Today, I am 50 years and a month old

Yes so a month ago, I turned 50. In my very fertile imagination, I had plans of traveling to some distant shores, exotic places like Istanbul (Turkey) and Marrakech (Morocco) came to mind. But in reality, plans don't come to fruition, right? 

Days leading to my birthday were filled with visits to clinics and hospitals accompanying my sister for her medical check ups. Her list of ailments are numerous but when her endocrinologist referred her to a cardiologist because it seemed like she might have a blocked artery, I prayed as hard as I could for HIS saving grace to intercede and heal her.

To make the long.endless.sleepless.nights story short, the cardiologist gave a full diet regiment to strictly follow and more medicines to address her condition. No heart procedures (angiogram, angioplasty) were necessary as the 2D Echogram and the treadmill stress test revealed she has a thick artery wall which restricts oxygen in her bloodstream and her arteries are not blocked.

Her current concern, though is the chronic pain she suffers in her Achilles tendon. She has a condition called Haglund's deformity, where the tendon around her ankle and heel is severely swollen. An injury she incurred several months ago which was left untreated due to her busy work schedule. She walks with a limp as it hurts when she puts pressure on her right foot. I tagged along for several of her PT (physical therapy) and shockwave therapy sessions, as ordered by a rehabilitation doctor. 

With all of these health woes plaguing my one and only sister dearest, celebrating my 5th decade existence on this earth was the farthest thing on my mind.

UNTIL.

During one of her PT sessions, she asked me what I wanted to do for my milestone birthday, I just shrugged and couldn't really think of anything, celebratory wise. I was more concerned about her injury and certainly DO NOT blame her for shelving my travel plans. It is what it is and of course, family members' (good) health must and always come first.

THEN.

She suggested I go back with her to celebrate it in the land of dumplings and dimsum. I thought long and hard about it and agreed because primarily I felt she needed a  helping hand.  We searched for cheap flights, I told the hubby I will be away from Oct. 17-29, 2018. He said 'ok', well it isn't like he had a choice into the matter, I was merely informing him not asking for his permission. Heh!

How does 50, feel?

I don't notice any immediate and drastic change, I still feel the same. I believe, you are only as old as you allow yourself to be, right? 

I feel lighter because I exercise 2-3 times a week, which in my opinion is why I still get my monthly visitor on the dot, like a very precise Swiss clock.

I try to eat right, (well not always) there are numerous cheat days, I tell you!

I am surrounded with a supportive family. (my parents, sister and the hubby).

But the best thing is keeping a positive outlook, be it in love, family matters and well, life in general. Stress and worries (not that we can really live without them) will only add wrinkles to my already wrinkled face. I am proud to say I earned them and wear them with a badge of honor on my now 50 year old face.

I leave with a stanza from one of my favorite songs, The Story:

All of these lines across my face

Tell you the story of who I am

So many stories of where I've been

And how I got to where I am

But these stories don't mean anything

When you've got no one to tell them to

It's true, I was made for you.

P.S.
The 'you' in the above stanza refers to anybody and not necessarily the hubby. Well you get my point, I hope.