What's Up Doc?

My wife and I recently had a big scare last week when our daughter had to be rushed to the emergency room due to her asthma. All is well now thank God and she is back at home excited about Christmas like the rest of the kids her age.

Throughout this 2-day ordeal at the hospital and dealing with the doctors and nurses I could not stop thinking about that commercial.....you know the one with the chick is asking all the questions at the restaurant and then she sees her doctor during a health exam and doesn't ask a single thing...

All I kept thinking about was that we needed to make sure we weren't one of those people not asking any (or enough) questions. We made sure to ask any and every question we could possible think of not matter how stupid they may have sounded. Here's a few tips...

1. For many going to doc can be very nerve wrecking depending on the circumstance, etc. For that reason many times you're not thinking clearly so write down questions ahead of time...if that's too anal, take a notepad and write them down while you wait in the seating area.

2. When it comes to health, it doesn't matter how embarrassing or stupid your question sounds, so suck it up and spit it out. I'm sure you're not the first with that weird growth on your baby toe.

3. You are the customer (patient) thus you are in charge. If the doctor is rushing you, stop them and tell them you feel like you're being rushed. Its your right.

4. If you don't understand what you just heard, have them explain it over, (its OK!) tell'em to pretend you're a 4 yr old. Sometimes doctors can be intimidating because they're "Dr.s", but its never impressive when people talk over their audience no matter the title.

5. When in a situation where you don't like your current physician and feel like you're not getting the care you need, find a new one. I understand some people may not be able to switch but if possible, do so. Again, its your body and you only get one.

Good job US Dept. of Health for pulling together a thought provoking commercial.

http://www.ahrq.gov/questionsaretheanswer/level2col_1.asp?nav=2colNav00&content=09_0_videos

The Strangest Thing I've ever seen at the Starting Line!

As you read my blogs hopefully they can be thought provoking, inspirational, and/or provide you with helpful information. Today's entry is none of the above.

I ran the Jingle Bell Run 2009 Sundance Square Fort Worth, TX this past Saturday (12/5) and I saw the craziest thing I've ever seen in my 20 years of racing. As I pushed and squezzed my way to the front I ended up next to this middle-aged guy getting prepped for the run.

As I bent over to get that final stretch of my hammies I by chance happened to look at this guy's shoes (don't ask my why, I always look at other runner's racing shoes...). Anyway, I noticed a puddle of water under his feet as well as a stream of "water" pooling into the puddle. To my disbelief this guy was "relieving" himself at the starting line!! Thankfully it was just #1.
I've never seen anything like that in my life. I wondered if it was a pre-race ritual that I've never heard of, or maybe he just didn't have time to hit the porto potty and get back to the start in time so he figured no one would notice. Who knows? I guess I'm writing about this with hopes that maybe someone has an explanation for why?

FAQ

No - I didn't ask him why he was taking a leak on himself at the starting line.

No - I didn't shake his hand and wish him good luck in the race.

No - He didn't get out of line to go clean up.

Yes - He did take off when the gun fired and I lost track of him...he might have beat me, not sure.

Inverted Relationship Fast Food and Age

Why does it seem that the older you get the less fast food you eat? I've noticed over the years that in each year that I get the older, the less I'm able to stand the taste of fast food. Its at a point now that I'd almost rather come home and eat crackers than stop and pickup one of those combos.....

Possible theories on this phenomenon....

1. I'm sick of getting my orders screwed up and begging for extra ketchup.

2. Foods are more processed than ever before and they taste terrible.

3. In the age of information, I've been exposed to too much "behind the scenes" info on what really goes on in restaurant kitchens...thanks Anthony Bourdain! thanks Food Inc.! thanks Super-Size Me!

4. The older I get, the more I'm aware of my mortality, thus making me more health conscience and focused on taking care of my body.

5. Times are tough, save the $6 bucks on a combo meal and sack lunch a ham "sammich"...hey it adds up!

Any suggestions? What do you think?