Although I have neither taught nor been a student for decades, I still have a “back to school” mentality. I clean out my closets and start to change over my clothes, knowing full well that we’re a long way from winter weather. This has gotten easier in recent years as more and more garments fall into the all-season category.

I have my apartment deep cleaned, change the curtains to heavier ones, and purge the cabinets, refrigerator and freezer, occasionally wondering what I ever planned to do with things like tins of anchovies. I shred paper and file documents.

This year, though, I’ve been reminded by the Renewal Summit and a casual conversation with our Health and Wellness expert, Anne Akers, that there was one aspect of this preparation for the (academic) year I’d been less than thorough in completing – taking a good look at my health. So, I’ve launched an investigation. I’d already seen my ophthalmologist before I upgraded my license and visited the dentist, so that’s two down. At the end of August, I spent almost a full day in my cardiologist’s office for a full work-up. I have yet to figure out why they feel that what feels like a sub-Arctic temperature created an ideal environment and next time will bring gloves and a heavy coat. In a little more than 5 hours, I got to hear the different sounds of each chamber of the heart and had three other tests, including a stress test that involved a radioactive isotope and drug that mimics being on a treadmill. I think I’d prefer the treadmill to the massive waits between segments of this test. There were 2 other, less remarkable tests.

I also saw a podiatrist for the first time and am now a huge fan. Coming up? A mammogram, of course, and a full-body skin check as soon as I can get an appointment with my Dermatologist of choice, and, rounding out the list, a visit with an Audiologist. (Did you know that hearing loss can be mistaken for dementia?)

By October, I will have been checked from stem to stern. I will certainly be well-informed and, hopefully, very happy with the results. I wish the same for all of you!

Here’s to hundreds and hundreds of healthy, informed Tomatoes!