Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Pleasant, Apparently

Today was my annual Medicare wellness visit, and I thought a few highlights from the clinician's notes were worth sharing.

  • General Appearance: Pleasant, alert, and appropriate for her age. No acute distress.
  • Psychiatric Exam: Alert and oriented, appropriate affect.
  • Mental Health: (Scale is Low 4 to 7, Medium 8 to 12, High 13 to 20). Beth's Global Mental Health came in at 19.
  • Physical Health: (Scale is Low 4 to 8, Medium 9 to 13, High 14 to 20). Beth's Global Physical Health landed at 16.
  • Mini Cog Score: 5 out of 5 (which means I am healthy cognitively).

I think this might be the first time I have ever seen the word “pleasant” in my medical notes. I guess it is a good thing I brushed my hair and took a shower.

My joyful moment for today was a virtual visit with my friend Kara. Conversations with her always remind me how much women have in common, no matter what stage of life we are in. I love hearing what is happening in her world, and she is a darling to listen to me. Someday she is going to drag her husband to Minnesota so we can finally go to the Spam Museum (https://www.spam.com/museum).

Yesterday I begged off writing. I wanted an early and quiet evening, so I went upstairs to read. Once I got settled, I realized I still had not written my blog, and I did not want to go back downstairs and fire up my computer. I am trying to give myself grace when those “I don't want to” moments show up. It dawned on me that I spent so many years pushing myself through tasks I did not want to do, simply because they were good for my career. I do not need to push myself like that anymore, and writing is not my job. It is something I choose to do.

I think that is the real thread running through my day. Whether it is accepting kind words in a clinician's notes, laughing with a friend, or letting myself have an evening off, I am learning to notice what feels good for my body and my spirit. These small choices, even the messy ones, are shaping a gentler way of living. And right now, that feels just right.





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Pleasant, Apparently

Today was my annual Medicare wellness visit, and I thought a few highlights from the clinician's notes were worth sharing. General Appe...