Navigating senior years.

Donstar · July 3, 2024

In 1972 I bought a '64 Econoline in need of repair. I thought that a professional engine rebuild would make it run like new. I soon discovered that although an engine is critical, it needs a lot of support! Within the first year of ownership, the clutch, transmission, rear-end, shocks etc. etc. all needed replacing. A year ago my body's engine gave me a good scare but currently operating well. Now in the past couple of weeks I've been put on a waitlist for shoulder replacement and have been advised to get a cpap machine. My knees are really bothering me today along with a sore mouth from dental surgery yesterday. Unlike my Econoline, I can't trade my body in for a new one. I am so thankful to have the one I have and will repair or replace all of the serviceable parts! As we age it becomes increasingly more critical to be proactive in dealing with aches and pains. I had two older siblings that if they had of sought medical attention earlier I wouldn't be using the past tense of have. I have trouble believing an older person who claims to be in perfect health. I suspect they are not looking hard enough...

Grumpy Bear · July 18, 2024

After three days of weather ruckus, it's clean up time. More than an elephant sized job. So....I approach it like I was going to eat one. One bite at a time and over a long period of time. My working like a bull for 16 hours a day are long gone. Half that isn't even doable for more than a day. Slow the pace. Lots of water. Take a break when it hurts.

Turns out this may be a good thing. Long past time to 'slim down' the possessions. How much of this stuff do I really need? Not much. So Mrs. Bear and I are dining in for a while. Elephant is the main course.

Donstar · July 22, 2024

Neighbour in late 60's lost his wife to cancer five years ago. This weekend he remarried. This marriage has upset his daughters and they did not attend the wedding. I know this because I live in a cul-de-sac where people don't mind their own business. The part that is interesting to me is wondering what I would do if faced with a similar circumstance. I love my kids and would listen to their concerns but if they tried to hurt me in such a visible way, I'd feel gutted. It appears that his kids are more concerned about the impact on their potential inheritance than the future happiness of their dad. Of course that is the gossip, and if true, then I suspect their protest may make such a worry come true!

Grumpy Bear · July 22, 2024

49 minutes ago, Donstar said:

Neighbour in late 60's lost his wife to cancer five years ago. This weekend he remarried. This marriage has upset his daughters and they did not attend the wedding. I know this because I live in a cul-de-sac where people don't mind their own business. The part that is interesting to me is wondering what I would do if faced with a similar circumstance. I love my kids and would listen to their concerns but if they tried to hurt me in such a visible way, I'd feel gutted. It appears that his kids are more concerned about the impact on their potential inheritance than the future happiness of their dad. Of course that is the gossip, and if true, then I suspect their protest may make such a worry come true!

Gossip is a dangerous thing. By nature, not the whole story. Often not the true story. Just hen's clucking.

Your conclusion on it being a self-fulfilling prophesy does have merit. It can just as easily not. My father remarried in his 70's. I think he braced for a protest he didn't receive but was vocal about the inheritance. He is quite fond of his stepdaughter and wishes to leave the bulk to her and her husband. They are missionaries in Europe. Not a one of us protested. She's a good egg and his gesture worthwhile. Besides.... I we all have more than enough already and just don't make the 'step' distinction. Ya never know what the family dynamic will be.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 weighs in on this: 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Donstar · July 24, 2024

I met a dog walker friend last night who I haven't seen for a few months. She retired a year ago and appears to have "let herself go" a little. We exchanged the typical niceties. I made a comment that the only appointments on my calendar these days seem to be medical related. I was expecting a chuckle or an empathetic nod but got a curt response with her saying, "I'm not at that stage!" The tone in her voice told me this was not a discussion topic and left me thinking that she does have concerns. I also know the logic that if you don't get it checked out, then it doesn't technically exist. I had two siblings who subscribed to such logic. I work with the belief that if I've got a health issue, it is to my advantage to discover it early.

Grumpy Bear · July 24, 2024

I find over the years that as I aged my issues multiplied like rabbits. However, I also learned by spending huge sums of money that most of what ailed me was common to the age. My doctor laughs with me, we are the same age, and thanks me for the donations. Ergo I have adopted my 96-year-old fathers' strategy. Give it a few days. 90% of them resolve with a bit of rest and a good meal.

Having said that, there are some red flags I will not ignore and won't list here.

KARNUT · July 25, 2024

I’ve been working my tail off at my brother in law’s house. Walking around and physical activity through the roof. Normally my knees, hips would be screaming. There’s been changes to my vitamins and weight loss that contribute no doubt. First thing my wife handles the vitamins I take at night. She’s an anti Covid vaccine after I had my first two. I did have side effects. Before the believers start riding my a$$. All meds have side effects. I have them with my blood pressure meds. Just watch medicine adds on TV. So she added some spike protein eliminating pills with my vitamins at night. It was recommended by a famous anti vaccine person I’m not going to name for obvious reasons. Well I started feeling better almost immediately. As far as being able to do more losing 10LBs so far (probably more now) that certainly helps. I’m just generally feeling better. At this stage in life that’s a good thing.

Donstar · July 25, 2024

One of my children has three skin moles that were determined cancerous last week. I've had some moles/tags on my chest that were attracting my attention so I decided to follow the lead of my offspring and got checked yesterday. My Doctor is very thorough and determined the ones on my body to be safe but found pre-cancerous moles on the top of my head. He treated them while I was there and I will now take my skin imperfections more seriously. Once again, I will say that when you're a senior and believe there is nothing wrong with you, you're not looking hard enough!

txab · July 25, 2024

I had a Melanoma removed from my left forearm, gosh, 22 years ago now. Time has flown. Cut a deep chunk out of my arm to get it all. On the surface it was a tiny speck. My mom noticed it one day when I was having dinner with her, now she worked 20 years for a dermatologist, she said you ought to get that place checked. There were other spots I would be more concerned about, as I do have quite a few moles on my back. Do the biopsy. Yep sure enough bad news. Set up to cut that sucker out. Took a 2.5" long, football shape piece out down to the muscle. Incision looked like hell initially, but now it's just a thin line that is basically white since it's just a little scar tissue that has no melanin to tan. I don't notice it anymore. Try to do yearly "look overs".

Get to strip naked and have pictures of every square inch of my beautiful naked body photographed with an Ipad and associated software. Then everything is compared for changes. So far so good.

Have often wondered if the cancer spot might have been caused by welding. It was right at the spot my gloves stopped and of course long shirt sleeves would eventually get pulled up exposing skin sometimes. I know I got a few burns from that.

Get checked people

customboss · July 25, 2024

1 hour ago, txab said:

I had a Melanoma removed from my left forearm, gosh, 22 years ago now. Time has flown. Cut a deep chunk out of my arm to get it all. On the surface it was a tiny speck. My mom noticed it one day when I was having dinner with her, now she worked 20 years for a dermatologist, she said you ought to get that place checked. There were other spots I would be more concerned about, as I do have quite a few moles on my back. Do the biopsy. Yep sure enough bad news. Set up to cut that sucker out. Took a 2.5" long, football shape piece out down to the muscle. Incision looked like hell initially, but now it's just a thin line that is basically white since it's just a little scar tissue that has no melanin to tan. I don't notice it anymore. Try to do yearly "look overs".

Get to strip naked and have pictures of every square inch of my beautiful naked body photographed with an Ipad and associated software. Then everything is compared for changes. So far so good.

Have often wondered if the cancer spot might have been caused by welding. It was right at the spot my gloves stopped and of course long shirt sleeves would eventually get pulled up exposing skin sometimes. I know I got a few burns from that.

Get checked people

wise advice

txab · July 25, 2024

6 hours ago, customboss said:

wise advice

Get checked especially if you have a family history. Siblings, parents ,etc....

customboss · July 25, 2024

Also don't fear the reaper girls! Embrace the suck and enjoy every minute of LIFE.

BIGDOGx · July 26, 2024

On 7/25/2024 at 7:52 AM, KARNUT said:

I’ve been working my tail off at my brother in law’s house. Walking around and physical activity through the roof. Normally my knees, hips would be screaming. There’s been changes to my vitamins and weight loss that contribute no doubt. First thing my wife handles the vitamins I take at night. She’s an anti Covid vaccine after I had my first two. I did have side effects. Before the believers start riding my a$$. All meds have side effects. I have them with my blood pressure meds. Just watch medicine adds on TV. So she added some spike protein eliminating pills with my vitamins at night. It was recommended by a famous anti vaccine person I’m not going to name for obvious reasons. Well I started feeling better almost immediately. As far as being able to do more losing 10LBs so far (probably more now) that certainly helps. I’m just generally feeling better. At this stage in life that’s a good thing.

Your wife is smart, and who cares what the believer's think, they have been proven wrong around 209590439859038599485 times since early 2020 at this point!

KARNUT · July 27, 2024

15 hours ago, BIGDOGx said:

Your wife is smart, and who cares what the believer's think, they have been proven wrong around 209590439859038599485 times since early 2020 at this point!

After 5 days of pushing my body more than I’ve been able to in years without pain. The only thing I felt was tired. The only change has been those spike protein eliminating pills. For me anyway the COVID vaccine wasn’t good.

KARNUT · July 27, 2024

My kids are giving us a surprise 50 anniversary party this evening. My oldest tried to be creative with it. And they said it wouldn’t last being she was 16 and I was 18 in our last year of high school. We both were blessed with common sense. Being it was so easy for us as partners. It’s hard to understand why it’s hard for others. When both my daughters had failed marriages we just couldn’t understand. Life throws curveballs you just duck. I guess it’s easy to say I’ve been blessed. I’ve found in most cases if you’re not honest with yourself you’re setting yourself for failure. That counts we everything. For instance I’ve always fought my weight. I knew eventually I would have a choice. Lose more weight or risk diabetes. Simply choice. I owe it to my wife to be as healthy as possible. 10LBs down so far. So simple.