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A few days ago, I had my Medicare Wellness Exam with my G.P. I swear that Medicare designs questions that patients are supposed to be asked, that are intended to annoy us. Maybe that’s just me.
But once the nurse finished with the seemingly endless list of questions, determined that my heart was pumping and my blood pressure was good, she left the room. The doc entered within a minute or so.
So, he checked in with me, with a different list of questions, especially for all my lingering conditions and an MRI taken since my last visit. I filled him in on the reasons for the test. As he asked me about past maladies, I was surprised at the number of conditions that were no longer present, and that I’d left behind. When he asked me how I was feeling, did I have any pain or complaints, I answered, “None at all.”
You could say, in a way, I wasn’t being entirely truthful. I mean, my response was sincere, but I still have conditions that show up on a daily basis. What were my reasons for not telling the truth?
I realized that those conditions were barely visible on my radar screen. I had to give them my attention at times, but otherwise, I seem to have integrated them into my overall sense of wellbeing, that sense of who I physically am. There is no doubt that in one sense, my body is falling apart, deteriorating after 76 years, but I usually pay it no mind. I can do everything physically and mentally that I did ten years ago. Well, there’s the occasional forgetting a person’s name and my fast walking is just a tiny bit slower. But basically, life is pretty good.
I have no doubt that more maladies are on the horizon; that is partly what growing old is about. But aging has also provided me with a bump up in my wisdom genes; my experiences seem to be richer; my relationships, stronger. Unpleasant occurrences bother me less and I’m more likely to just let them go.
So, if more difficulties show up, I think I’m ready, or as ready as I can be. I’ll complain for a little bit, take a deep sigh, and stow them away with the rest.
They can keep each other company.
Discussion (32)
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I think your attitude shows that wisdom you have gained. One thing I've learned is that every medical intervention brings its own potential for complications. A lot of medical issues are probably best dealt with by just accepting them rather than trying to fix them (and potentially causing other problems); no sense in bringing them up with a doctor if you're not interested in going down that road. My dad, who died in 2013, was plagued by many medical issues, some serious, during the last several decades of his life. And several of those conditions were caused by the treatment of other conditions.
A decade and a half ago, I had a period of several years during which I was dealing with a series of medical issues. In my case, I was never actually sick; but various lab tests and imaging had given doctors cause for concern, and it all led to lots more tests, consultation with experts, and multiple surgeries. (Someday I'll write a post about it, if I can find a way to make it concise. I have a problem with that.)
But I remember that eventually, a time when I went to the doctor and we had nothing to talk about. It was a very short appointment. I realized that there is nothing better than being a boring patient.
CONTRIBUTOR
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I say the same thing at my physicals, too, Susan. I figure the petty stuff isn't worth worrying.
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I said that one time to my same GP, and he asked me "So why are you here!!" He was just kidding, but it was his way to make me feel good about myself. It's interesting what you said about your dad. The MRI suggested surgeries, but it wasn't life threatening and only inconvenient at times, so I passed. I'm so glad I did! Thanks for the input, BXO. And I'd love to see that post.
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When I get an all clear - everything ok, I still wonder if they have someone else's chart! I am thankful too for the basics, and like you said, some things are with you and you adjust. In my case, the scoliosis and food allergies won't change. God bless you Susan - so glad you got a good check up!
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I also know my body pretty well by now, and sometimes I have something to bring up. My triglycerides were borderline, and can be elevated by a drug I take, Tamoxifen. The doctor assured me that the reading was in the realm of normal--he showed me how that reading goes up and down. So I can put that away with the rest of them!
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