Encounters with the Medical

      Herein is a composite of what I've learned throughout the years about my body and how to treat it.  It is based on the wisdom about things medical come up by the Catholic Worker, whose founder was Dorothy Day in the mid-20th Century.  I've found it useful to maintain a consistent approach; and though I came into contact with the Catholic Worker in LA maybe in the early 2000s, they're suggestions have given me that consistency I have needed.

      There's a lot that can wrong with the body.  What I think Catholic Worker's approach is to wait until the underlying cause emerges, if you can!  Anytime there's blood, you have to see a doctor immediately, of course.

      1.  Encounter with a physician early in life--ages 7ff.  I suffered from the Buffalo weather.  I was treated by a doctor in the house, who advised my mother one day when I was home from school to lie down with me, that I was apparently hemorrhaging, that I could possibly die.  My mother did just that; and I pulled out ok.  Ever since I've found it hard to trust doctors!  It's called the white smock syndrome. 

     2.  Then in college I was playing softball and dislocated my right pinkie.  I went to a neighborhood doctor, and he wanted to operate.  My mother sent me to the Presbyterian Hospital in New York and the doctor I saw was for an exercise method to bring it back into use.  That method worked very well, though I'm sure it took longer.  I would be exercising the finger on the bus and while walking.  I learned operations aren't always the key.

    3.  I latched onto taking vitamins; and still take them to this day.  I'm 77.

    4.  Earlier, when I had sprains, I used the heating pad; and find it of enormous use!  Stimulates the lower extremities, too.

     5.  From 1989-1993, I was experiencing difficulty in focusing and maintaining concentration.  I spoke to the Medical Clinic on 7th St. in downtown L.A. and they tried to help me.  In the meantime, I would have to make sequential lists in order to keep track of what I was to do next.  A doctor in residence came into the picture.  She tried as had others in the same clinic.  And, after this prolonged period, I was able to concentrate without the use of lists.  She confessed she wasn't sure what she had done, but "it" worked!  That enabled me to think about getting out of L.A. should I had so desired.

     I theorized that the fact I drank unbottled water in Sao Paulo, Brazil was the real cause of the concentration loss, but I don't really know. I thought water from the tap in a 5-star hotel was safe enough.  It was at least 5 years later that I experienced the problem or at least came to recognize it.

     That doctor joined the Navy and last I heard she was stationed in Evergreen, Washington.

     6.  When I was in the mid-50s, I became convinced that I would need dialysis treatments.  But a doctor at San Francisco General Hospital suggested a treatment at a Washington, DC Hospital.  I went there and found the treatments--not dialysis--did the trick; and I haven't had any noticeable problems with the right kidney since 1994!  Wow, that was some treatment administered to me!   I thought I was a goner!

     7.  I left L.A. because of the poor health care I was receiving at Hudson Clinic.  They make you use the Clinic in your zip code area.  One day in February of the last year I lived there, I went in because I had stepped on a ceramic broken cup and got a sliver in my foot.  The doctor took x-rays and declared there was nothing wrong with my foot--when I was in terrible pain and was limping.  I talked to the head physician and got him to agree that my doctor should scrape the heel of the foot.  Wallah, the heel was then okay.  I said I can't take chances like this anymore and got out of town. That was about 6 years ago.  The doctors are just too overloaded with patients.

   8.  Then, three years ago, I had bone chips in my right ankle.  I was living in Reno at the time; and I was able to secure  a great doctor.  It took 2 operations; but I don't  need a walker or  a cane, or a wheelchair.
   
    9.  I was living in Omaha about 2 years ago and kept falling in the ice and snow.  The doctor  I had there recommended to leave, which I did,  immediately.  Otherwise, he said I'd need an operation on my upper arm--the rotary cup.

    10. I moved to Vegas and discovered I couldn't take that oppressive heat.  I was having trouble breathing, plus came down with a severe skin rash.

     I guess El Paso is the best climate for me.

Addendum:                    .

     A1.  I believe always use a second opinion from a different health company than used to make the first opinion--if possible.

     A2.  Plenty of greens and fruits, especially bananas, I love green chilis.

     A3.  I use sugar sparingly, artificial sugar more.

     A4.  As has been pointed out on the TV, we're told to keep using medicines to a minimum.  Don't overdue is my motto!

     A5. I try to always pace myself.  I believe it's very important for older people.  For example, I just moved to a very nice downtown residence from a hotel I was living in but could not stay because of an altercation and disagreement with the management-owner!  So I moved into an even better place down the street.

     Anyway, in order to make the move efficient, I first planned and developed a timeline from start to finish.  I had already had a place to move to in mind.  I then went and paid the rent for a week and then I rested for 4 hours.  A move is a major stress on the body and mind, so the rest was needed, I felt.  I figured the move would take 4 trips to take out all my stuff; and I enforced that limitation on trips. 
    
     Back and forth with approximately 45 minutes of rest in the interim between trips.  The result was I moved from 4 P.M. to 9 P.M.  Complete; all over!  No serious or even minor bodily repercussions.  That's the point.  I feel if I didn't pace myself I'd become subject to bodily and mental stress that could lead to physical conditions of hazard to my wellbeing.

    I've seen plenty of instances where older people did not pace themselves and wound up becoming a physical wreck.  I needed to avoid such a resultant circumstance.  I've used this method very recently with excellent results.

     A6.  I know this may sound silly, but I need to daily attend to my bodily orifices to assure they are open and clean--eye, ear, nose (especially!), even throat, and the lower extremities.

     A7. Of course, I use a limited amount of salt, but I make an exception for popcorn or peanuts!

    A8.  This one I feel is really important, and I learned it from New Age Philosophy.  LOVE MYSELF.  I could go down the body's chakras and tell myself how much I love that area of my body, but I simply take some area of the body "for the day" and tell myself I love it so much!  Yes, I love it dearly!

     A9.  I want to stress the point that seniors ought not to be held to leases or housing commitments.  They must be travelling-capable without thought of what they are leaving behind, if they want to live a long life.  For there might arise physical problems in their bodies should they remain committed to a place and a location.  That's what I believe and have lived by it.

     A senior must be flexible and open to the idea that if his body is unable to successfully maintain a healthy condition, he must move where he is more likely to flourish.  I've had to make the move several times in later life. 

     A10.  I've found the old-fashioned remedy of emptying the bowels important, especially to get rid of things lying around in the blood-stream that could lead to more serious bodily conditions.  I don't have much money, so I have to rely on the tried and true through the ages!

Currently, 12/2/14

I'm now under medical care, having been hospitalized for four days at UMC Hospital, El Paso.  Tests currently underway.

The doctors are in charge of my life from now on!
JLO