Edgar, a 72-year-old man, recently chose a new primary care physician.
After two visits and several lab tests, the doctor told him that he was doing “fairly well” for his age.
A little concerned by that comment, Edgar asked,
“Doctor, do you think I’ll live to be 80?”
The doctor replied,
“Well, do you smoke or drink beer?”
“Oh no,” Edgar answered. “I’ve never done either.”
The doctor continued,
“Do you eat rib-eye steaks or barbecued ribs?”
“No,” Edgar said. “I’ve always heard that red meat is unhealthy.”
The doctor asked,
“Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf?”
“No, I don’t.”
The doctor went on,
“Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or chase women?”
“No,” Edgar replied. “I don’t do any of those things.”
The doctor looked at Edgar and said,
“Then why the heck do you want to live to be 80?”