This blog was started a little more than a year ago.
363 posts later, it's still been a lot of fun.
It's my attempt to continue writing on funny/unique/interesting patient encounters and personal stories as a follow-up to the three short books previously published: Patients Say the Darndest Things (2003), Patients Say the Darndest Things-Volume 2 (2006) and Patients Say the Darndest Things-Volume 3 (2009).
I've encouraged others, who like to write, to start a blog. It's an easy, and inexpensive, way to put your thoughts down on paper. It's best to just start writing without the expectation that others will even read it.
I try to keep most posts relatively short, for obvious reasons. I know everyone already has a pretty full plate.
I do occasionally check the STATS section that is available only to the author. One day over 90 folks had stopped by to read the blog (I do admit, that was pretty cool).
So, for the first time, I'm going to ask for some/any input and suggestions at:.
patientssaythedarndestthings@gmail.com
I'm going to take a couple of weeks off to give y'all some time.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Friday, July 6, 2012
A fire angel for the people
Mr. H. is now 86 years old but appears to be much younger when reminiscing about the old days.
He worked for years as a New York City public fire appraiser representing the people versus the Insurance companies for damages sustained to property in a fire.
In general, he worked for commissions-usually 5-10% of the pay-out.
However he would never take a commission when representing, for example, a single mother trying to raise a family. "It just wouldn't have been right to profit from their loss and money was often so tight in those days."
The appraisers who worked for the Insurance companies were always trying to force a settlement of a claim for the least amount possible. Mr. H.'s goal was just the opposite.
He reports he was considered a "hero" to the people but "a thief and a whore" to the Insurance companies.
He worked in and around a very tough and street smart clientele, including the Mob.
He says he got along with most folks well because of two simple life rules:
1. If you cross paths with someone who isn't civil with you, just walk away.
2. You don't have to like people, but if you do the right thing, they will like you.
As an aside, I couldn't believe he had never smoked cigarettes.
"Why?" he asked.
"It just surprises me that you never smoked given the nature of your business and the people you worked for back in those days."
"Well I never used a prostitute either, even though I worked around them everyday as well."
Touche, I thought, well stated.
He worked for years as a New York City public fire appraiser representing the people versus the Insurance companies for damages sustained to property in a fire.
In general, he worked for commissions-usually 5-10% of the pay-out.
However he would never take a commission when representing, for example, a single mother trying to raise a family. "It just wouldn't have been right to profit from their loss and money was often so tight in those days."
The appraisers who worked for the Insurance companies were always trying to force a settlement of a claim for the least amount possible. Mr. H.'s goal was just the opposite.
He reports he was considered a "hero" to the people but "a thief and a whore" to the Insurance companies.
He worked in and around a very tough and street smart clientele, including the Mob.
He says he got along with most folks well because of two simple life rules:
1. If you cross paths with someone who isn't civil with you, just walk away.
2. You don't have to like people, but if you do the right thing, they will like you.
As an aside, I couldn't believe he had never smoked cigarettes.
"Why?" he asked.
"It just surprises me that you never smoked given the nature of your business and the people you worked for back in those days."
"Well I never used a prostitute either, even though I worked around them everyday as well."
Touche, I thought, well stated.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
A perfect arrangement
Mr. and Mrs. V. are an amazing couple.
They've been married for 62 years.
Both were from Sicily and it was an arranged marriage.
He came to America when he was 18 and served in the Army until the end of WWII.
He was 23 and she was 15 when they married.
He's now 85 and she's 77.
They raised three children; all are college graduates with careers and families of their own.
Mr. V. was also a successful business man.
He now has advanced Alzheimer's disease.
She remains by his side.
"It breaksa my heart to see him this way, but we've had a great life together and he's been a great husband and father. I have no regrets over the life we shared together, we were so blessed," she says while gently stroking his hair.
Until well into the late 1950's, most Sicilian marriages were either formally arranged by the parents or permitted only with consent, unless the couple eloped.
"The intra-generational relationship of the family was felt to be more valued, initially, than the marital relationship. The whole purpose of a marriage was to have a family. Even if the couple did not love each other at first, a greater understanding between the two would develop, aided by their often similar socioeconomic, religious, political, and cultural backgrounds."
Proponents also felt as if marriages based on just romance were doomed to failure.
The divorce rate was also quite low. Nobody wanted the two families to have a problem. The only choice was to keep the marriage going.
I know a lot of Mediterranean marriages were also accompanied by the presence, in the background, of a mistress. Opponents often site this as an example of the need for attraction and romance in a marital relationship.
I can see both sides of the argument.
Regardless, it's clear that Mr. and Mrs. V. were a perfect match.
They've been married for 62 years.
Both were from Sicily and it was an arranged marriage.
He came to America when he was 18 and served in the Army until the end of WWII.
He was 23 and she was 15 when they married.
He's now 85 and she's 77.
They raised three children; all are college graduates with careers and families of their own.
Mr. V. was also a successful business man.
He now has advanced Alzheimer's disease.
She remains by his side.
"It breaksa my heart to see him this way, but we've had a great life together and he's been a great husband and father. I have no regrets over the life we shared together, we were so blessed," she says while gently stroking his hair.
Until well into the late 1950's, most Sicilian marriages were either formally arranged by the parents or permitted only with consent, unless the couple eloped.
"The intra-generational relationship of the family was felt to be more valued, initially, than the marital relationship. The whole purpose of a marriage was to have a family. Even if the couple did not love each other at first, a greater understanding between the two would develop, aided by their often similar socioeconomic, religious, political, and cultural backgrounds."
Proponents also felt as if marriages based on just romance were doomed to failure.
The divorce rate was also quite low. Nobody wanted the two families to have a problem. The only choice was to keep the marriage going.
I know a lot of Mediterranean marriages were also accompanied by the presence, in the background, of a mistress. Opponents often site this as an example of the need for attraction and romance in a marital relationship.
I can see both sides of the argument.
Regardless, it's clear that Mr. and Mrs. V. were a perfect match.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Have a GREAT 4th of July!
"My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!" Thomas Jefferson
"And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me." Lee Greenwood
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
The book title doesn't appear to be right
A local Doctor and his wife just unveiled a new diet book entitled, "Lose Weight, Get Healthy & Be Happy: the Rice Diet is the Right Diet."
I did some brief research on the Rice Diet.
"Created in 1939 in Durham, North Carolina, the Rice Diet is a program that can help you overcome weight-related diseases like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and others."
The Rice Diet appears to have some very appealing example menus to choose from (said sarcastically).
For example, for Breakfast:
Choice A: one cup of brown rice, one cup of fresh fruit and unsweetened coffee/tea
Choice B: one cup of brown rice, one small glass of OJ, 2 figs or prunes, and unsweetened coffee/tea
For Lunch:
Choice A: one cup of brown rice, one cup stewed tomatoes, raw carrots or cauliflower, and one glass skimmed milk
Choice B: one cup of brown rice, one cup of boiled cabbage, and one glass of skimmed milk
Etc., etc. (I think you get the general idea).
I'm always up for reading. I'm just thinking the title might need to be changed to "Lose Weight & Get Healthy: the Rice Diet is the Right Diet."
I'm pretty certain I would lose weight.
I'm just having a hard time with the "Be Happy" part!
I did some brief research on the Rice Diet.
"Created in 1939 in Durham, North Carolina, the Rice Diet is a program that can help you overcome weight-related diseases like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and others."
The Rice Diet appears to have some very appealing example menus to choose from (said sarcastically).
For example, for Breakfast:
Choice A: one cup of brown rice, one cup of fresh fruit and unsweetened coffee/tea
Choice B: one cup of brown rice, one small glass of OJ, 2 figs or prunes, and unsweetened coffee/tea
For Lunch:
Choice A: one cup of brown rice, one cup stewed tomatoes, raw carrots or cauliflower, and one glass skimmed milk
Choice B: one cup of brown rice, one cup of boiled cabbage, and one glass of skimmed milk
Etc., etc. (I think you get the general idea).
I'm always up for reading. I'm just thinking the title might need to be changed to "Lose Weight & Get Healthy: the Rice Diet is the Right Diet."
I'm pretty certain I would lose weight.
I'm just having a hard time with the "Be Happy" part!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Animal House a reality: 7 years of college down the drain
There were some troublesome statistics listed in a cover article in the Orlando Sentinel this past weekend; especially for parents who are getting ready to send their kids off to college (like my wife and I in the next two years).
Of the students who start at FAMU (Florida A&M University) as a freshman, only 12% finish their undergraduate degree within four years.
A lot of other Florida state universities are not much better (in fact, it's frightening):
FAU 15%, FIU 19%, UNF 20%, UWF 20%, UCF 35%, FSU 56%, UF 65%.
We have started to plant the seed-our expectation for our kids, where ever they go, will be to finish their undergraduate degree within four years.
It's hard to know what's more impressive; finishing an undergraduate degree at a school with a higher graduation rate or for example, being the just one in five who finish an undergraduate degree within four years some where else.
This is one more variable that comes into play when looking at which schools have the best chance of helping to meet our kids needs. It should be interesting.
Of the students who start at FAMU (Florida A&M University) as a freshman, only 12% finish their undergraduate degree within four years.
A lot of other Florida state universities are not much better (in fact, it's frightening):
FAU 15%, FIU 19%, UNF 20%, UWF 20%, UCF 35%, FSU 56%, UF 65%.
We have started to plant the seed-our expectation for our kids, where ever they go, will be to finish their undergraduate degree within four years.
It's hard to know what's more impressive; finishing an undergraduate degree at a school with a higher graduation rate or for example, being the just one in five who finish an undergraduate degree within four years some where else.
This is one more variable that comes into play when looking at which schools have the best chance of helping to meet our kids needs. It should be interesting.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Wow, those sure are some white teeth!
Having incredibly WHITE teeth seems to be a must for many folks these days.
This trend started a few years ago but initially seemed to involve only famous people (TV personalities, athletes, etc.).
But now, BLINDING WHITE TEETH are frequently seen even among us common folks.
At times, it almost looks too unnatural.
I'm sure, however, that the cosmetic dentists hope this trend continues for many years to come-at least until they have paid off their homes, cars and put their kids through college.
How did it all start?
I have a theory.
Someone, somehow, somewhere, came across a bunch of Mr. Ed (the talking horse) re-runs and thought it looked good.
I think we need to give credit where credit is due.
This trend started a few years ago but initially seemed to involve only famous people (TV personalities, athletes, etc.).
But now, BLINDING WHITE TEETH are frequently seen even among us common folks.
At times, it almost looks too unnatural.
I'm sure, however, that the cosmetic dentists hope this trend continues for many years to come-at least until they have paid off their homes, cars and put their kids through college.
How did it all start?
I have a theory.
Someone, somehow, somewhere, came across a bunch of Mr. Ed (the talking horse) re-runs and thought it looked good.
I think we need to give credit where credit is due.
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