It’s confirmed — I do not have a screw loose.

Three days ago on July 13, it was my two-year anniversary of having back surgery, and today I had my final, annual check-up to make sure everything’s still copacetic.

Today’s x-rays:

And the doctor’s reading:

AP and lateral plain films of the lumbar spine done today are reviewed by me. They show well-healed interbody fusions at both L2-3 and L3-4. Posterolateral fusion at L4-5 is also well-healed with no evidence of substantial halo formation at any level.


My doctor, Conor Regan, was — and still is — incredible. I recommend him without reservation.

Gendered eyeglasses

The Costco optical department person is ringing up a new pair of glasses that I’ve chosen.

Her, pointing to that dotted design along the temples: “You like these?”

Me: Yeah, they’re fine.

Her: Hmmm.

Me: You don’t like them, I take it?

Her: Well, they’re usually on girls’ glasses.

Me: Oh. I don’t care about that. Besides, I can’t see them when I’m wearing them. They’re fine.

Pet peeve: Asking for information that I’ve already provided

About a month ago, I booked an eye appointment for my annual check-up. As a new patient, I filled out a 10-page form with all the usual medical history questions.

At my appointment this morning:

Person checking me in: “Would you sign that form on the clip board for me?”

Me: Just sign it?

Her: No. Fill it out and sign it.

Me: Is this the same information I provided on the 10-page form I filled out and submitted when I made this appointment?

Her: I’ll check, but sometimes those things don’t take.

Me: I don’t love doing a lot of work that doesn’t matter.

Her: Okay, you don’t have to fill it out then.