HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE
Thanks to Issa (Litton) being insistent on it, I began having regular executive check up’s (ECU) 10 years ago, at the age of 60; and yes, that is a ‘better late than never’ scenario. One should be having them on an annual basis years earlier than turning into a senior citizen, so don’t follow my example. And I do credit those check-up’s for the early detection of my prostate cancer in 2021 – had a Brachytherapy procedure, and Thank You Dr. Steve Lim, I’ve been clear since then… knock on wood.
Of late, I’ve had some particular health issues. A meniscus tear and a rotator cuff tear had me getting PRP injections on those two sites, as I was trying to avoid surgery. These injections happened in September 2024, and they have been of some help in terms of eliminating/reducing the pain, and rediscovering my former mobility. They are sports-related, as I play early morning tennis four days of the week. One initial ortho doctor I consulted with attributed it to chronic osteoarthritis, and suggested I change my sport – decided to change the doctor. And was happy finding an ideal ortho in Dr. Gar Eufemio at his Peak Form clinics. So yes, you could call my ailments and that attitude denial of aging on my part; and perhaps, I should be listening more to my body.
Turning ‘7-0’ in less than a month had me thinking I should do more extensive testing this year, and getting a better ‘snapshot’ of the state my body is presently in, both inside and outside. Here at the Manila Bulletin, we have a great relationship with The Medical City, and on the suggestion of TMC’s Dr. Stuart Bennett, I was ready to have my ECU plus additional testing at their Wellness and Aesthetics Institute. Spoke to Dr. Christian Flores who heads the Institute, and we had a good chat about adding the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) to my bloodwork, and what supplementary tests could address the niggling ailments and complaints I have. For instance, any male my age will tell you how our enlarged prostate is such a debilitating nightly issue, crimping our sleep habits and lifestyle.
The regular tests are all found in their boiler plate Executive Check-Up: the Complete Blood Count with Platelet Count (CBC), the Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Lipid Profile, Creatinine, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Blood Uric Acid (BUA), Urinalysis and Fecalysis, Nutrition Counseling, X-Ray, Chest, Electrocardiogram, an Opthamology and Audiometry Consult (that’s eyes and ears covered).
It was in the supplementary tests that Dr. Christian and I agreed on, where we hoped to elicit some answers on what direction my lifestyle should take to promote wellness and longevity at my advanced age. The Cardio Pulmonary Exercise Test or CPET was the first test that day that I had never taken before. In the past, it would be the standard treadmill test with all these sensors attached to my chest — and I would regularly surpass five levels, giving up on the sixth.
While there was still the array of sensors attached to my chest area, the CPET involved stationary biking, and my wearing a rather cumbersome mouthpiece — as the CPET would be monitoring both heart and lung activity while biking, with resistance to my pedaling being introduced incrementally, at timed intervals. This was explained to me as a more comprehensive test than the regular treadmill and I was all for this, as it would be good to establish a new baseline for my turning 70 – and observe in the years to come, how that baseline is maintained or compromised.
Also had a CT Scan for coronary calcium scoring, the body composition test, and CT scans for the whole abdomen and chest - this was because I mentioned that for a few days, I had experienced soreness in my upper left chest area. The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) would be the regular 6-months testing I do to check the cancer has not recurred.
And we added an ultrasound for the right Knee and right Shoulder — to check on what has happened since the PRP shots of September, and if I continue use of a knee brace.
As a one stop shop for Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Rehabilitive interventions, I have to credit TMC for being thorough, attentive, and making the day pass as comfortably as possible. There’s a bespoke and holistic aspect to how the Institute is run, and I appreciated that. Unlike the previous medical center I’d go to, the ECU testing took place all across the hospital, in different wings and on different floors, and it’s not centered in one location. So had to get used to that, but that’s a very minor change.
In less than a week’s time, all the results were with me, and I went online with Dr. Flores to go over the report, and get the lowdown on what was being recommended, and/or suggested for either medication or lifestyle changes.
At my age, it’s really good health that one wishes for. Food, recreation, sports, activities; they can all be modified, dropped, whatever — as long as quality of life is enhanced. But in order to do so, it’s so important to first know what state you’re in — so get tested, every year.