Becoming just an old hypochondriac

[vito]

Probably in part because I am now 80, and partially because of recently losing an old, old friend and having yet another old friend dying as I write this, but lately I find that all too often I find I think that something is happening that will spell the end for me. It might be a little pain in the chest or back, something I normally would assume was just a muscle strain, but now I find myself thinking "is this the start of the big one?", or "is the cancer that I beat when I lost a kidney now back, and in my lungs or spine or wherever?". The other night I had a bit of indigestion, but found myself thinking "I guess this is the first sign of stomach or pancreatic cancer" or similar thoughts. Fortunately when morning comes I usually feel somewhat or all better, and I am able to banish these negative thoughts and get on with life. But come the next night the bad thoughts come back all too soon. And for good or bad, these thoughts are not ones that I can share with my dear wife, let alone with any of my grown kids.

This afternoon I went out and bought a batch of new ammo. I am starting planning for an extended motorcycle road trip in the Spring. I am trying my best to look forward to the future rather than facing it with dread. And who knows, maybe I will be around as long as my Mom was, who died 6 years ago just prior to her 104th birthday.

 

[Mobuck]

Try not to let these things get hold of you. Worrying about what might be is probably worse than any disease or health condition.
I probably go the other way far too often and overlook things that might actually kill me. The June 2023 trip to the ER was a serious wakeup call that could have ended badly. As it was, I just walked through the whole ordeal and came out no worse for the experience. I'm still recovering from the burns received November 2022 but again, no need to worry--just deal with the troubles and do what I can.
Keep your head down if need be but stay in the fight. Try not to go looking for problems that maybe aren't going to affect the long term anyway.

 

[Johnnu2]

Not to throw the "wet blanket" BUT, just an assumption that a motorcycle could be more dangerous at 80 than most any disease.

IMHO of course,
J.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

At our age, Vito, we might just realize that we've been alive just about one-third of the life of this nation. Not sure if that helps or not, though.

 

[jimbo1096]

It's like me Vito. I just asked my doctor yesterday about a cancer screening just 'cause I'm not far behind you, now they want to do a colonoscopy. I think I'll take a chance and pass on that one.
How about all of us put up 20 bucks and the last one standing wins the pot. We'll let FMC hold it in escrow.

 

[Fox Mike]

I'm 4 months shy of 87 and can't be worried about the "what if's" in life. I'm no longer the 'physically fit' First Sergeant but I do what I can, when I can. As Clint Eastwood said so well: "Don't let the old man in!" I won't.

 

[protoolman]

My dad's 94. I told him he should take up skydiving. What's the worst that could happen? Be like Popcorn Sutton the moonshiner. He said, " If I had to do it all over again, Dammed if I wouldn't do it bigger and better!" If it's my time to go I'd rather they find me in my garage tuning up the bike than lying in a nursing home!

 

[JPGLSG1234]

Not to throw the "wet blanket" BUT, just an assumption that a motorcycle could be more dangerous at 80 than most any disease.

IMHO of course,
J.

Well he did say on another post that he now rides on a three wheeler so he doesn't have to worry about losing his balance.

 

[xtratoy]

It's like me Vito. I just asked my doctor yesterday about a cancer screening just 'cause I'm not far behind you, now they want to do a colonoscopy. I think I'll take a chance and pass on that one.
How about all of us put up 20 bucks and the last one standing wins the pot. We'll let FMC hold it in escrow.

A 20 year old amish member of this forum would stand a good chance of getting that pot. Maybe we could have age brackets.

 

[jimbo1096]

limited to anyone over 70

 

[eveled]

I realized a long time ago I wasn’t going to be here forever. If I wake up dead tomorrow I won’t even know so why worry about it.

Never leave anything unsaid, say “I love you” every time you leave a loved one. Be ready to meet your maker at anytime.

 

[blume357]

I looked down into the valley of death almost 5 years ago, literally left my body and this planet and saw it and decided to come back. Believe what you will, it could have been a hallucination or not but since then I know every day is a blessing. Jump on that bike and Ride man!

 

[Richbaker]

Not to throw the "wet blanket" BUT, just an assumption that a motorcycle could be more dangerous at 80 than most any disease.

IMHO of course,
J.

No more dangerous at 80, than it was at 20. Probably less dangerous, seeing as most of us have matured...

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Vito, if you’ve got your will in order, but more importantly, have you trusted Jesus Christ as your savior you have no worries regardless. I find the people most afraid of death are the ones that don’t know where they will end up when the time comes.