No, Yes, Whatever

  The  ophthalmologist has of late been recommending that  many (most?) of his, ahem, more mature patients  embark on a regimen of eye vitamins--omega, fish oil----for their eye health, and specifically to prevent or ease the symptoms of macular degeneration.  That  condition occurs in a whole lot of older adults, and if you don't have it, you well may get it, if you just live long enough.  But Dr. S. doesn't want his patients taking drugstore vitamins; his office will take your information and a drug company in Pennsylvania will  set you up with a monthly subscription, at about $35-$50 a month, depending on your condition.  The doctor says that company's vitamins are purer than those in your neighborhood drugstore.  The office even provides a goody bag with information about the company and free samples of the vitamins, just to get you started.  Then the company rep will telephone you and set you up with your monthly supply. 
     I don't like to cause waves, so of course I accepted the information and samples.  However, something besides the fish oil smelled fishy to me, so when the rep called me a week or so after my appointment, I politely demurred, saying I would call her back when I was finished with my medical treatments, which were real---and included a kidney stone retrieval and a couple of lithotripsies plus the TKR.   I put the subject out of my mind; I don't like fish very much.
    Three months ago, when I returned to the omega-doctor for my follow-up appointment, he asked if I took vitamins.  Without thinking, I said no.  He then went into a brooding mode, saying they might be of benefit and he wasn't pushing them, just suggesting.  Only then did I make the connection as to what he was talking about.
     Today I visited Dr. S. again.  He asked if I were taking a daily vitamin, and I said yes.  He said, "They're good for you."    We all seemed much happier.