Age Is More Than A Number

AGE IS MORE THAN A NUMBER

The realization came to him too late. All this time he was smarting under the impression that age is only a number and the fear of aging is in mind only. He was stupid enough to go by these softy words with lofty tit bits between the lines.

Well, he was suffering from cough and cold and a little fever which was nothing new and all these years he was treating it with OTC drugs with good effect. He never visited a physician for common cold. Rather would make a joke and say common cold goes in a week if you take medicines and seven days if you don't.

This time however it refused to subside even after two days, Crocine, notwithstanding. On the third day morning, he felt dizzy and fell down early in the morning. Got up dusted himself and hummed ' bin piye Mai to gira , (stumbled without having a drink). Head was still heavy and as he was trying to sip his morning cuppa, he felt like throwing up and he did.

It was enough for his wife to take him to the doctor. The diagnosis revealed high fever 102, low BP 90/65. Was prescribed some medicines and if no improvement in a day, hospitalization. While doctor wanted to watch a day more, children and wife insisted that he gets to the hospital immediately. Next day he was in the hospital under treatment for which in medical jargon is as under:

"Acute febrile illness due to viral pyrexia with postural hypotension with vertigo and Dyselectrolytemia "

In simple words dehydration that caused drying up of body fluids and thickening of blood resulting into low BP, loss of sodium and potassium in the blood. They put him on saline and other fluids administered IV for three days, took complete blood count and bio-chemistry every three hours and BP every two hours.

He was back home after three days, fully recovered and 50000/- short of bank balance not forgetting the physical discomfort. One stupid misadventure at this age troubled everybody. Added to this was the collateral damage of cancellation of our 15 days tour to London and Europe with heavy cancellation charges. The biggest consolation however is that he is fine now. In the process he learnt a lesson for rest of my life.

I am posting this with his permission, to all oldies with a request not to be as stupid he proved to be. Age is a merciless number when we grow as far as our body is concerned. It is both in our mind and body. Next time you feel like this sort of or any sort of discomfort, visit your doctor. At this age our resistance power takes a beating and cannot hold longer as it used to. The doctor is the best judge.

 

Thanks for your comments. It is all the more important as medical cost is increasing every day. Any neglect may lead to serious consequences as in this case.

 

All said and done, we are flesh and blood. No amount of reinterpreting or reorientation will help when it comes to pain and helplessness.

 

True. A systematic disciplinary regimentation is required at advanced age.