Black families are usually weary of doctor visits. You probably see a lot of Black men and women dying of stress-related illnesses and often dying younger than others. This has a long history attached to it with the U.S. government experimenting unwillingly on unsuspecting Black people. This distrust has been validated with the Tuskegee Experiments and many others since slavery. However, with a child on the way, I have to now focus on my own health with more concern to be able to grow up with my future child — who is growing in its mom’s belly at 17 weeks now.
Being afraid of a doctor these days has to come second to living a good life with my little Bambino/a and his/her mother. I’ve put off seeing a doctor for years…probably decades. I just never had a need since I haven’t had a reason to be hospitalized — besides that time in 1997 when someone cracked my unsuspected jaw in half at a “The Outsiders”-level brawl leaving my jaw wired shut. Other than that unfortunate incident, nothing needed looking after much that was too serious. Sure, I’ve sliced my finger open with a razor and felt my knees were seriously weak but all were handled easily and were superficial. But what about the deeper stuff?
Being in my mid-40s now, it’s inevitable. Having a child on the way, it’s not even an option to refuse. So, although I’ve had my health insurance card for a year, I never used it. So, after setting up for an appointment from stressing my back out, I decided to go all out. Let’s do the annual physical! Now, my back was aching hard after doing something as mundane as putting on socks while standing up. That’s the first sign of age. Then, it’s been almost 2 months and it still sorta-kinda hurts. That’s the second. This worried me since I didn’t want to be one of those dads who was impossibly inactive due to bodily stress and wear-and-tear. My doctor prescribed me with pills for acid reflux (I always thought it might have been heart-related — it’s not) and muscle relaxers.
Now, if you know me, you know I don’t like taking pills. As a kid, I used to get my teeth drilled for fillings withOUT novocain because I didn’t like how it felt wearing off. Pills? I’m not a fan. So, as of this writing, while having the acid reflux pills, I haven’t used them. I may open one up today. Who knows? But I’ve only taken 5 of the muscle relaxers. I feel I’ve had enough of those. So, it was time to make the visit again after submitting my bloodwork the other day. With my back on the mend and my chest feeling better, I was curious about all of the burgers and fries I love to eat! How about the cheese and loads of mayonnaise I drown them in? Ugh. I’m not normally a nervous guy but it could reveal anything!
I was always cautious of STDs and often took tests so I was already cleared there. But what about the things you don’t think about? High blood pressure, diabetes, and strokes run in my family. Hell, it hit close to home not too long ago with my own brother. And with my aunt now deceased from renal failure, it was weighing a little on my mind. It’s been over a year since I’ve run a half-marathon and my gym membership is a little dusty. I know I need to get moving a bit more but work always has me in a chair and when I’m tired, I look forward to hitting the couch and remote. I mean, on my previous doctor visit for my back, he noticed my blood pressure was on the cusp of being over. What will I be genetically putting on my little one? It’s that wonder that has me a little apprehensive of finding out but knowing now is how I can prevent it later.
Now, today was my final checkup with the bloodwork and the doctor sits me down and opens his laptop. He alerts me they have the results. And whew! He says everything in my blood looks great! My cholesterol is normal, I’m close to pre-diabetic but drinking more water and watching out for sugary items could help lower that. Nothing abnormal except my vitamin D is really low. Being inside for 20 years and embracing the evenings as a night owl is having its toll. So, after a few Vitamin D pills for 6 months, we’ll be back on point! But everything else suggests I’m very healthy!
Now, I won’t celebrate with pizza (or will I? Hmm..) but I now have a starting point and will be more anxious to dust that gym membership off and eat healthier all the time. Having a child coming into your world makes you really concentrate on yourself so you could be there for them. I’ve had my flu, tetanus, and whooping cough shoots as a result. I’m on top of my health and although there’s nothing to worry about now, whatever happens in the future, I’ll be ready. I can’t be selfish anymore by focusing on whatever only I want…or whatever only Andrea wants. Like Bushwick Bill said, “Once you give life, life is bigger than yours.” I always liked that line and assumed it to be true. I now know it’s not only true, but it’ll be my mantra.
I’m going to be healthy for my baby and Andrea. That’s my promise.
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