When Your Body Speaks, Listen [MJ Bolstad]

In this patient story, MJ Bolstad shares how choosing not to delay a recommended procedure ultimately helped identify a serious health concern. She explains why listening to your body, seeking medical care when something feels wrong and finding a healthcare team you trust can make a meaningful difference in your health journey.

Key Takeaways

  • Don't ignore warning signs: If you feel like something is wrong, listen to your body and talk with a healthcare provider. Early evaluation may identify health concerns before they become more serious.
  • Recommended procedures can detect hidden conditions: Even when a procedure doesn't seem urgent, following through with your provider's recommendation may uncover issues that otherwise would have gone unnoticed.
  • Trust matters in healthcare: Building a relationship with a physician who listens, remembers your journey and genuinely cares can provide confidence throughout treatment and recovery.
  • Second opinions can provide peace of mind: If you have concerns about your diagnosis or treatment plan, seeking another medical opinion can help you make informed healthcare decisions.
  • Comprehensive care supports the entire journey: From outpatient procedures and surgery to rehabilitation and recovery, coordinated care helps patients receive the support they need every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

A surgical procedure is a medical treatment performed by a surgeon or other qualified provider to diagnose, treat or manage a health condition. Procedures may be minimally invasive, outpatient or require a hospital stay depending on the patient's needs.

Delaying a recommended procedure may allow an undiagnosed condition to progress. Following your provider's recommendations can help detect or treat serious health problems earlier, when they may be easier to manage.

If your body is telling you something doesn't feel right, it's important to schedule an evaluation with a healthcare provider. Persistent, worsening or unexplained symptoms should not be ignored.

A second opinion can be helpful if you have questions about a diagnosis, treatment recommendation or upcoming procedure. It can provide additional information and help you feel more confident in your healthcare decisions.

A comprehensive healthcare system can coordinate care before, during and after surgery, including diagnostic services, surgery, rehabilitation and recovery support. This continuity helps create a smoother patient experience.

Video Transcript

My name is MJ Bolstad. I'm originally from Wisconsin. Moved down to Texas and worked down there for about 40 years. I did a lot of research on a lot of different communities and this was the one that I wanted to be in.

How was your experience with your doctor?

I love him. I just...we have... It's terrible to have such a wonderful relationship and to personally know, you know, the kids and what they're doing and all that stuff. But he's wonderful. He actually saved my life. He did a procedure that I had been putting off for a little bit. There wasn't much urgency on it and so I decided to do it. And we found something that, had I not known about, I probably wouldn't be sitting here right now talking to you. I absolutely love him. And to have come full circle and two years after this, for him to see how far I've come based on where I was then, he remembered me right off the bat. And I mean, I almost cried because it was just...it's awesome to have people like that and to have doctors that actually care. You don't feel like you're another ticket coming in and out the door.

What would you say to someone delaying a procedure?

You have got to do it. Period. There's too many things going on with cancer and other issues that if you're...if you feel like there's something wrong, you have to listen to your body. There's a lot of people out there that are rough and gruff and tough. I am too, but I also realize that things happen and sometimes things happen that are way out of our control and we don't really have control actually. So it's best to make sure that you're in here when you need to be or when basically your body tells you to.

Why would you recommend Brookings Health System to others?

Whether you're having an issue with where you're currently at or you're looking for a second opinion, I think that it's...this is an excellent choice to get that opinion or to go to the next level or whatever it is that you have concern about. Period. I mean, I think the benefit is that there's so many different avenues that Brookings Health covers. It's not focused on one thing. I mean, they do everything. They're all encompassing. It's just exactly like a hospital. Whether it's a day procedure, surgical procedures, rehab, recovery, they will keep you going down that pathway and stick with you the whole way. If you do not have that or you're not used to getting it, I should say, try it. Try it. It will definitely, definitely be a positive outcome for you. And that's what your health needs is a positive mental attitude. That's what you need and this place gives it to you.

Are you one of Brookings Health System's grateful patients who would like to give back to us? Learn more about how you can give back at brookingshealth.org/MyThanks.

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