INTIMATIONS OF MORTALITY

More frequently than ever, I am reminded of my mortality, although I have been blessed with exceptionally good health for my age. My primary doctor told me the other day my body is ten years or more younger than my actual age, and I am told I don't look my age. The fact remains, I'm a mid-Octogenerian.

My doctor also told me my genes are catching up with me. My father in his elder years had diabetes, and my blood sugar is elevated enough for my doctor to warn me to alter my lifestyle, unless, in his words, I want "to prick, prick, prick a lot". I don't have diabetes but am in the potentially dangerous zone.

All my family have terrific sweet tooths, lapping up chocolate, pies,cookies,ice cream---you name it. Now I have to start being sensible and make the sweet tooth an occasional luxury. I also have to watch the carbs----bread, pasta, pizza, beer, booze and the like. Fortunately, my wife doesn't use a lot of white flour or white rice, preferring whole grains and brown rice, which are lower in carbohydrate percentages. I'm sure one of the contributors to my elevation in blood sugar has been the summers in England where the desserts (puddings, as the Brits call them), heavy cream and great beer no doubt sabotage my blood sugar.

I also have had for some time a swelling above my left ankle. it may be a lymph node problem or, I found out yesterday after seeing a vein specialist my primary doctor referred me to, edema. I had an ultrasound of my legs and will see the specialist again in early January. In the meantime, he suggests I wear support hose and see if this helps. He feels he can take action to fix it. Since I wear shorts most of the time, I'm going to look pretty silly in support hose! I don't have pain and can still follow my normal gym and other active routines, so I'm not suffering.

As an old fart, these are really not major problems. I have been extremely lucky compared to most people my age. It's simply little reminders that the body parts don't last forever and the machine ultimately breaks down. I'll try a good maintenance program and see if I can extend the warranty a bit longer.