I don’t feel bad or even look bad! However, the list keeps growing longer on my medical reports. I feel like I need to post them in front of my house like inspection paperwork, so I don’t have to keep explaining my woes to the neighbors. They could just walk down here and check out the dates of doctor appointments, procedure schedules, and health updates. I partially blame this on my wife, who is obviously seeking support for both of us, by letting the cat out of the bag. I would have preferred to keep all of this quiet, so I’ve begun to post it on this blog that no one reads. 

I’ve become the subject of conversation at neighborhood parties, the dog park, the resort centers, beach, pool, pickle ball courts – not sure about the tennis crowd. I’ve never really had to plan for surgery in my life – let alone a whole list of them. The question is: can I work these all in between our travel plans? I’ve had my share of aches and pains, Covid, kidney stones, stitches, shots, and colonoscopies. However, since the beginning of 2023, I have seemingly begun to slowly but surely fall apart. While my running pace continues to slow, my doctor visits and medical bills are quickening. 

I started the year with simple eyelid surgery, removing some of the excess skin around my eyes. Afterwards, it looked like I’d been in a barroom fight, but no big deal. Next, became the issue of potential surgery for an aneurism after years of monitoring its slowing increasing size on my aorta. X-rays, CT scans, a heart catheterization, a TEE, surgeon consultations, and lots of billing questions have been the story of this year. In between visits with my GP and three different surgeons, I also had to worry about how my prostrate was keeping me up at night and the constant trips to the restroom throughout the day. I’ve already been to two different specialists for this issue and have a procedure in St. Pete scheduled next Thursday. 

This week, I will drive with my wife to Tampa General Hospital for a meeting with a recommended and experienced cardiothoracic surgeon. I’ve already decided against doing this at a Regional Hospital. We will also soon confer with a renowned Stanford surgeon, where my wife’s daughter works as a PA. Adding to the list two weeks ago, I had a Prokera treatment done on my right eye, so it is healing for cataract surgery in about three months time. Finally, today, my Chiropractor suggested that as soon as I get these other problems resolved, I then go to see an orthopedic specialist about a sore tendon in my right arm. I just added that one to the list of What Ails You!