Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Friday, June 17, 2016

Ten Years Or Forever

All is well, daughter is here. Bob had a very bad morning yesterday. I had texted Susan about it. Later when we picked her up at the train she put her arm around him and inquired how he was doing, to which he replied "Better now that you are here." We're on to him so we were expecting that response. This morning he's bright eyed and bushy tailed, well as much as he can be with this pesky blood pressure problem. Don't know yet what the plans are for the day, we're still drinking coffee.
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It occurred to me recently that I might only have ten more years to live. I would be 84 and both my parents died at about 82.  I think in the back of my mind I expect to just keel over in my mid 80s. I never give any thought to dying younger because I figure that would be from something unexpected.

I expect by my mid 80s my battery will run out of charge. I'm working on myself to kick that up to about 90. I don't suffer from arthritis or osteoporosis that often causes mobility issues. In general I'm in good health. Need to exercise more and there's always hope that I will.

People are living longer so I figure I should be able to make it to 90 in fairly good shape. Not exactly sure when I expect my luck to run out but sometime after 90.

Being a person who looks far into the future and makes plans years in advance I was somewhat alarmed to think of living only 10 more years. That's just not acceptable.

Do you ever think about how long you might live?

19 comments:

  1. Sure, sometimes it's a might scary. My doctor gave me so long and I have surpassed that number by a few years. Too ornery, I suppose. I often wonder though, just how much a human body can take before it finally gives up.

    My father passed away at 58, my mother at 78, my sister at 54, my brother at 64 (I think). We pretty much lived the same lifestyle, ate the same foods etc. One of my grandmother died at 68 and the other at 74 - no drink, no smoke, no vices. Both of my grandfathers lived into their 90s and let's just say they were no angels ... I believe the whole thing is a crap shoot.

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    1. I do think your theory of a crap shoot is pretty accurate. My grandmother died of a stroke at 54 out in her garden in the extreme heat of a summer in West Texas. I don't even figure than one in my family's medical history. That was 1928. Blood pressure medications are good these days and people are finally learning to stay out of extreme heat situations. The only medical condition I count in my family history is ovarian cancer. My mother died of that and it often travels to daughters. I solved that one many years ago with a hysterectomy so now I don't even count that one. Though it does concern me for my daughter's future.

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  2. I don't think in terms of number of years but I am certainly aware of my changing (deteriorating) physical condition. My parents both lived into their 80's so I am hoping to do the same, which gives me about 20 more years. I'm OK with that.

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    1. You remind me of a neighbor who used to say when he reached 80 he wanted someone to shoot him. On his 80th birthday my husband knocked on his door and said "Joe, I'm here to shoot you." Joe changed his mind.

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  3. I have thought about how long I will live, and usually measure it in terms of my grandchildren. I should easily be around to see both of them graduate from college in another ten to twelve years. By then I will be approaching my mid eighties. Will I still be any fun or be able to have any fun? I hope so.

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    1. Great way to measure it. I can't see you not being fun regardless of age. Your mom lived a long life. I'm betting you will as well.

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  4. It is our reality. Death will come. The machine known as our body will wear out. Both my mother and grandmother died of cancer at around 83. I'm 66 and figure if I make it to my 80s I will have done good. I just accept that is my fate so I know to make the best of it now.

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    1. The key is when the machine (our body) wears out. Like a car good maintenance means extra miles.

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  5. I always think of how much longer I might live. the answer is no guarantee further than the next minute. It could all end in one big banger. I enjoy what I have, My dad lived to 95. His last 5 years were not good quality of life.

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    1. I don't want any living when there's no quality of life. Quantity is not good without quality.

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  6. I do.....I am 67 now and will be 68 in September - my favorite month. I fully exoected to die in my 30's. Instead I had two more children. I divorced after 41 years and surprising remarried one year later! Who knows what life has in store for them? I live and love every singke day as much as is possible for me! It IS a challenge to grow old gracefully! I am trying my very best!!!

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    1. I think the secret is to live each day to its fullest and don't borrow trouble from tomorrow. I believe you're a good example of that.

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  7. I'm prompted to think about how long I might live whenever I hear news longevity stories -- some science research suggesting we may live to 130 -- interviews with or accounts of whoever the oldest person is at that time. Sometimes when I've felt "sick as a dog" I've wondered if my time had come. I've finished up my eighth decade and see no end in sight, but then ten years ago my husband just didn't wake up one morning, so who knows.

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    1. Good for you. An inspiration to the rest of us. I would love to know I would just not wake up one morning. That's a real shocker for family but sure sounds like a nice way to wind things up.

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  8. My family history includes generous amounts of heart disease, cancer, dementia, and accidents. So clumsy as I am, I always have had the premonition of accidental death. Hit by a bus at the age of 95 -- boom -- over quick.

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    1. I had an uncle in his 80s who had 3 minor accidents and while his care was in the shop for repairs and he was having to walk where he went a woman ran a stop light and ran into him. He wound up in the hospital of that. His children said "Dad, you're not safe on foot or on wheels."

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  9. I went through a terrible depression about seeing into the future and only seeing about 10 years left. I still feel the ticking of time and I don't like it.

    Glad your daughter is there. Go get a massage or something to spoil yourself!

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    1. I agree, 10 years is not enough. That's just not acceptable to me.

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  10. I do have some health issues and I wish I didn't. Having said that, I'm pretty content with how things are at the moment. I try not to look too far ahead, but I confess that I do think about how much time is left for me or my husband. Occasionally, my brain turns over thoughts about one of us leaving the other. I try not to dwell, but it's there. I guess that also comes with this stage of life.

    You are always hitting on something that I identify with, and you put it so well.

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