My annual physical is scheduled for 9 a.m. today. Those of you who know me, know that — like my mother — I HATE ALL THINGS MEDICAL. Unlike her, however, I faithfully show up for my annual appointments. My attitude the past few days ignited the theme for this week’s cartoons.
I’ve been fasting since around 6 p.m. yesterday. Drinking only water and lots of it since 6 p.m. the day before.
I have a new G.P. The one I had for nearly 30 years retired. Yes, that’s how old I am. This new G.P. has a good reputation, but I hope he’s not one of those medical professionals who needs to test every damn thing.
I typed up my health history and will bring my health notebook, where I keep copies of all my blood, mammo, bone density and other medical tests over the past 15 years. Yes, I am a bit of a hypochondriac.
You do all you can to live a healthy and active lifestyle. There is only so much you can do, but I understand your anxiety. And a new doctor doesn’t help, but he has a very good reputation.
The last cartoon makes me laugh out loud every time.
Thank you, Adrienne. I’ll let you all know how it goes. The last cartoon is my favorite, too.
I checked in on Pat, by the way. She/he had her/his back to me. Is waiting for news from my physical.
I got back from my physical about 30 minutes ago. I LOVE my new GP. He couldn’t have been nicer, or good-humored. He checked out the basic things (heart, lungs, lymph nodes, etc.) but after reviewing my history (which I had detailed on a 4-page document) decided that I ought to go off of the medication I take for high blood pressure (“not when you’re walking 40-plus miles a week”), didn’t need a sample of you-know-what, gave me a flu shot as well as a shot for pneumonia, decided against the shingles vaccine (“If you’ve had shingles twice, there’s only a 5% chance you’ll get them again”) and then offered some perspective on neuromuscular diseases that have stricken so many members of my immediate family — “There are not many tests for Parkinson’s, Alzheimers and MS until symptoms appear.” Sigh. Bottom line, he said, “You’re going to live until lunchtime, so I recommend you get some lunch now.”
Seriously, though, he said I was very healthy for a 65-year-old. Thanks all for your thoughts and prayers.
So now you can happily exhale! Happy for this good news.
Amen! Glad your doc is both thorough and cheerful. Do you remember back in the day when we were told our health was great without the tag line “for your age.” I know it’s the truth, but I’m not so sure that I need the reminder every year.
Yes, I remember that day. Another sigh. I don’t want ANY of my beloveds to die before I do. Seriously, I don’t.
Interestingly, my new GP said this morning that he didn’t fear death nearly as much as he feared profound disability, i.e. Stage Four/Five of nearly any disease. I get it on some level.
You know, I simply can’t believe that I’m 65 years old. When did THAT happen?
OK I finally figured out how to recover the blog from junk mail. I do not want to hear any gripping about aging, I have invested in you–younger person– with the clear intention that YOU will take care of ME!!
Thank you for your comment, Charlotte, but trust me, I’m not gripping anything about aging. Given your misspelling of “gripe,” I can see why you are going to need some assistance in a few years. xoxo