A Wake-Up Call Close to Home – how a heart scare and arthritis diagnosis reframed my retirement priorities.
A year ago, I was fortunate that my doctors caught a
heart issue early. It was a wake-up call: without health, everything else, retirement
dreams, family activities, even day-to-day routines, becomes harder. At the
same time, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which makes walking
painful. The silver lining? Both conditions were caught early, and I was able
to begin treatment. That made all the difference.
My wife has had her own challenges. She broke her back three
years ago, and again just last month. The pain is constant and severe. She
faces tough choices every day, including the decision to avoid narcotic
painkillers in favor of less addictive management strategies. Watching her, I
see what strength looks like.
Our stories may sound dramatic, but they’re not unusual.
Many seniors live with pain or hidden health issues. The key difference comes
down to how quickly we recognize the signs and seek help.
A Story of Delay
Take Tom, for example. He was a neighbor in his early 70s
who began experiencing shortness of breath. Instead of going to his doctor, he
told himself it was just “getting older.” Weeks later, he collapsed in his
garden and ended up in hospital with advanced heart disease. Had he reached out
earlier, treatment might have been simpler and recovery smoother.
Listening to Your Body
The lesson is simple: pay attention. That persistent pain,
sudden fatigue, or unusual shortness of breath is not “just age.” It’s your
body asking for attention. Too often, pride or fear keeps people from seeing a
doctor. But the earlier a condition is diagnosed, the more options you have.
Simple Choices That Add Up
Even small daily actions matter:
- Scheduling
regular checkups.
- Taking
prescribed medications consistently.
- Staying
active within your limits.
- Reaching
out when something feels “off.”
These aren’t dramatic steps, but over time they keep
retirement from slipping into a cycle of illness and regret.
The Foundation of Everything Else
Retirement is supposed to be the time when you finally enjoy
that for which you’ve worked. But without health, enjoyment fades. Whether it’s
travelling, volunteering, or spending time with family, health is the
foundation that makes those dreams possible.
Listening to the warning signs, and acting on them, is the
first step toward protecting that foundation.
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