Clare Henney: August 2011

If there’s one thing that so many of us take for granted, it’s a visit to our doctor(s). I’m guilty of that.  I always say that I don’t have the time, I feel fine, it’s too much trouble, etc.  Thing is, this is something that we need to make a priority at least once every year.  Otherwise, we just might regret it.

I recently visited my doctor because I got dizzy one weekend and ended up finding out that my thyroid problem, which was deemed cured more than five years ago, was back and needed to be treated.  My cousin, who had a similar problem, told me before that I needed to have myself checked at least once a year because this is a problem that can be easily solved but can also come back just as easily if I don’t take the necessary precautions.  I didn’t listen to her but thankfully, we caught the problem fairly early as my thyroid levels are not too far from normal. 

I now have to take several medications: one that’s thrice a day and two before going to sleep.  It’s a hassle and I think that’s why people don’t like going to the doctor because you tend to spend so much and have so much to think about (I had four tests done to me in the span of a week apart from the visits to the doctor) but I think we need to realize that it’s something that has to be done.  We’ve only got one life to live.  We need to take care of it as much as we can.  Delaying it will not solve the problem and will only make things worse if we know and feel that we’re not completely healthy.

Remember, once a year visits to the doctor won’t hurt — but risking your life to avoid it will.