Minor malfunction

When people get older, conversation tends to shift to the price of gas and their health problems. This is not about the price of gas. I’m not going to get into every detail of everything related to my medical history (of course), but today’s story doesn’t strike me as essentially private (nor gross) so here goes.

Several years ago, I began exploring the idea of a more thorough physical. I get FAA physicals every year, but they’re not particularly thorough. This past year, my interest in more thorough examination increased due to the significant developments with numerous friends of mine with cancer (several passed away, others had much better news). After doing a bunch of research on executive physical programs and speaking with the people at our local clinic / hospital, I decided to pursue something locally.

All of that work culminated in late December with setting an appointment for today with a doctor I had not seen before. It was supposed to be a meet and greet kind of appointment. I had already accumulated a list of items to discuss, mostly routine and/or minor items. Then, this morning, when I was taking a shower, I noticed for the first time a ‘lump’ not far above my groin area on the right side. I might not have thought much of it except that it was obviously not symmetrical. I added that to my list.

To make a long story short, the diagnosis was a hernia and surgery is scheduled for next Monday. I’ll be out of work for a while and may have to reschedule recurrent training (gotta ask the doc if it’s safe to push rudder pedals 2 weeks after surgery). For more on the particular type and treatments, see here or here or here.

On the bright side, maybe the time off will help me catch up on FSP work…

V-