Well, I have to put a 4 at the start of my age now..

[UNCatTech]

I turned 45 in my last birthday and had to do a colonoscopy. The only miserable part is the prep, but a tip is to start the liquid diet 3-4 days in advance so the last night isn't too bad. The procedure itself was painless and it was the best nap I've ever had lol

When you woke up were the nurses laughing? Mine never would let me in on the joke.

 

[Zoo_View]

Happy birthday, Rock!

Welcome to your 5th decade!

 

[05C40]

When you woke up were the nurses laughing? Mine never would let me in on the joke.

On my last colonoscopy, just before I was moved into the "examination" room, I asked if I could go to the bathroom one more time. The nurse said I could and escorted me to it. On the way back the nurse assured me that they had a suction hose in the "examination" room just to take care of what I seemed to be worried about. And after I came to after the procedure, this same nurse assured me that during the procedure they did not have to use the suction hose. I don't know if she was telling me the truth, but it made me feel better.

 

[finesse]

You were the butt of a joke. Or maybe I have that backward.

 

[Callatoroy]

The best advice I could ever give someone to avoid preventable health issues and maintain a normal life (i.e. not going hardcore lifestyle change) is:

Make these things habits

1. Get at least 7 hrs of sleep per night
2. exercise combination of strength, walking, stretching 1 hr. per day 5 days per week
3. eat 33% more healthy than you do now (unless you already have a healthy diet)
4. 15 minutes of mental exercise per day (word games / puzzles, etc.)
5. minimize stress as much as possible

 

[OldWHEEL]

The dividing line between old and young for me is 65. I’ve noticed more physical deterioration in my 60s than I had expected. OTOH my doctor informs me I’m in great shape for my age. No major concerns. Mentally I’ve never felt better. Letting go of the little things has made all the difference.

 

[donbosco]

After my grandmother died, I moved in with my grandfather so he wouldn't be lonely in his home. Absolutely one of the best things that happened to me in my entire life. All of the peak years of me being a complete A**-H*** teenager were spent living with someone who had literally seen it all before and laughed at how the more the world changes, the more it stays the same. On my grandfather's 80th birthday we held a big party for him and folks came from far and near to celebrate his life. That night when it was just him and me, alone, in his house, I asked him, "Which did you enjoy more, the first 40 or the second 40?" He laughed and laughed, then laughed some more at me. Finally he said, "Only someone under 40 would ask that question. My first 40 years, all I did was worry. I worried about who/what I would become. I worried about getting/keeping a job. I worried about getting married. I worried about my children. I worried about saving enough money for retirement. I worried about the country and the world. All I did was worry and--worst of all--I worried about things I couldn't control or change." Then he went on, "After 40, I have been much more accepting of the things I can't change or control, which is most of my life. The second forty was immeasurably better than the first forty." Then he laughed and said, "Not sure about the next 40."

Brother Fivel...your grandpa's life is a good model but one I pretty much reversed. I spent the first 40+ years going to school, tending bar, and practicing serial monogamy. Chapel Hill, Boone, and Guatemala were my home places after 18 and I lived a pretty bohemian and relatively rootless life until I married at 47. Now for me in my second 40 things are much more like your grandpa descibed his first 40...I've got a 19 year old that worries me to great distraction and costs a ton, work now brings responsibilities that are very much a pain in the ass, the world has gone to hell (I admit that I did thought Reagan and Bush II were nigh onto twin satans -- little did I know), and I've got aches and multiple aches and pains these days that somehow seemed to go unnoticed in my 30s and 40s (Maybe those maladies weren't even there because all those late nights behind the bar did indeed both keep me young and fit -- not to mention the ladies that tend to accompany the tavern life). At present the big challenges are how to get the kid set-up, help my wife meet her career potential, get some writings together, and ultimately end up far South of the Border. Sometimes none of those things seem possible except the wife's success (for which in truth she doesn't really need me). My Deddy and my Momma both lived to 93 and the number of folks in my bloodline that have hit 90 is pretty long...but then none that I know of have lived in similar fashion to me. I sometimes wonder how things would seem had I gone your grandpa's path but frankly, I just could not settle down so enamored I was of The Chapel Hill scene in all its myriad permutations.

 

[donbosco]

No I didn’t start this thread so you could shower me with birthday wishes. Truthfully, this is not a birthday I’m thrilled about.

Anyway, I just googled what age you’re supposed to get a colonoscopy and saw it’s actually 45 but I’ve started to think about things I should perhaps do/pay more attention to as I’ve reached this dreaded milestone. I gather that I’m probably on the younger side of things here so I turn to your collective wisdom and sage advice if you could perhaps impart upon me any life experience that I should consider.

Cheers and good fortune to you and yours.

And a big Feliz Cumpleaños a ti, Señor Piedra!!!! Y much mas.

 

[UNCatTech]

On my last colonoscopy, just before I was moved into the "examination" room, I asked if I could go to the bathroom one more time. The nurse said I could and escorted me to it. On the way back the nurse assured me that they had a suction hose in the "examination" room just to take care of what I seemed to be worried about. And after I came to after the procedure, this same nurse assured me that during the procedure they did not have to use the suction hose. I don't know if she was telling me the truth, but it made me feel better.

Pretty sure she was joking, and it was funny.

 

[1moretimeagain]

On my last colonoscopy, just before I was moved into the "examination" room, I asked if I could go to the bathroom one more time. The nurse said I could and escorted me to it. On the way back the nurse assured me that they had a suction hose in the "examination" room just to take care of what I seemed to be worried about. And after I came to after the procedure, this same nurse assured me that during the procedure they did not have to use the suction hose. I don't know if she was telling me the truth, but it made me feel better.

When I was awaiting my debut colonoscopy they had me in the gown and on a bed that wasn’t in a separate room, but just curtained off from the nurse/admin work station. As such I could hear the nurse’s conversation.

At one point the doctor came by and the nurse told him “You’re 1 o’clock called and said she’s going to be at least 30 minutes late.” Doctor replied “Well tell her to cancel then, you can’t just show up whenever. Maybe we could put a sign out front that says “Walk-ins welcome, no need for prep.”

 

[UNCatTech]

The best advice I could ever give someone to avoid preventable health issues and maintain a normal life (i.e. not going hardcore lifestyle change) is:

Make these things habits

1. Get at least 7 hrs of sleep per night
2. exercise combination of strength, walking, stretching 1 hr. per day 5 days per week
3. eat 33% more healthy than you do now (unless you already have a healthy diet)
4. 15 minutes of mental exercise per day (word games / puzzles, etc.)
5. minimize stress as much as possible

How are we supposed to do #5 with Trump in office??

 

[BubbaOtis]

Oldie but goodie by the late great Dave Barry

https://www.miamiherald.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/dave-barry/article1928847.html

 

[HeelInTheOzarks]

I had a hard time turning 40 also. I'm going to be 42 in a couple months.

My dad had colon cancer (it was removed and he's fine now), so I went ahead and had my colonoscopy at 40 instead of 45. It was more just weird than anything else. My biggest fear was my vision - my eye doctor had told me once that vision starts to really get worse around 40, and some patients of his said it was almost to the day they turned 40 that they started to have more issues. So I was convinced I was going to wake up blind on my birthday. So far so good.

I also worry about having back problems as things that used to be normal cause me a little more pain now. But some of that could also be due to weight.

 

[heel79]

I always weigh before my colonoscopy prep and after so when people tell me I am full of shit I have solid data for my response.

 

[CFordUNC]

Damn, yall are some old heads in here!

Still got quite a ways to go before the 4-0 but enjoying the heck out of reading some great advice from a whole bunch of people whose perspectives, lived experiences, and viewpoints I admire and appreciate.

 

[Icky Mettle]

Lucky! I’m on the way out of that club and about to have to put a “5” in front of my age.

 

[heelinhell]

No I didn’t start this thread so you could shower me with birthday wishes. Truthfully, this is not a birthday I’m thrilled about.

Anyway, I just googled what age you’re supposed to get a colonoscopy and saw it’s actually 45 but I’ve started to think about things I should perhaps do/pay more attention to as I’ve reached this dreaded milestone. I gather that I’m probably on the younger side of things here so I turn to your collective wisdom and sage advice if you could perhaps impart upon me any life experience that I should consider.

Cheers and good fortune to you and yours.

As far as aging goes this how I experienced each decade beginning at 40.

At 40 I felt young and vibrant and at the top of my game in my career. It was a wonderful decade
At 50 I still felt healthy and vibrant and was beginning to feel like an adult
At 60 I felt like this is the best life ever. I was retired and serving as my wife's daycare assistant for our grand children
At 70 I came to the realization that I was old and no longer as vibrant as I used to be with health issues starting to be an issue but my focus became one reflecting upon my life and the contributions I have made and planning to make life good for my kids and grand kids....the Erikson 8th stage of development Wisdom: Integrity vs Despair

So I say enjoy every decade of your life because it's a great ride

At 73 I'm more happy and content than I was at 23

 

[finesse]

As far as aging goes this how I experienced each decade beginning at 40.

At 40 I felt young and vibrant and at the top of my game in my career. It was a wonderful decade
At 50 I still felt healthy and vibrant and was beginning to feel like an adult
At 60 I felt like this is the best life ever. I was retired and serving as my wife's daycare assistant for our grand children
At 70 I came to the realization that I was old and no longer as vibrant as I used to be with health issues starting to be an issue but my focus became one reflecting upon my life and the contributions I have made and planning to make life good for my kids and grand kids....the Erikson 8th stage of development Wisdom: Integrity vs Despair

So I say enjoy every decade of your life because it's a great ride

At 73 I'm more happy and content than I was at 23

Your last sentence is such a low bar for me.

 

[UNCatTech]

I had a hard time turning 40 also. I'm going to be 42 in a couple months.

My dad had colon cancer (it was removed and he's fine now), so I went ahead and had my colonoscopy at 40 instead of 45. It was more just weird than anything else. My biggest fear was my vision - my eye doctor had told me once that vision starts to really get worse around 40, and some patients of his said it was almost to the day they turned 40 that they started to have more issues. So I was convinced I was going to wake up blind on my birthday. So far so good.

I also worry about having back problems as things that used to be normal cause me a little more pain now. But some of that could also be due to weight.

I know of a really good company that make every possible product for one's vision. I'm sure they can help you if the vision does become a problem.

 

[UNCatTech]

Damn, yall are some old heads in here!

Still got quite a ways to go before the 4-0 but enjoying the heck out of reading some great advice from a whole bunch of people whose perspectives, lived experiences, and viewpoints I admire and appreciate.

Listen here ya young whipper snapper, get off my lawn...