Let the running begin!
Actually, it started two weeks ago. Two 5K races in a row, and so far, so good. I am feeling pretty decent, running three times a week, all in the mornings. The good news is that I got my high-heat practice in during summer afternoons, which sounds insane (my hottest practice was at the end of July, when it was 112°). The bad news is that the morning running comes at a sad price: my gym closed due to the owner’s illness. I have since built a mini-gym in my office. Floor mat, barbells, box step, medicine ball, and long bars. It’s not the same, but some days, it beats going out in the rain.
Lately, some things regarding senior healthcare have started to bother me. Yes, I am aware that the Medicare overlords tend to look at us over-65 folks as five-year-olds who know nothing about our own wellbeing. There are too many phone calls of both the human and robocall type, and I find them intrusive. If I want you, I let you know. I am capable of scheduling all my doctor visits, checkups, vaccinations, etc. And yes, I did get both flu and COVID shots this year. Too bad if that annoys you. I am in crowd situations often, and have a chronically ill spouse. It’s not about me.
Recently, two packages arrived from a third-party company my insurer works with. I did not request these items. One was a digital blood pressure cuff. OK, fine, I actually needed that, as my previous one finally quit working. I read the directions, figured out how to work it and had my doctor calibrate it. A very useful thing for me, as I do have high blood pressure.
The other item was creepier. It was one of those home test kits to be used in lieu of going for a colonoscopy. Full disclosure: I am not in the average to low-risk age group for colon cancer, and I do get regular colonoscopies. My lifestyle does not put me at high risk, nor does my family history. If you can handle the idea of sticking a toothpick in your poop and scraping into a three-inch container and sending it away, be my guest. To be discreet, I do check color and composition of my porcelain disposals to ensure on at least an educated visual level, that all is well.
And I do not want yet another company having my information, particularly this one, which has some significant issues regarding test result accuracy.
Maybe I am overly cautious about data breaches or annoyed by what feels like babysitting and a lack of trust. This seniorhood thing is not for the easily intimidated. But it can be funny. I still have the little poop collection vial from the home test kit. I was thinking about making a necklace out of it. Maybe filling it with sand and telling people it’s the ashes of the last person who made fun of me for being old.
Old Is Serious...Aging Is Hilarious 