By Joe Rector
A couple of years ago, Mark Evans called it a career and retired from his dental practice. My family, and hundreds of others, visited him at least twice a year for check-ups and other dental work. When he left, I was confounded. A new dentist was needed, but I wanted to find one who would accept my insurance. After a search, I found Hardin Valley Family Dentistry. Abby Roach is a young dentist with a gentle touch and friendly “chair-side manner.” Her staff is also kind, patient, and helpful. Slowly, I’m teaching them what spots are sensitive and how nervous I am when a procedure is in progress. I miss Mark and his crew because I’d already broken them in.
Cathy Mathes took on my mother as a patient in the 1990s. I’m sure Dr. Mathes was just out of school and getting her career started. Before long, the entire Rector clan was calling her our family doctor. For all these years, Dr. Mathes has looked out for the health and well-being of three generations. That’s why the letter from her that came last week was so painful to read. Dr. Mathes is retiring in June, and that means that we’ll have to search for a new family physician. It’s scary.
Cathy Mathes helped my mother through kidney stones, one that was so large that it had to be removed from her kidney. She protected Mother during episodes with mini-strokes. When years of smoking finally caught up to Mama, it was Dr. Mathes, who worked with other specialists to find the best source of treatment for a terminal illness. That doctor, who had no family ties to us, made an in-home visit during the last few days that Mother lived. Then, the doctor walked to the backyard and sobbed. She officially became one of us that day.
Many people might not like Dr. Mathes. She is plain-spoken and believes in being honest with her patients. She fussed at me about smoking, and when I told her that I was afraid of gaining weight if I gave up the habit, she looked me eye-to-eye and said, “I’ve seen lots of skinny cancer patients.” That comment was the one that led me to give up smoking.
I was filled with embarrassment and anxiety about my first prostate exam and who was administering it. I asked Dr. Mathes if she had ever had men who felt the same as I did. She shook her head and added, “I’ve told them that I have an associate who can come to do the exam if they are uneasy with my doing it.” She added that the doctor was a large man with big hands. I turned around, dropped my “drawers,” and bent over the table. We had an understanding from that point on.
I’ve suffered with restless leg syndrome for about thirty years. During that time, the good doctor sent me to specialists to see if something could be done. All through the years, she’s listened to me and changed medications that give me the best chance of sleeping at night instead of walking up and down the driveway to ease the effect of the problem.
When our son Dallas passed, she made sure that both Amy and I were okay. About a year after his death, I talked to her about the situation. Although others had offered help, simply telling her about my condition and the reason for those feelings eased the burden from my heavy heart. I can cope with the loss now.
Cathy Mathes is a wonderful person. No, I’m not sure whether or not she’s a touchy-feely individual, although I highly doubt it. What I know for certain is that she cares for her patients and has always provided the best possible care for them. Appointments sometimes run behind because the doctor takes time with every individual and sometimes sits down and talks with those who need to hear things or who want to hear things.
Dr. Cathy Mathes is a wonderful doctor who has made my life a better one than if I’d never met her. As I said earlier, she is family to all of us Rectors. We can never say anything to express the words of appreciation for her care and concern. The next time I see her, I might just try hugging her. Whether she accepts it or slugs me is an unknown.
Dr. Cathy Mathes, happy retirement! I hope each day you find joy in being able to fill time with the things you want, or don’t want, to do. You’ve earned your days of rest and relaxation. Just remember that your patients, the Rectors in particular, say “thank you,” and we love you forever. You certainly are a big part of our family.
