Thread: Getting old is-- Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.
To visit this thread, use this URL:
http://forum.ship-of-fools.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=70;t=029882
Posted by Gramps49 (# 16378) on
:
When I was in first grade, there was an old man who was the janitor of our small elementary school. He could barely move. It as difficult for him to put up the folding tables after lunch. He retired after that year.
Two years later, my parents rented a house from him and I would see him daily. Often he would be seated on the sunny side of the house just to get some comfort from his arthritic pain.
As I got older I would mow his lawn because he could not do it any more.
I am about his age now. I too have degenerative arthritis with bone spurs in the L4 and L5 of my spinal column. There I times my legs will go numb and I just cannot move. After a year of this the doctor finally had an MRI done and I was referred to a neurosurgeon. I have also taken physical therapy and Epidural Steroid Injections in my back to no avail. The neurosurgeon is now suggesting back surgery where they will save off the bone spurs and put in a set of spacers to keep my nerves from any further damage.
Surgery will be on July 19th. While the chances of paralysis is very low, it is there. From what the surgeon is saying it will be very important for me to take six weeks recovery. Two weeks no duty at all, and then four weeks of light duty. I will not be allowed to pick up anything heavier than a gallon of milk. And no sexual relations for the six weeks. I share that just to show how serious it is.
On top this I have also been having severe knee problems so I also went to see a orthopedic surgeon. Guess what? He tells me my knees are now running rim to rim. He is also recommending knee replacement. He is giving me steroid shots which still work, but they will need to be replaced eventually.
There will be extended physical therapy for all of this too
Moral--don't get old. But, thank God, I now have medical options that Mr Wiseman never had.
Still, pray for me, and my wife who will have to be my nurse through all these surgeries.
Posted by mousethief (# 953) on
:
I have an acquaintance (co-worker of my wife) who had bone spurs removed in his spine and it worked miracles. The pain was simply gone. I pray it works that well for you. Prayers for your medical team including your wife.
Posted by jacobsen (# 14998) on
:
You are certainly having an avalanche of medical issues, Gramps, but how good that there are medical interventions which can help. All the best for them - they are game and life-changers.
And for your wife ![[Votive]](graemlins/votive.gif)
Posted by Doone (# 18470) on
:
Gramps
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by Gramps49:
... Moral--don't get old ...
I think it's preferable to the alternative ... ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Prayers ascending that your surgery and recovery go well, and for fortitude for both you and Mrs. Gramps.
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on
:
Gramps and Mrs Gramps
Getting old stinks, it's just better than the alternative x
Posted by barrea (# 3211) on
:
I have prayed for you and your wife and wish you all the best for the operations.
I could do with some prayers for my self, as I am 89 now and quite unable to get around without a couple of walking sticks or a walker, due to a crumbling spine. My wife is suffering from Vascular Dementia and I have to think for her as well and try to look after her. We get on OK on the whole but I miss the car so much since I gave up driving. However the Lord is good and I am glad that I have been given a long life. Please pray that I will Get over the depression that I am prone to and that I will be more positive.
.
Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on
:
Posted by Bene Gesserit (# 14718) on
:
Getting old is... Horrible. My poor mother, reduced from her former active life to a bored, miserable, frustrated bedbound existence... ![[Waterworks]](graemlins/bawling.gif)
Posted by Doone (# 18470) on
:
Barrea and BG
Posted by no prophet's flag is set so... (# 15560) on
:
FWIW, do what the physical therapists tell you. Diligently.
Medicine is your friend particularly if you're not sleeping. If you have side effects say so.
Some pain is strain and okay to work through, and some pain is harmful and might signify injury. Telling the difference between is possible. The physio and exercise therapists are coaches for this.
That's a few things I learned in my rounds with orthopaedic surgeons and rehabilitation programs.
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by barrea:
I have prayed for you and your wife and wish you all the best for the operations.
I could do with some prayers for my self, as I am 89 now and quite unable to get around without a couple of walking sticks or a walker, due to a crumbling spine. My wife is suffering from Vascular Dementia and I have to think for her as well and try to look after her. We get on OK on the whole but I miss the car so much since I gave up driving. However the Lord is good and I am glad that I have been given a long life. Please pray that I will Get over the depression that I am prone to and that I will be more positive.
.
for you both.
Posted by jacobsen (# 14998) on
:
Yes, indeed.
Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on
:
I'm with you, Gramps.
With me it's a spinal stenosis on the same vertebrae as your problem. I take lots of prescribed pain relief, and sometimes I'm pain free, other times it really attacks me down my left leg.
My GP assumed it was Spinal Stenosis and referred me to a very good specialist. What fooled him was that my symptoms were the opposite of what he'd expect – sometimes walking briskly was what eased the pain. So I'm managing it and trying to analyse it till I see him again. It looks as if operation would be difficult or impossible, ie very risky.
So I carry on doing the things that are important to me – making marmalade and jellies to sell for Christian World Service (with a helper, or doing it in stages so I'm not standing too long), walking by the stream, occasionally leading worship, taking a group of bright kids each year for six one-hour sessions on 'Where our words Come From'. and working out how to minimise the attacks of pain.
I've had both hips replaced, one 20 years ago, but I suspect my right knee will be a problem some day.
I give thanks for our health system, even though every appointment can mean a 4-month wait (but a small breast lump got immediate attention).
I have great neighbours, church support, a son who helps when he's needed (he has a demanding teaching job and three teenage kids) and apart from the pain, life is good.
for Gramps
GG
Posted by jacobsen (# 14998) on
:
And for you too, GG. Definitely not a cissy.
Posted by Graven Image (# 8755) on
:
Prayers for all who are in pain and for those who care for them.
Posted by ebeth (# 4474) on
:
Having gone through 2 medical crises in the past couple of years, getting old is definitely not for sissies, as Bette Davis said. However it is a blessing.
Knee surgery for me on Tuesday and it looks like the first of a few arthritis interventions.
Sigh. But all the candles on the cake later this summer are welcome and earned.
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on
:
that your surgery goes well, Ebeth.
Posted by Doone (# 18470) on
:
ebeth
Posted by cliffdweller (# 13338) on
:
adding prayers.
Posted by SusanDoris (# 12618) on
:
Posting to voice much sympathetic fellow feeling. For the first time in my life, I have arthritis (or 'wear and tear' as the GP called it) in the middle knuckle of my right hand.
I very much endorse the advice to really be consistent with physio exercises. When you're ancient, it takes so much longer to regain lost muscle strength. I'm resigned to the fact that I'll never get it back completely though.
Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on
:
Just had my first serious tooth problem of my life, after having good teeth all my life. A broken tooth required and extraction. *sigh* And I'll get a bridge (if my insurance will cover it) I always thought of tooth trouble like that as something that happened to people older than me.
Posted by Graven Image (# 8755) on
:
I read an ad for a piece of antique china, it said. quote:
Great condition for its age. It is free of chips, cracks, and stains, but may have minor imperfections
and I thought, that could be me.
Not really, truth in advertising could cause me to admit I have a few stains, brown spots, cracks, had to have a broken tooth repaired, and a number of my imperfections are major not minor. Guess I am due to be put on the marked down shelf.
Posted by Doone (# 18470) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by Graven Image:
I read an ad for a piece of antique china, it said. quote:
Great condition for its age. It is free of chips, cracks, and stains, but may have minor imperfections
and I thought, that could be me.
Not really, truth in advertising could cause me to admit I have a few stains, brown spots, cracks, had to have a broken tooth repaired, and a number of my imperfections are major not minor. Guess I am due to be put on the marked down shelf.
Me too
Posted by Gramps49 (# 16378) on
:
Update. I had the surgery on 19 July. When I went in they hinted I might be able to go home the same day. But the doctor said he found more damage than expected. So I had to stay overnight. The good news is my pain level is substantially lower. I still have six weeks of recovery. Two weeks of no work, and then four weeks of light duty.
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on
:
Great news - any reduction in pain is a blessing!
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on
:
Absolutely - glad to hear the pain level is heading in the right direction, Gramps.
Posted by Doone (# 18470) on
:
Good news Gramps
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on
:
Good news, Gramps.
Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on
:
My Dear Old Mother turned 95 yesterday. The only things she has left that work are her mind and an astonishing memory, and the care home staff take very good care of everything else. I can't imagine being bedbound and virtually blind, with just a little conversation a few times each day. You judge another person's quality of life at your peril, so I try not to, but I am pretty sure I would soon lose what remains of my mind if I were reduced to that state.
I'll probably write the same thing a year from now.
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on
:
Happy birthday, Mater Sterci! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
Happy birthday, Mater Sterci!
Thank you - I shall convey the sentiment, but perhaps not the Latin!
Posted by Gramps49 (# 16378) on
:
Got the stitches out today. Doctor is saying incision is looking good. Will ween off painkillers tomorrow. Going to continue muscle relaxants for a while.
Posted by jacobsen (# 14998) on
:
Well done, Gramps. Don't skimp on the relaxants - there's no virtue in pain.
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on
:
I understand that many Shipmates recommend GIN, but relaxed muscles seem an excellent idea.
Wishing you a steady and gentle recovery - and never believe a physio telling you something won't hurt!
Posted by Doone (# 18470) on
:
Gramps
Posted by Gramps49 (# 16378) on
:
Oh gin and tonic is one of my favorite drinks I do hope you are talking about that type of gin.
Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on
:
My Danish friend recommends aquavit for this purpose. He also recommends taking a little now and then as insurance, in case there may be some unexpected pain in the near future. A certain amount of scientific testing suggests that he is right.
Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on
:
A few years back I had semi-major surgery and was prescribed painkillers afterward. I skimped on them and regretted it -- suffered spasms you wouldn't believe! The doctor told me that painkillers do more than relieve pain -- they allow the tissue otherwise affected by pain to relax without spasm, thus promoting healing.
I'll never again try to "go it alone" without painkillers.
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on
:
Swift recovery, Gramps!
© Ship of Fools 2016
UBB.classicTM
6.5.0