Family Webicine

If you are not familiar with this Latin phrase, made popular by Queen Elizabeth many years ago, but it means “horrible year”, although it does sound like some type of terrible rectal disease.

The year 2011 (so far) has been an annus horribilis for me. Starting with ureter (kidney) stones early in the year with two surgeries, and now I am dealing with PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica), an autoimmune disorder that causes some horrible muscle pains. I have been taking steroids (prednisone) that has its own array of side effects, like insomnia, upset stomach, and perhaps, a little ‘roid rage. In the last few weeks, I developed some pain my left shoulder (perhaps another unwanted gift associated with PMR and steroid use) that has left me virtually one-armed. Thank God I am right-handed, but most of the things I do require both. Add those problems to my ever-present tinnitus and a few other chronic and acute health-challenges, and it does equal that horrible year criteria. I also turned 60 this year, so I am officially a geezer.

Last weekend, another good friend passed away. He was pushing 80 and had multiple myeloma. Although he was doing well on his chemotherapy, he probably had a sudden cardiac event (heart attack) while taking a shower. Ross was the inspiration for the Gold Country Medical History Museum in Auburn, CA. I have been acting curator of the museum for over a year now, and with Ross’s death, my responsibilities will likely increase. Ross was an expert in fund-raising and a visionary, and he will be missed by all. He is survived by his wife who has been our administrative secretary. For now, she will continue that role which will help ease this sudden transition.

I just returned from Palm Springs, CA for the annual state medical conference. As one of the Old Farts in the organization, I gave the keynote speech called, “Has it been 35 years already?” I also participated in a project called the Visions Lab where members were asked what they were doing 35 years ago, and what they hope (or think) they will be doing in 15 years – the 50^th anniversary of our organization. 

I watched a few of the videos that included such comments as:

“Thirty-five years ago, I was minus-eight years old….”

“In 1976, I was in kindergarten…”

It is stuff like this that really makes you feel your age.

What will I be doing 15 years from now? If I am blessed to be alive and still kicking, I will be retired from my full-time clinical position. I may work a few days a month to keep my hand in the pot, but I would rather volunteer my clinical time and devote my time to writing, and of course, WebMD. I will be 75 in fifteen years, so hopefully my brain (my favorite organ) will be sharp; certainly better than its life-support package (my battered body!).

I was able to spend some time with an old college friend who has been having his own Annus Horriblis himself (actually several in a row) in his battle with prostate cancer.  Sometimes, just the diagnosis of cancer … any cancer … is enough to cause a downward spiral of anxiety and depression. Combined with the economy that has nearly killed his business, he is in a major funk right now. I gave him some of the excellent material from the Visions Project to help him be a more future-focused. I brought back a lot of information from the conference about prostate cancer and GAD (generalized anxiety disorder).

This morning, I saw my orthopedic PA. He is convinced that I have a rotator cuff tear. I am now in a sling and waiting for my MRI. If the tear is confirmed, arthroscopic surgery and a lot of physical therapy is in my near future. 

Annus Horribilis continues. Maybe next year will be less-horribilis.