By: Kenneth E. Boone, Sr.
Checkup season for 2024 is in the books. My latest echocardiogram showed good heart function, except for a couple of leaky valves that don’t require action at this time. However, I just discovered that I’m going bald. Getting old isn’t for wimps! I'm Ken Boone and this is my Podcast, “MUCH MORE TO SAY” By the time I publish this episode, I will have had my six-month checkup with my cardiologist. Based on his interpretation of my recent echocardiogram, my heart function is still normal. That’s great because it could have been a lot worse. I feel particularly blessed considering some news I recently received. Celia told me that a dear friend of ours was recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure, the same diagnosis I got back in 2019. I thought that my case was as bad as it gets, but I was wrong. The underlying contributor to my heart failure was untreated high blood pressure. My friend is dealing with diabetes, in addition to high blood pressure. The good news is that they are getting his condition under control, but only after a couple of surgical procedures. And he’s only a couple of years older than I am. He’s not only the guy I know who has dealt with serious heart issues in the past few months. The husband of Celia’s dear friend recently underwent successful open-heart surgery to clear a severe blockage in his arteries. This guy happens to be close to 20 years younger than me. This episode is scheduled to be published on the second Wednesday of February, which is designated as “Grievance Wednesday”. This is when I revisit my very first solo podcast, “From Grievance to Gratitude”, and see if I’ve made any progress from the guy who kept rehashing up old resentments. I think I’ll change course in 2024. Instead of complaining about the past, I’ll moan and groan about the future. So, I’ll be airing my grievances about growing old. And every day this aging dude wakes up gives me something to be grateful for. And if I wake up free of aches and pains, that’s a bonus! Another thing about growing old is you can often make light of all the senior moments you have. There are also many books and blogs out there that reassure you that you are not alone. In her 85 years on this earth, author Karen O’Connor has written dozens of successful books. Most of her recent ones deal with the joys of aging. The one that I’ll use as my touchstone is titled “Getting’ Old Ain’t for Wimps”. I’ve mentioned this book several times in both of my podcasts, as well as giving a shout out to Angel for buying me this book as a birthday gift. It’s something I read every time I need a good laugh. And it’s something I’d love to share with you. Since I’m talking about health issues in this episode, I think I’ll share with you an essay from Ms. O’Connor titled “Prescription: Laughter” in the “Aches and Pains” section of her book, “Getting’ Old Ain’t for Wimps”. Here goes it: “There’s something about a first appointment with a new doctor that’s just a bit unnerving,” admits Nancy. “My long-time internist had announced his retirement, so I decided to take a chance on the new one. I scheduled a regular checkup.” As Nancy merged onto the interstate on her way to the medical suite, a cup of ice water in the cup holder of her car tipped over and splashed her. “I attempted to soak up the water with a few tissues and drive at the same time. Not a good idea! The result was two wet seats – the car’s and mine! I didn’t want to be late so I drove on, praying that somehow my denim jumpsuit would dry out in the next few minutes.” Nancy signed in at the desk in the waiting room, holding her purse behind her so the other patients wouldn’t notice her damp derriere. By the time the nurse called her into the examination room, Nancy couldn’t keep quiet another moment. She confessed the episode, and the two had a good laugh. The nurse tried to convince Nancy her wet pants were not that obvious, especially since denim is dark blue, but Nancy knew better the moment she stood up from the paper-covered examination table, which was now as wet as she was. Nancy began imagining what would occur next. The new, younger doctor would come in, shake her hand, take one look, and say, “Well, Mrs. Brummett, other than the incontinence, how are you handling growing older?” The doctor, however, held his tongue. By the end of their initial visit, Nancy said she felt comfortable enough with him to confess her problem. She was encouraged to see that he could laugh about it too! Parting Shots News Flash! I had my six-month follow-up appointment with my cardiologist yesterday. He suggested that I schedule a stress test, to which I gently, but firmly pushed back. With that off the table, he made slight adjustments to my medications. The visit ended with him telling me that my next appointment will be one year from now! I’ve graduated from cardiac care to maintenance. My friend who is dealing with congestive heart failure and diabetes diagnoses got good news at his last cardiologist appointment. However, his wife asked Celia for the name of my heart doctor. We didn’t hesitate to recommend Dr. V. Although I no longer see him, I still think he’s the best. While I am truly blessed, there is one thing that I’m adding to my grievance list that I thought would be a non-issue for me. While handling my morning grooming in the bathroom, I looked in the mirror and noticed that I had a bald spot on the top of my head! Now that really sucks! You see, every male on my father’s side has a full head of hair. And some of them never turn gray. But then I remembered that baldness usually comes the mother’s side. Thank goodness that, in addition to the book, Angel bought me a set of hair clippers! She always thinks of everything! Today's Quote “Anyone can be confident with a full head of hair. But a confident bald man – there’s your diamond in the rough.” Larry David – American Comedian and Writer
To check out other episodes of "Much More to Say", please visit our HOME PAGE
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
About the HostKenneth E. Boone, Sr. is a writer, podcaster, music lover, sports enthusiast, and retired accountant. Archives
May 2024
|