THE VARSITY

 

First:  a Postscript: His changing my Tamoxifen dose to half-strength did bring me back to my usual self ..capable of arithmetic and all.

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THE VARSITY

 One day, years ago, I went in for a colonoscopy.  The doctor did not arrive. The nurses had some theories, but I was just lying there.  Then someone said, Dr. G can do it, and started to wheel me into the room.   NO!  I insisted no one was coming near me with anything sharp until I at least met him.  They agreed and pushed me into the procedure room. A young man appeared near my feet, looked at me, and said:  Thirsty?  For some reason, I  had to laugh.

Weeks later, he was to get some samples for the surgeon.  I was lying in the hall; a young nurse came by, looked at the tag on the gurney, and said:  "You got Dr. G!  He does fancy!"

And he did.  

He was friendly, helpful, and easy to talk with about anything.  Even cheered me along on the phone once when prep just about knocked me down.  

I believe he has his own practice now, and it's their good fortune.

THE VARSITY

I came to my oncology doctor by accident--a scribbled list from the surgeon. At my first appointment, another patient sat down beside me, looked at my papers, and exclaimed:  You got the GOOD doctor.  She was right.

He started to tell me all the possible medicines for my DCIS.  I admit I interruped to say I was interested in Tamoxifen (after a lot of reading and a friend's bad time with the regular regime.) 

We got along (he used a real stethoscope).   Away I went with my prescription.

Things were fine.  Or at first they seemed fine.  I sometimes felt confused or forgot something.  I missed several visits to the physical therapist (I had moved here after spine surgery.) I didn't always know what to do next.  Programs I had used at work seemed harder.

I was afraid to tell anyone, because at my age, they might drag me off to one of the "dementia doctors" who were all over the place.

At my next appointment (which I managed to get to on the right day)  I told him my troubles.  He picked up a pen and cut my prescription in half.  Told me it used to be the standard amount.  Then they doubled it. 
"Nobody complained."

I assured him they never complained because they couldn't even find his office on the bigger dose.  He laughed. 

He feels like a friend, and for me, that counts.  Counts BiG.

Note from yesterday

You can follow Dr. Krumholz on TW

ARE YOU REALLY NOT INFECTED?

Are you disgusted as I am with scientists contradicting each other like politicians?

I seriously urge you to read the NYT April 1 article by Dr. Harlan M Krumholz, MD,  on false negatives.  "If You Have Coronavirus Symptoms....Assume ..."

 Dr. Krumholz is easy to understand, straight to the point, accurate, and complete, always treats the reader like a grownup.  He doesn't pull his punches.

 He gives us a real answer so we can stop a minute and make plans.

 The bonus, I just enjoy his writing.

"YOUR LABS ARE ALWAYS GOOD" But now?

My family doctor tests for several things.  When I see him, he pinches his finger and thumb together  to tell me how close he thinks I am to high blood sugar, which had been a problem before I met him.   I have kept those labs good for years, with one Lara Bar per day. I count grains of sugar in my oatmeal and grains of salt also.

Now comes the virus:  I don't know if my doctor has been pressed into service for virus victims.  I wish him the best,  but I'm not going over to his building.

 My daughter has been bringing me my groceries and leaving them in my car.  I don't want her to get any diseases from my crowded building.   Sometimes, she puts in  a treat.  Last night after three trips  bringing up a few heavy groceries at a time, I ate four sugary little "newtons."   That has to stop.

After trying for months, I have lost weight recently, though I need to work, besides climbing all those stairs with my cane, and food. I miss my evening walk, but even at the start, I encounter people who won't observe safe 6 ft distance.

Staying on my 1 Lara bar diet (that also has gobs of frozen veggies, other details later) may still save the blood sugar level.

Our market has a good selection even now, of frozen food like my veggies, and even frozen florets of green veggies that I can put salad dressing on, and microwave.  (I don't buy fresh greens now, because we never know who, handling things, may have the virus but not know it.

And also they bake pretty good bread for toast.

If someone puts your food into the car for you, make sure his or her boss supplies them with good protection..masks or whatever. They risk a lot coming to each customer.


PS:  My secret worry is not the food, or even my labs.  It's how fast I'm running out of really good books.


I wish you health.

ISOLATING AT HOME-- EVEN WITH KIDS is not for wimps

Walking around our apartment complex has been a salvation for me for years.    It does rain, however, and to get outside, even after dark, I have to be around people.   My friend, Miss E, from L.A., however, called me with her view.

Miss E, who used to walk miles all over her part of the foothills, has this isolating handled.  She simply walks in place, counting the steps.  I have a sign on my wall from months ago when I  had a time of retaining water.  It says:

When muscles are inactive, they can't pump body fluids back to the heart.  

So in isolating or not, while the oatmeal cooks, a morning walk in place is important for me.

(But of course, there's a catch:  after I fell, a big hospital on their website convinced me not to stay too long on a flat surface, to save my knees.) I do have carpet, tho, and my old clogs have plenty of padding to help during kitchen chores.

A real favorite (even outdoors in other days) is walking sideways one way and then the other.  I think it helps my gluts a lot since the fall.  And I suspect if you have kids isolating with you, they might like it, too.  (Put the vases away when kids get into it.)

For me, anything that is a break from reading and keyboarding is indoor healthy.

I wish you health.