Bedside Manners

Went in to see the doctor, Alan G, whining about a list of ache and pains. This and that. Alan listened to the whole complaint and said, 'Tom, nature doesn't care about you anymore.' Jesus, Alan! 'Yup, it's all gravity and desiccation from here on out.' Great.

So that very evening, by wonderful coincidence, I had dinner with friend Chuck, also a physician, and told him the story. Expecting.... what? I don't know. But in fact what Chuck said when I finished was, 'Did you want a second opinion?'

Time for Single Payer

Bit ago I got my first big boy glasses, prescription ground, wire frames. Frames cost a bunch. Couple hundred bucks. Time passed.

Significant wife complained mightily about my alleged snoring and I submitted to laser treatments on the soft tissue at the back of my mouth. Hurts. Another story. Cost a bigger bunch than the glasses, like 1200 bucks. Time passed.

The very wonderful but no-cheap-bargain dentist we patronize lobbied to have me accept two tooth implants. Titanium screws in the jaw upon which are placed crowns of synthetic tooth-like material. Also hurt. And I don't like to think how expensive they were. Plus, you're paying for pain. Serious money was committed to the project with splendid results and excellent pain drugs. Time passed.

Now it is to be a hearing aid. Skipping to the good part, 2700 bucks, and not much larger than the fake tooth purchased above. Good news is, one, glasses seem like a bargain now, and two, I don't think it will hurt. Physically.

Stay Wet

Article from National Geographic (of all things) says "Influenza germs last longer ... in lower absolute humidity -- i.e., when it's cold outside and the air is dryer." So, once again, consider carrying a saline spray inhaler. The brand Ocean, and others, are in the nose ailment department of your local drug shop. For two or three bucks. They keep your insides damp and healthy on airplanes, air conditioned hotels and offices, and Aunt Harriet's overheated apartment. Beat the flu and colds. Feel superior. Dr. Tom says Do This Thing.