About the author, Terry Miller:
- 35+ years of banking and training experience with major banking institutions
- 12 years as owner/principal of a training and development firm
- 8 years as Director Pastoral Care with a local church
- authored and published 4 books – all available on Amazon Books
- continuing as owner/director of Terry Miller & Associates, a consulting firm conducting speaking and training engagements as well as authoring books and articles
As the author of this series let me state at the outset that I am not a doctor, medical specialist, or expert in the medical field. However, I have quite a bit of personal medical history that has enabled me to become a very practical, insightful “patient”. The purpose of this series is to share information I have learned over 50+years through my own experiences with health issues that can help the reader ride the hills and valleys of health issues a bit more smoothly.
As a practical matter, I have sought insight for the contents of this material from medical professionals. Each applauded my approach and indicated the information was not only real and practical, but would be an asset to patients in preparing for their doctor visits – before, during and after. Also, it saves the doctors and medical staff TIME! So let’s begin!
Our health is very important and personal to each of us. We all realize, even medical professionals, the health care system has its shortcomings. Yes – there are inefficiencies, but where would we be without our health care professionals?
I, for one, would not be alive today had it not been for the great medical care I received through some potentially terminal issues. I’d like to share some of my medical history so you’ll have a better understanding of why I felt led to write about some of what I learned along the road of my hills, valleys, mountains, and yes – even some speed bumps, toward extending my life.
The focus of this series is to help you have a better quality of life as well as quantity. All of us will one day face the departure from this earth. While we are here, why not learn a few things that will improve the time we have. Right?
Okay, the first let me introduce you to my personal medical history:
- hernia repairs
- multiple carotid-artery blockages with stents and a total of 11 cardiac bypasses
- 5 bouts with bladder cancer
- stroke
Other than the above, I am in marvelous health!
“Thank you for calling Dr. . . . If this is an emergency, please hang up and call 911. Please listen closely as our menu has changed. Press 1 for …, press 2 for .. . ., press 3 for . . ., press 4 to speak with . . .!”
Sound familiar? Been there – done that?
There is a health and wellness movement in this country that impacts nearly everyone. Awareness of health issues has never been greater. Studies indicate during 2017 alone, 883.7 million visits were made to physician’ offices in the United States – an average of 3.1 visits per person. Those numbers are steadily increasing as more people are going to the doctor for treatment with chronic health problems. Americans have never taken more prescriptions than they do today. More than ½ of adults take at least two prescription drugs per day and 70% take at least one kind of pill a day ( Source: Mayo Clinic Research Study).
Who is impacted by all this?
- perhaps YOU directly
- a friend
- a co-worker
- someone for whom you are a caregiver
- just about anyone you know
This is a series of articles on personal health that will take you through practical steps to be better prepared for your doctor visits: before, during and after. The paths of health issues that I have had to walk down over the past 50 years gave me insight that I wish I had known before the first step.
Our health has a huge impact on our everyday life:
- our attitude
- how we treat others
- how we do our everyday life
- how we perceive life in general
So – sit back, take a deep breath, grab a place to sit, clear your brain and read with earnest! As you read what I am sharing, perhaps you will learn how to take better control of what can often be one of the greatest crises anyone faces . . . going to the doctor and dealing with health issues for yourself or your loved ones.
What will be covered in this series of articles?
- make a plan BEFORE you go to the doctor
- recognize how adverse health news can affect your life as well as your family (DURING the doctor visit)
- understand how to deal with your feelings (AFTER the doctor visit)
- develop a support system to help you bear the burdens of a changing health picture
Goal: you will learn about some PRACTICAL resources to help you stay IN CONTROL when navigating through uncharted healthcare territory for yourself and your loved ones.
Note: This material is provided with the understanding that the author and/or publisher are not engaged in providing any legal, accounting, medical or professional services other than training. All material contained in this series of articles is current as of the publication date to the best of the author’s knowledge. Should legal, accounting, medical service be needed or required, a competent professional providing those services should be sought. The author and publisher specifically disclaim any liability, risk, or loss, personal or otherwise incurred directly or indirectly as a result of the use and/or application of any advice, recommendations or information contained in this series of articles.
