The Loss Of Independence

It happens to all of us as we age, but it's happening to me at an accelerated pace. What I used to do easily I now need help to do. I am slowing down. It's become noticeable when I'm with people. My reaction times are slow. This has resulted in a major milestone for me; I can no longer drive.

If I want to go somewhere now, even to the corner store, my wife needs to drive me there. It's a necessary precaution. I won't allow my pride to be the cause of an accident.

I also no longer cook for myself. It takes too much energy, and energy is in short supply these days. I am still able to feed myself, dress myself, shower, shave, and do all those other personal tasks most of us take for granted. But one by one, those will be taken from me as well.

My car will soon be sold with expired plates, and my driver's license will expire. No need to renew license plates or my driver's license when I can no longer drive. But honestly, I no longer have the desire to leave home much anymore. I feel more secure in my home, and prefer to stay here.

This is the opposite of how I've felt for most of my life. I'm a social type, and have preferred to go out and be with people, even if it's just a run to the store. But my feelings about this have changed. I'm happy to have people come visit, but prefer short visits to longer ones. I'm not the social animal I used to be.

I tire easily. I take frequent naps during the day. I run out of energy easily. This is not the me I remember.

We have a new addition to our home; my hospital bed. It's not as comfortable as I was hoping for, but it will do. I already spend more time in it than out of it.

The loss of independence is difficult for many, but I think I'm adjusting to it well. It's easier to adjust to needing a ride somewhere when I don't have that many places to go. It's easier not being able to cook for myself when Sharon is here, ready and willing to cook for me if I need her to do so. She's a much better cook anyway.

It's a natural part of the process, losing our independence. But it's good to learn to depend on others. I'm just glad I have someone I can depend on. Doing this alone would be much harder. #waroncancer #bearingwitness

Frail

A friend recently told me I look frail because of the weight I've lost. My weight is at its lowest point as an adult. It's hovered around 116 pounds for the past two weeks or so. Sorry you had to see my deformed toes.

A volunteer will soon come to install a grab bar in the shower for me. In order to receive this service, I had to answer some questions. One of them was, do I consider myself frail? I had to answer yes. I am frail. The lower my weight drops, the more frail I become.

I'm no longer able to do things in the evening. My nausea becomes too much after 6:00 PM, so going out to dinner is no longer an option. I can't drive long distances anymore. I'm too weak for that. The combination of nausea and weakness severely limits my ability to do things I used to love. I don't want to put myself in a position where I might have to vomit by the side of the road or in a public restroom.

Wearing jeans has become a problem too. It's too restrictive on my stomach. At home, I wear sweat pants for comfort. But I refuse to wear them in public. I don't see the point of buying new jeans either. I don't expect to be going out that much longer anyway. I was so weak yesterday, I couldn't even make myself breakfast, and had to go back to bed about a hour after I had gotten up.

When I realize how much I declined in March, I can't help but wonder how much I'll decline in April. Will I still be able to eat solid food at the end of the month? Will I be able to go out at all? What unforeseen symptoms will begin? How much weaker will I get? How long before I can't bathe or dress myself? I'm frail now, and that will only increase.

The slow decline my doctor predicted is happening. To be honest, I wish it would happen faster. I have no interest in this process dragging on for many more months. It's no fun. A quick decline would be preferable, at least for me. I'm ready for this to be over.

I know you don't want to hear this. But as always, I must tell the truth. I think any one of us would prefer a quick death to a slow one. I know I would. But I don't get that choice. My body is still inclined to hang on. My otherwise good health is now my enemy.

The word frail reminds me of an old hymn, O Worship The King by Robert Grant. One of the verses says:

Frail children of dust

And feeble as frail

In Thee do we trust

Nor find Thee to fail

Yes, I am as feeble as I am frail. But I don't have to trust in my own strength, or lack thereof. It's in God that I trust, nor have I ever found him to fail. It's not for me to say how long or short my life will be. Those things are in his hands, and he will take me home when he is ready. Until then, I am increasingly frail. #waroncancer #bearingwitness