Maintenance in old age
Today I am 30,741 days old. The photo above shows three dolls representing the three ages of woman: a girl, a woman, and an old woman.
I identify with the middle doll, big, strong, upright. My feelings say I’m a woman. But the facts say I’m an old woman.
In this mismatch of mental and biological age I’m not alone. Once we pass 50 or so, it’s normal, it’s common, it’s natural to feel 10 or 20 years younger than we are. This is probably a good thing, unless it blinds us to reality. And reality says that by the time you are in your 70s or 80s, your body needs maintenance.
My old home needs maintenance
My home is also older than it feels. I live in a modest art deco apartment building, which was born (built) in 1940, just like me. It’s one of six, just like me. And it is in need of urgent repairs, just like me. Two doors have worn out and must be replaced or mended.
But hey, it’s still smiling. My home has views of the city, hills, houses and sunshine.
My old body needs maintenance
Today I have ample evidence that I’m older in reality than I feel. A cap came off one of my teeth this morning. Off to the dentist shortly — hooray! I’m practising my new smile, concealing the gap.
My right ear needs maintenance
Poor little ear. On the outside, it is neatly tucked against my skull, tidy and functional and healthy. It has served me well for 84 years. Sure, the inside shows age-related changes. It’s moderately deaf but works ok with a hearing aid. But on the outside, yesterday, for all I knew, it was still lookin’ good.
Then while I was out, I touched my hair and felt something sticky. What could that be? I imagined honey. Had some breakfast honey get stuck there? That night when I was washing my face, I discovered the sad truth. It wasn’t honey. It was blood.
An eternal optimist, I tried to convince myself this was an accident. But no. What are the chances of catching your ear in a car door, or banging it on … well, anything? 2 per cent?
Was it a bite from a large insect, like a giant weta? Or a tuatara? Or a dog? or a teenage redback spider? Pretty small chance of that, maybe 1 per cent?
Maybe a therapeutic leech sent anonymously by my doctor? I don’t think so, Rachel.
Ok. Could this be skin cancer? I figure there’s a 95 per cent chance that is correct. Well, I know where to go and I know what will happen. Someone dear to me has shown me what lies ahead. Biopsies, “procedures”, maybe a skin transplant. Maintenance in old age!
Congratulations and commiserations, little right ear
You’ve done brilliantly. I have never thought to put sunscreen on you! It’s my fault you need help now. Don’t worry, I’ll look after you.
Oh, dear Rachel, you shine a light of levity while at the same time illuminating the challenges. Ouch for your ear and eek for the cap. I have a bridge built in 1972 at Edinburgh Dental Hospital (built by students) – I have had dentists younger than my bridge remark on the age of it (and oh dear, the old technology of it)… but so far, so good… I’m sorry about your ear. I’m currently using some stuff called Imiquimod cream on my face to treat keretosis… it’s a most annoying process which turns the wee site into a rather large annoying scar while doing its thing. I dab concealer on it in the morning …. which may actually highlight it, rather than conceal… I love your home, and I’m glad it’s not leaking, but I do hope you get that front door sorted soon!! Have a lovely day and may you find quick solutions to all these things. xxx
Hello Maggie! What stories about your early dentistry! In the 1960s a dentist (in Switzerland, I think) capped two teeth with gold. They were replaced long ago and I think they were the same two teeth troubling me now. Every decade or two my teeth raise their voices and appeal for help. As for the jolly old skin cancer, if you appear with large skin-deep wounds on your face, people rarely comment: we all know what’s going on. xxx
Oh bother, not meant to be anonymous. I need to remember to log in before I post. That’s me above with the Bridge from Edinburgh.
I love this post! It’s my left ear that needs assistance, and a filling that just partly came off to reveal a lovely chip in my front tooth… Off to the dentist I go on Friday! And I’ve got an appointment with Dermatology next week to check out this spot on my body… And I need to make an appointment with a podiatrist for new foot issues. Poor feet that I have taken for granted all these years… It’s s lot of maintenance, just like my house that was born in 1955… Two years after I was.
So many parts to take care of that I didn’t really think about before! I just keep trying to laugh about it all. It’s the only response that makes any sense!
I really enjoy your writing! Thank you!
Wow, same same and same. Why do homes of the same age appeal to us? You’re right, we can take our hard-working, ever-willing bodies for granted for many years, and then… Good job with the laughing 🙂
What is interesting that as more body parts begin to age out in each their own peculiar way, we begin to wonder how they ever acted as a seamless ensemble to begin with. What a wonder the body systems are. I find that talking to them lovingly as you are Rachel, is more helpful in the long run than dreading another instrument added to the “organ recital” we share with others. Good luck to us all with all our parts and pieces!
That’s lovely, Judi. Yes, they do need our thanks and encouragement. They’ll cooperate with each other as best they can.
I’m about 4,000 days younger and I can certainly relate. I had a newer “engine” (heart) installed about 17 years ago and with that came a ton of medications, that can cause other issues. I have more doctors that a Forumla-1 crew has people in the pits. But, we carry-on!
Onwards and upwards! Thank goodness for modern medicine and its army that keeps us keeping on.
Ah Rachel. Some years ago I wrote a post comparing myself to a classic car. “I too am kept in a warm dry house (rather than a garage) away from the vagaries of the weather. I’m cleaned, polished and primped. I have regular services, hairdressers, facials, manicures, pedicures, dentists and the occasional visit to the GP.” We just have to keep up the maintenance as we age – I am glad I started it years ago!
That’s the secret : start the maintenance habit early instead of waiting for disaster to strike. Though with my final car, a bad second hand one, I was paying out something every week at the end. Super-agers are like vintage cars lovingly restored and maintained.
I laughed aloud when I saw your new smile to cover a temporary gap.
Unlike you and others, I live in a house that is 60 years younger than I am. It still needs care. The heating system and all but two appliances have been replaced. I think I’m aging better than my house!
You’re on to it, looking after your young house — and yourself!
I understand too well, Rachel! I’m in maintenance mode also. Had an ear thing a few months ago. The NP asked if I knew I had a black dot in my ear. Really! It’s not as if it’s in my line of vision. It turned out to be a precancer. Seems like it’s always something. But then the sun shines and all is well again! Thanks for the humor.
You’ve such a positive attitude my friend. I hope the ear has nothing serious troubling it. Sending you love and hugs
Thank you Sadje for your empathy. I must get me to the skin doctor.
You’re welcome. Please do.
Smiling. I do remember really well, what it was like, when we both were young. I think you look and are amazing. You have a young mind. And an old one too. Lucky you.
I love your idea of having both a young mind and an old one!
My mum had a hip joint replacement operation last week, and I’m currently helping her while she recovers. Oh, and making sure she behaves herself and doesn’t overdo things. She’s a bit stubborn at times, but she listens to reason. Failing that, my sister uses her Teacher Voice! On the plus side, mum has been doing plenty of exercise over the months leading up to the operation, so she’s in great shape for her age.
Alan, a stubborn mum is a good mum, especially if she stubbornly does her rehab exercises every day. That’s what seems to work miracles. She is lucky to have you and your sister with the Teacher Voice cheering her on.
You may become the proud owner of a wonky ear, just like me.
https://pollymermaid.wordpress.com/2023/12/29/happy-new-ear/
I’m right behind you in age and needing adjustments. Tomorrow is the gynecologist. Yuk! Always hated that although I really like my doc. Then there is the mammogram. Just was to the dentist. Each week I check to see which repair doc I have an appointment with. Very tiresome but it keeps the motor running!
So real. In my youth I laughed about the oldies who would go to the GP once a week regardless of whether they had a problem. Now I’m rethinking that 🙂
All well said. Your attempt to hide your uncapped tooth looks more like a wink. Don’t let the fellas see that.
Old age does things to us unexpectedly, doesn’t it Rachael. I gave d as one advice to a young fella in the locker room of our local health club (YMCA). Advised him to wear shower shoes instead of going barefoot to avoid toe fungus. He said that he’s been fine with no issues. I replied, you’re young. Give it time, age will help it show. Take care of your spot and I hope you had a very happy birthday.
We live and learn, for sure.