What, exactly, does "ASAP" mean?

(Yes, I know the acronym stands for As Soon As Possible. But this post is meant to poke fun at myself.)

So, I took The Boy to the doctor on Monday, which was when we received the diagnosis of Toddler Tummy. Just to be safe, though, Dr. W ordered three stool samples, to be taken to the lab ASAP.

At each diaper change, I checked for poop and dutifully collected the necessary samples and had them ready to take to the lab the very next morning (which I did, as I had absolutely no intention of keeping little vials of poop in the house or in my purse for longer than absolutely necessary).

In this instance, ASAP was followed to the letter.

Now, here’s the funny part.

Back in October of 2007, I had a routine physical (I like to get one once a year or every 15 months). Dr. W told me everything was in order, except that I really ought to exercise more often (which I’ve been doing). And then he ordered some lab work for me, to be done ASAP.

I just had my blood drawn this morning.

So, to summarize… When the health of my child (or anyone other than me, for that matter) is involved, ASAP means immediately, right away, as soon as possible. When it’s my own health, though, ASAP means whenever you get to it, not a rush, as soon as it’s convenient.

I really ought to take better care of  myself.

Back from the eye doctor…

…and I’m feeling a little blind. I had to get my eyes dilated so he could look inside my eye, so my computer screen seems to be doing this weird psychedelic flickering thing. I’d be nauseous if I didn’t have such a strong constitution.

Anyway, this was my first visit to this eye doctor (hence the dilation), and I really like him! I loved the optometrist I saw when I lived in LA, but when I moved to Orlando, I needed to find a new optometrist. I saw Dr T for 10 years, and he knew all about my ocular history. I moved to Florida in 1999 and have gone through four or five different doctors in search of a comparable local doctor. And, with the chances that Baby C will probably need corrective lenses thanks to yours truly, I really wanted to find an optometrist that I liked.

Enter Dr L. His office staff, to begin with, is awesome. I called yesterday to schedule an appointment, and they saw me today. His office is also open on Saturdays, but I really needed a new prescription. Chris has an appointment on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, though, which is awesome because he won’t need to take time off from work.

Dr L explained all the tests, let me know my results, and let me walk around with a makeshift version of my new prescription. (Dr T was the last optometrist who would let me do that.) He also talked to me like a normal person. I have, after all, been wearing glasses for almost 25 years. Additionally, when it came time to establishing my new prescription, he set it for 20/15 instead of 20/20 (I’m currently seeing at 20/40 out of one eye and 20/60 out of the other), which was something else that no one has done since, well, Dr T.

I also told him I wanted to get screened for Lasik surgery, and within 20 minutes of leaving his office, I got a call from the Lasik facility! How crazy is that? Here, I was expecting to wait a few weeks or days, at least.

So, I seem to have lucked out now in my choices of healthcare providers. I have an awesome pediatrician who also happens to be my doctor, a terrific OB/GYN, and a wonderful optometrist.

Now I just need to go back to the dentist. Thankfully, I like him better than dentists I’ve had in the past, but I don’t think I’ll ever be happy having someone poke around my mouth.

QotD: I Take These Things For Granted

What are five things you take for granted?
Submitted by meowkitty.

I try not to take anything for granted, but, as it turns out, I take a lot of things for granted. Here are a few of the big ones:

– My health and that of my family. My friend, A, had her little boy a little more than a week ago, and he had some respiratory issues and a little problem with his foot. He’s fine now, of course, and comfortably adjusting to his home life. Meanwhile, my three-month-old is thriving wonderfully despite a little congestion – which is the only issue we’ve had at all! I’m extremely thankful for our health and cognizant that not everyone is necessarily as blessed… but I still take it for granted.

– My job. I love my job and I love where I work. I love the people I get to work with every day. With that in mind, I take for granted that it will be there every day. I know how lucky I am to have such a great career and be passionate about my work and the company for which I work, but I know I still take it for granted.

– My husband and the rest of my family. I have a wonderful and reliable husband (and family I can count on, too), and I know I more than occasionally take him (and my parents and sister) for granted. In my hectic routine trying to juggle work, home, Baby C, friends, and still find time for myself, I know I drop the ball in spending time with my husband. The reality, though, is that without him, I would be a complete and total mess. Well, more so than I am now, anyway.

– Literacy and a love of reading. I’ve been able to read since I was 4 and able to write since, gosh, I have no idea when. I totally take it for granted. I assume everyone loves to read (on top of assuming everyone knows how), and it’s going to be so odd teaching Baby C to read when it’s time. (I’m patient. First he has to be able to hold his head up on his own. But we’re reading together now, anyway.)

– That there will be a tomorrow. This is probably the one thing I take for granted that I try most to fix. Carpe diem, as they say. But with all the daily responsibilities and such, it’s hard not to put some things off until tomorrow. Right now, I try to cherish every moment I spend with Baby C when he’s still as little as he is, despite late night feedings, constant carrying, and his inability to tell me what’s wrong. I think that’s a good start.