I had my annual examination yesterday and it is always interesting when I slow down and focus on my own physical condition. It is so easy to ignore my aches and pains or to accept the many sleepless nights when I am busy caring for my husband. After all, his challenges are so much more intense than mine. Unless I address my own difficulties, however, they can grow and lead to the point where I need someone to care for me and where would we be then?

I am always encouraging my husband to be honest with his medical team but when I saw my Primary Care Provider yesterday, I was hesitant about my own needs. Does she really need to know about everything that is going on or is much of it simply the fact that I am getting older? Does it matter that my joints ache or that I wake up regularly in the middle of the night? What will she be able to do about it anyway?

One thing she can do is remind me of the importance of my own health and well-being. She also validates the things I am feeling. She listens to me about my problems, something that I need, and she helps me look to solutions. Maybe there are things we won’t be able to change, but just having someone hear my concerns is so comforting. And yes, she is going to run some tests and try to help with a couple of my issues. My health matters and it is vital to revisit that concept even if it is just once a year.