On Being Older Every Year...

[Zzzptm]

They don't call them "ravages" of time for nothing. You're 15 and think all these people are crazy for talking about the toll of time and the pain of the years, but you keep breathing and, before you know it, you're one of THEM, talking about pains and cramps and paying attention to new treatments for this and that.

I remember when I was in my early 30s and had a job where I could grow my hair out again, like I had done in the mid-90s. The hair got real long on the back and sides, but the top was missing similar volume... I realized I was thinning up top and if I kept up the long hair stuff, I'd wind up with an accidental comb-over!

Not wanting to go that route, I went over to short hair and keep it that way.

That works in my favor, anyway, when I'm looking for a job. If I keep things closely trimmed, my gray looks more like blond hair and I don't strike people as being all that advanced in age.

As for my chronic complaints, here they are:
1. Balance problems, although I've had these all my life. I walk with a cane since 2002, so, yeah, old.
2. Wrist/hand pain - lots of typing and mousing, so I will wear elastic bands on my forearm near my elbow to help clear that up and keep the carpal tunnel syndrome at bay. If it gets really bad, I've got hand/wrist braces I can wear.
3. Knees, particularly the right one. I'll wear a knee brace when I need to.
4. My aching back
5. Vision changes - less nearsighted, but now I need at least bifocals. I use transition lenses so I have good mid-range for working with a laptop/pc.
6. Earwax leaking BEHIND my left ear. This just started and I'm all ZOMGWTFBBQ? I have no holes there, why is there earwax showing up there? Turns out, it's something that just happens and I have to deal with it.

So, that's my theme for growing older:

[BOGBLAST]

I can't believe I'm fuckin' 58. Time does take its toll on the body. Here are a few of my conditions:

1. Aching lower back.
2. Knees. Tore a meniscus a while back and the orthopedist immediately asked me when I wanted to schedule surgery. I told him I would let him know and later found out it could possibly heal itself. Took a while but it did. Damn knife happy doctors. Now my knees mildly ache.
3. Acid reflux. Bad heartburn. Prilosec OTC keeps that under control.
4. High cholesterol. Lipitor handles that.
5. Very very mild case of COPD. I'm a smoker so I'm sure that will only get worse.

And that's about it. Not too bad for an old fart.   

[Zzzptm]

I've had the reflux, I watch that with my diet choices. Statin drug for the cholesterol.

[Billy Underdog]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYUgGs9IStY

[Vyn]

It still isn't too loud, so I must not be too old. 

[Tyr66]

It still isn't too loud, so I must not be too old. 

[Typhon]

It still isn't too loud, so I must not be too old. 

Right on, brother!

[Zzzptm]

Keep breathing, Billy, you'll be where we are, one day.

[BOGBLAST]

Time is a bitch Billy 

[Zzzptm]

Good news is that I think I'm winning the battle of the back pains.

I have a very comfortable chair for my home office.

[Typhon]

Well I guess I should mention a few things about these "growing older" subjects Zzz keeps bringing up.  Especially because it seems I am the oldest member here in The Community.

The thing is, I am far from typical.  Although I turned 60 last February, you would not realize it to look at me.  My weight and waist size are the same as when I was 20, and I don't have any hair loss.  I have slight tendinitis in my right knee, and bruised ligaments in my right shoulder, but this is not from age.  I played various sports for many years, especially tennis, and those injuries are the results.  The only real aging I can see?  My hair did turn grey, so I have my barber put my original color on it, and I have to wear glasses.  I bet I could beat any Community member in a 50 yard dash.

Here is a good shot of me in a local tournament when I was in my 20's.  I sure could smack the ball back then.

[Vyn]

Good pic Typhon, thanks for sharing.

I don't really have anything age-related to share. Other than my eyesight, but I just need reading glasses (although one day they'll need to be thick as pop-bottles lol). I have a herniated disk in my lower back but I've had that for years - either too much rugby or working on loading docks when I went to school. Probably both.

Interesting thing about that disk: it doesn't impact my ability to do anything, and I don't even know it's there. Unless I turn a certain way and then I can feel it. And if I don't immediately stop and take it easy, it will jack me up for weeks until it calms down.

I really try to avoid that!

I haven't lost any hair, although it is about 60% grey. I probably look about ten years younger than I am, although I could stand to lose some weight.

[Charger]

No matter what you are never too old to rock!!


http://loudwire.com/elderly-men-escape-nursing-home-metal-festival/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=newsletter_4511503

[Zzzptm]

Well I guess I should mention a few things about these "growing older" subjects Zzz keeps bringing up.  Especially because it seems I am the oldest member here in The Community.

The thing is, I am far from typical.  Although I turned 60 last February, you would not realize it to look at me.  My weight and waist size are the same as when I was 20, and I don't have any hair loss.  I have slight tendinitis in my right knee, and bruised ligaments in my right shoulder, but this is not from age.  I played various sports for many years, especially tennis, and those injuries are the results.  The only real aging I can see?  My hair did turn grey, so I have my barber put my original color on it, and I have to wear glasses.  I bet I could beat any Community member in a 50 yard dash.

Here is a good shot of me in a local tournament when I was in my 20's.  I sure could smack the ball back then.

Basically, your mileage my vary.

Good to hear that yours varied on the plus side, Typhon! I firmly believe that we should all be active and enjoy our activity while we can.

[Typhon]

Basically, your mileage my vary.

Good to hear that yours varied on the plus side, Typhon! I firmly believe that we should all be active and enjoy our activity while we can.

I take it that you meant to say, "your mileage may vary."  True, but if I had to do it over again I would have toned down the amount of time and effort I spent playing.  I was not a paid professional, so I have concluded that the grueling toll it took on my body was not worth having worn out parts afterward.  Don't they say, "everything in moderation" or something like that?