Shocked by aging process

@bjk3 whoops, thanks for telling me.

@bjk3 Good morning! How to answer this … how to answer this and yet keep it in line with the topis ("Shocked by the Aging Process") … mmm? That's a toughie. I won't say I'm "shocked"––more like "astonished"––when I think about how much age (and in my case, too, peripheral neuropathy) has sped up the change in me from "ability" to "inability." A couple of performance examples that demonstrate this? When I was in my late 50s I played George in Albee's "Virginia Woolf," without a competitor the biggest part I've ever played (number of lines). It took me only a few weeks of morning coffee and kitchen pacing to commit all four acts to memory. Today, I blanch to think I'd once had the ability to learn so many lines in so short a time. Rolling forward to the present? The next-to-the-last show I did was the musical "Ragtime," in which I played the part of Grandfather (what else? :-): a comparative handful of short lines (no big speeches) which, no matter, demanded seemingly endless cups of coffee and weeks of kitchen pacing to memorize. Does that help to illustrate, from my working life, "Shocked by the Aging Process" (with a dose of neuropathy thrown in)? It does me! 🙂 –Ray (@ray666)

@ray666 I feel your pain! It certainly was a wake up call to find myself in the position of having a young soul and a body that is wracked with pains and falling apart.

@seniormiz

Me too.

Hi, @seniormiz. I have the greatest empathy for those of us PNers who are, as you say, wracked with pain. I'm blessed with the kind of PN that doesn't cause mee pain but has a devilish field-day with my balance. Although I'd just as soon be rid of my PN, I'd rather be wobbly than be tortured by PN pain. My heart goes out to all those whose PN has them wracked with pain. What I do to keep my performer's soul in good spirits is memorize poems; I memorize them and then recite them aloud (unless I see that my cat has placed his paws over his ears 🙂 ). It's nowhere near the challenge and pleasure of being in a show, but it's something. And sometimes even "something" is deserving of our gratitude. // I wish you all the best, seniormiz. Cheers from the Rockies! –Ray (@ray666)

@dalexis00
Would you mind telling us what brand and where you get it from?
Also, when you say it has helped your skin do you mean it has helped with crepey skin?
Thank you

@seniormiz @bmbwa99362
It does catch you off guard. Up through my 50’s, I was so active- walking around campus still feeling I was in my 20’s. Bammo- then came my 60’s and all sorts of things started surfacing. I find that the more you fight aging, the more depressed you can get. I just try to do the right exercise, diet, mental health support, and etc. Yes, I’m fighting cervical dystonia, osteoporosis, and balancing other oddities, but I can’t let it all “win” and get me down. My mom always said to fill your well with positive things. This can be hard when you get up in the morning and scream (aghast) at the image in the mirror! lol.
Who in the heck would believe that our skin would just hang there-even with diligent exercise (where’s my muscle tone- what happened to my rear-end? Good gravy)? Many of us are struggling with very serious illnesses/conditions. Our focus is in finding the right support to help us maneuver these struggles, find answers, and continue to get well, overall. Don’t think of the time you have left. My husband used the analogy of a yardstick and point how much time he had left. I finally hit him with it! Live each moment; surround yourself with positive thinking, supportive people; and thank God (others) for each day to live again.

And yes, if anyone finds a miracle moisturizer, a great exercise for improving muscle tone (or heck, maybe a body girdle)… let me know. 🙂

@frouke God Bless You 🙏🏻❤️

@celia16 It’s sad that our country doesn’t revere and respect the elderly as other cultures do. Their wisdom, experience, and guidance are invaluable.

@lacy2 Please reach out to people and talk about your feelings. Don’t struggle with this alone. Don’t BE alone. Have someone to encourage you to go outside, walk, enjoy the outdoors. If family snd friends are not nearby, reach out to local community centers (senior recreation centers; someone mentioned the Y; Silver Sneakers is a great site to visit and enjoy online classes). I’m sorry you are feeling this way. Hugs from me.