Aah...This Thing Called Ageing

Of late, I've been seeing flashes of light at the corner of my left eye when driving at night.  At first, I thought that my prescription glasses needed checking but when I removed my glasses, the flashes were still there.  I then sought advice from Dr. Google who informed me that it could be due to either (1) ocular migraine or (2) torn retina.  Whilst (1) is just a mere nuisance, (2) could potentially lead to permanent blindness.

A check with an Opthalmologist confirmed that I had a condition called PVD (posterior vitreous detachment).  What on earth is this beast called PVD?  The Opthalmologist patiently explained it thus:

When we look at something, light passes through the front of the eye, and is focused by the lens onto the retina. The retina is a delicate tissue coating the inside of the eye. It converts the light into electrical signals that travel along the optic nerve to the brain. The brain interprets these signals to 'see' the world around us.

The eye is filled with a clear jelly-like substance called the vitreous gel. Light passes through the vitreous gel to focus on the retina. When the vitreous jelly comes away from the retina this is called a vitreous detachment.  The movement of the vitreous away from the retina at the back of the eye creates a tug on the retina.  The retina reacts by sending a small electrical charge to your brain.  You see this as short, small, flashes of light.

The cure?  None.  The coming away of the vitreous gel from the retina is a process that can take to about 6 months.  When this evolution is complete, normal sight is restored.  However, if the following symptoms appear, then a visit to the Opthalmologist is mandatory; if not immediately, at least within the next 24 hours:

• A sudden appearance of floaters or an increase in their size and number.
• Flashes of light and/or a change/increase in the flashing lights you experience.
• Blurring of vision.
• A dark "curtain" moving up, down or across your vision, as this may mean that the retina has already partially detached.

Aaah...this thing called ageing!

Winter of My Life

Found this piece written by Patrick Timm that so aptly describes the sunset phase of life....

BY: PATRICK TIMM
"I have always enjoyed autumn, it is the best season of all. Crisp cool days. Breezes blowing colorful leaves throughout the air. I can finally wear a sweatshirt or jacket and be comfortable. Fresh snow on the craggy peaks. Anticipation of the upcoming holidays. Cozy evenings by the fireplace. A time to slow down and reflect of the past.

This year as I sit here in the middle  of the winter season and look out at the cold sunshine I began to think. Time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems like yesterday that I was young starting my career and family. Yet in a way, it seems like a lifetime ago, and I  wonder where all the years went. I have lived them all and have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.

But here it is, the winter of my life in reality. I guess it caught me by surprise, oh how did it get here so fast?

Where did the years go and where did my youth go? Reminds me of the song “Where have all the flowers gone? Long time passing . . .”

Throughout my years I saw older people thinking that those older people were years away from me. The fact is—my friends are retired and getting gray. I look at them and they are older now, some move a little slower. I can see the change. I  am now one of those older folks that I used to see and never thought I would be there. Almost everything is an effort now, just taking care of myself. Taking a nap doesn’t seem like a treat anymore but a necessity.

Well, now I must come to the realization that this is final season of my life for I have lived through spring, summer and fall. I am unprepared for the aches and pains and the inability to go back and do all the things that I wish I had done. On the calendar the winter season has a predetermined set of days. In life I don’t really know my remaining days. Two or three years, 12 or 20 years? I do know, that when it’s over on this earth…it’s over. 

Regrets? Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done and things I should have done . My one pleasure is knowing there are many things I’m happy to have done. Spring, summer and fall, yeah I was busy.

If one figures there are twenty years to each of the four seasons of an average life, think where you are as they come and go quickly. Whatever you would like to accomplish in your life do it now.

Of course we never have the promise that we will see all the seasons of life so live each day to the fullest. I realize my children are becoming me. I get a little forgetful at times—I like to think it is just all that data in my memory banks overflowing.

I look at my clothes in my closet, I must have several sizes of clothes. Heck, I will never wear most of them.

Getting old is enjoyable in some ways, I daydream of the good old days, old songs, old movies, old friends, playing outside and other antics. A life much simpler than now. No worries then. Life was eternal.

I remember my Father-In-Law in  his winter season of life. He always had ripe bananas in his fruit bowl on the table. I made mention of this one time and he replied that at his age he doesn’t buy any green bananas. That always stuck in my mind. I chuckle each time I select a banana now.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not giving up on life—just realizing I must make the most of my remaining days for they are numbered. The actual spring season is about 75 days away but my mind and body will be frozen in the winter of my life throughout the remaining calendar seasons that God grants me to see .  No mid-life crisis, way beyond  that. Each sunset will be a reminder of my life that I have lived.

Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing?
Where have all the flowers gone, long time ago?

Where have all the flowers gone?
Young girls have picked them everyone.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Where have all the graveyards gone, long time passing?
Where have all the graveyards gone, long time ago?
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Gone to flowers, everyone.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?"

Adrenaline Junkie: 40 Rules to Live Your Life By