Age is in the Eye of the Beholder

yes, yes, I know that is not how the saying goes, but during the last year or so, what with the endless visits to all kinds of doctors and surgeons and health workers, I have heard so many variants on the theme I am getting blasé about it all.

Well, what do you know, I am still alive and relatively well. In fact, as of the last cystoscopy on Wednesday, I am cancer free and the next rummage in my internals is not for six months. Because I had very few symptoms I almost forgot about that part of the troubles. The most unpleasant and directly life shrinking effect is that I leak. Wherever I go I need to know where the toilets are, I need to buy and wear pads, just in case. I am being referred to a specialist who might know why that is (other than the bladder cancer) and who might have a solution. Or might not. I am the unlucky patient who reacts violently to most medication and must therefore be treated with great care, lest the treatment is worse than the condition.

As for the damaged leg muscle, that is a whole other kettle of fish. I have had one of those beastly great big steroid injections into the bone, with local anaesthetic and therefore bearable, but it has made little difference. I have one further appointment with a specialist in September; he is the man who has already told me that the injection was the final attempt at alleviating the pain. All the musculoskeletal people talk about pain; as I have very little unless I work the leg harder than I should, I just stare at them, trying to understand. What am I, immune to pain?

So, I pick up my trusty crutch, look where I put my feet, and hobble. And simply accept the fact that I am now classed disabled. I even have a Blue Badge (which is a laminated disk which allows the holder to park wherever they need to, without restrictions). All the people who give me lifts are very pleased.

As for the age bit? Every time I see the main bone and muscle man he looks me in the eyes, all serious, and gently says "after all, you are ........"  He had a Registrar with him last time and I brightly gave it as my opinion that age is just a number. I am not sure that either of them was impressed.

Most health professionals see only two interpretations: Number one is "For your age you are doing well" and Number two is "At your age what can you expect". I go with "Age is just a number". It'll do me.