You’re in your doctor’s office (well I mean in the exam room anyway) for maybe 10 minutes.

This person may find out about your lab numbers and your imaging studies. But how much does he or she know about your life? And even if they ask about it (consider yourself blessed if they do), they only know what you choose to tell them.

You are the expert in your life. They are experts in diagnosis and proposed treatments but you are the one who has to follow the orders. Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn’t.

This statement can apply to chronic illnesses and even terminal illnesses. When you are preparing your end of life wishes, a medical provider can assist and make recommendations but you know what you want to endure and how you want to spend your time.

Even if you don’t have a terminal illness, take the second part of the statement and make it a mantra. You are, indeed, the expert of your own life. Don’t let someone else ruin it.