Friday, December 13, 2013

Taking Care of Business

 

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You know the sun rises late when Jim has been up to see it three days in a row. On Tuesday morning I had a mammogram, then yesterday we both had appointments for an annual physical and eye exams. We were out of the house by seven and didn’t get back until five. A long day of sitting around waiting, and unfortunately my doctor called in sick so I was rescheduled for Monday. Oh well, what else do we have to do?

I was impressed that the Mayo clinic radiologist was able to read my mammogram and give me the results about twenty minutes after the procedure. Since my mother died from breast cancer at the very young age of 52 this is something I dread doing every year. Have also had several good friends and coworkers over the years with breast cancer, so it’s always in the back of my mind if this will be my turn. Fortunately all was clear, and I can put those thoughts aside for another year.

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We both got a good report at the eye doctor, although my cataracts were a little worse and it will just be a matter of time before I am faced with surgery. I’m hoping that will be years down the road, though, as I’ve had them since my mid 40s and they’ve progressed very slowly. This getting older is not a whole lot of fun! Jim’s medical doctor told him for a man his age he was doing very well. Jim said he wasn’t sure how to take that, but I think it was a compliment! His blood pressure was only 100/66, and no he doesn’t take blood pressure medicine, so I guess all that hiking and biking has paid off.

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We also managed to squeeze in a couple mountain bike rides this week. The trails here are about as good as they get as far as being fairly easy but loads of fun. Lots of ups and downs but nothing super technical like the ones we rode in Utah. Today we’re planning a long loop ride on the Pemberton Trail. It’s rated as difficult, but I think that might be because it’s 16 miles long. Guess we’ll find out!

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12 comments:

  1. Amen to growing old. I can't stand to look in the mirror any more. Every day there is a new wrinkle...yuck.

    Good news about the mammogram.

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  2. I worked at an ophthalmologist office for a couple of years who specialized in cataract surgery. Every single post op patient said they couldn't believe how easy the surgery was and how great the results were. When the time comes just remember that and that most of my patients said it they'd do it any day over a trip to the dentist! Glad you're both healthy, all that exercise really does work.

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    1. Pam, I actually worked in ophthalmology for 30 years and assisted in surgery so I know that although the great majority of patients do well, I've seen what happens when things don't go so well. Sometimes knowing too much isn't a good thing!

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  3. Gorgeous pictures today. Glad to hear you passed all your tests. I do think we worry about them ore as we age and rightly so. Exercise is really key, I agree.

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  4. Al and I are fortunate we don't need to take any meds. Hopefully it'll stay that way if we continue to eat right and stay active AND we're not nearly as athletic as you guys. Your sunset photos are beautiful and have me longing to be out of the RV Park. McDowell might be in my future yet!

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    1. I didn't clarify, but all those photos are from the sunrises the past couple days. The sunsets haven't been quite as dramatic.

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  5. So glad the health reports are all good. I always dread the annual mammogram. If you have to have cataract surgery, it really isn't that bad. And my vision really improved.

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  6. Good to hear the exams have been positive so far. Those pix are really good. I've yet to learn the secret to early am and pm shots. Getting the balance of sky and land just right is tricky. Have fun on the trail ride.

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  7. So nice to get all that medical stuff out of the way for the year. Congratulations on a good mammogram. My tests are in February every year, and I'm always happy to have them done, too. :)

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  8. Well, maybe I should get up for sunrise. congrats on passing all your tests. You must have studied hard.

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  9. We never did the whole Pemberton loop. I do remember a lot of loose rock over near the Dixie Mine, that made for a rough ride. Very different riding from Utah, isn't it?!?!?

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  10. Jim's blood pressure is too low!!! He needs salt, NOW…and a cookie to wash it down :)
    Box Canyon Mark

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