Choices

Choices - August 1, 2022

Choices. We all have choices to make everyday. Sometimes they are simple and sometimes we have to contemplate as to what decision to make. Such as, should I go for groceries after work or get up early and go tomorrow morning instead? Something to consider when going shopping is what day of the month is it? Are the old age cheques out? If so, the stores and streets are full of seniors. Or is it the 20th day of the month – meaning it’s baby cheque day. The shelves are barren by 5 pm when you get off work. Tills are lined up. This is a good day to not go out and shop.

A letter is received in the mail every two years to get a Pap test, or mammogram and the dreaded FIT (poop) test. These are sent out by our health system to help detect early problematic health issues. And what do we do with letter? Make an appointment, do our FIT test, or simply ignore it? Once again, a choice. The wise choice is to do as you are instructed and not ignore it. Which leads to a funny story.

I received my mammogram letter in the mail early March. I phoned and booked an appointment, which would be in mid July. There was a time not that long ago it would have been booked the next week. Oh well. I arrive at my appointment 15 minutes early as instructed, register at the desk and then at the mammogram desk. Wait patiently for my name to be called. My name is called, remove all upper garments, and enter the X-ray room. For those of you that have never had a mammogram there is a large machine that presses your breast into a vice-like grip. Your breast is moved sideways, twisted, and flattened like a pancake. The machine is controlled by a foot pedal. The technician operating the machine is very efficient at her job. That day the machine decided it would not cooperate. It would move down and then it wouldn’t move sideways. Remove breast, sit down, and reboot the machine. It is like a huge computer. Okay, let’s try this again. Nope. Same result. The machine would move once, then freeze. Next, call the supervisor, see if she has any ideas. Not really. Reboot try again. After 3 or 4 tries it was time to put in a service call. Try this, try that. Let’s do it again. Okay, looks like it might just work. The machine had been manoeuvred into the correct vice tight grip on my breast. It was squished and in place. Then I asked the technician, “hey, if this machine decides to quit, how do I get my breast out?”  She assured me there was a manual control to release the breast from the machine’s tight grip. Whoo!  Good news. Alright, let’s take this picture and get onto #2 breast. The technician steps behind her protective equipment to take the picture and no go. The camera wouldn’t work either. Lol. An hour and half later. Squished breasts and no pictures. We will have to reschedule your appointment. This machine needs a service technician to come and fix it. I was just glad to get out of the machine intact. I have been re-booked for September 8th. Better luck next time, I’m sure. Makes for a funny story if nothing else.

Make your choice. You really should follow up with those letters and schedule your appointment with your doctor or technician. It’s for your own good.

Another choice I had to make the other day was as I was driving my son’s older 2001 VW Jetta TDI, a loud beep came on. And I’m like what the heck is that? I look down at the dash and sure enough there is a little red light in the shape of an oil can lit up. What is that for, I think to myself? Try phoning the husband. Nope, he’s not answering me. Next thing the car starts to lose power. Dang. Now what? I come to a stop. Try phoning again. Nope. Not talking to to me today. I only have about a mile to my destination. I should be able to make it. Start it up. Yes, it starts. Start driving again – nice and slow. Within about 5 seconds, beeeeep. Darn. Better stop and walk. Text the husband to let him know where I am and where I am walking to so he can come and bring me some oil and hopefully get me going. Well, it turns out I had hit a rock and put a hole in the oil pan. My husband followed my trail - kind of like Hansel and Gretel. The Jetta was towed home, and I am hoping it is still fixable. That is a tale for another day. I guess you could say continuing to drive was a bad choice that day. Should have just gotten out and walked. I had an appointment and didn’t want to be late. Should have chosen to be late.  Choices. Some are good and some are bad.

In ending I am saying it is important in life to make good choices. Sometimes we react hastily and choose a wrong path or choice. We don’t always have time to think about what we want to do. Follow your intuition. What does your stomach tell you to do? Learn to listen to it. It is very intuitive. But you do have to listen to it. Listen to your body. Is it telling you something? Go to the ER if you need to. Let the doctors decide if you should be there or not. Many lives have been saved by saying to yourself I need to see a doctor. Something isn’t right. Take care out there and take care of your own personal well being.

We can grumble about our health system, but at least we have one that is free to all. Don’t abuse it but use it when you need to.

My song choice today is “Choices” by George Jones. Such a great country artist. He didn’t write it – that credit goes to Billy Yates and Mike Curtis. George recorded this song in 1999. It has been covered by other artists – Leonard Cohen as one of them.

Have a great August long weekend! Can you believe it, the month of July has gone? Get out there and enjoy the rest of summer.