I noticed a scratchy throat working in the Patent Office campus Thursday, and searched one of my desk drawers, where I found one last zinc gluconate lozenge, which I sucked on. I also drank some herbal tea to soothe my throat. Going home on the subway and bus, I was glad to be wearing a mask, as I figured it would reduce the chance of my infecting someone else. My throat continued to be sore, and I did some sneezing and nose-blowing. I didn’t set the alarm, and tried to sleep late in the morning; then I put on a new mask, and headed to CVS to buy zinc gluconate lozenges and a couple of other items. I have done some teleworking today.

This has been my first cold since before March of 2020; whatever else you can say about them, social distancing and telework have reduced the spread of contagious diseases. I don’t feel deathly ill, but I have felt tired and uncomfortable. Just maybe, I could have knocked out the cold the first day if I had been able to hit the viruses with multiple zinc lozenges.
I went to Premier Primary Care this morning to see my doctor for my annual physical. It wasn’t very exciting (good), except that when I made the appointment months ago, I asked for a Hepatitis B vaccination, because Cynthia had told me that she has Hepatitis B (or possibly an idiosyncratic variant thereof), and at the time we were speaking of love and marriage. (For those who are new or irregular readers of this weblog, she dumped me.)

I told the doctor about this, and asked about going ahead with the vaccination, and she approved, telling me that it is now a generally recommended immunization, along with measles, tetanus, and the rest, so the nurse gave me a shot. I’ll be back in about a month and in about six months for the second and third shots. This is a general-purpose precaution, and also a good idea if Cynthia and I get together again, unlikely as this seems.
I was able to go to the optometrists’ office mid-day Monday, and pick up my new frame with the lenses inserted therein, so now I can read without difficulty. That’s good.
My glasses frame broke Tuesday night, and, relatively fortunately, I had an appointment with the optometrist for Wednesday, so I went there, wearing a pair of glasses from years ago which don’t fit my current prescription, went through some tests, saw the optometrist herself, and also saw an optician, who ordered replacement frames for me. He said it would be several days, and he would let me know when he obtained the new frame, and transplanted the lenses into it.

Meanwhile, I have to make do with less than ideal assistance from my old glasses. I can see we’ll enough at a distance — they pretty much correct for my nearsightedness — but for reading, it’s mostly easier to take off the glasses and get my eyes very close to the page or screen.

Backache

Feb. 20th, 2023 01:07 am
I’ve been troubled by a backache today. It isn’t always bad, but when I try to rise and become active again after sitting or lying down, my lower back muscles and left hip complain. I’ve been taking aspirin, something which I don’t often do, so that my bottle of aspirin expired many moons ago. I doubt that acetylsalicylic acid rots, but I still plan to get a replacement bottle.
On Wednesday morning, I got a bivalent COVID-19 vaccination, and an influenza shot. Aside from my arm being a little sore, I feel good, but if experience is any guide, I’ll feel tired and wrung out tomorrow.

I went to the dentist Monday morning, and there were no problems.

I should really get to bed.

New Lenses

Sep. 12th, 2022 11:43 pm
I saw the optometrist a few weeks ago, and this morning, I went in to have my spectacles repaired, and new lenses placed therein. It took some time while, if I understand correctly, the lenses were ground to fit within the frames. While that was going on, I tried to read the newspaper and Science News using a pair of old glasses from years ago.; they were good enough for distant objects, but not very good for reading.

Things may be a bit sharper now.
About nine hours ago, I received my second COVID-19 booster, and fourth shot altogether. My arm is a little sore, but I feel OK. If the pattern holds, I may feel a bit tired and wrung out tomorrow.

Meanwhile, I saw the fireworks last night, and here is an Independence Day speech which Honest Tom Johnson gave in 1903, and which still speaks, or again speaks, to today’s concerns.

Right Hip

Jan. 29th, 2022 12:49 am
I remember, when I went to the doctor two weeks ago, she asked whether I experienced joint pain, and I said no. More recently, my right hip joint has been bothering me, especially today. I’m not seventeen years old any more.

I took an aspirin, and hope that the problem will subside on its own. If it doesn’t, I’ll seek medical attention.
On Thursday morning, I went to the dental office, where a hygienist cleaned and looked over my teeth, and then a dentist further examined them, and took a look at my Nightguard, which doesn’t have to be replaced.

On Friday, I fasted in the morning, and walked two miles to the medical office for my annual checkup and bloodwork. The doctor noted that I had lost weight since my previous visit, so she’s having my thyroid function checked (by blood test) just in case. Also, I mentioned that I’ve had a problem with brittle fingernails, for which she suggested that a biotin supplement might help, so I’ll try to remember to look for that when I shop today.
About eight and a half hours ago, I got my COVID-19 booster shot (Moderna). My shoulder is mildly sore, but I feel well otherwise. Right after the jab, I said, “Take that, omicron variant!” to the apparent amusement of the pharmacy technician (or whatever her exact job title is).
This time, I succeeded in scheduling a COVID-19 booster at CVS, a week from tomorrow. Take that, omicron variant!
I have tried to sign up for a COVID-19 booster, but ran into trouble with the CVS website, first some days ago, and again a couple of hours ago. I’ll try again.
I’m awake after a major nap, and plan to go back to sleep. Monday afternoon, I got a flu shot at CVS.

On my evening walk, I met a golden retriever being taken out by a man; I think she’s the same as a retriever I’ve petted before, but whom I had seen being walked by a woman. Anyway, the dog has a golden personality, and acted accordingly, approaching me to be petted, and then leaning against me.

Then I had a late dinner of pasta with pesto, and a glass of slightly fizzy Portuguese vinho verde.
Today I got my second COVID-19 vaccination (Moderna) at the same CVS store where I got my first one four weeks ago. My deltoid muscle is a little sore, but so far I don’t feel feverish or altogether wiped out. I hope that I continue to feel pretty good, while my immune system nevertheless steps up its production of anti-COVID-19 antibodies.
Today I got my first COVID-19 vaccination (Moderna), and my shoulder is sore. Earlier, I felt sort of blah, and wanted to take a nap, but when I lay down, I couldn’t fall asleep, a situation which may or may not have had much to do with the shot.

I did not get the vaccine through my pre-registration with the Commonwealth of Virginia; I went to the CVS website, and, after a couple of unsuccessful attempts, managed to find an opening and register for it; the second dose is arranged for four weeks from today. The CVS half a mile or so from me isn’t doing vaccinations, but I was able to walk to one two miles away, so I got some extra exercise today.

The second shot may produce a stronger reaction than the first, but I’ll face that when the time comes; it will still very likely be less serious than getting the actual disease.
I have pre-registered on the Commonwealth of Virginia website, and once they’re giving COVID-19 vaccinations to people my age with no major health problems or other reasons for special priority, I should receive a notification, and be able to make an appointment. I hope it won’t be more than a few weeks, or perhaps even less.
I have had a problem with the skin on my fingers cracking; I’ve been applying antibiotic ointment and bandages. On a friend’s recommendation, I bought some cotton gloves at CVS, and they help; I can put glop on my hands, and still be able to use my workstation without getting stuff in the keyboard, and write in my notebook without staining it. Also, my fingertips are not directly hitting the keys again and again. This was good advice.

Thursday was quite cold, with biting winds; when I went out for air and exercise, I wore a coat, hood, mask, and winter gloves, as well as long trousers, and I still felt the cold. When returning home from a short walk in the early afternoon, I found myself walking some distance behind a woman in a mid-calf length skirt, apparently of light material; gusts of wind kept lifting the skirt above the lady’s knees. I have to admire her toughness.

To Doctor

Dec. 5th, 2020 12:31 am
I walked and jogged two miles to the doctors’ office Friday morning for my annual checkup, and with an empty stomach, since they do bloodwork on fasting patients. I got a tetanus-diphtheria booster as well as a checkup, ate a first installment of breakfast, and walked the two miles back.

If nothing else, I got some healthful exercise this morning.
I met my neighbor from the apartment across the corridor a few minutes ago. I asked after his health, and he says that he was sick a few days ago, but is much better now. That’s good to hear.

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