The appointment at the Waikiki Health Makahiki Clinic this morning necessitated a change in itinerary. An excursion by bus to town at 8am was required to drop off the gym bag at the downtown gym prior to another excursion by bus to the university district.
Coffee time was held at the fast food joint on King Street. A group of senior citizens ended sitting at the next table. Their conversation mostly centered on events that transpired about 50 years ago. Then, there was a search for anyone with a local newspaper. Apparently, one of the “little old ladies” just had to check the obituary section. Consequently, coffee time was severely marginalized.
The clinic visit was mundane. Aside from routine diagnostics, various future geriatric immunizations were discussed. A flu shot was administered. Then, the current physician detailed that another physician will be taking his place from this point forward. No other tests or bloodwork, aside from the constantly postponed colonoscopy, was prescribed. So far, so good.
A dental appointment was also scheduled for later this month. With no dental insurance, the cost of the visit will be $150 for routine cleaning, x-rays, and examination. At least one cavity will need to be filled and the extraction of a troublesome wisdom tooth are on the immediate horizon at considerable cost.
Addendum: Death is apparently an abstraction for senior citizens, much as it is for younger generations. Unfortunately, death is very much real, too real. Reducing death to an abstraction is just another attempt at perpetuating the “vital lie.”