Well Past 50 Board Member, Mary Kellenberger, had a recent scare when her doctor suggested she have an angiogram. I was struck by the fact that I have become one of that generation that discusses our ailments more than our boyfriends, our children or our jobs.
We are, quite legitimately, consumed with what’s happening to our bodies. We watch our friends experience every sort of age-related health problem possible, and begin to notice symptoms that once would have been ignored. My dear friend, Sandy is undergoing Chemotherapy for colon cancer. Was that recent bout I had with constipation a sign of something more insidious than a reaction to a cheese quesadilla? Woody, my soul-mate, is undergoing rehab for heart problems. Is that palpitation I feel occasionally cause for alarm?
My friends who once had sports cars, speed boats and schedules filled with fascinating activities, now have insulin syringes, heart stints and catheters. In order for us to maintain our positive attitudes and stay engaged in life, it is so important to acknowledge the changes time has made to our bodies, then focus on the joy and wonder life still has to offer. Mary’s observations offer a positive perspective on priorities from someone who was forced to identify her own.
Assigning daily tasks some kind of order is what I attempt most mornings upon arrival at my office. Logically, things line up as number 1, 2, 3, etc. based on deadlines and other’s reliance on me. Most days, asterisks and A’s, B’s and C’s get added, if needed, to try to fit in everything. It works okay.Things seem to get done this way. But what about life priorities – I mean real life-surviving priorities.
When I was told a few weeks ago that the physician- prescribed stress and Cardiolite testing I had gone through (because of recent minor chest pains) produced questionable results, an angiogram was the next recommended step if I wanted precise results. I am honestly ashamed to admit my very first reaction: “Oh, my God, I can’t let anyone know this because it makes me sound so old!” Of course, my husband would be there for me. Actually, he’s already had this done. And, I could tell my neighbor because he’s had the procedure done and my friend from work and on and on, being careful not to let those younger people in my life know - especially those that have some control over my career. Will they think I’m no longer capable of performing my job?
How unquestionably vain and selfish of me. Heart disease - as the media reminds us daily – has become the number one killer of women. We have heart walks, and dress in red, and participate in all kinds of fund raisers and awareness campaigns. So, how self-important to give a damn about what anyone thinks of me when it could mean the difference between living and dying. My first thought should have been to investigate every option available to stay alive for myself and those whom I love, and who love and rely on me.
My initial vanity subsided in a few days (still way too long) and I got my priorities back in place. Eventually sharing with good friends and family what I was about to experience, I firmly believe that their thoughts and prayers helped me come through an angiogram with flying colors and the precious knowledge that I do – indeed – have a healthy heart. It was determined that I probably suffer from mild acid reflux – that sounds kind of old, too, doesn’t it? No matter.
All the procedures were quite simple and an angiogram, I am told, is considered 100% conclusive. The other good news is that even if there had been some blockage in my arteries, the low-risk option of angioplasty to alleviate this blockage would have been immediately available. Technology has made such procedures readily available for most and relatively non-invasive.
It was time to get over myself and prioritize my priorities. Hopefully, I’ve done that.
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