Who thinks growing old is a blessing

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Growing old has its challenges, but there's no way I'd go back to my youth.

I just try to stay as active as I can, take my meds, and not worry about the rest.

The flu and gastro-intestinal viruses have kicked my butt for the last 6-8 weeks, but I expect to recover and will try to resume my regular schedule starting today.

I don't remember a time in my life without pain, illness, and physical challenges and old age is no exception.

I do have a lot of blessings which I never had when I was younger. However as mentioned earlier I always thought strength and youth to be great attributes. Guess i’ll just have to trip more of them to get there first now.

Here’s hoping you recover soon Grady.

[Passionata]

growing old brings wisdom ,
for the few , the lucky ones.

[Ballzzz]

Originally Posted by dddrees

I think your missing my point. Has nothing to do with living a long life, enjoying the things you can do, or enjoying your family.

It’s all about the toll that living this long can have on and what happens to your body as you get older. The parts that no longer work and the parts that start to hurt.

I get the point, I can only imagine as the body starts to break down. Routine service helps but in the end as you stated, some things just don't work anymore. I stand by my original thoughts but will attempt to articulate myself a bit better.

As we grow older the various healthy issues we will have are somewhat a given. Given the obvious you have to be blessed to get to a point where you can unfortunately start to deteriorate. A catch 22 of sorts but as I stated earlier a blessing nonetheless.

It sucks getting old and not being able to do certain things. Life is short and everyday we wake up is a blessing.

Good luck with the arthritis rehab/pain relief.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by dddrees

I do have a lot of blessings which I never had when I was younger. However as mentioned earlier I always thought strength and youth to be great attributes. Guess i’ll just have to trip more of them to get there first now.

Here’s hoping you recover soon Grady.

Thanks, Dan.

I have arthritis, too, but avoid NSAIDS and just try to stick it out. Bowling robbed me of a lot of finger mobility in my right hand, but for some reason it doesn't hurt when I bowl. I don't even understand it.

Practicing the guitar helps, too, I think.

My platelet levels have dropped far enough now that taking NSAIDS would be ill-advised. We're working to figure out that problem now.

Maybe my thyroid medicine will fix that.

[AK797]

I was talking with my mother about people's lifespans and how if they do find a cure for cancer then in future how will people die, other than Skynet, so many will go on living past 120 and 150 may be common in our grandchildren's time. But the issue she had was that our bodies have to age much slower otherwise this is not a blessing at all, living 40 or 50 years with a weak and frail body would be worse than an early death at 100.

But in future if this means all important exams start when you are 20 rather than 16, which is way too young to have such an influence over the rest of the type of life you will live, and going to Uni at 25 and starting work at 30 with middle age beginning from your sixties, then it sounds alright to me. I would also have strict laws on how mobile phones are used by people under 20 and have SM moderated tightly like this forum to stop a generation of insecure and introverted bullying victims being the norm.

[AzPaul]

Maybe when the nurse practitioner said growing old was a blessing, she meant it was a blessing to those in the medical profession.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Thanks, Dan.

I have arthritis, too, but avoid NSAIDS and just try to stick it out. Bowling robbed me of a lot of finger mobility in my right hand, but for some reason it doesn't hurt when I bowl. I don't even understand it.

Practicing the guitar helps, too, I think.

My platelet levels have dropped far enough now that taking NSAIDS would be ill-advised. We're working to figure out that problem now.

Maybe my thyroid medicine will fix that.

It seems that a lot of times when doing the hardest things I don’t feel the pain as much. However I’’ll pay for it later on, often when not even using them.

I was on a bowling team when in my teens, I was never that good but it was fun times. Team activities and night out that kind of thing. I think I only had maybe one or two games ever over 200. My average may have been a pitiful 135. But it was fun. I don’t play guitar but I do like going to the bang range. Small stuff, just target practice. Larger stuff would hurt my hands anyway.

She prescribed something that supposedly would make my stomach bleed if used over a sustained and prolonged period of time. Maybe it’s time I need to get smart on how to manage this stuff better. Sometimes I tend to ignore the bad stuff partly because I’m just stubborn and I think I can still do it the way I always have, and partly because I dread the thought that I can’t.

[locutus49]

I am banned from NSAIDs because they damaged my kidneys. So I was prescribed Tramadol, a very weak painkiller but better than nothing. My Kidney doctor recommended it.

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Thanks, Dan.

I have arthritis, too, but avoid NSAIDS and just try to stick it out. Bowling robbed me of a lot of finger mobility in my right hand, but for some reason it doesn't hurt when I bowl. I don't even understand it.

Practicing the guitar helps, too, I think.

My platelet levels have dropped far enough now that taking NSAIDS would be ill-advised. We're working to figure out that problem now.

Maybe my thyroid medicine will fix that.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by AK797

I was talking with my mother about people's lifespans and how if they do find a cure for cancer then in future how will people die, other than Skynet, so many will go on living past 120 and 150 may be common in our grandchildren's time. But the issue she had was that our bodies have to age much slower otherwise this is not a blessing at all, living 40 or 50 years with a weak and frail body would be worse than an early death at 100.

But in future if this means all important exams start when you are 20 rather than 16, which is way too young to have such an influence over the rest of the type of life you will live, and going to Uni at 25 and starting work at 30 with middle age beginning from your sixties, then it sounds alright to me. I would also have strict laws on how mobile phones are used by people under 20 and have SM moderated tightly like this forum to stop a generation of insecure and introverted bullying victims being the norm.

I think the desire to live longer may actually contribute to our undoing as well. For many reasons, but resources and space are finite after all. But yeah they would have to find a way for our bodies ability to regenerate longer than they currently do. Heck skin alone becomes so thin my old man bumped into things and he started and couldn’t quit bleeding. He would scratch himself because he itched and started bleeding.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by locutus49

It is a blessing and a curse. I am 68. I just had flu and then pneumonia and was hospitalized for several days. I tried to get back to exercising and strained my muscles. A couple of weeks of not exercising and my muscles were shot. Sucks being old.

Oh, I had both flu AND pneumonia vaccines; neither worked.

And younger girls just look through me as if I don't exist. I'm happily married, but still. 30 year olds think I'm a geezer. Physically I am. Mentally I feel younger.

Did the VA take good care of you?

[brandrea]

A lot of aging has to do with your mental health and frame of mind.

My grandmother passed at 103, but even well into her 90’s she lived an “active” life.

The body starts to go, eventually but having an active mind is what I believe is the key to happiness the older we get

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by AzPaul

Maybe when the nurse practitioner said growing old was a blessing, she meant it was a blessing to those in the medical profession.

That’s a thought, but no she was young and she simply wanted to be bright and cheerful. I’m old and I felt cranky.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by brandrea

A lot of aging has to do with your mental health and frame of mind.

My grandmother passed at 103, but even well into her 90’s she lived an “active” life.

The body starts to go, eventually but having an active mind is what I believe is the key to happiness the older we get

Yeah, but the mind sometimes feels like getting up and taking a pee. I’d like to do so without it hurting every step.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by dddrees

I finally went to the Dr today for an issue I’ve had for awhile. I kept telling myself and my wife that given time it would just go away. Well after a month it hadn’t gone away. So yesterday when the wife told me she was going to make an appointment I didn’t tell her no.

So the Nurse practitioner tells me she believes it’s arthritis. X-rays to be done to make sure but she was pretty convinced it is arthritis so instead of a magic pill to make it go away or potentially a temporary issue it looks like as my back goes (arthritis) so goes my knee. Oh and my hands.

So I mention growing old sucks. She says growing old is a blessing. So I say sorry, but growing old sucks.

Better than the alternative but growing old sucks,

i've asked old people, they say it sucks.

but many people are saying 8 - 29 are the years to live for and the rest are the decades that just fly by, then you're back in a diaper shopping at Costco buying Ensure and getting Rx filled out.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by dddrees

I finally went to the Dr today for an issue I’ve had for awhile. I kept telling myself and my wife that given time it would just go away. Well after a month it hadn’t gone away. So yesterday when the wife told me she was going to make an appointment I didn’t tell her no.

So the Nurse practitioner tells me she believes it’s arthritis. X-rays to be done to make sure but she was pretty convinced it is arthritis so instead of a magic pill to make it go away or potentially a temporary issue it looks like as my back goes (arthritis) so goes my knee. Oh and my hands.

So I mention growing old sucks. She says growing old is a blessing. So I say sorry, but growing old sucks.

Better than the alternative but growing old sucks,

If you’re looking for an argument on getting old sucks you won’t get one from me.

[RedLs3]

Its a blessing. Just to be able to live past 60-70-80 and still be functional is amazing.

Just think 150-200 years ago .. life expectancy was half of what it is now

[TheVTCGuy]

I’m 56, actually in excellent health. Had to give up mountain biking due to BPH, but took up hiking in the mountains and will break 20 miles in one day this year (did 18 last summer). I excercise regularly, either running a couple or walking five miles every day. The only drug I take is cholesterol, half a pill three times a week. Other then standard aches and my prostate when it flares up, I am pain free. Three out of my four grandparents lived to over 100, and although my father died in his 70s, he suffered from a terrible disease. My mom is 84 and looks/acts 20 years younger. All indications are I’ll live another 50 years...

I have no children to watch grow up and currently no life partner, so has nuts as this sounds, if I could live another 15 or 20 years pain free and give one of you family men the rest of my pain free years I’d do it.

[Watch This]

Rolex should make a watch for older men, say 65+.
Oh wait, they do... the all yellow gold day date.
They could call it the Ancientmariner.

[Brenngun]

If I could live my whole life with the body I had at 30 and the mind I had at 50 I'd gladly trade that for 5 less years total.

[Dyim]

I have seen lots of people in their 'golden' years that have lots of health issues and can't really enjoy life.

Health is so important and tends to be neglected until it's too late.

[superdog]

I am thinking blessing. I feel lucky to have all the problems that I have.

It is better than the alternative.

[Dr. Robert]

Bah humbug, it doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop!

[Headshrinker]

It's a curse for a ex-pro athlete who thought he was invincible. Pain is now a constant friend; my back hurts, now my two middle fingers on my left hand switch between numbness and pain because of a broken bone in my neck that apparently did not heal correctly. Other than that it is a blessing...

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I’m 56, actually in excellent health. Had to give up mountain biking due to BPH, but took up hiking in the mountains and will break 20 miles in one day this year (did 18 last summer). I excercise regularly, either running a couple or walking five miles every day. The only drug I take is cholesterol, half a pill three times a week. Other then standard aches and my prostate when it flares up, I am pain free. Three out of my four grandparents lived to over 100, and although my father died in his 70s, he suffered from a terrible disease. My mom is 84 and looks/acts 20 years younger. All indications are I’ll live another 50 years...

I have no children to watch grow up and currently no life partner, so has nuts as this sounds, if I could live another 15 or 20 years pain free and give one of you family men the rest of my pain free years I’d do it.

As long as you’re going to be around another 50 years, why don’t you go ahead and start a family. There are guys with grandkids in less time than you have left.

“Dragos & Sons”. It sings Paul.

[THC]

I have a different take... I am going to be 62 soon and most all my friends have expressed/complained of the knees, hips, and shoulder issues from their “activities” earlier in life. I have none, because of never doing sports, and now I am glad. I do some fast walking for exercise and that is it. Low impact anything, I think, is the way to go for all you youngsters that have read this far into this thread

[locutus49]

Yes. I am 70% disabled. The VA was very slow, and lost my paperwork a couple of times, but they finally had one of their doctors examine me. Once you get in the VA system, it is pretty good, at least in Southern California.

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Did the VA take good care of you?

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by THC

I have a different take... I am going to be 62 soon and most all my friends have expressed/complained of the knees, hips, and shoulder issues from their “activities” earlier in life. I have none, because of never doing sports, and now I am glad. I do some fast walking for exercise and that is it. Low impact anything, I think, is the way to go for all you youngsters that have read this far into this thread

Good points.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

As long as you’re going to be around another 50 years, why don’t you go ahead and start a family. There are guys with grandkids in less time than you have left.

“Dragos & Sons”. It sings Paul.

Abdullah! You know the government won't let me procreate!

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by THC

I have a different take... I am going to be 62 soon and most all my friends have expressed/complained of the knees, hips, and shoulder issues from their “activities” earlier in life. I have none, because of never doing sports, and now I am glad. I do some fast walking for exercise and that is it. Low impact anything, I think, is the way to go for all you youngsters that have read this far into this thread

You know Tom, I am seriously very happy for you, being pain free, and here is to many many more years the same way. But I must disagree with you. I am 56, excellent health with no pain, and I played contact and impact sports my entire life; including a Lacrosse scholarship in college. I also played football and hockey in high school. I am sure you are aware, Lacrosse, at the college level, is an extremely violent sport and I was the shortest guy on the team (by far). I took MORE then my share of hits, and even dished out a few myself. Of course, I could run a 4.5 - 40 and was 175 pounds of solid muscle, (today I am 185 pounds of loose fat and it would take me a week to run 40 yards ). Until recently, I still played hockey but to this day go running, which I guess is considered an impact sport. I have had my share of injuries, including a practically rebuilt ankle, cracked sternum, etc. But for the most part am pain free. I am not a parent, but if I were, would encourage my children to play sports, contact if they desired. The lessons learned from it, teamwork, leadership, that they WILL get hurt and bounce back from it, how to deal with victory, challenge, disappointment, loss etc. To me, these valuable lessons are worth the risk, and playing contact or impact sports does not necessarily mean you are headed for a life of pain in old age. IMHO, getting knocked flat in a Lacrosse/football/hockey contest, and knocking someone else flat is a priceless life lesson and experience. Anyway, that's just MHO (I still can't get over my legs back in 1980! I'm in the white)

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

You know Tom, I am seriously very happy for you, being pain free, and here is to many many more years the same way. But I must disagree with you. I am 56, excellent health with no pain, and I played contact and impact sports my entire life; including a Lacrosse scholarship in college. I also played football and hockey in high school. I am sure you are aware, Lacrosse, at the college level, is an extremely violent sport and I was the shortest guy on the team (by far). I took MORE then my share of hits, and even dished out a few myself. Of course, I could run a 4.5 - 40 and was 175 pounds of solid muscle, (today I am 185 pounds of loose fat and it would take me a week to run 40 yards ). Until recently, I still played hockey but to this day go running, which I guess is considered an impact sport. I have had my share of injuries, including a practically rebuilt ankle, cracked sternum, etc. But for the most part am pain free. I am not a parent, but if I were, would encourage my children to play sports, contact if they desired. The lessons learned from it, teamwork, leadership, that they WILL get hurt and bounce back from it, how to deal with victory, challenge, disappointment, loss etc. To me, these valuable lessons are worth the risk, and playing contact or impact sports does not necessarily mean you are headed for a life of pain in old age. IMHO, getting knocked flat in a Lacrosse/football/hockey contest, and knocking someone else flat is a priceless life lesson and experience. Anyway, that's just MHO (I still can't get over my legs back in 1980! I'm in the white)

Short shorts! You go gurl.