Let’s see your numbers…

Because I am a responsible adult I sometimes take my blood pressure and because I am also a completely irresponsible adult I took my blood pressure six months ago, saw that it was extremely high and then pretended I hadn’t seen it. Like the poet Walt Whitman, I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes.

But today, while I was at the doctor for unrelated boring reasons (having a form filled in), I decided to be a grown-up and asked him if he would take my blood pressure. His face when he saw the result was like that monkey’s up there. A face that says “I don’t know how you’re alive” and “So you knew about this and did nothing? That’s special”. He sent me straight to the pharmacy downstairs to get medication and told me to take one IMMEDIATELY. Which I did because sometimes I am good.

I’m popping back to see him later this week to have my blood pressure checked again. Maybe this time I won’t turn him into a startled monkey. And maybe I’ll finally learn my lesson about not avoiding the doctor (unlikely, but I can dream).