Shocked by aging process

Just from my personal perspective, having lost my wife to cancer, I absolutely don't complain about aging.

I'm lucky to be alive and always knew that aging is part of life. No one stays young forever.

Strength, Courage, & Peace

@sueinmn Thank you. My whole life has been a physical struggle because i have very low energy (epstein-barr positive but have not pursued a chronic fatigue diagnosis) and i have had untreatable depression since age 26, after my second child. The new meds out that do help me, cause tremors and i have to quit taking them. For most of my life, every big event has to be planned with rests and naps so i can attend. And keeping my fingers crossed that i can hold it together. I want to apologize that my attitude in the post may reflect this. Yes, when i have energy, i go out and socialize. Otherwise, i have many hobbies here at home and there is always READING!! Have a nice day. 🙂

@IndianaScott yes !

@shmerdloff Thank you. It strikes a chord with me.

I need help.

@bonusroundbrown79 Can you tell us in what way and in what area of life? Do you have a medical problem and want to connect with others in the same situation? Or is it something else? Only share what is comfortable for you--but tell us more if you can so we can respond.

Speaking of canes.. a dozen years ago I had a hip replacement and needed one. I got a cane with a leopard print from Walgreen's, and when I took it to a summer outdoor concert, another ("older") woman came up to me and said: "My cane is prettier than yours!" (It was; it had a floral print.) Lately with major balance problems I've dusted it off but also I've discovered Nordic walking poles, which look much cooler and provide much more stability. Not hard to learn to use even for very unathletic me, and there are YouTube videos showing how. Just trying to keep moving ... and I'll take all the help I can get.

@janeaddams I think that's great that you are using canes when you need them! Many would not want to admit that they may need to use them. I'm not to that point yet but if I ever am I will use a cane. Also they are a safety measure. A bad person will think twice about attacking you or stealing your purse if you are carrying a big "stick"!
Good luck with your canes!
PML

@ray666 Ahhh! Walkers may be more expedient but that seat on the walker sure comes in handy.

Hi, @mtnmarge. I hope I didn't come across as disparaging walkers. Wakers have an essential role to play in the lives of so many of us. Recovering last year from a sepsis infection that had me largely confined to either my bed or recliner, I was grateful to have a walker handy for the little walking around that I was permitted to do. Inthe minds of many of us with get-around issues, walkers suffer a stigma: awkward but unaided walking is concerning but not the end of the world, having to resort to a cane is more concerning but still something a person's ego an take in stride (a pun?), but having to use a walker? Oh, now, that's something else! A walker can be a big blow to the ego. It is too easy to think: "What's this? I now need to use a walker? Uh-oh. Does a walker mean that I'm only a step away from bed-ridden?" The answer? Of course not! You can still take pride in being to get around. A walker is merely a tool––a tool that allows a person to continue to participate in life. And, in my mind, participation in life is everything! –Ray (@ray666)