Monday Musings: The Quiet Shifts That Stay With You
Happy Monday, ladies. I hope you had a great weekend. Mine was up and down with a few bright moments that made my entire week.
Friday night started with what can only be described as a culinary disappointment. Neither of us felt like cooking, so we defaulted back to our nearest local restaurant, which turned out to be just as forgettable as always.
We’ve been so spoiled by being able to walk to Michelin-starred restaurants in Vancouver that we’ve forgotten we need to go a bit further for decent food here. It wasn’t tragic, but the sports bar energy, blaring TVs, loud patrons, and food that tasted like it came straight from the freezer aisle made me wish we’d just made our own frozen entrees at home.
Saturday, my son and I hit the road to get our Prenuvo full-body scans. My first scan back in 2023 picked up a few changes in my spine and neck discs that I really needed to be aware of. There were also some other findings that I wouldn’t have been aware of, so I knew it was time for an update.
We left early, but in true Bay Area fashion, the traffic was a nightmare, so we arrived 20 minutes late. That meant I could either cancel and reschedule or downgrade my appointment from the advanced scan to the standard one. Needless to say, I took the standard scan, which is pretty extensive on its own. I do have slight claustrophobia, and I hate spending 45 minutes in that loud machine, but I’m doing these scans to be proactive because I’d rather know what’s going on now than get a nasty surprise later.
The highlight of the trip was having my son all to myself for the 6-hour drive without little ones vying for his attention. We seldom get to spend that amount of quality time together, and I treasure it.
Meanwhile, my right ear is still plugged. It’s been “off” for a few weeks now with that underwater echo that makes everything sound slightly off, including my own voice.
I’m starting with the dentist to rule out any tooth-related issues. The last time I had this sensation, they treated me for a sinus infection for six months before realizing it was actually a root infection. By the time it was properly diagnosed, the tooth had to be pulled, and I needed a dental implant, which was an epic procedure. Expensive, painful, and not an experience I’m eager to repeat.
After the dentist, I’m heading to my primary care doctor for another look at the ear. I don’t know what this problem is yet, but I know better than to ignore it. I’ve learned to trust my gut when it comes to my health, because if something feels off, it usually is—and it’s always easier to deal with it early.
My husband has his own full calendar too. This trip home has essentially become a medical catch-up tour. Our doctors are here, so we came back to take care of everything at once. He’s seeing his hip specialist, getting scans, and checking off his list. Between the two of us, we’ve got eight appointments in one week.
The other highlight of my weekend was seeing and hugging my two grandsons. The little one is growing in leaps and bounds, but the older one blew my mind!
When I walked in, he stood tall and looked straight across at me. I knew this was coming, but it still caught me off guard. We’re the same height now. I crushed him in a big hug and realized I’d missed him more than I thought. 7 weeks is a long time in little people’s lives…and mine too! I stood on my tiptoes, just to goof on him, but I know that ship has sailed. Watching your grandchild grow taller than you marks time in a way birthdays never quite do.
Looking him in the eye was a poignant moment for both of us and reminded me how important it is to do what I can to be here for these moments.
Between the errands and to-dos, did you have a moment that reminded you why it all matters?
I hope you find out what is wrong with your ear. I have had similar issues that resolved without medical attention. Maybe yours will too. Our grandchildren do have a way of reminding us about what is important. Maybe it is because we see the passage of time through them because changes are happening so rapidly with them. My grandson grew so much between visits that he is 6 inches taller than me. He is a totally different person and lets me know when I regress and treat him like his younger self. Time goes by so quickly for children and it is important to be there as much as possible. They will have independent lives before we blink.
It does all happen so fast!
Jennifer, you probably have already tried Salmon Oil supplements for dry eye. That has worked for my husband and me. Being proactive as we age is so important, but sometimes difficult to achieve. Best wishes!
Yes I take it morning and night.
Have 5 great grandchildren coming over today to celebrate two of their birthdays. The two boys were born on the same day. I’m sure I will feel the same as you since we haven’t seen them for a few months. We have a wall in our laundry/mud room where we record their heights each time they come over so that will be fun but also sad! They range in age from 12 to 2. Like you, we have weeks that seem full of doctor appointments, etc. We can attest that it pays to stay proactive on your health since we are nie in our mid 80’s! Hope everything goes well for you!
Enjoy them!
There is nothing quite like having a son to yourself for a period of time. We love our families but every once in a while it’s almost necessary to spend time alone with a son. I think it’s easier for a mother/daughter as they seem to get together regularly.
I now have all 6 grandchildren taller than me. The hardest for me was when our twin girls (who are quite short) became taller.
I hope you can get your ear taken care of easily.
wow. 8 appointments in one week! We feel stressed when we have 3 in one week! when I do just another chore or problem solving for my special needs sister who lives far away, and she says to me, ” I am lucky to have you as my sister,” I feel it is all worth every challenging phone call I have to make for her.
Good luck with all your appointments. I hope your ear is better soon.
Jennifer, I so enjoy your blog and your candid comments. I sure can relate to the medical appointments and their ability to fill up a calendar. The older we get, the more we seem to need that extra care and all those specialists. However we just moved to the DC area after spending our early retirement years in a more rural location and the easy access to fabulous doctors in an urban area is amazing. No more traveling an hour plus for specialists is a real blessing. As for grandchildren, I firmly believe they are the best medicine of all. They are pure joy!
They are the best medicine for everything!!
Jennifer,
Your thoughts this morning hit a cord in me. I too am listening to my gut about my health as things just start happening as we age and we must take care of them. I have had so many appointments in the last year. This is coming from a retired nurse who avoided doctors like the plague through the years as I worked in the medical field close to 50 years. I just returned from a trip to Texas for my youngest grandson’s 5th birthday and a visit with my oldest grandson and his son, my 4 month old great grandson. As you mentioned, it is very important to continue these connections. They are precious!
Thank you for reminding us.
Oh, my, that trip with the traffic! Yes, the upshot on that is the time spent with your son. Precious times for sure! I have six grandchildren, in that a double set of twins…they all tower over me. My three granddaughters all got the tall genes in the family, so I can’t even have one of the girls stand at my eye level😂 I love the moments of giant hugs!
Wow, a double set of twins is amazing!
I enjoy reading about your life experiences so please don’t apologize for sharing. I hope the scan comes back with no further issues.
Thanks Mary
What a wonderful post. I truly enjoy everything you share on your blog, and interestingly, it’s often the personal insights that have been the most helpful to me. Your journey with dry eye has given me valuable guidance on how to navigate my own experience. I always look forward to your posts.
I’m glad it helped. Dry eyes are such a pain…literally!
Today’s blog really touched a nerve for me. My children and grandchildren are the most important part of my life and I spend as much time with them as possible. I especially love being with them one on one and feel lucky that they still like to spend time with me even though all 3 grandkids are teens now. I hope they figure out your ear problem soon, it’s never reassuring to have an ailment that baffles your doctors!
Thanks for the motivation. I’ve had a couple of medical issues that I figure will just go away . . . but they haven’t. I’ll get them looked into. Thanks and happy Monday to you.
I’m glad to hear that you’re checking into them. It does get tedious to follow up on things, but we really need to be proactive with our health at this age.
We were recently with our grandchildren. My husband was playing baby dolls with our granddaughter and I was sitting with my 11 year old grandson chatting and watching him assemble legos. He talked and talked and talked. It was the best thing ever. I hope he will always be happy to sit with met and talk.
Oh me too with mine. They are the best in the world!
Good morning, Jennifer. Your post today motivated me to make an appointment with my doctor. I have a strange new symptom that I have been trying to ignore. Finally, I asked ChatGPT what it might mean. Oh my! You are so right, find things early! Hope your scan turns out ok.
I’m glad you made that appointment, Bea. Fingers crossed it’s something simple for you.
I understand how you feel about grandsons growing taller then you. I have five grandsons and they are all six feet or taller. My youngest turned 13 yesterday and he is about my height now. It makes me sad in a way. No little ones anymore 😔
Good Morning Jennifer, great post today, loved hearing about your week, medical and all. No Grandchildren for me, but I do have a dear friend whose boys are like grandchildren. They’re both taller than me now and I watching them grow from babies, I get that moment when you realize you’re eye to eye. We had our neighborhood ‘wine night’ Friday and being with all of my lovely neighbors brought to mind how lucky I am to live in such a great neighborhood. Good food, wine and friends will most certainly trigger a moment for why it all matters. I wanted to let you know I finally pulled the trigger and ordered the Quince hoodie (wine) and the oversized cardigan (charcoal). Very quick delivery (someone here asked) and I’m simply thrilled with the sweaters. 92 degrees here today and with all of my new Fall purchases I’m feeling the tug for football weather.
I’m so glad you love them. I love the idea of a wine color for the fall!
Oh my – you had quite a weekend! Hope the ear is nothing serious and that your scan comes back showing no issues.
I do know what you mean about seeing the grandkids. Just gives you a jolt of happiness!
I’ve had several moments of why it all matters sitting in the hospital with my life partner of 45 years while he had a cancerous lung removed. Fortunately the cancer has not spread to his lymph nodes. So grateful.
Sending prayers your way!! I’m glad they caught it in time. My husbands lung cancer was luckily caught early and did not spread to his lymph nodes either. It’s a nasty desease
My oldest has passed me height wise and the younger one isn’t far behind. There’s nothing like a hug from grandsons!
I agree!! I love those hugs
I really enjoyed your newsletter. We’re in the process of moving (stuff to storage, and then to a house!). We typically rotate the grandkids, each week one will spend the night and day with us. We’re not getting them for at least these two weeks, and it feels like an eternity to me!
I bet it does. Good luck with your move