In two short days (out of a lifetime thus far of 23,723 days) I will reach a momentous milestone and officially join the Medicare minions. It's one of those things in life that when you were young seemed like a million years away - if ever - and now here it is. You kind of never think it will happen, when actually you are glad that it did (means you are still alive). And honestly, until about 63-1/2, it's not one of those life moments that you focus on too much, with so many other occasions and celebrations shining in the limelight. As a sidebar, for any of you dear readers who have turned 64, you most likely have also received a flood of phone calls and solicitations from every Tom, Dick and Horizon - looking to scare you into believing that you will be grossly and dangerously under-insured at age 65+one day if you don't sign-up and buy their various supplemental insurance product/s. I have been fortunate to receive some great advice from family and unpaid consultants, so I'm feeling pretty clear about my choices and decisions for the moment.
Though it may seem like one of the more obvious results of having attained the magic Medicare age, it's not about me now being able to switch my healthcare coverage over (there is no need to worry my fellow tax payers, as of yet I am not suckling on the government teat). For me at least, it's more than just about reaching 65; it's about surviving with cancer for four years, and that accomplishment coinciding with the Medicare maelstrom. There will be the inevitable filling of forms and signing of certificates on my next post-65th birthday visit to the clinic. That will represent the bureaucratic aspects of the acclaimed anniversary. But after cutting through all of the red tape, I will be counting my blessings and red blood cells: heralding their newfound ability to be fruitful and multiply - again (gotta love a good stem cell transplant).
To keep this all in perspective, I wasn't going to die and I am not now nor inordinately soon. I'm waaaay better off today than I was in late August 2017. Having made it to 65 (and then 66 and 67 and 68 and so on ad nauseum), for me is not just about now becoming eligible for Medicare (woohoo), but about being healthy and happy and here to live life to its fullest.
