If you were to list the milestones of this journey called aging, what would you include? Do you remember when they started?
My list would look like this:
Gray hair in my thirties.
Reading glasses in my forties.
A colonoscopy in my fifties.
Recently, I added something new to the list that really threw me for a jolt. I’d been ignoring a nagging pain in my hip since last summer. It had gotten progressively worse, and I finally relented and made a doctor’s appointment. As the physician reviewed the x-rays, examined me, and identified the scope of procedures potentially used to manage this, he identified one treatment, then quickly added, “of course, we don’t do that specific procedure for people your age.” My age? What about my age?
I’m not sure if it was my stiffened spine or the stink-eye I gave him, but he immediately added “It’s not something we do for patients over 40.” He then referenced “highly trained athletes,” and finished with a nervous laugh. By that time, I’d already forgiven him.
There was no sign of arthritis which is great, but the likely cause for my pain? I wish it was from an athletic injury or overuse from a physical activity, but no. The answer I hear more and more? It’s an age thing. Seems my hip stiffened up when the pools closed, yoga stopped, and dancing came to a halt during the pandemic. Even walking outside during the summer that mimicked temperatures from hell wasn’t a choice. The end result for me? Some stiff joints.
A few days after the doctor’s appointment, I was moping (or rather limping) around when a good friend gifted me a book she thought I’d like. In LARGE PRINT. Again, the look on my face conveyed a message.
“I didn’t realize I was ordering the large print, really,” she quickly replied. Nice recovery.
Later that day, I looked around the house and began to note other subtle, tell-tale signs that the age-ometer is creeping northward on a faster clip, and I wondered …
When did I start buying Aleve in industrial size packaging rather than the small purse-size bottle?
How did Benefiber find its way into the cupboard?
Why am I on the mailing list for dentures, hearing aids, and pre-paid funerals?
Grab bars in the shower, an extra-long, spring-loaded shoehorn, and a list of foods to help bring my cholesterol down? I didn’t have any of these 20 years ago.
Fortunately, despite all of this, or perhaps because of it, my life is pretty darn good, and I really have no complaints. Except a sore hip which is responding well to physical therapy. That’s good, because I’m far too old and out of shape for a hip arthroscopy. And I’m stretching, every day. I finally figured out that probably 75% of my problems in life can be made better by good stretching.
It’s fun to be back in the pool and moving a lot more. I hope you are healthy and enjoying an active lifestyle. If not, it’s a good time to start.
Final note: I visited our library this morning. Never before have I noticed the room that holds a huge collection of large print books! I believe I’ll be visiting there more often.
Very well written! So many of the same issues for all of us.
Thank you, Linda. I have found many ‘sisters’ dealing with this stuff. We need to stick together! Appreciate that you took the time to read and comment.
always love your perspectives and love you too!!!
Thanks, Barb. You’re not there yet, but watch out – all of a sudden, stuff leap-frongs over other stuff. Love that you not only read this, but also took the time to comment. Thanks!
Wow can I relate! Except for me the hip was shot and a replacement brought great relief after the painful surgery and PT. So now what? The next hip? Spinal issues? I’ve been relieved to know these issues are mechanical not systemic (e.g. cancer). I just wish I could get my mouth and stomach to agree with my rational brain. For my body to serve me well for, let’s say, another 25 years (I’ll be 96) , I need to loose 40 or 50 lbs. The whole system will work better then. Hard thing to accept with this bowl of butter pecan ice cream at hand. !
I know you’ve been through the hip issue. Imagine my relief when I learned it was a stiff joint! Good luck as you work through the other issues. And how I can relate to the weight issue. As always, thanks for reading and commenting.
But can you remember where you left your reading glasses???🤣
Great one, Janice! Thanks for the read and taking the time to comment. I am forever saying “where are my glasses?”.
….and I’m walking all over the ding dong house looking for my glasses…you know…..the ones on my head! Good grief!
Glasses, phone, keys … they take on a life of their own once you put them down (or on), don’t they? Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Is it an aging thing that I put my phone down and spend way too much time trying to find it? I then ask Rene to call me and I play find the ringing phone. On the bright side, my hearing is still good!
Ha! I got one of those finder things you can attach to something, but that never worked for me. The trick is to always keep the volume on high. Thanks for the read and comment.
Only my problem looking for my glasses, they are often on my head! Thank you for your insight–and I love how you put it all so succinctly!!
Thank you, Sandy. Oh yeah, glasses … another fine topic.
Yep, mornings are the worst for the stiff hip. Some good easy warm up exercises seem to help. Glad you have the pool, hope it can bring some relief.
Thanks. I love the pool and can’t decide if it gives me more of a physical lift or a mental boost, but regardless, it helps.