If it's Broke, Don't Fix It

I have no problem calling the doctor if I suspect something could be wrong. I’m not a “wait a few days to see if I get sicker” person. If it hurts, I’m on the phone. In fact, my doctor is one of my speed dials. I’d say I’m not a hypochondriac, except that I’m pretty sure someone who is a hypochondriac is convinced they aren’t, so that remains to be seen.

It helps that I have a compassionate and patient primary care doctor who doesn’t flinch when I provide her with my annual list of aches and pains to check out, which can be as long as Santa’s “good” list. And while my physical woes have verifiable causes and treatments, I’ve noticed a disturbing new trend. What would have been fixed immediately in the past now seems to be optional, “given my age”.

Apparently, once we pass 50, doctors weigh the benefits of fixing non-life threatening health issues against just how long we plan to be around, sort of like a Vegas betting line on your longevity. 

Checking on the persistent pain in my right arm from an old car accident, the specialist asked me how much I use that arm, because unless I’m a pro tennis player, it may not be worth fixing. He may as well have told me I’m no longer worth fixing, and that is a real eye opener. And this is the first I ever heard about a right arm being optional.

Inquiring about my painful bunion, I was told to just shop around for sensible, wide shoes and live with it, as the recovery is long and may not be worth it. Which makes we wonder if the recovery could possible take more than 20 years- which is how long I hope to still be running pain free – and which will impact my life worse: recovery for a year or ugly shoes for the rest of my life?

Inquiring to my dentist about straightening my teeth, he asked if I wanted to get into fixing that stuff “at my age”. “Oh, you’re right”, I wanted to answer. “It’s just my face. Who even looks at it now that I’m over 50?”

I even have a friend who moves easily forward and backwards, but not sideways, as she is limited by an old MCL injury that she was told didn’t need to be fixed considering she is not a professional athlete. Which makes me wonder if active people are more worthy of fixing, while the cerebral ones should just learn to live with pain and limitations, as they don’t do much but sit around anyhow.

Whatever the reason, it’s clear I have joined the ranks of high mileage cars and beloved aging pets, both of which eventually force the question of how many good years are left, and if the high cost of prolonging the inevitable is worth it.

Left with no recourse, I’ve decided to see if I can learn to accept my nagging aches and pains gracefully. So when you see me limping down the street in sensible shoes, smiling a crooked smile with my right arm dangling loosely from lack of use, just know that I’m happy inside, and that’s all that matters. At least to my insurance company.