Modern Medicine and an Ancient Greek City

[TheVTCGuy]

So... since I have a lot of time on my hands recovering from my surgery last week, and feeling philosophical, and the fact that there are some medicine threads up right now (best of luck to you Bill ), I thought I would share some of my fantasy.... and not.

I fantasize sometimes about my heritage, and living in bronze-age Greece. I fancy I was a mighty leader and warrior (I was probably a brick layer or something) but I think what a simple, fulfilling life it would be compared to modern times. I even know where I lived: Pavlopetri in southern Laconia. A beautiful city and (maybe) a beautiful life.... Sigh....


BUT.... The advances of modern medicine have change (saved) my life.

I am in my mid 50s, a former college athlete and fighter pilot and take excellent care of myself; I think pretty good when I look at some of my contemporaries. But here are three surgeries that I have had.

1. In my late 30s, I thought I was still in my early 20s and playing competitive sports, I ruptured my Achilles tendon. Two surgeries later and some rehab and I am able to hike, run, get around just fine. If I lived in the Bronze age I would have been crippled the rest of my life....

2. In my early 40s, I had gallbladder removed, gallstones. It was a very simple procedure and after some adjustment time, my digestion works just fine. To the medical personnel on TRF would that have killed me if I hadn’t had it removed? Well, I KNOW it would because I would have KILLED MYSELF to stop the pain!!! But in all seriousness, I would have been extremely limited with this condition in ancient times.

3. Last week, I had 12 inches of my colon removed, due to Diverticulosis. The surgeon said the bottom nine inches was completely non-functional, just scar tissue from the chronic infections. She took an additional three because of the many diverticula that had formed. I am one week out of surgery and (I think) doing pretty well, see the doc tomorrow but I am hoping for a good long-term outcome. This, was making my life miserable. I don’t know if I would have died from it eventually but I know I would have been fairly non-functional most of the rest of my existence.

All three of these would have at least crippled, possibly killed me in ancient times. And I have always considered myself to be dedicated to my health! (Don’t smoke or drink, I exercise etc). It is just kind of thought provoking.... well to me anyway (maybe it’s the painkillers) that I fantasize about living in my heritage of bronze-age Greece but would it have been the paradise I imagine? Or a painful existence due to the lack of modern medicine?

Anyone else like me? (Insane) Imagine what it would be like to live in another time? (The little voice in my head is saying: “No Paul, only you... you’re the only one you Dorklehead”). Just thinking out loud on the keyboard, carry on everyone.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavlopetri

[Abdullah71601]

You need better hobbies Paul. I think you need to march down to the local Ferrari dealer and pick up an 812 Superfast. The speed will do you good. And Seth will appreciate you more when you go to hang out in his spare room.

[Burlington]

I do sometimes think how lucky I am to live where we do and all the things that come with that, which are ‘taken for granted’ - clean water, healthcare, education, law and order etc.

Things are very different elsewhere in the world already without needing to go back a couple of millennia.

[AzPaul]

I often think I would have felt more at home living in a less technology driven era, but that simpler world I'm envisioning, is a romantic one, not a true reflection of prior times. Truth is, life was shorter and much, much harder in the days before these. For all our problems, and there are many, these truly are the best of times.

[brandrea]

I’m certain it was a brutal life and I don’t think many even lived into their 40’s.

I watch movies from that time period and wonder ... did they ever feel clean? Hygiene wasn’t probably a big thing in those days

I know this isn’t exactly what you’re thread is about but I can relate what you’re saying to the pace of our modern life. It only seems to continue to accelerate and my goal is to find a much better work (semi retired) life balance.

You’ve done well to keep yourself in good shape Paul I’ve done the same and I’m a big believer that as you get into your 50’s and beyond, maintaining a healthy body weight and keeping fit, sets you up for a much more enjoyable retirement.

Hope you’re healing well

[breitlings]

I didn't know you were Greek Paul. Me too.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by breitlings

I didn't know you were Greek Paul. Me too.

Dragos. Before the grandparents came over in the 1910s, it was: DraKos. As far as I know (which is very little) our bloodline is from the Northern Macedonian region, close to Albania, but I really do not have a lot of information.

[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Dragos. Before the grandparents came over in the 1910s, it was: DraKos. As far as I know (which is very little) our bloodline is from the Northern Macedonian region, close to Albania, but I really do not have a lot of information.

Have you tried any of those cheek swap DNA places? The ones where you send your loogies in the mail & they tell you if you're actually part Stegosaurus or if great-grandma has been makin' stuff up all this time?