Retired!

[sergeant 333]

On 8/31/2025 at 8:41 AM, Dan 312-8 said:

Congratulations on your retirement Jay! I turned 60 this past February, for years, I had earmarked 65 as the age to retire. However, life threw me two curveballs in October 2023. Unexpected loss of job on 10/11/23 after nearly 18 years of employment (new ownership...) and sitting in a doctor's office on 10/31/23 receiving the news "you have cancer". It was a helluva October. The good news is, I found a new (better paying) job that November, where I am actually appreciated, and the cancer (Prostate) is being managed. For those males out there in my age bracket +/- 5 years, if you haven't had your PSA checked yet, make an appointment!

 

Retirement goal is now somewhere between 62-64. Life's too short! I have a few things to take care of before retiring, mortgage burning in two months, and a European vacation in 2026.

 

Enjoy every day is Saturday. I'm looking forward to it!

I take the blood test yearly and have been doing it for the last 16 years. Also, don't forget to see your GI doctor and get a colonoscopy. The new blood test is 83% effective, and Cologuard is 92%. In the two times I have had a colonoscopy, they have said, See you in 10 years. I had a late neighbor get colon cancer in his early 40s, so I started long before the norm of today, getting those two tests in my mid-40s. Back when they said wait until 50 or 55. Today they say to start at 45 with the colonoscopy. Yes, the prep is not fun, but I'd rather be on the safe side because I'd like to try and leave this world with everything I came into this world with. Bad enough I have some rare disease called eosinophilic esophagitis ( a chronic inflammatory condition of the esophagus ) Dupixent put it In remission which until they Make a new Medication I am stuck Taking it weekly for the rest of my life $8,000 a Month Thank God Insurance covers it

[Dan 312-8 196]

24 minutes ago, sergeant said:

get a colonoscopy.

 

04/01/2026 is my next one… 

[adsm08 3,402]

48 minutes ago, sergeant said:

I'd like to try and leave this world with everything I came into this world with.

 

Not me. I lost that chance on day one, so now I'm gonna go full-bore and hope to make it across the finish line like the last car in a demo derby. Used up, beat up, but had the most fun I could.

 

I mean what's the point of taking life too seriously? None of us are gonna make it out alive anyway.

[JPWH 6,447]

Thanks for the congrats.

I'm am doing all the tests mentioned in your posts. I just had my 3rd quarterly lab work done by my oncologist and am scheduled for an MRI and colonoscopy later this month. I also have a follow up visit with the surgeon to see if I'm healed enough to work on projects.

I spent the day in my shop today rearranging small bins. I have a lot of sorting and labeling to do that should keep me busy for a few weeks. Doing what I want to do within Dr restrictions and happy as can be. 

[Mickwhitt 5,167]

Long and happy retirement Jay! 

 

Keep up with the health checks everyone, I had my PSA scare earlier this year and the biopsy came back negative. But my brother who is three years older than me just got the news he has terminal bone mets from prostate cancer. Right out of the blue and before he retired from working. He had ignored a lot of warning signs and unfortunately it's cost him dearly. 

My brother in law constantly squawks about how he will retire next year on a good pension but will live till he's 94 so will have to eke it out and he'll go on holiday twice a year and so forth.  He just doesn't get that you can plan as much as you like, but at some point the wheels can come off and leave you in the mire.

And I have a cousin who flatly refuses to see a doctor,  ever. He is unfit, drinks a lot and constantly complains about back pain. But he won't see a doctor because he thinks it's doing that which makes you ill. I guess it's logic but it could get him killed. 

 

[rjg854 12,301]

The body is just like a car, you need an inspection at least once a year.  

[Ed Kennell 42,341]

1 hour ago, rjg854 said:

once a year.

3X for this old dog.

[Beap52 1,520]

22 hours ago, sergeant said:

I take the blood test yearly and have been doing it for the last 16 years. Also, don't forget to see your GI doctor and get a colonoscopy. The new blood test is 83% effective, and Cologuard is 92%. In the two times I have had a colonoscopy, they have said, See you in 10 years. I had a late neighbor get colon cancer in his early 40s, so I started long before the norm of today, getting those two tests in my mid-40s. Back when they said wait until 50 or 55. Today they say to start at 45 with the colonoscopy. Yes, the prep is not fun, but I'd rather be on the safe side because I'd like to try and leave this world with everything I came into this world with. Bad enough I have some rare disease called eosinophilic esophagitis ( a chronic inflammatory condition of the esophagus ) Dupixent put it In remission which until they Make a new Medication I am stuck Taking it weekly for the rest of my life $8,000 a Month Thank God Insurance covers it

I think our special needs grandson has the same rare disease you have.  His parents give him a shot every couple of weeks and I hear it is very painful.  When his parents begin to gather things for his shots, He says "NO OWIE, NO OWIE!"  And begins to cry.  His older brother and sister, 11 and ten, normally leave the  room.