The term, "Growing old is not for sissies," was no doubt first mentioned by an old person. And there's a lot of truth to it.
Among the many challenges of growing old, aches and pains are high on the list. But also diabetes, obesity, and a host of other medical issues that range from simple to complex, even life-threatening, that add to the mix. Doctor visits and hospital stays become more and more frequent, while the many medications and treatments continue to grow in number and scope.
For some of us, visits with our doctor are more frequent than visits with our relatives. And thanks to those visits, we manage to hang on for another year, then another, and another until we are suddenly old, or resting in peace.
Until a few months ago I was 80 years young. Then suddenly I'm 81 years old, with the emphasis on 'old.' And I feel it in every bone and muscle in my body. Even my brain seems to have to work harder to do the simplest test of mind over matter.
Add to that, there are so many new words and treatments to learn. as we progress to the end. The latest for me is "Radio Frequency Ablation."
It came up in a discussion with my cardiologist's nurse practitioners regarding the results of my latest sonograms on my legs. The circulation in both legs is poor and should be improved. And my legs swell and hurt. And I have to wear compression stockings. Radio Frequency Ablation is suggested.
Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive treatment for veins. (Ablation means a doctor uses heat to damage tissue, which makes scar tissue form. This scar tissue closes the vein.) This technique uses radiofrequency energy (instead of laser energy) to heat up and damage the wall inside a vein.
We asked a lot of questions and looked it up when we got home. Sounds good. We're now on the list to be scheduled for the next group of people who need it.
Apparently, its because I have:
"Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when your leg veins don’t allow blood to flow back up to your heart. Normally, the valves in your veins make sure that blood flows toward your heart. But when these valves don’t work well, blood can also flow backwards. This can cause blood to collect (pool) in your legs."
Well how about that!
