The Montoya family was in today. This is why what I do is called "family" practice. Two-year-old Nadelis was in for her well child check, and to follow up on pneumonia. She is bright-eyed, tall, smiling and talking constantly. She answers questions in English or in Spanish, seamlessly changing languages though she is not aware of it. She is at that magical age where language is exploding. Every day new words appear and she delights in the attention she gets for her accomplishments. Her parents are attentive and delighted with her. It is an easy visit for me.
I was thankful that my nurse put her great grandmother, Adeleine, age 85 in a separate room, with her daughter. There I could inquire more deliberately about her blood pressure, still out of control after adding a medication last time. Immaculately groomed, elegant, and proper, Mrs. Montoya exuded the pride of being honored as the matriarch of her family, surrounded by her children and attended by them. I made an adjustment in her medication and will see her back in a couple of weeks to be sure that her blood pressure is coming under control.
Four generations from this family spead over 80+ years of age. It's not possible to be their physician without being a member of their family too.
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