Aging Gracefully is Expensive

How I see things now

Oh, the fun things that happen when I turned 60. 

Overall, not much different than it has been for the past 25 years. I don't get sick much. I only have to check off at most 3 to 4 issues whenever I fill out health profiles at the dentist's or doctor's office. I did go through a bout of bronchitis in the early 2000's. Once I was prescribed an asthma inhaler in addition to my allergy pills and nasal spray, it keeps my respiratory system pretty much in check.

Health providers in the United States recommend adults begin colonoscopy screenings at 50. Not me. From 2010 to 2013, I wasn't working. But after 2015, I procrastinated big time. No excuses, I simply didn't set aside the time.

No more stalling.  I completed my first colonoscopy in July.

Next colonoscopy is due in 5 years.

Major dental work since 2014: 2 implants + 2 crowns

I currently have 3 implants + 3 crowns. The total cost of said dental work is about the same as a new Toyota Corolla.

Next venture, cataract surgery.

I began to notice last year how much harder it was to see the computer screen, street signs, bowling pins, and most importantly, driving at night. 

After an eye exam late summer 2019, the optometrist suggested I see a specialist for possible cataracts. In denial, I got my optometrist to change my contact lens prescription instead. I got toric contact lenses with a stronger prescription. As the months went on, I had to acknowledge what the eye doctor said. The stronger vision prescription would help slightly, but not fully correct my nearsightedness (which is quite bad).

In September, I asked for a referral from my primary care provider. I contacted the ophthalmologist's office the next day. I was excited to find out the ophthalmologist has an office at Stonestown, across the street from where I live. Three weeks later, I spent 2 hours with them taking a lot of tests. Walked out with 2 dates for surgery, one eye at a time. In preparation for surgery, I have to visit my primary care provider, get COVID tested and stop wearing my contacts. I've set aside 4 vacation days for the surgeries.

First surgery is scheduled on Election Day. Second surgery is a month later. Based on the options available, I'll likely choose toric monofocal lenses. Monofocal for distance, toric for the astigmatism. I'll probably need to wear glasses for reading (I'm OK with that). For me, this is LASIK and cataract surgery at the same time.

Ophthalmologist says my quality of life will improve significantly.

I have no doubt it will. Not expecting to have 20/15 vision as I did when I wore contacts at 17.  I only want to be able to see the fourth line of letters on an eye chart again.