And in semi-related news (to the last one I wrote minutes ago), I found out a few months ago, that I have coronary artery disease. As my soccer-buddy Jockson likes to loudly exclaim when someone does something stupid in one of our games: 

WHAT?!

Coronary. Artery. Disease. 

In some ways, that says it all, though I'll continue anyway to disprove my own point. It came when I got a routine physical and my doctor said she has been recommending all her people get a CAT scan at a cost of $175. I was open to it, even though I knew it wouldn't show anything since all my physicals have been fine, I play soccer 2-3 times a week, eat very healthily (thanks to Cheryl) and I proudly haven't been on any regular medications of any kind for any purpose. But Cheryl and I agreed - what the heck/why not.

So I got it and it came back with that news, a calcium score over 700, truly shocking us into a different new reality.  Those words in the same sentence as my name just are still shocking to me. 

So of course I immediately GPT-ed it and it gave 5 ways I could make myself healthier:

1 - stop smoking

2 - eat a plant-based diet

3 - get at least 2 1/2 hours a week of exercise

4 - drink less alcohol 

5 - lose weight

Check. Check. Check. Check. And....OK, well, so yeah, it wouldn't hurt to lose another 10-20 pounds.

And now I'm no longer (generally) having my one drink a night. I'm having Cheryl's homemade oatmeal for breakfast instead of the processed strawberry Vitality Flakes. And doing more walking, though not as much this past month with all the distractions related to Mike's estate and memorial service planning.

And yeah, finally take medications: a low-level statin that has already brought my cholesterol down and a baby aspirin each morning.

I've had a follow-up stress test that I passed easily and have had follow-up appointments with my GP and a cardiologist, both of whom, after reviewing my medical history, were as surprised at the results as we were. So clearly, my results got mixed up with someone else's! (kidding!)

It took me a while to realize that the news was even more upsetting to Cheryl than me, because, well, to be blunt, if I die from it, I'll just be dead. Cheryl will be the one most impacted, devastatingly, as it would be for me were the roles reversed, unfathomably so. So that is great inspiration to do as much as I can to keep us together for many years to come. I love you, Cheryl and will do anything to keep us together for a long, long time! 

And now, that's all I have to say about that.