Yesterday’s adventures were in health and food shopping. I had my first appointment with my new gastroenterologist, Dr. Ullman. I had to take public transit, subway, and a bus; at least the timing was good. The waiting for the transfer is the part that I hate. This was my first time in a doctor’s office since the onset of COVID-19. The waiting room was empty, and I was called at exactly the time of my appointment; I always appreciate that. First I saw a nurse who took my vitals. Then I saw a resident. I should know his name. I’m thinking Dr. Burada. He questioned me and felt my bowels. Then came my first meeting with Dr. Ullman. I liked him just as much in person as on the phone. I loved my old doctor, Dr. Kwah, and I’m grateful to find someone else who I connect with. He made one change that I appreciate, he wrote me a prescription for budesonide aka Entocort EC, a bowel specific steroid to take when I have an obstruction. I know that prednisone helps, hopefully this will too but without the side effects. The nurse and Dr. Burada said nothing about my eye but Dr. Ullman asked me right away. I asked him if he wanted the true story or the interesting one. He said the interesting then the true one. Read my previous entry to find out what I’m talking about. He appreciated the marching band story. He’s also a fan of WFUV. I’m not sure what swag I was wearing, it wasn’t my facemask or one of my t-shirts. I’m stumped. What else could it be? My hoodie was in my bag. As for my eyes, here is how it has developed with pictures taken Sunday night, Monday night, and this afternoon.
The point of contact of my skull with the concrete was the spot on the outer part of my right eyebrow. In the picture it looks like my left eyebrow because my camera took a mirror image. I thought I had it set to not do that. I fixed it now. That’s the only part that has any damage. The rest of the discoloring is the blood from the broken capillaries draining. As I keep pointing out it looks so much worse than it feels. The point of contact is a bit tender, that’s it. It’s no more than a booboo. That’s the technical term. What’s said is because of COVID-19 I can’t ask any beautiful women to kiss it and make it better. Life is not fair.
After finishing with the doctor, I got my flu and hepatitis B shots. This is what’s nice about having coordinated medical care from a single system. It was in the records that I was due for them. A nurse administered the vaccinations. As you can see I practice what I preach. Even though I never catch anything and have confidence in my immune system to protect me, I get my vaccines. My confidence is not well-founded. I’m not magically protected. I might have lower odds than most but it’s not zero. If I take a risk and not get the shot I’m endangering others. I do not have the right to do that. Nobody has the right to endanger others.
My next stop was Stop & Shop, that’s just a half mile from the doctor. This way I get a shopping trip without paying extra bus fare. I loaded up, as I have not been shopping as frequently since they started charging for the bus again. I was prepared and bought my wheeled thermal shopping basket and shopping bags. What I really wanted was bagels, from the store next to Stop & Shop. I was devastated when I saw that it was closed. Yes, devastated, bagels are serious business. Next time I’ll be in the neighborhood is when I go for my infusion.
Now to make dinner. I bought pork loin. I haven’t made that before. I’ll have to see I can make that in my air fryer. Otherwise I’ll make a rare use of my oven.
Wise Madness 