Sometimes life throws you a loop.

[arizonachris]

Hmmm, interesting topic kinda (and for me to re-surface here abouts) 2007, a friend of mine (now a rather distant aquaintence) found me passed out under my desk and called 911. Total renal failure due to alcohol toxification. BAC was .389 . I died twice that day but because of another dear friend's insistance (and dragging the doc back into the ER) I'm still here. And with a few relapses and a new found group of the most wonderful, supportive people I have ever met (all my friends at the Battleship Iowa where I volunteer and work) I'll be around a lot longer.

With all that said you need to have a safety net of some sort or another. Really, you do. (don't take this next part as going political, please!) All lives matter. All of us. We all matter. In each special way. So make a contact; the post man, the waitress, the cop on the beat, friend someone on Face Ache (yeah I know you hate the thought) your neighbor. Heck, PM me and I'll give you my number! Make sure someone knows to look in on you. Please.

I lost my mom back in March; a sudden, massive stroke. No one saw it coming. She was in good health for a 74 year old. They got her to the ER in time for that Mega Clot Buster shot but it did no good.

I hadn't visited her in over 3 years. I was always too busy. Or not enough money. Just make sure you keep in touch with someone.

[PamBrooker]

heh.. i figure some day some archeologist will be digging around where i fell down and find my bones.. then he'll quickly bury them back up again and deny they found anything at all..

[jgvaughan]

I really can relate to this story. Back in November, I lost my mom. Wasn't unexpected as she had been suffering from COPD, pulmonary failure, and lack of desire to live. One of her requests of my brother and me was that we both do something about our weight. My brother was 6'1" and 305 lbs. I'm 5'10" and at the time I weighed 245 lbs. Of course, we both smiled and promised we would and it wasn't 24 hours later she passed away.

My brother immediately started about living up to his promise, not me, I continued down the road of following my love for eating. Then in March of this year, I got the wake up call. If it wasn't for my wonderful, soon-to-be wife girlfriend, they would have found me lying in the bathroom dead from a heart attack brought on my aFib. Fortunately she came in to find me laying on the floor, called 911 and they got me to the hospital just in time. That was my wake-up call...I'm 64, 65 in October, and the doctor told me to either shape up or I might not reach 65.

So long story short, I listened and went on an ultra low calorie diet for the last month (had to wait for the doctor's approval and an extreme battery of tests) and I'm now down to 209 lbs. No longer need a cPap to sleep, no blood pressure medications, no cholesterol medications, and no clothes that fit. My metabolic age has dropped from 76 down to 53 and my chances of having another heart attack have been reduced drastically.

On Friday, I plan to marry this wonderful lady that saved my life, good news for me, I think she'll be around way longer than me as she is 8 years my junior. Over the last few months though I've thought about this very issue, will the day come when no one will be there. All of this is why I'm back here, I missed the camaradarie that existed here. I realize distance would prohibit saving my life except for the fact just having a group of friends that you can discuss things with just like this particular topic, helps you realize, you're never alone.

[ZekTheKid]

Life just threw me a loop.

My g-pa, a tired wounded warrior from the Vietnam War, well into his late 80's, has just let tuberculosis, diabetes, and liver cancer take his life away. I'm not sure what to say about this.........

[buzz456]

Life just threw me a loop.

My g-pa, a tired wounded warrior from the Vietnam War, well into his late 80's, has just let tuberculosis, diabetes, and liver cancer take his life away. I'm not sure what to say about this.........

How about RIP G Pa and thank you for your service? Celebrate a life well lived not the end.

[JM1261]

Zek I am really sorry to hear about that. My thoughts go out to you and your family. Same to everyone else on here who has recently lost a family member.

I thank your grandpa for his service.

[jalsina]

Zek,
My condolences for your admired grandpa passing away.
My best wishes to your family.

[goddrauG]

Both of my Grandfathers were in the Military. I also appreciate your G-pa's service, Zek.
I also know how it feels to lose family. Last October, my mother's cousin's 4th husband died of Brain Cancer. This april, my mom's friend of about 30 years died of Pancreatic Cancer. On the way back home from her funeral, my friend called me, telling about how his neighbors house was burning down as he spoke.

[AmericanSteam]

I really can relate to this story. Back in November, I lost my mom. Wasn't unexpected as she had been suffering from COPD, pulmonary failure, and lack of desire to live. One of her requests of my brother and me was that we both do something about our weight. My brother was 6'1" and 305 lbs. I'm 5'10" and at the time I weighed 245 lbs. Of course, we both smiled and promised we would and it wasn't 24 hours later she passed away.

My brother immediately started about living up to his promise, not me, I continued down the road of following my love for eating. Then in March of this year, I got the wake up call. If it wasn't for my wonderful, soon-to-be wife girlfriend, they would have found me lying in the bathroom dead from a heart attack brought on my aFib. Fortunately she came in to find me laying on the floor, called 911 and they got me to the hospital just in time. That was my wake-up call...I'm 64, 65 in October, and the doctor told me to either shape up or I might not reach 65.

So long story short, I listened and went on an ultra low calorie diet for the last month (had to wait for the doctor's approval and an extreme battery of tests) and I'm now down to 209 lbs. No longer need a cPap to sleep, no blood pressure medications, no cholesterol medications, and no clothes that fit. My metabolic age has dropped from 76 down to 53 and my chances of having another heart attack have been reduced drastically.

On Friday, I plan to marry this wonderful lady that saved my life, good news for me, I think she'll be around way longer than me as she is 8 years my junior. Over the last few months though I've thought about this very issue, will the day come when no one will be there. All of this is why I'm back here, I missed the camaradarie that existed here. I realize distance would prohibit saving my life except for the fact just having a group of friends that you can discuss things with just like this particular topic, helps you realize, you're never alone.

I am 68 and in the last few years have had several friends younger than me including my younger brother pass on due to poor lifestyles. I am 5' 6'' and weighed 218 on April 15th. I got the message as well and I started a low calorie diet (800/day) and am down to 155 this morning. Doing aerobics and walking 1-2 miles almost every day. I feel so much better both mentally and physically. I would like to find a wonderful woman and see if she can keep up with me.

[artimrj]

I carve tombstones as you may know. How about seeing your birthday in granite several times a month. Then wonder what happened to them since I am the same age. Just can't dwell on it. I already have our grave sites and the monument is in CAD already. Kerri wanted kitty cat angels on her side.

[BillS]

Life just threw me a loop.

My g-pa, a tired wounded warrior from the Vietnam War, well into his late 80's, has just let tuberculosis, diabetes, and liver cancer take his life away. I'm not sure what to say about this.........

How about RIP G Pa and thank you for your service? Celebrate a life well lived not the end.

Sounds like your Grandpa was a helluva guy! I echo Buzzes sentiments.

[Ericmopar]

I carve tombstones as you may know. How about seeing your birthday in granite several times a month. Then wonder what happened to them since I am the same age. Just can't dwell on it. I already have our grave sites and the monument is in CAD already. Kerri wanted kitty cat angels on her side.

I kinda know where you're coming from Bob.
I've had friends about my age suddenly die. They were in good shape, mountain bikers and hikers etc.
I'm suspicious now that "Green" things aren't so harmless as people think. That is the common denominator. Good shape but party at night...

[buzz456]

Not to put anyone's posts down but one of the things I find most annoying about older people is sitting around listening to their health issues, anecdotal stories about who died and from what and what their plans are when they die. How about enjoying each day and living life to it's fullest? Find things to engage in and just immerse yourself as if you are going to live forever. The rest of it will happen so why spend time thinking about it?

[Ericmopar]

Not to put anyone's posts down but one of the things I find most annoying about older people is sitting around listening to their health issues, anecdotal stories about who died and from what and what their plans are when they die. How about enjoying each day and living life to it's fullest? Find things to engage in and just immerse yourself as if you are going to live forever. The rest of it will happen so why spend time thinking about it?

For me it's nice to discus these things and know I'm not the only one.
It's why we have 50+ forum at a mountain bike site I go to.

[buzz456]

Whatever floats your boat. I'm having far too much fun to talk about depressing stuff.