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Posted 11/7/2008 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
The stock market plunge has really taken a big bite out of my retirement accounts. But I'm not worried about it. Here's why:

I've always told my financial advisor that I will be saving less than I could and be spending more on myself now because, having this autoimmune disease as long as I have, it has been hard on my body and I honestly don't expect to live as long as most people. I don't have any children so I don't feel the need to leave an inheritance behind (and also am not eager to linger in very poor health). I've told my sisters, quite seriously, what of my nice things they should have when I'm gone, even though they are older than me. This makes me happy, not sad.

Am I crazy, or realistic?? 

Posted 11/7/2008 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
Ahh, Peety, I understand. My outlook is that I want quality here on this good earth until my Dear Lord is ready to bring me Home. I understand and feel that going Home is my celebration to my life here. I wish you happiness and all the best quality while you are here!

Gigi1227
Posted 11/7/2008 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Having Uc doesn't shorten your life expectancy. In fact, I know of someone who is 79 years old and has had Uc since he was 9 years old. I just met him at the assisted living facility where my gma is at. I know how depressing it can be knowing that you can possibly be living a very long life with this debilitating disease. I also understand that you need to get your ducks in a row - but don't write yourself off yet! :)
Posted 11/7/2008 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
I agree, your life expectancy will not be shorter with UC. You might want to look at your situation from a different view. What if you opted for surgery, improved your quality of life, were able to eat anything you wanted, and were able to get off all meds?

My last 2 years with UC had me wishing that I would just die. I was not suicidal but I definitely didn't want to live the way I was living. I look back at those years now and think how sad it was that I had gotten so bad off.

Sue
Posted 11/7/2008 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think you're crazy. I think it's wise for everyone to look to the future and plan so their loved ones don't have the extra heartache of sorting out bills and possesions after you're gone. I find not having children (and being a Christian) helps you be much freer and happier about your mortality.
Posted 11/7/2008 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
I dont think your crazy, On the bad days when I can hardly get out of bed, I think boy I dont even want to live to be 100. But then I have some good days and I think maybe it wouldnt be so bad.But either way when the good Lord wants me I am ready.
Posted 11/8/2008 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
Doesn't affect the lifespan? On days like that I feel thats just another miserable aspect of the DD.

Sorry that's way negative, but that's probably understandable with chronic disease.
Posted 11/8/2008 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Peety,

I think you are being very realistic as far as getting a will together, but as a couple of people have noted, having UC doesn't necessarily mean shorter life-span, although it does increase chances of colon cancer. You might want to rethink how much you are saving. What happens if you retire and find yourself short on money down the road because you didn't plan on living to 80?

Doors12 - I understand your feelings on having this illness. There have many days when I've thought how annoying it is that UC just causes major inconvenience, and how I'll have to deal with this crap the rest of my life (pun intended). Then I stop and say to myself, one day I'll get this licked and I'll get back to feeling better. I'd rather try to stay positive over allowing myself the pity party. It is entirely too easy for me to fall into a negative thought cycle regarding UC.
Posted 11/9/2008 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Not crazy -- the other day I told my husband that I think I might get a Pontiac Solstice convertible as my next car -- I decided that I don't want to wait for the things I want (within reason) as I just have a feeling that I am not going to live to be terribly old. The meds I am on have long-term effects, and basically I just feel like I've aged so much the last couple of years since my diagnosis. If I live a long life, wonderful! But in the meantime, if I want to drive a sporty little two-seater, I will. I'm no longer hauling around small children and HIS car can be the practical one!!

Still saving for retirement, but I also want to do what I want to do sooner rather than later!

Meesh
Posted 11/9/2008 9:30 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Peety,

     I hear ya!  When I was in the hospital last May, I honestly thought they were going to take me out in a box.  I was THAT sick.  However, here I am.  It took seven months to reach remission and I sure hope I don't relapse since I have only been off the prednisone a week now.  Seems like after two weeks off the prednisone I relapse.  Keeping my fingers crossed.  I feel lots better.

     The week after I was discharged from the hospital I talked my husband into purchasing a burial plot for us.  We have been putting this off for a few years.  I didn't want our daughters to have that burden.  We didn't purchase a stone yet but that is next on the agenda.   Since we are both retired, we are able to live on the income provided by pension (husband's as my employer provided no pension fund....unfortunately) and social security.  We have quite a bit of savings, but only a bit in the stock market.  I invested in I bonds when they became available and they are doing pretty well.

     My GI doctor also told me that having UC doesn't shorten ones lifespan but it sure can make it miserable, we all know that.  Keep your chin up Peety.  I didn't think I would ever feel well again, but I do now.  I just cherish the days when I feel well and try not to think of getting sick again although I know flares will be in my future.

Posted 11/9/2008 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
Doctors who say UC doesn't shorten one's life span are full of it. The meds alone are mighty powerful and have to have some negative effects on life span. I was on Prednisone for two full years at some pretty hefty doses at times. I am positive that it's taken some time off me. Prior to being diagnosed I had completed the RealAge survey and was quite a bit younger than my chronological age. about a year after dx I did it again and am several years older than my chronological age. Taking a lot of medicines is one of the places I lost years, also had gained weight on the Pred and hadn't been able to keep up with workouts. Don't eat as much fiber, etc. Also chronic inflammation has got to take some time off. I always seem to come across articles mentioning chronic inflammation as a risk factor for all sorts of things, heart disease, cancer ... don't mean to be a downer, but we do have to live for today. Even healthy people do -- that proverbial truck may be coming 'em!

Meesh
Posted 11/9/2008 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
I bet the jist of it is this- having UC in and of itself does not shorten one's life span. If you choose to treat it with heavy-duty drugs, that probably shortens your life span a bit. And having a chronic illness definitely shortens one's life span, as it puts a toll on your body 24/7. Otherwise, why would it be so tough for people to get insurance? Whether it be disability, health, or life, it seems like whenever anyone on here tries to get insurance on their own, it's a no go. But I don't sweat it too much- like they say, you never know when the Grim Reaper's gonna come a'callin! skull    (sorry, just had to add that skull & crossbones...)
Posted 11/10/2008 4:06 PM (GMT 0)

Meesh said...
Not crazy -- the other day I told my husband that I think I might get a Pontiac Solstice convertible as my next car -- I decided that I don't want to wait for the things I want (within reason) as I just have a feeling that I am not going to live to be terribly old. The meds I am on have long-term effects, and basically I just feel like I've aged so much the last couple of years since my diagnosis. If I live a long life, wonderful! But in the meantime, if I want to drive a sporty little two-seater, I will. I'm no longer hauling around small children and HIS car can be the practical one!!

Still saving for retirement, but I also want to do what I want to do sooner rather than later!

Meesh

Yes! That's my view exactly. I'm in a Cadillac XLR convertible roadster. It's so hot, so impractical. When I'm in it, you'd never know that I'm struggling that day. Go for it.

It's been interesting to hear I am not the only one thinking of these things.

People wonder why I am so impulsive and self-indulgent... if they only knew.

(Still, the stock market thing sucks.)

Posted 11/10/2008 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
I wish I was older when I had gotten UC (or not at all haha). I hate the uncertainty of the future and having to worry about everything. I'm so jealous of people my age who are perfectly healthy and get to do whatever they want!

As for life expectancy, mine is about 4 years shorter thanks to UC. I took a "virtual" or "real" age test: http://www.peterrussell.com/Odds/VirtualAge.php

Posted 11/10/2008 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
CD, I really like that virtual age calculator! According to that instead of being 38, my virtual age is 19.2 :) Oh and I guess I am going to live to be 93.8 - though I am not sure I DO want to live that long!
Posted 11/10/2008 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
FWIW, you don't actually LOSE the money until you go and try to touch it, i.e., sell your stocks or whatever. I still hate seeing those numbers go down, but just like with my house, they're just paper losses as long as I don't have to access the cash. But paper gains are a lot more pleasant. Just don't look at the statements if they stress you out I guess
Posted 11/10/2008 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
I agree, just don't open the statements for a while!
I did last night and wish I didn't. I hope it was just calculated on a really bad day...
At least my house has been a good investment.
And I'm feeling pretty darn good!
Posted 11/10/2008 11:55 PM (GMT 0)

Red_34 said...
Having Uc doesn't shorten your life expectancy. In fact, I know of someone who is 79 years old and has had Uc since he was 9 years old. I just met him at the assisted living facility where my gma is at. I know how depressing it can be knowing that you can possibly be living a very long life with this debilitating disease. I also understand that you need to get your ducks in a row - but don't write yourself off yet! :)

DITTO. Don't give up yet. Maybe surgery is your route?

*"Always look on the bright side of life." (Monty Python)

Posted 11/11/2008 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
I know I can recover from UC flares over and over and over (apparently scar tissue still does the job), it's the meds that I expect will catch up with me, like someone said. Or being so used to pain that I don't recognize a true life-threatening problem.

I probably should have had surgery, it's obviously become better/easier to deal with since the 1980s. I think if I have another really bad flare, I might consider it. But I haven't even tried the "new" infusion meds.

Life without looking for (and dreaming about looking for) bathrooms would be too good to be true!!
Posted 11/11/2008 9:24 PM (GMT 0)

Peety said...

Life without looking for (and dreaming about looking for) bathrooms would be too good to be true!!

There was a time when I thought I'd never be well again, never stop looking/running for a bathroom... thought I'd never travel, look and feel well, enjoy life... but with a lot of hard work, education, and trial and error, I've found the right combination of meds, diet and supplements that have allowed me to return to a "normal" life, even a better life than before. Don't give up hope!
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