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Originally Posted by Nucky
I had the good fortune to get a great doctor at the age of 34 when I was in the hospital with the second case of double pneumonia in 3 years. He really put some time into connecting with me on several issues which could have taken me out at any time.
The first thing he got me to see the light on was wearing a seat belt. I had not had any accidents before or since his talk with me but he talked to me, not at me. Don't forget I was still at the invincible age. Then by divine intervention he actually got me to consider stopping smoking because he didn't think opening the 4th pack of Marlboro's every day was a good idea. It took almost a year but eventually, I did quit. Then he did the impossible. He sent an actual Geek to my house complete with a pocket protector and he looked like Michael Douglas in that movie where he went beserk on everyone. I asked him what can I do for you sir and he said he just wanted to hear my story about my drinking career and drugs if it applied. I was open to speaking to him but not quitting drinking. No way. I didn't care for drugs at all so no problem there. It took a while for me to hit my first A.A. meeting but I finally surrendered and haven't had a drink in a little over 28 years. I'm still best of friends, actually brotherly with that Geek. The years don't matter as you just take it day by day and then repeat.
I have kept in touch with Dr. Patel since I was in my 30's. My kids know him and so does my wife. I owe this man my very life.
I talked to my kids and now my grandkids about how much better their lives can be if they just try to do the correct thing and don't succumb to peer pressure. I adjust my story depending on the age of the child. The lines of communication are always open with all the youngins in our family because I learned to listen and then talk to them, not at them.
My Dear Mother called me Otis. I'm most grateful that she got to see me sober for a couple of years before she passed.
We have Dr. Patel in charge of everything when the time comes for decisions to be made. then it would be our oldest son. He's logical and a good decision maker.
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Great story! We have a lot of similarities. I too talk to the grandkids on taking it easy in college and trying to avoid drugs. You can’t stop anyone from doing what they want to do even if you have a little conversation with them, but you will always be there in the “back of their heads” when they run into trouble. Some problems tend to run in families and I have talked to all my sons about our medical history. They are now communicating that information and concerns to their children. Sometimes I am asked for advice. I offer it up and then let it go. It is up to them if they want to run with it. My best role is to be a good example to them. I tell them what I did, what happened to me, how I felt and what I did to get back on tract. If they see anything they can identify with than they can make some changes in their lives, but that is solely up to them. I try not to lecture. I know how I hated people telling me what I should do, but if someone told me how they got sick or screwed up totally and then told me how they got better, I might listen to that.