Feeling good

I’ve been feeling almost guilty about being very healthy.

With the COVID-19 virus all around, it’s given everyone an uneasy feeling. I’ve grown tired of the daily reports of new cases and deaths. The numbers seem to run together after these several weeks/months.

I’m very aware of the potential danger and wear a mask most of the time in public places. At my part-time job, I wear a clear, plastic shield instead.

I recently had my annual Medicare “health analysis,” and everything was fine. My blood pressure and other vital signs were high. However, the best news was that my prostate reading dropped from 5.6 to 4.8, which is excellent. Like most men older than 50, the prostate is a constant concern.

That was followed up by a home visit by our insurance carrier, and that too was excellent.

I don’t take any medications other than a daily pill to help reduce my prostate. I jokingly tell people I’m healthy because of my Budweiser diet. I do like my beer.

I give a lot of credit for my wellness to my wife, a breast cancer survivor. She prepares excellent, healthy meals and is very conscious about our wellbeing.

Many people don’t realize or believe, I’m 75 and as active as I am. I play golf regularly with a neighbor and my son, who are 20 years younger. But, I can hold my own when we play.

I help the neighbor, who has a windshield repair and replacement business, with some of his jobs, which can be quite physical. I usually end up with a cut or bruise, however. Thin skin, I think.

I love working in the yard and doing home improvement projects. When it cools off this fall, I plan to get back on my bicycle or more hiking.

I work two days a week at a local grocery store and walk six miles during a seven-hour shift doing essential maintenance. I do take the elevator when I have to go upstairs to save my 75-year-old knees. Few of my associates know my age.

We are required to wear a mask and have our temperature taken before starting work. After several weeks of wearing a mask, I went online and bought a clear plastic shield. It’s much more comfortable, and my glasses don’t fog up, and my nose doesn’t run as they did when wearing a mask. Because it covers my entire face, I feel much more secure about it. But it’s not suitable for everyday wear, so I wear a paper mask when out in public.

After my two recent wellness checks, I do feel fortunate.

I have several friends who aren’t as fortunate. One longtime friend in Georgia has lung cancer, and that has been a tiresome battle for him. He’s doing okay for now, but he’s been told it’s incurable. I call him weekly to check on him. Sometimes, the calls are upsetting and brief because of his breathing problems. Other times, he seems fine. I even asked some of his relatives to keep my number available if something happened to him so they could let me know.

Another friend in St. Louis is suffering from severe depression. He spent a week in a care unit for treatment. He told me he didn’t have any enthusiasm for anything, including golf. He sold his house and is living with a niece for now. The medications he’s taking seem to be helping, but a scheduled visit to see me in Utah is on hold indefinitely.

I lost three friends to cancer in recent years. They were entirely unexpected and in two of the instances, quite sudden. How do you die of lung cancer and never been a smoker?

Utah has not been hit as hard by the pandemic as other areas of the country. But everyone seems to be more cautious and more and more people are wearing masks when out in public. I do, especially when I go to buy more Budweiser.

 

– Ryan from St. George, Utah, a FAR customer who is finding purpose in this new stage of his life.

 

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of the Finance of America Reverse (FAR) LLC.

 

This article is intended for general informational and educational purposes only, and should not be construed as financial or tax advice. For more information about whether a reverse mortgage may be right for you, you should consult an independent financial advisor. For tax advice, please consult a tax professional.