Friday, May 2, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up twice during the night, finally waking/getting up at 6:30am.

Since I won’t be getting to the gym this morning, I did a few exercises with my 7# dumbbell.

One of my new chess opponents on Chess.com lives in Bogota.

While waiting for Teresa to get ready I asked ChatGPT about my finger numbness and it appeared it isn’t arthritis so maybe a Rheumatologist isn’t the correct specialist.

At 10am I ordered a Didi and we arrived at Dr. Francisco Vargas’ office (Clinica Medellin, office 1009 (310) 452-8481) by 10:30, right on time. We entered the doctor’s office about 15 minutes later. Initially I was a little disappointed in his English skills but he improved over time. He asked a number of questions then asked for my cellphone number and communicated with me via Whatsapp. This is what I learned:

[5/2, 11:09 AM] Dr. Francisco Vargas Reumatólogo cell: Terry, I don't think you have anything important.

I think it's all mechanical, because of the keyboard.

[5/2, 11:09 AM] Dr. Francisco Vargas Reumatólogo cell: I don't think there is nerve damage.

[5/2, 11:10 AM] Dr. Francisco Vargas Reumatólogo cell: I don't think it warrants further study.

[5/2, 11:10 AM] Dr. Francisco Vargas Reumatólogo cell: but if you benefit from targeted exercises for the discomfort

[5/2, 11:11 AM] Dr. Francisco Vargas Reumatólogo cell: Especially if you work a lot with the keyboard

[5/2, 11:11 AM] Dr. Francisco Vargas Reumatólogo cell: It doesn't mean you can't work, just that you should take breaks.

[5/2, 11:12 AM] Dr. Francisco Vargas Reumatólogo cell: He wants a special partner to see you in rehab.

[5/2, 11:14 AM] Dr. Francisco Vargas Reumatólogo cell: Only rehabilitation

[5/2, 11:14 AM] Dr. Francisco Vargas Reumatólogo cell: No surgery

[5/2, 11:14 AM] Dr. Francisco Vargas Reumatólogo cell: No laboratory

[5/2, 11:15 AM] Dr. Francisco Vargas Reumatólogo cell: Every person over 50 benefits from an internist. Just as a child benefits from a pediatrician.

[5/2, 11:16 AM] Dr. Francisco Vargas Reumatólogo cell: I'm going to recommend two doctors:

A physiatrist for exercises and an internist.

[5/2, 11:17 AM] Dr. Francisco Vargas Reumatólogo cell: The internist is the most appropriate person to monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.

[5/2, 11:23 AM] Dr. Francisco Vargas Reumatólogo cell: DOES NOT need an osteopedist or rheumatologist

[5/2, 11:23 AM] Dr. Francisco Vargas Reumatólogo cell: Physical rehabilitation should be enough for you.

He said the problem was not arthritis but due to my C8 nerve and he recommended this doctor for hand therapy: Dr. Ricardo Restrepo, Clinica Campestre, (604) 444-2006.

He recommended this doctor for an internist (GP): Dr. Alejandro Romero, (315) 618-1273.

He took us to his lab room where he checked my heart and blood pressure 138 /78 and then Teresa’s 136/70.

The charge was 320,000 pesos.

So I don’t have to give up my blog, I’m wondering if there is some way to dictate (voice to text) my blog notes.

We had the lunch of the day at Boulevard Café for 78mil:

We took a taxi to Santafe mall. Teresa went shopping while I went down to Valentina’s where I had a latte. Teresa joined me a little later and she had I think it’s called a granalada.

The atrium looks like it’s set up for some gigantic spin class:

We stopped in Medipiel and Teresa bought some special shampoo for 108,000 pesos ($25.50).

We returned to the apt by taxi.

Kelly was here from 5:30 to 7pm giving Teresa a massage.

I hadn’t checked Netflix for a while and when I turned it on it recommended American Sniper so I watched it even though I had seen it before.

I noticed it was raining when I went to bed at 10pm.

 

FUNNY