MIDDLE-PAUSE PUMP-PRIMING PROMPT
What Life Questions Are You Asking and Why?
I need the answers to two new ones.
Marilyn Flower often responds to written prompts with an invitation for other writers to do the same. Her reflections are deep and personal and elicit emotion. I, for one, am affected by Marilyn’s authenticity. Reading this prompt, I also reflected on the idea of asking good questions about our lives.
Heavens to Betsy! I do need this right now in my life.
The reason being is that life has hit me with a double whammy this past year. From my vision to the big toe predicament, I wonder what my future holds regarding my health.
Eyes
Last year, during my annual eye exam, I informed my doc that I was having trouble reading, even with my glasses on. I haven’t driven since 2014 because of my eyesight and it was getting worse.
It turns out I had cataracts and was old enough to have surgery to remove them. Then at my six-month checkup, the doctor discovered holes in both retinas. My doc made a referral to an eye specialist. It was determined more surgeries were required.
The doc said it was time for an oil change in my eyes.
He explained he would laser the holes, polish the lens, and change out the fluid surrounding the eye called the vitreous humor. Is that all?
However, I had a problem. The co-payment was beyond my ability to pay. In fact, it was ridiculous even with the insurance. That is the state of our health care system.
What were my options? Do nothing which may cause the holes to get worse, leading to blindness. Or ask for help.
Help’s on the way.
I’m not the type to ask for help. My philosophy is if I can’t pay for it, I don’t need it. Dear reader, it was hard to swallow my pride and plea for help.
Guess what?
An MP sister stepped forward and offered support to me. That’s what happens when women stick together. We assist one another when needed.
I got the first surgery done and am waiting for the second. I even drove to the store! Road trips, here I come!
Big Toe
A few months ago, I wrote about my big toe predicament. A crack opened up on the end of my big right toe. I went to the doc who referred me to a wound specialist.
I’ve had diabetes for the past 26 years, so big toe cracks are nothing to be sneezed at.
I control my diabetes with pills and insulin, so this inciting incident surprised me. (A little writing humor. Or not.) The wound doc then referred me to a cardiovascular specialist.
Biker Doc
That guy was good lookin’ with tats and big silver skull jewelry. His assistant took out a Star Trek tri-corder thingy and waved it over my foot. Uh-oh, plaque was present in the artery running from my heart down my leg around the top of my foot ending at my big toe.
Those observations led to a two-week engagement with a 24-hour heart monitor. The results indicated changes in the electrical activity of my heart.
Now, I’m facing additional ridiculous co-payments. Probably over $1000 out of my pocket after everything is said and done. Maybe I can make co-payments on my co-payments! Sheesh.
Shortage
Back to my biker doc. He said I needed stents in my veins. However, there is a worldwide shortage of contrast dye used in locating the areas of plaque. Supply chain issues from China seem to be the cause.
To top that off, I need three more blood-flow imaging procedures, and, and…I’ve lost track. I don’t really know what’s next. All this from one little crack in my big toe.
You may wonder, what does this have to do with asking good life questions?
Everything.
Two Questions
- If this is what’s happening now, what does my future hold? A continued decline in my health?
- What can I do about it?
Right now, my plan is to do what the doc says and take it easy, eat healthy, use my exercise band, meditate, and pray. I know that isn’t much of a plan, but I will make the best of it.
I’m going to look forward with hope and do what is in my hands to do. My journey is not over. I’ve got too much livin’ to do, and people to help.
And now to the prompt: What good life questions are you asking?
I tag the following sisters of Middle-Pause: Bebe Nicholson, Dawn Bevier, Katie Michaelson, Cindy Heath, Toni Crowe, Kerry McAvoy, PhD, Alison Acheson, Aimée Gramblin, Christine Schoenwald, Cat Strav, Audrey Stimson, Cali Bird, Carol Lennox, Cjonesclinton, Jill (Conquering Cognitions), Diana Carson-Walker, Diane Overcash, Michelle Thall, EP McKnight, MEd, Krista Bennett, Laura Culberg- Welcoming Opposites, Mandy McElroy, Mandy Osterhaus Ream, Margie Pearl, Marla Bishop, Marne Platt, Mary Liga, Meg Stewart, Melinda Crow, Marie Jones, Michelle Marie Warner, Pavane Mann, PlainTalkBadManners, Shelly McIntosh, Susie Antonia, Terianne Falcone.
Give us your best-est and greatest questions and answers so we can learn and navigate our own paths! Thank you, mighty warriors of MP.
May the Middle-Pause be with you!
Here’s my secret weapon to help women in the middle.
Debbie Walker is a great-grandmother, writer, blogger, and the creator of Middle-Pause & Forward Motion, the podcast STOMP!, MPM Publishing, and is editing a four-book anthology of Middle-Pause writers. Stay in touch at [email protected]; follow her on Facebook; Twitter; Pinterest; & listen to STOMP!
