High Blood Pressure

Today I was working at a Health Fair screening people's blood pressure. It is one of those few instances when I get to feel like I am in med school and am learning how to be helpful to people's health. I was a little nervous at first, so I don't actually know if the first 5 or 10 people got their correct blood pressures taken. As the afternoon progessed though, I got a little better, and more accurate.

The most rewarding part were three people that made an impact on me today. The first was a woman who was quite upset about her husband's recent surgery (it was the third one this month.) She started to cry and I did my best to comfort her. As she left she thanked me for listening to her and said she felt better. The second was another lady that told me that she wished she could have a doctor like me. And the third was a man that said that one day I would make a good doctor because I was reallly nice and had a nice smile. That is not including the women that went to go get their co-workers to come to the Health fair and get their blood pressure checked because they liked how we treated them and their were interested in know more about how to take care of themselves. It is quite amazing the number of hospital employees that we saw today. Though they work in a hospital, they don't regularly go to their doctor. (who is surprised?) So, even though we were working in a fancy hospital, I think we touched a lot of lives today, in a small way. And that is what medicine is all about. All we did was talk to people and give them a little advice on how to live a little healthier. I am happy.

So you may ask, why is it that I was only impacted by those that gave me compliments? Well, there are times, quite a bit actually, when I sit and wonder whether or not this is the career that I want. I think about whether or not I will make a good doctor. So when somebody, who doesn't know me, tells me that they would like me to be their doctor, it makes me think that maybe, all those sacrifices (a little dramatic, i know) are going to be worth it. If I can help a few people, then all those thousands of dollars that I am paying to study medicine, may be worth it.

Just in case you are wondering: Normal blood pressure is under 120/80. Drink lots of water. Limit the amount of sodium you take in. Women: eat calcium and fiber everyday!! Take the stairs every once in a while. Tell your doctor the truth. Ask lots of questions. And smile! Live long and healthy!