My grown (and aging) children seem to think that I’ll live forever. That’s because I look pretty good for my 87-plus years (or so everyone says. See “selfie” below.)
Well, I’m not beautiful, my hair isn’t thick anymore, and I’ve dropped some in the jowls, but I do look better than I feel.
All around me, in this retirement home, are men and women who are in various stages of aging. Some look great. They are vigorous, healthy, and go about their activities with enthusiasm. I live in what we call Independent Living. When needed, a resident can move along the continuum of care to Assisted Living where they are given help according to their needs. We also have a section for people whose memory is failing, and the caregivers over there make sure that the residents have activities and trips that are a lot of fun for everyone even though they may not remember it the next day.
Having an on-site Skilled Nursing Unit is very special. This means that couples can visit each other freely and so can the friends they have made through the years while living here.
One of the smartest life decisions I made was to live frugally, save money, and invest wisely. I was your classic depression baby, also known as the “Silent Generation.” Not all my choices throughout life were good ones, but enough were that now, as my physical self fades, I find myself in a good place.
But I don’t feel good. So I went to my primary care physician with a list of concerns:
I want a “Handicap sticker” for the car in which I’m riding.
Should I get the RSV vaccine?
I have balance, walking, core-muscle problems.
Toe fungus cure.
Energy?
Stiffness?
Answers: He said… I said…
#1- I don’t have a car anymore, but my domestic partner does. Dr. D. said he’d fill out a form.
#2- Yes, get it at a pharmacy.
#3- Here is a prescription for physical therapy.
#4- Dr.D. took down the info for TRP and said okay.
#5- Toenail fungus. I just told him that I’d had it since I was a kid, was tired of it, and found an inexpensive but shocking cure for it. I tried putting a dab of Vicks Vapor Rub on the nail with a Band-Aid to hold the gel in place, and over the next couple of months, little black critters began creeping up the toenail as it grew. Since I’d never seen this before, I assumed that these were dead bodies. Sorry guys, but 80-plus years living in my toenail is enough!
#5- I can’t get anything done because I have so little energy. Dr.D. ordered blood work. Haven’t heard the result yet. Am I on death’s door?
#6- When I sit for a while, I’m so stiff I have to struggle to get up. No comment as Dr.D. typed on his computer. Maybe the blood work will tell him why I can barely move. Am I just getting old? Am I disabled? Am I turning to stone?
The whole appointment took only 15 minutes.
I met my partner and we went to LLBean and spent a bunch of money.
I’ll follow up with Dr.D. to see if I’ll live for another thirteen years or so.