Checking in, Checking up

You could call this my check-up week. Saw my family doctor yesterday for my annual check-up. My blood pressure was lower than it has been recorded in months100+ over 60+. Very good. Talked with the doctor about a couple of minor concerns that we'll keep watching, but no dramatic action indicated at this time. So that's good.
Went to the dentist today for my 6-months check-up. I had a crown on one tooth several months ago, and it's still a little tender once in awhile when I chew something hard. But I couldn't make it hurt today, no matter what he gave me to bite down on. So we agreed that sometimes the healing is slow, and we'll keep watching it. The nurse gently urged me to be better about flossing. I think I can, I think I can.
Ran some errands at Target on the way home and stopped by Michael's to get one more red bow to put on the wreath on the front door. They were out of 'em, but I found another item, and got several of them--can't tell what I found; they'll be a surprise for some people who may read this blog! :-)
Wrote a draft of this week's editorial (goes live Thursday); I'll read it again before giving to Jim to post. Handled a bunch of correspondence about outstanding assignments, our college student subscription plan, and the June Cruise to Turkey, Italy, and Greece we're helping to host this summer. The ad appearing in the December Christian Standard has generated some interest--I think we'll add several to our group as a result of it. That's good!

None of this was particularly picture worthy, so I snapped a shot of our "gumdrop tree" lighting up the night on our deck. That's a heavy stone holding it down, in case of wind. We're going to find something to wrap around the base to make it look a little more attractive.

Doctor Day

I am not the proud owner of a new crown--on my tooth! I 'm guessing a tiara might not cost much more than this acrylic addition, but I'm glad to have the experience behind me.

This was my view from the dentist's chair this morning.

Then at noon I went to the rheumatologist. You know what a rheumatologist does; a rheumatologist takes blood. Sometime I may try taking a picture of my blood going up a tube into the test tube, but I chickened out today. Maybe it was because I hadn't eaten lunch yet. I never watch the blood flowing out of my body. 

This doctor diagnosed me with rheumatoid arthritis about a year and a half ago, and the two medicines I'm taking have eliminated virtually all my symptoms. 

Being sick isn't fun, and going to the doctor takes time we don't want to give up, but aren't we glad to be living in an age where so much help is available to us! If the apostles or Christopher Columbus or Benjamin Franklin had a cracked tooth or swollen joints, they would have just had to suffer. I'm glad I don't!