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CA renter.
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July 8, 2014 at 7:27 PM #776278July 8, 2014 at 9:09 PM #776280
SK in CV
Participant[quote=njtosd]
Just curious, SK – is your brother an identical or fraternal twin? In any event, I completely agree with you. I can’t tell whether people are more interested in patting themselves on the back for their good habits or in condemning those who they believe have bad habits. (And who knows which is which? My mother traded in butter for margarine in the 70s because it was supposed to be a healthier alternative, and it’s full of trans fats.)[/quote]
We’re fraternal twins. I have the hereditary things that my parents had. Hypertension, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol (all of them very well controlled with low doses of drugs, and a reasonably good diet). He doesn’t have any of those things. Just a shitload of other things that aren’t very hereditary.
July 9, 2014 at 1:56 AM #776285CA renter
ParticipantI’m sorry about your father, BG. Watching someone die from cancer is one of the most devastating experiences, IMO.
Quite frankly, that’s why I don’t do anything for some heart, cholesterol, and blood pressure issues we have in our family (also genetic). A debilitating stroke would be horrible, but one that takes me out in one fell swoop would be welcomed (though strokes don’t run in the family), as would a good, strong heart attack.
July 9, 2014 at 1:58 AM #776286Participant[quote=SK in CV][quote=njtosd]
Just curious, SK – is your brother an identical or fraternal twin? In any event, I completely agree with you. I can’t tell whether people are more interested in patting themselves on the back for their good habits or in condemning those who they believe have bad habits. (And who knows which is which? My mother traded in butter for margarine in the 70s because it was supposed to be a healthier alternative, and it’s full of trans fats.)[/quote]
We’re fraternal twins. I have the hereditary things that my parents had. Hypertension, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol (all of them very well controlled with low doses of drugs, and a reasonably good diet). He doesn’t have any of those things. Just a shitload of other things that aren’t very hereditary.[/quote]
Okay, now I’m really curious about the reason for njtosd’s asking this question. NJ, have you heard that there is an increased risk for melanoma among sets of twins?
July 9, 2014 at 1:52 PM #776331FlyerInHi
GuestDoctor thinks it’s just plaque from ageing. But couldn’t say for sure.
I got the small skin area cut out 3mm x 5mm The doctor gave me some options, but I said cut it out so I don’t have to worry about it. He cut out the surface of it. It’s not like the took out a chunk of skin all the way deep down. They’ll have the biopsy result in about 1 week.
15% co-insurance ($25 paid at visit). I think that the bill will probably come to $1,000 for the dermatologist.
My last visit to family doctor for propecia was $360 total. I’m not crazy about doctors so I skip the follow up visits because it’s more money, even though I only pay a small portion.
July 9, 2014 at 1:55 PM #776332Guest[quote=CA renter] A debilitating stroke would be horrible, but one that takes me out in one fell swoop would be welcomed (though strokes don’t run in the family), as would a good, strong heart attack.[/quote]
Lots of people are paralyzed or lose bodily functions from strokes and heart attacks, but they don’t die.
Would you call 911, or would you wait to die?
July 9, 2014 at 2:17 PM #776334njtosd
Participant[quote=CA renter][quote=SK in CV][quote=njtosd]
Just curious, SK – is your brother an identical or fraternal twin? In any event, I completely agree with you. I can’t tell whether people are more interested in patting themselves on the back for their good habits or in condemning those who they believe have bad habits. (And who knows which is which? My mother traded in butter for margarine in the 70s because it was supposed to be a healthier alternative, and it’s full of trans fats.)[/quote]
We’re fraternal twins. I have the hereditary things that my parents had. Hypertension, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol (all of them very well controlled with low doses of drugs, and a reasonably good diet). He doesn’t have any of those things. Just a shitload of other things that aren’t very hereditary.[/quote]
Okay, now I’m really curious about the reason for njtosd’s asking this question. NJ, have you heard that there is an increased risk for melanoma among sets of twins?[/quote]
There is definitely a genetic component (and genetic factors are easiest to see in identical twins). See: http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/familial-malignant-melanoma
July 9, 2014 at 4:42 PM #776339Participant[quote=FlyerInHi]Doctor thinks it’s just plaque from ageing. But couldn’t say for sure.
I got the small skin area cut out 3mm x 5mm The doctor gave me some options, but I said cut it out so I don’t have to worry about it. He cut out the surface of it. It’s not like the took out a chunk of skin all the way deep down. They’ll have the biopsy result in about 1 week.
15% co-insurance ($25 paid at visit). I think that the bill will probably come to $1,000 for the dermatologist.
My last visit to family doctor for propecia was $360 total. I’m not crazy about doctors so I skip the follow up visits because it’s more money, even though I only pay a small portion.[/quote]
Probably seborrheic keratoses? That would be good. Lots of people get them as they age, and they can appear large, irregular, and itch, etc. Glad you went and got it biopsied.
It shouldn’t cost $1,000 for this. It should be no more than $400-$500, and that’s on the high side, including pathology. And you should always follow up if they tell you to.
Glad to hear the doctor wasn’t too worried about it. I know it’s nerve-wracking to wait for biopsy results, but you just have to trust that it’s probably not melanoma. If it is, they’ll just call you back for a larger, excisional surgery. Most of the time, that will be it; while some patients have further treatment, most only have surgery. Please let us know how things turn out.
July 9, 2014 at 4:45 PM #776340Participant[quote=FlyerInHi][quote=CA renter] A debilitating stroke would be horrible, but one that takes me out in one fell swoop would be welcomed (though strokes don’t run in the family), as would a good, strong heart attack.[/quote]
Lots of people are paralyzed or lose bodily functions from strokes and heart attacks, but they don’t die.
Would you call 911, or would you wait to die?[/quote]
Right, which is why I said a “good” stroke or heart attack — one that takes you out. The debilitating stuff is no good. Fortunately, for all the genetic crap we have in our family (LOTS of cancer and plenty of heart stuff, too), nobody on either side has ever had a debilitating stroke. I hope to maintain that record.
I wouldn’t wait to call 911 with a stroke, because that’s more likely to be debilitating. For a heart attack, it would depend on my age and, most importantly, the age and well-being of my husband and kids. If they’re all good, I probably would not call 911.
July 9, 2014 at 4:49 PM #776341Participant[quote=njtosd]
There is definitely a genetic component (and genetic factors are easiest to see in identical twins). See: http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/familial-malignant-melanoma%5B/quote%5D
Got it. That’s what they suspect for our family, though none of us has had the genetic testing done for it. I was thinking that you had new information about a link between melanoma and being a twin.
July 10, 2014 at 1:35 PM #776377Guest[quote=CA renter] Probably seborrheic keratoses? That would be good. Lots of people get them as they age, and they can appear large, irregular, and itch, etc. .
[/quote]yeah… you know your stuff.
I talked to other people and it seems like it very common. It’s the first one I had to take care of.[quote=CA renter]
It shouldn’t cost $1,000 for this. It should be no more than $400-$500, and that’s on the high side, including pathology. [/quote]Good to know… I think people should discuss medical bills more like they discuss car prices. Just because insurance pays doesn’t mean we should be wasteful.
Part of being healthy is understanding how the medical system works.
[quote=CA renter]
And you should always follow up if they tell you to.
[/quote]Yeah but, oftentimes, follow-up is just to look and it’s another copay, plus wasted time.
July 10, 2014 at 2:19 PM #776385UCGal
Participant[quote=FlyerInHi]
What was the cause of death? Had he lived clean, I think that he would have lived to a couple decades longer or more (old age is never a cause of death).
87yo is nothing. I insist on living to at least 100, I’m not money hungry, but living a long time is why I need a solid nest egg. I might not get my wish… but i think that, based on family history, I might make it.
I’m 47. I think that I would enjoy watching the world for another 53 years or more.[/quote]
You do understand that the bodies ability to reproduce new cells diminishes with age. And that’s predetermined genetically with something called telomeres. Google it. I hope you have long telomeres… but even long ones will eventually give out.
Additionally, brain function, cognition, memory decline with age – not necessarily full blown dementia, but just general decline. My 87 year old stepmom is starting to show signs of memory loss. Not full blown dementia – but has to write things down more than she used to. This is a woman who was teaching graduate students up till last year – very sharp… but you can’t stave off memory loss forever.
Financial planning for extended age is good. (I planned for age 100 in my retirement plans) But looking around me at parents, step parents, friends, in-laws, etc…. at some point the quality of life declines.
My grandmother effectively died of old age. She was 92 years old. Woke up, went to use the restroom, and died there. Apparently, this is very common. So unless you plan on giving up sh*tting, it could happen for you. Cause of death was listed as heart failure. (Not heart attack) – basically, her heart was no longer beating, so it failed.
My step granddad died at 96. He was lucid and very physically active till about 88. His health started declining as his cognition started declining and he moved in with his younger sister, and eventually into a nursing home. He had very little quality of life the last 3-4 years.
My FIL died at age 90 a year ago. He’d had dementia and loss of mobility for years. No quality of life.
My MIL is 87 and starting to decline physically. Arthritis, etc. She’s always been active, but doesn’t move as fast and has much poorer balance these days. Mentally dementia moved in about 2-3 years ago. She won’t admit it – but family needs to manage her affairs because she’s no longer capable.
You can hope to live to 100 or more with great quality of life. But sheer will, exercise, eating correctly aren’t enough. Sometimes the body and brain have other plans. Be realistic, hope for the best, plan for the worst.
July 10, 2014 at 3:30 PM #776388scaredyclassic
Participant[quote=UCGal][quote=FlyerInHi]
What was the cause of death? Had he lived clean, I think that he would have lived to a couple decades longer or more (old age is never a cause of death).
87yo is nothing. I insist on living to at least 100, I’m not money hungry, but living a long time is why I need a solid nest egg. I might not get my wish… but i think that, based on family history, I might make it.
I’m 47. I think that I would enjoy watching the world for another 53 years or more.[/quote]
You do understand that the bodies ability to reproduce new cells diminishes with age. And that’s predetermined genetically with something called telomeres. Google it. I hope you have long telomeres… but even long ones will eventually give out.
Additionally, brain function, cognition, memory decline with age – not necessarily full blown dementia, but just general decline. My 87 year old stepmom is starting to show signs of memory loss. Not full blown dementia – but has to write things down more than she used to. This is a woman who was teaching graduate students up till last year – very sharp… but you can’t stave off memory loss forever.
Financial planning for extended age is good. (I planned for age 100 in my retirement plans) But looking around me at parents, step parents, friends, in-laws, etc…. at some point the quality of life declines.
My grandmother effectively died of old age. She was 92 years old. Woke up, went to use the restroom, and died there. Apparently, this is very common. So unless you plan on giving up sh*tting, it could happen for you. Cause of death was listed as heart failure. (Not heart attack) – basically, her heart was no longer beating, so it failed.
My step granddad died at 96. He was lucid and very physically active till about 88. His health started declining as his cognition started declining and he moved in with his younger sister, and eventually into a nursing home. He had very little quality of life the last 3-4 years.
My FIL died at age 90 a year ago. He’d had dementia and loss of mobility for years. No quality of life.
My MIL is 87 and starting to decline physically. Arthritis, etc. She’s always been active, but doesn’t move as fast and has much poorer balance these days. Mentally dementia moved in about 2-3 years ago. She won’t admit it – but family needs to manage her affairs because she’s no longer capable.
You can hope to live to 100 or more with great quality of life. But sheer will, exercise, eating correctly aren’t enough. Sometimes the body and brain have other plans. Be realistic, hope for the best, plan for the worst.[/quote]
I don’t feel peppy this week. Maybe it’s my telomeres shortening. I was lying in bed with my wife tucked in and a teen came in to say goodnight. He was laughing at us. I think we looked like the old people in the willy wonka movie. Lying in bed. Old.
July 10, 2014 at 3:30 PM #776387Guest[quote=UCGal]
You can hope to live to 100 or more with great quality of life. But sheer will, exercise, eating correctly aren’t enough. Sometimes the body and brain have other plans. Be realistic, hope for the best, plan for the worst.[/quote]Yes.
I still think that good maintenance is good for longevity.
For example, I’ve been taking good care of my teeth. Gargle with hydrogen peroxide after eating. Have not had cavities in 20 years. No periodontal disease. I want to avoid tooth implants for as long as I can. Bad oral hygiene can cause inflammation and earlier death.
I’ve had 3 dogs. They all lived to 18-20 before I put them down, thanks to diet and exercise (not a special diet either, but keeping weight down to the low range). dogs their size live to about 12 on average.
telomeres is one thing… some people also say that the number of heartbeats we have is predetermined.
I personally believe that oxidative stress and inflammation leads to dementia, lower quality of life, death, before the predetermined genetic factors. I kinda go with humans’ max lifespan at 130 – 140 years, under perfectly ideal conditions. Seems like women have longer maximum lifespans.
Inflammation can be caused by too much exercise such as competitive sports. You have to find a balance of exercise that keeps your joints lubricated, your muscles working, etc…
pollution such as cigarette smoke, paint fumes, etc.. cause oxidation and inflammation. Same thing with drugs such as cholesterol and blood pressure medication (which have benefits but can cause maximum longevity reducing stress).
Food pollution would include things such as donuts, cupcakes, bacon, sodas… things that have no nutritional value.
Coffee is a good antioxidant but can cause addiction and inflammation. Ideally, it’s best to consume it black and vary the time of consumption to avoid addiction.
Ok, maybe all the analysis takes all the fun out of living. Or if we think of our own life as a project, then it can be fun too.
July 10, 2014 at 7:10 PM #776389bearishgurl
Participant[quote=FlyerInHi]Doctor thinks it’s just plaque from ageing. But couldn’t say for sure.
I got the small skin area cut out 3mm x 5mm The doctor gave me some options, but I said cut it out so I don’t have to worry about it. He cut out the surface of it. It’s not like the took out a chunk of skin all the way deep down. They’ll have the biopsy result in about 1 week.
15% co-insurance ($25 paid at visit). I think that the bill will probably come to $1,000 for the dermatologist.
My last visit to family doctor for propecia was $360 total. I’m not crazy about doctors so I skip the follow up visits because it’s more money, even though I only pay a small portion.[/quote]
brian, I went to my dermatologist today to have a small growth on my shin (lower leg) looked at. The doc said he was sure it wasn’t cancer but I got the same thing as you did … except the doc called it “shaving” (abt a 1/2″ circle) and sent it in for a biopsy. I couldn’t look but he used a tool on it that smelled like burning (electrocautery probe or something like that) and now the area is flat. I have to leave a bandage on for two days and not get it wet and then take it off to expose the Nu-skin? layer that they applied. It’s supposed to create collagen to fill the small wound instead of 1-2 stitches.
Sorry to be gory here but I find dermatology very interesting.
I wasn’t charged at the time of service. They’re going to bill my insurance but the most I can possibly pay under my plan is $30. And I was scheduled a follow up, as well, in August, which I may not need.
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