I just realized it is almost 10 months since I wrote my last post on substack about aging with style. Where has the time gone? During those months I caught up on my writing projects including the final edit for my zine, ‘How to Age (in Style)!’ to be released soon through Microcosm Publishing.
I guess I am old by many people’s standards. I’ll be 3/4 of a century this year, but how much do I allow that number to affect me?
Even as I approach 75, I don’t consider myself that old, except for a health thing that started happening this past year. Over the last 10 months I’ve had to deal with some new health issues, many of which are considered ‘age related.’ It was difficult at first, going on meds, and then making sure that the meds worked. For instance, I had no idea there were 20+ blood pressure medications on the market until I began the process of elimination! Thank goodness I didn’t need surgery, and I wasn’t dying,…. yet! I know I have the right to refuse medication, but life expectancy has improved over the last few years because of new meds that have been developed. If one or more of the meds I am on keep me alive and healthy for another 10 years, that’s a positive!
I didn’t like the stress and anxiety that accompanied all the hoops I had to jump through either in this new health related period. It was a different story when I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis almost 10 years before. Rather than take the very invasive drugs the specialist wanted me on, I chose to go south to Mexico for the winter. I was lucky, first that I could afford to do that, and second, that the warmth and humidity worked for me. My great uncle had the same problem and used the same solution many years ago. My arthritis is non-existent while I am there.
This new medical situation was different. Would I still be able to go south? What if I couldn’t, then what would I do? More stress! My partner had also been going through some serious health issues for the past 2 years, much more serious than mine. When my doctor informed me that I had to take care of myself first or the stress could cause a stroke (at my age especially), or kill me, it made the decision easier.
There were times I felt guilty for leaving my partner behind in the cold, but spending time in the heat was still the best thing I could do for myself. This past winter I flew back and forth, adjusted my meds under my doctor’s recommendations, and was present for my partner’s surgeries and recoveries.
By the beginning of March, I was finally able to head for the heat and stay put for 2 months. Before I traveled though, I had to deal with changes to my medical travel insurance. Arghh! I may not feel old, but the insurance companies already had both my feet in the ground, especially since I was over 60. Add heart-related meds and the cost goes sky high, that is if I can even get coverage! My options: 1. don’t travel anymore, 2. pay exorbitant insurance fees in case I fall and break my leg, or 3. look for other solutions. Even if I did buy insurance, any change in meds would immediately negate my coverage. I decided to look for other solutions. I paid for 2 weeks of insurance to make sure I didn’t have anymore problems flying or within the first couple of weeks.
I am lucky enough to understand some of the medical process in Mexico already. I’ve had to visit local hospitals 4 times since I began spending a lot more time in Mexico. The first time was a hospital stay for 3 days for dehydration, a fairly common thing for visitors to deal with. The 2nd time was a lung issue. The 3rd was a stomach problem that I referred to as ‘killer pineapple’ (another story), and the last incident was a broken bone in my wrist. I had medical coverage for those occasions, but I’m lucky to have made friends, including Mexican nationals, who are fluent in Spanish (which I am still trying to be). They helped out when I’ve needed a translator during medical treatment over the years.
What I found out during those experiences was had I had to pay out of pocket for the same treatment, the cost would have been very reasonable. Even to have a doctor visit my rental apartment to prescribe treatment is still very affordable, usually less than $75. Having prescriptions filled is cheap.
Disclaimer* - At no time is to be considered medical advice. Working within the Mexican health system has been advantageous for me. I will write my next article about getting really sick and maybe even dying in Mexico and what you need to know.