What The Heck Happens To Transpeople?

[spacial]

Jenny.

Those things you describe are perfectly normal. I'm pretty sure you will have already been told, but saying it anyway. Mental dextrity always declines as we get older.

And solving a Rubik's cube in a life time is pretty good, let alone a minute!

Strokes are something that worry most people. I've worked with a lot of stroke patients.

The first problem is depression. For various reasons, people are invariably depressed.

This leads to despondency so they lose hope.

But the reality is, that with enough positive encouragement, people can recover some of their lost movement. It isn't about being able to do the things you did as a 20 yo, it's about regaining independance.

The depression can be treated, in the short term with medicine. In the long term, with enough encouragement, (gentle bullying even), it will lift.

Hope you don't mind this input. It will hopefully be of some help to others as well.

[Julie Marie]

What happens to people when they get leprosy?  Everyone heads for the hills and stays as far from them as possible.  Sometimes I think certain family members and friends think I have leprosy.

I've imagined a serious health issue taking me down.  My daughter might come around to visit once in a while.  My sons I doubt will bother.  It's cancer in my family.  On my dad's side, none of them were ever in a nursing home and I had two aunts who lived alone.  My mom however is approaching 84 and cancer free.  She's been living in a retirement facility for several years.  Lately her health has gone way south and it looks like she'll be put into assisted living.  Before she went in for surgery for blocked arteries I said that maybe she would have more energy afterward.  She said she didn't want the energy.  "All they do here is play cards. It's so boring."  Visiting her and seeing avenues of walkers is depressing.  She says she just wants to die.  Nursing homes are not the way to go.

When I can no longer care for myself, the health care ends.  No more surgeries, no more medications (except maybe painkillers), no more treatment to extend my life.  I gauge life by quality, not quantity.

[spacial]

When I can no longer care for myself, the health care ends.  No more surgeries, no more medications (except maybe painkillers), no more treatment to extend my life.  I gauge life by quality, not quantity.

My wife and I have both written letters to that effect and sent them to our Dr.

Might not have a lot of effect in the long run, especially as these aren't legal in the UK. But our intentions are known.

Addition

One of the nursing organisations I belong to, by coincidence, ahs today, sent a mailing on stroke care.

It may be of interest to many here.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4742

http://www.nursingcenter.com/library/static.asp?pageid=1116257

http://www.nursingcenter.com/library/static.asp?pageid=1116258

[Lacey Lynne]

Sorry if my comments seemed insensitive Lacey, they were not intended to be. It was just a reference to the fact that I had never really given getting older a massive amount of thought. I had an awful lot of self destructive tendancies when I was younger and was assured by my Doctor that I would be dead by 35 whilst I myself even now can't see myself as an older person even though it is a lot more likely to happen due to me now being such a little goody goody (well comparatively! )

Please don't do anything rash, I think that a lot of trans people have looked at the pill bottle in low moments but it really isn't an answer and you might just miss out on something wonderful just around the corner

Take care Millie xx

Millie:

Girl, no offense was perceived ... no offense was taken.  Believe me, I understood what you meant.  Yes, even Lacey Girl was actually young once.  Know what?  She too (as he back then) was rife with self-destructive tendencies.  Many of us transfolk do have self-destructive tendencies before we seek counseling and transition. 

Here in the U.S.A., we have this silly old saying, "What a difference a day makes." 

It's amazing how true that goofy old saying really is.  I read a book over part of yesterday and part of today that is one of the top two or three books I've ever read, and hon, I've read bunches and bunches and bunches of books, believe me.  This book 'DID IT' for me.  Would you believe if I told you that after reading it I now have a crystal-clear vision of the future I want to have ... and am determined to have it?  Well, it's true.  Yeah, I'll be okay.

Millie, look:  Thanks SOOO much for saying this!  God, like, I'm totally flattered that you'd say these things and be concerned about me.  Nothing means more to me than the affection of my trans-sisters and trans-brothers.  Again, thank you so, so, so much!

If you ever want to, PM me anytime.  If not, that's cool too.  It's your choice, but I'd be glad to hear from you. 

By the way, you're lookin' SOOO cute!  Really!  Rock the house, hon!

   Lacey

[Eva Marie]

although Alison is hugely fit and active she does have high blood pressure, which is often a risk factor for strokes.

I hope that Alison is doing something about her high blood pressure. I ignored mine and subsequently had a stroke last year. It was caused purely by the high blood pressure and never going to the doctor. I learned my lesson - I take care of myself now, and see all of my new doctors regularly LOL...

She should also be aware of TIAs (transient ischemic attack - google it). Sometimes (but not always) a stroke victim will have TIAs before having a stroke. They are a warning sign. I had a few and didn't know what they meant. Another lesson learned.

[Serra]

I plan to never get old.

This.
MY fear of not being able to care for myself has nothing to do with being trans, and everything to do with not being able to care for myself.  The point at which I being to lose it is the point at which I either off myself, or give in to the misanthropy and off myself and others.