I’m Outsleeping The Cat!

Howard and I have been friends for 75 years. We’re just two old guys enjoying old times – much of our discussions center around aches and pains and medical issues. He called to “check in” after my visit to the cancer center. He was happy to hear the test results showed no cancer, over two years cancer free!

We reminisced about how things have changed since our youth when “Old Doc Stark” was the town doctor. His office was above the local tavern and he did it all – school physicals, flu, pneumonia to performing surgery, removing part of my step-father’s lung.

Today it seems like most of our driving is constant trips to doctors. The family doctor is the gatekeeper, routing us to specialists, dealing with everything between the nose to the toes.

Each trip to the cancer center, the doctor always asks how I am feeling. I’ve told him for the last several months I’ve been dragging; naps, foggy and fatigue are constant. With a grin, I exclaimed, “I’m outsleeping the cat!” We all chuckled.

He explained fatigue is a side effect of my immunotherapy treatment – a trade-off between a nap and cancer free is a win. He politely added, it’s part of aging. We scheduled our next visit. In a shrugging your shoulders tone of voice, Howard commented, “Taking a nap isn’t all bad, what else do you have to do?” True, but we both agreed, having some energy and feeling like we have options would be nice.

Later that afternoon, I heard the printer whizzing and my wife Jo walked into my office. She said, “I think I may have discovered part of your problem.”

In 2019 I underwent heavy-duty treatment for tongue cancer. Sleep was very difficult and the doctor prescribed Trazodone, a blessing at the time. Jo began reading the long-term side effects. I was astounded! It listed my symptoms exactly; wake up foggy, generally wears off in the early afternoon, etc. The more we researched, the more we realized we need to rethink our medications.

I recently wrote an article, Why did it take me so long to finally get it? This is another “voilà” moment at an age where I didn’t expect it. A reader sent me a quote from the great philosopher, – unknown, “Wisdom is gained by keeping an open mind while living a long time so life’s experience has a chance of soaking in.” I guess some things take longer to soak in than others….

A wakeup call in many ways…

Jo reminded me that before the cancer treatment I never had problems sleeping. Since then, it was just easier to pop a pill every night and blast off to dreamland. My reaction, “OK then I’ll stop taking it and see what happens.” “Not so fast,” she replied, and kept reading. While Trazodone is not addictive, patients are better off spending a few weeks weaning off the drug. Quitting cold-turkey can cause some uncomfortable, not fun consequences we want to avoid.

Jo didn’t stop there. I also take a thyroid pill; something regularly prescribed for patients on Keytruda. She showed me the bottle. I had to use a magnifying glass to read the small print. “Take this medication on an empty stomach.” For years I’ve been crushing the pill, mixing it with yogurt each morning, enjoying my breakfast. If it is not taken on an empty stomach, or with dairy products, it can decrease the effectiveness.

Jo kept rolling, explaining it should not be taken within four hours of another pill I take each morning. It listed an entire page of possible side effects, and you guessed it – fatigue!

We contacted our family doctor for advice and rearranged the schedule, cutting the Trazodone dosage in half for a couple weeks, then tapering from there.

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The Real Lesson

Jo and I recently watched a rerun of “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.” A pioneer lady doctor in the late 1800’s trying to make her way in the wild west. In the particular episode, the town grump, opposed to any woman doctor, had a hernia and was about to die. The doctor diagnosed the situation and the patient refused her help. The doctor had only done one similar surgery in medical school several years ago. Knowing what might happen, she quietly practiced on a cadaver.

The pain got worse, situation chaotic, until permission for surgery was granted. The scene was eye-opening. The patient was on a table; a chloroform rag pressed to his face. The doctor, wearing a dress, with her young daughter assisting began the process. The daughter held the book open, like a recipe book while handing her mother instruments. They followed the steps and, like most soap operas, saved the day! The town grump became a warm fuzzy human and the curtain closed.

Thankfully, medical treatment has come a long way in the last couple of centuries. Howard and I discussed the education and treatment may be far better – but – since the government started trending toward socialized medicine, we have dozens of doctors that look at our chart, give us 12 minutes, and move on.

Another “voilà” moment, wondering why it took me so long. For years I’ve preached to never abdicate the responsibility for managing your life savings to a financial professional – educate yourself and work together.

I’m adding to that list – Never abdicate your medical care to others! Don’t just try to read the small print on the pill bottle, educate yourself and work together.

I’m lucky Jo has a nursing degree and understands things about which I have no clue. When friends have come to her for advice, she hops on the computer and is soon sending links for them to read.

She and I concluded that for every prescribed medicine, we have to do more than just read the stuff crammed in the bag, or small print on the bottle. Talk to the pharmacist, not the high school girl handing you the stapled bag. She went online and researched every medication we take; understanding the potential side effects.

Jo suggested going one step further. She began researching, “Can you take medicine A with medicine B?” That led to some raised eyebrows, followed by “oh my!” We rearranged some of the medicine schedules based on what she found.

It’s unrealistic for retirees to expect our current health care providers to do that diligently. While medical advances have been significant, the system has proved it does not facilitate that process.

I shudder to think how many seniors appear to be slowing down and foggy, not because of their age, but rather because they are over medicated. Most of our friends do not fear aging as much as lack of physical and intellection mobility. The golden years are precious and to be enjoyed with what remaining spark you have left.

One of the blessings of retirement is the ability to negotiate with comfort.

When I was working, no matter how tired I was, I knew I had certain things that had to be done; I had a plane to catch or deadline to meet. With nothing imminent looming, retirees have the benefit of negotiating with comfort, “I just don’t feel like it, maybe tomorrow….”

The blessing can also become a curse. It wasn’t like someone flipped a switch, the transition from energy to foggy went slowly. Next time I’ll be quicker to recognize the symptoms – things Jo would ask me to help with that I used to do quickly were going undone for days. She saw I was tired so I wasn’t constantly reminded.

I went in the guest room and saw two pictures on the floor Jo asked me to hang a few weeks ago. That should have been a big red flag. Next time I plan to be more pro-active.

The best part

I’m already seeing a difference, naps are shorter, fog is lifting and energy is returning. I read recently where part of aging is losing your spark, and finding it again. While technically I wouldn’t have been diagnosed as sick; fatigue and foggy sure dims the spark…. My attitude is better and I’ve begun looking forward to doing things.

When you are outsleeping the cat, it’s time to review things and figure out why.

The cat is once again out sleeping me. I’ve received a lot of kind encouragement and support from readers and really appreciate it. Many times, that’s what keeps me going. It is amazing what a good night’s sleep and waking up energized does for your attitude.

After more than 16 years of writing weekly, I still get fired up; feeling passionate about the subject matter I write about. If not, I generally pass.

This week brought back energy. As to tomorrow, bring it on!

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On The Lighter Side…

In 1951 we moved to a small Chicago suburb. Our town had no Little League. Every summer morning we would hop on our bike and ride to the park district. Local football star, Norman S. worked there over the summer.

At 9:00 he would pick captains and they would choose up sides. After a couple days the pecking order was clear, Bruce was first, Gerry was second, and down the line. It hurt my feelings because a girl, Lucille D. was always picked ahead of me. I wasn’t the last kid picked, but close to it.

Baseball fans will understand my meaning – she played shortstop and always hit higher in the batting order. I always batted last.

I would have picked her too. She was a heck of a shortstop. When there was a hard-hit ground ball, a lot of kids would jump to the side. Not Lucille, she wasn’t afraid of the ball; she got behind it and could scoop and throw better than a lot of boys.

Many years later I recall being at the prom and a friend commented on how pretty she looked in her prom dress. My comment was, “She is a heck of a good shortstop too!”

In those days, there was little opportunity for girls in sports, we had no girls high school athletics, they were limited to intramurals.

Jo and I enjoyed watching the Little League World Series. When we first turned in we saw several signs, “Fear the bow!” 12-year-old Kinley Rasmus, braces and all, was a star on the team from Phenix City, AL. She was a terrific pitcher, shortstop, and hit high in the batting order. She tied the female record for strikeouts and set the record for hits.

With Phenix City losing in an elimination game, the announcer mentioned it was likely her last Little League at bat. That commentary was followed by discussing what a bright future she had in front of her.

It reminded me of Lucille D. She didn’t have those opportunities 75 years ago. For every young lady participating in sports today, there are plenty of envious grandmas cheering you on…

Quote of the Week…

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.”
— George Bernard Shaw

“Don’t worry about getting old, worry about thinking old!”
— Unknown

And finally…

Friend Ken H. sends along some puns for our enjoyment:

Those who jump off a bridge in Paris are in Seine.

A man’s home is his castle, in a manor of speaking.

Dijon vu – the same mustard as before.

Practice safe eating – always use condiments.

Shotgun wedding – A case of wife or death.

Condoms should be used on every conceivable occasion.

Reading while sunbathing makes you well red.

When two egotists meet, it’s an I for an I.

In democracy your vote counts. – In feudalism your count votes.

A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

If you don’t pay your exorcist, you get repossessed

Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead-to-know basis.

Santa’s helpers are subordinate clauses.

And my favorite:

• A lot of money is tainted – Taint yours and taint mine.

Until next time…

Dennis Miller

“Economic independence is the foundation of the only sort of freedom worth a damn.” – H. L. Mencken

 

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