Our family doctor stated that over a certain age almost everyone should get some drugs. I thought about this and he may be right. They may prolong a life. Simply by making something normal for the age even better. No I am not reffering to Viagra. I am not that far gone yet.

I still have the prostate of a young man according to the doctors for what good it does me. Basically leaves me in a car with no garage syndrome. I figure I am safe from carpal tunnel syndrome as well. It would have certainly got me already if it was going to.

As for operations. The family doctor basically just breaks it to me easily .He starts the conversation with I have booked you with a surgeon for such and such an issue. I go home and read up on the issue.

There never was a choice other than dying otherwise. So the choices where somewhat limited in my mind. Usually if I have any questions I ask the surgeon.

Beyond age seventy I sensed the pre operative work up for possibly signifigant surgery gets more intense. They have a special doctor that examines all patients more in depth at the hospital I use. I guess there is no sense putting someone on the table if they are not going to survive the procedure.

The last time to wake up after the operation with am incision under my armpit about seven months ago made me wonder. I asked the surgeon when I saw him why it was there. He told me he hooked up both my kidneys from there. It is a pretty safe bet that without modern medical proccedures I probably would have been dead fifteen years ago. Unfortunatly I have to have check ups several times a year to make sure things are remaining as they should be. Still a better option than the alternative in my mind.

My type of cancer is known to commonly reoccur for example. Only one time since the original operation fifteen years ago so far. In about ten percent of the cases like mine with a lot of stainless steel plastic coated artery support major stents they can migrate. I am amazed I never felt their presence right after the operation or since. It is truly like the operation did not take place. I do go out of my way to thank the various doctors for their willingness to work on an old carcass though.

All too soon as I walk past funeral homes they will be asking me if it is worthwhile going home. At my age we are fully cognizant the sands of time are slipping away. Yet I still do things like there is a very long road ahead. I have thought about this as well and concluded it just does not matter. Overall I have been or feel quite fortunate in life. At last I feel I am getting older now. I suspected a gradual transition and it is yet still somewhat of a surprise as it occurs.