Joan, I certainly admire your positive outlook and tenacious spirit. That you actually feel better is a miracle. I have a feeling that I won't make it to 75. I am fine with that. Age 69 will be 50 years and that is enough.
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: *Joan Anglin* <poaj...@sbcglobal.net> Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Subject: [QUAD-L] I am shriveling up To: Larry Willis <lwillis82...@gmail.com> Well, you guys definitely beat me in terms of longevity with SCI as I am a mere 24 years, but I think I’d beat you in age, 75. As far as aging with SCI my body has been very strange over the years. Although I was diagnosed as a total C4, the last seven or eight years I have been regaining feeling in very odd spots, no pattern whatsoever. My circulation in my lower legs has actually improved considerably, and although I have no movement below my shoulders, my muscles have not yet atrophied in my legs or my arms. I have to admit I actually feel better than I did seven or eight years ago, and have learned to control my bowel plan so that it is relatively quick and easy, and while I use an overnight bag I still continue to intermittent cath during the day unless we’re going to be going into town for the day. I have always been a firm believer in trying to read my body and staying away from as many medicines as possible, and so far that has been successful and I have not been plagued with Uti’s to any extent. What I noticed most is that I will choose to stay in bed in the mornings until 7:30 AM (my youngest daughter is my PCA right now and she comes over at 5:45 AM and gets me dressed then goes home to get the children up and then returns at 730) and I am willing to go to bed at 9:00 PM rather than getting up at 6:30 AM and going to bed at 10:00 PM. I’m just going to take getting old one step at a time so to speak, and accept the fact that it is inevitable-because I’m not ready for the other alternatives. Have a great day everyone. Joan *From:* Larry Willis [mailto:lwillis82...@gmail.com <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','lwillis82...@gmail.com');>] *Sent:* Tuesday, November 04, 2014 5:10 AM *To:* quad-list@eskimo.com <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','quad-list@eskimo.com');> *Subject:* Fwd: [QUAD-L] I am shriveling up Nan, I think you and I are the senior members here, and everything you said is right on. Besides all the particular health issues, I just plain ol' don't feel good. Weak, lifeless, hurt everywhere. My first waking hour is just misery. Until 2010 I got up everyday at 5:30, taught school till 3:30, and did this for 31 years as a quad. I don't think I could do one day now. I used to drive to Cincinnati, Nashville, Louisville with no problem. Now I struggle to drive to the Kroger store. I get tired brushing my teeth! Growing old is not for cowards and wimps, that's for sure. Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: *Resent-From:* quad-list@eskimo.com <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','quad-list@eskimo.com');> *From:* Ed Tessier <e...@teamjeved.com <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','e...@teamjeved.com');>> *Date:* November 3, 2014 at 10:44:42 PM EST *To:* Nan <nlg52...@yahoo.com <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','nlg52...@yahoo.com');>> *Cc:* Don Smith <scamper2...@att.net <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','scamper2...@att.net');>>, greg < g...@eskimo.com <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','g...@eskimo.com');>>, " quad-list@eskimo.com <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','quad-list@eskimo.com');>" <quad-list@eskimo.com <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','quad-list@eskimo.com');> > *Subject:* *Re: [QUAD-L] I am shriveling up* I was injured in 1984, age almost 17. I'm 47 now. I think my disability is harder to manage now, even with all of these years of experience, then it was 10 or 20 years ago. Back then, I could have a problem, identify a solution, and move on. Now, it's harder to read what's happening to me physically. Worse, is that my health is now a moving target. As I age my disability changes, requiring different equipment, different routines, different expectations. Staying active and healthy is now, at the least, a part-time job. On Sun, Nov 2, 2014 at 9:38 AM, Nan <nlg52...@yahoo.com <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','nlg52...@yahoo.com');>> wrote: Just wait until you're in your 60's! Seriously, I hear you Bobbie, Larry, et al. I am 62 and my accident was 46 years ago. I used to be able to do SO much more than I can now. The most debilitating "conditions" affecting me now are scoliosis and edema/lymphedema in my feet. My only advice is to the "younger" (age + years post injury) quads - address these kind of problems before they occur. Be hyper vigilant - listen to the older quads and try to be proactive. Get a podiatrist if you don't have one. Address edema early - use compression stockings and use products that will keep your skin supple. Be aware of how you sit ... if you start to see curvature of your spine, address it immediately. Don't ignore "little" things - often they will only get worse with time. I wish I'd had older quads to listen to when I was younger - I always thought I could handle anything on my own. I was wrong! Nan On Sunday, November 2, 2014 12:33 AM, Don Smith <scamper2...@att.net <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','scamper2...@att.net');>> wrote: I was injured in 88 and turned 50 this year, I have pretty much the same issues as you. Just bcuz we're quads don't exempt us from aging. Don in Calif. On Saturday, November 1, 2014 5:47 PM, greg <g...@eskimo.com <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','g...@eskimo.com');>> wrote: I was injured in 1982. I am 50 now. My age is catching up on me pretty fast. My feet swell and my toes like to curl up. My nails don't curl, but they are very thick. I try spreading my toes out, but they just pop back. I went years without lateral supports, so my spine is now curving bit. My eyes are getting worse. Things use to pop up often, and I haven't noticed it do that for a long time. And now I seem to have grown a 2nd chin/neck. Greg > I am 42 years post now and and starting to shrivel up. It started > with atrophy and my legs are getting very skinny. Then the > scoliosis on my back where I lean over toward my left. > I went to my podiatrist and he said I have bad foot drop and my > toes are curling up on one foot and so are my toenails. > It seems like the only place I am not shriveling, or curling, as my > quad gut. > > Are any of the other "older quads" experiencing what I am? Bobbie > > Smile Everyday
