Refreshed but now come the challenges...

Finally had that long-overdue and sorely needed vacation in Tampa.  Everything about it was perfect - the flights were comfortable; the rental car and hotel room were upgraded gratis; the hotel has a private beach; we were in the gym after breakfast each day and everything we did was fun and interesting.  Even after we arrived home, things ran smoothly - the car service got us home within a half hour; the laundry was done immediately and we ordered groceries from Fresh Direct to be delivered on Sunday morning so we wouldn't have to go shopping.

Reiterating:  the concept of a vacation is to "vacate".  To not have to think about things that cause stress, aggravation or negativity; to not have to visit people or have an agenda - this time was spent relaxing and letting go of what's been on my mind, which was a welcome distraction.  So I feel good, spiritually and mentally.

I know that feeling is going to be short-lived since I have the MRI next Thursday at noon and then have to see the urologist the following Friday.  All of this is gearing up towards going into the hospital in October, which I admit, I'm nervous about.  I know it's been said that it takes about the same amount of time as a colonoscopy - which I've had and will need to do again next summer - but the whole ordeal is just hard to digest.  No one wants to have medical procedures or stay in a hospital.  

I'll continue to focus on my diet; working out and keeping my stress levels as low as possible in an attempt to once again bring down my PSA level.  And I will keep trying to maintain positive thoughts as the surgery date draws closer.

Vacation... all I ever wanted (redux again!)

Less than two weeks to go until vacation.  Our dear friend, Sheena, has the keys and the only items left to take care of for her stay at our apartment is to grocery shop and (hopefully) refill our laundry card (an unwanted/unnecessary inconvenience and headache).  My suitcase is packed but I still want to go over everything to make sure that I don't take non-necessities and don't forget essentials!

Another regular doctor's appointment this Saturday; an MRI in September and the aquablation procedure is now scheduled for October 10th.  Even though it's only a one-night stay in the hospital, knowing I have to have a catheter in me for almost 5 days afterwards makes me VERY uneasy and uncomfortable.  I will again "interrogate" my urologist when I see him in September as to why I would be sent home with one, since all information I've read has said it's removed when a patient is sent home.

Nonetheless, at least we also have the Paul Weller concert to look forward to in September, as well.  I have a strange feeling this may be one of the last concerts I attend - simply because I can only enjoy seated venues and just about everyone else has now retired.  Funny thing is that I would never have equated the word "retired" with musicians, but this is the march of time.

The way things have been - not just personally, but in the global sense - I don't think I have any firm answers or clear way forward except to keep the world (not reality) at arm's length and focus on me, Liz and our personal orbit.  Rationality dictates to try and find a happy and healthy balance, and I think that is the only option.

I've realized that aging doesn't offer clear-cut solutions but shows the overall map of contradictions - leaving us to try and navigate the waters as best we can and only for ourselves.