Expressing gratitude for healthcare

A healthy you is the greatest gift you can offer your family and your community.

Universal healthcare is a privilege, especially when you learn how to navigate the system effectively.

Sadly, our healthcare system in Canada has come to focus on disease management, not prevention.

Only when metrics lie outside a range are we flagged for attention - in effect, waiting for something to be broken before doing something about it.

The healthcare crisis today presents an opportunity for a great reset.

But in the meantime, I would like to express gratitude for two recent healthcare experiences.

Baby’s four-month wellness check

The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.

~ Voltaire

This week my daughter and I took the baby to her four-month wellness check.

We love the family doctor and his assistant. They’re always so friendly.

They seem to love what they do, even under current healthcare circumstances. And, they take the time to get to know what is going on in mom and baby's lives, recognizing that how we live, learn, work and play impacts health.

Impressed by our grandchild's growth and development, they applauded my daughter’s success in continuing to breastfeed exclusively, a daunting task for many moms who lack the support and resources.

Even though the doctor is conventional, he reminded us to supplement vitamin D.

Every question asked was answered respectfully and encouragingly. There were no mandates.

Routine bloodwork

Prevention is better than cure.

~ Desiderius Erasmus

My husband Dave had a follow-up virtual visit with our new doctor, whom I only saw once before the pandemic.

Dave mentioned to the doctor that I would like to do routine bloodwork. The doctor sent a requisition.

Dave’s results remain optimal without any further medical intervention, after treatment and full recovery from stage 4 cancer in 2019.

Nothing was flagged in my bloodwork, either. My thyroid levels are perfect without medicine.

I am grateful to be able to access our results online.

However, my hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) level, as shown below, was interesting.

HbA1C is a blood test that shows average blood sugar (glucose) levels over roughly 120 days. Although my fasting blood sugar was optimal, my HbA1C rose to 5.5, placing me in the “At risk” category for Type 2 Diabetes. This is not flagged, because it is not high enough to treat, but I pay attention.

It surprised me because I ate a lot less and moved a lot more over the past several months.

Helping my daughter with a newborn, which at times has been very physically demanding, and lifting heavy items during our move, improved my fitness and strength and contributed to weight release.

Having monitored my blood sugar briefly during a stressful time, when I was helping to care for my father, I was shocked to see how much stress spiked my blood sugar, even in a fasted state. Yet my HbA1C measured shortly thereafter was perfect.

Oh! But maybe numbing with ice cream this time did not serve me well. Live and learn.

I am grateful to be able to access this information. It empowers me to make dietary and lifestyle choices that help prevent disease.

I do not wish to become a burden to the healthcare system.

Closing thoughts

The greatest wealth is health.

~ Emerson

Having had the opportunity to learn how to navigate the current healthcare system well, has been a blessing. It is a gift I like to pass on.

But for now, all I can do is share what I have had the privilege to learn and inspire people to take control of their health.

Health is wealth.