My mom was 46 when I was 16, in my last year in high school. I thought my parents had it all figured out by then. They were old in my eyes.

Now that I’m in that same season, I realize my parents were still groping their way into the world when they were 46, raising hormonal and cranky teenagers (in the case of my brother, a young adult) while they were confronting so much turbulence coming from all fronts. We were already living in that house where my mom still lives in. I am now staring at the same sampaloc tree that I used to stare at from my window when I was 16.

I must be doing something right as my kids have more empathy for me than I had for my parents at that same age. Or maybe I’m just an obnoxious kid then.

I’ve been waiting for hours at my gynecologist’s clinic. Three hours to be exact.

My doctor was called to an emergency so my waiting time took longer than usual. But I decided to just wait it out because I may no longer have a free day to have my yearly check up.

My endocrinologist’s clinic days are full so the earliest appointment that I could get is on 3 Nov. I would have to wrangle some free hours that day so I could have a new Rx for my diabetes meds. As of June, my blood sugar is still at the borderline but I haven’t been exercising that much so I’m kinda scared that I may have sabotaged my future and I may have crossed the line.

Oh Lord, I hope not!

I have a myoma.

Nothing to worry about, my gynecologist said, as it is still small and when I reach menopause that may shrink. We just have to monitor that it doesn’t grow and cause abnormal bleeding or pain.

I also have cysts on my breast but so far they are benign. My paternal aunt’s breast cancer that eventually killed her is not alarming yet but I need to do annual mammograms and transV ultrasounds just for monitoring. It would have been worrisome if the breast cancer is from my maternal side.

But she was alarmed about my brother’s small polyps in his colon. It was discovered during his executive check up. The doctors said they’re not doing anything yet, but that needs close monitoring given that my maternal uncle is battling colon cancer now and his chemo is not yet done.

Belatedly, I learned a cousin from my mother’s side also has colon cancer but I think she’s done with the surgery and chemo.

So my gynecologist wrote an endorsement letter to a gastroentorologist so I can have a colon cancer screening.

I should do this tomorrow by getting an appointment ASAP.