I had a “wellness visit” scheduled for last week. That’s what they call “physicals” for seniors now. A new name, but the same old doctor’s appointment. 

I had written down a long list of concerns I wanted to discuss with my GP. Things I used to shrug off now seemed more important. But not a problem, it would all be addressed. I also needed blood work, which required fasting. No worries there either. My doctor appointment was at 10:00 A.M. I could easily fast all morning. Or could I?

Here’s the thing – I’m a morning eater. It’s normal for me to eat three times before 11:00 A.M. I’m a regular hobbit when it comes to breakfast! But I was ready…

or so I thought.

Midnight rolled around, and I woke up absolutely famished. I could have eaten a ten-course meal and still had room for dessert. But no, I must persevere. I finally got back to sleep.

At 5:00 A.M., my usual wake-up time, I ignored my husband’s fresh coffee cake as I fed my critters and rushed to my exercise class. At least working out would keep me distracted.

By 7:15, I was back home, sipping black coffee. One cup. Then another. And another. Wait, what was I doing? Too much caffeine before a physical? Not a great idea. I chugged water instead. Now what?

With a couple of hours to kill, I decided to get my weekly grocery shopping done.

Mistake.

You should never shop on an empty stomach. Ever.

The sales were incredible. Cans of veggies and beans—four for $2? Kerplunk into the cart. Two-for-one bags of potatoes, onions, mushrooms? Kerplunk, kerplunk. And sweets? We never eat dessert, but maybe we should start? Kerplunk, kerplunk, kerplunk.

At checkout, the cashier beamed, “Wow! You saved $90 with all these sales and coupons!”

Yeah… that meant I had also spent way more than my weekly budget. Oh well, that’s what freezers are for.

Finally, it was time for my appointment. With my groceries packed safely in the Jeep, I walked into the doctor’s office, ready to tackle my long list of concerns.

Then, the receptionist dropped a bomb.

“Just a reminder, now that you’re on Medicare, any new issue you bring up today will count as an additional visit, and you’ll be billed accordingly.”

Wait, what? I quickly calculated—with all of my concerns, my “free” wellness visit could easily cost me more than my massive amount of groceries!   

I calmly folded my list, tucked it into my purse, and smiled.

When the doctor asked how I was doing, I simply said, “Oh, just fine!”

The visit went smoothly, the blood was drawn, and I was home by 11:30. I unloaded my absurd amount of groceries and finally sat down to eat.

And you know what?

I wasn’t even hungry.

Sometimes, hunger fades, worries shrink, and life keeps rolling along. Maybe the real wellness check is just learning when to let things go.

-Peni