I started out at the office as usual this morning but got called away shortly after 9 to unexpectedly take my mother to the hospital. Mom is 76 and very healthy in every way except for a broken down body. She has osteoporosis, arthritis, two replaced knees and a very bad back. She has had bronchitis for the last couple of weeks which reactly badly with her asthma and caused a lot of 'violent' coughing. This had pretty well thrown every joint in her body out and she was in severe pain.
When I called to check up her this morning she was desperate and in tears. Not knowing what else to do, I went there and took her to 'Urgent Care' at the hospital. They spent all day x-raying and testing her and after 5 or so hours in waiting rooms, sent us away with the advice to take ibuprophen. She had already been doing this.
There really isn't a lot to be done for these physical ailments and resulting pain. I can see how much pain she is in and feel pretty helpless to do anything. Well except to offer her food, tea, advil and sympathy.
There are so many women (likely men as well) of her generation suffering from osteoporosis and physical ailments. I'm glad they finally got the word out there about calcium and exercise. Even though she is healthy as far as all her organs goes, she really doesn't have a great quality of life. Makes you realize how important it is to do your strength routines, pilates and yoga. I'm hoping these things are going to keep me from the pain my mother lives with.
This is my solution, too, Wendy. I am mid-50s and exercise 6 days a week. Mostly walking, but also gym work. I get a real kick out of strengthening my upper body. Must be a butch thing. I have mild asthma and a couple of other ageing type issues ... but I hope to keep "things" at bay with exercise. I also like to keep my brain going with uni courses, etc. Community involvement helps too. I'll let you know in 25 years how successful all this is!!
Posted by: julie | February 21, 2004 at 05:24 AM
A lot of it is genetic as well, but proper diet and exercise now can forestall or prevent some of these ailments. You're on the right track. Especially if they want us to live longer, we don't want to spend the extra 20 years sitting in a chair!
Posted by: susan | February 21, 2004 at 02:41 PM
Yeah - these things are key to quality of life as we get older ... good point about keeping the brain active and social networks going - my mother has never really cared about either of these things either and I know she would be happier if she had. She hadn't antcipated being a widow at age 56 - yet there she is with no real interests. It is so true that we have to keep our bodies fit - I wouldn't want to live if I had to spend 20 years sitting in a chair.
On the strength thing - I don't always enjoy lifting weights - but I love having upper body muscles and a strong core. I know it helps with other activities that I do (like skiing and cycling - running too) But apart from that I like to feel strong. When the guys at work see me hauling multiple bundles of paper for the printers, they think they need to help me - I don't need the help though. It is a great thing to feel strong.
Posted by: wendy | February 21, 2004 at 03:29 PM
Yes, I have only recently dragged myself out of the "no real interests" syndrome. And the difference is magical. Sitting in a chair holds no attraction. The upper body strength actually came from the desire to eliminate the flabbiness under the arms and to stop tit-sag. I workout on a series of machines that do just this. And it is certainly working on my shoulders and arms. The tit-sag reduces with weight I suspect. Same with me at work. They are used to me now though only offer to help, not do it for me. Which is fine.
Posted by: julie | February 21, 2004 at 06:31 PM