The next decade....what's in store?

Am I am hypochondriac?

I have been called that by a doctor friend of mine. When I looked it up, the definition was something like "overly concerned about one's health". But what, pray tell, is it to be overly concerned about one's health?

If you feel an ache for a while, don't you go to the doctor? I do. The doctor in Grenada used to see me a few times well. The doctor in England saw me a couple of times too. Both in Surrey and in Nottingham.

Listen, I don't want anybody to say at my funeral "you know, she said she wasn't feeling well you know, but never went to the doctor." I have heard too many stories about people who complained that they weren't feeling well and died within a couple hours or days.

So right now, the thing I need to investigate is a pain and burning sensation on the bone/muscle behind the breast on my heart side. The pain also is under my arm pit. It feels sometimes like there is a marble under my arm pit, but of course there is no lump. I carried this complaint to the 7-minute doctor in England.

Let me explain what I mean by 7-minute doctor....
In England, healthcare is free. In the student health centre on campus, there was a sign saying all appointments are supposed to be 7 minutes, and if you think you may need more time with the doctor, you should tell the receptionist that when you are booking! That didn't sit well with Yamfoot, who likes to have a chat and then is better able to tell doc all the things that are troubling her. It certainly didn't sit well with me when I went to one lady doctor in Surrey one time when my neck was really bothering me and affecting my school work. I was there to get a distinction so couldnt afford to be ill. Do you know what she does? Says to me "have you read the book 'HOW TO TREAT NECK PAIN'?" I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT! SHE DIDN'T EVEN EXAMINE ME MORE THAN SO. IN FACT, I DONT THINK SHE DID!

So anyway, I am nearly 40. This is the age when it starts going downhill isn't it? I'm hoping that with the no meat regime, that all these aches and pains will go away. Right now, I am not sleeping well at this hotel. I get up every morning with my head feeling full. I think it may have to do with the bed. I am moving to another hotel tomorrow, so am hoping that the sleep will get better. It is no fun standing on your feet for 6 - 7 hours without a good night's sleep.

So am I am hypochondriac? I don't think so. I'm just concerned, for all the right reasons!

Posted by yamfoot at November 19, 2005 05:16 PM