Over the years, I've been left out of sports and left out of functions, even weddings. I couldn't stand at weddings because I walk with two canes.
I have an employer who is very sympathetic. Over the last 26 years, I've missed between a year and a half and two years of work. In a lot of places, that would be frowned upon. I'm going to be missing another three or four months starting in July because I'm getting my knee replaced.
It goes on and on. It would be nice to have this settled for retirement.