Saying goodbye to your youth?

Will be 74 end of the year. Until last year I really did not feel " old" in my terms. Have had several hand/ finger surgeries, hip replaced and few other minor surgeries, thank God. Loosing my wife in April has really slowed me down as have no close friends where I live. All our grown kids and grandkids are 300+ miles away. Long time friend from back in Va. Beach lives about 1 1/2 hours away so I see him several times a month, good times. All my reloading gear is packed up and have no space to set it up regardless so try to keep busy basically doing nothing. Land lord's house needs cleaning with bleach or 90 seconds cleaner so may try that. He's nice guy. Local church has a program for those that loose a spouse so checking them out this week.
 
I knew I was starting to get old at about 40 when I needed reading glasses. Then, soon after I had to get a haircut because it just looked stupid to see that thinning out on top with long hair. I've had both rotator cuffs repaired. My curvature of the spine has caused spinal stenosis: 3 bulging discs and two degenerated ones. Inoperable so I'm on chemicals for that pain when it flares up. I'm getting both knees injected next week, and I'll be talking to that doctor about getting them replaced while I'm still young enough to go through that operation. I'm 67, and if I'm into my golden years, so be it. I keep up with what I can and don't do what I know I'll be paying for later.
 
twodog max said:
We all age at different speeds and a lot of that is based on how we lived our early years. Those things we did take a toll on the body. Then your genetics enter the picture too.
I like to walk and for years walked every day rain or shine. I have not walked much in the last year because my walking partner, the wife, has been having health issues that prevent her from joining and I don't like leaving her alone. Also my old lab is getting joint issues as most old labs do and he cannot tag along either. I expect to soon just start back but it won't be the same.
Like many older guys several friends from youth have already checked out and many more can barely get around so I consider myself blessed to still be able to.
I can't drag deer like I used to nor do I beat the deep hollers of the Ozarks for turkeys anymore but I still get out there but with the realization there are many things I should not try with me being 71 in a few weeks. However you just got to keep on plugging away and I expect to for a while longer.
As said in Shawshank Redemption get busy living or get busy dying. I choose the living option.
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The hound keeps me going for walks. To avoid the heat, at about 5 am this time of year. Very peaceful early in the morn.
 
My wife is 5 days older than me...so for 5 days every year I get to call her the old lady. Yesterday was the 5th day...MY birthday. So....I'll get to pay the price for those 5 days...for the next 360...It used to be worth it
 
I will hit 72 in October...
About 4 years ago...

I swing buy the local grocery store to pick up
some fried chicken to take home. 

Young 20 something little dumplin was workin the counter.

I am greeted with
"You have a great tan and that shirt really makes your eyes pop."
I thank her as my chest swells.

Then....
"And you smell just like my Paw-Paw"

Knew then...
 
I'm 66 and my knees have been a limiting factor in my life the past few years. I just had my right knee replaced. My surgeon, after surgery, said I am a very muscular guy. Apparently, the time spent weightlifting wasn't all for naught. I attacked my physical therapy exercises and was released two weeks early. The left knee will probably be done at the end of August. I hope to regain some health and hunting time when the knees are 100%. I have a treadmill just waiting for October. But, back to your question, yes there is a time when we must give things up. Just don't go easily.
 
It varies. I'm a big older than you, but still ride my bike several times a week. I also use a rowing machine on the days I don't ride. I do some small work around the house, but I don't do anything that requires more than a six foot ladder.

Falls can be deadly to elderly people and I always keep that in mind.

I have one bad shoulder, but the doctor assures me that the rowing machine is the best PT I can do. I have aches and pains everywhere it seems, but nothing major.

Attitude is everything. I refuse to grunt and groan when I get up out of a chair, I don't prattle on about all of my medical problems and medications. To me the most important thing is to have a reason to get out of bed in the morning. That's why I do part time work, it's a motivator.

Farmer17 said:
I just got back from my annual fishing trip with a bunch of guys where we float down the Illinois River near Talequah, OK in fishing tubes for 3 days. Our gear rides in a Jon boat boat between us and then we camp on the rocky river bank at night and clean our fish and eat a big dinner and we cook big breakfasts in the morning and have sandwiches for lunch. We had a lot of rain this summer and the river was clear and beautiful but moving very fast and its pretty tricky to real in a Catfish, put him on your stringer, and bait your hook when your trying to dodge boulders and fallen trees in your tube that you can't control very well. We had a ton of fun as always, but its very tiring and I'm the oldest at 65 and wonder how much longer I can keep doing this. I've always been pretty hyper active but had to give up my boxing class and boot camp class a couple of years ago because of little aches and pains. My wife and I play a lot of pickle ball but I haven't been able to ride my mountain bike or water ski because of knee issues that won't completely heal, but hopefully I'll be able to snow ski this winter. I know the old age thing happens to everybody but is there a time or indicator when just need to say "good bye" to the active things so you don't risk a bad injury?
Click to expand...
 
I'm 78 now and last time I saw my doctor about my bruises that turn purple in less than a few minutes. He told me not much he can do about it because "my warranty is running out" (no joke)! :D
 
My forearms are covered with 15 years of collagen-loss bruise scars. Caught a good one last Friday changing my furnace-a/c filter. Just a nick, and my head said "Oops. Another one." 24 hours later, there it was, square inch, purple and black just above my left wrist. Sigh. At least I'm still growing old. Otherwise I wouldn't see the bruises. :D
 
I do not plan on going peacefully into the good night. I hope I'm lucky enough to go out doing or just having finished doing one of the many things in life that I love. I've had my share of heartache, medical issues and some bad luck. I'll be 68 in October and still in pretty good shape. I stay active, will be "retiring" next year, hopefully by May. I would like to find a part-time gig for 20-25 hours a week just to stay involved.

I fortunately did a lot of traveling in my younger days so I'll be content sticking around for the 3 grandkids for a bit more.
 
GaryS said:
Attitude is everything. I refuse to grunt and groan when I get up out of a chair, I don't prattle on about all of my medical problems and medications. To me the most important thing is to have a reason to get out of bed in the morning. That's why I do part time work, it's a motivator.
Click to expand...

That's pretty similar to what my old cardiologist told me when I said I was thinking of retiring. He said that I should make sure to have something going on to keep my mind active. And he made sure to check on me at the next appointment I had which was after I retired.

He was very glad to see that I had continued in my position of Secretary with the town planning commission. It's not a regular job, but the months we have meetings I have to prepare for the meeting, attend the meeting, try to take copious notes at the meeting and then work to pull my notes and memory into a coherent document for the ages as the meeting minutes. Since the town now publishes my minutes on its web site the sale of No-Doz has dropped precipitously. And since I sign my name to these documents that are published, it is a motivator to make sure that the meeting minutes I produce are thorough, readable and accurate. This is my contribution to the community in which I have chosen to reside.
 
I've had aches and pains for a very long time. Suffered my first back injury at 17. Second at 25. Aches and pains suck. Youth is fleeting and goes by seemingly quick.

One thing I do that is NATURAL is take Turmeric and Ashwaghanda and ginger.

They're good for inflammation in the body and help a lot. YMMV. Used in Chinese Medicine for 5k years. Used in Indian Medicine for 8k years. Think they're onto something...
 
PS - Brand I use is Organic India for Turmeric and Ashwaghanda. Nature's Way for Ginger.

Prefer to be healthy and natural. Helps a lot.
 
The time or indicator, for me, is loss of breath or pain. It tells me when to rest, stop, or go to the doctor. Handling boats by myself used to be easy. Now, I can't keep one on my property and the garage is too small. That induces a lot of extra work. I used to back up, hook up, and just go. Crawling in and out of the boat at the ramp is no fun.

Age and health vs the call of the wild. So far, a couple more surgeries should make things easier.
 
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