Ending Life, As I Know it--

Much as I hate to admit it, I'm afraid that's where I'm at--ending my life as I know it. Seventy-seven years old last November and probably not going to reach seventy-eight!

I started smoking at 15 and continued for the next 42 years, quitting when I was 57. So I 've been free of smoke for almost 22 years. Not a bad record, huh?
Hah!

I received a phone call from my doctor on Thursday last, telling me they had found a "shadow" on my upper right lung. They wanted me to return for another X-ray of that section.
"You suspect cancer," I asked?

"No," said my doctor. "you were a smoker for many years and I suspect what we're seeing is scar tissue in your lungs."

Well, I thought. That's ONE way of getting around a direct answer!

So Friday, I hied myself to the local radiologist and had the requisite three X-rays made: One front; one back and one side.
That night I expected him to call me back, giving me the results of the tests, but no call.

The weekend passed slowly for my wife and I. One minute I was depressed; the next I was--if not normal, at least functional. I told her, "No news is good news," even though I didn't believe it!

Monday passed with no word.

I couldn't stand it any longer so today (Tuesday) I called the nurse and asked her if she would read the results of my X-ray for me. I didn't want to have to wait for the eventual letter from the doctor.
After being on hold for a very short time, the nurse returned to explain, "The doctor doesn't have the results back as yet. When they come in, he'll call you with the results!"

After hanging up, I started thinking---something you become good at during times like this! The nurse had said, "He'll call you with the results!" He's never done THAT before! Apparently, they aren't really optimistic, either!

Well, all I can do is wait and learn my fate. I'm going to expect the worst, that way, if the news IS good, I can really celebrate!
On the other hand, if the news is bad, I'll try to continue my thoughts on this page, as things progress.

Is there a moral to the story?
Yes! Doctors are lying to you.
If you smoke--even for 10 years and quit-- your lungs will NEVER recover from the damage done to them. They'll always bear the scars of your stupidity.
But doctors don't like to tell you that, because if they did, you might not quit smoking and that's a SURE death sentence, even sooner.

Yep! Quitting smoking is hard, but it's the only way to prolong your life. Continue smoking and you won't get past your 60's!