Columns
Well, I’ve finally done it
Instead of hanging out my shingle, the last day of December I retired after forty-plus years in the practice of family medicine. And just when I’d almost gotten that “practice” thing down pat!
The decision to retire was one of those “no-brainers”, the process, bittersweet.
I’ve witnessed physicians who, for whatever reason, refused to acknowledge that it was time to bow out gracefully. I’m reminded of the numerous times through the years I was asked by their offspring to tell “Mama” or “Daddy” that they could no longer drive. Invariably, “Mama/Daddy” would shoot back, “Oh, trust me – I’ll know when it’s time to stop driving!”
It was always my plan to go out on top of my game, so to speak, and not when my partners had met in secret and then informed my wife and daughters that I had outlived my usefulness to the practice. That would definitely have been a blow to my doctor ego, but demented me might not have even grasped the implications!
As it is, I feel that I’m leaving when the decision is mine – with the blessings of my wife and children. I’m leaving when my physical and mental health (“for my age”) still allow me the promise of a full, rich retirement. I’m leaving when a new, young, competent family doctor has been recruited “to take my place”. I’m leaving with a sense of personal satisfaction that I’ve been able to give back to a community which has been so good to my family and me.
Saying goodbye to my patients was another story. Sentimental words often punctuated by warm hugs and an occasional kiss seemed inadequate gestures to close the book on countless intergenerational relationships which I consider the gem of family medicine. Diagnoses made – lives spared – babies delivered – deaths pronounced – how does one walk away?
Two things that I learned during my medical school days (neither of which came from my erudite textbook or journal) have stood me in good stead throughout my career: “Touch where it hurts” and “if you listen long enough, the patient will tell what the problem is.”
As I was winding down my last few hours, a patient approached me in the hallway with what turned out to be a rhetorical question. “Hey, Doc, do you know what retirement means?” After giving me only a few seconds to contemplate, he replied, “I’ll tell you what it means: twice as much wife and half as much money!” Needless to say, when I shared this with my wife, she was not amused and offered that it works both ways.
Stanley Hartness, a newly retired physician, is a guest columnist of The Star-Herald.
- Columns
-
-
There can be only one: In memory of KB
The Star-Herald lost a little part of its legacy on Sunday morning with the passing of William “Cooter Bill” Thompson or as I have always called him – KB. He was 71.
-
Do you feel the power?
Power Balance wrist bands are sweeping Kosciusko.
-
In the name of research
When it’s the weekend before football practice begins – Why not go to the beach? After all, it was just oil spill research for the newspaper.
-
The love of vampires
In the 60s and 70s there was “Dark Shadows” with vampire Barnabus Collins on the tube and the re-incarnation of the show in the early 90s which did not fair so well.
-
For your health: Fourth of July Safety
Summer is officially here. The fourth of July is a time for celebration.
-
Home sweet home
Every time I go to buy potting soil, I chuckle just a little bit.
Why you ask? About four years ago, the husband and I decided to make a rose bed at our Pontotoc home. I told him we needed to make a list of everything we needed. -
Home sweet home
Every time I go to buy potting soil, I chuckle just a little bit.
Why you ask? About four years ago, the husband and I decided to make a rose bed at our Pontotoc home. I told him we needed to make a list of everything we needed. -
COLUMN: No shoes on Thursday?!
Word on the street is Claude Gunter will be shoeless in his business attire on Thursday.
-
Let's step up to the plate
As I told someone just the other day – Now that Attala County Circuit Court is over, I can get back in the swing of writing a column.
-
Fill it out!
It’s simple. It’s easy. It’s worth it.
- More Columns Headlines
-
There can be only one: In memory of KB
