Saturday, November 8, 2025

Last night I took my Diphenhydramine and Zopiclona tablets, went to bed at 10pm, fell asleep quickly, got up once during the night, finally waking/getting up at 5:45.

I arrived by Didi to Daniel’s barbershop a few minutes early. He finished with another customer then I took the chair. He asked permission to record my haircut which I approved but I doubt he’ll use it because I talked so much.

I took a Didi to Todo Drogas where I purchased 452,650 pesos ($119) of medicines and supplements, including the vitamin D that Teresa uses.

I walked down Calle 38 looking for the kiosk that sells batteries but it must have been a block the other way. Another time. I stopped in the copy center and printed a chess page. I stopped in Exito and bought a package of Aunt Jemima pancake mix and a medium carton of eggs. I walked to Ganso y Castor where I had a latte and a delicious croissant for about an hour.

While there it was Anthony’s 15^th (never thought he was that young) birthday and the other workers had a cake for him. I snuck these quick photos.

He was very happy (can I say gay?).

I left at noon, returned to the apt, changed clothes, picked up my papers and took a Didi to Doks Medical Coworking (Carrera 43A #16sur – 47). It’s a long 2 blocks (north) from Sao Paulo plaza. I presented myself at the front desk and with the help of a gentleman who translated for me I gave the girl Teresa’s name and phone number. She sent me upstairs to room 5. I went up there and there was a reservation desk but no one there, just a lot of numbered doors. I knocked on #5 then apologized because the doctor was busy with a patient.

It was a 10-minute wait until a patient left and I went inside. I introduced myself to the doctor and he mentioned he’s been to a number of medical conventions in Chicago. (I wanted to be sure his English was good enough – not perfect, but sufficient.

I’m just going to touch on the important parts. I gave him my blood test results and he assured me the slightly elevated creatine wasn’t a problem because - gringos have more muscle? He wants me to get another blood test to ensure a couple of results are correct as I might have a vitamin deficiency. I mentioned my concern about losing my cardio and he's going to get me an order for a stress test. He also wrote up an order for an abdominal ecogram. He gave me his personal cellphone number and told me I could send him the test results by Whatsapp or leave them at the desk. I could also call him when needed. He checked my blood pressure 128/76, listened to my heart and lungs with his stethoscope and palpated my abdomen. He also wrote up an order for an echogram of my abdomen but don’t know why – maybe just for a baseline?

I went downstairs, paid the 300,000-peso charge then walked 2 long blocks south to Sao Paulo where I had lunch in Olivenza.

I tried their ribs which came with fries and a salad and also had a Coke.

The check came to 76,482 pesos.

I walked to Gardenia Café where I had a latte. I asked Jeannie for some new photos of Annie and she sent me these:

We had a short rainstorm come through which dropped the temperature.

I won a game against Troyclough in 23 moves increasing my rating to 1527.

Teresa called and asked me to meet her at Wilson’s restaurant so I paid the check and had a Didi take me there.

Teresa was there with her mother. They chatted a bit then about 6:30 we left and returned to the apt by Didi.

I watched another episode of The Diplomat.

 

FUNNY