I’m not talking about a body count in your house, at a mass shooting, or at a political rally. I’m talking about an inventory of your working and non-working body parts.
When one reaches a “certain age” this daily inventory becomes very important. What is that “certain age”? Well, it isn’t the same for everyone. It can be reached almost anytime, though after the mid-sixties is most common. In reality, everyone will eventually reach their “certain age” if they live long enough.
Your daily inventory could go something like this.
- You sit on the side of the bed upon waking for a couple of minutes to let your bodily fluids adapt to your upright position. Start the inventory with the head and work down.
- No headache or dizziness. Throat dry. It was caused by the CPAP and Oxygen concentrator. Some coffee will fix that.
- Chest: tightness, normal.
- Stomach: no acid reflux and the hiatal hernia is behaving. (This is going to be a two-cup of coffee morning. 😁)
- Abdomen: no discomfort and diverticulosis is tamped down.
- Hips: The usual amount of discomfort. Nothing new.
- Feet: Left foot slightly puffy. If it doesn’t get better then a pressure sock will be needed.
- Conclusion: Looks like a good day.
Okay, you say, I know if I have a headache without all that. True. But the point is to balance that ache with good news. That will make for a much happier day and the aches will not seem so overwhelming.
On those rare days when the inventory is mostly bad news, then at least you know what you are faced with and can plan accordingly.
Blessings Ken, good reminder for all of us in our senior years! One thing I learned over 10 years ago that has allowed me to still be here is to “Listen to your Body”! Doesn’t mean to become a hypochondriac rather, listen to your body and when you feel something isn’t right, get it checked out. I’ve been in remission of cancer diagnosis x 2 for 10 years and I am so grateful, one less kidney, no spleen, no female organs. The doctors joke with me now saying “ya know Lynn, there’s not much more we can take out of you and have you still walk around”. We laugh but it is because I listened to my body. Thanks for the reminder and blessings to you and yours.
Lynn, your comments about your personal experience bring this issue to where the rubber meets the road as they say. Thanks for putting a deep meaning to this issue.
Absolutely, Danny.
Getting old is definitely not for sissies Ken. All of our bodies (including parts) have expiration dates with no factory rebates nor recalls.
Thanks to modern medical science, clean water and “911” we now venture beyond our “beyond’s”. Taking nourishment and moving under our own power is a blessing in this side of the daisies my friend,
Coram Deo from a fellow traveler.