You're a good man Dr. Rick. I would imagine the thought "I could have helped one more patient" will be going through your mind for some time. It takes a strong moral character to step off the field when you're on top. You have given your patients the best, and you would give them no less. Enjoy your retirement as you join the crusade to rescue our country and our professions that used to be held in high esteem. See you on the battlefield. God bless you and thank you for all your excellent work.
I was lucky to be able to retire at 60. I am able to be present as needed for my children and grandchildren. I have expanded my passion with all things fiber-spinning, dying, weaving, felting, crochet. My husband just retired at 58 from an extremely stressful job. He is reveling in his freedom to putter and hone his woodworking skills. We live on a few acres with animals so there is plenty to keep us busy.
Our jobs were not the labor of love yours was so I can understand your ambivalence. For us retirement is the reward for many years of responsible adulting that allows us to live our dream life. I look forward to your future writings.
“…retiring to a life of unrelenting leisure and self-indulgence”
Seriously? I was lucky to retire young, at 48, after 25 years in law enforcement. And since then I’d hardly call my life full of self-indulgence and leisure. I have volunteered thousands of hours at local children’s hospitals, animal shelters and women’s shelters. For many years I ran a working cattle and guest ranch. For the last four years I’ve been the chairman of a local PAC. I’ve probably worked more hours for free than I did for $$. My husband and I just purchased another ranch and will soon have a donkey sanctuary after we renovate. Retirement for some folks may be leisure and self-indulgence. Most people I know are incredibly busy and remain quite active. Enjoy retirement! It’s a blessing that some people never get to enjoy.
Cindy0 Whoa! You seem to have taken this personally. I know people on both sides of this coin. Some retire and their retirement is comprised of multiple golf days and other leisure activites. For some their dream retirement is a La-Z-Boy chair and a remote. Others, like you are busier in retirement than they were while working. I am with you on wanting to be busy, productive, and, as I said, significant. I am not judging. To each his or her own. I congratulate you on making the most of your retirement. Rick
"Despite incredible technological advances in medicine, I feel we have somehow left behind the essence of medicine- its humanity".
From its inception, the evolution of Old Man Rockefeller's allopathic medicine was never destined to serve humanity. Allopathy simply evolved to its inhumane business end point.
Primum, I wish I could disagree and tell you how wonderful medicine is today, but that would be a lie. Our amazing technological advancements have all to often come at the expense of humane patient care. The doctor is now a "provider". The surgeon is a highly skilled technician. The art of taking a history and performing a focused physical examination, which lead to a diagnosis 90% of the time has been replaced by diagnostic algorithms that stress labwork and procedures.
As iatrogenic deaths top 50 % of all deaths in the western world I think that I shall never put a foot in a doctors office again as it's a 50/50 call whether it's the right thing to do.
I am not saying for one second that all doctors or even most doctors and nurses are villains complicit in genocide etc most have hearts of gold but have yet to join the dots and see how much they have been lied to. For some there's an incling but with collage bills mortgages etc to pay it can be tempting to not join the dots after spending a significant chunk of their lives getting to where they are. and lets not forget an awful lot of money.
the size of the droves that quit medicine and care professions when things got grippy a few years back speaks volumes to the quality of the vast majority in those walks of life. of course people are peopler too so there will be some out and out duffers too and a whole spectrum in between.
the stats for acute medicine are way better, the disaster area seems to be chronic illness.
the acute folk gave my dad 10 years of quality life while the chronic guys killed him and very near killed me too and I was wary.
it's tragic just the fact that vioxx was allowed to kill more americans than died in the Vietnam war says it all especially when the drug company was it merck ? knew as the numbers came in from the first trial.
hats off for your advocacy and wishing you and RFKjr success in cleaning up the mess.
I'd happily join you but I'm just an oik at the far end of scotland and nobody would listen to me as I have discovered over the past couple of decades.
Congratulations to you upon your retirement following a long career as a Doctor of Medicine, and specifically as a surgeon. The testimonies of your patients, co-workers and fellow surgeons speaks volumes of your accomplishments in your profession and life.
Having retired on my 62nd birthday in 2012 after 38 years as a
State of Florida Professional Engineer, my life too is very far removed from strictly leisure and inactivity. As a lifetime athlete, writer and musician, I have furthered these pursuits in earnest.
In that regard, I applaud your decision to remain active in your medical profession as a writer and advocate. And although we have certain differences of opinion in a few areas of life, I think we have many more similarities in our approach to life and what we value. I look forward to continuing and expanding upon this relationship.
Until the next time we sieze upon the opportunities to communicate and interact, I send you my best wishes for the "second half" of your life.
What a lovely parting note. The world needs more physicians with integrity like you. Excited to see what you do with this next half!💕
I wish we had more physicians like you speaking out! Thank you. I look forward to reading more.
You're a good man Dr. Rick. I would imagine the thought "I could have helped one more patient" will be going through your mind for some time. It takes a strong moral character to step off the field when you're on top. You have given your patients the best, and you would give them no less. Enjoy your retirement as you join the crusade to rescue our country and our professions that used to be held in high esteem. See you on the battlefield. God bless you and thank you for all your excellent work.
I was lucky to be able to retire at 60. I am able to be present as needed for my children and grandchildren. I have expanded my passion with all things fiber-spinning, dying, weaving, felting, crochet. My husband just retired at 58 from an extremely stressful job. He is reveling in his freedom to putter and hone his woodworking skills. We live on a few acres with animals so there is plenty to keep us busy.
Our jobs were not the labor of love yours was so I can understand your ambivalence. For us retirement is the reward for many years of responsible adulting that allows us to live our dream life. I look forward to your future writings.
“…retiring to a life of unrelenting leisure and self-indulgence”
Seriously? I was lucky to retire young, at 48, after 25 years in law enforcement. And since then I’d hardly call my life full of self-indulgence and leisure. I have volunteered thousands of hours at local children’s hospitals, animal shelters and women’s shelters. For many years I ran a working cattle and guest ranch. For the last four years I’ve been the chairman of a local PAC. I’ve probably worked more hours for free than I did for $$. My husband and I just purchased another ranch and will soon have a donkey sanctuary after we renovate. Retirement for some folks may be leisure and self-indulgence. Most people I know are incredibly busy and remain quite active. Enjoy retirement! It’s a blessing that some people never get to enjoy.
Cindy0 Whoa! You seem to have taken this personally. I know people on both sides of this coin. Some retire and their retirement is comprised of multiple golf days and other leisure activites. For some their dream retirement is a La-Z-Boy chair and a remote. Others, like you are busier in retirement than they were while working. I am with you on wanting to be busy, productive, and, as I said, significant. I am not judging. To each his or her own. I congratulate you on making the most of your retirement. Rick
"Despite incredible technological advances in medicine, I feel we have somehow left behind the essence of medicine- its humanity".
From its inception, the evolution of Old Man Rockefeller's allopathic medicine was never destined to serve humanity. Allopathy simply evolved to its inhumane business end point.
Primum, I wish I could disagree and tell you how wonderful medicine is today, but that would be a lie. Our amazing technological advancements have all to often come at the expense of humane patient care. The doctor is now a "provider". The surgeon is a highly skilled technician. The art of taking a history and performing a focused physical examination, which lead to a diagnosis 90% of the time has been replaced by diagnostic algorithms that stress labwork and procedures.
Thank you , what a great ethical doctor. God bless you and your family . 🙌🏼
Hi
sad to say, I'm right with you.
As iatrogenic deaths top 50 % of all deaths in the western world I think that I shall never put a foot in a doctors office again as it's a 50/50 call whether it's the right thing to do.
I am not saying for one second that all doctors or even most doctors and nurses are villains complicit in genocide etc most have hearts of gold but have yet to join the dots and see how much they have been lied to. For some there's an incling but with collage bills mortgages etc to pay it can be tempting to not join the dots after spending a significant chunk of their lives getting to where they are. and lets not forget an awful lot of money.
the size of the droves that quit medicine and care professions when things got grippy a few years back speaks volumes to the quality of the vast majority in those walks of life. of course people are peopler too so there will be some out and out duffers too and a whole spectrum in between.
the stats for acute medicine are way better, the disaster area seems to be chronic illness.
the acute folk gave my dad 10 years of quality life while the chronic guys killed him and very near killed me too and I was wary.
it's tragic just the fact that vioxx was allowed to kill more americans than died in the Vietnam war says it all especially when the drug company was it merck ? knew as the numbers came in from the first trial.
hats off for your advocacy and wishing you and RFKjr success in cleaning up the mess.
I'd happily join you but I'm just an oik at the far end of scotland and nobody would listen to me as I have discovered over the past couple of decades.
Richard,
Congratulations to you upon your retirement following a long career as a Doctor of Medicine, and specifically as a surgeon. The testimonies of your patients, co-workers and fellow surgeons speaks volumes of your accomplishments in your profession and life.
Having retired on my 62nd birthday in 2012 after 38 years as a
State of Florida Professional Engineer, my life too is very far removed from strictly leisure and inactivity. As a lifetime athlete, writer and musician, I have furthered these pursuits in earnest.
In that regard, I applaud your decision to remain active in your medical profession as a writer and advocate. And although we have certain differences of opinion in a few areas of life, I think we have many more similarities in our approach to life and what we value. I look forward to continuing and expanding upon this relationship.
Until the next time we sieze upon the opportunities to communicate and interact, I send you my best wishes for the "second half" of your life.
Tom Mueller