One Good Thing About Medicare

by Rob on May 29, 2008 · 8 comments

in Being a Doctor

The patients.  This is the only reason I still take it.  I would very much miss taking care of my elderly population.

That makes the pain worth it…so far.

This material, written by me, is free to re-post and share under the Creative Commons agreement. In other words, use it all you want; just give me credit.
  • peggy

    As an elderly person (who works hard to stay healthy and am) I very much appreciate the sentiments!

  • peggy

    As an elderly person (who works hard to stay healthy and am) I very much appreciate the sentiments!

  • http://seaspray-itsawonderfullife.blogspot.com/ SeaSpray

    You’re so sweet Rob. Many of them get pushed aside and neglected. I am sure they are blessed to have you for their doc.

    A young cashier down at Costco today was so sweet with my mom, got her laughing, etc.

    Real hard for me to see people looking at her like she is this frail looking elderly person. She’ll be 85 June 3rd. Bittersweet, I guess. It just hurts to see her aging. sometimes I think her skin looks gray, even with make-up, but she just had good labs, etc. Although scary to hear her heartbeat during echo test. Gaps in beats with a-fib.

    I told her she can’t do Costco anymore because I think the store is too big for her. She seemed so tired when we left the store. She didn’t argue with me which scares me too because that means she feels it. Being an only child, I find it so difficult to know when to step in, especially when she still resists in some things.

    And…how does a person know when their parent can’t live alone any longer? She’s not there but I keep acting like everything is ok when I have this sense we’re on borrowed time and then maybe I am just being overly negative. I wish we had a mother daughter house or room in ours but we don’t. I hate the thought of something going wrong and no one is around. At least I have her set up on Lifeline but that isn’t like another real person in the house with you. you know I am more upbeat but I go through this every time I am with her. I need to be more positive.

    Anyway…docs like you REALLY brighten their patients days.

  • http://seaspray-itsawonderfullife.blogspot.com SeaSpray

    You’re so sweet Rob. Many of them get pushed aside and neglected. I am sure they are blessed to have you for their doc.

    A young cashier down at Costco today was so sweet with my mom, got her laughing, etc.

    Real hard for me to see people looking at her like she is this frail looking elderly person. She’ll be 85 June 3rd. Bittersweet, I guess. It just hurts to see her aging. sometimes I think her skin looks gray, even with make-up, but she just had good labs, etc. Although scary to hear her heartbeat during echo test. Gaps in beats with a-fib.

    I told her she can’t do Costco anymore because I think the store is too big for her. She seemed so tired when we left the store. She didn’t argue with me which scares me too because that means she feels it. Being an only child, I find it so difficult to know when to step in, especially when she still resists in some things.

    And…how does a person know when their parent can’t live alone any longer? She’s not there but I keep acting like everything is ok when I have this sense we’re on borrowed time and then maybe I am just being overly negative. I wish we had a mother daughter house or room in ours but we don’t. I hate the thought of something going wrong and no one is around. At least I have her set up on Lifeline but that isn’t like another real person in the house with you. you know I am more upbeat but I go through this every time I am with her. I need to be more positive.

    Anyway…docs like you REALLY brighten their patients days.

  • http://www.janellephillips.net/ janelle

    Dr. Rob,

    I’ve never commented before, but just wanted you to know that I very much enjoy your blog.

    Blessings, Janelle

  • http://www.janellephillips.net janelle

    Dr. Rob,

    I’ve never commented before, but just wanted you to know that I very much enjoy your blog.

    Blessings, Janelle

  • Ken O.

    I think it’s pretty well known I’m not directly affected by these issues, not living in the USA and all. That said, I’m still thankful for doctors who’re motivated by patient care rather than just by the almighty “loads of money”.

    SeaSpray, when my surviving grandparents reached the sort of stage you seem to be at, it was time for some really hard (for everyone) talks with them. Just remember that you should be motivated by what’s best for everyone, rather than what’s least worry or easiest for you, ok. Best wishes from someone who’s been there.

  • Ken O.

    I think it’s pretty well known I’m not directly affected by these issues, not living in the USA and all. That said, I’m still thankful for doctors who’re motivated by patient care rather than just by the almighty “loads of money”.

    SeaSpray, when my surviving grandparents reached the sort of stage you seem to be at, it was time for some really hard (for everyone) talks with them. Just remember that you should be motivated by what’s best for everyone, rather than what’s least worry or easiest for you, ok. Best wishes from someone who’s been there.

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