A Different Set of Pesky Numbers

I’ve written about irritating numbers before but a different time and event have me focused on new numbers once again. Those annoying insurance people predict I have six years left and I’m about to have another annoying birthday. I am 82 years old and in about three months will turn 83. When I was born in 1942, my life expectancy was 66.2 years. I have clearly exceeded that number as have 50.7% of my cohort. Luck, circumstance, health and medical advances, economic factors, genetics, health? All of those have played both positive and negative roles in both my cohort and my survival. One should remember that numbers extraction or calculations on life expectancy are based on huge datasets and usually portrayed on bell curves. Today, according to “those people”, my life expectancy, with consideration of my health issues, is 89 years of age. Even that number is not really very precise. Given that half of the population born in 1942 is still alive, I am as likely to die today as I am to live to 2031 or to 2040. Neither impressive nor anything to worry about as they’re just numbers.

Going forward

I can only change my path going forward as saying I wish I had done something twenty years ago is just a game of should haves, could haves or would haves. My predecessors up to three generations back died either of alcohol, cancer, or high blood pressure/heart issues. I also helped or altered my genetics with a liberal dose of Agent Orange (so much to thank Agent Orange for) back in the day. As a result, I have Parkinson’s as well as peripheral neuropathy. There is ample evidence that my journey from CKD to dialysis has been due to oxalate nephrology. Caused by a metabolic change? Best guess.

My genetic issues seem to be pretty well fixed by now. I get regular skin screenings as I’ve had one very small melanoma excised via a Mohs procedure. My heart and lungs are regularly monitored and other than a slight heart murmur and peripheral artery disease, both my cardiologist and my vascular surgeon tell the same joke every time I see them: “your heart, lungs and arteries are in great shape………for a man your age.” I didn’t know stand up comedy was a required course at medicine school.

Parkinson’s balance issues have caused me to migrate from walking sticks through tall walkers to a wheelchair. Yet, I still get around. Now you might be thinking “he’s in sad shape!” But I absolutely don’t feel that way. Why not? I can’t change the fact I’ll soon be 83. I can’t change the fact that I have Parkinson’s. I can’t change the fact I have severe Peripheral Neuropathy. I can’t change the fact my kidneys have failed. I can’t change the fact I’m in a wheelchair. What I can change is how I live with those facts.

My Parkinson's lifestyle

Attitude: I’ve learned that keeping a positive attitude has a positive effect on physical health and mental health outcomes and a negative outlook has a negative effect on physical health and mental health. So, I practice an array of coping skills. I keep my brain busy with things I enjoy such as writing and ancestry research. If I feel myself dipping towards depression or dwelling on negative thoughts, I have sessions with my therapist.

Compliance: I regularly have appointments with all my medical specialists. I take my medications. I don’t skip treatments such as dialysis sessions. After all, these people have spent a large part of their lives learning how to best take care of me. It doesn’t stop me from using google to find really devious questions to ask, but that’s just me.

Laughter: I look for laughter every day. I like those endorphins and there’s some truth about the old saying “If you can’t laugh at life, you will cry over it.”

Exercise: Surely, you didn’t think I’d forget exercise? It’s recommended for every illness and, for Parkinson’s, it’s the only proven thing to stop symptoms progression. I see a PT twice a week and have a slew of in between stretches and exercises.

Changing my mobility: I’m not fond of my wheelchair but I’m even less fond of falling. To get around the limitations of me and my current wheelchair, I’m about to take delivery on a carbon fiber motorized wheelchair.

Age is just a number! Don’t sweat the small stuff and it’s all small stuff! Parkinson’s is just a thing! Dialysis is a minor inconvenience! Live one day at a time! See you for at least the next 6.5 years!