In Accordance With Reason Or Logic
Sep. 11th, 2025 04:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
muchtooarrogantLJI Week 9: Edgelord
For the average person, when they're around someone who's blind, I firmly believe that their IQ score frequently drops by at least 50 points!
What's that you say?
"Dan, you're spouting provocative shit just to get a response. Don't be an edgelord!"
Ah, I see I'm going to have to prove it to you.
A few weeks ago, I was due for my annual physical, and fully expected that I'd hear the usual litany of pointed questions and chiding comments from my doctor. Stuff like, "Your blood pressure medication is keeping your levels where they should be, but if you lost twenty pounds, you could stop taking the medication. Have you considered exercising more regularly?"
First reaction. How rude!
Second reaction. Define considered.
Yes, it's true, I often have a pretty lackadaisical approach when it comes to medical/health stuff. I've always had the attitude that it's my job to live life to the fullest, and my doctor's job to do whatever she needs to do so that I can continue living life to the fullest. That's reasonable, right?
Do you know how I found out I had high blood pressure? I went to the dentist, and before the hygienist started cleaning my teeth, she slipped one of those electronic blood pressure cuffs on my arm and pressed a button.
When it was done she said, "Are you nervous?"
I shrugged, "Not really, why?"
"Your reading's really high."
She advised me to take a few minutes, breathe deeply, and try and relax. I wanted to object that if I were any more relaxed I'd be asleep, but figured she wouldn't appreciate the humor. After a few minutes of Zen breathing, she tested my other arm, but still got a high reading. As a last resort, she went and got another machine, tested me yet again, but alas proclaimed that the reading was still too high.
"Okay," the solution oriented guy I am asked, "what do we do now?"
"Our insurance won't let us work on you with this high a reading," she explained patiently. "We recommend that you make an appointment with your regular doctor and get this taken care of before rescheduling with us."
Well shit!
And so, not having much of a choice, I did. The physician both Lizbeth and I see, Dr. K, put me on two medications, and after experimenting with a few devices, I found a blood pressure monitor I liked that also worked with my phone. By and large, nothing much changed except that I took two pills every morning, and periodically monitored my blood pressure levels.
Well, that's only partially true. What I learned about myself was that I really sucked at remembering to take medications on a daily basis. Around about noon every day I'd start wondering, "Did I take my pills this morning?"
Eventually, I settled on a belt plus suspenders approach where I started every week by placing each day's pills in a container with seven separate sections, and set a phone reminder that would prompt me to actually swallow the things every morning. If I ignored or dismissed the reminder without taking the pills, they'd still be in that day's section waiting for me the next time I opened the container's lid.
Getting old sucks!
All of that to say that while I wasn't necessarily expecting great news when I visited Dr. K, the past few years after the blood pressure debacle had been calm enough so that I also wasn't expecting anything major.
What I got was, "Given the results of your latest blood work, I think it's time we put you on a medication to manage your blood sugar."
First reaction. WTF?
Second reaction. Evacuate? In our moment of triumph. I think you overestimate their chances!
Unfortunately, just like Grand Moff Tarkin, I was wrong! Dr. K rattled off several numbers from my latest blood results, demonstrating that yes, in fact, my blood sugar had mutinously skated past the recommended levels, and would now require a chemical leash and choke collar to drag it back to where it belonged.
After her recitation of medical statistics, Dr. K inquired, "Does Liz need to be here while we're discussing this?"
I stared at her for a moment with incomprehension. "No, why would she?"
Then, I got it. Because I'm blind, and obviously can't make decisions for myself.
Situations like this put me at a sort of decisional crossroads. Should I vehemently protest that even though I'm blind, I'm perfectly capable of making my own medical decisions? Or is it even worth the effort? I've been the poster child for blind independence before, and in most respects it's a pretty thankless gig.
"No," I answered calmly, "I understand why you're making this recommendation and agree with it."
Of course, I wasn't being completely honest. I did understand why she was making her recommendation, but it seemed like a pretty life-changing course of action to commit to without additional proof. While she started to talk about the medication and initial dosages she would be prescribing, I had already decided to confirm her results by checking my own blood sugar levels for a few days before starting any medication (Lizbeth tested her blood sugar level every morning, and I was confident I could get her assistance checking my morning level as well). Then, I started considering all the other stuff I'd potentially have to figure out.
"I guess," I commented, still trying to get my head around the situation, "I'll need to learn how to give myself injections."
My expectation was that she would reassure me that the process was now pretty straight forward, and perhaps that she might even describe a bit about how it was done.
"Oh," she responded, "I'm sure Liz could help you out with that."
"Uh, yes," I stammered, "I'm sure she could, but I'd also like to know how to do it myself."
Again, this was a physician I'd been seeing for years, who should have known just how important my own independence was to me.
My next comment was, "And I'll have to get a talking/accessible glucometer as well, to ensure my blood sugar level is where it needs to be."
Her response. "Oh, I don't think you'd necessarily need to test your blood sugar levels."
WHAT?
Although I'm definitely not a medical expert on the treatment of diabetes, since it is the leading cause of blindness, I have had several friends who have had to deal with it over the years. In college, I had one friend who simply decided they hated having to constantly mess around with needles, test strips, and the other required paraphernalia, and would therefore just ignore their blood sugar level. As a result, they ended up having parts of their anatomy amputated ... more than once!
After reading this, you're probably thinking, "Dan, get rid of this quack!"
The problem is, given certain very obvious limitations, she's not a bad doctor. I've been present during past appointments with Lizbeth where she's provided solid medical advice, as well as past interactions she and I have had that were fine. It's just that sometimes, the fact that I'm blind gets under someone's skin, and they lose the ability to think rationally. Medical professionals, friends, coworkers, and even family members; I'm telling you, NO ONE IS IMMUNE!
Dan
For the average person, when they're around someone who's blind, I firmly believe that their IQ score frequently drops by at least 50 points!
What's that you say?
"Dan, you're spouting provocative shit just to get a response. Don't be an edgelord!"
Ah, I see I'm going to have to prove it to you.
A few weeks ago, I was due for my annual physical, and fully expected that I'd hear the usual litany of pointed questions and chiding comments from my doctor. Stuff like, "Your blood pressure medication is keeping your levels where they should be, but if you lost twenty pounds, you could stop taking the medication. Have you considered exercising more regularly?"
First reaction. How rude!
Second reaction. Define considered.
Yes, it's true, I often have a pretty lackadaisical approach when it comes to medical/health stuff. I've always had the attitude that it's my job to live life to the fullest, and my doctor's job to do whatever she needs to do so that I can continue living life to the fullest. That's reasonable, right?
Do you know how I found out I had high blood pressure? I went to the dentist, and before the hygienist started cleaning my teeth, she slipped one of those electronic blood pressure cuffs on my arm and pressed a button.
When it was done she said, "Are you nervous?"
I shrugged, "Not really, why?"
"Your reading's really high."
She advised me to take a few minutes, breathe deeply, and try and relax. I wanted to object that if I were any more relaxed I'd be asleep, but figured she wouldn't appreciate the humor. After a few minutes of Zen breathing, she tested my other arm, but still got a high reading. As a last resort, she went and got another machine, tested me yet again, but alas proclaimed that the reading was still too high.
"Okay," the solution oriented guy I am asked, "what do we do now?"
"Our insurance won't let us work on you with this high a reading," she explained patiently. "We recommend that you make an appointment with your regular doctor and get this taken care of before rescheduling with us."
Well shit!
And so, not having much of a choice, I did. The physician both Lizbeth and I see, Dr. K, put me on two medications, and after experimenting with a few devices, I found a blood pressure monitor I liked that also worked with my phone. By and large, nothing much changed except that I took two pills every morning, and periodically monitored my blood pressure levels.
Well, that's only partially true. What I learned about myself was that I really sucked at remembering to take medications on a daily basis. Around about noon every day I'd start wondering, "Did I take my pills this morning?"
Eventually, I settled on a belt plus suspenders approach where I started every week by placing each day's pills in a container with seven separate sections, and set a phone reminder that would prompt me to actually swallow the things every morning. If I ignored or dismissed the reminder without taking the pills, they'd still be in that day's section waiting for me the next time I opened the container's lid.
Getting old sucks!
All of that to say that while I wasn't necessarily expecting great news when I visited Dr. K, the past few years after the blood pressure debacle had been calm enough so that I also wasn't expecting anything major.
What I got was, "Given the results of your latest blood work, I think it's time we put you on a medication to manage your blood sugar."
First reaction. WTF?
Second reaction. Evacuate? In our moment of triumph. I think you overestimate their chances!
Unfortunately, just like Grand Moff Tarkin, I was wrong! Dr. K rattled off several numbers from my latest blood results, demonstrating that yes, in fact, my blood sugar had mutinously skated past the recommended levels, and would now require a chemical leash and choke collar to drag it back to where it belonged.
After her recitation of medical statistics, Dr. K inquired, "Does Liz need to be here while we're discussing this?"
I stared at her for a moment with incomprehension. "No, why would she?"
Then, I got it. Because I'm blind, and obviously can't make decisions for myself.
Situations like this put me at a sort of decisional crossroads. Should I vehemently protest that even though I'm blind, I'm perfectly capable of making my own medical decisions? Or is it even worth the effort? I've been the poster child for blind independence before, and in most respects it's a pretty thankless gig.
"No," I answered calmly, "I understand why you're making this recommendation and agree with it."
Of course, I wasn't being completely honest. I did understand why she was making her recommendation, but it seemed like a pretty life-changing course of action to commit to without additional proof. While she started to talk about the medication and initial dosages she would be prescribing, I had already decided to confirm her results by checking my own blood sugar levels for a few days before starting any medication (Lizbeth tested her blood sugar level every morning, and I was confident I could get her assistance checking my morning level as well). Then, I started considering all the other stuff I'd potentially have to figure out.
"I guess," I commented, still trying to get my head around the situation, "I'll need to learn how to give myself injections."
My expectation was that she would reassure me that the process was now pretty straight forward, and perhaps that she might even describe a bit about how it was done.
"Oh," she responded, "I'm sure Liz could help you out with that."
"Uh, yes," I stammered, "I'm sure she could, but I'd also like to know how to do it myself."
Again, this was a physician I'd been seeing for years, who should have known just how important my own independence was to me.
My next comment was, "And I'll have to get a talking/accessible glucometer as well, to ensure my blood sugar level is where it needs to be."
Her response. "Oh, I don't think you'd necessarily need to test your blood sugar levels."
WHAT?
Although I'm definitely not a medical expert on the treatment of diabetes, since it is the leading cause of blindness, I have had several friends who have had to deal with it over the years. In college, I had one friend who simply decided they hated having to constantly mess around with needles, test strips, and the other required paraphernalia, and would therefore just ignore their blood sugar level. As a result, they ended up having parts of their anatomy amputated ... more than once!
After reading this, you're probably thinking, "Dan, get rid of this quack!"
The problem is, given certain very obvious limitations, she's not a bad doctor. I've been present during past appointments with Lizbeth where she's provided solid medical advice, as well as past interactions she and I have had that were fine. It's just that sometimes, the fact that I'm blind gets under someone's skin, and they lose the ability to think rationally. Medical professionals, friends, coworkers, and even family members; I'm telling you, NO ONE IS IMMUNE!
Dan
no subject
Date: 2025-09-14 11:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-09-15 01:48 pm (UTC)Thank you for reading/commenting!
Dan
no subject
Date: 2025-09-14 11:29 pm (UTC)WUT. I did not know this was a thing.
Again, this was a physician I'd been seeing for years
I wonder if she didn't feel competent to explain the process verbally? Or maybe just envisioned you stabbing yourself in a finger instead of a fat-fold? Which you would probably be more careful about than most!
But taking insulin and NOT measuring your blood sugar doesn't seem like a great idea to me any more than it does to you. :O
no subject
Date: 2025-09-15 02:01 pm (UTC)Yup. I mean, you gotta figure they're taking the reading for some reason, and everything now is based on insurance, so ...
I wonder if she didn't feel competent to explain the process verbally? Or maybe just envisioned you stabbing yourself in a finger instead of a fat-fold?
Dunno, she's generally pretty articulate, but in my more charitable moments I've imagined that perhaps she kept thinking about all the things that could potentially go wrong if you couldn't see, and froze up because of that? Who knows.
Thank you for reading/commenting.
Dan
no subject
Date: 2025-09-15 03:56 pm (UTC)After meeting the friend I mentioned, yes, never underestimate people.
Also, note, aging is sucky. :( I'm 47 and on cholesterol meds and now wear transition glasses full time (never wore any kind of glasses til my 40s) and recently am in Physical therapy for issues related to arthritis! (sorry, I know none of this is...huge.)
Aging and the accompanying issues are definitely yet another type of thing we all must face with courage over and over.
And there whole "have you thought of losing weight"...I hate that question at the dr. Yes, constantly. In our society, no one who is overweight can go very many minutes without "thinking of losing weight."
It's...quite the issue. I had to see a specialist (long story) and had to lose weight from May to August. I only lost 10 pounds :( But at least it was some. Now I will get to keep trying and weigh in in Feb.
Sigh. I really thought it would be more. Felt like I skipped so much food. Weight...ugh. It's never fun. I was anorexic in high school so trying to keep in some kind of healthy happy medium isn't something...it's a struggle let's say. But now I definitely don't look anorexic.
Hopefully this physical therapy can help me start doing more exercise. Having a body...such a struggle at times, eh? (and again, sorry to complain.)
Sorry your doctor was so tone deaf :( I hope you can adjust well to the "new normal" with blood sugar etc.
no subject
Date: 2025-09-15 04:16 pm (UTC)I hear ya, for me the old age thing is frustrating and annoying. I was one of those guys who could literally eat anything they wanted while staying super thin, but, um, those days are over, dude! LOL I try and keep in mind that it's a balance though, I've now got all that previous lived experience that helps me make better decisions and guide my kids, so that's worth something, yeah? (grin)
Today marks my second self-administered shot, and so far things are good. No nasty side-effects as yet, and the process isn't particularly egregious. Lizbeth hates administering shots so much that she has Amanda do hers, but luckily I'm not that needle phobic.
Thank you for reading and commenting!
Dan
no subject
Date: 2025-09-15 06:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-09-16 06:10 pm (UTC)Thank you for reading and commenting!
Dan
no subject
Date: 2025-09-16 07:49 pm (UTC)This bit made me laugh. I do enjoy your sense of humor, my friend.
This all sounds incredibly frustrating, but I do think it's great that you are such an independent person and that it's that important to you. It must be very irritating to deal with people who don't quite grasp that. I'm sorry you have to.
no subject
Date: 2025-09-16 08:05 pm (UTC)Thank you for reading and commenting.
Dan
no subject
Date: 2025-09-16 08:21 pm (UTC)I used to work at RNIB and something we used to hear a lot when out at the pub with blind colleagues would be, “Ah! Aren’t they kind taking their disabled friends out!” Um…. No. Really not. Not least because half the time they would be paying!
no subject
Date: 2025-09-16 08:33 pm (UTC)True that!
Not least because half the time they would be paying!
LOL And, just imagine the uproar if they knew you were taking advantage of the poor blind person like that.
I figure, constant exposure probably helps as well, and since I've typically seen Dr. K only about once a year, she hasn't had the opportunity to build up Dan immunity yet.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Dan