Altered States...A Wheelchair Experience

I took a sejour to Southern Florida to get off my feet for five days and recuperate from knee surgery; a much needed rest for swelling in the joint that doesn't subside when you're on your feet 12 to 15 hours per day at the office.  While there, my friend had VIP tickets to an auto race that she particularly wanted to attend, but I couldn't possibly go with her in my condition.  Solution?  Rent a wheelchair.  So, off we went - wheelchair bungy corded to the back of her Porsche...nothing stops two determined women with VIP passes!  I've always been very respectful when encountering anyone in a wheelchair but being the person IN the chair is a completely different experience and quite an eye opener.  I was amazed how the masses of people couldn't have been nice and more helpful as my friend wheeled me all over the facility throughout the entire day.  At one point, all the attendees were permitted onto the track prior to the days' races.  Wherever we went, we were like Moses parting the Dead Sea - a 'lane' was parted so we could wheel as we would past all the race cars - it was truly amazing!  I hope I never need to be in a wheelchair again; I prefer to stand and walk on my own two legs, but this was an invaluable life experience and one I will not forget.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you already aware of the disabled, think twice the next time you see someone who is on crutches or in a wheelchair.  Just by giving them the right of way or asking if they need assistance can mean so much to them and you are certainly paying it forward.  You never know if you might be that person in the chair one of these days.

Threading The Needle - Acupuncture For Dimished Night Vision

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Today, I attempted to thread a needle without the use of my eye glasses...it just wasn't happening.  I have presbyphobia (far sightedness), which means I need eye glasses to read.  OK, I'm in my 50s which isn't so bad, but for you folks out there who are experiencing age-related diminished night vision, I have a treatment for you.  The combined therapies of acupuncture and Chinese herbal pills can improve your diminished night vision over time.  Think about it...it sure would be nice to drive after the sun goes down again, wouldn't it?  Call or email the office today to make an appointment.

Life In The 50s

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you're feeling a bit down about rounding the corner and coming into your 50th birthday, just remember this:  your 20s are for partying and mistakes, your 30s for going for what you want, your 40s for working out the kinks.  This leaves your 50s for taking all those experiences and making them work to your best advantage.  Your 50s is your time to live your life with gusto - travel, buy a motorcycle, climb that mountain, take those classes.  Make this decade YOUR own!

Have You Had Your Colonoscopy Today?

Well, I've reached that milestone in life...50.  I've my subscription to AARP and have my appointment all set for my first colonoscopy....how exciting - NOT!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Whether you have a family history of colon cancer or not, a colonoscopy can detect early signs of cancer and polyps before they become a life-threatening situation. I have patients who have had no pre-existing signs or symptoms and no familial histories of colon cancer who have had life-saving diagnoses during their first colonoscopy.  Colon cancer is not something anyone should have.  I'm going for mine now that I'm 50 - you should schedule yours today if you already haven't and you've reached the big 5-0.

AARP Discounts

I opened my mailbox yesterday to find an AARP magazine.  I thought 'whose is this?', and then remembered that I'm an old bag now and a member of AARP...the subscription is mine....so I decided to read the magazine and see what it had to offer me - childless, single and enjoying life as I always have (senior my _ss!).  For starters, now I know why all the older people in Florida who hang out at the Dunkin Donuts have a donut and a large coffee.  AARP members get a FREE  Donut when they purchase a large coffee.  Wow, that's a healthy discount.  Regal Theatres offers members up to a 49% discount ($5.50) when they buy a bundled purchase of a 32OZ soft drink and a 64OZ popcorn at any of their theatres.  Another healthy snack...then I read something of interest.  AARP Motorcycle Insurance From Foremost...Eureka!  Finally, something I can use!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Stay away from some of the discounts AARP offers (read the above blog) and get healthy financial discounts with them instead.  They offier AARP Motorcycle Insurance Program From Foremost where you can customize your insurance program that includes roadside assistance and towing at discounts.  Since I've just gotten myself a Harley (AARP old bag my -ss), I'm going to get my membership's money's worth and check out the motorcycle insurance.  Forget the free donut from Dunkin and the 640z discount popcorn at Regal Theatres...I want to be healthy, physically fit and fabulously sexy looking on my motorcycle - don'tyou?

My AARP Card

Well, it finally came in the mail yesterday....my very own AARP card.  I have mixed feelings about this card.  Great discounts, no doubt, come with the membership.  On the other hand, it reminds me that I'm not 25 years old (and forget that '50 is the new 30' crap!).  So, here's my advice for all you 'goldens' out there today:

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Have you just received your very own AARP card in the mail like I have?  Well, if you haven't gotten onto the wellness wagon yet, I suggest that there's no better time than the present!  I'm still kicking a heavy bag, doing serious cardio, riding a motorcycle, and doing everything in life that comes my way...and ,in most cases, better, faseter and harder than most 25 year olds out there.  So, don't be a loser in life - hop onto my wellness wagon and you'll have the ride of your life!

News Flash From AARP Avoid the Hospital in July

Well, this is one I already knew, but I thought I would share this information with you today.  AARP's online newsletter repost:
..."Conventional wisdom has long held that the quality of care in hospitals plummets in July. But now a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine July 11 confirms that suspicion.  In July, many hospitals are staffed by new, inexperienced doctors and nurses. — Photo by: Larry Fink/Gallery Stock
Why is July so problematic? Because on or around July 1, fresh, inexperienced interns, residents, nurses and other new health care workers first report to work at many of the nation’s hospitals, eager to start practicing medicine — on you.  In medical circles it’s known as the “July effect.”  The new study reviewed data from 39 previous studies that tracked health results in teaching hospitals — including death rates and complications from medical procedures. The best designed and largest studies, the authors found, showed mortality rates increase 4 to 12 percent in July and revealed that many patients remain in the hospital longer, spend more time in surgery and have higher hospital charges in July than in other months.  "You may get more personal attention, but the skill level isn’t there.... July is not the time to have elective surgery or another procedure that could be postponed." John Young, M.D., psychiatrist with the University of California San Francisco and co-author of the study, said the “July effect” occurs when new trainees replace experienced physicians. The new doctors have little experience caring for patients, often aren’t well supervised and don’t yet know the hospital system.  Even before this latest research, experts have been wary of July.  “You may get more personal attention, but the skill level isn’t there,” explains veteran physician David Sherer, M.D., past director of risk management for a large insurance provider and coauthor of Dr. David Sherer’s Hospital Survival Guide. “You have newcomers arriving at hospitals — often placed in a sink-or-swim situation — and they don’t know where anything is or how anything is done. July is not the time to have elective surgery or another procedure that could be postponed.”

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  July is a good time for holiday vacations.  Stay healthy, stay out of the hospital.  Come in to have all those joints put at ease, your blood sugar and pressure stabilized and your mental state at a calm.  Call or email the office for an appointment today.  I'm BACK from my vacation!

Musings on the Eve of 49

Ancient numerology was based on denominations of 10. This theorum is still used today. But the number 9 was very special because it represented the completion of a cycle. 9 is the number that preceeds a new beginning, a new decade. It's a 'wrap up'. The number 4 traditionally represented the culmination of self (1) duality (2), the trinity (3) in the real world (4). The earth has 4 corners, the square is an equal and harmonized form containing equal sides and equal angles. The number 49 represents the 'wrap up' of the solid and formidable 40's. 49 is the last year before embarking into 50 (5 being the number of uncertainty and the number that represents man..head and limbs). No wonder everyone makes their stake in their 40's and has a midlife crisis when they hit 50...it's only natural.  Hence, as I turn 49 tomorrow I think back on all the sinful fun I've had in my life thus far...how to top all the unbelievable events I've experienced until now?? Well, I've decided to make a list of what I'd like to accomplish during my last year of my 40's:  learn Italian, no whining, have more patience, be a better golfer, keep hitting heavy bags, get a makeover, become stronger and leaner, learn how to ride a motorcycle (don't tell my mother!), be a better physician, a better friend, learn how to decorate cakes, take my bestest human friend back to France to see my beloved Provence, do more yoga.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day: Whatever you've done and no matter who you are, there's always more. Make a list today and each day, try out a new idea or activity. See where it takes you. The unknown is exciting - go out on a limb. Embrace change and have the courage to tread unknown waters. Don't whine - it's boring.  Just think of all the fun you haven't even thought of having until this point!!  Tomorrow, I'm taking the day off.  Don't know what I going to do or where I'm going, but I'm going to do it with my bestest friend...I know we'll have fun! By the way...anybody got a creme for this turkey neck I seem to be getting the past 2 years??????!!!!