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At one time, I fondly deluded myself that once I retired, I would have all kinds of time to pursue hobbies and other interests. I guess I'm very lucky not to have any major, life-threatening diseases or conditions that would be likely to lead me to an untimely end. On the other hand, the older I get, the more my waking hours are consumed with routine health maintenance appointments and ancillary tasks associated with them (getting there, getting back, getting prescriptions filled and non-prescription drugs and health aids acquired, getting regular blood tests and vaccines... well, I'm sure you get the idea.
In September and October alone, I've had two appointments with a family doctor, screenings for breast and cervical cancer, some of the aforementioned blood tests, a dental appointment... then I have an appointment with an eye doctor later this month. In November, I'll be due for more blood tests (the regular bimonthly ones requested by my rheumatologist plus some additional ones that the GP wants me to get. In December it's back to the GP for a complete physical exam. And somewhere in there, I guess I'll probably get a flu shot and likely some other shots as well.
I think I should probably get a hearing test too - although I'm rather leery of these "Listen up!" clinics that seem to litter the city like so many payday loan shops and seem to have a vested interest in flogging specific brands of hearing aids! I do think there are a few issues with my hearing, however... something which is rather distressing since I used to pride myself on having especially acute hearing!
I could say much the same thing about my memory. I used to feel I had an excellent memory (others told me so as well) and now I know it's not as good as it used to be. Of course, there are more decades of life to remember than there used to be, too! Additionally, memory is such a slithery, elusive and notoriously subjective and unreliable thing. I don't think I particularly have memory problems at the moment, but it's sobering to think that one can't just avoid developing dementia through sheer force of will!
Anyway, watch this space for further updates!
In September and October alone, I've had two appointments with a family doctor, screenings for breast and cervical cancer, some of the aforementioned blood tests, a dental appointment... then I have an appointment with an eye doctor later this month. In November, I'll be due for more blood tests (the regular bimonthly ones requested by my rheumatologist plus some additional ones that the GP wants me to get. In December it's back to the GP for a complete physical exam. And somewhere in there, I guess I'll probably get a flu shot and likely some other shots as well.
I think I should probably get a hearing test too - although I'm rather leery of these "Listen up!" clinics that seem to litter the city like so many payday loan shops and seem to have a vested interest in flogging specific brands of hearing aids! I do think there are a few issues with my hearing, however... something which is rather distressing since I used to pride myself on having especially acute hearing!
I could say much the same thing about my memory. I used to feel I had an excellent memory (others told me so as well) and now I know it's not as good as it used to be. Of course, there are more decades of life to remember than there used to be, too! Additionally, memory is such a slithery, elusive and notoriously subjective and unreliable thing. I don't think I particularly have memory problems at the moment, but it's sobering to think that one can't just avoid developing dementia through sheer force of will!
Anyway, watch this space for further updates!
