A doctor once told me I needed to take pills to keep my cholesterol down. Otherwise, I would likely die a horrible death, a heart attack or a stroke. No thanks, I said, I will learn how to eat well and my food will be my medicine.

A doctor told me I ought to test my blood sugar often, and take medicine to keep it low. Or high. Otherwise, he said, you will die an awful death, a heart attack or stroke, most likely. I said no thanks, I will learn about nutrition and keep my own blood sugar low, and eat good and healthy things, and my food will be my medicine.

A doctor told me I was getting older, and should take prostate medication. He said he recommended some experimental medication that would help the prostate, and it had a few side affects – I might grow breasts and talk like a girl. He said otherwise, I might die an awful death, cancer maybe, or worse. I said no thanks, I would look for teas and herbs that strengthened the prostate and kept me healthy.

And when I told another doctor I was falling in love, he winked and took some pills out of his draw and said “when you feel like having a little fun, take one of these.” And I said no thanks, I would always find a way to make love if I needed to make love.

And that was some years ago, and I stopped seeing doctors and found some different ones. They do not sell me things and warn me about my life or predict horrid things if I make my own decisions about my health.  My horrible death has not yet come and perhaps when the time comes, I will have a good and peaceful death. I think it may be up to me in many ways. The truth is I am not having a perfect life, but I am having a pretty wonderful life, my blood sugar is good, my cholesterol is pretty low, I make love when I wish and I do not have any breasts.

Every morning, I look for some light and some color. I take my medicine.