micro

I meet my endocrinologist multiple times a year as part of my normal health checkups, and she tests A to Z of bloodwork as part of it. Last year around this time she identified that I was borderline low on *ferritin*, a iron store indicator. Men don’t have a low iron problem generally, and she definitely jumped into high gear. She asked me to see a gastroenterologist and discuss about my GERD issues as well as this level. The first appointment I got with the gastro was at beginning of this year, who quickly dismissed my endo’s concern saying that since all my other markers were optimal it meant nothing.

Then during spring when my ferritin marker was still low, my endo sent a strongly worded email to the gastro demanding that he do a endoscopy and colonoscopy to rule out bleeding or other bacterial or concerning issues. After meeting the gastro again he agreed to heed my endo’s advice “to be safe” and scheduled the exams. Those exams finally finished 2 weeks ago with final review with the doc today, almost 1 year after my endo had initially asked me to go through all this.

The result – thankfully, nothing of concern was found. *I was right*, the gastro beamed, but he also mentioned he’s glad that I have a caring doc like my endo who put in that effort and energy to cross out all the dots, and that I should appreciate it. And I’m like, she’s been my doc for more than a decade now and I trust more than anyone else around me. I am sure next time I meet her, she’s not going to dismiss it but it will make her happy.

That said, its a telling take on american healthcare system. It took me almost a year since she asked me to do these tests to rule out anything concerning. A year is a fucking long time for something to get worse, but here we are dealing with the sad state of american healthcare system that it takes *this* long to do this. Its one of those things I feel like places like Bangalore in India are so much better. I could’ve literally walked into hospital and been done with these exams within 15 days tops.

Had it been any other government I would have been camp India lol. I am not camp Canada but I sure as hell can say safely camp India is totally capable of doing anything these days.

This whole india Canada clash is interesting. If let’s stay it was the USA who killed a Canadian citizen on terrorism related charges, in Canada, the whole media reaction to it would be 360 degrees different on how USA was well within its rights to do so. But a brown country to do so? Nope. I also think it’s hilarious to think Trudeau is trying to pander to Sikh community in Canada. Sure they are a big base but not enough to carry elections. This is more about his ego hurt with his trip to India rather than anything else. Btw, I have no idea about who this guy was but I will argue that it was wrong for india to do this but if it’s right for America to do this in other countries it very well is for India too then.

The apple support person was helpful but I hope they are able to cancel my iPhone 15 pro order. I think I want to see these phones in person before I actually decide to order one.

The last 48 hours have been fucking annoying. First, our garage door cables snapped. Thankfully the guys who installed it last year came by today and fixed it for no charge. Then last night as it was raining, and I was trying to back out my merc from his pipe stem driveway, I miscalculated the turn and hit a stop sign, albeit at low speed. Still, the dent is enough that it needs to be replaced, and the fucking merc that it is, will now cost me arm & a leg to do so. Talk about self induced nuisance.

I often wonder if my mom had not died unexpectedly, would I have ever turned atheist at all? After all for a major part of my life I *did* believe in God, and dutifully did most things I was supposed to do be a Brahmin in good standing. Its no secret and I’ve blogged on this much that my mom’s passing was a huge catalyst for me turning away from God, but I do wonder sometimes how might have life turned out if it hadn’t played out that way? Would I still be a god-fearing man, doing all the needful things & celebrating each festival under mom’s watchful eye? Would my wife continue do all the various pujas and things that my mom would’ve asked her to do? My kid is a certified atheist already, but I am almost sure she might have been a temple visiting blessing seeker. Obviously I’ll never find out, but I wish I could answer the question whether stopping believing in God made me any more happier? I guess it gave me peace, so that should count for more.

There is some sort of weird comfort in seeing people sitting under a tree shade cooling off. I dont know why but it just makes me feel happy.

At our community picnic last week we won a guessing game by coming closest to the number of gummy bears in a jar. We guessed 206, and ours was apparently closest to the actual number, 306. I am now curious what other families guessed that somehow **we** were the closest! Also gummy bears are yummy.

As I am getting older nothing seems to energize me more than a night of a good 7+ hours sleep. It’s like a light bulb in your brain when you wake up well rested. You know you feel good when you get out of the bed! And that feeling is contagious. The chai seems tastier. The workouts go like a breeze! It just feels more… relaxing. Yep. I am getting old.

The “controversy” around Hasan Minaj is laughable. He is a fucking comedian – of course he is going to stretch the truth or invent situations for laughs. That is his fucking job. Do people really think a comedians life is full of funny anecodotes and jokes happening every second so they can document it and use it in their stand ups?