Navigating senior years.

[Donstar]

It's been a little over three weeks since my second knee replacement.  I can now walk around the house without a walker or cane but still have a lot of healing ahead.  This morning I was able to bring a cup of coffee to my wife in bed.  A few days ago, this coffee would have ended up on the kitchen floor!  Knee replacement surgery is very common and will typically enhance the recipient's future quality of life. However, the recovery process can present significant challenges, pain and discomfort. I encourage anyone facing a recommended total knee replacement to welcome the opportunity.  Just be aware that your body may take several months to fully welcome the new parts! 

[Donstar]

I'm getting out in public more these days and rely on a walker for anything more than short distances.  I am impressed with how kind others are in their efforts to assist when they see me doing the old man walker shuffle!  I find teenagers hanging out at the mall are often the first to get ahead of me to open a door or to offer me the opportunity to get in front of them in a lineup!  I am very fortunate that this is temporary for me and I have a developed a huge appreciation for those seniors struggling to maintain some mobility. Walkers, canes or scooters will assist with mobility but they don't eliminate the challenges.  Chances are the individual using these devices are hurting.  A few kind words of recognition from a stranger can take away the discomfort for a few moments.  I am looking forward to paying forward all of the kindness I have received!

[txab]

You got a 4 legged walker or a 4 wheel rollater?

[Donstar]

On 7/16/2026 at 12:17 PM, txab said:

You got a 4 legged walker or a 4 wheel rollater?

I have both but typically use the 4 legged walker (wheels on front, ski's on back).   The four wheeler is starting to be used on "longer" outdoor walks.  The 4 legged walker is particularly helpful in practicing good walking posture.  Both of my knees are at different stages of recovery and I'm trying to not develop poor habits.  I can actually manage with a cane but it's very difficult not to favor one leg over the other.  My PT recommends I continue with my 4 legged walker for a while.  Yesterday was four weeks since my last knee replacement and I'm excited about my progress to date.  It has been a hell of a rough journey so far but it is exciting to witness  systematic and continuous improvement.  I went for years watching the decline of my "mobility".  It seems that everyday now I am alerting my wife to something I can do now that I couldn't a day or two ago!  I encourage anyone facing the prospect of knee replacement to share any concerns with others who have had the surgery.  It isn't an instant fix but rather is a considerable amount of short term pain for long term gain.  Recovery time and pain levels vary for individuals post surgery but the end results are typically very positive and I've never encountered anyone regretting having had the surgery. 

[txab]

Glad you're progressing well. Keep up the PT and continue to stay in shape after formal PT ends

[Donstar]

Yesterday we brought home a 6yr  old Havanese dog from a nearby SPCA.  We've had her for 24 hours and we are delighted with how well she is adjusting to her new home.  It  was a huge decision to adopt a dog at this stage in our lives but we believe we made the right choice!  

it was reported that her first 6 years were ones of neglect.  I think she's already realizing her life is going to get a whole lot better...  so is ours!    

[txab]

Good for you and her!

 

Lots of brushing and grooming to be done

Edited Saturday at 03:36 AM by txab

[mysery1]

I turned 72 today. My day began with a trip to the pharmacy to pickup meds for me and the dog and then a stop at my chiropractor before heading home. Once home I started the job of replacing the rear brake pads and one rotor on our 2018 Silverado which will probably end up taking me 3 days to finish, gotta pace myself you know. Sometimes I question myself on why I still do most of my own repairs but if I wasn't then it's more than likely I would be sitting in front of the TV all day. It seems like the list of things I need to do gets longer no matter what I accomplish. I'm not complaining but being retired was so much easier when I was 62.

 

Peace

[KARNUT]

7 hours ago, mysery1 said:

I turned 72 today. My day began with a trip to the pharmacy to pickup meds for me and the dog and then a stop at my chiropractor before heading home. Once home I started the job of replacing the rear brake pads and one rotor on our 2018 Silverado which will probably end up taking me 3 days to finish, gotta pace myself you know. Sometimes I question myself on why I still do most of my own repairs but if I wasn't then it's more than likely I would be sitting in front of the TV all day. It seems like the list of things I need to do gets longer no matter what I accomplish. I'm not complaining but being retired was so much easier when I was 62.

 

Peace

I can relate. 3 years ago I did that on my Avalanche. I was sore for a week. The only maintenance I do myself now is drop and fill on the transmission on my Honda’s. It’s just too easy. My yard work with my walks in the morning will be enough now I passed 70. The contributing factor is the heat in Texas. You just have to pace yourself. 

[diyer2]

For 2 years doing repairs or maintenance has not easy with my physical issues. Something simple isn't simple any more.      Sept. 6 2024 left shoulder 2 rotator cuff tears, bicep torn from bone. Still having issues, pain and dexterity problems left hand. Go to have EMG test on the 27th, second test. I'm left handed.

  Oct. 3rd 2025 right hand carpal tunnel surgery and ulnar nerve,  end of 3 fingers still lack good feeling. Makes it difficult to do things.

  March 3rd 2026, Cervical fusion, 4 vertebrae. Still have pain in neck and upper back. 

 

I put upgraded shocks on our side by side, not hard but it took me over 2 hours.

Oil changes are frustrating because nothing works like it used to.

[Donstar]

8 hours ago, mysery1 said:

I turned 72 today. My day began with a trip to the pharmacy to pickup meds for me and the dog and then a stop at my chiropractor before heading home. Once home I started the job of replacing the rear brake pads and one rotor on our 2018 Silverado which will probably end up taking me 3 days to finish, gotta pace myself you know. Sometimes I question myself on why I still do most of my own repairs but if I wasn't then it's more than likely I would be sitting in front of the TV all day. It seems like the list of things I need to do gets longer no matter what I accomplish. I'm not complaining but being retired was so much easier when I was 62.

 

Peace

Happy Birthday!  I also turned 72 this year.  In some groups I consider myself to be a young senior and in others I realize I have serious years behind me!  In June I spent a week in the hospital due to a blood clot following knee replacement surgery.  The hospital Doctor assigned to my care specialized in Geriatric medicine!  He is a great Doctor but the fact I required this type of specialized care  made me feel old!  Aging comes with new challenges but I sure appreciate getting older!  It most definitely beats the alternative!!

[mysery1]

2 hours ago, KARNUT said:

I can relate. 3 years ago I did that on my Avalanche. I was sore for a week. The only maintenance I do myself now is drop and fill on the transmission on my Honda’s. It’s just too easy. My yard work with my walks in the morning will be enough now I passed 70. The contributing factor is the heat in Texas. You just have to pace yourself. 

I still do oil changes on our 2 vehicles and my motorcycle. I have a robot mower for the yard but can't use it in my backyard because my wonderful dog keeps digging the guide wire up so I have to push mow it. Not much of a walker especially during the summer, just to hot. I will ride my e-bike almost daily which helps to keep my knees and hips loose and helps with my balance. That's my story an I'll stick with it. We have been in the mid to high 90's with a feel like temp of 105 to 109 for the last month with no rain. We finally got some rain which cooled it off but were still stuck with the humdity. I do pace myself and that's why it takes me 2 days to do something that used to take a couple of hours.

 

Peace

[Grumpy Bear]

There is a sign at my chiropractors office that says, "Don't quit, take a break." Sound advice. 

 

On a 65 degree day (F) I can still work pretty darn hard (I'm 72). On a 85 degree day with a good deal of humidity it takes me three days to do what in took at 65 degree in three hours. If I work to muscle exhaustion (back) it will take me days more to recover. Taking breaks to prevent that is most useful. A lift belt has been very useful in preventing both. 

 

Minister was giving a talk the other night where he was speaking of age and he used a clock to illustrate the human lifespan and it's ability to task. 1 to 45 was the second hand, scurry about. 46 to 70 the minute hand. Slower but...71 and up the hour hand...Hummm....until that talk I felt more like the minute hand. 

 

Then he says, the most useful hand on the clock is the hour hand. Without it you can't tell time. (Hour of the watch). I felt a bit better knowing we over 70 are useful. 

[KARNUT]

35 minutes ago, mysery1 said:

I still do oil changes on our 2 vehicles and my motorcycle. I have a robot mower for the yard but can't use it in my backyard because my wonderful dog keeps digging the guide wire up so I have to push mow it. Not much of a walker especially during the summer, just to hot. I will ride my e-bike almost daily which helps to keep my knees and hips loose and helps with my balance. That's my story an I'll stick with it. We have been in the mid to high 90's with a feel like temp of 105 to 109 for the last month with no rain. We finally got some rain which cooled it off but were still stuck with the humdity. I do pace myself and that's why it takes me 2 days to do something that used to take a couple of hours.

 

Peace

I do most of my yard work before 10. My summer walks are usually at Kroger’s. Inside and yes I’ll do light shopping. Usually by noon you don’t want to be outside from June to September. The mail box is a good walk. I’ll walk there about 3 times before the mail comes. My house has two floors if I feel I need to move I’ll do the stairs. I’ll walk down the lane to our rent house with clippers trimming branches along the driveway. There’s always something to do. 

[Donstar]

Next Friday will be my 6 week point from my right knee replacement.  The surgeon says it will be fine if I choose to drive after this checkup.  I know I could drive now but best to do as my surgeon (and my wife) tell me.  Richard compared being 62 to 72.  I remember when I was in my early 60's I was experiencing slow but regular decline in my mobility.  Thanks to good medical support,  i continued to fight the speed and spread of this decline. During my 60's I worked on non-surgical methods and just when I turned 70, my orthopedic surgeon recommended joint replacements.  In a little over a year, I had one shoulder and both knees replaced.  This hasn't been a terribly fun experience, but worth the discomfort as my future mobility health trajectory has reversed.  It is a treat to now be watching my mobility. balance and confidence steadily improve!