Getting Old(er)

Not even exactly sure what i want to say here, or what if any responses I might be looking for. Just a thought that i think needs to be expressed. And would be interesting to hear how others feel...

Up until about 3-4 years ago, people were amazed if i told them my age. I always felt, and looked (by others accounts, not just my opinion) 10 years or more younger than my chronological age. And that all seems to have changed. Maybe its in my head, but i dont think so.

I look in the mirror, and i see an "older" man. I feel like i've aged 10-15 years in the last 4-5, and especially after surgery, and my diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease, having stents put in, i feel like its speeding up.
Maybe its the weight I've lost (on purpose) that makes me look older. Or maybe its psychological, all in my mind (but i dont think so). But i think its very real
I remember the day after my surgery, trying to get out of bed, and sitting on the side of the bed, with the nurses help, i looked at my wife and said "in 48 hours i went from feeling healthy, and strong, to being an old man". It was the first time in my life, i actually felt old.

At times i have plenty of energy, but sometimes not as much as i used to. My cardiologist told me no heavy weightlifting, that didnt help my mindset much at all.

I am very thankful for my recovery from surgery, for the gift I've been given of being cancer free, totally continent and fully capable of getting an erection with no meds. Thats what i try to focus on, and thank God for every day. But sometimes it just creeps into my mind, that I'm 4 1/2 years away from turning 70 and actually am for the first time, starting to look and feel like my real age. And it bothers and depresses me.
Just sayin.....

Pratoman,

I hear your concerns, something which every guy on this forum has thought about. I look younger than my age, and am still working at age 67, but definitely feel the effects of age. I do what I can stay in good physical condition. Ironically, one of the things that has helped me mentally is playing ping pong regularly. Ping pong is something you can play until your 80s and beyond.

"Age is a matter of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter" Satchel Paige

@Beth, thanks for taking the time to respond. And as I said, I realize how lucky I am, especially compared to many here, so I do try to focus on input. It's not like I am walking around always depressed about it, 24/7. But every once in a while, it does get to me. I think it has as much to do with my coronary artery disease as PC, if not more. I mean, that's what my grandfather had!
Yup, we all have to live with growing old, which. Guess, as they say, is better than the alternative.

@Tim, good quote by Satch Paige. I try to look at people way older than me, who are still active and vital, like Betty White.

@Halbert - yup time flies. Out in VpCqlifrnia last week, my wife and I were talking, at dinner, we'll be married 40 years this August. She looked at me and said, how the f did this happen?

Re Cali, thanks, but I got the last flight out of San Diego, the next flight to NY was cancelled. I landed when the snow was just starting. Just in time. Was stuck in the house all day yesterday with no decent food LOL. NOW I have to go out and dig out two cars. No kids walking around with shovels for a buck here where I live. Cardiologist says no heavy lifting so I'll have to be slow about it.
Luckily I'm in a condominium, so I only have to worry about the cars.

Prat:

You know, I am almost willing to bet that 90% of folks (male and female, regardless of health status) experience the feelings you mentioned.

There are days when I look in the mirror and wonder who that old guy is staring back at me.

Also, I cannot judge how old I look.

My best guess: I probably look about age 66. I am 69 1/2.

Also, my wife takes a lot of photos. It is interesting at best, discouraging at worst, to see this handsome guy from many years ago, and contrast that to that stranger in the mirror.

Yep, there are days...

Mel

Prat:

I sent you an email regarding a friend who just had stents put in.

Mel

@Mel, just responded

Lol, tom I like that.

I've always lived by the mantra "your as old or young as you feel. And like I said, I've always felyptvrather young, till lately. But only sometimes.
Just a mental adjustment I guess.

My grandmother, who died on her own terms at 98, opined when she turned 90 that getting old was not for wimps.

I'm cool with that.

I've always defined old age as X + 5, with X equal to whatever my current age is.

I took early retirement years back. That turned to be the best financial move of my life. And it's a good thing. I've had to pay people for full time care during this prostate fiasco.

It really drives home how vulnerable I am to illness. With no wife or kids, my health is the only thing standing between myself and a nursing home at the tender age of 57.

This was only an abstraction before this winter. Now...it disconcerting to me. It seems to have affected my personality. I don't laugh like I did before pca. I don't get around as well. I don't think as big. If I need people...I pay for them.

I don't believe I'm depressed. (At least I don't feel depressed). What I feel is old. The neighborhood I've lived in for 20 years is a neighborhood of older people. I never felt I had that much in common with them because of that. Now...they seem younger than I do. They move better than I do. They shovel their snow. I throw salt and hope I don't fall.

I don't have any answers or support for you Prat except to say...listen to the rest of these guys and try to forget what you've read in this one. LoL

"A landslide includes a wide range of ground movement...". -Wikipedia

Thanks Jerry, good perspective.

I enjoy getting older .... especially when I consider the alternative.

I do old man things like lift lighter weights but do more reps, swim instead of run, hit from the closer in tees, read for hours, think, watch, listen, smell...... participate in on line forums.

I came to terms with the old man staring at me in the mirror, and found he was a kind of fun to hang out with .... a bit slow on the uptake, but fun.

Enjoy the new you.