I will be out for about 2 weeks for the ultimate blow to my being: cataract surgery. While a little nervous, I am actually looking forward to it. I have heard wonderful things about how much better one can see after this. I have only 1 cataract in one eye. I have to wait awhile before getting new glasses and since I do alot of computer work, I am taking time off till everything with my vision is straight.

In addition to this, I am working out and twisted my knee. After much testing, it is getting better and time and diet and exercise should be the cure. If not, there is the ever looming surgery in the forecast. Ahh the wonders of the aging body. But the good side is the opportunity to rest, see family who are larger then print words and get my act together.

Since I will be out I wanted to comment on some recent items that could impact health for all of us. First and foremost, thank you Senator Kennedy for coming back to the Senate to get this lame duck group back on track for the economy and health care reform. You are a role model to do this with the enormous medical issue you face and an inspiration to demonstrate that life goes on. Bless you.

Second, a new study by the physicians foundation which reports that most primary care doctors practicing today would leave the practice of medicine if they had an alternative. How sad. I understand. Overwhelming demand means patient overload in practices that are few and far between. Paperwork and bureaucracy delay remuneration for these doctors. We must get this under control. Medical school is cost prohibitive for many with loans taking over 10 years of practice to pay off. Then the issue of claims payments by insurance companies that are often late or wrong. The pressure plays on human beings and doctors are human.

Fortunately here where I work, it is different. We take the pressure off the doctors and provide them an atmosphere that allows them to practice the medicine they always wanted to do.

President Elect Obama: too much speculation and second guessing in the media. I saw him on 60 Minutes and I feel confident that he will make a difference. But he is not a miracle worker and we cannot expect change to be immediate. We need to be patient and give him the opportunity to do his job.

I think the rest can wait till I return on or about December 3rd. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!