A blessing nonetheless
A while back, my sister celebrated her birthday and gave the most lovely little nod to Alison, which I’ve always deeply appreciated.
She wrote something like, “People often complain about getting old. But after my sister-in-law passed at such a young age, I vowed I would never do that. It’s such a gift to get old and not everyone gets that chance.”
I think about that on the regular.
Getting old is a blessing.
A crappy blessing, but a blessing nonetheless.
Just found out that a dear and close friend of mine is in the hospital.
He’s an older fella but still very spry and active so it came as quite a shock.
Burst aneurysm.
It instantly brought me back to all those fucking nights in those goddamn hospitals – both for Alison and my dad.
But it looks like he’ll be ok, which I’m hoping is the case – we won’t know for sure for a few days.
That’s the thing about getting older: Even if you’re careful and lucky, you still spend far more time dealing with health issues than not.
On that note, I’ve been dealing with my own health issues. My herniated disc isn’t getting better – at all.
Doctor: The main issue is that your spinal canal is getting narrower.
Me: Is it because of my wrestling and fencing?
Him: (thinking) I don’t think so. If anything, your keeping active prevented this from being worse.
Me: What is it exactly?
Him: It’s the scoliosis I mentioned, and you have signs of deterioration and arthritis.
Me: Because I’m so active or…
Him: Oh no, just age. You’re 52 after all.
Me: So, I’ve been told.
To wit, after I went with the kid for over two hours to check out some middle schools today…
…and after over a year of physical therapy and other things, I did the one thing left for me to do before surgery, which is a steroid injection into my spine.
Now, last week, I went to an office on the East Side twice to do alla the prep I needed to do and this afternoon, it was shot time.
I don’t have any pics from the procedure today – just forgot to take any.
But picture this: I’m lying face down on like a massage table with a cutout for my face in a FREEZING room with three young ladies.
I’m shirtless and my pants are pulled down most of the way with my rear end sticking up in the air.
Luckily for me, I have very little shame so, while it was odd and a bit disconcerting, it was ok for the most part.
Anywho, my chat with the doctor was pretty good too.
Him: So, when are you back from vacation?
Me: Oh, we’re not going for another month.
Him: Ah, good. So, I can see you in two weeks for a followup?
Me: Yup.
Him: OK. You know, I do all this small talk to distract you while we do the injection. And…done.
Me: Wait, you did it already?
Him: (laughing) Yup. Just keep lying there for a bit but you should be out the door in 10-15 minutes.
Considering how many medical procedures I’ve ever done or been part of, this was probably the best case scenario.
Afterwards, I was too beat to cook so I just took everyone out to eat at our fave neighborhood bistro.
Ende gut alles gut. / Alls well that ends well.
Whew.
What a day.
Location: a middle school, trying to figure out what to do
Mood: achy
Music: baby, don’t you think I’m looking older? (Spotify)
Like this post? Tell someone about it by clicking a button below.