Health | Richard's Ramblings

Why Blah?

I began this blog post sometime in the beginning of March. Since then I have gone back to it on several occasions, adding and editing each time. And I continued to ponder what was the issue. Was it a combination of all that I addressed, was there something additional, or was it something completely different.

I seem to have reached a conclusion in this matter and it will be included at the end of this blog post.

Meanwhile I have decided that I will publish this blog post, when finished, as I think that maybe I’m not the only person with experiences like this and perhaps it will help others.

It has now been over two months since my less than scintillating post to start 2025.

If that post gave you the impression that things were really kind of blah, then that would be an accurate impression. And honestly, not a hell of a lot has changed.

Okay now, why blah? Now I know this is a question that the “analysts” like to ask. The reason I know this is that they do. They are well meaning of course, however if my response falls short, which it usually does, then I am gifted with approaches and actions I should take to improve the blah, all well-meaning as well.

Now these thoughts might help, if I understood the blah factor better myself. However, at times in my addled brain they may tend to have a contrary effect.

So again, why blah?

Perhaps because it’s winter, with the accompanying lack of daylight, cold, and so on. I don’t really partake in winter activities and tend to be much more out and about in the non-white times of the year. Maybe, but some of the blah was around pre winter.

Perhaps because I’m retired, and Kim is still working two jobs. To be clear, this is something she wants to do, not because she has to, and I totally support her. We are looking ahead and reviewing plans for the time her retirement comes.

Perhaps because my hands don’t work as well as they used to. Certainly this is a factor. When I’m putting things together it seems I drop stuff more, which can be a bit frustrating, particularly when trying to find wee screws which have fallen. However, my greatest frustration regarding my hands is what I am doing at this moment. During my military career in communications one of the skills required was typing, be it on a typewriter, a teletype machine, or a computer. I was proud of my skills, achieving well over sixty words per minute with no mistakes. Today, I just made five mistakes in that last sentence (at far less than 60wpm).

Perhaps because my brain has issues, it forgets things at times. I have said, for years, and not totally tongue in cheek, that I suffer from part-timers, where I forget part of the time. Generally this has only been a source of “goldarn it” frustration, but on occasion it has caused a situation which had to be dealt with.

Perhaps because my body is not always happy about the way I’ve treated it over the years. And yes, I am honest about that, I’ve not always been the best caretaker. As well there are a couple of things which are hereditary. I was diagnosed with gout around thirty years ago, and although I’ve been on medications since then, it has contributed to arthritis in different parts of my body, leading to a hip replacement two years ago.

Perhaps because I’m old, speaking strictly about my age, my number of years on planet Earth. Maybe, but the aspect of my age is not really something which upsets me. Some will say that the hands, brain, and body reasons above are because of age. I disagree. Age may be a factor with them, however they are, to me, all separate issues, any one of which would matter less on it’s own.

And this is where this blog post has sat, for close to two months, as I have pondered, and pondered.

While pondering, I arrived at a form of realization that, although all of the above are, to a degree, factors, they are not primary reasons.

A bit of retrospect here. Over my lifetime I have always been interested in technology, particularly computers. My first computer was a Radio Shack MC-10 (which I still have), then the first bug free bios IBM PC, and as the story goes, the rest is history. Of course I was involved with bulletin boards, but the real push came with the development of social media, Facebook, Twitter and the like. For instance, I began blogging about 2007 or so.

When I retired, for the final time, in 2019, I began doing more online, and it morphed into the creation of my Wee Internet Empire, which became like a retirement project that I enjoyed doing. That was good, and I was quite enjoying puttering around and sharing my thoughts and memories.

For the past twenty-five years I have been in Kiwanis, both with my local club and having involvement up to the international level. Around the same time that I retired I began taking a lower Kiwanis profile yet maintaining my support.

A couple of years ago I was approached and asked to return to the club board. After consideration I did, as club secretary, feeling I could make a good contribution there and provide support for the new president. Upon my return I discovered much I could do and set right in, doing that and even more.

I put my Wee Internet Empire off to the side so as to focus on what I wanted to do and pressed forward.

Now, I realize more that I had done something that most parents have cautioned their children over the years – Be careful your eyes are not bigger than your stomach! Or… Don’t bite off more than you can chew!

My term as club secretary will be finishing in a few months and I truly feel that I have completed pretty much all that I set out to do and I believe that the club has done well and will continue to benefit from what we have accomplished together.

However, now I realize that I had moved away from a good comfort spot for myself. My retirement hobby has been essentially dormant for well over a year and when I try to do something with it I am way too easily distracted (hence this photo meme from the movie Up) and move to something else, most often Kiwanis related.

This, over the long term, caused me to be frustrated with myself, and, when combined with the other things I talked of earlier, led me at times to think poorly of myself and to almost withdraw generally into a state of complete blah.

Throughout it all Kim has been a rock, putting up with and supporting me, as she has done for nearly twenty-six years now. Otis (the cat) has done his part also, regularly kicking my ass to feed him and change his litter (which makes Kim happy as well).

As I noted in the intro, I often wondered if I should post this blog as I had it written.

I decided to go ahead, for two reasons. For people who have gone through similar feelings/events, perhaps this will provide some help or insight with their own thoughts. For myself, putting things into words is often better suited for understanding of oneself.

So what does the future hold? Hmm… If I do it right, more good input for future blog posts!

In reality, there are lifestyle changes on the horizon, and we are planning together as to what they may be. As we move forward in our lives I, through my Wee Internet Empire, will endeavour to bring you along also.

As always, thank you for reading and allowing me to share my thoughts and experiences with you. Any comments that you may have are always welcome.

Well, Whattaya Know – 3/4 of A Century

So, today I made it to three quarters of a century.

With all the talk about Artificial Intelligence (AI) lately, I thought I would have some fun.

First, I asked ChatGPT to provide the meaning of 75 years old.

Following that I asked ChatGPT to provide the meaning of three quarters of a century old.

It seems that they are not the same, however both are interesting. You can read them here.

I will rejoin you below.

Turning 75 years old carries multiple layers of meaning:

Longevity: Reaching 75 is a significant achievement in terms of longevity. It reflects a long life, often filled with rich experiences, and is celebrated as a mark of resilience and vitality.
Wisdom and Experience: By the age of 75, individuals typically have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and life experience. This age often signifies a deep reservoir of wisdom, shaped by decades of personal and professional experiences.
Reflection and Legacy: At 75, people often reflect on their life’s journey, accomplishments, and the impact they’ve made on their families, communities, and beyond. It’s a time to consider one’s legacy and the contributions they’ve made throughout their life.
Family and Generational Connections: Many individuals at this age have witnessed the growth of their families across generations. They may have children, grandchildren, and sometimes great-grandchildren, making this a period to celebrate family bonds and the continuity of family traditions.
Health and Well-being: Health becomes an important focus as people age, and reaching 75 often involves managing health conditions and adapting to changes in physical abilities. It’s a time when maintaining well-being and enjoying a good quality of life are priorities.
Cultural Significance: In various cultures, turning 75 is celebrated as a major milestone. It’s often marked with special ceremonies or gatherings that honor the individual’s life and contributions.
Reflection on Societal Changes: A person who is 75 years old has witnessed substantial societal and technological changes over their lifetime. Their experiences offer a unique perspective on how the world has evolved over decades.

In essence, being 75 years old is a time of celebration and reflection, honoring a long life lived and looking forward to the future with appreciation for the journey so far.

When someone is described as “three quarters of a century old,” it means they are 75 years old. This phrase adds a layer of formality and historical depth to the age. Here’s what it conveys:

Historical Context: The phrase highlights the span of 75 years as a significant period in history, suggesting that the individual has lived through a considerable portion of modern history, witnessing and experiencing many changes and events.
Significant Milestone: It frames the age as a noteworthy achievement, emphasizing the milestone of reaching 75 years. The term “three quarters of a century” underscores the considerable duration and the importance of the individual’s longevity.
Reflective Perspective: Using this phrase often implies a reflective perspective on the person’s life, acknowledging the depth of experience and the impact of their journey over a substantial period.
Formal and Poetic Tone: The expression lends a formal or poetic tone to the description of age, making it sound more grand and significant compared to simply stating “75 years old.”

In essence, “three quarters of a century old” celebrates the achievement of reaching 75 years with a sense of historical and personal importance, highlighting both the length of time and the depth of life experience.

I have to admit, that I do like the poetic aspect of “three quarters of a century”. It has a bit of a ring to it don’t you think.

Reading these items does indeed cause me to reflect.

I won’t go into great depth today but would like to highlight a few things.

Reflection: It has been an interesting journey thus far with still more to go. My intent is to share some of my life’s journey and accomplishments using this blog and other parts of my Wee Internet Empire, as I have done already to a degree with more to be forthcoming.

Family: As some of you know, I have, for many years, been working on our family history, and am now back to the early 1600’s. Learning where one comes from and where the extended family comes from is quite facinating. As far as the current group, Kim and I have a blended family. Three daughters, one son, one cat, one daughter in law, two sons in law, four granddaughters, three grandsons, three grandcats and one granddog, spread across England, Canada and Malaysia.

Health: Generally things are going along pretty well, although it seems I’m slowly becoming more bionic with a hip replacement last year and an implantable cardiac device just recently. The idea is to say around for a while longer.

Societal Changes: I certainly will have to write more about this subject. We are all familiar with the current technology, and for comparison, I can remember when we got our first huge sized black and white TV. It would seem there is much inbetween. Then we have the myriad ways that the world community has changed and modified over the passage of time, some ways good, some ways not so much. Yep, to look back is quite something.

All in all, the fact that I am on the good side of the grass, am able to do more or less what I want, with whom I want to, and am in a position to help and support others, means things are going pretty well, and I am thankful for that.

As always, any thoughts or feedback that you might have are greatly appreciated.

Thanks for visiting, take care of yourself, and when you get a chance, look out and take care of others.

Am I Now The Bionic Man?

Today, I was putzing around with my “Wee Internet Empire” as I figured it had been dormant for a while. It was not until I checked my last newsletter that I realized that it was posted April 25, two days before my surgery. Seeing as how it’s now more than a month and a half later, I see how delinquent I have been.

Now I have done a few video updates after my surgery, however they were not shared with my entire readership, just those on YouTube, Tik Tok, and Facebook. These videos, this blog post, and other material will go out in my next newsletter, scheduled for the next day or so.

Having said all that, I thought I would do this blog post and talk a bit about my surgery as a number of you have expressed interest.

In early 2020, after several years of increasing arthritic pain, I requested to be placed on the waiting list for total hip replacement surgery. I had been told by a number of folks that I should have done it sooner, however I can be a stubborn type and kept putting it off. Now I say, yes people, you were right, I was wrong. I’m sure I’m not the first who has done that, nor am I likely to be the last. So readers, should you get into this situation, listen to the folks when they offer advice, at least some of the time.

So, back to the story. I was put on the list and then the wait began. Not without hiccups though.

First came Covid. I don’t need to talk about that, we all know that it threw the health system into a real kerfuffle. I have nothing but good to say about the healthcare workers who all worked their asses off trying to do their best for us all. I thank them all for their service. I’m not going to get into any discussion about the actual healthcare system however.

Anyway, in November 2021 I received a call that I’d been scheduled for surgery in mid December.

Alas, just before that call a new issue had raised its head. I had developed some venous skin ulcers on my legs as a result of poor blood circulation. Due to the risk of infection, the surgery was cancelled.

Seening as how we were still dealing with Covid, treatment of my legs started very slowly, continuing on to the fall of 2022. Once again I have appreciation and thanks to the healthcare workers who dealt with my legs, both with clinic care and home care. All was completed and I am now wearing compression stockings to help ensure good leg blood circulation. These will be worn daily for the foreseeable future, on in the morning, off in the evening. Kim is doing it currently, with other arrangements needing to be made when she is no longer able to continue.

Great stuff… legs in order, now back to waiting. Towards the end of the year I was told that they were looking for around April 2023. Early this year came the word for April 27. Kim and I decided to tell “nobody nothing” until I had successfully completed all the pre-surgery tests. All went well and April 27 it was.

The time had come. Was I nervous? Not really, however I was somewhat apprehensive as I really didn’t have a clear picture of what the procedure was. Oh, I had received many handouts, brouchures, watched video, been poked, prodded, x-rayed, lungs and breathing tested, heart tested (multiple times), dental examined (lots of work done there), lab tested, told what to do (prior to and after surgery), the whole nine yards. My documentation prep for surgery probably became a large file all told.

But… I did not really know what I would experience when I entered the doors of the Orthopaedic Surgery Centre by the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

Kim and sister-in-law Sarah took me there, in the waiting room with me until I got called in. In pre-surgery I underwent a number of tests, was asked a number of questions and chatted a bit with the nurse until he moved on to the next person. Then I waited until it was my turn to be wheeled down to the operating room. There I was moved over to a table, introduced to a number of physicians (none of whom I can remember other than my surgeon). I was told to bend forward, touch my head to my knees and that I would feel a wee poke in the back. They asked how it was, I said fine, and two hours later I started to wake up.

Slowly waking up in the recovery room I could see somebody’s feet. I knew they weren’t mine because they didn’t move with I wiggled my toes. Ah, it seems there was a reason for that. I had no feeling from just below my ribs down.

While in the recovery room, hooked up to all the obligatory machines, there was some poking and prodding, checking things out, and some chit chat. Seems I was doing what I should so they transferred me to my place of residence for the next day or so.

Once in my room I was able to relax, and was constantly monitored. Slowly I had feeling come back to my legs, being able to start wiggling my toes after a few hours. Kim came to visit, taking a few photos, one of which I share here.

Once again, I have nothing but compliments for the medical folks who looked after me. They ensured I was comfortable, managed my pain very well, asked the right questions and answered any that I had. Before the end of the day they had me out of the bed walking out to the hallway and back (with my crutches), making sure that all movements were good.

They tried to help me sleep, however I have a history of not sleeping well the first night in a new bed and it was no different here.

The next morning, they had me up, walking (again with crutches) to the stretcher in the hall to be taken to x-ray then from the stretcher to the x-ray table. Same procedure going back to the room. Then the surgeon came in, said he was happy and all was looking fine. A bit later had a visit from the physio lady. She came in and said, okay, grab your crutches and let’s go for a walk. Off down the hall we went for training on how to do stairs, get into a tub and so on. She was pleased on how I did, so I only had to do it three or four times.

Having satisfied all the criteria, Kim came to pick me up and home we went, complete with serveral medical prescriptions, including a heavy duty painkiller should it be necessary. Fortunately for me, it was not needed all that much and consequently was utilized quite sparingly over the following weeks.

Basically the next six weeks were spent mainly on one level of our condo, using my handy dandy walker. At night it was up to the bedroom with the crutches. Kim was patiently my chauffeur for doctor appointments and after the first couple of weeks we were able to go for dim sum and a couple of special events related to Kiwanis or our veterans group, crutching away.

As I mentioned earlier, I did some video update after the surgery, so feel free to hop over to my YouTube channel and have a boo.

Kim loves to take photos of things and events like this so here are four that she took.

The first one was during a dressing change on April 02.

The second was staple removal day, April 10.

Next one is April 16, healing well.

Final is April 28, all is looking great. Doctors, and patient, happy.

Thought I’d wrap up with an xray of my new hip. I thought it was pretty cool. The main part is titanium. Does that make me the Bionic Man?

From the very beginning I recorded, for myself, the names of all who worked to take care of me. Those in the wound clinic, those making home care visits, those in the surgeons office, and those in the surgery centre. I do maintain contact with a few of them but will not share their names. They know who they are and how much I appreciate each and every one of them. I made sure that I told them at every opportunity.

Thanks for reading and letting me share with you.

Until next time, be well, take care of yourself and look after those around you.