Last Tuesday I had a seasonal check-up with The Good Doctor. He was pleased as Punch: my blood pressure was good and my weight was steady (no gain). We did not have ructions over my borderline A1C. I can keep working via ‘non-Rx means’ to better the glucose. We shared stories who had the patient with the worst ‘no vaccine’ excuse/belief. I had some doozies, only because I have patients with bona fide delusional disorders. These were disqualified as thems with this condition always have conspiracy theories as par for the course. The Good Doctor won with a case of a 40yo man who was refusing the vaccine because he read one (only one) article suggesting the vaccine may not work in immunocompromised folks. [1]
At the appointment he advised me to get three shots: the COVID19 booster shot; the shingles vaccine; the annual flu shot. Like Scrooge being told he was to be haunted by three spirits, I asked could they not all come at once and get it over with. No such luck: I should get them done in a series, a few weeks apart. This weekend I go to the pharmacy to set these up. My pharmacist is a fine fellow, well over four feet; I think he will oblige.
I have another reason to better my figure, something more pressing than my health: my vanity. My traveling companions have voted not to scuttle the November trip to Palm Springs. This gives me approximately eight weeks to work on my covid-physique. Imagining Urs Truly making his ingress at Inndulge looking avoirdupois. There would be talk.[2]
Unfortunately, what lies between P.S. and today is obstacle called October, the month-long party month, in which I am known to make all sorts of yummies all antithesis to slimming. Oh the horror. I suppose I could not make anything and forgo the candy corn, but what fun is that? I could make goodies and vow I won’t eat them or not much of them. [3] I will probably compromise by bringing all baked goods to work and put’em down for the goats to get’em.
Speaking of autumn-eats, yesterday was the first official day of autumn. To celebrate, I thought to make coffee for the incoming staff, using a homemade pumpkin spice blend from a recipe I found on the internet. I sprinkled some into the grounds and brewed a pot. Oh the pain. Do not try this at home. I dumped out the foul stuff and made a regular pot and no one was the wiser.
[1] Picking out one negative report as ‘the truth’ while dismissing dozens of positive ones is a classic example of something called ‘selection bias”. Someday I ought to write an entry on the various bias that afflict our thinking and judgment.
[2] Not really. My anxious vanity can be assured by something in psychology called The Spotlight Effect. This is the phenomena people greatly over-estimate how much people notice them. One walks into a room full of people and thinks ‘everyone is looking at me’ when in fact no one is looking at you other than a quick glance to see if you are familiar to them. One is more Mr. Cellophane than one realizes.
[3] Fat chance of that.
38 comments
September 23, 2021 at 4:17 AM
David Godfrey
I should go in search of a booster shot or a flu shot this weekend. I did the shingles series last year. Moderation in all things, you will make it through October. You need PS, we all need a break. Vaxed and masked, you will be fine. I am looking forward to Lake Tahoe in a month. Time flies.
September 23, 2021 at 6:51 AM
Urspo
Time flies indeed. It is referred to at zenosyne, one of my favorite words.
September 23, 2021 at 4:40 AM
Dwight W.
I love the character, Mr. Cellophane from the Musical Chicago. Have been him in many a gay bar, when traveling or alone. Then one happens to get lucky , and the word spreads. Sad to be known for body parts than personality. I am excited that it sounds as if you can fight your glucose, My physical is late November. I am going to start trying to appoint our Booster, for Pfizer I am not old enough but Hope being health care provider will help . Since I have a valid license but am not 65 or immunocompromised. Don’t have any desire for a flu or shingles vaccine, maybe I will after the booster. Does Derek Rose make a Budgie Smuggler/ speedo or do you just wear your helmet. Happy Day today, Dr. Spo.
September 23, 2021 at 6:57 AM
Urspo
One can only shudder at the cost of any Derek Rose products more than basic boxers. I do not wear the helmet to PS, regardless of the Spotlight Effect.
September 23, 2021 at 5:47 AM
Debra She Who Seeks
Glad you’ll be going to Palm Springs — something exciting to look forward to!
September 23, 2021 at 6:58 AM
Urspo
It is the first proper thing for which I am looking forward to in over a year.
It gives me something to look forward to, indeed.
September 23, 2021 at 5:50 AM
claudiajustsaying
I’ve been insulin diabetic for forty years, diet does make a difference. I have an insulin pump. Have you heard of Libra? A friend with a slightly elevated A!C is getting very good results. She sees what foods raise her BG.
September 23, 2021 at 6:59 AM
Urspo
No I have not heard about Libra, other than it begins about 20 September. I will go have a look-see.
September 23, 2021 at 6:12 AM
Lori Hawkins
Happy to hear you have a vacation to look forward to. I vote you make the goodies and enjoy just a bit. Your office mates will love the treats.
September 23, 2021 at 7:00 AM
Urspo
I should hope so.
Lately I have seen my office mates are either on diets or no gluten or no eggs or no sugar etc. so the usual things brought into the office kitchen are seen as anathema.
September 23, 2021 at 6:45 AM
Debbie W.
So happy to hear that your PS trip will go on as planned. Now more than ever, we need nice things to look forward to. Glad your Good Doctor will let you try non-RX means to manage your borderline A1C. I have that issue as well, and my Good Doctor tells me that we must always look at the big picture, i.e. weight, cholesterol, exercise, and overall signs of good health. A1C is just one part of the big picture. So, make some of your traditional fall treats and enjoy them in moderation. And share pictures of said treats with us readers! 🎃
September 23, 2021 at 7:01 AM
Urspo
I pointed out my resting glucose is 90 and the borderline A1C has been borderline for years. Let’s hear if for data to support an argument to do something. Alas, this doesn’t work more in life.
September 23, 2021 at 7:47 AM
Parnassus
Everyone in America is getting the booster shot, while I am still helplessly waiting for my initial vaccine, with no availability or information in sight!
–Jim
September 23, 2021 at 10:07 AM
Urspo
😦
September 23, 2021 at 7:52 AM
Linda Practical Parsimony
I am going to get the Libra or something like it. Get busy and save your life. Just never take Metformin!
September 23, 2021 at 10:08 AM
Urspo
I am curious to hear what are your concerns about metformin. please tell.
September 23, 2021 at 8:27 AM
Robzilla
Please stay safe when you’re in Palm Springs. Things are still pretty nasty out here, and in the “red” areas of California there’s no ICU beds available.
Even though it hit 94 where I live, and I’m somewhat near the beach, I knew it was Fall yesterday. I saw Pumpkin Spice Latte creamer in stock in the dairy aisle at Vons.
September 23, 2021 at 10:09 AM
Urspo
That is a certain sign of autumn.
I heard someone from LA say their version of autumn is praying for lows in the 60s, so they can don a scarf and drive 90 miles to find an orchard to pretend it’s autumn.
September 23, 2021 at 10:44 AM
Sam
Well done getting your health back without medication. I am looking for happy stories and motivation like yours.
September 23, 2021 at 10:59 AM
Urspo
Let us hope so!
September 23, 2021 at 11:09 AM
Todd Gunther
Sorry, I do not imagine you to be a vain person.
September 23, 2021 at 12:14 PM
Urspo
I hope not – usually
Showing up to Palm Springs heightens things a bit surrounded by folks checking each other out. It’s nonsense but it does tickle my vanity some.
September 23, 2021 at 12:12 PM
John
I’m scared of going to the doctors
I don’t like mine and can’t change him
September 23, 2021 at 12:15 PM
Urspo
I am always glad to hear from you.
I am curious about this why you cannot change your physician? Having a good rapport/trust with ones doctor is tantamount for good health.
September 23, 2021 at 12:52 PM
Pat
Enjoy October,Candy Corn and Taffy Apples. Then, procure yourself a Bear T-Shirt. It hides a multitude of multitudes. I spent a brief holiday in Palm Springs one winter and it coincided with Bear Week and I felt like a lithe young thing. Which by Met-Life height and weight tables and AARP card carrying rules, I am neither. (This does not constitute medical advice)
September 23, 2021 at 1:30 PM
Urspo
It constitutes fashion advice for which I am grateful.
September 23, 2021 at 1:00 PM
Will Jay
I think you have the roots of your solution in making and sharing with the office goats. Make just enough so that your senses are satisfied and then give away the rest. I’ve found that when doing festival cooking, the activity of cooking, the sounds and scents feed me in a way so that I am not interested in eating festival sized portions. Also, question the amounts that you are preparing. Many recipes are sized for feeding the 5,000. Maybe all you want is to taste and share.
As an alternative you could sacrifice excess quantities at the altar of Saint Sol of Palm Springs, the guardian angel of those trying to look fetching in stylish swimwear.
September 23, 2021 at 1:32 PM
Urspo
True it is more the making than the consumption; I will be merry merely making things. I hope others appreciate them.
You are correct a lot of recipes seem to come out like the proverbial loaves and fishes.
I don’t wear swimwear so that matter is moot.
September 23, 2021 at 1:24 PM
janiejunebug
I got my flu shot yesterday. I had Shingrix in November and February. I had to wait about six weeks before getting the COVID vaccine, which worked out perfectly because that was when I became eligible for it. I’ve known many people afflicted by selection bias. It seems to be difficult to let go of the negative, much in the way of people who only remember unhappiness in a relationship.
Love,
Janie
September 23, 2021 at 1:33 PM
Urspo
Tomorrow I am posting some common bias for education, entertainment, and I can’t think of anything else to write upon at the moment. Stay tuned.
September 23, 2021 at 3:38 PM
Pipistrello
I might have thought if you were going to get shingles, it would have been last year’s treat when Headless Chicken was more in vogue. The word on the street is that travel agents had dropped like flies with it.
September 23, 2021 at 8:33 PM
Urspo
I confess I did not understand it but I loved it.
September 23, 2021 at 5:13 PM
Blobby
I dunno. I can’t say about the booster and flu shot, but Covid (1 &2?) and flu shots are being given at the same time in the 216.
September 23, 2021 at 8:33 PM
Urspo
I will get all 3 as my doctor said I should.
September 23, 2021 at 7:52 PM
larrymuffin
It must be strange to have a Doctor tell the other Doctor (patient) you need this and that. I always wonder how that works. A bit like the Barber going to a barber to get his haircut. Flu Shot for sure a good idea and the 2 shingle shots is a must. We got ours and happy we did. The new version I was told by my pharmacist is the best.
September 23, 2021 at 8:35 PM
Urspo
I very much try to be The Patient and not The Other Doctor when we meet. He appreciates he doesn’t have to explain things as I know what he is doing. Sometimes he asks if I have depression possibly because if I crack up he has to handle or mutual cases himself.
September 24, 2021 at 12:25 AM
Moving with Mitchell
Glad news on the health front is good. I had a colleague who decided to add pumpkin spice to our coffee one morning — as a surprise. It was a surprise alright. The same result as yours.
September 24, 2021 at 6:48 AM
Urspo
Oh the pain
I wonder how this is properly done? Perhaps the ingredients are different or it is a matter of amount.