He looked a lot better than he had when I saw him last, a year earlier. His face wasn't drawn with fatigue and he wasn't moving in an exhausted manner, as before. Courteous and friendly as always, he said, when my husband remarked that it looked as though he'd lost considerable weight, that he had, and he felt better for it. He was exercising, attending swim classes, and it relaxed him. And he planned to see fewer patients in future. The night before, he said wryly, he'd been called at 2:00 a.m. to an emergency, so he wasn't feeling all that alert, but that was hard to believe.

He is exactingly punctilious in knowing patient background, interviewing with distinct purpose, and carefully applying himself to respond in detail to any questions his patients may pose. At least that has been my experience with this man whose professionalism matches his humanity.

I am required to see him for his professional advice and he wishes to monitor my heart health, no more frequently than once yearly. He feels professionally compelled to keep an eye on my "leaky" valve. In the hopes that it remains stable, but with the understanding that it could also possibly become a problem, and catching that problem before it becomes a serious one is vital.

The EKG taken a half-hour before we met for the consultation informed him that there had been no real changes from the one taken last year; same time, same place. He ascertained that my lung capacity is excellent, and the series of six routine blood-pressure tests, results passed with flying colours.

My husband accompanied me for the appointment, and it was a relaxed affair. He is feeling rather grateful that all is well with his lifetime companion. Any question we asked was responded to in slow and careful detail, in language geared toward the full understanding of the intelligent, interested layman, and typically for this doctor, with hand-drawn impressions to further understanding.

Even Riley was impressed, so much so that he slept comfortably throughout the proceedings, comfortable in his little carrier, on my husband's lap.