Don't be afraid to go to the doctor!!!

[cj]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

I spent some time with my 62 year-old first cousin this past holiday season...and he was excitedly telling me about his future plans. His house was finally paid off, his two kids were finished with college and were both actively looking for jobs...and he had money in the bank. And best of all...his recent yearly check-up had shown him to be in perfect health. With his bills under control, he told me that he was opting for early retirement...and was eager to finally "enjoy his golden years". And then he felt some chest congestion about 10 days ago...which he attributed to a common cold. Alas...a few days later the discomfort he felt made it hard for him to even get dressed...so he rushed to the hospital. The initial diagnosis was pneumonia and some fluid in the lungs...but when the fluid was drained the doctors were alarmed at the sight of blood in the fluid. Now cancer became a possibility...and further tests and a biopsy were scheduled last weekend. Horror of horrors...the test results indicated MESOTHELIOMA. He had tests done earlier today to discover the stage of the disease...and he will be told the results tomorrow. And his anticipation for a rosy future has turned into shock and terror for what now lies ahead.

Live for today, folks...because tomorrow isn't guaranteed to anyone.

First, good thoughts to your cousin, hope the news is at least promising.

As for your last sentence, that is one of the last things my mom ever said to me before she passed. I've tried to live it ever since. Do the things you really want to do when you can because you never know what the future holds.

[AndyC]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

......Live for today, folks...because tomorrow isn't guaranteed to anyone.

Live for today but spend like you will live until 95. Too many people equate living with spending.

[thaskalos]

Originally Posted by AndyC

Live for today but spend like you will live until 95. Too many people equate living with spending.

Some of living is spending...but there is also a philosophical aspect in effect here. Too many people leave too much undone in their lives...postponing them for "retirement", when there will be "more idle time". They sacrifice the certainty of today for the uncertainty of some imagined "tomorrow". I try to strike a little more "balance" in my own life. To use your example...I spend as if I'll live till 82.

[46zilzal]

A major proportion of my practice was with the elderly..CONSISTENTLY they all used to say things like :"Wear out, don't RUST out," make sure not to put off what you want to do forever......Regrets of not even trying will haunt you the rest of your days, etc. etc.

[Tape Reader]

Dr. Google is also very helpful.

[ArlJim78]

So much bad news. People are not supposed to be falling apart like this so young, riddled with disease. I'm not a huge fan of the doctor, well who am I kidding, I don't go to the doctor. Our system appears to me to be based on disease management only. Drugs, endless tests and procedures are hugely profitable. But are the outcomes any better? Or is it just a downward spiral once you check into the disease management industry? In the US our average lifespan has been shortening for several years now. For all the money spent on "healthcare" we're going backwards.
The doctors are all geared up to try to control blood pressure and cholesterol via drugs. Band aids on symptoms, nothing more. Nobody cares about the root cause of pretty much all diseases of modernity.

I'm sorry for those who've been hurt by these losses.
I guess I'll make my annual pitch for taking care of yourself starting NOW.
We're eating too much food, it's not appropriate for our species, it's not suitable for the way our bodies have evolved. Eat unprocessed natural food including meat and eggs, avoid sugar, seed oils anything low fat or low sodium, anything in a package and don't drink your calories. Do some light exercise, go for walks, get good sun exposure, get good sleep. Food IS the best medicine.

And finally give your body a break and stop eating/snacking all day long. Our bodies are designed to heal automatically, but this only occurs after all digestion has occurred. After dealing with a daily assualt of toxic inputs via food and the environment, absent enough rest our immune system begins to disfunction. It can't keep up, our organs can't keep up. We're literally killing our selves.

Sorry for the rant, I'm just so tired of looking around and seeing people falling apart, drugged up, shuffling around with scooters, oxygen, walkers, and then seeing their kids or grandkids already massively over weight, addicted to sugar and junk food.

[PhantomOnTour]

Originally Posted by cj

First, good thoughts to your cousin, hope the news is at least promising.

As for your last sentence, that is one of the last things my mom ever said to me before she passed. I've tried to live it ever since. Do the things you really want to do when you can because you never know what the future holds.

reminds me of a phrase my high school home room teacher told us:
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may...which is basically the same thing you said (RIP Mr Oliva)

CJ - my condolences on the loss of your friends

[Actor]

Bottom line.

• Any doctor chosen at random knows more about medicine than I do or ever will.
• When I go to the Emergency Room I am not given a choice of which doctor.
• I have had the experience in some cities that no doctor is taking new patients so the hospital assigns me a doctor or said doctor's objections.

[coachv30]

I am one of those individuals who avoid doctors (white coat syndrome). I really haven't felt the need to see one, however, I am not a "regular check up guy" either. I am a worry wart by nature. I just feel as if I got blood work done and found out that this was high and this was low, or I'm borderline this or that, my worries would speed up the symptoms of whatever it was that was coming back abnormal.

I had a friend that had zero symptoms of ANYTHING. He went to the doctor to get a physical for a new job and had bloodwork done. Some counts came back abnormal and was referred to a specialist. He was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer....he died a month later. In my opinion, sometimes the worry from knowing can speed up the unfortunate.

[46zilzal]

Originally Posted by coachv30

I had a friend that had zero symptoms of ANYTHING. He went to the doctor to get a physical for a new job and had blood work done. Some counts came back abnormal and was referred to a specialist. He was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer....he died a month later. In my opinion, sometimes the worry from knowing can speed up the unfortunate.

You happened to choose one of the few significant cancers that present hardly any symptoms until very late in its course.

From Mayo website: "Pancreatic cancer is seldom detected at its early stages when it's most curable. This is because it often doesn't cause symptoms until after it has spread to other organs.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...s/syc-20355421

[46zilzal]

Originally Posted by coachv30

I had a friend that had zero symptoms of ANYTHING. He went to the doctor to get a physical for a new job and had bloodwork done. Some counts came back abnormal and was referred to a specialist. He was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer....he died a month later. In my opinion, sometimes the worry from knowing can speed up the unfortunate.

After age 45 we should ALL come in for yearly physicals

[ldiatone]

Originally Posted by Tom

Good luck on your move and hope you and your wife are soon feeling better and enjoying life!

thanks!

[Actor]

Originally Posted by 46zilzal

After age 45 we should ALL come in for yearly physicals

And a colonoscopy. ( ! )

[TJDave]

I doubt that most men are scared to see a doctor.

They are scared of bankrupting their families.

[woodtoo]

We only live once. Uh, no. We only die once. We live everyday.