@grandmar I can understand your fears. I actually never expected to make it to 70 since my parents were 65 and 67 when they passed away, and none of my mother's siblings made it into their 70s. I will be 72 this year, my sister will be 75. We both feel that if my parents had lived as we do, a better diet, getting exercise, they would have been with us longer.

Your husband obviously loves you and hates to see you going through this. My husband was so concerned when I had cirrhosis, he really thought he was going to lose me, which he never said at the time. I actually wish he would have acknowledged to me this possibility, it would have validated my own feelings. Try to be hopeful and positive, I really feel that contributes to how well we do. I can imagine not wanting to have to be in a wheelchair, but it beats the alternative.

@catmom777 I too didn't bother with exercise for years, and let my weight get out of control. I know the weight and diet were responsible for my diabetes and cirrhosis. I hope my son and daughter will learn from that. I exercise at least six days a week now, alternating pool exercises with gym exercises, and if I don't make it to my health club, I do my recumbent bike at home. I do berate myself at times for letting this happen but mostly I just move forward. It's not too late for you to start exercising, even if it's just walking. If you have a health club with a pool though, water exercise is very good, and non-impact if that's a concern. Yesterday in my water aerobics class my BPM was up to 140! I can't even get it that high on the elliptical. You can start slowly and gradually increase. I generally do about an hour and a half in the water. First I go to class which lasts for about 50 minutes to an hour, and then I do enough more water jogging to be in the water for an hour and a half. I have gradually increased the weight on the machines at the gym, and have gone from about 10 pounds to 40 - 50 depending on the piece of equipment. Don't give up.
JK

@catmom777 and @grandmar Your exchanges have caught my eye regarding life not going in the direction you intended or expected. I went through the stages of grief after a death and realized that those same steps were occurring for me over the health issues of my baby and myself. That gave me a place to start, so I started working the grief recovery steps of Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. Acceptance was really tough for me to get to, but so beneficial for me and essential for the quality of life that I want for my child and myself. My grief journeys did not progress at the same rate in both situations.
That first step of Denial didn't last long with my son because things happened that had to be taken care of and there was no way to deny that the health needs were really there. For me it was easier to fight for my child than for myself, and that got my grief journey for my child's health moving. I ignored all but the most essential requirements for myself until someone pointed out that if I did not take care of myself I would not be able to take care of my child. That got me going for myself. I moved through Anger pretty quickly, But got stuck in Bargaining for a while for my child, to busy to bother bargaining for myself. I remember dealing with God while following and ambulance 100 miles to a bigger hospital with a neonatal unit. First I asked that God let my child still be alive when I get there, then realized that might be harder than walking into the finality of death. Then I was confused so I asked God to do what was best, but please, if he was not going to take my child on this trip, please give some relief to the constant stress until my child reached at least 18. God answered that prayer with life that night, and that child has been living a reasonably stable life for over 40 years. Depression held me up for a long while until after there was some easing of constant needs for my child, better attention to my own needs and other life successes. I became driven to manage, control and advance myself and my family as much as possible. When I finally was starting to break from the life and self-imposed stress (and I was premenopausal) I got started on an antidepressant which benefitted all areas of my life. After some relief from depression I was finally able to find my form of Acceptance. It is not a one and done for me. It fluctuates with each new or renewed health issue, but it is easier now to get back to Acceptance than it was to get there the first time. I know how to find new paths better now.
That is my story and I am sorry to be so wordy. If you want to use any of my path you are welcome to it. It was free to me and I share it freely. You remain in my prayers as your journey continues. Blessings.