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Sunday, March 25, 2012

Trapped in our own skins.




Update, Sunday, March 25, 2012.
All is well. All functioning. A bit of flooding on the lakeside garden, the front driveway. No worries, though, our pantry is full, and so is our refrigerator.  If we become trapped, we can survive for days!

This is the easy part to report. The other part, the part about the running in and out of town for this procedure, this  treatment, that overnight sojourn at the hospital hilton, hours in the waiting room, snacking on crackers and cheese, that part is the real trap we have been facing.

We are trapped in our own skins, our own vast highway of sinews, blood chambers, food consumption and elimination. Lots of things can go wrong. And any one thing can send you to the hospital or clinic.

A trip to the drugstore or the pharmacy can become an excursion to hell.
"What is the best over-the-counter medication for...?
The labels are confusing, and the young assistant is way too busy.
We take turns reading, hubby and I.
"No. This says it can cause dizziness and constipation!"
We analyze the alternatives.  What else can go wrong?
"Stop.I need to use the restroom," I say, "Take a number from the pharmacist, and tell her what other meds you take."

When I return, he has bought the store. We came for one item, to relieve one simple problem, and we walk out with a bag full of stuff.

Growing old is not for sissies!
We are exhausted, and the only thing we did was go to the drugstore.

25 comments:

Brian Miller said...

smiles...it seems the medication we take sometimes causes worse side effects than what it fixes you know...we need meds to cover our meds....a bit scary...

i feel you on being trapped in our bodies and my day will come...but still i get constant reminders of its frailty...had another run in with lymes disease this week my self...

joeh said...

I feel your pain. Had my bladder looked at this week, how they did that I do not want to talk about.

Definatly not for sissies.

Cranky Old Man

potsoc said...

Don't give up. Medication can be worse than the sickness it's meant to cure, besides, down your way, it could send you to the poor house.
Thank God for our Quebec and Canadian "socialism" to the likes of your G.O.P. guys.

rjerdee said...

And you two are NOT sissies!!! Growing old comes with soooo many losses, griefs and pains. On the other hand, we gain wisdoms, satisfactions, and experiences. The young have NO idea!!

Linda Myers said...

I think about my own entrapment as I lie in bed in the morning, before I get up.

I should get up sooner.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Rosaria - I hope the leaks don't get worse - oh I know they be clever these shops - laying things out, so we can try a few more ... I do hope the medication eases things ..

Look after yourselves - Hilary

The Broad said...

I've recently read about two ladies, one who is 83 and goes to our church, and the other who is 99 and lives somewhere else in England. Both of these women have been selected to carry the Olympic torch as it travels through the country in June. What have I been doing wrong? These women are both phenomenally physically healthy. Still, gives me hope that despite all the pills I take to keep me going maybe ...

Diane said...

I wonder why it is you go in for one thing and come home with 1/2 the shop/pharmacy. I know the feeling well. Diane

ds said...

The pharmacy is indeed a dangerous place. And I'm stunned at the side effects of some medications. Sometimes the treatment is worse than the disease. Hang in there, Rosaria.

Patricia said...

"Trapped in our own skins"...so true! Also, when we are feeling well, the are totally unaware of our bodies, but when we are sick the world is reduced to what is occurring within that bag of skin!

Terra said...

I am totally with you on this aging process, and boy, all the side effects of meds makes it tricky. Still, when I consider the alternative to aging, I LOVE aging :)

Rob-bear said...

"We are exhausted, and the only thing we did was go to the drugstore." Yup; been there, done that, have the scars. Betrayed by our own bodies! Trapped with no prospect of freedom, perhaps only in death.

Such a nuisance.

The only thing that's worse is being a Bear rapped in a human body. And trying then to figure out who you are.

dianefaith said...

Sounds exhausting! I hope somewhere in that bag of meds was something that helped the problem. And, I hope you get some sunshine!

yaya said...

I hope the flooding recedes soon and you're not trapped at home for long. But we are trapped for this life in our own skin. Good genes and luck do play a part and also how we treated this body in our youth, to how it will respond in our advancing years. I work in surgery and I see the body from the inside out and I'm always amazed at how efficiently it works, how it can repair and sustain us, and also how fragile we are in the end. If I could go back in time I would yell at me and say..."don't sunbathe so much, don't gain weight, take your vitamins, exercise, stimulate your mind"....but those are still good things to remind myself in my 50's!

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

How true, Rosaria! I share so many of your feelings with our current round of testing and procedures and bodies that feel suddenly quite frail and mortal. I guess our only option is to stockpile as many healthy habits as possible.

Marguerite said...

All medications scare me, both prescribed and over the counter types. It's probably because I have worked in the medical field for 15 years. I have seen some patients with med sheets that are 3 pages long and they are so sick from the drugs, but the doctors keep prescribing more!

I prefer to use a combination of good vitamins, exercise, and lots of freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, and protein shakes. I invested in a Jack LaLane juicer, 5 years ago, and highly recommend it. Hope you both are feeling better soon!

Murr Brewster said...

I usually walk to the drugstore, then walk around it sixty or seventy times until the urge to go in dissipates. Usually feel pretty good by then, too.

cheshire wife said...

Now that I no longer work in a pharmacy a keep well clear of them. It won't last for ever. My day will come.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I hope you stay safe in the flooding. I'm sorry about the health issues. You're right, aging isn't for sissies.

Shannon at The Warrior Muse, co-host of the 2012 #atozchallenge! Twitter: @AprilA2Z

quilterliz said...

G'day Rosaria. I hope the flooding doesn't cause you any serious problems. It's no fun growing old and I work in aged care and see it everyday.My father in law lived to 94, never got sick, except in the last six weeks of his life, when an aggressive cancer took him. He was one of the lucky ones and he used to boast that he never knew any of the local doctors because he never had to go to any. Sadly, that can't be said for most of us. I must admit that I got a chuckle out of you saying that your hubby "bought the store". That is my hubby, no matter what store he goes into, especially the supermarket. Take care. Liz...

Lisa said...

I guess we can only continue to love our body as it grows old with us.

Hilary said...

It sounds unpleasant, Rosaria. I hope you and your husband are feeling better before too long.

Ruth said...

Yes. What is hardest is slowing down, I think. All this takes so long. And where are the answers. We have to become our own best experts, and have a lot of patience. It's good that we are going through this "together" in our social spaces, where we can lift each other up, and learn from each other. Be well, as well as you can.

the walking man said...

*sigh* I know.

Maggie May said...

Side effects of any kind of drug can be quite devastating and before you know it you have to take drugs for the sude effects....... which in turn, cause side effects! Its a never ending spiral as we get older. We have found this out too!
Not easy!
maggie X

Nuts in May