The Medium IS The Message

Hello!  Welcome to my new blog.

Those of you who know me personally may want to argue whether I am actually a medium or more like an extra-large.

My latest physician (not a doctor, btw) indicated that my biggest health issue is my obesity.  She then proceeded to give me a lecture on weight management.

I didn't say a word about that.  She didn't deserve a word.

My next biggest health issue (from her computer records which were obviously from 2009 or before - the last time I had seen a medical professional in St. Louis, MO) was my cholesterol.  She insisted that I was currently taking atorvastatin for it.

I told her that I had not taken one of those since very early 2010 and ran out of my St. Louis prescription.  I also told her that I remembered having side effects such as aches and pains.

She didn't listen.  It was almost as though I said nothing, although I know I was emphatic about not wanting the atorvastatin again.

However, I did apparently say enough to her (mostly asking her questions) that she told my husband, also her next appointment, that I was "lovely" and "chatty".

When I was the B&B Lady, I was really good at asking questions of guests without offering an opinion of my own.  It's a form of espionage, IMHO.

The non-doctor, who once worked at a prison and now works at a county health clinic in St. Louis County, left me alone for a few days - until  after she saw my blood work results.

My cholesterol was 238.

Immediately, the landline phone rang here at our house.  The poor person making the call (yes, I shot the messenger) had the misfortune of calling me by half of my given first name.  I believe she also mispronounced my last name.

I bit her head off, figuratively speaking.

I do, however, follow orders.  So I went ahead and made the dietitian appointment that was ordered, as well as meekly agreeing to pick up the medication that was telephoned to my nearest Walgreens, even though I knew it was those awful statin drugs that have given me problems before.

The dietitian was a really nice and smart woman who had lots of time to chat with my husband (who does all the cooking) and me about weight management and cholesterol dietary improvements.  She WAS listening.

She also made a note to let the non-doctor know that I had tried to pay for the statin drugs at Walgreens, and when they had said "that will be $44," I had expressed shock and outrage and possibly shot another messenger at the drive-thru pharmacy window.

The dietitian also listened when I said that I would prefer, in order, to a) modify my diet, and/or b) try a different drug.  She said the non-doctor would probably recommend a different drug and call me.

Meanwhile, Walgreens' computer phoned our landline promptly the following Monday morning indicating that a prescription was ready.  I had to go there for something else anyway, so I asked in person at the pharmacy whether there was a new prescription for me.

Nope - just the $44 one.  I told the pharmacy clerk nicely (she may have been the one from the drive-thru window, so I was extra nice) that she could go ahead and cancel that one.

So far, all my health goals are proceeding well, on my timetable, without any negative interference from others.

My husband has been making us very nutritious and low-cholesterol meals every single night.  He is enjoying the by-product of his own weight loss (although not as fast as he would really like).

I continue to walk 1.2 miles each day with our dog, with an occasional day off for sanity or weather.

I have not yet heard back from the non-doctor, her minions, or Walgreens.

Meanwhile, at a holiday party, a female friend told me that her cholesterol, once over 300, is now 55.  She also indicated that the non-doctor needs to have her eyes examined when I mentioned "obesity."

The other ladies at our table at the party laughed when she said that.

You see?  The Medium IS The Message.

Welcome to The Message Medium.  Enjoy.