FEATURE
RETIREMENT Contemplated
John A. Lloyd, MD
I
will start with an explanation. This essay is
written in a combination of the first per-
son and the third person simultaneously.
Why? I am currently in the process of re-
tiring, and I also have noted that a popular
subject in the “Lounge” is that of retirement
(when, how and why?). It is my hope that the
following comments are apropos.
After 43 years as a practicing pulmonologist, one starts to con-
template retirement. I’m an independent practitioner, and there
is no boss who tells you when it is time to “clean out your desk.”
There are no governing rules or regulations that designate when
“it’s time.” I was recently thumbing through an old Murphy’s Law
Calendar (1984) and noted “Weiner’s Law of Libraries,” that is,
“There are no answers, only cross-references.” It occurred to me
that the same “law” applies to retirement plans. It says, “If one size
fits all, it doesn’t fit anyone” (that’s another of Murphy’s Laws). So,
how does one decide when it is time to retire?
If close attention is paid, there are daily indicators that one is no
longer young. Hardly a day goes by (and they go quickly) that I do
not turn something ov er, drop it or spill it. The number of “rest
stops” steadily increases when traveling, or even when working in
the office or hospital. However, these two examples may indicate
advancing age, but they may not be a good litmus test for consid-
ering retirement. The question remains problematic. When is an
appropriate time to consider retirement?
There are some obvious reasons for electing to retire: a spouse
who needs help for whatever reason, a personal health problem or
a need for the completion of an unfinished business long contem-
plated. In addition, I think there are some less obvious clues. When
one meets an old or long-respected colleague and converses for an
extended period of time and can’t remember his or her name until
three hours or more after the conversation, it may be a warning
sign. Or, when one receives a call at night from the ICU that would
normally precipitate an urgent visit, yet one wishes to turn over and
try to go back to sleep because “I just can’t answer the bell anymore,”
that’s also a significant warning. But, one can also argue that these
examples are just normal signs of aging, and they are not indications
that one can no longer practice medicine. “One size does not fit all.”
Nevertheless, there is one “clue” that cannot (and should not) be
ignored. If a trusted colleague or partner says, “Don’t you think it’s
time?” one should give it serious thought. There is also another not
so obvious (but should be) scenario. If you hail a partner or fellow
practitioner in the hall and request help with, “I have a patient who
has _____ (which you have treated a thousand times) and I can’t
remember the right test to order.” Or if you say “What is the name
of that drug we always use?” We have all been there; but if it is a
frequent occurrence, it may be an important omen.
However, more often than not, there are no clues or compassion-
ate suggestions. One has to make the decision alone or with family
input. There will be consequences, and there may be regrets. One
has to decide and then live with the outcome and the uneasiness
about the future.
When contemplating retirement, please remember: “There are
no answers, only cross references.” Perhaps one should use the
“cross references” as a guideline: (1) listen to one’s partners and
trusted colleagues, (2) listen to one’s family, and (3) personally look
for the “clues.” Also remember that when one retires, the medical
profession will survive. There will be many who will long appreciate
your contributions and your many years of service, and there will
be patients who are happy that you passed their way. That is what
I hope for, after 43 years of practice. Perhaps retirement is not as
frightening as once anticipated. And, keep in mind, to the retiree,
every day is a Saturday.
Dr. John Lloyd is a retiring pulmonologist with Louisville Pulmonary
Care, PLLC.
NOVEMBER 2017
15