Finding the positives

[ukjohn]

I was reflecting today over the past years, the things that came to light were that I had lost my Mum, my Dad, My older Sister and my younger brother, all were in their 60s except my brother who was in his 50s when they died, none of them from diabetes complications because none of them were diabetic, I am the only one in the family with diabetes, and the only survivor from the family. You might think me stupid, but I have been thinking, perhaps my diagnosis was a wake up call for me, you see on the day I was diagnosed 4 years ago, I gave up smoking after 50 years of smoking 40 per day, and like all of you I have had to make lifestyle changes, which on reflection have been for the better, so those things are the positives I found.
Oh, and one other thing, I have beaten the family curse, for in February next year I shall be 71 years of age........NOW THATS POSITIVE

 

[rossi_mac]

Nice work John, it makes a mockery of the stats didn't someone say 5-10 years shorter life, well being over 6 foot not sure it affects me😉😛! But yeah it's stuff like this that winds be up when people start shouting stats at you. I also although don't smoke do see the "D" as a wake up call for healthy living.

Hope you stay healthy for a long time yet John.

Take care and chin up, keep looking at the positives

Rossi.

 

[shiv]

john - what a positive post! thanks!

my nan, who is 70something, is just starting to use email and to look at things on the internet. she emails the lady she lives opposite which makes me smile! sorry that was a bit of a tangent, i just mean i love that you come on the forum - i know a lot of older folk (my grandparents included) who won't go near them for fear of modern things. i don't mean that to be condescending or anything, i just don't know how to phrase it better 🙂

 

[HelenP]

Great thread John. I totally agree with you about Diabetes being a wake up call. When I was diagnosed almost 4 months ago my diet was really really unhealthy and I'm not sure I would've done anything about it (other than the yo-yo dieting that I've done for the last 30-odd years) without this.

Okay, so maybe having Diabetes does knock 5-ish years off of your life expectancy, but having a massive BMI leading to possible heart condition etc probably would've killed me earlier, so I like to think the having D has more than likely extended my life expectancy.

I certainly feel much healthier than I have done for years.

xx

 

[AlisonM]

On the other hand, my adored great-granddad who was Type 2 and grossly overweight died in 1963 at the grand old age of 86 and it was only in the last few months of his life that he had any serious problems.

 

[ukjohn]

Shiv

Thanks for your posting, your comments are very sweet and no offence taken 🙂 I have been using a computer for over 15 years, and during the days of MSN Groups and Chatrooms, I have been a manager of several groups, so this type of media holds no fear for me 😉 As for age it is but just a number, I still in my mind think that I can do the same things that I did at age 20, its the body that refuses to play the game But as you can see in my picture, its my lovely parrot called Rosie that keeps me young.

Take care
John.

 

[am64]

Shiv

Thanks for your posting, your comments are very sweet and no offence taken 🙂 I have been using a computer for over 15 years, and during the days of MSN Groups and Chatrooms, I have been a manager of several groups, so this type of media holds no fear for me 😉 As for age it is but just a number, I still in my mind think that I can do the same things that I did at age 20, its the body that refuses to play the game But as you can see in my picture, its my lovely parrot called Rosie that keeps me young.



Take care
John.

Its a parrot...god my eye sight is getting bad !! no offense minster!!

 

[ukjohn]

Its a parrot...god my eye sight is getting bad !! no offense minster!!

Ha Ha Ha AM64

your eyesight is getting bad, not only is it a parrot, but the parrot is with me not Minster

 

[AlisonM]

Ha Ha Ha AM64

your eyesight is getting bad, not only is it a parrot, but the parrot is with me not Minster

Ahem I think she was apologising for the use of a certain three letter word.😉

 

[am64]

does your parrot talk?? ps got eye tests on friday...im hoping its just the wine thats causing me probs tonight....loved your positive thread ! i think we start a what i did positive today...my first one would be ...GOT UP!!

 

[am64]

loved your positive thread ! i think we start a what i did positive today...my first one would be ...GOT UP!!

 

[am64]

loved your positive thread ! i think we start a what i did positive today...my first one would be ...GOT UP!!

did i just repeat myself!!

 

[Caroline]

I have been looking at my family history in a similar light, and thinking it also shows how medical science has improved too.

There have been 5 generations of women on my mothers side of the family that we know about to have developed breast cancer. Each one was about 10 years or more older than her mother when it was diagnosed, except my my mother and she was about 20 years older than my grandmother. My grandmotherr was 73 when she died and my own mother is almost 82 and is a great grandmother as well as a survivor. This is hopefull for me as it is likely I MIGHT NOT deveop it all.

 

[Twitchy]

Great post John! Thanks for such a lovely positive post! 🙂 (Love the parrot too!)

 

[Minster]

Its a parrot...god my eye sight is getting bad !! no offense minster!!

lol none taken