Jewish Musings, Wednesday, May 29, 2024

[peachymom1]

What’s on your mind — how to make kugel? This week’s Torah reading? Life goals? Prayer? We are all engaged in weight loss/weight maintenance journeys and we are all Jewish or at least interested in Judaism. We like to eat, we like to discuss. It is our goal here to provide each other support on our journeys, to share experiences, to call on our rich cultural heritage and texts, and to help each other grow spiritually.

Some of us take weekly turns starting the thread:

Frieda (hopefully)?
Holly
Lee
Louise
Lynne
Peachy

And for those of you that stop by to read this thread without posting — you are welcome to, but you are also welcome to chime in. Don’t be shy!

[peachymom1]

Good morning! Today is National Senior Health & Fitness Day. All of us are somewhere on a path toward healthier living, and we all seem to be making progress. So my question for you today is, what is your general outlook on your health, and how do you adjust to health conditions that come up?

For example, I tend to see my health as being good in general, and when something develops or happens to me, I want to address it right away. I don’t go into denial or try to sidestep or delay treatment any longer than I have to. I feel like I need to take whatever steps are available to me and get moving on it. That’s how I feel better – the sooner I can act on something, the more I feel like I can conquer the problem and hopefully minimize its effects. I am also very grateful that I live in a time and place with access to good medical care.

I was surprised recently when one of my sons mentioned that he was concerned about my general health, since I had surgery three times in three years (elbow, shoulder, hysterectomy). He worried that this could indicate a trend into the future. I hadn’t thought of it that way. I’d looked at each thing as something to take care of, and then it was over. But maybe he’s right. I’ll have to give that some thought!

How about you?

[lee058]

Good morning everybody. Hope you are all well and SAFE! Please pray for Israel.

Re today's topic: Right this minute, I am feeling discouraged about my health. I just found out yesterday that I have the beginnings of osteoporosis. My women's care office recommended that I see my primary doctor to work out a treatment plan, so I made an appointment with him. Unfortunately, it's not for three weeks (6/21). At least it's before my colonoscopy (6/28).

I am also worried about DH's friend; DH was able to contact the friend's dad in Florida who is going to contact the police. He may have already done so; we haven't heard anything yet. I hope DH's friend is okay, but that if (God forbid) he did something terrible to himself, that he didn't regret it when it was too late.

Anyway, I hope today gets better. I need to call the roofers who did our roof four years ago to find out if it's still under warranty. What a day.

I hope everyone has a peaceful day, Lee

[gazelle18]

Living with a physician, I never had a chance at denial or procrastination on anything health related. Not that DH overreacted to symptoms. But he is always methodical and most of all, pro-active. I am fairly certain that, left to my own devices, I would stick my head in the sand.

Peachy, I take the opposite view from your son. In the old days, people would just suffer from elbow or shoulder pain. They’d pop aspirin, and stop being active, and the lack of activity would further erode their well-being. Now there are treatments and surgeries to keep people in decent shape. I look at it this way: all these age-related medical conditions are the “price” we pay for the privilege of aging.

[lee058]

gazelle18, "the privilege of aging" --- nice phrase.

Lee

[hollygail]

I've been nursing whatever's going on with me since last Thursday evening. I decided that yesterday was when I should call my doctor for an appointment; DH suggested waiting another day. I did feel better yesterday than I had been, and so far today I'm feeling better too, but not totally well. I'm wondering whether I too am putting off moving forward... DH's symptoms and mine are similar but not the same (I think I mentioned this at least once already). He's usually the first one to call the doctor (or show up at his medical "walk in" practice), and his advice yesterday was a little out of character (although it didn't occur to me until just now). I do hate sitting in the waiting room (even when there aren't other sick people waiting), but that never stopped me before. I'm going to have to make a decision and carry through on it. I don't like taking medication just for the sake of taking medication; I have a sensitivity to some and don't want to incur sensitivities to more than necessary...

[louise]

I want to know but I admit I am also afraid to know. Right now I have my head in the sand about a problem (I leak). I am hoping that with exercise and weight loss this will improve. Possibly not realistic!