Doctor's Orders

Part of the purpose of our stop here in the Bay Area is to do the annual health care thing. This kind of stuff isn't anything I liked before we hit the road. Since then it's been looming on the horizon. I wondered how we'd make it all work, but knew we would, eventually. So, here we are at yet another fulltiming milestone: our first check ups on the road.

We've come a very long way to make these appointments, any way you slice it. We're here to see friends, too, of course. But, the reality is there's nothing central about the Bay Area. In the next year, we'll partner up with new medical professionals in a more central location. So, chances are this is the last visit to these doctors and dentists that we've come to trust and actually like.

Paul started the process earlier this week. And, I met with my primary care physician this morning. When she asked what was new, she got an earful. After hearing what I'd done since we last met, she exclaimed, "How healthy!"

Now, that's a reaction we've yet to hear. It was affirming to have my doc endorse our new lifestyle. She's so very right! We've both felt a lot healthier since hitting the road, and today's visit backed that up. She seemed very excited about our adventures and declared, "You're my hero!"

Woo hoo!

Everything checked out just fine. I have to have some routine blood work done before we head out. So, that's one more thing to schedule. I'm so glad we have the time! One of the doctor's orders made me so grateful we've chosen this lifestyle.

We talked for a few minutes about osteoporosis. (Yes, I've reached the age where doctors start to talk about things like that!) My doctor explained that Vitamin D has been determined to be big factor in avoiding and managing this potentially debilitating disease. No surprise, she said. Most women don't drink milk and don't spend enough time outside in the sunshine. As a result, they don't get enough Vitamin D. Of course, I take calcium with Vitamin D daily. My doctor smiled and told me to make sure I get outside in the sunshine every day.

"With a whole continent outside my front door," I told her, "that won't be a problem."

I didn't need another reason to love being fulltimer. But, today I have one. This amazing lifestyle allows me to, among other things, get my daily dose of Vitamin D.

And, that's a great way to follow my doctor's orders.