A colleague of mine had a stroke earlier this week. His prognosis is just about as good as it could possibly be, given what happened -- he was at home with his wife at the time, and she noticed almost immediately -- and he's looking at about a month of rehab at the end of which his doctors think he'll be completely recovered. He had been fighting off a bronchial infection, and that morning, he commented about how many vitamins, antibiotics and assorted drugs he was on -- and said "when I look out of my left eye, it's like looking through snow on an old TV set." None of us really thought anything of it, and he obviously didn't either, but in retrospect that was probably the warning sign that, if he'd realized what it meant, would have saved him from a potentially life-threatening situation. And if he weren't married, or his wife hadn't happened to be home that evening, he might not have survived. That's despite being only in his late 50s, not an age when anybody really expects serious health problems, and in good shape. The reason I mention it here is that it reminded me of Techman. Different condition, different situation, and unfortunately for Techman, different outcome. But those annoying little health things that are so easy to ignore -- and that men, statistically, are especially likely to ignore -- can turn out to be something serious. Anyway, take care of yourselves, everybody. And now, back to your regularly scheduled Wordforging.
My only recent health problem (other than tinnitus/hearing problems/mental problems) is tennis elbow. And I don't even play tennis! But tennis elbow is a generic term actually. My left arm is FUBAR from excessive hours shooting my bow. And I can't go to occupational therapy because I don't have enough vacation hours to go during the week. The VA doesn't have those services on the weekends. Other than that I hope I don't have any lurking health problems.
I just had a full physical a couple months ago and I'm actually in decent shape, all things considered. But thanks for the thoughts, @tafkats
Even that isn't always enough. I've always had good health indicators, but there is the reality that some people who are healthy can still experience a tramautic, life threatening event. My uncle, who is only about fifteen years older than me and in terrific health (eats right, bikes thousands of miles a year, repels stress away from himself and others nearby) recently had an angiogram, with three stents. As he put it, he's in the small percentage for whom "shit happens." It is definitely good to be aware of the signs and listen to your body. You never know whether you might also be in that small percentage.
I had a "fuzzy eye" issue last summer and ended up going in to get it checked out. After two independent doctors said something about "autoimmune," I made sure they ran some tests to make sure my body wasn't going to eat itself. Finally got it mostly managed this year with the eye doctor--turns out I had a pretty solid infection in the outer surface of my eyeball! Also, please take care of your mental health, and watch those around you. SAD and depression are real things.
Heh. My only recent health problem (other than hearing problems/mental problems) is golfer's elbow. And I don't even play golf! Not a severe case--no impact on my day-to-day life--but I don't heal the way I used to, so it's lingered forever. A bit more than a year of pain and aggravation of the injury whenever I lifted anything heavy with my right arm, which, being extremely right handed, it was very difficult to train myself not to do. It was a very strange moment when I noticed that my right arm was distinctly smaller than my left arm. The injury happened in November 2013, and it's just in the last couple of weeks when I can, with elbow support, lift the about the same weight right-handed as left handed.
My latest malady is the "so uncomfortably full that you can't eat" thing that lasts all day, sometimes for a couple of days. Got a thorough blood test to make sure it wasn't diabetes. Blood test was just fine. I'm working on eating less crap, and that seems to be working a little. Dropped over 5 pounds in the process. I still get the symptoms on occasion, but we're thinking it's stress related. Between Mary's surgery in the summer and non-stop government proposal at work since the summer, I've been on edge for 6 months in a row.
I don't go to the doctor that often because, as someone who leads a stressful life, and has depression and anxiety on and off, I just don't care for even more bad news...and yes, my logic tells me that isn't the sensible approach....and I know there is bad news to be had. I've resolved that come the new year I am going to get super healthy. As close to a slimline body as possible. Veg and fruit heavy diet...and so on. Then I will likely have the self confidence to start going to the doctor again.
Oh, in addition to the above, in the past seven years, my dad, mom, and uncle all died of cancer. I'm soooo screwed...
Also remember ladies and gents that pain in the arm, back, or jaw can be a symptom of a heart attack (especially in women) and is often ignored due to the location, especially if it is accompanied by dizziness or nausea. unfortunately a excessive amount of cadavers at the school are heart attack/strokes due to poor life choices
That's something I'm always looking out for. I'm under constant stress, and I'm fully aware of it. It is an unending 24/7 cycle, and I just know one of these days I'm going to blow a valve, or short circuit or something, and that'll be it. I swear my tombstone is going to read "Here Lies John: Who here didn't see this coming?"
I have some paranoia around this, since the symptoms are very similar to indigestion. I always figure if I have a heart attack, I will just think I ate something that doesn't agree. Perhaps the pain from a heart attack is more intense and obvious, but it's hard not to be paranoid.
Doesn't have to be that way. From your statement, you have actually added stress.... on top of stress....worrying about things you feel that are out of your control. If you are aware of a problem than fix it.
Yeah, I've added stress, but it's because the highly stressful situation I'm in is only getting more stressful, and I've become concerned because I'm noting the telltale physical and mental signs associated with extreme emotional and physical burnout, which I am certain beyond a shadow of a doubt, I have reached. It's the equivalent of seeing the water rise above your chin, and knowing that no one is coming to rescue you any time soon, and you just can't swim anymore.
When my dad had his heart attack in the Spring, at first he felt like he'd just overexerted himself (he'd spent the afternoon stringing barbed wire fence by himself--at 74 years old ). My stepmom was the one who could tell that it was something more than that and she took him to the emergency room.
An excuse is just a reason to fail One thing I have always noticed about individuals harboring excessive stress is the ability to explain why/how things got to that point. Stress is like carrying around a book bag full of rocks, unless you start removing them one by one the bag will inevitably become to heavy and you will fall. Physical burnout caused by the "why are there so many heavy fucking rocks!! And emotional burn out by the "why am I carrying around all these fucking rocks??" Is enough to break anyone into despair. Why do you need someone to come rescue you?
Aw, thank you. Well, in this case, all of these rocks are there because each one is tied to something that keeps that person alive and healthy, while maintaining everything else to ensure that person isn't put into a position where they lose either. It requires 24/7 care, and it's been going on for many years without respite.
Not to many rocks out there with strings tied around them,unless someone made them that way, and time doesn't make the string any stronger or complex. (Previous statement excludes headphones.... I swear to God)
What I'm saying is that my continued efforts keeps someone alive and healthy. If I stop, they have no one else to support them. I do not like the position I am in, but I'm in it for a reason, and unfortunately it has grown well beyond my capability, but I try anyway, because I am really all that person has.
I'm really starting to hate my job, but people depend on me to earn money so what can I do? I try to tell myself that I should be thankful to have a job but I still hate it. At 53 and not being a very fast learner, I have to hang in there and deal with it.
Great. I have pain in my jaw from TMJ syndrome, I probably won't notice. And just lately my indigestion has come back.
I piss about 50 times a day. That said, I have an appointment to see my assigned doctor just so she can say "I'll give you a referral to see an expert" and see if it's my prostate, a small bladder, or whatever.
I know Johns story, I know what he deals with on a daily basis and it's really not fair to him. His WHOLE family should help out but only John does it.
UPDATE! My primary care manager here at the Army hospital confirmed what my VA doctor said a few months back - I have microscope hematuria (blood in urine that can only be found under a microscope). The cause is as yet unknown. But as we speak they attempting to induce bacteria growth in my urine sample. So by Tuesday (Monday is MLK day so they are off) they will hopefully know what I have. In the meantime they have me on antibiotics just to get a jump on any infections or pending infections. I do not have painful urination (ruling out kidney infection) or getting up in the middle of the night (prostate problems) so I'm really at a loss as to what it could be. I am certainly curious? I had a tumor removed 10 or so years ago in my stomach/gall bladder/intestine area but I would think that is incidental to this situation.