Embracing Old Age

I know the feeling. I considered myself a very fit and "young" granny. It seems to have all happened in the last year - all the things you describe "GM". It is quite depressing as winter begins. Some people seem to have good genes and don't start falling apart until they are very old. I console myself that there are lots of people much younger than me who have lots of health problems so am trying to count my blessings.

I've been thinking I'm a 'go grannie' type of person - until I was taking the vacuum cleaner upstairs and the wretched thing decided to go one way but my leg chose a different route. No breakages fortunately, just a possible dislocation which has gone back in to place but still hurts like merry H... That was a week ago and I'm still hobbling about though better than I was thanks to an excellent physio. I really feel old now - at least for the time being though thankfully I've managed to dispense with a stick

Lona how did you find that picture of me?

GM, you don't look like a baboushka at all but, even if you did, when ever my grandchildren come round they love playing with my baboushkas (that sounds quite rude!) so it can't be a bad thing.

I can sympathise with the DH going deaf bit. Apparently, I've stopped saying the start of sentences and mumbling the rest. When we had a new TV, we bought a sound bar to help DH hear what was going on but now we miss lots of every programme as he keeps trying to find the right setting. [grrrrr]

Can I join the club?

I seemed to be doing alright until I was in my mid-sixties. I'm the same weight I've always been. I was fit and didn't have too many wrinkles.

Now, at 70, I have had polymyalgia rheumatica for 4 years and take steroids. My upper lip has that line of vertical wrinkles on it, hidden to some extent by my moustache .

A month or so ago I had a virus and from that a chest infection or flare up of asthma. Then the digestive system went all chaotic for weeks and still is to some extent.

The final insult was I had a blood test and everything was okay except for one of the liver functions was borderline high. I said 'liver' in a surprised and indignant voice when the doc told me and then started to ask how much I drink. I told her I drink a maximum of 8 units a week and sometimes nothing. She said 'okay I'll believe you' looking doubtful.

Finally, in spite of not having put on weight, everything has gone soft and sliding, like one of those slow avalanches.

Phew! That was good. I feel more cheerful now.

Some positive thoughts here, ladies - time to snap out of it.

Gracesmum I am feeling just the same, so much joint pain and aches, but I love this picture, sums up the look!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=360048884128841&set=a.332226370244426.1073741828.330376157096114&type=1&theater

gracesmum you could have been writing about me! It is hard to keep positive isn't it? Knowing that the best is behind us (I've never subscribed to the "best is yet to come" nonsense) hurts a bit. But you are not alone and those of us in the achey club all know exactly how dispiriting it can be.

Today I had coffee with a group of my WI friends and we had such a laugh and a good chat that I came home smiling and singing. It didn't last, mind, but it was fun and I think the only way to cope with getting older and creakier is to foster friendships and family and count the good things in ones life. Doesn't work all the time though.

Hope you are feeling a bit brighter.

I have a fun packed diary- trip for my flu & shingles jabs, optician, to the dentist for referral as part of a dental blade was found on an xray last week- it has been there for 40 years. A trip to the eye clinic and lastly a jaunt to see the orthopaedic specialist re my failed knee replacement. How did I ever have time to do a full time job?

Oh Gracesmum Thankyou. I'm having a similar day of aches and pains and general decrepitness ( and not being able to spell) and you made me feel so much better.
So and a large G and T with thanks.

..I thought of you earlier today, gracesmum, because of something someone wrote on one of my racing forums in reply to the previous post. It was 'my grandfather broke into a school the other day. I found him in a classroom saying 'if it wasn't for me you'd all be speaking German'. 'That's right', replied the German teacher.' [you've probably heard it already, but it made me chuckle]

I am not so much embracing old age as ignoring it! Of course I look old, but I don't care. I did have a little problem with my knee last week, following a mammoth climb, but as I was enjoying myself showing When round the Alps, I wouldn't have been walking far anyway. It is better today so I will be starting to walk again tomorrow. (I was catching up on my laundry today.)

Thanks!! Virtual cake can't be fattening can it?

Everywhere I look there's bits of hair floating around and every time I touch anything one of my nails tries to drop off.....

(missed out the 'cup' bit again)

to cheer you up.

And [cake] (sod it!)

gracesmumI know just what you mean about the Russian baboushska. I felt so depressed when I looked at our recent holiday photos! When did I get that shape?! It can't be me. I don't look like that!

WAIL!!!!!!!!!