I'm eighty one years old and on oxygen 24/7 so I suppose you could say that my Emphysema is pretty bad although I seem to be managing quite well on two litres per minute. I say that because at rest I show a reasonable 95 even 96 or 97.
Worse is that my nose and eyes are constantly running and I seem to lack the energy to surf or write on the forums anymore.
I live in a bungalow and each morning I walk from the bedroom to the Sitting room, regain my breath and take my usual daily inhalants and of course, the Prednisolone.
Having recovered from a Pancoast Tumour some four years ago I feel pretty confident in myself and try to face each day as optimistically as possible, hardly ever bother the nurse or doctor, to come visit me. A couple of years ago I spent Christmas in hospital, hopefully never again, they didn't do any more there than I would have in the comfort of my own home.
Life is now creating daily changes for me, I'm getting older and in spite of the healthiest outlook that I have on life itself, I can't help thinking the unthinkable. . . . . how long do I have? Thoughts that you can’t share with loved ones because you find it difficult and often impossible to share such thoughts.
That is when I come here finding people far worse off than I am myself, people that bring me down to earth with their heart warming stories and their wonderful sense of humour.
As for the trolls that are downright unpleasant on this forum, they infuriate me. They cause so much heartache and sadness please do not let them win.
I have tried to be as lucid as possible but that memory thing keeps getting in the way and I keep forgetting which Worzel Gummidge head it is that I have on my shoulders.
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eightyplus
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Hi Eighty plus. You sound a very friendly upbeat person. I loved your post. I think we all worry how long we are going to go on when we get older. We must take one day at a time and really enjoy every day as much as we can then we have no regrets. I read a book once. I can wear purple. I don't know if you have ever seen it. It basically says to do what you want, say what you want and wear what you want. I think you are very lucky to have gone through what you have and still be here. Good for you! As for the memory thing. I can never remember people's names. I know their faces and I try to rack my brain but nothing comes. I'm the same with places. I really am terrible. I'm here for my husband who has IPF and has been told he has about a year. He is at the moment trying to fight off a chest infection. He can't do a lot now. He is quite cheerful though. He suffers with a runny nose and eyes as well. We haven't found a cure yet. As you say we think it is the oxygen. I'm the same as you I can't talk to my family they all have their own problems and my Husband is one of those people who lets everything go over his head. He is scared I know, but he can put it out of his mind. I can't shut off it is always with me. If you really feel you need to talk to someone. Try The British Lung Foundation. I ought to do that myself but my Husband is always around and I try to hide a lot of my feelings from him. Anyway you seem quite a happy person. You take good care of yourself. There is always someone on this site if you need to talk. Mavis. X
What can I say? You are truly amazing. My mum is the same age as you and can't even work a mobile phone properly and here you are, so confident on a PC. It must be your positive attitude. It would be nice if my mum was half as knowledgable on computer use and terminology. I very much doubt she would even know what a troll is, let alone what they do.
I have often thought of getting her a tablet, but I don't think she'd manage and she's so trusting she'd end up being a victim of spam etc.
Don't worry about the trolls, as many on here will tell you, there aren't any, but if you come across something you don't like just report and ignore.
Such an enjoyable thread to read. So upbeat. Eightyplus I find your post so positive but it has made me think how I can be a real moaning minnie and ungrateful sometimes instead of counting my blessings. Take care stay warm and happy.
I enjoyed reading your post Eightyplus. I suppose we all have our worries and fears. I tend to keep my deep dark thoughts to myself because I do not want to upset my family but nevertheless they are still there so its so good that we have this wonderful site to offload on if we need to.
Sue x
Good Morning Eightyplus,
I its good to talk
A tip about the trolls, if you wear pink tinted glasses or lenses you don't see any
Forgot to mention that I quit smoking in 1999 after fifty one years of the habit, not easy, but like all bad habits a good one to break.
As for computer skills? Not great but enough for me to keep my brain active, unlike the reality programmes dominating our television sets this moment in time.
Bring back 'Sunday night at the Palladium,' even Muffin the Mule was more entertaining than our present day lineups.
Hi Eighty plus. Yes I would love to see Sunday Night At at The London Palladium. I used to like Take Your Pick with Hughie Green as well. There were a few good programmes then. I let my Hubby watch his TV now as I can't be bothered with a lot of it. He is an avid watcher of the Soaps, Detectives and the old programmes such as Lovejoy. I like Casualty, Holby and Saturday kitchen which I have just watched. I quite like the old romantic film as well. I've usually got other things to do anyway. I like reading, drawing and painting plus knitting and sewing so there is always something I can do. Good for you to give up smoking. I gave up about thirty something years ago. We didn't know how bad it was for us then. It was just beginning to come out about it. Can you think of any more programmes that were on TV back when The Palladium was on. My brain has gone dead at the moment. Mavis. X
Hi eightyplus, my father will be 80 this month and, like you, uses his laptop/tablet to keep his brain active. He had a triple bypass two years ago and was convinced it would knock 20 years off his age, unfortunately he has now developed lung problems ( still doing tests) that have seriously affected his breathing. He used to walk miles on the prom everyday but now can only manage the local newsagents with several stops along the way. All I can say is thank goodness for technology as learning to surf the web and use various software has given him a new interest - I know exactly what you mean regarding reality tv - too gladiatorial for my tastes, I have been enjoying all my old favourites on the drama channel - 20 on freeview.
I have only recently been diagnosed with COPD (moderate) and the first (and worst) thing I did was use the internet to read up on it but having found this site I have a much more balanced and realistic view. Although I have only recently started posting on the site I have been an avid reader for months. Because Mum and Dad have been through so much recently I can't tell them about my diagnosis, it just wouldn't be fair and although I am lucky enough to have a fantastic husband I can't talk to him about the 'dark' thoughts that I have had recently - you just don't do you?
Like you I am so glad I found this site - the information, humour and the honesty regarding illness and the feelings engendered by it and although I have seen a couple of silly/nasty comments on the site - Vis*t*r springs to mind - I don't think the site has attracted the really nasty trolls that we have all read about on Facebook etc. I just think that when so many people join a club/society/website they are from different backgrounds/religion/race/countries and bring different viewpoints and opinions and for me that is wonderful and should be encouraged- we cannot all agree with everyview point expressed but to discuss ......wonderful. it also helps keep the brain active. We all have free will and can join in or opt out of discussions as is appropriate but should always celebrate the freedom that allows us to chose for ourselves. It also leads to a rich, vibrant website that never fails to interest, enlighten and generally add to the richness of our lives - even more so for those who depend on the site as the 'window to the world' in the bad times.
80+ Your letter was truly interesting to read. I am pretty old myself, but I do think activity on the computer is really good for the brain. There have some interesting blogs prompted by you. Have you tried Magic Puzzles very entertaining if you like jigsaws.
We are in the process of moving house to be near my daughter. A really nice bungalow. We both find the stairs awkward. The bungalow is so nice but the thought comes into my mind, a bit late in my life to move and how many years left!! Cheerful me.
I dont seem to read books as much as I used. Memory retention isn't good. I keep a 'memory' book and jot anything down, i might forget. I used to enjoy cooking but cant stand for long. Besides that I dont have the appetite now.
Do you remember emergency ward 10 or Dr. Kildare. Those days I never used to see much TV.
Trolls shouldn't be a problem, just ignore them, pathetic. Really nice to have a chat. Annie x
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