Health and Aging

[Warren Milberg]

Life is a random event. Don't give up living in order to live longer. Just live smarter and enjoy it. I lost two close friends this past year. One never smoked, drank, did drugs, et al, and died of cancer. The other friend did everything and died of everything. The both got to the finish line at about the same time, only one had a smile on his face....

 

[Bill Roosa]

I like to make sure I get at least 1 of each of the 4 food groups each day. Alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and triglycerides. In about 15 years they will find that smoking, Twinkies, beer, and sex are good for you. I smoke, drink, don't eat my vegetables as much as I should, weigh in at 165 lb dripping wet and am 53 years old. On a recent physical training run the new lieutenant decided to take us on a 7 mile run. At about the 6 mile mark the other "old guy" and I were way out in front (about 0.5 mi) of all the 30 and younger crowd. I did have to have a cigarette to relax afterwords though so I might be slipping.
I'm thinking it is more about genes cause clearly it is not what you eat.
As someone else said, choose your parents wisely.

 

[Jimm]

Many of you doubtless read of Bill and Mary having to set aside cruising plans when Bill suffered a heart incident recently. Many of my sailing friends worry me because of their lack of fitness. I am not saying Bill was not fit, I only know him from here on SBO. But Mary did post something on Facebook about his weight. And then sometimes I wonder if fitness even matters?.......................................
. Time I could use for the boat.

Wow Ed, look what you started - 3 pgs of responses in a few hours! Think it says something about the age of the fourm particpants?
I suspect we all have our health issues and experiences. I've LIVED with a bad heart all my life - two valve replacements at ages 41 and 61 and a cardiac arrest playing racketeball just over a year ago - joining the 6% of those who survive that event. Now have an ICD implant. I should make it to 70 this Fall and have never stopped living, doing what I wanted to do including single-handing my boat. Only recreational exercise. On one wrist is the medic alert, on the other a bracelet that says "Nothing is worth more than this day"
Live life large - we all get to the same place, and thankfully the time it takes to get there is a surprize.
btw - I inherited my valve problem from my dad who died at 56 - and my obstinancy from my mother who died at age 96

Afterthought -- I have no patience for those who stop doing for fear of dying.......

 

[Papa Bruce]

I'll be 65 next month and just completed my first blue water adventure - Bermuda to the BVI. Thankfully there was one young, strong mate onboard to handle the really intense stuff, like the snapped furler line in 25 kts winds, but we all fared well. I glow inside when I think about what I just accomplished and know that feeling is why I feel so young. I'm a type 2 diabetic who has weened himself from all medication and lost 35 libs. Never had more energy! Who cares about the 7 ortho surgeries for various snapped connective tissure plus a rotator cuff. They're all part of an active life. Thanks everyone who has joined in on this thread. You all make me feel younger!

 

[Barnacle Bill]

A couple of years ago one of my customers walked into my store and said, well, I just had my 90th birthday. Maybe it is time to sell the sailboat. I asked why? Another man, a half a year later walked in and said that he had just turned 85 and said perhaps he should get out of sailing and sell his boat. I guess those guys are not the norm, but I certainly have known others who have sailed into their 70's and later and I know some who's parents in their 80's still sail with them, although their usual position is behind the helm rather than grinding and they can still handle the boat when the wind pipes up - that's what a lifetime of sailing experience can do for you. But, it helps to be fit and that has a lot to do with what you eat and how active you are and genes help too. As people age, balance sometimes becomes an issue, and so that can be a hindrance. Those who talk of being in their 50's and still sailing.....well, that ain't old. You should be still sailing. One of my other sailing friends has a little by line in each of his emails that reads something like", every day of sailing adds a year to your life". No doubt sailing might lengthen one's life - particularly in comparison to being a couch potato.

 

[CHARLIE STAGE]

"God bless us everyone!" What an indomitable spirit we show here. Through all the aches, illnesses, pain and perhaps "mental problems" we all demonstrate that no matter what; we will continue to sail till we can"t. Keep on keeping on, we have it all together and the tradition of being on the water to uphold no matter the trials. Hope to see some of you out there this season and we can share the aches and pains over a toddy or two.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Things my parents told me
You are only as old as you act. (I would hazard I'm only 16 then)
A little pain never hurt anybody.

 

[seadaddler]

Very Lucky

The best thing my Wife and I did was buying a house in a retired community with so many things for staying active.
We had to work hard up in NY and now to be lucky to really enjoy retire and not have any serious health problems allows us to go to the gym 3 times a week and also watch what and how much we eat does help us stay healthy,we play tennis,kayaking and most of all do get to go sailing so much.
Yes we both did have some set backs with surgeries but we get back in the gym and other fun sports and thank God for being so lucky to enjoy retirement.
Nick

 

[CHARLIE STAGE]

I would also like to add a note that when I was in the Marine Corps we often said the line "Pain is good, if you feel pain your not dead yet. Keep fighting! Today they have a similar saying only they use "Pain is weakness leaving the body." I am sure you get the idea.

 

[IainB]

Ed. genetics. attitude are all big parts of this, the only thing I take issue with is your comment on not needing sleep, total BS, we ALL need sleep. If you keep carrying a sleep dept it will catch up with you at the most inopertune time, either while sailing or driving, both with the potential for fatal consequences, and I base this on 22 years of working in the field of sleep medicine. Sleep is as neccessary for good health as proper diet, excercise, proper hydration and clean air. You have a wife that needs you, but please look after yourself as well and that included proper sleep.

 

[bffatcat]

Its both genes and fitness

My father did physical labor never drank or smoked he died at 54. My mother smoked and died at 62 Im 74 I dont drink or smoke. I had open back surgery in Jan and im doin great.
I do not use winches to raise sails I dont have them. Im not a big person 165 lbs. Its about will. Before the back surgery raising sails hurt like hell. I was about to get winches but tried the back surgery first. I coulld barely walk before the surgery but I walk a mile every day now. Cold or otherwise. Im in the proscess of getting my vintage pearson 26w reconditioned. Im looking forward to this years New England sailing season I have no intentions of quitting

 

[Joe11688]

I remember reading about some famous trans Atlantic ocean sailor who was still doing it right up into his 90s. I think that it's an individual thing with these guys that deal with many facets including capability, both mental and physical as well as confidence in one's judgment and acquired skills.
I think that it's an individual choice that needs mulling over. A lot of things need to be taken into consideration not only for the safety and the well being of the man operating the boat, but also for others out on the water.
It's very possible that some sailors who are up into their 80s can perform the same skills needed to captain a sailboat that others half their age can perform.

One of my friends who is up into his late 70s has good days and bad days physically. He sold his two Point Jude sailboats, one in RI and one in Punta Gorda FL and decided to just join some kind of a boat rental program. When he feels up to it, he can draw out a sailboat or a powerboat and go out whenever he likes. Think about it. No maintenance, no bottom painting, stowage or slip fees. You can't beat that.
Joe

 

[Bill1565]

Many of you doubtless read of Bill and Mary having to set aside cruising plans when Bill suffered a heart incident recently.

I'm home, incision doesn't hurt much, but still taking sponge baths to keep it dry. Seeing cardiac surgeon later this week, family physician next week.

They say after a month of not raising my left arm to let the incision heal and the wires in my heart scar over, I can resume all activities. Never realized how much I need my left hand.

Mary is willing to go cruising with me and we could still go to Chesapeake, but I am still in poor condition after skipping cardio exercise for six months and lying in the hospital for 4 days. In limbo currently, torn between going cruising and renewing at the gym/walking some daily. Stuck home for this month anyway. Will see what's up Mar 1

 

[Ross]

Modern medicine makes a great difference in the life of an older person. I was quite crippled by back and hip deterioration two years ago. Back surgury was so successful that i had to hold back to allow healing. The total hip replacement was also a complete success but recovery took quite a bit longer. The only thing I can't do now that I could when I was fifty is run. I haven't gotten that back yet but I am working on it.

 

[seadaddler]

Bill

Glad you are home and healing with mary's TLC for sure,hope to see you soon and go easy for now and do your PT until feeling better and you will go on your trip when up to it,I am always told we try and do too much too soon so take it easy.
Nick

 

[WayneH]

Pain is nature's way of telling you you're still alive.
Today is a good day. I'm Vertical and Ventilating.

My loving wife has me on her diet. On which she is losing weight. She says something about keeping me around for a while longer.

On choosing your parents wisely:
My dad is 85 and wants to go out on the boat to go red snapper fishing. My mom is 81 and gets seasick at the dock. Good parents.

I just turned 56 and retired early from work because A) I could and B) too many of my co-workers were dropping dead. They probably choose bad parents but I decided it was time to spend my children's inheritance.

Bill and Mary: Keep following doctors orders. A team effort makes it easier. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.

 

[Gunni]

Tom Corogin, 84 and still rounding the Horn

This brings to mind Tom Corogin who started yet another attempt to round the Horn late last year. At 84 it isn't the first time, and this time he abandoned ship, and stepped off thanks to the Chilean Navy. Never give up!

Tom is going back to Port Clinton, Ohio to look for a new boat!

"Age means nothing"

 

[capta]

too old?

I'm 65 & I sailed my 53' ketch pretty much alone except for the ocean passages for 2 years. I have finally found a lady to sail w/ me & it sure makes things a lot easier, but I had no problems sailing single-handed.
Marina attendants would freak out as I came to their dock alone, but w/ all lines in place, it mostly went well; I never damaged my vessel or any other, just had to take a second run occasionally. I have no bow thruster, though it might be nice once in a while, but certainly NOT worth the bread.
I fully expect to sail until I die or are too ill to do so. As I'm a full time cruiser, presently in the Windward Islands, sailing, snorkeling & trekking around ashore seem to be sufficient exercise, though I am thinking of beginning a weights regimen for my biceps & shoulders.
I believe that sailing to your physical limitations is the key; it's a hell of a lot easier to shake out a reef than put one in as conditions change. I'm truly happy w/ 125 mile day, reefing for the nite, than I am trying to reef in a squall in the dark.
But I am an experienced sailor, with over 50 years of professional seagoing experience, so I'm pretty much prepared for those occasions when all does not go as planned.
It is shocking to watch the bare boaters & some of the "professional" captains down here, apparently with no knowledge or enough experience to handle the vessels they are driving.
In light of that, Nikki & I are offering those people who might dream of one day cruising themselves, the "cruising experience". For any interested; skippingstonesailing.com
Sorry, a bit off topic.
My father who was a surgeon, did have to remind me whenever I did injure myself,"You're 60, not 35, dummy!", so do stay within your physical limitations, though that's very hard when you've been doing things yourself aboard vessels for so many years.
I don't think age is the problem; prepare for the situation & don't expect everything to go as you plan.

 

[jsd6410]

Mine is a practical requirement, pushing up from the slip to access the boat, same getting off, crawling around in tight spaces to tuck sheets and bedding; with slipping disks and shaky legs, these activities would be a deal breaker. With strong core muscles, the stress and potential movement of skeletal lineups is noticibly lessened. Not to mention ...vanity. Not having a generator or refrigerator, our Hunter 26 is loaded up with the food we plan to eat, not the emotional options of chips, dip and brats. We eat very well, but healthy. Only organic limes in those gin and tonics- still snow covered here in Colorado, looking forward to time on the water in a few months, for now it is "ice fishing" in Woodland Park

 

[Ross]

I was complaining to my doctor about my endurance and he said that i should remember that I was getting pretty close to middle age.