The Blessing of Preventative Care
I have crossed over that age threshold. That line in the sand that says that I have to do some additional medical tests every several years. When you're young and healthy, and all too brave, you don't worry much about your health. Frankly, when things are “normal” in one’s youth, one doesn’t even test (medically) for very much. But somewhere between the magical ages of 45 and 50, all of this changes.
Recently, I was “privileged” enough to experience a new type of preventative care procedure. Details aren't necessary nor do they want to be remembered. But post 50 years of age, you all of a sudden have to do certain tests. You have to see your physician more often. In some ways, depending on the medical scenario, they almost become your best friend. A little too close for someone not far removed from LESS THAN a half-century of years on this earth.
But then there's the other side of the equation. While any of these kinds of tests aren't exactly what you want to do on any given day, how blessed are we that we have these kinds of tests to begin with. To find out if there is a troubling scenario or situation before it becomes problematic --- to get it addressed. Medically taken care of. It is critical to realize how fortunate we are to have these tests and medical knowledge at all.
But there's another part that we should be grateful for, at least those who live in first world countries. We have access to them. At least most people should. Think about living in a third world country where there is a particular medical issue that can be diagnosed and treated very early on causing very little upheaval in one's life. Now imagine that you don't have access to it, that particular test, those particular knowledgeable medical professionals. How fortunate I feel, and we all should feel, I/we not only have the knowledge but the commonplace for these kinds of opportunities to take care of ourselves.
As I had to take a little time away from my normal schedule, I wasn't happy at the moment. Not a surprise considering I'm so ritualistic and habitual. Reflection, as driven into me by Saint Ignatius and the Jesuits, allows me to understand how fortunate I really should feel. To have the ability to look a little bit inside my future, with the help of some great medical professionals, and no that there's better than average chances of long-lived experiences with my family and doing what I love each day professionally.
That's not a curse, that's a blessing.
