Life is too short

[Jack]

Life is too short and it almost caught up with me. During the last two weeks I attended 3 funerals of friends all in their early 60s. Took my father to the ER for extensive emergency operations for my dumb actions. And I ended up in ER myself after having chest pains and not being able to breathe. I thought I was indestructible and don't usually see doctors or go to the ER but sure glad my family took me to ER. They found large clots in my lungs but I'll recover. The moral of the story is that obviously we have to work but take care of what matters the most your health and your family.

[Updated71]

Good news on it being caught.

Definitely agree on life being too short.  Our family went through some things and it was truly darkest before the dawn.

Wish you the best Jack. Let us know if there's anything we can do.

[firebirdparts]

Hate it.  I'm 57.  I tell my wife I hate it most when people I know die of old age and they're younger than me.  Glad you're okay.  Or as well as you are.

[5th T/A]

Jack, it sounds like you dodged a bullet. I am so glad it worked out alright in your case. I am 69 years old and retired 4 1/2 years ago. In that period of time I have lost close friends, family members and former coworkers in numbers too numerous to mention. The saddest case being a 44 year old nephew with four school aged children, who died of a sudden heart attack while vacationing in Hawaii. There were warning symptoms but he ignored them. Like you mentioned the moral of the story is get annual checkups and see your doctor or go to the ER if experiencing symptoms. I was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, now I am a cancer survivor. With my urging them to get checked out, two of my brothers were diagnosed with the same type of cancer, one was far more advanced than mine. Many serious illnesses can be treated or cured if caught early enough.

[roadking77]

Jack glad you caught the problem before it was too late, praying for a speedy recovery. Your heading is right on and something I try to live by everyday. I just hit 59 a few weeks ago. I had a heart attack when I was in my late 40's and that changed my outlook on things. I am a pretty easy going fellow and try not to let the 'little stuff' bother me. I am very serious about my work but I have learned to turn it off when the work day is over.
I read a good line just the other day that I thought was pretty good. "Life is a gift, dont leave it unopened".

[kentucky yeti]

Take care of yourself, Jack.  We only get one shot at this life.

[nas t eh]

Glad things are under control Jack. Back in January I posted the following in the "Today I" thread.

On Friday my doctor removed a small fist sized lyphoma(mostly fat, I think) from my clavicle area, it was getting close to pressing on my carotid artery, so it had to go, he said it was bigger than he expected once he got in there.
Today I,  pulled out the packing(he told me how to do it), cleaned and redressed the opening. Now I just need to see him Friday to have the stitches removed, he says I can’t do that myself as he used mattress stitches and they are a little more difficult to remove properly.

Had a full physical the prior week, including the famous prostate exam( great news on that one) so I will hear the results of the bloodwork on Friday, but I think I’m in for mostly good news.
Getting old(I’m 62) kind of sucks, but I’m retired now and doing mostly what I want, so seeing the doctor regularly has become more important if I want to enjoy what ever is left of the rest of my life.

If you haven’t been to see your doctor in a while, please don’t wait any longer.

Jack's post and the passing of John Paige(Not A TA) have brought to mind again how important it is to "Do what you can when you can" because tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Wishing all you Pontiac friends more happiness and joy than you can tolerate.

[Wallington]

I find that once you reach a certain point, you realize you're never going to achieve or do all the things or anything, the only things you ever wanted to do, and now just treading water until old age. So I'm ready whenever.

[Jack]

Thank you all for the well wishes, I've been catching up on movies but bored out of my mind. I'm told no surgery as it does more harm than good (I guess now they only do surgery to remove very large clots). I will also schedule a colonoscopy, I had one done 6 years ago but I'm told because of my risk factor I need one every 5 years.

Like most on here I've been working since I was 14 with multiple jobs at certain points, the plan is to enjoy life. Only few weeks ago I was telling my wife that my plan was for us to visit one country per year. Like I said before we need to work but also take care of our health and enjoy life.

[Jack]

I read a good line just the other day that I thought was pretty good. "Life is a gift, don't leave it unopened".

Never heard this one before but love it.

Jack's post and the passing of John Paige (Not A TA) have brought to mind again how important it is to "Do what you can when you can" because tomorrow is not guaranteed.

I remember and glad your doing fine. John's passing was a big shock and the first thing I saw when I first logged on. I'm still having trouble believing it but you are 100% correct tomorrow is not guaranteed. 

[76455sd]

Jack:  just saw this and I’m glad you’re home and doing well.  You’ve been going great guns at the new job.  Enjoy the temporary rest and take care of yourself.

In order to qualify for a 20% reduction in health insurance co-pays,  my office requires getting a preventive care document signed by your primary doctor asserting that you’ve had an annual physical and are up to date with all recommended screenings.  I’m overweight and have high blood pressure so I’m on several “maintenance” prescriptions.  I’m 62 and a good number of my family (both parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) never saw past 60s and 70s.  As we get older life gets shorter. 

[Mac]

Jack, haven’t logged on in a while and just saw this. Glad your ok, and I certainly can relate to what your saying. I’m 57, time passes and friends and family seem to grow smaller in numbers, it’s so sad and hard to accept but true.

[Jack]

Thank you all again for the well wishes. This was a first for me, first time hospitalized and I'm having a hard time remembering to take my meds.

[nas t eh]

Thank you all again for the well wishes. This was a first for me, first time hospitalized and I'm having a hard time remembering to take my meds.

I only have two pills to take daily and one is ASA. I have one of those 7day plastic pill box containers. I fill all the spots on Saturday and then leave it on the bathroom counter, each morning when I wake up it’s there and I rarely forget or miss it this way. It’s been a year or more now and it has become routine.

[rkellerjr]

I don't know how I missed this thread, geez buddy, glad your doing fine! Where are located again?

I can relate to everyone's post, I'm 57, sounds like most of us are in that stage of life.

[Jack]

Thanks. I'm in MA (10 miles west of Boston)

[apfstg]

Although I’m a ‘newbie’ and only recently found out about this site I feel compelled to answer - a dot health screening alerted me to facts I didn’t want to admit and finally realized time was running out for ‘a project’ or a ‘legacy ‘ depending on its outcome. I’m sure most of us started out with an extra set of forks on the front of our bikes and worked our way through a book of matches to set points or waiting til dark to find out if the ‘skip’ was plug wires - Enjoy every day you get you earned it!( and drive that Pontiac like it’s only a couple more miles to the border)

[ryeguy2006a]

Sorry to hear about your health troubles Jack, but glad that you are on the mend. Great advise that I need to take myself. While I'm likely on the younger side of the spectrum at 35, I need to start paying better attention to my health. Thanks for the reminder!

[5th T/A]

Thanks. I'm in MA (10 miles west of Boston)

Jack, I hope you continue to do well!

Hopefully your public service announcement on staying on top of our health got a few TAC members to stay on top of theirs.

When I saw your comment about living West of Boston it brought back some great memories of most my adult working life. Having worked since the mid 70’s for Data General, EMC and Park Place Technologies all with facilities along Route 9 in Sobo and Webo. I have spent lots of time there and neighboring areas. I always thought it was a very scenic area with winding roads begging to be driven over by a TA or Formula!

[nas t eh]

Although I’m a ‘newbie’ and only recently found out about this site I feel compelled to answer - a dot health screening alerted me to facts I didn’t want to admit and finally realized time was running out for ‘a project’ or a ‘legacy ‘ depending on its outcome. I’m sure most of us started out with an extra set of forks on the front of our bikes and worked our way through a book of matches to set points or waiting til dark to find out if the ‘skip’ was plug wires - Enjoy every day you get you earned it!( and drive that Pontiac like it’s only a couple more miles to the border)

Welcome newbie, I can’t say I know what a dot health screening is, but it sounds ominous. I hope your outcome is better than you expected and you have time for everything that matters.

[Jack]

Thank you all again, with the exception of taking meds I'm almost normal and back to my old routine. My doctor also cleared me to travel as I had a planned visit to London, Dublin and Galway. But thats where I've made changes and will continue to do the same. I was scheduled to travel next week with a. Very compressed schedule, I changed my plans to go this week and brought my wife with me. We have been enjoying some time off in London and of course my wife wanted to see the churches first.

[FormTA]

Some of those churches are unbelievable. Tough to imagine people built and decorated those so many years ago.

[kentucky yeti]

I've never been out of the USA.  You have seen a lot of cool stuff!

[roadking77]

Beautiful. London is a place we have always wanted to visit, maybe someday. I would also like to hit up Ireland. I have been all over the US, Hawaii and the Carribean. Spent a bit of time in Europe and loved all of it. Some places I would love to see just because but no there is no way I will ever get there, Egypt and Japan interest me.

[rkellerjr]

Beautiful. London is a place we have always wanted to visit, maybe someday. I would also like to hit up Ireland. I have been all over the US, Hawaii and the Carribean. Spent a bit of time in Europe and loved all of it. Some places I would love to see just because but no there is no way I will ever get there, Egypt and Japan interest me.

I've never been to London. Been to Holland, Germany, Japan, Ireland, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Honduras during my Army stint. I wouldn't mind visiting London, Paris, Scotland and Australia.

[gm muscle]

Stunning pictures, Jack. Thanks for sharing!
I've only been to Winnipeg, Canada and traveled through some of Mexico but Europe is definitely on my list.
Come to think of it, I need to see more of the U.S. 

[Jack]

Made the mistake of going to Soho today as its St. Patrick's day and it was a complete zoo.

[kentucky yeti]

Walking through the streets of SoHo in the rain
He was looking for the place called Lee Ho Fooks
For to get a big dish of beef chow mein.  See any werewolves?

[Jack]

  no werewolf but saw the devil.
I guess it wasn't Dio or Kiss that invented the devils horns hand signal.

[roadking77]

 

[firebirdparts]

London is one of my favorite places to be a tourist. 

[mrbandit]

I'm glad you are on the mend.  I thought I was doing great and staying in shape until I played my 14 yr old in basketball.  Its easy to neglect yourself while trying to keep everything around you in good shape.

[roadking77]

After looking back at this, it would make a nice Trans Am hood logo 

[roadking77]

no werewolf but saw the devil.
I guess it wasn't Dio or Kiss that invented the devils horns hand signal.

This! quoted the wrong post

[76455sd]

Air Force son is stationed in the UK now.  We’re looking forward to going to visit him there.  I’ve always had a fascination with England but have never been.  Thanks for the photos Jack and glad you’re feeling well.

[Jack]

Hey Steve, it's a great place to visit but I could never live there. This must have been my 9 or 10 visit but the first time with my wife and 5 days of "vacation" we did a lot of the touristy staff but visiting the local's places was way better. When you are ready to go I'll text you some suggestions (believe me much better than Albuquerque). 

[Jack]

Here are some pics of London and Ireland. Dublin/Galway visit was more for work but I managed to go and see few places.

[kentucky yeti]

I like seeing the old architecture.  Those big rocks are cool too 😆

[roadking77]

Looks like fun, was that Bath? Glad the aliens didnt get you at stonehenge

[76455sd]

Hey Steve, it's a great place to visit but I could never live there. This must have been my 9 or 10 visit but the first time with my wife and 5 days of "vacation" we did a lot of the touristy staff but visiting the local's places was way better. When you are ready to go I'll text you some suggestions (believe me much better than Albuquerque).

Thanks.  I’ll take you up on that.  My son lives about 60 miles north of London (he’s at Lakenheath RAF base).  Those pictures are great.  I’m looking forward to it.  My wife wants to go for Christmas.