On deciding to have elective surgery

     I’m 79, had a near-fatal heart attack not that long ago, and now have to decide if I want surgery for a completely different issue.

     It’s elective surgery—that is, I could continue more or less as I am without getting the procedure. The condition could—almost assuredly would—eventually get worse, but it’s not currently life-threatening and for the time being I’m pretty sure I could steel myself, just deal with whatever discomfort arises. I could get by—at least for the immediate future—without heading into the operating room.

     No doctor has yet told me I absolutely need to get it done right now. It could wait, at least a bit. it would be my choice to go ahead with it. Which is what makes the decision so damn difficult. . . .