Futurelawyer

Avoid Doctors! Diagnose Yourself On The Internet!

Now that we have ChatGPT, you don't even need to check out websites. Just ask a question, and you will be given an accurate diagnosis in sixty seconds. Google is toast.

"My Doctor Is Dead".

I Smoke Between 15 and 20 Cigars A Day. Tom Kirkendall, a friend and fellow lawyer, sent this little vignette to me after my post this morning about eating what you want. Of course, I try to be reasonable; but, I don't believe all the crazy stuff about diet that so called experts have foisted upon us over the decades. We are so risk averse in our modern lives that we forgot how to have fun. I suppose the last straw for me was requiring young children to wear masks all the time, when the science about their efficacy was far from proven, and which has since been proven to be useless. We tear down playground equipment to avoid injuries, which certainly have happened; but, at what cost to our children? So, while we laugh when George Burns tells Carson that his Doctor is dead, it is a fact that some of us live a long time, and some of us don't. Don't neglect to live while worrying about what you eat or how you play.

Welltory - Now I'm A Believer.

Welltory Heart Rate Monitor. A confession. In the early days of Smartwatches, I was critical of apps that purported to measure physical activity, and prod the user to exercise. I confess that I have not been a big advocate of a lot of exercise. I still am not. However, lucky as I am to have reached the ancient age of 75, I am much more conscious of my body's reactions to stress, age, and physical impairment. Some years ago, I underwent a triple bypass, and, while I don't run marathons, and need help with long distance mobility, I am generally healthy for my age. I also have recognized the utility of smartwatch monitoring of heart rate, and regularly perform ECGs, heart rate measurements, and so forth. This new app, first available in iPhones, is now available for Android, and it does some really sophisticated modeling based on the really great sensors in the modern smartwatch. We all know of the great advances in artificial intelligence, and this app uses those advances to make some really great suggestions about a user's current health. It measures heart rate variability, and uses those measurements to make some great conclusions and suggestions about overall stress, health, and current needs. $79 a year, and much cheaper than a visit to a physician. It is like being hooked up to a Startrek tricorder 24-7. Check it out. I'm a believer.

 

Before Anesthesia Was Invented, There Was No Elective Surgery.

You had to be in a life and death situation to undergo surgery before anesthesia was invented. This was the common method of causing patients to lose consciousness enough to undergo it.

Follow The Science. But, Better Wait A Hundred Years.

100 years ago, the science told us to wear a radium patch on our lower backs. It was said to cure all sorts of ailments. The claims were, of course, touted by a company that made radium appliances. The next time someone tells you to follow the science, it might be a good idea to ask some questions. 100 years later, the science tells us:

"Exposure to higher levels of radium over a long period can lead to death and other severe health problems. High levels of radium can cause cancer (especially bone cancer), anemia, a problem with the blood; fractured teeth and cavities, and growths in the eyes called cataracts."

#WhyIAmASolo - I Don't Have To Attend Long-Range Planning Meetings.

We waste a lot of living time trying to plan for the future. We don't, any of us, know whether our future will happen; but, we live our lives as if our future was limitless. Sure, a law firm must consider what may come in the future, and take steps to protect the firm, if the future happens. But, long range planning should be concentrated on expecting the worst, and preparing for it. We waste time when we assume we will have a future at all. Even large organizations should spend most of their time maximizing the present. As a solo, I get to spend my time enjoying today, and whatever time I have left will take care of itself. The new gurus call it meditation, or mindfulness. New science tells us that stress and worry are more dangerous for the heart than smoking, or obesity. My prescription? Stop worrying. And, no long range planning meetings.

Pandemic Blues.

Now they tell us that COVID 19 will be with us forever. Some of us have moved on, however, and don't wear masks, or avoid contact, anymore. We are a nation of mask wearers and mask free people now. We no longer trust our institutions; nor do we trust those who run them. We are crisis weary, and most of us realize that living in fear isn't really living at all. I realized this two years ago when I wrote this poem. I have edited it some; but, the sentiment is the same. Life isn't about being safe all the time. A good life is about not worrying unduly about the inevitability of death. Expect it, so you will be prepared when it comes. But, live like you aren't going to die until tomorrow.

I want to do dangerous things again.

 

I want to feel the wind in my face,

and smell the fresh grass.

I want to walk to the corner store,

without wearing a mask over my face.

I want to shop at the mall,

and walk through it,

without trying to avoid human contact.

I want to sit in the stands

at the football game, 

surrounded by screaming fans.

I want to drive fast,

and breathe clean air.

I want to put the top down

and drive the car fast.

I want to  pretend I am a warrior,

while playing in the dirt

with plastic soldiers,

next to the creek,

wearing a peanut butter smile.

I want to come home after dark,

not caring whether my mother will yell at me.

 

I want to do dangerous things again.

 

I want to steal a first kiss

from the girl I have been dreaming about

in English class.

I want to wake up late,

and miss the seminar,

and eat what I want,

without worrying about getting fat.

 

I want to do dangerous things again.

 

I don’t want to be safe anymore.

I don’t want to worry about whether I will die.

I know that I will die.

I know that living is full of risk.

 

I want to do dangerous things again.

Wearable Tech For The Mobile Lawyer.

Best WearOS Devices With Heart Rate Sensors. I confess that I was wrong about health monitoring on Smartwatches. In the beginning, I didn't think I wanted something on my wrist that monitored by bodily functions. But, after a heart attack, it occurred to me that I should probably be taking better care of my body. So, these days, I am always wearing the Smartwatch with the best health sensors, and my Galaxy Watch 4 is the best of the best. I daily measure my heartrate, blood oxygen level, do a rudimentary ECG, measure my steps, measure my stress level, and more, without looking away from my wrist. In the future, we will be wearing computing devices that track many more things, and you don't have to be an arrogant exercise fanatic to keep up with your bodily functions. Now, I have to find the motivation to get out there and exercise. I am not hopeful.

I Had A Doctor's Appointment Today And I Didn't See Him.

My Health Light Now. I had my Six Month checkup this morning, and I checked email and browsing while I waited in a virtual waiting room. I had a pleasant conversation with my GP, whom I have known for over 30 years, and he was in his office, and I in mine. He had my blood work, and went through it with me. I did my own blood pressure, ECG, Blood Oxygen level, Heart Rate, on my SmartWatch and Smartphone. I joked with him about Physicians' becoming obsolete, and he agreed. But, his wise counsel has been invaluable to me for over 30 years, and we have valuable discussions about my aging body and heart. He and I find it incredible that I am still testing normal on everything. I explained that one of the benefits of genetics; especially Italian-American genetics, is that centuries of hard labor have conditioned us to survive. So, for at least another day, I am alive and kicking. More than that, no one can ask.

Quick, Somebody Call My Cardiologist.

I may have blundered upon the cause of my medical issues. It is the way I was raised. My family is the cause of all my issues. Quick, somebody call my cardiologist.