You Are Not Alone

Our conversation started out pretty blunt …

I had seen him 4 times before so he welcomed it..

He was in his 70’s

Maintained his youthful swag and still loved hanging out with his lady…

I had reviewed his lab results the night before..

Exchanged pleasantries and got right to it ..

Me: I know your independence is a really big deal to you

Mr “Joe”: He nodded in agreement … yes that is correct

Me: I want to help you maintain that Independence but I don’t know what else to do

Pause

Mr : oh

Me: your kidneys are starting to struggle, your blood pressure is high and your diabetes is a record high … but not in a good way

Still me: I know you like sweets and soda but your organs don’t

Mask on … my eyes spoke volumes

I was concerned …

He ached and his legs tingled a lot

I said rather quietly ..

“My goal… our goal is to keep you as independent as possible”

But I need your help

We spoke kidney disease … dialysis and things

We spoke sweets… how grapes are also sweet

We spoke exercise … walks and such

I want to keep you feeling as good as you look

He agreed to make some changes..

Asked to give him 3 weeks to implement said changes

We talked team work - him, his nutritionist, his endocrinologist, his lady and I

Hi (high) fives were in order

A week later…

His endocrinologist reached out

“What did you say to him?”

I simply “nudged” him I responded…

“Whatever you did worked”

In health,

Dr. Olabintan