I think it's time to be a consistent blogger. It's sad that I looked back and saw that over the last seven years (almost exactly) I have only written 48 blogs and only posted 39 of them. So, there are 9 unposted thoughts covering what are surely most crucial thoughts. Let's see....wedding tips (or really "don't do's"), a facebook rant, a lake perspective, a pre-teen conversation, I'm so dang busy thoughts, it's a scary world topic, doctor office rant, a touching oldest son story and a death of a child story. So, the question is do I go back to those topics, some of which are terribly mundane (seemingly of great importance at the time); others are of serious and sincere nature--Or...do I just move on?
It seems a bit unsteady for me to move on when I am nearly certain I'd feel better telling all the stories leading up to this point. But the point they lead up to today is fairly anticlimactic. That's the great thing about blogs--one day a crummy boring story, the next day maybe not. Maybe I'll just grab and pull from all over. Maybe those thoughts from four and eight and twelve and twenty months ago needed some fermenting before they could be best told. Doubtful, but it's possible. Personally I like a good and accurate "at the moment" rendition followed up by a "reflective" rendition later.
I think for today I'll just tell today's story and work on yesterdays story a little later--maybe with a glass of wine or two.
Today's story is simple...interactive simplicity with a hint of compassion.
Today was a simple day for me. A Monday, which is usually one of my favorite days in the sense of "re-grouping". After teaching a Sunday school class last night, I'd decided it would be a good idea to try and put my money where my mouth was and actually practice the challenge I'd made the 8th grade kids--a devotional time specific to our Catholic faith, just once this week. So after things were tidied up and in order this morning and while wrestling with my daily morning desire of going back to bed at 6:52 when everyone has left for the day, I decided to take on the challenge in addition to a personal commitment to read the Bible daily. I had some Bible reading catching up to do today, and I did. And I took the challenge...well...at least part of it. I fully intend to fulfill it completely today, but for now, the real point on this issue is my intent and attempt--all of which I'm awarding myself good points for simply starting somewhere.
Since my catch up reading took some extra time, my rosary was only partially complete. But the rosary card I was referencing "gave me permission" to finish later which I found slightly humorous and quite relieving since I had exactly one hour to ready myself for my six month check-up with my wonderful doctor. So, off I went. My appointment had been changed on Friday from 9:00 with the wrong doctor they had mistakenly scheduled me with, to a "work-in" with the correct doctor at 11:00. I was my standard five minutes late. And I waited. And waited. This normally would have frustrated me terribly, and I have to be honest in saying that I was getting a bit antsy had it not been for multiple tries of Spider Solitaire and the expert level of Sudoku on my handy dandy phone. But they eventually called my name, went over the standard "how are you feeling today" interview and left me to wait some more in solitude. Dr. Reese is always very aware of his tardiness and, at about an hour into this "appointment" he ducked in to promise me he'd be with me shortly and thanked me for my patience.
Dr. Reese and I have a bit of a history together...especially after the last 15 months or so (see previous blogs). He's a kind, concerned firm doctor. He knows his stuff and is somewhat "old school" but is generally willing to consider newer theories if they are scientifically logical. I like that about Dr. Reese. Today proved he is a reasonable man. The question for me at this point in my life is how many prescriptions can I avoid. One has to do that by being healthy right? Well, if that's not incentive enough then maybe a hard-core whirlwind spring trip with my youngest daughter and 50 other people will keep my mind on the healthy ball---but more on that later. Regardless, I have to take one prescription pill daily, or I eventually croak. (Google thyroidectomy for further proof) So I take it since I really like living.
I also have this issue with my blood pressure. It's up, it's down, it's up, it's down...but it's ALWAYS up when I see Dr. Reese. White coat syndrome I think they call it. But he doesn't buy it. So last year he insisted I be on a very low-dose blood pressure medicine--something called Bystolic which helps with the high heart rate I had as well. I did and I eventually felt worse taking it, and he allowed me to stop it. Then there was an appointment where we "bargained" a bit so I wouldn't have to go back on it. I did better and won. And now we are at "today" and blood pressure time comes and he's not real happy. It's not super, super high, but it's kind of high. We talk about my diet, which has been Weight Watcher approved now for a few weeks and we talk about exercise which has been increased in the last month moreso than the last five years. No results so much, but I feel really good and contend that should account for something, right? After a standard amount of him-ha-ing around he "asks" if I would be terribly opposed to trying a new medication. I him-ha around the appropriate and respectful amount of time and sort of blurb out a "wlll, a...ya...Imn...k"---something pretty much like that. As he discusses the new medication I keep thinking about that show Let's Make a Deal and the effervescent host Monty Hall. I loved that show. Dr. Reese is no Monty Hall, but I can tell he's a player. Before he finishes up with his calm instructive presentation about "XYZ" blood pressure medicine, I blurt out,
"Wait a minute...remember how I told you I haven't been taking my blood pressure because I'd felt good?
Yes...
Well, what if I started taking it again (would have been good if I could have pulled the machine out of my purse just like in the show!)...and then I'll check back with you in a week or two or three or...whatever you say and.... I pinky swear to let you know the accurate readings? Could I hold off on medicine "XYZ" for a while?
Hmmm.... well, yes, I think we could try that. It's not terribly high and your heart rate was very good.
Ok, so readings twice a day for a week or two or....??
No, just two or three reading a week. Why don't we say for six weeks...maybe eight. And then you come back in and we will re-group.
What if it's consistently high in the next two weeks? (well, I'm not stupid...)
Call and we need to get you on a low dose of something."
Whew--dodged that bullet (pill) and now have to go prove myself via Jillian Michaels or some other similar torturous method.
So see...that, (and my religious challenges!) being the highlight of my day surely makes some of the aforementioned topics even more mundane and the other more serious topics seem at least unbalanced next to a post like todays.
That's how life is...at least for me. But I've learned that these Let's Make A Deal doctor appointment experiences put a scary world story or a touching son story or even the death of a child story into much better perspective. And vise versa... It was nice to not be frustrated an hour and forty five minutes later when I was finally leaving the doctors building. It was nice of the lady in the waiting room complimenting my hair "style" and it was nice to visit with Dr. Reese. These are the experiences of day to day living and it's important that I remember their value---every breath is a gift, no matter where that breath is taken.
