Hi, my name is Rodolfo Trevino. I practiced Family Medicine from 1985-2017.
If I could do it all over again, I would change my approach to practicing medicine in my 30-plus years. I would see the same type of patients, mostly adults with established chronic illnesses like adult-onset diabetes, high blood pressure, general arthritis, etc., but I would do one thing differently. I would point out to my patients that now that they are mindful of their health, they should make it their mission to be models to their children and grandchildren. To point this out, I can only think no further than myself. Twenty-plus years ago, I went to the doctor and was told I had adult-onset diabetes. For the first time, I became very alarmed about my health. There I was, overweight and probably closer to obesity. I had been too busy to exercise regularly or eat nutritiously. What was I to do?
I continued seeing my doctor, for sure. But the main thing that came to my mind, was that I had to change course in how I cared for my health in general. I thought to myself, yes, I may not be in the best of health now, since I have adult-onset diabetes, but I think I can do better. I can start planning on how I will undo some of the bad habits that got me here. So here I am two decades-plus later. I am definitely exercising on a regular basis, my weight has improved significantly, and I am watching what I eat so that my glucometer does not show high sugars that are detrimental to my health.
Although as a patient Idid not make it my mission to be a model for my children on how to better one’s health, I believe that they were very much aware of how a busy doctor can be not healthier. They may have realized how not to become a diabetic like their father! I noticed that they all did better than I did going into their adult years with exercising, eating better, and maintaining more ideal weights.
I guess the moral of the story if there is one, would be that it’s better late than never to be healthier, and even better when we help those around us improve on their health as well!