Dear friends,
I hope this note finds you well, and at peace surrounded by family and friends. It’s been a long time since I wrote, and it’s time for a few updates on the office. Our current model for care is solid and popular- we added about 50 patients in the past 12 months and are mostly full, though taking in a few new patients who are a good fit this year. Our lease is up in June, and I am inclined to sign at least a three-year extension, possibly 5. This will be decided in the coming weeks.
Some of you already know that Kazumi will be returning to Japan in the summer. She has been a wonderful medical assistant to me for nearly 20 years, and has cared deeply for many of you, often visiting you at home, making extra checkup calls when there was a concern, and of course being quick with a hug when saying goodbye. We may have an early summer casual outdoor party to formally say goodbye, but please use your opportunities in the office to thank Kazumi for her service and kindness.
Enough of you know by now that I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022, that I felt I should formally address it. Since my father and grandfather had this cancer, I was watching closely, and we hope we caught it early enough for cure. We likely won’t know for several years. I’ve had excellent care and am so grateful to my medical team. Despite the uncertainty that a new diagnosis like this creates, 2023 was one of the happiest and most fulfilling of my life. I want MANY more. As you can imagine, at 64 I have many friends retiring around me, and asking when I will join them. My answer is that, though I have many interests and hobbies, none of these come close to providing the satisfaction that my relationships with you, and working toward best outcomes for medical issues, has given me. My experience has no doubt deepened my empathy and understanding in dealing with patients, especially those with cancer. It’s also made me very knowledgeable about prostate cancer as some dozen or so of you know.
Julia and I continue to have a keen interest in longevity, which is a growing field and is gathering more attention outside of the large, employer-based clinics. I have pointed many of you toward Peter Attia’s book “Outlive” which I think is the best and most accessible summary of current thinking. It is divided into chapters addressing the “4 horsemen” of metabolic disease, cancers, degenerative brain diseases, and cardiovascular disease. I look forward to working with those of you with an interest in this field. Keep well, and I'll see you in the office!
Sincerely,
