, we are all going to leave this world, but we want to enjoy as much of our life, and our family, for as long as we can.

As a Family Physician, we are helping at the core of our patients. We may not be able to take care of, and solve everything, but what we can’t do, we need to know where we are going to steer our patients. We try to do the best, and most, we possibly can to take care of them.

For many years now, Kelsey and I having been having our Strive to Survive wellness program to help our patients. We continue to keep promoting a healthy diet, and encourage exercise, to help our patients help themselves as much as possible. Keeping on task is always a struggle, because during the day, some patients may need more time that what any of us thought. Things come up. We go with the flow. Sometimes big things come up, and serious things come up, and you do what you have to do to take care of that patient. As a physician, we may start off with a schedule for the day, but very seldom does it just flow without any problems. That is just how it goes!

As much as I try to stay on time during the day, it just does not always happen. Things happen! As a patient, you just need to hope I don’t need to spend a lot of time with you that day. The more time I need to spend, the bigger the issue, or the more serious the problem may be. But when you deal with serious issues all day, every day, there are just those times when you need to have some fun too. Laughter, after all , can be the best medicine.

Some times you may just need to cut loose and hula! Whether at the clinic Christmas party, or being involved in a hula hoop contest at an Assisted Living! Have fun and laugh! Personally, I am a Disney fan, and in particular, Mickey Mouse!

Laughing can be a great way to relax, and take control of your own health! Always remember this! This should be just as important a way of taking care of yourself, as does watching your diet, and exercise!

As a Primary Care…Family…Physician, our roles are enormous. We cover a large spectrum of care involved with our patients. We help coordinate care as well. Bottom line, we are going to do what needs to be done to help our patients. Nothing will change on this over time. In my career, I have taken care of patients for many years, and some, like Grace, for as long as I have been a physician! They become like family as well. After all these years, we know what is important in our patients lives, and the struggles they have to deal with as well. It is important for us to be there when they need us! And that goes for celebrations of good things as well!

So, once again, Happy Birthday Grace! You have had a great 90 years, and I hope you get to experience many more to come! I will be there for you, just like my other patients. I am your Family Physician, and we are vital to families! I just ask my patients to help meet me half way, and do what they can to help themselves! Eat right, exercise regularly, and learn to laugh!!! Keep mopving everybody!

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day of New Streak: # 308