I hate to admit this but I truly neglected my health for years. This year, I made a promise to myself to correct that. I booked appointments with my dentist, dermatologist, gynecologist, and eye doctor, and I found a permanent medical home. I had my annual mammogram, and dental x-rays, and found out that I needed to be on prescription blood pressure medication.
Knowing I was taking things head-on made me feel better. For years I put everyone else's health ahead of mine, and I knew I had to change that. If my 60s are going to play out the way I want them to, health needs to be my Number 1 priority.
At my long overdue checkup, my doctor told me I needed to catch up on a few immunizations. Yes, that's right. Adults need to be vaccinated against a slew of scary stuff including hepatitis, shingles, tetanus, the flu, COVID, and others. So far, I've finished my series of shingles shots, and received a tetanus booster, along with an annual flu and covid shot. Next up are pneumonia, RSV, and hepatitis.
So far, I've tolerated my midlife vaccinations very well, however, the second shingles vaccine made me a bit tired and sluggish and gave me an excuse to spend a Sunday on the couch catching up on romcoms and my favorite comedy shows.
To anyone approaching 50 or even 60, I encourage you to bring up the subject of vaccines with your doctor. Your future awaits you, and you need to be as healthy as possible to make the most of it.