Farewell

They say all good things must come to an end.

Such wisdom probably counts for mediocre things, too.

This represents my final submission to the CHI Health Cardiology Blog and I’d like to occupy some electrons on your computer screen to thank all the people who've helped me with my writing along the way.

My gratitude goes out to CHI Health for allowing me to have a voice for my opinions.  It’s not everywhere you’d find a large organization that provides blanket permission for an individual to spout off week after week.  I thank, in particular, the web and marketing team for their vigilant assistance in keeping up the blog for these past three and a half years.

My family has been patient with me and I’m grateful.  I appreciate the input and occasional mockery of my siblings as they’ve offered themselves as sounding boards for my more off-the-wall ideas.  Thanks to the partners and staff in my cardiology practice who’ve supported my writing even though many (who am I kidding?--perhaps all) of them think I’m a little crazy.

Finally, I need to express gratitude to you, my readers, for all the time you wasted scanning my weekly submissions.  I can’t tell you how much it meant to me every time one of you pulled me aside to comment on how much you enjoyed a particular blog.  For me the most rewarding aspect of my writing has been hearing from people who made changes to their lives as a result of something of mine they’d read.  Just last week a patient recounted, with tears in her eyes, how much better she feels and happier she is after taking to heart some of the recommendations I put in a blog a year or so ago.  As a doctor I couldn’t ask for anything more.

I’m not leaving my practice or quitting doctoring or abandoning Omaha, just putting an end to the habit of posting my thoughts on the internet.  Once again I appreciate your allowing me to do it as long as I did.

Take care of yourself, stay healthy, and keep being happy!

Dr. Van De Graaff