For Men Only

A few minutes ago on my easy-listening channel, I heard three songs in a row: "What the World Needs Now is Love," "Crying," and "I Can See Clearly Now."  This prompted thoughts of a recent conversation with the 'girls.'

We always ask each other, after, "How're you doing?," "How's your husband?" (if they have one) and "How's the kids?" (if they have any, or grandkids).

Betsy's husband, in his 60's, had been the picture of health.  He always got plenty of exercise including frequent running.  Now she reports that, "He can hardly run at all.  He just doesn't have the energy.  And he's constantly scratching on his arms, till they bleed."  Betsy is really worried about him but "he won't see a doctor.  I tell him something is wrong but he won't listen."

This is a re-run of dozens of conversations over the years.  Only the names and symptoms have been changed, to protect the GUILTY!!!  The "GUILTY" are all those men who won't consult a doctor for serious problems."  Any nurse, like me, or doctor, or any other health professional hears the same thing.
What the world really needs now is men with guts enough and courage enough to suck it up and see the doctor when something is seriously different in their bodies, if not for their own sake, for the ones who love them!  Why am I addressing Men Only?  Because we women are familiar with doctors for our pregnancies and children.  It doesn't bother us.  Most of us know, If you don't take care of a health problem, it will probably GET WORSE!!!  Also, if you catch a problem early, you more likely will be cured.

All health professionals have taken care of hordes of people, usually men, who WAIT TOO LONG to see a doctor.  By that time, whatever they have may have morphed into something life-threatening.  And far too many, DIE!  Sorry I'm so blunt, but that's the way it is: wait too long and you might end up being taken to the hospital by 911, and you may be beyond all the things we can do to try to save you:  YOU DIE!  Bud, this means YOU!

After Betsy related her concerns about her husband, several of us who are widows mentioned, "I've been without my husband for 17 years" and "I've been without for exactly 20 years."  They missed you very much!

Years ago, a friend had one of those know-it-all, pompous, 'ain't nothin' wrong with me' husbands who looked pale, very pale, pale enough that he looked painted white. Many folks, including his wife, mentioned to him, "Are you OK?  You look a bit sickly."  He told them all: "I feel OK."  And he wouldn't see a doctor.  Months later, he collapsed at work, was taken to the hospital.  His red blood cell count was 8.  It's a wonder he could breathe at all!  All the transfusions and IV iron couldn't save him; he died of anemia.  Something so simple!  What a horrible tragedy!  The whole family was "Crying."

Hey, Bud, this isn't the Wild West with Tough Cowboys who ignore all their health problems and dig out their own bullets!  We've got lots of good healthcare you should take advantage of!  Can you say, "I can see clearly now"?

FYI:  #1: You should have a regular doctor so when you need to see him, they'll 'work you in' to their schedule.  #2: If you do have a regular doctor and are told, "We don't have anything (appointments) for a month" or similarly long time, either see another doctor OR go to one of those grocery store "Little Clinics" staffed by Nurse Practitioners.  #3: Nurse Practitioners are very thorough, can give prescriptions and order blood tests, are a lot cheaper than doctors, and can get you a referral quickly. #4:  Go to your local emergency room and they must see you (this option is not recommended unless you have really bad symptoms because it costs you more in dollars and time).

Dear God, You know and I know there's no excuse for people to suffer and die for lack of medical care in America.  Please help the GUILTY GUYS pretend they have courage and get health problems evaluated.  We LOVE THEM like You do!