Would imagine the majority of the population looks forward to retirement. No longer going through the rituals of waking up with the alarm, hitting the snooze button a myriad of times, plastering down the piece of hair that is sticking out, standing in the closet and trying to select an outfit that has not been recently worn, packing a lunch, scarfing down an unhealthy breakfast item, and slurping that first caffeine fix of the day while fighting bumper to bumper traffic in the hopes of getting to work on time.
Yes, the joys of retirement and being able to do, dare I say, whatever you want to do. Have fun, spend some of that hard earned money that was saved over the years, travel around the world…the sky is the limit. But what about those who retire whose lives are cut short before being able to enjoy the golden years? I’ve known several individuals who have passed away not very long after retirement. It’s quite sad. It’s very heartbreaking. It seems like such a waste.
In December of 2007, I started working in the health center at a community college in Orange Country. Although not mandatory, I was invited to attend a board meeting for official introductions of new employees. Having only met for a brief moment a few weeks earlier, the dean of our department came over and welcomed me to the district, again, and he knew me by name. My coworkers said that David was very kind, laid back, and for the most part let the health center do its own thing. He also had been diagnosed with prostate cancer two years previously but the cancer was in remission. Unfortunately, I only got to work with David for six months until he retired in June of last year.
A few months ago David’s cancer returned but insisted to his wife, Pam, they still take the trip to Italy they had saved up for, for so many years. They went on that trip in October. Three weeks ago I attended a memorial service for David. He was considered the “Dean of Everything” and the church was filled with many friends and colleagues from his numerous years of service. On the front of the program there was a beautiful poem by an unknown author that I would like to share:
God watched you as you suffered and knew you had your share.
He gently closed your weary eyes, and took you in His care.
Your memory is our keepsake, with that we will never part.
God had you in His keeping, and we have you in our heart.
Nothing could be more beautiful than the memories we have of you.
To us, you were someone special. God must have thought so, too.
All our lives we shall miss you, as the years come and go.
But, in our hearts you will live forever because we love you so.
God saw you were getting tired, and a cure was not to be.
So, he put His arms around you, and whispered, “Come with me.”
With tearful eyes we watched you suffer, and saw you fade away.
Although we love you dearly, we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating; hard working hands to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove, He only takes the best.
And in conclusion…With Greg’s encouragement and support I started blogging on November 23, 2006. It was therapeutic as well as enjoyable, and I’ve always been appreciative of the written and verbal comments received. Obviously I lost a lot of my limited readership because of the sporadic postings and must admit it takes up a significant amount of time. Would like to explore some other options, possibly take a few classes, improve my musical abilities, and learn a new language. This plus Mom, Dad, Jonathan and working ten-hour days puts a lot on my plate. So, this will be my last blog, but I might just add starting a novel to that already filled plate.
Thank you for your support over the last 27 months. It means more to me than you will ever know.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
I DON’T THINK SO!
Working in a medical office you see an assortment of ailments from a little scratch to a full-blown cold. Students can schedule appointments to see a male or female doctor twice a week for a variety of reasons including physicals, prescriptions, referrals, gynecology exams, and because they plain just don’t feel good. There is no cost to see the doctor (in other words, no copay); however, charges are attached depending on what is done. For example, a Pap test is $30.
Certain times of the year, specific diseases or causes are emphasized throughout the campus through posters or fairs or lectures or…well, you get the picture. For example, October was breast cancer awareness month. The importance was stressed that a woman should get a regular mammogram.
Other individuals, students and staff alike, come in to the health center to discuss obesity, alcoholism, smoking, immunizations, stomach disorders, and cancer. And you know what is recommended for those over 50—a colonoscopy.
It had been over 10 years since I had a medical appointment. During September I was having a few difficulties and scheduled an appointment to see the doctor chosen as my primary care physician when I moved to Orange. Dr. B did what he could, recommended that I return to have a Pap test, and scheduled me for a mammogram. In October I had the mammogram and the results were normal. Returned to the doctor in November and had the Pap test done. While still in the exam room, Dr. B noticed the age listed on my chart and instructed me to go to his secretary and schedule a colonoscopy. I walked out the door. (Two of the three tests were completed; that was enough.)
Dr. B was on top of his game, and I didn’t get away scot-free--the form was mailed to my home. Suffice it to say, I scheduled that dreaded test. During Christmas break had a consultation with Dr. C and the procedure would be done on January 7. The instructions were as follows: 1) A liquid diet with no orange, red, or purple substances the day before. My diet of choice that day consisted of 7-Up, chicken broth, apple juice, lime gelatin, white grape juice (don’t buy Wal-Mart’s brand; stick with Welch’s), and lots of water to keep hydrated. 2) Be home by 3:00 and take two Ducolax tablets. 3) At 4:00 mix a bottle of Miralax with a 64-oz bottle of Gatorade (luckily Gatorade now comes in a lemonade flavor) and drink an 8-oz glass every 10-15 minutes until finished. 4) At 8:00 take two more Ducolax tablets. 5) Nothing by mouth after midnight. For a time I wondered if this stuff would ever start working. It did and continued even when at the medical center…very uncomfortable.
There I was on the gurney with an IV drip stuck in the fold of my right arm. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting and then finally wheeled into the operating room and given a dose of them good drugs. Out like a light and woke up in recovery with Mom’s face in sight and given two oatmeal cookies to kill the hunger pains until the doctor came to report the findings. Dr. C gave me the good news—the colonoscopy could not be completed and had to do the prep one more time. Felt miserable and Jonathan picked us up and dropped by CVS to buy another bottle of Miralax and Gatorade (no lemonade flavor and just that yucky lemon-lime). Couldn’t stomach any more but the doctor said to drink as much as possible. To make a long story short, didn’t keep much down, if you know what I mean. Felt absolutely horrible and just kept sitting in a chair with my head against the wall with a robe keeping me warm until it was time to go to bed.
Thursday morning came and knew I was dehydrated but fortunately the colonoscopy could be completed. However, felt lousy and still didn’t have much of an appetite. Actually don’t really remember Jonathan ever picking me up that second day. Apparently I was a little loopy after each procedure, probably more so than most.
On Friday ate more solid food but came down with a cold and fought that for a few days. By the way, my walking papers said that my colonoscopy was normal and they would see me again in five years. My thoughts…What was the title of this blog?
Certain times of the year, specific diseases or causes are emphasized throughout the campus through posters or fairs or lectures or…well, you get the picture. For example, October was breast cancer awareness month. The importance was stressed that a woman should get a regular mammogram.
Other individuals, students and staff alike, come in to the health center to discuss obesity, alcoholism, smoking, immunizations, stomach disorders, and cancer. And you know what is recommended for those over 50—a colonoscopy.
It had been over 10 years since I had a medical appointment. During September I was having a few difficulties and scheduled an appointment to see the doctor chosen as my primary care physician when I moved to Orange. Dr. B did what he could, recommended that I return to have a Pap test, and scheduled me for a mammogram. In October I had the mammogram and the results were normal. Returned to the doctor in November and had the Pap test done. While still in the exam room, Dr. B noticed the age listed on my chart and instructed me to go to his secretary and schedule a colonoscopy. I walked out the door. (Two of the three tests were completed; that was enough.)
Dr. B was on top of his game, and I didn’t get away scot-free--the form was mailed to my home. Suffice it to say, I scheduled that dreaded test. During Christmas break had a consultation with Dr. C and the procedure would be done on January 7. The instructions were as follows: 1) A liquid diet with no orange, red, or purple substances the day before. My diet of choice that day consisted of 7-Up, chicken broth, apple juice, lime gelatin, white grape juice (don’t buy Wal-Mart’s brand; stick with Welch’s), and lots of water to keep hydrated. 2) Be home by 3:00 and take two Ducolax tablets. 3) At 4:00 mix a bottle of Miralax with a 64-oz bottle of Gatorade (luckily Gatorade now comes in a lemonade flavor) and drink an 8-oz glass every 10-15 minutes until finished. 4) At 8:00 take two more Ducolax tablets. 5) Nothing by mouth after midnight. For a time I wondered if this stuff would ever start working. It did and continued even when at the medical center…very uncomfortable.
There I was on the gurney with an IV drip stuck in the fold of my right arm. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting and then finally wheeled into the operating room and given a dose of them good drugs. Out like a light and woke up in recovery with Mom’s face in sight and given two oatmeal cookies to kill the hunger pains until the doctor came to report the findings. Dr. C gave me the good news—the colonoscopy could not be completed and had to do the prep one more time. Felt miserable and Jonathan picked us up and dropped by CVS to buy another bottle of Miralax and Gatorade (no lemonade flavor and just that yucky lemon-lime). Couldn’t stomach any more but the doctor said to drink as much as possible. To make a long story short, didn’t keep much down, if you know what I mean. Felt absolutely horrible and just kept sitting in a chair with my head against the wall with a robe keeping me warm until it was time to go to bed.
Thursday morning came and knew I was dehydrated but fortunately the colonoscopy could be completed. However, felt lousy and still didn’t have much of an appetite. Actually don’t really remember Jonathan ever picking me up that second day. Apparently I was a little loopy after each procedure, probably more so than most.
On Friday ate more solid food but came down with a cold and fought that for a few days. By the way, my walking papers said that my colonoscopy was normal and they would see me again in five years. My thoughts…What was the title of this blog?
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