Yearly Physical

I think every father and grandfather needs to read this.  After all what is the most important thing a Dad can give his family - himself. Most men decide to ignore that yearly physical.  Ignorance is not bliss and may result in an absent father.

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What Every Dad Owes His Kids

(c) Frank McGinty  All Rights Reserved

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 The nurse was persistent.  She reminded me of a Scottish
terrier, which once it finds what its looking for, growls at
it and refuses to let go. "Trust me, it's in your own
interests.  Every man should come to see us at least once a
year."

"Okay, I'll think about it."

That was like a red rag to a bull.  "No, don't THINK about
it.  Just do it." 

Then she hit me with a guilt trip. "You should think
yourself lucky. Many men would be glad of this  opportunity!
I'll put you down for Thursday morning at 9.15."

There was no arguing with that . . .

So what was all the fuss about?  Well, I hadn't attended my
doctor's surgery for over a year, so they thought it was
time I was reined in.  They run a 'Well Man's Clinic' these
days and they're very proud of it.

When I got there the nurse was still shaking her head and
'tut-tutting' like a mother hen.  Again she hit me with her
irrefutable logic.  "You put your car in for a check every
year, don't you?  So what's more important, your body or
your car?"

And believe it or not, the 'overhaul' was really quite
simple.

She asked a few questions, ticked a few boxes, did some
routine tests like checking my blood pressure, then  - ouch!
- took a sample of blood from a vein in my left arm.

Not a word of sympathy!  I got the distinct impression she'd
had all she could take from men who never think about their
health, but who create a fuss when they walk through the
clinic door.

"This will be divided into smaller samples,'" she said
matter-of-factly, "then sent off for analysis."

The next part really impressed me.  The nurse reeled off a
whole list of things that would be tested from that one
blood sample:  thyroid activity, glucose levels, PSA level
(which measures prostate activity), cholesterol level, blood
count . . . and so on.

So far, so good.  A few days later I was summoned back to
the surgery for the results.  I must admit, that day I was
more than a little worried and had to force myself to keep
the appointment. But I came away walking on air!

The results were normal. My blood pressure was as it should
be, there was no sign of diabetes or high cholesterol. All
fears had been groundless.  I felt great.

Yet when I reached home, my heart was heavy.

 You see, my own Dad died over ten years ago.  His was a slow
and painful death from prostate cancer. It deeply affected
us all, but more especially his grandchildren, who adored
him.

I'll never forget the sad look on the face of the consultant
as he told my mother: "If only we'd caught this sooner . . .
It needn't have come to this, you know."

If only, if only . . .

If only there had been a 'Well Man's Clinic' in my Dad's
day.  If only he'd had the sense to have his health checked
out every so often.

But who am I to criticise?   My Dad was a typical man of his
generation: - ignore health problems and they'll go away!

So what was my excuse?  Despite my Dad's experience, despite
the fact that I want to be here for my own family, for the
children I teach and the ones I write my books for, I had to
be practically dragged, kicking and screaming, for a routine
check-up.
 
Apparently I'm not alone.  It would appear there are
millions of men around the globe who HAVE clinics and check-
ups readily available, but who won't go for a simple
'physical'. They'll wait until problems are far advanced -
and in many cases too far advanced!

Believe me, it feels great to know that your health is fine
and that if any subsequent tests reveal a problem, it will
be in the early stages and can be treated easily and
effectively.

I now feel like shouting the good news from the roof tops  -
but I'll have to make do with the internet: 

Fellow Dads, get your heads out of the sand!  Bite the
bullet!  Gather up your courage! Use whatever metaphor or
image you like, but take yourselves down for 'a physical'
and look after your health.

Follow the example of our wives and partners, who show sound
common sense when it comes to health matters.

You owe it to yourself. 

But more importantly, you owe it to your loved ones . . .

Happy Parenting!
http://www.frank-mcginty.com