Day Twenty Two - Urology, Stents, and the Elephant in the Room

January 29, 2025

Happy Lunar New Year, Friends and Family!

Welcome to the year of the snake!

Urology Follow-Up: Good News, More to Monitor

Today marked another milestone in my health journey—my follow-up with the urologist went well. The stents are in excellent condition, and my lab results were positive. That's a success. However, as with many aspects of life, the journey isn't over. I'll need another three-month assessment to verify that everything remains on course. It's a reminder that health isn't a one-time event; it's a continuous process that demands patience, diligence, and, occasionally, some waiting.

On the topic of waiting—I'm still patiently anticipating results from the NIH. It's an unusual situation, being aware that crucial information is on its way but uncertain about the timing. It's a practice in trust: trust in the process, trust in the science, and trust in the individuals working diligently behind the scenes to ensure accuracy.

Weight Check: 170 lbs—A Bit Too Light

I reached another milestone: I weigh 170 lbs. While this might seem like a good number, it's a bit low for me. I need to increase my food intake. I've been consuming over 3,500 calories daily and ensuring I get 90 grams of protein, but my metabolism has its own pace. It's amusing—while most people aim to lose weight, I'm working to prevent the scale from dropping too much. It's a balancing act, much like everything else.

The Kindness of People: Gratitude for Friends and Family

I’ve been reminded of just how incredible people can be in everything. The kindness people show—often in the slightest, most thoughtful ways—makes all the difference.

This week alone, I’ve received:

• Ice Cube’s new album—autographed.

• A batch of deviled eggs. (Yes, homemade and delicious!)

• A hat from Turkey.

• Homemade Dumplings

These items weren't necessities for me, yet they were offered with warmth, thoughtfulness, and care. I am deeply grateful for that. Thank you for the heartfelt thoughts, the gifts, and the notes. Each one holds significance. It's easy to perceive the world as a cold place sometimes, but these gestures remind me that kindness is still all around—you just need to recognize it.

Hearts Out to the Family on the Wichita to DCA Flight

Before diving into today’s bigger discussion, I want to send my thoughts and deepest condolences to the family affected by the tragedy on the Wichita to DCA flight. Events like these shake us to our core, reminding us how fragile life can be. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind—stressing over work, policies, and decisions—but moments like this put everything into perspective. Life is unpredictable. Hold your loved ones close. Make time for what really matters.

The Elephant in the Room: Executive Orders and Decision Points

There’s been a lot of noise lately about executive orders and policy shifts, and for many professionals—especially in government or regulated fields—these changes can feel like they’re happening to us, rather than with us. Uncertainty forces people to make long-term career decisions with incomplete information. That’s never an ideal position to be in, but it’s one we all face at some point.

• The worst thing you can do? Panic.

• The second-worst thing? Rely on bad information.

This is where I remind everyone to stop taking career or legal advice from a Reddit lawyers, a guy in a Facebook group, or your friend’s cousin who “knows someone in the union.” The internet is full of people who confidently give terrible advice. They’ll tell you what you want to hear, not what you need to know.

How to Approach Big Decisions with Limited Information

When facing uncertainty and limited information, take a methodical approach to decision-making:

• Go to the Source – Avoid secondhand interpretations from social media or word-of-mouth. Read the original executive order, memo, or policy update yourself. Context matters and small details can change everything. Read it again, highlight the interesting parts.

• Use Occam’s Razor – The simplest explanation is often the most accurate. Take a step back if something sounds overly complex, conspiratorial, or far-fetched. Ask yourself: Does this actually make sense?

• Assess the Practical Impact – If a policy change is happening, consider how it will be enforced, who is responsible for oversight, and what realistic mechanisms are in place. If a claim sounds extreme or unworkable, there’s probably more to the story.

• Prioritize What’s Best for You – There is no universal answer. Your career, finances, and risk tolerance are unique. Don’t let internet speculation or outside noise dictate your next move. Make decisions that align with your situation and your family’s needs.

Control What You Can, Ignore the Noise

At the end of the day, we can’t control the policies that get passed down, but we can control how we respond. Stressing over hypotheticals won’t change the outcome, but making informed, rational decisions will. So take a breath. Step back. Get the facts.

And most importantly, don’t lose sight of what matters—health, family, and the people in your corner. Policies and job decisions will come and go, but those things? Those are permanent.

So thank you, again, to everyone who has reached out, sent a gift, shared a kind word, or thought of me in passing. It’s all necessary in ways that aren’t always obvious—but more than anything, it’s deeply appreciated.