That was the question I was faced with by several individuals.
"At my age?!!" Should that be taken seriously?
Yes being 65 in some minds is a time to "go to pasture", a time when our previous generation thought of retirement. A time to be part of the "Timy" group and do mall walks instead of strapping on a pair of skiis? The "baby boom" generation, which I am part of, seems to have a different view of life.
As the last Blog reported I went on a trip to Aspen with my son Mike to do some skiing over the holidays. I guess my "old knees" did not like the frequent turns required to manage speed on the steep inclines on long runs.
With the sudden pain in my left knee I let myself fall realizing at that juncture that I had difficulty getting up. It was then time for the Gondola trip to the bottom instead of trying to ski out. Yes walking on the level (with normal boots) was possible although not always comfortable. On returning to Jeddah I managed to get a quick appointment for an MRI of my left knee which unfortunately revealed a ruptured medial meniscus, a small tear in my MCL and some damage noted in my ACL. Fortunately I managed to get a quick appointment with an Orthopod who specialized in knees. A very personable & professional individual who spent a number of years training in Montreal & Vancouver. Within a week of returning to Jeddah I underwent arthroscopic surgery watching on video as my frayed meniscus was being shaved away. Fortunately professional courtesy did exist in my "home hospital" thus allowing things to be expedited in short order. After a short hospital stay I was sent home for two weeks and the rehab process started. Now back at work although graduating to one crutch, next week hoping to walk slowly at work mostly on my own. Its been an "education" not only from a physical and patient point of view but also from a psychologic viewpoint.
The "aftermath" where I had to be "patient" being a patient. Unfortunately within hours of returning to my room the physio people arrived to start my "rehab". My space with analgesics and coffee was to be disturbed!
The level wasn't too bad, but then they had to show me how to navigate stairs. The "icing" that followed was good.
After being discharged home I managed to "navigate" with a wheelchair, my crutches, and the help kindly given by the Admiral. Yes the Admiral (Joy) deserves a huge amount of credit for her loving care.
Physiotherapy was started fairly soon, within days of the surgery - how things have changed from not that many years ago. At this point they are still my "Godzilla" sessions although necessary - a different kind of "personal trainer".
After two weeks at home "cabin fever" set in - it was welcomed to go back to work even if for shorter days the first week back. My only real outings during those two weeks at home amounted to my three times a week physio sessions - they will continue for some time.
Yes I will have to accept, and be "patient", that the recovery will take some time. I have been told that I cannot walk on sand at the beach for at least three months, longer to use fins for snorkelling, never mind SCUBA with the added weight! These limitations, along with my "age" have led to a lot of reflection.
The "baby boom" generation is supposed to be different from that of our fore fathers. So we are led to believe when one listens to the media.
Do we have to seriously accept that we are "getting old", although not "old old"? We think we are younger than we really are. Our minds think we are still capable of what we could do a decade or two ago. Do we need to rethink some of this?
Yes "working out", controlling weight, etc may allow us to be active for longer than generations of the past but what are the limits?
Many points to ponder for our lives going forward.
But another reason to realize the importance of doing what we can, pursuing our wishes and interests, living life as we go and not waiting. Then to be able to look back and be thankful of what we have been able to accomplish. A reminder that "tomorrow is promised to no one". Yes to live life as it evolves but also to come to terms that next year, or the year after, we may not be able to do what we can today. Our minds may have difficulties accepting this, as mine is, but essential to grapple these concepts. Depressing or time to accept the next "phase" and "replan" what we can accomplish with new goals and aspirations?
Life in its fullness is precious, although "fullness" may have to be redefined as time goes by.
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