Navigating senior years.

customboss · August 18, 2025

1 hour ago, Donstar said:

A close friend had her second hip done a few months back. Absolutely remarkable improvement in her mobility, happiness and overall well-being! Wish (and expect) the same for you!

Thanks my Canadian Brother!

Donstar · August 20, 2025

On 8/18/2025 at 10:50 AM, customboss said:

Thanks my Canadian Brother!

We are very fortunate to live in places (and at a time in history) that offer these surgeries. One joint functioning "bone on bone" has serious negative impacts on your quality of life and may lead to premature failure of other parts of the body. I recall my grandparents struggling to participate in many activities and this was typical of others in their age group. I look through old photo albums and realize I'm now older than they were during their more "frail" years! My mother would have benefitted by joint replacement but this option wasn't as popular or routine as now. She lived long enough to wish she had joint replacement but it was too late. I don't plan to have any such regrets and will sign up for joint replacement surgery anytime it is recommended by a trusted surgeon!

Donstar · August 25, 2025

Tomorrow is 10 weeks since I had shoulder replacement surgery. It is a long recovery process! The positive part of the healing is noticing the subtle daily improvements. It is much more motivating than watching your ability to do certain tasks decline as in the years leading up to surgery! My wife and I did a lot of research prior to surgery to help us best prepare. However, it is something you have to experience to truly appreciate. I will be having a knee replacement as soon as my surgeon believes my shoulder can support me using a walker. We are anxious to get this next surgery completed and I feel close to being ready. I am asking those of you who have experienced multiple joint replacements how knee surgery recovery compares to shoulder surgery. It appears that less personal assistance will be required in the early weeks of recovery. Is this a safe assumption?

customboss · August 25, 2025

48 minutes ago, Donstar said:

Tomorrow is 10 weeks since I had shoulder replacement surgery. It is a long recovery process! The positive part of the healing is noticing the subtle daily improvements. It is much more motivating than watching your ability to do certain tasks decline as in the years leading up to surgery! My wife and I did a lot of research prior to surgery to help us best prepare. However, it is something you have to experience to truly appreciate. I will be having a knee replacement as soon as my surgeon believes my shoulder can support me using a walker. We are anxious to get this next surgery completed and I feel close to being ready. I am asking those of you who have experienced multiple joint replacements how knee surgery recovery compares to shoulder surgery. It appears that less personal assistance will be required in the early weeks of recovery. Is this a safe assumption?

Wife has had both knees done no shoulder. Her recovery was amazing. The knee is ready on day one. The skin and meat around incision is what hurts. Joint is awesome.

Donstar · August 26, 2025

18 hours ago, customboss said:

Wife has had both knees done no shoulder. Her recovery was amazing. The knee is ready on day one. The skin and meat around incision is what hurts. Joint is awesome.

Thank you, Customboss. This is helpful information. We had an old friend come by for coffee yesterday who also had both knees replaced. She found the recovery quick and unremarkable. She had her second knee done 5 weeks after her first. With shoulder surgery, I had to wait six weeks before I could even start moving my new joint! The reason I'm asking is because my recovery period added a lot of work for my wife. She was great and had no complaints but I would look for some more outside help if I had similar needs in the future.

Donstar · August 26, 2025

Everyday, I go to the local mall and go for an hour walk in air-conditioned comfort. It is surprising the number of seniors that have a similar routine! Yesterday, I was approached by a pleasant man with a stature, weight and full beard similar to mine. He asked if I ever considered being a Santa Clause in one of our malls. He said he's been doing it for a few years and enjoys the job. The pay is decent as well. He gave me contact information for a person who hires people for this position at several malls and knows they are looking to hire. I am hesitant as I know to be careful what I ask for.... I just might get it! Your thoughts?

customboss · August 26, 2025

4 hours ago, Donstar said:

Thank you, Customboss. This is helpful information. We had an old friend come by for coffee yesterday who also had both knees replaced. She found the recovery quick and unremarkable. She had her second knee done 5 weeks after her first. With shoulder surgery, I had to wait six weeks before I could even start moving my new joint! The reason I'm asking is because my recovery period added a lot of work for my wife. She was great and had no complaints but I would look for some more outside help if I had similar needs in the future.

Good to get the gouge before test time! I’ll let you know how hip surgery goes in October

customboss · August 26, 2025

4 hours ago, Donstar said:

Everyday, I go to the local mall and go for an hour walk in air-conditioned comfort. It is surprising the number of seniors that have a similar routine! Yesterday, I was approached by a pleasant man with a stature, weight and full beard similar to mine. He asked if I ever considered being a Santa Clause in one of our malls. He said he's been doing it for a few years and enjoys the job. The pay is decent as well. He gave me contact information for a person who hires people for this position at several malls and knows they are looking to hire. I am hesitant as I know to be careful what I ask for.... I just might get it! Your thoughts?

Do it! Pics PLEEZ.

diyer2 · August 26, 2025

Sister in law had hip surgery. Went well but full recovery was a year. I think surgery as we age takes longer to heal, I figure a year for all surgeries.

Other sister in law had knee surgery, she chose to have a custom knee replacement built instead of the off the shelf model used for knee replacement. She had to pay for this of course. A year later still doing exercises daily.

Surgery is surgery, an invasion of the body.

txab · August 26, 2025

5 hours ago, Donstar said:

Everyday, I go to the local mall and go for an hour walk in air-conditioned comfort. It is surprising the number of seniors that have a similar routine! Yesterday, I was approached by a pleasant man with a stature, weight and full beard similar to mine. He asked if I ever considered being a Santa Clause in one of our malls. He said he's been doing it for a few years and enjoys the job. The pay is decent as well. He gave me contact information for a person who hires people for this position at several malls and knows they are looking to hire. I am hesitant as I know to be careful what I ask for.... I just might get it! Your thoughts?

Do the Santa thing. Your test photo is perfect.

Donstar · August 30, 2025

My thoughts about becoming a "Mall Santa" are starting to wane. Sitting for hours while being on constant display may lose its appeal after a few hours! Has anyone here had the experience or familiar with someone who has?

txab · August 31, 2025

I wouldn't do it for the mere fact I don't want to catch what the little buggers are carrying during the winter

davester · August 31, 2025

There's also the ones that will pee on you, pull on whatever they can, complain about you touching them inappropriately, lots of fun stuff.

diyer2 · September 1, 2025

Pretty sure carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand is coming, night pain increasing and numbness in fingers. Doc said it might be a problem. Waiting to see Doc.

Not looking forward to it of course but the problem with me is the left hand and arm are still giving me problems from my shoulder surgery on Sept. 6 of last year. Dexterity problems and pain. Pain is related to nerves they say.

customboss · September 1, 2025

14 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

Pretty sure carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand is coming, night pain increasing and numbness in fingers. Doc said it might be a problem. Waiting to see Doc.

Not looking forward to it of course but the problem with me is the left hand and arm are still giving me problems from my shoulder surgery on Sept. 6 of last year. Dexterity problems and pain. Pain is related to nerves they say.

Do it. It’s a quick recovery. I had both done in past April on right and August left.