For Anyone Who Has Been Wondering Where I Was

When I offered to help Fran with this blog, I set up a separate email account for it.

Then, promptly forgot that I had done so. I reactivated it today, and have been working to take care of business. If you’re having problems with commenting/registration, I’ll be looking into it this week.

I can only plead forgetfulness. Life has been a little too interesting to keep track of everything – I promise to do better.

UPDATE: I wrote this before Fran posted his above message.

Falls are the very bugger. My husband fell last January, and he is STILL not back to normal. A lot of it is aging, but some is the difficulty of sustaining a lengthy rehab. Those involving the BIG structures – legs, knees, hips, back – those that are weight-bearing – are the hardest to bring back 100%.

Even athletes find it challenging. And they have youth and a body that, before their accident, was operating like a well-oiled machine.

This year alone, I’ve noticed that more and more of my aging peers (and some not that old) are reporting slips and falls.

Those happened when they were young, too. Unfortunately, the bodies of humans, like their cars, deteriorate at a predictable rate. You can hold off the decay with rigorous maintenance and quick attention to repair, but the long slide down continues.

Before you head to the kitchen to get a well-sharpened knife to end it all, I would hasten to remind you that the marvel of modern technology is that remedies are available:

• Medicine – not just the pain-killers, but also pharma designed for arthritis, joint pain (if you have not tried Voltaren, check with your doctor), clot-busting, heart sparing, and BP reducing meds. Diabetes meds, including multiple methods for monitoring and managing the sugar ups and downs. Asthma drugs, including all of the new biologics (also can help RA).
• Treatments short of surgery, which include heart monitoring to determine which levels of exercise you can manage, gel shots/cortisone shots to knees, and compression socks to improve vascular function.
• Joint support braces, wheelchairs/walkers/canes for those times when extra assistance is needed. Not just glasses, but also laser eye surgery and cataract removal.
• Electronic help in your home: Roomba, remote operation of doorbell, doorlocks, security systems, appliances, chair lifts (I have one, and it’s not only affordable, but works great!), and recliners. And, adjustable beds (I use it to relieve stress on legs, hips, and back – and when I have a cold, to improve drainage).
• Shoppers for groceries (many will either charge a monthly/yearly fee, or waive charges entirely for those picking up), door-to-door delivery – DoorDash, Amazon, many retailers in your local area. Just not having to travel around the stores, but select from a menu, and be able to drive there and pick up without leaving your car is a blessing.

I could not manage a manual typewriter, nor even an electronic one today. Too much pounding on my fingers and wrists. But, I can handle a computer keyboard, and, if having an especially difficult day, even use voice control.

An unexpected benefit from the Covid lockdowns is that more work is able to be done remotely. This year, I did over 90% of my Health Insurance signups via phone or Zoom calls. It maximized my time, kept me from spreading or receiving germs, and allowed me to manage calls upon my time IRL. My car had the lowest mileage recorded this year, which also saved on my insurance.

Can I do everything I used to?

No. But I can handle the things I want to do, and some (like housework) which I actually don’t.

Take heart! Age is a surety, but sitting in a rocker is optional (although I love my rocker – I use it to exercise my calves and ankles).

Take up a new hobby. Find Volunteer activities. Join local civic improvement groups. Use that Silver Sneakers benefit to join a local health club. Even the aching and stiff can improve with Water Aerobics or Chair Yoga (The Old Ladies in Chair Yoga were AWESOME to watch – they left me in the dust!). Get outside every day (OK, you can skip this week – I woke up to outside temps of 11 degrees!). Open the curtains and people or bird watch.

Connect with those around you, and don’t sit and wait for Death.