Woo encounter with a health care professional

At my doctor's yesterday for a gastro-intestinal complaint which has lingered and won't resolve itself, and during the intake, I remarked to the nurse (an R.N.) that I have always had a nervous colon, ever since childhood. She immediately said, "Oh, when were you born?" and I knew an astrological observation was coming. "October," I replied. "Oh. I would have thought you were August. Leos are very prone to gastro-intestinal things."

This was an R.N., for chrissakes.

I just nodded and said, "uh huh."

Never argue with someone who may be sticking things up your butt.

Words to live by.

that may become my new family motto when i have children

Good luck with your probing.

I'm sure that would be the response.... ;)

...and I was sharing a room with a guy who'd just had 23 teeth removed because of periodontal disease. (I'll take my surgery over his any day!) The guy had a plastic heart valve which complicated everything about surgery for him since he normally has to take Coumadin. It was a tricky balancing act to keep him from bleeding too much while not causing any unwanted blood clots.

He had a very sleepless night from all of the pain and from all of the bleeding in his mouth. To me it was no surprise that the next day, when the pain had subsided some, the bleeding was more under control, and he'd had a visit from his wife to calm him down, that he finally got a few hours sleep.

But, of course, none of that why why he finally slept. It was the Reiki massage his wife has given him. And when his wife told his (and my) nurse about it, she enthusiastically agreed about the wonders of Reiki.

Sigh. At least she was a hottie. :)

Why am I not surprised that somebody who believes in Reiki is also too stupid to floss regularly?

...just that his wife and the nurse did. Maybe the guy merely politely accepted his wife's well-intentioned ministrations. Even if Reiki is bullshit, having someone who cares for you pay attention to you in a loving and caring way can be soothing.

...the theoretical underpinnings of scientific medicine.