Because the university bought the hospital system in town, I had to drive to West Branch for my six month check up. My practitioner quit after the acquisition was announced and hasn’t been replaced.
The positive news is the university plans to maintain the clinic close to me once the transition is finished. It was news on the day of my appointment the consultant hired to manage the transition from private hospital system to being part of the university also resigned to take a big job in Missouri. Staff at the clinic knew all about this when I mentioned it.
I made a list of discussion topics for the practitioner, including diabetes, reviewing medications and vitamins, blood pressure, weight, and vaccinations. I got my last pneumonia vaccine booster and made a list of four things to work on: less salt, less butter, add ten minutes onto my daily trail walk, and portion control while eating. In Iowa I’ve found plenty of time to have a meaningful discussion with practitioners I see. The longest part of the conversation was about blood pressure.
We talked five or ten minutes about blood pressure. What stands out is the standard is less than 120/80 mmHg. There is talk among the medical profession that the standard should be even lower. I would cynically note that if it were, it would increase the number of diagnoses of hypertension and thereby increase prescription drug sales considerably. I told the practitioner there must be a political aspect to a potential change in standards. He professionally refrained from commenting.
In late afternoon, the nurse who gave me my vaccination and drew blood phoned. I was at a political event in the next town over from home, so I picked up and went to a quieter corner of the room. I had read the lab results in my patient portal before leaving for the event. The results indicated everything looked good, they said, and my behavior regarding exercise and diet was working to hold off advancement of diabetes. It was a good call to receive.
Hopefully my next appointment will be back in the regular clinic. Staying on top of vaccinations and medical conditions is an important aspect of aging in America.
Journey Home 
One reply on “Going for a Check Up”
Pretty much gotta be your own doctor these days. The system is geared more towards profit and there are less doctors and more patients. The preventative approach is definitely the way to go as we age. This requires awareness and for one to be at least halfway in the know regarding one’s health in general. I know other men here in my rural area that wouldn’t even know or care much for self monitoring. An approach that most often ends badly. At some point it becomes merely a daily celebration of realizing one is indeed, still above dirt.
LikeLiked by 1 person