The executive of the Fort St. John Seniors Club has been creative in the way they work. Recently learning that the second week of June was Seniors Week, president Wendy Clayson ordered an ice cream cake to celebrate. She also created a questionnaire. When the answers were read out, we learned that six of our members were born in Fort St. John, five had immigrated to Canada, five came from Saskatchewan, and two had worked as cooks for a guide and outfitter. Bernice Marshall, who got the most correct answers, was awarded a Subway gift certificate donated by Sabrina Trobak.
Your healthcare: Attitude matters
An important aspect of your visit to the doctor is attitude. You can help your doctor a lot if you meet him or her with a positive attitude. If you are like me and feel uneasy in medical settings, you might want to have a friend or family member go in with you. They could take notes. This could be helpful for you when you discuss the visit with them later. I think it is best to avoid any reference to the doctor being late or to having had to wait a long time for the appointment. These things are most likely out of the doctor’s control.
Similarly, lab tests sometimes have a long wait time. While you may want to check to see if you have missed their phone call, it is a good idea to be polite when you phone to check. If you can be friendly, cheerful, prepared, and alert, you are more likely to be listened to. If you don’t understand what the doctor says, ask for clarification.
There is one final thing: ask if there are tests being scheduled and write down what the doctor says about them. Also write down information about specialists if you are being referred. You need to know if you are required to book the visits with specialists or lab, or whether that will be done for you.
Learning the lingo
This week’s term is ‘desktop background’. This is the picture that appears on the screen when you open your computer. To choose a new background for a Window computer, go to pictures, click on a picture of your choice, right click on the image, and then click “set as” and then “background” in the drop-down menu that pops up.
Joke of the week
I just had my intelligence tested; thank goodness it came back negative.
Ruby McBeth lives and writes in Fort St. John.
