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.

Error in Sunday's VARSITY

It was bound to happen sooner or later:  Last para of Sunday's VARSITY  should begin:  

  Another, more complex problem and again I picked a surgeon.

The surgeon was a quiet man.  At the end of many follow- up checkups, I was okay.  I sat up. He was standing at the bottom of the table, looking incredibly happy that I was well.  Even my family did not look so overjoyed.

THE VARSITY

THE VARSITY

It was bound to happen- names, soon more, of medical people who gave their all under unfair stress, hoping to save more from the plague.  As I salute them, I think of some special, fine doctors in my life.  They also deserve my salute.

When I was expecting my first daughter, the flu kept me lying on the sofa. Then one  day, though I hadn’t called him, the obstetrician drove to our house!

 He took some vitals and gave me advice I still follow:  “Coca cola will keep food down when nothing else will.”  It does. He was the first of many angels.

Years later, working for Dr.s in CA, someone recommended Dr. K, to save me from managed care.  He became my doctor for 20 years, and felt like a friend, sitting by me, taking notes that he saved.  He diagnosed my leg pain as a spine problem in 30 seconds, let me choose my surgeon.

And drove from Burbank to the hospital two nights at midnight! to be sure I was okay

 The surgeon was a quiet man.  At the end of many follow- up checkups, I was okay.  I sat up. He was standing at the bottom of the table, looking incredibly happy that I was well.  Even my family did not look so overjoyed.

There were others in CA, but I won't mention them all.  When I had to leave for TX, I was terribly sad. Dr. K had saved all his notes, and gave them to me for my records.

PLEASE

Please be the one who stays away 6 feet, even if you think this disease is No big deal

Please be the one who covers your nose and mouth with your elbow when you sneeze or cough - the people I love might me nearby.  And it's elegant manners.

 

Please make a list of people over 60 who may save someone you love this year.

Please admit you should have taken care of your physical questions long ago, and do not rush to hospital now.

Please keep yourself  safe - I want to hear your comments next year, too. And years to come.

I wish you health

AGAINST THE ODDS- a RANT or at least a Whine

I live in a big apartment building, with people of various ages.  As in most such placesrldo, the owner does not live here.

We are mostly aware of the dangers in the world now, but I have more questions than answers.

When the virus was just beginning to worry us, we had a little fire here. When the firemen let us back in, the crush into the elevators was just as I remember from the dorm after spring break; I took the stairs easily, cane and all.  

I still take them, though it means a few trips from the car with groceries.  I seldom saw anyone on them so I felt safe until noon today. Now the people on lower floors are encouraged to used the stairs.  There goes my sanctuary. 

Do I need a rag in my pocket soaked in spray bleach?  Or a big rubber glove to wear on stairs.

What's your take on saving each other?