HEALTH
It has become apparent to me that one of our greatest gifts is our health. We tend to take it for granted until we don't have it or until it is diminished. I obviously fall into the latter category. Wednesday I'm going to see a dermatologist in, of course West Burlington, as I am suddenly besieged with little dark itchy bumps on my upper torso. I started out with a couple and now I have a bunch. They need to be looked at by a specialist. My uninformed guess is that they are some kind of hives resulting from my unintended focus on the upcoming PET-scan. I don't intend to project about what lies ahead but human nature says otherwise.
There's some very good news to report. I'm better!! The progress is so slow that I hardly notice it until I think in the aggregate. Yesterday, in addition to "product" and Ensure, I had oatmeal in the morning; Uncle Steve's hot chili dip during the Bears game; a small portion of ham, potatoes, and applesauce for dinner; and ice cream for a night time treat. How about that!! Now, none of it tastes really good but I am eating. Comparing where I was 3 months ago struggling to have one drink of water, I have come a long way. My taste buds and salivary glands will be permanently compromised but it dawned on me that I clearly on the upswing. Hurray!
BUCKET LIST
Since seeing the movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, Diane and I have discussed our individual lists. I don't have much on my list. This is not because it doesn't exist, but I've lived a life where I've experienced pretty much everything I wanted to. About five years ago, I decided that a walk to the bottom of the Grand Canyon was in order. Fortunately for me, brother-in-law Steve Drew is an Eagle Scout and he coordinated everything. We left the rim early in the morning and arrived at the base of the Canyon by 3 p.m. My legs were fine but my shins bothered me. Steve arranged for lodging and food, and we walked out the next morning. Here's where it gets funny. We stopped in Kingman, AZ, on our drive back to Las Vegas after sitting in the car for about 3 hours. We opened the car doors and tried to get out. Steve and I could hardly walk. We stood in the parking lot bent over laughing at each other because we looked like a couple of 90 year old men. While painful, it was a hoot, and our walk into the restaurant to get a bite to eat took forever.
I tell this story to remind all of you, particularly those of you in the plus 60 set, to not wait "too long" to do those things that require physical stamina and good health. I was just shy of 60 when Steve and I made our trip, and it was fine though challenging. I'm glad I did it when I did because I couldn't do it today.
My next big bucket list item is Italy and France with Diane in September. We plan to go to Rome, Florence, Cortona, Sestri Levante, Cannes, and Paris. It's time for me to use some of my Marriott points. What am I waiting for?
THE DATES
No secret here. PET-Scan, November 24th, and follow-up doctors' appointments to find out results etc. on Monday, November 29th, which will determine the future. More to follow.....
