Friday, February 6, 2026

Medicalizing week done

I had a blog "in progress". It got too long and was full of too much "nothing" in my opinion, and suddenly it's been over a week since I posted one.  This one is an edit of the accumulation.

Between last blog and this one:  I got Ember's DNA test results back and it was boring.  She is, as expected, 100% Labrador Retriever.  She has the genetics that show the likelihood of her having a "dilute" coat color (i.e. no surprise she's a Charcoal as opposed to solid black).  She also has a "red" intensity gene, which explains the caramel look on her coat at times.  It also revealed that she has a tendency to allergies.  No news, right?  It did show she does not have any of the 247 genetic diseases they test for, so that's good news in the "no news".

At the end of this week, Friday February 6th, it got to 50℉.  It was both deck weather and leash walk weather, so we had a bit of both.  

Early in the week, we had a little snow slicking up the streets, and as the week progressed, a blast of below zero temperatures. We survived the edge of the big storm that mostly went South and East of us last week and have emerged into what's predicted to be a five-day stretch of "above average" temperatures.

It was a full week of "medicalizing" for me.  Friday the 31st of January was blood draw and Medicare's annual "wellness" visit.  On Tuesday February 3rd, I had the physical with the doctor, where he reviewed the results of that blood work, etc.  As with Ember's DNA results, no surprises.  I am low on vitamin D, probably because I haven't been taking my recommended wintertime supplements.  I'm trying to play catch up now.  But the cholesterol and thyroid, kidney function, etc., were all good.  Blood pressure no worries.  Everything continues.  Keep on going to the trainer, keep on walking the dog, etc.

Yesterday, Thursday the 5th, was the day set aside with the dentist, to repair two fillings.  I got the marathon report from my dentist... her hubby finished the Disney half marathon, and is trying to re-qualify for Boston, since their youngest child doesn't remember visiting the ducks (and they have been reading the book "Make Way for Ducklings").  

It was an interesting "personal connection" week with my medical providers because I not only got the dental family report, but also my doctor's oldest daughter is graduating from college this Spring!  When I first started going to him, he was just out of residency!  There is something to be said about these long-term relationships with health care professionals.

Another full moon slipped in during this time period, as well.  The so-called Snow Moon.  I loved this moonrise photo with the tree as a stark silhouette.  I should credit that this is not my house, but my neighbor to the East.  His tree is featured in many of my sunrise photos, too.

Bottom line:  life goes on, and Life is GoodKeep on Sparking, my friends!







10 comments:

  1. I have great pictures of those ducks on one of our joint ventures there! Fun remembrances.

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    1. Yes, you shared some of those photos, and every so often they pop up in my "memories". Good times!

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  2. Oh, how nice you got a walking day there. We haven't yet and I really miss getting out there early morning. I, too, like the long term professionals, probably why my back gets up with someone new. I want those that know me and I know them. I love the moon photo, it does look so good with the tree. Good stuff with Ember's DNA peek too. Have another great week!

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    1. Yeah, with new folks, you end up having to "explain" stuff all over again. With the long-haulers, you can just say, "remember four years ago when..." some issue came up. A quick reminder of your preferences to not overmedicate, etc. is enough, don't need a long discussion.

      And it's great being able to relate as humans with families and pets and outside interests, besides doing a fine job is a great antidote for anxiety.

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  3. Sounds like a busy, but pretty normal time. Glad that the medicalizing went well. I always appreciate that.

    I love the photo of Ember. Her coat is beautiful.

    Not quite to walking outside for any length of time, but we're getting there. It can hurry up any time.

    hugs and blessings
    barb

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    1. I'm always blown away by how shiny she shows up in photos. If you part her hair, and look directly at the underlying skin? It's white! My foster grandson first mentioned this, because Carl (son's dog) has black skin under his black fur, and he looks much darker because of it, while she will appear gray/ashy.

      Pace yourself on the walking. You don't want to be slipping on the slick! Sending an extra prayer or two on behalf of your Clara, btw. Medical adventures are fine... once they are over and everybody is back to OK again... but rarely "fun" at the time!

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  4. Replies
    1. Thanks. I've been playing with the "night sight" settings on the phone.

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  5. It turns out Ember is exactly who she said she was—a 100% Lab with a side of allergies and a very stylish charcoal coat! I’m so glad her genetic "no news" matched yours; a clean bill of health (minus a little Vitamin D catch-up) is the best kind of boring there is. Clearly, those 50-degree deck days are just what the doctor ordered for both of you to soak up some natural vitamins.

    There is something so special about growing older alongside your doctors—seeing their kids graduate while they fix your fillings makes the "medicalizing" feel much more like catching up with old friends. Between the Snow Moon silhouettes and the return of walking weather, it sounds like a lovely, peaceful stretch. Just try not to let Ember’s DNA results go to her head—she’s officially "certified" trouble now! LOL (((BIG HUGS)))

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    1. Indeed sometimes boring is good. Then one gets to choose how to spice it up!

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Finally got to a Youth Basketball Game

  In this case, one in which my foster grandson was playing.  "The Kids" are on an annual retreat that DIL's family does to a ...