Are you prepared?

[Spaniel]

I would like to recount briefly my recent health experience.  I am 76, normal weight for my 5'9" frame and up until March exercised daily (walking 10 km a day).  Non smoker and drinker.  So, why did I have a stroke  in March?   Fortunately  my stroke was not too severe although I am still recovering.   I spent 4 nights in Ramkamphang Hospital in Bangkok, two in ICU and two in a private room, then discharged on the 5th day.    I have a wife of 30 plus years and I do not how I would have gotten through this ordeal without her help and continuing assisting in every aspect of life'.   This post is not about me nor am I looking for any sympathy.

 

So, my question?   Particularly directed to those staying alone.   Should a stroke, heart attack etc. happen to you while alone have you made any plans to seek help?  I do not have any answers to this so hopefully others will have some helpful replies,

[scubascuba3]

Hopefully people arrange a helper when they get older, maybe someone receiving a regular wage and will take care if you have a stroke etc

[BritManToo]

15 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Hopefully people arrange a helper when they get older, maybe someone receiving a regular wage and will take care if you have a stroke etc

I prefer the 'have lots of Thai children' approach.

And hope one of them hangs around to look after me, if I don't die a relatively quick death.

[BritManToo]

27 minutes ago, Spaniel said:

I am 76, normal weight for my 5'9" frame and up until March exercised daily (walking 10 km a day).  Non smoker and drinker.  So, why did I have a stroke  in March?

Walking 10Km/day on the flat isn't that much exercise, is probably the answer.

There's also a genetic propensity for old age as well.

 

But at 76 you need to expect death at any time.

I'm 64, cycle 20Km/day, hike in the mountains often ...... doubt I'll make 70, none of my family do.

 

Did have a pal that had strokes from age 60, Dave2 on this forum, he died age 70 in his bed.

So it's not the end for you quite yet.

 

Edited August 8, 2020 by BritManToo

[KarenBravo]

It's mostly in the genes.

 

"Eat healthy, live healthy, die anyway".........

[EVENKEEL]

5 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Walking 10Km/day on the flat isn't that much exercise, is probably the answer.

There's also a genetic propensity for old age as well.

 

But at 76 you need to expect death at any time.

I'm 64, cycle 20Km/day, hike in the mountains often ...... doubt I'll make 70, none of my family do.

 

Did have a pal that had strokes from age 60, Dave2 on this forum, he died age 70 in his bed.

So it's not the end for you quite yet.

 

10 km is a good walk for anyone, stop the nonsense. But agree that at age 76 nothing is guaranteed. Same goes for anyone at any age. 

[BritManToo]

Just now, EVENKEEL said:

10 km is a good walk for anyone, stop the nonsense. But agree that at age 76 nothing is guaranteed. Same goes for anyone at any age. 

...... about 200Kcals according to Strava.

Anything less than 1,000Kcals is hardly worth the effort IMHO.

[4MyEgo]

8 minutes ago, KarenBravo said:

"Eat healthy, live healthy, die anyway".........

"Eat healthy, live healthy, feel better healthy, live longer, die anyway".........

[KarenBravo]

2 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

"Eat healthy, live healthy, feel better healthy, live longer, die anyway".........

Possibly.........

Have many friends that sustained mild injuries during exercise when they were younger. Now that they are a lot older most of them have dodgy joints.

Golfers seem particularly prone to this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 8, 2020 by KarenBravo

[4MyEgo]

17 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I prefer the 'have lots of Thai children' approach.

And hope one of them hangs around to look after me, if I don't die a relatively quick death.

I know of two blokes at the local waterhole, the first just had a stroke, he has 6 kids ranging from 2 to 16, he is 73, yes 73, had a stroke about a year ago, still goes to the local everynight as he lives around the corner, kids usually his 3 young daughters, 6-8-12 wheel him in and wheel him out, left side is shot, his younger wife is never around and I would imagine if he lives any longer his kids won't be doing what they are doing now.

 

The other one is old, age unknown as he doesn't tell, due to fly back to the UK next week, has 3 adult daughters from his wife's side, she passed, he raised them and they have all been taking him to the cleaners because they know he is not coming back due to poor health.

 

Hope is not an option, raise your kids the right way, teaching them right from wrong, with humility and compassion and I reckon they will want to stay around, but for me, when the time comes, I hope it's lights out real quick as I wouldn't want to burden them, as for the wife, well she can put on that nurses outfit if I am to die a slow death, at least I can go out with a hard on, I hope ????

 

[nikmar]

I think about this as Im mid 50s now. Really never expected to be in Thailand this long. 

An aquaintence of mine died alone in his room a few years back and I wonder about his last moments.

I have this unnerving vision of keeling over, clutching my chest and my darling wife smiling and standing on my throat.

[bodga]

1 hour ago, Spaniel said:

I would like to recount briefly my recent health experience.  I am 76, normal weight for my 5'9" frame and up until March exercised daily (walking 10 km a day).  Non smoker and drinker.  So, why did I have a stroke  in March? 

Yep makes you wonder why bother with any exercise, I  think some people are  just prone to it whatever. No  history of heart problems in my Family Dad dead at 86 Mother  still alive at 92

[KarenBravo]

I think the 50's are a dangerous age. Any undetected defects like heart conditions, aneurysms etc. seem to hit at that age. After that, most fatal conditions develop.

 

"Getting old is not for pussies"

Katharine Hepburn. 

[scubascuba3]

48 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I prefer the 'have lots of Thai children' approach.

And hope one of them hangs around to look after me, if I don't die a relatively quick death.

Probably costs a lot more and probably not guaranteed they will want to look after someone

[jvs]

39 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Anything less than 1,000Kcals is hardly worth the effort IMHO.

How many calories do you spend doing your young beautiful wife on the side?

You know anything less than 1,000 calories you might as well stay home!

Saves another 1000 as well.lol.

[Sheryl]

From what I see on this board, quite a few expats are completely unprepared both in terms of being able to afford medical care and in terms of support systems.

 

Many rely on the assumption that they will die young and suddenly. both assumptions quite likely to be wrong.

 

People live a lot longer today than in the past and ages at which others in your family died are nto the best indication.   My mother just turned 90 although her mother died in her 50's and her father in his late 60's. My aunt is 88, her mother died in her early 40's and her father, in his early 70's.

 

It is an extremely bad idea to count on not living to an old age and nto needing medical care and in-home assistance.

 

 

 

 

[KarenBravo]

I think Trump is the poster boy for unhealthy life-style not being rigidly connected to longevity.

No exercise to speak of and a junk-food diet and he's seventy-four.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Surelynot]

52 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

10 km is a good walk for anyone, stop the nonsense. But agree that at age 76 nothing is guaranteed. Same goes for anyone at any age. 

Sadly the human body is designed to be extremely efficient at walking...........you have to exercise in a way that raises your heartbeat substantially for a good period of time.

 

I'm 65 and run 5k in 30 minutes everyday, then swim for one hour at a steady pace.........probably drop dead next week!

[geriatrickid]

Instead of dismissing the OP's daily walk, how about considering that the walk may have had a role in his staying alive and his recovery? The OP  has a good attitude too.

 

You know who can recover from a stroke or heart attack, and survive even a widow maker? People who exercise and are in decent shape. Having a decent heart ejection fraction, or good lung capacity and other organs in good shape can make all the difference in who lives and who dies.  Kirk Douglas had a potent damaging stroke when he was 79  and yet he was able to rehabilitate himself  and live to 103.  He kept himself in shape and if he had listened to the miserable couch potato beer stool  denizens, he'd have  been a vegetable and died quickly.  OP is right: make plans for a support system.

 

You will be luck if you die. It's the rotting away  on your own that is the worst part. I don't want to lie in filthy bed sheets, covered in bed sores and malnourished and abused by opportunists. 

[Sheryl]

Brisk walking is excellent exercise, and may be a better choice than more vigorous work outs for older people.  Calories burned is not the best metric.

 

Above all, the best fitness regimen is the one you can stick with long term.

[Speedo1968]

Multiple burn outs in my working life, followed by multiple TIA's, a strange feeling that was definitely a mild stroke, finally a stroke 4 years ago that left me on the floor unable to move any part of my body for over 2 days, leading to 2 weeks in ICU with almost complete loss of body muscle.
A friend who was away tried to contact me but it wasn't until the third day that she came to my house.   She stayed with me in hospital and supported me with alternative approaches to getting my body repaired.
Three months later I was on my feet again, three months later I had a serious infection of an Achilles tendon from a dog scratch but three months later again I was back on my feet and fitter than ever.
Two things got me there, the determination to be active again, the determination to be healthy mentally and physically.

Am I prepared if I get caught out again - yes as much as I can be.    I have a DNR placed and accepted ( example when I had serious untreatable lung infection and when I had my stroke ) for almost 10 years at any place I have lived and any hospital I have visited govt. or private.    A copy is at my house and I carry one with me whenever I go out whether it is the local park or market or another location.
I have updated details of all drug allergies including antibiotics etc. listed at the hospitals, carry with me and on view at my house.

I send an "OK" message to my friend 3 times a day.

My will is already with family and friend and at my house.

I am more aware of what my body is telling me and know I have had one "strange feeling" again.    I don't let it bring me down but just accept that we can only do what we can as best we can whilst we are alive.

By being prepared in all aspects will take off a lot of stress for you and help others who may be left to pick up the pieces once you are gone.
 

[EVENKEEL]

1 hour ago, Surelynot said:

Sadly the human body is designed to be extremely efficient at walking...........you have to exercise in a way that raises your heartbeat substantially for a good period of time.

 

I'm 65 and run 5k in 30 minutes everyday, then swim for one hour at a steady pace.........probably drop dead next week!

If I were British I'd call the assumption that walking at age 76 10 km daily does no good as rubbish. 

[samsensam]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

Brisk walking is excellent exercise, and may be a better choice than more vigorous work outs for older people.  Calories burned is not the best metric.

 

Above all, the best fitness regimen is the one you can stick with long term.

 

absolutely, everyone has different abilities and capabilities; some can only manage to walk on the flat, personally i love spending the day walking in the mountains - i played rugby into my 30s and used to road run but had to stop due to knee pain - the important thing for physical and mental health is to excercise regularly.

[KeeTua]

3 hours ago, Spaniel said:

I am 76, normal weight for my 5'9" frame and up until March exercised daily (walking 10 km a day).  Non smoker and drinker.  So, why did I have a stroke  in March?

Blood pressure?
Diet?

[BigStar]

19 minutes ago, KeeTua said:

Blood pressure?
Diet?

Need to see numbers recently and in past years. Talking BP, EKG, scans, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, etc. What did the doc say, anyway?

 

Walking's better than nothing of course. Might have his stroke at 70 without it, who knows? However, not sure how brisk that walking was. Intensity is what's most helpful. Then shorter durations are possible and even desirable, given the wear and tear on joints that comes with long periods of repetitive activity.

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, EVENKEEL said:

If I were British I'd call the assumption that walking at age 76 10 km daily does no good as rubbish. 

Indeed it is.  Even 1 km a day is beneficial. Especially if at a brisk pace.

 

ANY physical activitu is better than none.

 

The idea that only extremely ambitious amounts and types of exercise do any good is both false and very harmful as it deters a lot of people from even trying.

[Spaniel]

23 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Walking 10Km/day on the flat isn't that much exercise, is probably the answer.

There's also a genetic propensity for old age as well.

 

But at 76 you need to expect death at any time.

I'm 64, cycle 20Km/day, hike in the mountains often ...... doubt I'll make 70, none of my family do.

 

Did have a pal that had strokes from age 60, Dave2 on this forum, he died age 70 in his bed.

So it's not the end for you quite yet.

 

Thanks for your reply although I do disagree with a couple of your points, i.e. concerning walking and death. I walk at a quite brisk pace and have done so for the past forty years.   Why should I expect death at any time although I agree it could come.   I hardly live my life as I expect to die tomorrow.  

[BritManToo]

21 hours ago, Speedo1968 said:

Multiple burn outs in my working life, followed by multiple TIA's, a strange feeling that was definitely a mild stroke, finally a stroke 4 years ago that left me on the floor unable to move any part of my body for over 2 days, leading to 2 weeks in ICU with almost complete loss of body muscle.

Living alone is always a risk, for people of any age.

I've always managed to fill my house with lovers and kids.

 

Glad to hear you're recovering well.

[Pilotman]

OP, you have commented on the one thing that worries me quite a bit.  If Mrs P is away with her Mum in the  north, I am left here with my two dogs.  No doubt if I didn't pitch up at the gym, or the coffee shop (where my friends and I  tend to meet up) they would eventually come around to check on me, but that would be way too late in the case of a stroke or heart attack. I keep my phones close, but that may not help if I am incapacitated. My neighbours keep to themselves, as do I, so they would be no help.  I too don't know what the answer is, maybe there isn't one.  Just keep my fingers crossed I guess. 

[Spaniel]

20 hours ago, KeeTua said:

Blood pressure?
Diet?

I have had high BP for the past 3 years which is kept under control by taking a daily BP med, Hyzaar.   I am not a fanatical dieter but I do watch what I eat and rarely eat between meals.  No Coke, Pepsi etc and limit sweets. As already mentioned I quit smoking when I was 27 and although never a heavy drinker I stopped and haven't had a alcholic drink in about 20 years.   I know,  what you're thinking.  What a boring life!  Maybe so but it works for my wife and I.