It's odd that. I leap ahead to the old me and often get caught up in breathlessness or pain and I'm really, really slow in learning the lesson of slowing down. Honouring the what is and forgetting about the what used to be.
I always moved at the speed of sound just about, multi-tasked ad finitum, accomplished so much in one day that others were astonished.
I've done enough reading to know that I was a type A personality, always eager to prove myself (to whom, you might ask, but I really don't know) and a classic workaholic.
All is changed now that I am a few weeks into my 80th year having just reached my 79th a week or so ago.
Grandgirl is here and staying with me until next weekend which thrills me no end. Our twosome time. She's enormously attentive to my needs and even to my wants. Her cooking is amazing and we plan to catch some movies and/or series in the time she's here. She will be working remotely for a few days, which is fine by me. She's a federal economist and we are so proud of her as she is - seriously - quite brilliant. Her long term partner is staying with his parents who have moved here as his dad, though quite young, is terminally ill. A real tragedy.
I am busy counting all the gratitudes in my day as I tend to lose track when my health distracts from such feelings.
I am so grateful she is here and so very thankful for our long close relationship since I first laid eyes on her.
I have much to catch up on, calls to return, emails to respond to, half done knitting to complete, so while she's here I can get cracking on all of that as even in this small apartment we have two separate rooms to work in.
We also plan some wonderful beach time at this glorious place a few miles from my house.
Can't wait to hear about your wonderful with your granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteWill definitely share all the news about her Debbie which gives me so much joy. She is so kind and caring of her old grandma.
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I was never a speedy gonzalez. I do everything at a leisurely pace unless it's something urgent. Something might force me to slow down even more, but thankfully that's not the case just yet.
ReplyDeleteGlad you have such a great relationship with grandgirl.
I always envied your type of speed Nick, it just wasn't in me to slow down. I think you will have an easier transition than I to old age movement :) i.e. The Geezer Club.
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It sounds as if you and your granddaughter are kindred souls - which is wonderful. I know that you will have a truly wonderful time with her this week - as she will with you.
ReplyDeleteThank you EC, I am so fortunate that we have shared so much of each others' lives. And continue to do so.
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We find ourselves in similar territory with chronic pain and a need to revise our Type A modus operandi. At least your nation's healthcare system apparently isn't obsessed with the so-called "opioid epidemic" like ours is. Many people, especially older adults, may be forced to suffer needlessly because some "safety committee" (likely composed entirely of healthy people in their 30s/40s/50s) is determined to "protect" us. At my appointment last week my doc informed me that I will be compelled to taper off my low dose of a mild opiate that I have taken for years. This is because I am "over 65" and there is a possible (but never experienced by me) side effect with another med. So, what I probably have to look forward to is more pain and less mobility/functionality. But, hey, I'm "protected", right?
ReplyDeleteOh Elizabeth, I am so so sorry you are experiencing this. I have opiods prescribed though rarely used - mainly when I go out or am having company as my groans bother me not to mention the effect on others. My doc had reservations originally as I am a self-admitted alcoholic (36 years sober) but I haven't landed under a bridge yet with needles in my arms. Your policies are insane. I hate hate hate to think of needless suffering in the elderly.
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You are SO fortunate to live in a sane society. Healthcare folks in the US are overwhelmingly opposed to any opiate-based pain relief meds. They send patients to Behavioral Health so young, healthy therapists can teach us old people how to "re-think pain", meditate and keep pain journals. We're also allowed 10 "integrative-alternative" therapy sessions annually (that's physical therapy, massage, acupuncture and chiropractic). The first three are a big "no thanks" for me and I've done plenty of the latter four over the years.
DeletePain and suffering affect quality of life big time, but that doesn't hold water with the "protect-the-elderly-at-all-costs" crowd. My risk of death by OD is essentially zero, although if I get too miserable, I might consider researching tall buildings for future reference. AS IF. . .an 85 Y/O woman would be skulking around the transit station to cop fentanyl at 1:00 AM.
Totally insane Elizabeth. I know there is a crisis in the US, but mainly among younger generations surely? I'd like to know the research. But impacting pain management for the elderly is abhorrent. And those biofeedback processes of the eighties, like seriously? I imagine there will be some illicit underground markets set up by enterprising energetic seniors.
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Yes, it's overwhelmingly the 18-30 crowd that is doing the overdosing in the good ol' USA. My HMO's reasoning for depriving older adults of pain medication and certain other meds is that they can slow breathing and reaction time (thus perhaps contributing to falls?) so it's "too dangerous" for us! While that may be true in some cases, I've managed to hang around for 85+ years. I must be doing something right--as well as surviving some truly risky things in my youth. I have no breathing problems and am careful about avoiding falls (had a near-miss on an icy driveway 3 years ago).
DeleteI've never been a huge fan of "woo woo solutions" to very real physical problems. I tried biofeedback many years ago--total waste of my time and energy. I sincerely hope you're right about an underground market. So far, I haven't run across any, but I intend to keep looking.
CBD might be helpful too Elizabeth. Here it's over the counter, not sure about the US. We should not have to suffer pain in our declining years, it is cruel and egregious treatment of the elderly.
DeleteIt accelerates dementia and depression etc. Being old in this world takes a huge amount of energy. I must list all the requirements one time as it feels like half my day is used up with it.
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How wonderful to have your granddaughter there for the week.
ReplyDeleteThank you DKZ. I am thrilled to bits.
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A heartwarming story of the way family relationships should be. I am sure you are both enjoying being with each other.
ReplyDeleteSo very much David, she is an extraordinary young woman and treats me so incredibly well.
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Yes, I'm type A, too. I had to prove I could outperform those damn men, back in the seventies and eighties.
ReplyDeleteMe too Joanne. I held traditional male roles in management. Constantly proving a woman could do it. LOL.
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I don't know what type I am. At work I always gave 110%, at home I'm such a couch potato, lazy to the bone.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get the beach time.
Thank you River, she's working away as I type.
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Have a grand time with your grand girl. You deserve it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ramana, it's so much fun having her around.
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Grandchildren are an absolute joy. My daughter recently became a parent and what suddenly hit me is that many years from now she may be lucky enough to become a grandparent!
ReplyDeleteThey sure are Anne, she brings me great joy. Congrats on becoming a grandparent!
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You have some wonderful plans...Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThank you e!
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