Earn a fixed rate of up to 4.2%* p.a. for 210 days with Versa Save! Plus, enjoy an additional FREE RM10 when you sign up using code VERSAMM10 with a min. cash-in of RM100 today. T&Cs apply. Thursday, 25 Jun 2026 8:07 PM MYT JUNE 25 — In the blink of an eye, more than 14 years of my retirement journey has slipped away silently. Having planned my retirement well, I don’t regret turning down a two-year job offer that would have delayed my retirement until 2013. After more than six decades of living a medication-free life, I faced the biggest shock of my life in 2023.When I had my first colonoscopy in 2014, I was given a clean bill of health. Unfortunately, the second colonoscopy conducted in 2023 detected a polyp measuring two centimetres in diameter in my colon. Four days later, the biopsy confirmed that the polyp had reached the high-grade dysplasia stage. If left untreated, it carries a high risk of developing into colorectal cancer.As the doctor didn’t remove the polyp immediately, I had to undergo another colon cleansing procedure before the polyp was removed via endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) a few days later. According to the author, ageing comes with challenges and uncertainty, and at 69 he is prioritising a mindset shift and regular exercise to maintain his health and fitness. ― AFP pic Although I was given the maximum sedative dosage before the start of the EMR, I stayed wide awake throughout the entire surgery. Perhaps, I had developed immunity to the sedative as the colonoscopy and EMR were conducted less than 10 days apart.However, I encountered another cancer scare two years later. I have had a tiny black mole on my thigh since my teenage years, and it began swelling slightly over the past two years. Without any further delay, I went to the doctor for a check-up in July 2025. A tissue biopsy discovered that the nodule had developed into basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. Although the initial examination confirmed that the nodule hadn’t spread, it was a nightmare living with cancer while waiting weeks for my surgery. A second biopsy after the surgery confirmed it hadn’t spread, but the doctor advised me to look out for any abnormalities in the surrounding area regularly.Retirement is a phase of life in which we can finally sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labour. Unfortunately, many people have overlooked the importance of retirement planning; hence, they still have to work odd jobs in their seventies. Worse still, most of them rely heavily on long-term medications to treat chronic ailments while still needing to grind away to earn a living.Following the two frightening experiences, I realised that growing older is a process filled with challenges and uncertainties. My mindset needs to match my age even though my body is still agile and free from chronic ailments. At 69, I need a daily workout routine suitable for my age so that I can maintain my fitness for as long as possible. * This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.