Finally getting over my inertia, I took advantage of the healthscreening package offered by my company and made an appointment with one of the company-appointed medical group. As luck would have it, the appointment was on a Friday the 13th.
Not being superstitious, I look forward to having a break from the office, and had chosen the centre because it was near to the National Library Central Branch as well as Bras Basah Complex. Since I work in the east, I don't get to go to these 2 places as much as I would like to.
Not that I'm trying to skive, but the healthscreening require 8 hours of fasting, so it makes more sense to get a morning appointment, and then zip down to the 2 book havens during the lunch break before I head back to the office. I think nobody will misunderstand that.
The screening process went well enough. I was pleasantly surprise to see the centre offering a couple of internet terminals for patients in the waiting area (though only 1 was working).
After subjecting myself to several rounds of necessary indignities, I got to visit Bras Basah. Unfortunately, it was Friday and close to lunchtime, or more specifically, prayer times, so the Knowledge Book shop closed its doors for a mid-day break. Darn, what a waste.
Yesterday, I got my results ... which exceed my expectations. Yours truly is a picture of perfect health ... well ... except for my triglyceride levels ... no thanks to the cravings for fast food in the last couple of years.
The doctor seriously reminded me to cut down on it, and get exercises. Well, now that I only have to send my kids to one centre instead of two, I might just make use of that time in the morning to get some workout.
I need to lose at least 2 kg to get into the ideal weight range again, I'm a guy so I'm not shy about revealing this.
Yup, I got a lovely wife and 2 great kids (even if they drive me nuts many times), and I plan to be around for them for a long, long, time.
Just reminded myself not to get too cocky ... this is just a health screening, not a fitness test.
Haiz...Snowy, how do you get a stubborn, scared man to agree to a health screening? There is something wrong with my father's gastro-intestinals (cancer - he has very bad reflux), but he is baulking at my mere suggestion of even calling a clinic. I understand that he is as scared as I am about the possible results of the screening, but dammit, he needs to at least get it checked out.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, my mum has already tried to talk to him but he refuses to listen to her. I'm just hoping that the "firstborn daughter" tack will somehow get him to listen.
Ok, I admit it, I'm scared piss-less!
Darn, you asked exactly the same question which was addressed in an article published in Reader's Digest sometime last year.
ReplyDeleteMy own copies are scattered all over the place and I'm not sure if I can find it, but basically, the article suggests
(1) understanding what is really holding the guy back - being scared of results is only part of it, being scared of not knowing how to handle it is usually the key.
Most men think if nothing can be done, then don't even check. But it's usually not true. Even if nothing can be done medically, there's a lot one can do to ensure the family is better taken care of than otherwise would be if nothing at all was done.
Consultations with several different professions might be necessary, but the end result would be instead of worrying over the unknown, the family and the person can then make concrete plans, even if just to enjoy time together after estate planning is completed.
(2) Talking in a language that men understand.
In one example, the wife told the hubby that prostate check-up is like getting an (car) *engine servicing*. Furthermore, she told him in no uncertain terms that unless he gets his engine cleaned up, he's not parking it in her garage.
May or may not so relevant in your dad's case, but the idea is there.
(3) Incentive - some form of reward to encourage him, to let him know that this is what the family is willing to do for him.
(4) Company - your mum and dad go for (respective) check-ups together.
(5) Emotional blackmail - pay for it in advance and no refunds allowed. Might not always work, you know your family best.
That would be for my mum to say, but I get the idea. I was actually thinking of using the "if you think of no one else, at least think of me; do you want to burden me with the responsibility of being sole supporter?" blah blah.
ReplyDeleteMay or may not work. Men are funny like that.
Glad to know you are in good health. I need to cut down on my fast food as well, its my biggest vice these days.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this gentle reminder, Snowy. Yep, its time for me for a total health screening... not that I have forgotten about it, I am just procrastinating.. I am afraid of the needle...
ReplyDeleteSo am I ... so am I ... I am squeamish about blood, which is the main reason why I did not opt for doing the Medicine path after 'O' levels ...
ReplyDeleteI had to turn my face away when my blood was being drawn. The only good thing now is they only need to insert the needle once to fill several tubes instead of one insertion for each tube.
Perhaps I so used to needles, I need to go for blood test every 2-3 months for my thyroix test. My last trip to the polyclinic the nurse said I was so brave.
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't think I'm brave I'm just curious. It happen when I went for dental checkup, I would always open my eyes to see what type of equiments the dental would use.
It had never occured to me that seeing blood was a terrible thing.
For me it's not so much that seeing blood was a terrible thing, but that blood, being the essence of life, is meant to be in the body, not outside. Blood bleeding (or drawn) from the body is like the lifeforce being ... sucked out of the living. Blood kept in satchels is like ...
ReplyDeleteSorry, don't mean to be morbid ...
I know intellectually what has to be done, must be done. I just cannot get comfortable with it.
hehehe.....I never know man would afraid of blood until I heard from one of my cousin that he's so afraid to see blood.
ReplyDeleteLet me declare that despite my phobia of seeing blood, I was there throughout the time of both my children's births, and kept my eyes open.
ReplyDeleteA proud father indeed...
ReplyDeleteYap.. my husband afraid the sight of blood too, but he was there when our first son was born. He was so excited he started talking to a One-minute old baby -
"Hi its daddy here! its daddy here!...." despite the baby's cord still intact..
He would do the same for our second son, but too bad he was shoo-ed out of the labour ward.. and I was too exhausted to ask the doctor why..?
hahaha, I cannot imagine ET doing that, but hey, this is fatherhood and the joy of being a father... I am so glad for you and the family. :)
ReplyDelete