Being Kind

Mike more or less on bed rest, so I went to the market and to church tonight alone - got quite frightened on the way home when a couple of ciganos drew up alongside me on the dark lane and grinned at me - but probably just a hangover from Brazil.

Absolutely could not decide which photo to Blip; this is Mike's choice, notice the fallen in roof, a fairly common sight here. A couple of our stork couples spent the summer here, took this from the castle entrance of one of them; the other one are the ones I loved when we lived at the Padre's house.

Gratefuls:
- Mike continuing to gradually improve
- abundance of beauty all around me
- the impossibility of outgiving Maria at the market

The Body, ch 22 - Medicine Good and Bad, p 419
I'm a bit of a cynic when it comes to a lot of doctors, so here's a bit I have a lot of sympathy with:
Q. What is the definition of a well person?
A. Someone who hasn't been examined yet.

And, p425-6
The simple fact is that medical science alone cannot do it all - but then it doesn't need to. Other factors can significantly affect outcomes, sometimes in surprising ways. Just being kind, for instance. A study in New Zealand of diabetic patients in 2016 found that the proportion suffering severe complications was 40 per cent lower among patients treated by doctors rated high for compassion. As one observer put it, that is 'comparable to the benefits seen with the most intensive medical therapy for diabetes'.

Which is why I have huge admiration for Blipper and hopefully future family member, karisfitch.