okay, this sucks

I had two doctor appointments yesterday. At the first I said, "I want to talk to you about my mind, I think it's vanishing." I shared the anecdote about the time recently when I went to put leftover soup in the refrigerator and instead I put it in the microwave. Ken brought this to my attention with grave concern. Alas, my mind is being age appropriate. Between menopausal changes, medication and stress, results are typical. I think Ken will be relieved to learn that. But the best part about sharing this concern with the doctor was her summary response: "midlife comes at a bad time."

But the bad news was yet to come. At my annual physical in the afternoon I learned that I had high cholesterol. Say it ain't so! Since the early days of testing those ranges doctors have told me that my cholesterol levels were enviable. Enviable! So where is this coming from? My diet is exceedingly free of cholesterol-friendly nutrients, and though I don't get the kind of exercise I should, my vital signs are quite good, thank you very much. "Oh," the doctor says, "when you reach 45-50 your cholesterol is 20% diet and exercise and 80% genetic." Thanks, Dad!

So now I am joining the ranks of the aging population that includes daily multiple pill-popping. Apparently my body hasn't caught on to the fact that I am a non-conformist. We'll have to have a talk.

My grandmother had a hand-lettered phrase posted in her bedroom in her later years. It read "Old age is not for sissies." She would know. She was no sissy. She also claimed that if you weren't old you wouldn't understand the profundity of that saying. Well, I have one thing to say to you, Boppy. I'm gaining on you!

Merry Christmas Eve to all, and to all, good health.