Doktor Doktor

I'm indifferent when it comes to doctor visits. Of course I see a doctor three times a year, which really isn't too often, but its still more than most people I know. Maybe my friends can never become sick, they've developed an immunity to all the crap out there, no deadly diseases plague their families, in some sense they are immortal. But I know this can't be entirely true. The truth that I accept is everyone is sick, only the elderly and terminally ill care to do something about it.

I'm not dying, and I'm not old. But I do have a very common disease known as diabetes. Its common as is known, and for the most part at early onset its easy to manage. As a matter of fact, when managed properly, the disease begins to recede, or at least it becomes less of a bother. Proper management includes, maintaining a healthy nutritious diet, exercise and use of prescribed meds where necessary. So its easy to deal with.

And I deal with it fine. But doctor visits...what a waste of time. I go to be patronized, or scolded, or both. "Hello there, T. How do you feel? Any problems? Your blood pressure looks great, you're due to lose some weight, but otherwise all seems fine. What was your blood sugar the last time you checked? You haven't checked this morning? This week? This month!?! But two months ago you did...humph. You need to...blah, blah, blah...." But he doesn't let me go with just a lecture: "We'll have to take you to the lab and drain your blood!!!" Okay, he doesn't want to drain my blood, but he's just covering his back to make sure he doesn't release an at-risk-patient for six months. The test gives great results. As a matter of fact he says, "This looks fine. I don't know what you're doing but keep doing it. But you need to monitor your blood sugar at least twice a week...." Yeah, earlier you said two times a day. Punk.

So he makes me feel really bad about not taking care of myself, but overall I'm okay. I guess I'll fork over the 50 clams and buy a glucometer and test strips. Wait, he prescribed these to me. So I have no choice. Freak. He's the fourth doctor I've seen for diabetes treatment in two years. Its too early to say if he's good or not. Maybe there's something more to my condition, but he was too eager to head out for lunch. I like to pretend that there's nothing else wrong. So there went an hour of my day. At least I pocketed some medical supplies like half a dozen alcohol swabs, an excuse-from-school pad (I'm sure this will retail for a few hundred on e-bay) and some other miscellaneous crap. I'll do it again in six months. "Six months to the day," I ask. "Yep." Easy, I say. Easy.