Do you feel that something is not right with your body?
Do you know that feeling when you sense that what is happening to you is not normal? You feel that something is going on. The first reaction is, “It will pass.” But it does not change, and sometimes it even gets slightly worse. It starts to bother you and sometimes limit you. At the same time, you are afraid to find out what it is, so you postpone visiting a doctor. Let me tell you how I deal with it. Maybe it will help you.
You hear everywhere, listen to your body. That is easy to say when, like me, you are constantly busy and always thinking about what comes next and what still needs to be done. You do not take the time to look back and realize that you did not have this physical problem before.
Once you admit that something is not right and start thinking about what to do, please do not postpone dealing with it. I know you are afraid, just as I am, of hearing from the doctor what it might be. Whether it can be treated, how it will limit you, what you might no longer be allowed to do. For me, it was unimaginable that I might not be able to stay physically active or that I would have to limit my indulgence in food. But then imagine the possible consequences of not addressing it. What could happen? The illness may progress to the point where the limitations are far greater than they would have been at the beginning.
If you are not responsible enough toward yourself, then at least think about your family, relatives, and friends. Do you realize how much worry you create for them if you do not take care of yourself? You might say it is your business. It is not. Concern and emotions arise within us, and your family and friends surely care about you deeply. They would suffer knowing you did not go to the doctor sooner. If not for yourself, then go for them.
I will be very glad if I manage to convince at least one of you to book a doctor’s appointment this Monday. Let me explain how I handle it.
1. I am convinced that the body is like a machine that needs regular servicing, repairs, and replacement of parts. You can read about this, for example, in the book Lifespan by David Sinclair. I strongly recommend it. The title itself suggests what it is about.
2. The first step is to confide in someone very close to you. I tell my wife. Someone else might tell a friend. It is very important to say it out loud. They will tell you what they think, what they would do, and perhaps even offer to support you.
3. Ask the person closest to you to accompany you to the doctor. You will be surprised how much they care about you and how willingly they will do it. I can guarantee that. Often, we care more about the health of others than our own.
4. Ask around if someone has experience with a doctor who truly listens, does not underestimate symptoms, and treats you with empathy. I had to look for mine for a while. It did not happen on the first try.
5. Then all that remains is to call and make an appointment. Rearrange your schedule if necessary and take the first available date. We humans tend to postpone unpleasant things, and there will always be a reason why it is not convenient. Take a day off and accept the first appointment. If you dislike phone calls, write an email or ask someone close to call for you. They will do it without hesitation. For you, it might be the barrier.
6. Show up for the appointment no matter what. Your health is the most important thing. Being here for a long time, bringing joy and support to others. That is what truly matters. Helping each other and enjoying friendship. Do not compromise that.
Whatever you learn becomes the doctor’s task to guide you toward recovery. Most of them see it that way. It might turn out to be something minor, and you have been losing sleep and worrying unnecessarily. The worst part is not knowing, the assumptions and fears about what it could be. Do not live in assumptions. Want to know what it is. Otherwise, the outcome can only be worse.
I am keeping my fingers crossed for you. And if you do not find the courage to call the doctor tomorrow, go through my steps and approach it like assembling a cabinet or building a model airplane, one step at a time. These are just tasks to complete. You know how to do that.
Photo source: Pexels.com
Original publication source: Magnoli.cz
