Friday, March 26, 2010

Life, the way I SEE/SAW it

Looking thru our lives over the years, we know the years will stop for us sometime:


With all the medical advances how long do you want to live?
Most of us answer, as long as we can have a good quality of life. That is easy to answer when you are in good health. But when it comes down to it, we just do not want to die. As I walk by lonely and mentally desolate men and women in a nursing home, sitting in a wheel chair, head hanging over mouth open and sometimes the tongue out, just barely existing; I say, I don’t want that to be me, right?
(Inside the old folk, these young people still exist)

But do we have a choice? My good buddy Sonny told me time and time again, these pills are keeping me alive, is it worth it? I always said, ‘I like having you around Sonny. But the only person who can answer that is you.’ He would smile and say, ‘but I can’t answer it’. That dilemma faces millions of Americans and others around the world.


This is not to seem morbid, it is a fact. We are on Medicare like most seniors and we have a supplement. BUT when do Doctors say this is enough. To be honest I don’t think the majority of doctors will ever say, ‘it is enough’. They suggest one more operation, one more visit, one more prescription; we all know it puts more money in the Doctors pocket, and takes from Medicare.


(This pic. was tken in Fred Alton & Frances' trailer in 1959, USAF Biloxi, MS)







I’ll admit that in the past 20 yrs. I have paid more attention to my health, because I have seen so many die. This is my theory, opinion, or whatever you want to call it. (Some say it is stubborn). I don’t plan to see a doctor until I have serious symptoms. I don’t know of a person my age that goes to a Doctor, who does not leave with a prescription for something. And once they start seeing a Doctor, it never ends. The prescriptions never stop. Once the DR. has diagnosed you, you are afraid to NOT take the medicine.


Sherry doesn’t like it, I love her, and understand how she feels, but ultimately this is my life, my decision. I don’t think it is that irrational.

(Yep inside these older folk all those young folk still live!)
Some folk, including my Sherry, see a Dr. every year for a checkup. Fine, I think if I was a woman, I would. If my family had a history of cancer, I might. My folk die from heart attacks. Therefore I am trying to protect my heart cause I like it. I like to know it is pumping. But unless I change my mind, I don’t plan to see a doctor until the emergency room, or, as a coroner, he says, ‘Jack is Gone’ (then I probably won’t see him, LOL).
Of course in this life I have learned you should never say never, cause you just might change your mind.
Thanks for coming by the log,
Nite Shipslog
PS:
"A man who sits on tack gets point and will surely rise"
"Man who lives in glass house should change clothes in basement"






15 comments:

Lucy said...

Jack, I understand exactly what you are saying. I also understand why Sherry doesn't like it. I just got through complaining to Ron over the phone when he got back from seeing his dad that I was just not going to a doctor ever again cause insurance don't pay worth a darn and we do not have a supplemental policy. Probably why they paid my chair off. I never expected to live to 80 and I will be honest when I think of living to 97 like my dad did it scares me. I never heard him complain but he was in the hospital one time and that was a gall stone attack He was 9o at the time and he got through it with no surgery. As far as any other medical problems , I didn't know it if he had them. I like you, do not ever want to live so long I am in a nursing home.

Sheila Y said...

Are there any men who actually like going to the doctor? Hubby has to go regularly now, since he had his heart attack...but I agree with Sherry, if it will keep him around longer I'm all for it...now I might not admit to that last comment on days that he is getting on my last nerve...ha. You and Sherry have a great weekend, Sheila

Anonymous said...

JACK, YOUR ENTRIES ALWAYS GET ME TO THINKING.

JUST YESTERDAY A DAUGHTER TOOK ME TO THE DOCTOR FOR MY THREE MONTH CHECKUP. TOLD ME I'M STILL ALIVE. I LIKE THIS DOCTOR WHOM IS AN 'OLD TIME' FAMILY DOCTOR THAT MADE HOUSE CALLS A FEW GENERATIONS AGO.

VISITS TO HIM ARE IN A HOME THAT IS WELL OVER A HUNDRED YEARS OLD AND IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION, A VICTORIAN STYLE HOME IN CANON CITY COLORADO.

ONE OF MY PRAYERS IS TO LIVE PAST A HUNDRED TO SEE THE OUTCOME OF OUR FUTURE AMERICA THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

REGARDLESS OF THE PLANNING OF OUR 'EXPERT LEADERS', THE PRESENT LIFESTYLE WILL BE HARDPUT TO SURVIVE. MY PREDICTION, THE 'CRASH' COMES AND TURMOIL WILL LAST FOR A FEW WEEKS AND THE SURVIVORS OF RIOTS AND DESTRUCTION WILL BE PEOPLE IN THE BACKWOODS SUCH AS I REMEMBERED DURING CHILDHOOD, MAKING DO WITH WHAT THEY HAD.

OUR UNITED STATES HAS BEEN THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD AND IN MY EYES REMAINS SO, HOWEVER, IT APPEARS WE HAVE SLIP-SLID INTO A SITUATION OF INDEBTEDNESS, UN-SUSTAINABLE AND OUR ELECTED LEADERS, CONGRESS INCLUDED THAT SHOW NO DESIRE TO SHOW FISCAL RESTRAINT AND DO THINGS NECESSARY TO RECOVER.

YES, TO LIVE PAST ONE HUNDRED WOULD BE VERY INTERESTING. WILL BE NINETY APRIL 24, CERTAINLY DO NOT FEEL THAT OLD, VERY FEW ACHES OR PAINS, SO WHY NOT GO FOR THAT HUNDRED MARK ? PERHAPS RETURN OF THE HORSE AND BUGGY DAYS OF MY YOUTH. EVERYONE LOVED AMERICA.
SURE, THERE WERE PROBLEMS. DURING MY VERY YOUNG YEARS I COULD SEE THE FAULT OF TREATING BLACK PEOPLE UNFAIRLY. IT BOTHERED ME.
INCIDENTALLY, IN THIS PRESENT DAY ONE SENATOR REMAINS ALIVE AND ACTIVE THAT LIVED YOUTHFUL DAYS OF THE HORSE AND BUGGY DAYS. CAN YOU GUESS WHICH SENATOR IT IS ? sam

betty said...

lots of wisdom in this entry, Jack (and great pictures of you and Sherry through the years; funny she hasn't aged, but you have........,now don't go around joking that you aged because of putting up with her because I know she is a saint for putting up with you and your antics).

Having seen my mother-in-law deteriorate before our eyes with her health these past several years where she is a shell of the once vibrant woman she was, I would opt for quality versus quantity in life, but this is when I have to trust that God knows best. However, MIL is on 13 plus medications and is still barely able to function. Makes you wonder what would happen if some of those were reduced, would it make the end of her life come quicker? Another interesting thing to think about. She's in her mid 80s and has lived a good life. Hubby is realistic that she is not the same mom that he knew from growing up, etc and that in all practical purposes she is "dead" in what she can do and how she functions, but still wants her around because, of course, she is his mom. And she always went for checkups, etc. Makes you wonder, doesn't it??? I'm with you, though, I avoid doctors at all costs.

try to have a good weekend :)

betty

~mel said...

I can certainly agree with a lot of what you're saying here Jack. As long as you can stay away from the doctors all the better; BUT... if you're having that big heart attack you get your ass in there and let them take care of you! At least that's what I've been told so I'm just passing on the advice.

Jean said...

Okay Jack, 1. you aren't all that old . 2. I’ll go with Sherry she wants you to live she doesn't want to be left alone. 3. If you feel you need to see a doctor I would advise you to see one. My husband had open heart surgery at the age 79 and he did well that was 3 years ago ,and he had carotid artery in 2008, and gallbladder surgery last year and so for he has been doing well. He will be 83 March 30. I still want him around. He takes blood pressure medication and a gout pill .If he had not had all these surgeries he could have had a stroke and things could have been BAD. I'm like you I try to stay away from doctors as long as I can. I go twice a year for blood work I take cholesterol medication. I want to live a long time if I stay able to take care of myself if not, I don’t think I would. Lol. You take care and you and Sherry have a nice weekend, jean

Fred Alton said...

Wow, Jack! Thanks for posting that picture of you and Sherry in our trailer. You were both looking good then ... Sherry still looks good ... ahahaha aha. Yes, you too. Doctors are for sick people. I started going every two years when I started flying and, like you said, that means you have to go back. I'm thankful for good health here. But the fact that I take some medication comes in handy when I want to explain some crazy action I've taken. "I'm on medication" is my reply if I forget something. I take an 81mg aspirin, a mild anti-histamine, and vitamin tablets every day.

Anonymous said...

You have been able to keep that smile throughout the many years, what made the most impression for me. A deep bow for that. Agree with you about the "not seeing a doctor theory" very much.
Please have you two a wonderful weekend.

Woody said...

Good entry, not much going on, Today was the first day I went outside since Tuesday when I went to the Doctor, been in bed almost all week, gonna dip down to just 5 degrees tonight, tomorrow morning we head out for the BIG Pancake and Sausage Breakfast in Croghan. Yer rig looks good parked on that Slab!

You 2 take care!

Coffeeveggie addict. said...

i envied seeing all those photos of you and sherry wish i have someone to share my life with when i reach your age my tears is falling,i just don't know why...maybe,i just question why i needed to be alone when in fact im not that bad at all not have someone around sharing my life..well,anyway i have my family but being youngest makes me feel i would be alone for the rest of my life when everyone already left especially my mom....it gives me the feeling of being alone and hopeless.....i don't want to be alone and live with those nursing home in the future....ahhh,i don't want to think.....


thanks forr sharing this my huhs to you and sherry,

blue

shirl72 said...

I am glad for good health. I said don't call
911 unless it is a heart-attack or appendicitis
Never been in the hospital or on meds. Early
years went for routine physicals. That was
when Dr's didn't believe in prescrbing meds unless necessary-- sure do miss them.

Shirl

Anonymous said...

Hi Jack...and Sherry...it is so very late here and I should be asleep however...so I thought I would read some blogs and comment...helps me to get sleepy LOL...not that they are boring but reading does relax me alot..and I have finished your book and books...when will the next one be out???? and about seeing the doctor...I have regular check ups...have three docs...primary doctor...rheumatology (arthritis) doc...and hearing doc...and cannot say I am ever happy to see any of them...over the years I have had most of my plumbing and extra parts removed...guess they served a purpose...but cannot say I miss them...LOL...and hopefully I will lay down and go to sleep...forever...but I also know that that isn't the way of it in my family...but I try to live each day to the fullest...and to be happy when I lay down at night to say "Thanks Lord...for another beautiful day"...and for lotsa other good things too...LOL....I am rambling...love and hugs...Ora and a a a a ...oh yes...Him

Lindie said...

Have to agree with you. I am afraid to stop some of my heart meds even after my cardiologist has suggested it. Both my dad and my husband died after changing their meds.

Debbie said...

I'm pretty darn stubborn too so I know how you feel. I agree with never say never cause ya might change your mind. We just don't know what we'll do unless it's us in the type of situation where those decisions have to be made.I guess I'll stay stubborn until somebody tells me different, lol.

Love ya'll
Debbie

PS: If ya leave another turkey in the oven to burn Sherry might say enough is enough and you won't have to worry about it. HAHAHA!

Dar said...

Jack, ol boy, The Good Lord is going to take us when He is ready for us. No doctor or meds or insurance is going to change that. We are on this earth to do our best to take care of ourselves as the Lord has instructed. Worry comes when the human factor takes control. I'm good at it, worrying. but getting better at letting life go on as it may. Since Bill's heart attack and all the meds, appt.s, doctors, doctors, doctors, bills, bills, bills, no wonder a person has a heart attack. Continue to do what you are doing, that is, taking care of your heart. It is a generous and loving one that surely would be missed. Life bites sometimes, but only if we let it. Take care of yourself and remember that beautiful bride of yours loves you and wants you around forever.
So, Stay Healthy, Stop Worrying, it ages us.
God Loves ya and so do all your blog buddies, me included...from up north in God's country