| Why Did I Need to See A Doctor? | | | | My life truly changed the day I took my dad's advice to |
| I remember April 12, 1999 like it was yesterday. My | | | | see a doctor. As is usually the case, I went through all |
| new family doctor called and said, "I need you to come | | | | the gears, from disbelief to denial, anger to |
| in for another blood test. I found something and I need | | | | acceptance. Today, nearly 11 years later, I'm happy to |
| to be sure." | | | | report that the CLL is under control. In fact, my white |
| Let me clarify - for me, this 'new' family doctor was | | | | blood cell counts are actually improving, much to my |
| actually the first doctor I had seen since my move to | | | | oncologist's surprise. |
| Toronto from the US in 1981, fully sixteen years before. | | | | I still see a doctor - two, in fact, Dr. Kerlow and Dr. |
| I didn't feel any need to see a doctor. The only reason | | | | Chiarotto, my oncologist - on a regular basis. While my |
| I made this appointment was because my dad | | | | health is generally good, there remains some minor |
| requested it. Apparently his doctor found something in | | | | issues. My wife Maggie would like me to see a doctor |
| him that could be genetically passed down to his sons. | | | | whenever any little thing comes up. I resist. |
| So my two brothers and I dutifully trotted off to see a | | | | And that is the point of my sharing this story with you |
| doctor if only to put our dad's mind at ease. | | | | today. Why don't people want to see a doctor on a |
| When You See a Doctor It's Either Good News or | | | | more regular basis, especially if there are symptoms |
| Bad News | | | | that might indicate larger underlying problems? |
| Just a day after submitting my second blood test, Dr. | | | | Do You Use Any of These Excuses Not to See A |
| Kerlow called again and said, "The results have been | | | | Doctor? |
| confirmed. I need you to come in so we can discuss | | | | - Calling the doctor's office is such a hassle because |
| the ramifications. It's urgent. Can you come in this | | | | of all the voicemail options you have to wade through |
| afternoon?" | | | | just to make an appointment. |
| Now I'm not one to worry, but these words from Dr. | | | | - Doctors are only interested in 'pushing pills'. You may |
| Kerlow sure piqued my curiosity. At age 45, I prided | | | | fix one thing but you'll break ten others. Once you get |
| myself on being in better shape than a lot of men my | | | | on meds, you're hooked! |
| age. In fact, most people usually guessed my age to | | | | - Sometimes you have to wait weeks, or even |
| be in the low 30's. Come on now, there was no | | | | months before you can get in to see a doctor. By that |
| reason for me to worry. And the way I was feeling, | | | | time, the symptoms will be cleared up anyway. |
| surely I didn't have to see a doctor. | | | | - You can't afford to take any time off work. |
| When I arrived at my appointment, Dr. Kerlow greeted | | | | - Being poked and probed is not only uncomfortable; it's |
| me with a warm, friendly smile. Yet I could sense a | | | | downright embarrassing. |
| seriousness in his gaze, almost as if he wished he | | | | - There's always a fear about the possibility of being |
| didn't have to deliver this message. He began, "I have | | | | told you have a major disease. |
| good news for you. We did the screening and you can | | | | - The doctor may strongly advise you to change |
| tell your father that he doesn't have to worry." | | | | something about your current habits and lifestyle. You |
| "However..." he continued. | | | | don't even want to hear about it, let alone do anything |
| The length of time between that word and the next | | | | about your diet or other 'vices'. |
| seemed interminable. Indeed, it was a moment frozen | | | | - As a child, you may have had a frightening or |
| in eternity. | | | | humiliating encounter with a doctor. |
| "Both of your blood tests conclude that you have CLL | | | | - You equate 'feeling OK' with 'nothing wrong'. |
| - Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. From the looks of | | | | I've used any one of these excuses myself whenever |
| things, you've had it for some time now because it has | | | | I get a cough or sniffle and Maggie implores me to see |
| advanced into what we call stage two..." | | | | a doctor. Still, it's good advice, especially if you haven't |
| For the next 15 minutes or so, Dr. Kerlow explained the | | | | had any kind of check up or examination for a while. |
| meaning of my blood test results. He discussed the | | | | The bottom line is, see a doctor regularly for peace of |
| prognosis, citing various statistics of other people with | | | | mind. Even if your doctor finds something, he or she |
| my same condition. He concluded with a suggested | | | | can put you on a program of recovery and |
| plan of action, encouraging me to go home and talk it | | | | maintenance before it gets too far out of hand. It could |
| over with my family before taking another step. | | | | very well be a matter of adding quality years to your |
| Your Life May Change When You See A Doctor | | | | life. You gotta Love That Feeling! |