Body Maintenance


I have discovered that, as someone with Spinocerebellar Ataxia*, sometimes I'm my own worst enemy with regard to preventive health care.  Historically, I've always been a compliant patient, but frankly, having a disability has caused me to become a bit medically avoidant.  We had planned for our exit, but hadn't given the same attention to our maintenance.**  There was enough on my plate to keep track of.  My primary care provider said that I was due for everything.  Certainly, I couldn't control my Ataxia, but I could at least be proactive when it came to general health.  I just needed to do it and quit putting it off – sort of.  Adopting the philosophy, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it", I began to list the essential healthcare to–dos.
Dental cleaning and exam?  Absolutely!  
Annual eye exam?  OK
Annual mammogram?  Nope.  At 70, it's every two years.  See you next year.  I can hardly wait!
Shingles vaccine series?  You bet.  It would be a pain (pardon the pun) to get shingles.
Annual flu shot?  OK, one for each of us.
Annual well woman exam?  I suppose.
Labwork?  OK
Pap smear?  Nope.  At 70, I don't have to do that anymore.



It had been 10 years since my last colonoscopy.  I knew it was important, but I wasn't sure I could move fast enough in a wheelchair when the colon prep kicked in.  Anyway, I was overdue, so I decided this was going to be the year to quit whining and get it done.  A friend had described his prep as the "easiest thing he had ever done."  I was tempted, but I didn't hurt him.  It had been 10 years since my last prep, but my memory wasn't that short.  

 I wasn't, however, prepared for the volume of instructions that came in the mail.  Jeez!  A week before, no blood thinners or aspirin—fine, I don't take any.  Five days before, no nuts and seeds—no problem.  Two days before, clear liquid diet and no alcohol—ugh!  Earl did his best to make the tea, broth, and jello palatable, but I'm just not a jello fan.

 To make a long story short, I got through the prep without any major mishaps and showed up early for the procedure. The procedure itself was easy, the colon prep sucked (poor choice of words, but it did).  Afterwards, the gastroenterologist came in to tell us that the procedure went well, my colon was normal and, given my age, I probably wouldn't have to have another one.  I should have kept my mouth shut, but couldn't resist responding, "You better believe I'll never have another one!"

*Previous post :  One Day At A Time
**Previous post :  Planning Ahead

 The lesson: Good for another 50,000 miles

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