@IDAK it sounds like it’s time and more importantly you’ve earned a break. I have a swimming partner who at one stage was the only doctor in town, he just felt exhausted and retired at 63. The constant pressure of dealing with not only the physical ailments but the mental health issues in a small rural community just wore him down.
Time to do things you’ve always wanted to do, life is way too short and unpredictable to continue under that kind of stress.
Look forward to seeing your posts showing off your gardening skills your holidays and those bottles of wine.
That was a nice post and I feel for you. Obviously you have provided a great service for others which has been demanding, so I do hope you make changes to provide the same care for yourself and your family.
Thanks Pete. Three years ago I was at the funeral of an old schoolmates father. My schoolmate , John, was arranging a hike in Stewart Island with about 8 of us old boys. I was starting to say how that I might not be able to get the time off from work. Then another classmate called Pete, said “Hugh, you’re a long time in a box”. I made my mind to go there and then and had a memorable trip with my mates. Pete has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer last month. I’m grateful for his wise words at the time and we classmates are all meeting him at a beautiful beach next month to have a poignant knees up. Cape Diem!
You are a trooper IDAK and one of the last breed that’s for sure
My uncle - god rest his soul - John Jospeh Horan was a GP in Christchurch but mainly in Ashburton , he never charged one of his patients anything , he did it for the love of helping his fellow humans
There is a great article about him in the NZ Medical journal on what he achieved in his life , definitely one of my hero’s as are all doctors I might add
Hopefully you will be recognised also as one that had contributed to mankind in the best way
Very sorry to hear of your difficult profession related exploits over the last many years. I think, as a GP, you must feel a strong responsibility to provide your invaluable service to your patients and to your community. It’s such a pity that it has to come at such an expense to your own personal well-being.
I feel quite deeply for your situation as my own GP, who is only in his late 40s, has had some personal health issues and had to take some time off. I quite fear for his health already, knowing what his job entails on a daily basis. I do tell him every time I see him how much we appreciate his dedication to us as patients. We are fortunate to have such a good GP, and I believe he feels as you do about your patients, and has been trying to please/heal everyone despite the toll that it has been taking on himself personally. Just stess alone, has such a negative impact on so many of our body functions and neuro systems.
I’m glad that you have decided to change your situation for the better … as you say, time is precious at our ages and your wife will also very much appreciate the improved, available Idak. I’m also happy to hear that your kidneys and liver are doing well, so you can continue enjoyment of fine grape beverages.
Oh, and you used the phrase, sticks like $hit to a blanket. It’s funny, my father, a Brit of course, used that expression all the time. I’ve never really heard anyone else use it. Very cool.
Wishing you the best in your life changes, but btw, do you have any of those fr … er … never mind …
@Bevo Wow. I just read the NZMJ article on him. A swashbuckling self effacing GP of immense derring do. They don’t make them like that any more. You must be very proud of him. I must admit my career was far less colourful. Thanks for your kind words.
@david1111 I am lucky to work with several young GPs who are in their 30s, with young families. I do admire their willingness to take time off when unwell and for family reasons. It was not done so much when I was their age. A former colleague I worked with , a bit of an anal retentive control freak, proudly told me once he’d never had a sick day off in 30 years. We suffered from “presenteeism” and I’m glad for the younger generation it’s becoming a thing of the past.
I must say that overall I’ve coped well and enjoyed my career but my body is saying to take it easy now.
Thanks IDAK. A great reply and I wish you all the best for the future. All the replies to this thread have helped me put my own situation into perspective and there has been some great advice. Next week I have my last company board meeting on Tuesday. A visit to my hifi dealer on Wednesday to hear the NC kit. Haircut and then lunch with my wife Thursday and a training walk on Friday with one of my mates doing the South Downs Way with me in May. Off on holiday on Saturday. Keeping busy!
A very interesting thread with some great info. I’m not quite there yet but starting to look at early retirement options so these sort of threads are very useful.
Not at all, I’ll just be glad not to do another winter. That’s when it gets hot and heavy in GP land. Summers are pretty good. However there is a persistent fatigue and I am looking forwards seeing if I get back the spring in my step when I hang up the stethoscope.
Next week I have my last company board meeting on Tuesday. A visit to my hifi dealer on Wednesday to hear the NC kit. Haircut and then lunch with my wife Thursday and a training walk on Friday with one of my mates doing the South Downs Way with me in May. Off on holiday on Saturday. Keeping busy!
Longer term we are doing quite a lot of building work to a house on the Isle of Wight, so that will keep us pretty busy this year.
