He will see five or six patients after lunch, and keeps it to two to three new patients a day overall. The highlight of his day, what keeps him going, is when he can determine the right diagnosis. He even finds that his knowledge of Eastern medicine can still come into play. “It’s helped in slight ways,” he says. “Frequently, the fibromyalgia trigger points are the same as meridian acupuncture points.”
Dr. Truslow attributes his individuality in rheumatology to going solo. He keeps his practice to a three-person team, counting his wife and one office worker, which makes for a comfortable flow.
“It didn’t take long for me to decide to do this myself,” he says. “It surprised a lot of people. But I have a relaxed personality, which helps me deal with the stresses that can sometimes come with running your own business.”
Natural High
The personal satisfaction he gets from kayaking helps as well. Although he admits he’s probably retired from riding some of the toughest rivers he once took on, Dr. Truslow embraces the kayak community and continues to look forward to the energy he gets from trips.
“There’s no question I feel refreshed when I come back from kayaking,” he says. “You just feel ready to tackle things. I will sea kayak on the coast some and will go on rivers, but I’ll admit I probably won’t push past the rivers that are Class III anymore.”
Dr. Truslow says he will also continue to find ways to help the nature community. He served as a past president of the Dan River Basin Association from 2006–09, and as a member of its board earlier this year. During his term as president, he led kayak trips for beginners and those more advanced to tackle Class 0 or Class I river sections. “We would have 30–40 people going, on average,” he says. “I loved watching all the people enjoy being out there and getting better.”
Helping people enjoy taking on a challenge—that sounds like the spirit of a rheumatologist.
Eric Butterman is a Texas-based freelance writer. Contact him via e-mail at [email protected].
