But, growing old does beat the alternative, death.
Over the past two weeks I have been in the offices of my physician, dentist, hospital lab and radiology, orthopedist and a second hospital for a treadmill nuclear stress test.
All but the dentist visit were basically for wellness assurance.?ÿ I had one so-called tooth pop off of my partial plate which required it go back to the place that made it.?ÿ Then my dentist spent less than five minutes to watch me put it in and make sure it was replaced properly.?ÿ She got $170 out of my pocket for those five minutes.
The physician visit was a semi-annual visit that came a month after my annual visit to the cardiologist.?ÿ They both had noticed elevation of the ALT and AST liver enzyme levels so took me off of my cholesterol meds to see if they were a contributing factor.?ÿ Things have improved.?ÿ The radiology visit was an ultrasound of my abdomen with a focus on the liver.
This was my first ever visit to an orthopedist.?ÿ This was a suggestion by my physician as all diabetics are prone to developing issues with blood flow to the extremities, especially the feet.?ÿ While chatting with the orthopedist I mentioned that the top of my left foot is larger than my right foot.?ÿ Following standard x-rays he asked when I had injured that foot.?ÿ He explained it had been crushed from the top at some time.?ÿ Thought for quite awhile then replied that it must be from when I had a tractor setting atop my foot and ankle.?ÿ I was a teenager riding on the fender of the tractor my father was operating in the field pulling some sort of tillage tool.?ÿ As I went to get off, he started to go on to soon and my foot rolled off the axle shaft and I fell to the ground.?ÿ When he heard my yell, he stopped, looked over the fender at me flat out on the ground and backed off of me.?ÿ Then I got up and walked over a quarter mile to the pickup to drive to the second tractor and operate it until darkness fell.?ÿ Never went to a doctor at the time. The good news from the visit was that I have minimal diabetic issues with my feet.
The treadmill nuclear stress test was requested by my cardiologist because she finally noticed she hadn't checked that little item off of her list after three years of seeing her.?ÿ I hadn't had a treadmill test in about 20 years and that one did not involve the insertion of some radioactive goop into my bloodstream.?ÿ Glowed in the dark last night. ???? ?????ÿ
All in all the reports indicate I'm doing well for my age, but not spectacular.
Lost about two days worth of work time, but, mental comfort is great.
The wife and I have traded "date night" of "date day".?ÿ That's where we schedule our medical appointments in town for the same day and then hit a nice restaurant or something we've been wanting to see afterwards.
Same here, and as an added bonus, both of us have to have "blood work" prior to the annual physical. The "blood work" labratory place resembles a derelict wino hangout. ?????ÿ
ps have any of you older gentelmen figured out a way to bend over and trim your toenails whithout your ribcage causing suffication?
ps have any of you older gentelmen figured out a way to bend over and trim your toenails whithout your ribcage causing suffication?
I used to have that problem until I lost nearly 60 lbs. in the last year. I was spurred to action to mitgate the impact of a medical "issue" that raised its ugly head last February.
My legs must be growing longer every year as the toes are getting further away every year.
I was spurred to action to mitgate the impact of a medical "issue" that raised its ugly head last February.
Hope it's gone and you are doing well. ?????ÿ
a way to bend over and trim your toenails whithout your ribcage causing suffication?
I've been too stiff to bend and touch my toes for decades, but I can still pull my leg across my lap to work on the toenails.
When you find out you have high blood pressure, pay attention to the doctor. There was a time when I didn't and I'm finding out now about some of the long term effects of HBP. Not fun.
Being an old fart closer to the end than the beginning it's still fun to laugh because it makes you feel good. ?????ÿ
Damm.?ÿ The list of funerals I should attempt to attend are stacking up too fast.?ÿ Learned of two more today and one is my neighbor down the road.?ÿ That makes three this week.?ÿ Two were schoolmates of mine I have known since forever.?ÿ The third is a former co-worker and the father-in-law of my nephew.?ÿ That's not counting the list of people I know pretty well, but, not well enough to be expected at their funerals.?ÿ All three mentioned also happen to be past clients.
Mask wearing sure plays heck with those who do a lot of lip reading because their hearing is less than ideal.
My mother's father had a bone conduction type hearing aid from the time they were first available.?ÿ My mother had several modern versions of the same device.?ÿ Took her to a funeral for one of her cousins and noted everyone present over 60 that was a relative had some sort of hearing aid.?ÿ My sister has had a modern inside the ear type hearing aid for about 10 years.?ÿ I do my best to pretend I don't need one.
Last evening I went to the visitation for my nephew's father-in-law.?ÿ For several minutes my sister, my nephew, my nephew's daughter and I were in a conversation.?ÿ Sister and I were masked up.?ÿ Had one heck of a time talking to each other.
Good to stay on top of those things!?ÿ ?ÿ And don't forget a colonoscopy!?ÿ
Think I surprised everyone with the nuclear treadmill exam.?ÿ Said my heart was doing what it should be doing.?ÿ Told the doctor that most of my friends and neighbors would be surprised to learn I have a heart.?ÿ Apparently, he had heard that joke before.
Was telling a fellow surveyor about the radioactive stuff they put into my blood stream--twice.?ÿ He asked if I glowed in the dark that night.?ÿ Told him no, but, you should have seen the glow coming from the toilet stool after my next dump. ??? ??? ????ÿ
Thought I was going to have to help him up off the floor after he stopped laughing at the visual in his head.
As a cancer survivor and a "senior" I been xrayed, cat scanned, MRI'd, and vampired so many times I tell them I should glow.
A tech had trouble making a vein connection last year so another one came in to help.?ÿ Two very nice looking young women (most look good at this point).?ÿ Anyway, I told them they were now vampires and my "slaves."?ÿ They thought it was funny and I wasn't charged with a crime.?ÿ At my age I'm really not a threat, not their employer, so what they going to do.?ÿ I can afford to take chances.?ÿ Get to say about what the heck I want. That is about the only advantage of growing old.
I insist they stick the back of my hand instead of the standard elbow spot.?ÿ Works great.?ÿ If they can't get it on the first try, they need to find a new occupation.
I was born with a hearing deficit and acquired a vision deficit in my late 40s. I never realized how much I depended on lip reading until my vision made I difficult to read lips. Now with masks making it impossible... The going can get tough
When I posted this comment last week I thought of an old teacher who was in my high school when I was there.?ÿ Long after she retired, she would show up at funerals for former co-workers and students.?ÿ All the funeral directors knew her well.
I wondered if there was any chance she might still be alive and decided she surely passed away a couple of decades ago.?ÿ Wrong.?ÿ She died early this morning at the age of 103.
@flga-2-2 You too? I absolutely feel a suffocation panic when bending over. Thought it was just me
