Five Wishes — Things We Old People Ignore Made Easy

Aging With Dignity

This is the story of a stroke … a stroke of luck. Strokes kill old dudes like me, but I’m still here. That’s a stroke of luck.

Waking up Saturday morning I was so tired I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I didn’t get it. I slept well the night before… 7 hours, yet my legs were wobbly, and my mind and thoughts were jumbled.

I got up and walked around the house, forcing myself to raise my leg with each step. I felt weak. I was mentally lost. walking into the kitchen three times and forgetting why. I opened cabinets, drawers, and the frig but nothing clicked. Suddenly, I stopped and stood in the middle of the living room trying to think. I couldn’t. Something was very wrong.

Over the past few weeks, I had been unusually tired it seemed.

Today (Saturday) was no different I thought. It was 7:30 am. But it was different. So much so that by mid-morning it worried me. I was falling asleep at 10 am trying to write a story about student loans I’m working on. I couldn’t write... I couldn’t think.

Tired, physically weak, lethargic, and sick to my stomach. A strange and unhealthy sounding combination, and then throw in feeling light-headed and kind of confused. (*Note- I’m often confused according to my kids).

I tested my blood pressure at home that morning, and after three tests: 201/97. Not good at all. My mind raced, and that also wasn’t good because I was a mix of scared and confused. The result was a mind racing to go nowhere. What to do? More confusion. Shaking my head didn’t clear things up.

I called my doctor and was surprised to find them open. They said I could get in within 90 minutes. Relieved, having that appointment, I jokingly (well, half-jokingly) thought to myself … “all I need to do now is not die”.

This had been going on for the past few weeks but I had thought nothing of it, not until today. Previous tests had my blood pressure around 150–160/ 70–75. My recent physical came out normal and the doctor told me I was in perfect health.

This was all I thought about Saturday morning. I was guessing I had an issue with my heart after that initial reading. But I had no idea because I never had issues with my heart. High blood pressure, sure, I had high blood pressure. So what? Take a pill and all is well.

The doctor immediately thought I might be having a stroke. That was my fear as well, thinking back to my test results of 201/97 before leaving to see her. She tested me at 220/95.

When she looked at me and informed me of her thoughts on my current health, all I could think of was, “Man, she sure is purty”. I know. Typical male thinking. Here I was being told I might be having a stroke and I’m like “yeah… ok… she sure is cute”.

What else can I say right? Well, if you know me, you know the answer to that is “a lot”. So I kept my mouth closed, something that is hard for me at times.

All joking aside though, this was not funny. I may or may not have had a stroke. My follow-up is tomorrow. Then, there’s another appointment to see my doctor next week and a heart specialist in 2 weeks. And now a search for something that works to relieve my heart issues with high blood pressure.

Today (Tuesday) I remain light-headed, but the nausea has gone away and I feel more normal than the past few days, if still a bit tired or unenergetic. But my strength and energy are back to normal it seems.

So here’s my point in writing this. This can happen to anyone at any time. I just had a full physical in late January. The Doc said I was in perfect health. I felt great. And then it all changed… quickly. So much for The Beatles' line, “Nothing’s gonna change my world”.

Something is always going to change our world. Always. There is no way to ever change that. But we can be as ready as possible for whatever may come.

Getting old is not what I was told things would be like. Here’s my advice for those preparing to head to the beach, and ride the waves into the future:

• If you’re over 50, have a heart monitor at home for your use. It can save your life or someone else's. It may have saved mine.
• Know the warning signs of a stroke. This is, of course, a good idea for all, but then my blood pressure was so high I had trouble thinking clearly. I still managed to make a good decision to see a doctor. I almost didn’t.
• Please don’t be stupid and ignore the warning signs, as I almost did. I initially decided to wait until Monday to see my doctor. If I had, I would probably be either dead or in a hospital.
• Always have access to good music. You’ll thank me later. Hold on while I throw on my “Let It Be” album… If I were to be confined without music… just shoot me.
• Write a Will. (See below: Five Wishes-Aging with Dignity)

Today (Thursday) my thinking is not too muddled. My typing is … meh ( I am the fastest “peck’n hunt” two-finger typist in the country). My confusion had resulted in my standing in a room and not knowing why I’m there. That has improved also.

Writing this post helps to coordinate my brain’s thoughts. It’s working… (my brain that is).

Don’t be stupid. Age with dignity. What are your 5 wishes? See below.

Five Wishes — Aging With Dignity

One last thing for everyone who has not done this, including myself, as I have procrastinated about this for several years… write a will. Here is a very easy, simple, and quick way to do so.

Five Wishes — Aging with Dignity

• FiveWishes.Org
• PO Box 1661 Tallahassee, FL 32302
• 888-5 WISHES (888-594–7437) or 850–681–2010 to order your copy ($5) of 5 Wishes.

If you decide to go this route, and when this short pamphlet is completed, you will have a legal will good in any and every state in the country.

The pamphlet was created by the American Bar Association’s Commission on Aging. Various news organizations have called this program a “living will with a heart and soul”. It’s now in use by over 40,000,000 people.

One of my followers and a favorite of mine is Margie Willis. Find her here: