As I write this newsletter it is the evening before Halloween and Mexico’s celebration of DIA DE LOS MUERTOS (Day of the Dead). Certainly this month of October death in one way or another has been on the mind of most of us. Death and dying are a part of our existence here on this earth. Death may be scary for some while others accept is as a transition to another state of being or to another realm, plane or dimension.
As a primary care doctor in the Chapla Lakeside I cannot emphasize enough the need and perhaps we should call it, our responsibility to prepare for our inevitable end of life. Not having our end of life wishes can mean the difference between laying in a hospital bed for weeks or months, having a hospital draining your resources or that of Medicare while your loved ones suffer at your side or passing away at home in a peaceful manner with your loved ones by your side. This past month I had the misfortune of learning that the spouse of a patient endured such an agony after a major stroke while I had another patient who also had a stroke was flown back to the U.S. to spend her final days with her loved ones in her home. We doctors do not have a crystal ball and often can only serve as guides and advocates for our patients while providing some comfort to those left behind by the deceased patient. Hospitals are not wards or do not store this information. In my experience I have noted that the trend for private hospitals seems to be to keep a patient on life support until the patient’s resources are depleted when the family is not informed of the patient’s rights. Again I highly recommend to my reading audience to make have your end of life documents in order and on file with your primary care doctor. CHAPALA MED has not instituted a blanket policy to have all of its patients have a VOLUNTAD ANTICIPADA (Mexican Living Will) on file in the event that such documentation be necessary.
Remember that in October we observe BREAST CANCER AWARENESS. Chapala Med patients get special discounts on your yearly mammograms at DIAGNOSTIK imaging lab located in the RMC hospital. Stop by our office for your medical order. Remember that 80% of breast cancers can be cured if detected at an early stage.
On a much brighter note, I would like to say that CHAPALA MED will be celebrating its 10 YEAR anniversary this 5th of November. I have a very long list of friends, family, colleagues, patients and ambassadors to thank for the success that our practice has experienced. Reflecting on the past ten years there are many joyous moments that my team and I have experienced while providing care to our patients and service to the Lakeside community. CHAPALA MED has been instrumental in attracting and building a full service hospital in the community, supporting the TEPEHUA community center and clinic, helping the Rotary Club of Ajijic organize a 5K to support the fight against Breast Cancer. We have seen doctors and other healthcare providers join our team and others move on to other enterprises. We have incorporated therapies such as the use of PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) and STEM CELLS into our practice with astounding success. I have learned so much from from my patients, team doctors, my staff and the Lakeside community. I have come to fully comprehend that life is short and that in order to make it worthwhile, we should lead a life with a purpose. I hope and pray that the legacy that I heave behind which is CHAPALA MED will continue to bear many fruits and contuse to serve the community in a much more profound manner for many years to come. I humbly thank each and every one of you who have allowed me the opportunity and the privilege and blessing of being your doctor and a doctor in this community. Thank you and CHEERS !
