There is a wonderful book by Dr. Samuel Harrington titled "At Peace: Choosing a Good Death After a Long Life." You say, "Wow, that's uplifting, Leta!" Please hang with me.
The big gist of the book is that we as patients DO have a choice in the medical procedures, tests and treatments that we undergo, especially as we move through the senior years. To stop the fussing of my husband and doctor's office, I finally succumbed yesterday to a physical. Very early on the list of things "encouraged" is a colonoscopy. I'm not having one, and I told the doctor not to send me a box to poop in either! TMI warning--I'm pooping just fine, so I see no reason to put myself through it. I also brought up my couple-times-a-year heart-racing episodes. (Note: occasional event, does not last long, very unpredictable). Immediately (CYA), the doctor wanted to refer me to a cardiologist. NO! I had to fill out a paper at the beginning of the visit with my medical goal--I wrote "to go through at least all of 2026 without seeing any medical people other than my chiropractor!!!" I am grateful that my doctor is good-humored about all of this.
My Grammie was known as a "bull-headed Strunk" (maiden name). I think I'm channeling some of her!
Leta
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