Using AI to Cure Cancer

In conversations with my roommates from college, I've wondered why AI isn't being used to solve big health problems like curing cancer.

In case you missed last week's big news, AI was used to "cure" cancer:

Moderna stock surges as melanoma vaccine trial shows "landmark moment"

Moderna’s Cancer Breakthrough Just Made Tempus AI’s $1.5 Billion Bet Look Brilliant

Terrific news, IMHO. Bravo for AI offering innovation that helps people without taking away from people.

A new skin cancer vaccine looks promising. A doctor who helped test it answers 5 key questions.

Disclosure: I was not compensated by any of the mentioned companies for this post.

For more on New Beginnings, check back every Sunday for a new segment.

This is not financial, health nor AI advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Working Through Lunch was Not a Good Choice

Before I retired, I constantly worked though lunch, often skipping having anything to eat.  I thought I would be more focused and productive by continuing to work.  Now that I'm retired, and eating regularly with several snack, I realize that skipping lunch was a bad choice.

Here's why it was a bad choice:

• I was less healthy.   Being hungry, eating more junk food at meals, and drinking much more coffed.
• I was more stressed.  I should have taken time for lunch, and perhaps a couple breaks in the morning and afternoon.
• In hindsight, I wasn't more productive.  I just spent more time doing the work and stretching it out.
• I extended skipping meals to skipping dinner at times.   Again, not a good choice.
• Even though I was skipping meals, I gained weight. Hmmmm.

Now, I make sure I have breakfast everyday.   I split lunch time up in the 2-3 segments, usually a large salad without dressing, a vegetarian burger, and sometimes a soup.   Dinner is a little more random, but I always eat healthy, another salad and/or a bean dish.   I avoid fried foods, and high fat foods.  Also, 80-90% of our meals are home made.   We rarely eat out nor have frozen meals.

 Looking back, I should have eaten regular meals while working.   I expect I would have had a healthier lifestyle and been more productive.

For more on Strategies and Plans, check back every Monday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor health advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

End of Cardiac Rehab

Last month, I completed my cardiac rehab sessions.  This is my third time in cardiac rehab.  I pushed it a bit harder this time to confirm that the procedure was successful.  I achieved the same of METS that showed an anomaly on the treadmill stress test without any issue. 

In addition, I spent the last two weeks adding weight training to my exercise routine.  

After the last two times, I didn't continue my exercises after rehab.   I didn't do any weight training the first two times.

Over the past 13 years, I thought managing my diet was the most important factor.    I guess I was wrong.  This time, I plan to continue doing the aerobic exercise and do the additional weight training.   Hopefully, that will decrease my propensity for blockages in the future.

We shall see.

For more on New Beginnings, check back every  Sunday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor health advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Learning the Fine Print in my Health Insurance Coverage

I recently had cataract surgery, which Medicare covers.   I also found out that Medicare will cover cost of corrective glasses since I got single focal cataract lenses.  I thought this would be easy to do.   Haha.

I called my Medicare Advantage Insurance company to clarify the coverage and process.   Here's what I found out:

• Medicare only covers the cost of 1 pair to glasses with a standard frame including anti-reflective and UV lenses.  Subsequent glasses are 100% my responsibility
• The provider needs to fill out paperwork to be submitted with my request for reimbursement to verify I am qualified for the benefit.
• I need to pay for the glasses and submit for reimbursement.
• The expense is expected to be done within 3 months of the surgery.

Originally, I was just expecting to go to provider, present my prescription, and have the provider submit to my insurance.   Wrong.  Good thing I checked and learned the above.   

I will be using another provider other than my usual one.   I will bring all my support documentation and have a new provider that complies with the rules and paperwork requirements in the next few days.

For more on Reaping the Rewards, check back every Friday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor corrective glasses advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Pill Bottle City on my Bathroom Counter

When my MIL used to visit, she seemed to have at least a dozen different pills that she needed to take daily.  I think the medications were mainly for her heart condition, but I never did ask.  It always amazed me how many pills she needed to take.  She kept the numerous bottles on the dresser top during her stay.

I used to think her amount of prescription pills was a lot.  Back then I only took 2 prescribed medicines, a statin and low dose aspirin.  That was before I had coronary artery bypass surgery and follow-up stents.  Now I have 3 additional prescribed medicines for my heart.  Recently, I also had cataract surgery, which required some short term medication.

The challenge for me is remembering which pills to take when, since some are morning pills and some are evening pills.  To keep track, I've created a system of preparing the next dose pills in advance, so that I'm aware of the proper time to take.

Hopefully, I'll be able to be weened off some heart medication over the next few months as I recover from the most recent surgeries.

For more on New Beginnings, check back every Sunday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor health advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Arthritis and Me

Arthritis typically hasn't bothered me much in the past.   I have ankle injuries from playing football and the resulting arthritis has been present for 20+ years, but hasn't hampered me from any activities.  A few years ago, my right knee starting bothering me and it turned out to be arthritis due to a torn meniscus when from playing rugby.   Both the ankle and knee have been treated by a orthopedic specialist.

About a few months ago, the joint pain starting to bother my hands more.  I don't know whether it is because of arthritis or medication I am taking for my heart.   I talked to my primary care doctor about  my hands and he said the main treatment was to relieve the pain with acetaminophen if needed.   Not much else can be done.

We'll see how that works.   

For more on New Beginnings, check back every Sunday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor health advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Cataract Surgery Lens Plan

I'm  getting cataract replacement this year.  Currently, the left eye is very near sighted and the right eye is less near sighted and I only wear correction in both eyes for driving and sports. To avoid requiring to use glasses for reading or driving, I'm  going  with right eye at 20/20 and the left eye at about 20/150 (about -3) for near vision.   I won't need any glasses with this vision.  

My brain is already used integrating different focal lengths with my uncorrected vision at 20/400 (L) and 20/200 (R).  Doctor says DMV only requires one eye at 20/50 or better,  I think, to drive without correction

Despite a friend  having excellent results, I decided not to go with multi focal lenses.  

• I tested multi focal contact lenses about 5-10 years ago and didn't like them.   It was the worst of both worlds for me.  I couldn't see close work and distance vision was a slightly blurry sometimes. 
• A tennis player on the court before us said he started with multifocal but had to change to single focus and redo his cataract surgery.   
• My eye doctor said he usually does not recommend multifocal.  He has seen two different people with technically the same conditions get very different results, one good and one bad.

Medicare will still cover glasses 100% to correct vision.  My Medicare Advantage said they would cover contact lenses for 20% copay, which I will probably do for one eye for sports.

I've been testing wearing one contact part of the time to experience how it would be like after cataract surgery.   Although not a perfect replication, I am comfortable enough to proceed with the.  Since one eye is done at a time and the distance eye is done first, I will have a couple weeks to confirm my decison.

For more on Strategies and Plans, check back every Monday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor health advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Falling More than Ever When Snow Skiing

Since having open heart surgery in 2024 and missing the 24/25 skiing season, I have seen a decline in my snow skiing capability.   This year, I have skied less than normal and have fallen as many times this season than cumulatively over the past 10 years.  Not only have I fallen on the tougher slopes, but I have fallen getting off the lifts and even fell once just standing around.   One time I fell twice during same ski run on a relative short but steep double black slope.

I realize now that I'm starting to experience significant declines in previous capabilities with aging and, in some cases, due to the heart surgery.  I've learned time and aging doesn't wait. My solution is to get out more early and often to do the things I enjoy, before the inevitable decline prevent the ability to do so. 

Oh well... it's off to skiing next week before spring weather comes and before another birthday happens.

For more on New Beginnings, check back every Sunday for a new segment.

This is not financial, aging nor health advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Third Time Procedure for Heart Condition

Happy Valentine's Day.

Last month, I had my third procedure on my heart.  

The first one was after failing a treadmill stress test despite have no symptoms, such as shortness for breath or heart pain.    The procedure put 4 stents in the three major arteries about 13 years ago.  I became a vegetarian and followed the  Esselstyn/Ornish no added oil diet. Even with this strict diet, my LAD heart artery re-clogged to 90% or higher in several places.

About a year ago, I failed a second treadmill test despite having no symptoms again.  The recommendation and decision was to do a coronary bypass arterial graft (CABG) with the left interior mammary artery (LIMA) since the LAD appeared to be severe blocked.  Essentially, it's taken the artery going to the left chest muscle and rerouting it to the LAD.   Very low failure rate for this CABG since the LIMA, for some unknown reason almost never clogs up with plaque. 

Well, mine failed.  Turned out the LAD is clogged so badly, the LIMA wasn't getting enough blood to the heart. In fact, for the first time ever, I experience some some angina symptoms. So the decision was made to attempt cleaning out the blockages and restenting.   Since doing this, I still feel about the same.  I will be doing cardiac rehab for a few months.  This time,  I will push it a little harder to determine if the procedure has solve the issue.

Either way, I will assume this procedure will last 5-10 years.  I will work with my cardiologist to monitor it more frequently that once every 10 years.  I will also be less strict on my diet going forward, as long as I can maintain my current weight. 

Finally, I think I may start flying first class for our trips in the future.😎  

For more on  Reflections and Musings, check back every Saturday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor health advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

How to Thrive in Retirement

I thought this was a good article about managing retirement finances:

How to actually thrive in retirement with the simple plan almost everyone ignores

Here were the key points from the article:

• The overlooked foundation: knowing your real spending
• The simple plan almost everyone ignores: separate short‑term and long‑term money
• Designing a cash buffer that lets you sleep at night
• Turning a nest egg into a paycheck: withdrawal rules that actually work
• Aligning money with meaning: values, expectations, and regret
• Health costs, tax moves, and other unglamorous levers
• Social Security as a risk‑management tool, not just a benefit
• Clarity and discipline: the behavioral edge most retirees miss
• Putting it all together into a life you actually enjoy

Disclosure:  No compensation was received for reposting this article.

For more on Strategies and Plans, check back every Monday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor retirement advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Cataract Surgery Decision to Avoid Reading Glasses

I am planning on getting cataract replacement surgery this year.  Many people choose to correct their vision to 20/20.  However, this option requires wearing reading glasses for near vision options.  For additional cost that's not covered by Medicare, some people choose to use variable distance lens replacements, which is a new innovation in the last few years.

I'm choosing a third option, having one far sighted eye and one near sighted eye.   I will correct one eye to 20/20 vision and I will have the other eye continue to be near sighted at reading distance, which a slight correct, but not to 20/20.    This way, I won't need to wear contacts for driving, since one eye is 20/20 nor glasses for reading, since the other eye is near distance.  

For most people, this is a difficult option since the brain is not used to integrating different vision levels.  This works for me since I am already accustomed to my eyes having different distance vision when not corrected.   Most of the time, I don't wear any glasses or contacts  and mostly wear for driving and sports. 

When I  am playing sports, tennis or skiing, I still prefer to have both eyes be 20/20.  After cataract surgery, I will wear one contact lens, which will be covered 80% by Medicare.  Glasses are covered 100% by Medicare, but I prefer contacts for sports

For more on Ideas You Can Use, check back every Tuesday  for a new segment.

This is not financial nor health advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

More Frequent Medical Treatments

When retirement planners said I needed to plan on spending about $200,000 on medical costs, I thought not me.  Most of my life, I hardly ever went to the doctor, even though I played physical sports such as football through college and rugby until my 30s.  In my 30s, I scheduled an appointment with my primary care physician, and the scheduler asked if I was a current patient.  I said yes and she asked when was the last time I saw the doctor.  I answered, "About 5 years ago or more."   She answered, "That's why I don't have you as a regular patient.  We archive records if you haven't been here for three years."  I made a point after that to visit at least once every three years.

In my 50s, my frequency of medical visits increased, mainly due to cardio vascular disease  (CVD) that required stents.  Thus, I started yearly visits with a cardiologist.    In my 60s, joint pain from arthritis began to increase and I needed a brace for sports activities.   In addition, stents weren't a permanent solution and my CVD issues returned after 12 years, despite my changing to a vegan diet.   This time Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery was needed.   

Now a 14 months after CABG, there are still blockages that need to addressed and I'm going back in for more stents that will hopefully resolve the issue, for a few more years.   I also plan to have cataract surgery to replace my clouding lenses later this year.  This is in addition to my regular checkups with my primary care physician and my cardiologist.   These 2026 visits will result in me reaching my out of pocket limit for health insurance for the third year in a row.   

I've gone from rarely going to see the doctor in my youth to exceeding insurance maximum out of pocket costs regularly as a senior.  I did not expect such a change in my health needs as I became older.  

For more on Crossing Generations check back every Thursday for a new segment.

This is not financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Trying Physical Therapy to Reduce Joint Pain

I used recover quickly from exercise and sports injuries.  Even an ruptured appendix operation didn't hold me back from playing football a few months later.    Now I'm having difficulty recovering from simple activities and surgeries from over a year ago.  I have hip joint pain, which might be related to taking a statin, and occasional should pain.   I do have constant minor knee and ankle pain from arthritis.  In addition, I seem to be have more difficulty with balance versus a couple years ago, before my major surgery.

My college roommates don't seem to be having any issues.  They are doing major activities like 10,000 steps per day for a year or more, bike riding several miles through different elevations, and kayaking in the ocean.  I'm impressed with what they are doing, and disappointed in my decline of physical ability.

I decided to see a physical therapist last year for my hip and shoulder.  I first went to an orthopedic surgeon to check if there were bone or arthritic issues.   There were none and they referred me to PT.

I had one session with PT for my shoulder and hip.  They gave me a number of stretches and exercises to do.  I started on them today.

Hopefully, the stretches and exercises with help.  I'm looking forward to a more energetic and less painful joints for  2026.

For more on Crossing Generations, check back every Thursday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor health advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Skiing for the First Time since CABG

I had CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) surgery about a year ago.  As a result, I missed the 24/25 skiing season. In November 2025, a test showed that the graft was operating below expected, which will require some complex stenting.    Despite that, I have rarely had any symptoms of the failed graft.   I was given the OK by my cardiologist to do some strenuous activities as long a there were no symptoms.

Since the test results, I have played doubles tennis and gone a vacation that had numerous walking tours and hikes.   No symptoms or issues.

I been a little hesitant to go skiing with my 13 year old, since I didn't want him to be skiing alone if I couldn't ski.   A couple days ago, I went out skiing with my college age daughter for the first time since the surgery.  Everything went well, and skilled the harder slopes, except for the most difficult one.   I will be going skiing again today and taking my son.

For more on New Beginnings, check back every for a new segment.

This is not financial nor fitness advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Higher Medical Costs from Aging

"If I had known I would live this long, I would have taken better care of myself." ~ Mickey Mantle

"Growing old ain't for sissies." ~ Bette Davis

I didn't expect I would encounter significantly health issues and higher medical costs as I got older. I was wrong,

In my youth, I was very healthy and very athletic.  I played football from second grade through college, where I also played rugby.   I stayed active after graduating by playing rugby, even running a marathon in my thirties.   I rarely ever saw a doctor and usually healed quickly after minor injuries. Even to my early 60s I only had two prescription drugs, a statin and low dose aspirin.

Now, some of the injuries in my youth become chronic issues, such as arthritis of the joints.  In addition, I have severe coronary heart disease, despite no evidence of heart issues with my parents or siblings.  For 2024 and 2025, I have reached my out of pocket maximum with my health insurance.  

I expect further declines in health condition are likely as I continue to grow older and therefore, require increasing medical attention and costs. 

High health care costs is the hidden reason so many retirees run out of money   Both Mickey Mantle and Bette Davis were right about getting older.

For more on Reaping the Rewards, check back every Friday for a new segment.

This is not financial, aging, nor health care advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Exceeded Out Of Pocket (OOP) Maximum for Health Insurance

The bad news is I am over my out of pocket (OOP) maximum health care insurance cost for this year.  The good news is I am over my OOP health care insurance cost maximum for this year.

The reason for the bad news?   I am having more health care issues than usual that require medical attention.  When I was younger, I hardly ever went to the doctor, despite having excellent medical insurance. Sometimes I would go 5 years without seeing a doctor, despite being active in sports like rugby.  Since retiring, I have had more reasons to seek medical attention, due primarily due to treatment of coronary heart disease and  age related issues, such as joint pain and arthritis..

The reason for the good news?  Once I meet my OOP maximum, 100% of my medical costs are paid by insurance, including copays and coinsurance.   My cost is now $0 for the rest of the year.   As a result, I am scheduling appointments for some of the non urgent medical issues that I would do in future, right now.    That way I can get an earlier evaluation this year, for no cost to me.

This is the second year in a row that I have exceeded my OOP maximum.   

Of course, everyone's insurance is different and YMMV depending on one's insurance policy.  

For more on Reaping the Rewards, check back every Friday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor healthcare advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Health Insurance Morass

My health insurance coverage used to be simple.   When I started working, there was little or no premium charge. I didn't have to worry about in network or out of network.   I paid when I visited and it was all covered.  Over time, it evolved into higher premiums with copays and coinsurance.  

Fast forward to today.    I now have a 1 inch thick book explaining benefits and my responsibility. I have copays, coinsurance, deductibles and varying coverages.   Sometimes, I don't have a good idea of what is covered completely or only limited in coverage.   Some areas seem to be 100% coverage but turn out not to meet all the conditions.   Some times the benefit is more that I expected.

Sometimes the provider doesn't have a good grasp of what is covered and when insurance doesn't provide coverage.

Yesterday, I spend the whole morning reviewing and understanding the coverage I have for one visit.   The previous afternoon, I was in discussion with the provider's billing department discussing why the visit wasn't 100% covered.

Now I have a better understanding of Medicare Annual Wellness Visit coverage and Annual Physical Exam coverage, but it shouldn't take 2 half days worth of effort and phone calls.

For more on Crossing Generations, check back every Thursday for a new segment.

This is not financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Venturing Out after COVID Lockdown

Our state has started reopening:  elective medical and manufacturing last week and retail stores, outside dining, and personal services this week.  Next week will be indoor dining.    Still to come:  daycare, schools, gyms, and bars.

Our plan is to slowly return to normalcy by restricting daily exposure at this public places.  Specifically, we'll try to limit daily exposure at public places to 2 exposures per day.   That way we reduce the daily probability of being exposed to an infected person.  Also, in most cases, we won't be in contact with any person for an extended time, e.g more than a minute.

The exposure exceptions are personal service and elective medical visits, which may have up to an hour of contact.  I plan to get a haircut this week, on the first day of opening.  Fortunately, my service is fast, only about 15 minutes.    For now, I will pass on routine medical visits and tests since to reduce exposure to people in hospitals.

With declining overall infections, we will increase the number of daily exposures as time passes.  If overall infections increase, we will reduce the number of daily exposures.

For more on Ideas You Can, check back Tuesday for a new segment.

This is not financial or health  advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2020 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Shared Eating Challenge

Our daughter and I share one similar health challenge:  eating enough food to gain weight.   Our daughter is in the 5 percentile for weight and height.  She has always been a selective health eater and she gets full fast.  I am also a very healthy eater now that I'm on the Esselstyn diet, which is a plant based, low fat diet.  I find that I need to eat a lot and often to maintain or increase my weight.

For my daughter, we are trying to get her to a little more meat, which is a calorie dense food.  For me, I'm trying to eat more grain based foods, which is also more calorie dense.   However, I have to be cautious and continue eat enough vegetables and fruit, since it's easy to over indulges on breads and cracker.

For more on New Beginnings, check back every Sunday for a new segment.

This is not financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2013 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

How I Stay on My Diet

Since I was diagnosed with blockages in my heart arteries, I've put myself on a restrictive diet: first the Ornish diet and now the Esseltyn diet.   Initially, I was eating no animal products except for non-fat dairy and egg whites, no nuts and seeds, no avocados or olives, and no added fats or oils.  I have since excluded all dairy and egg whites.  

People usually surprised that the diet is voluntary; I've decided to do it based on the literature that I've read. Second, they are surprised that I plan to stay on the diet.  Third, they are surprised that I don't cheat, which I have typically done with diets in the past.

Here's what helps me stick with my diet:

Readily available health food.  Grocery stores now carry products that meet my diet requirement so that not everything needs to be made from scratch.   For example, there are whole grain breads made without oils, soy milk with no added oils, oil free salsa, etc.

Internet.  There are numerous recipes for my diet available by searching online.

Support.  My family and friends are supportive of my diet.   They help me find tasty food options that meet my diet restrictions.

Time.  Since I'm retired, I can invest more time and effort into cooking healthy food.

I know that the diet would have been much more difficult to maintain 20 years ago, and even 10 years ago.  With all the resources and capabilities available today, I think I will be able to stay on this diet.

For more on Strategies and Plans Ideas, check back every Monday for a new segment.

This is not financial or health advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2013 Achievement Catalyst, LLC