The Perils of Getting Old

[Trevor2118]

On the approach to my 66th birthday, I’ve had an interesting few weeks.

Following a regular visit to my Doctor, I very unexpectedly ended up at the local hospital having a series of tests.

Results were basically good. A few problems with the "ticker' but nothing requiring any immediate intervention.

The really bad information was the Cardiologists recommendation: lose weight, exercise more, reduce caffeine, reduce alcohol, reduce blood pressure, and.............reduce smoking. No sense of humour these doctors.

In the spirit of cooperation, I’ve decided to meet the doctors halfway, so I am writing this while working my way through a bottle of 15 year old Dalwhinnie single malt and I am about to light up my favourite brand / size cigar; a Cohiba (35 Aniversario) Pyramid.

Life is all about lifestyle choices and compromise. So let it be! Reviews may follow

Edited November 6, 2010 by Trevor2118
A few medical details removed.

[LeafLover]

Sorry to hear about your bad news Trevor.

For 2011, I will be committing myself to take better care of myself... so that I may enjoy more cigars, single malt scotch, and artery clogging good food.

Yes, let it be!

[MIKA27]

All the very best of health Trevor, enjoy the Cohiba, looks fantastic.

Please ensure you post reviews on your cigar, not the doctor...

[Stalebread]

That's a lot of infomartion to absorb all at once, Trevor.

I trust everything will work out well.

If it's any consolation, after heart surgery to repair a mitral valve three years ago, my cardiologist told me I did not have to stop smoking my one or two cigars a week.

[mbrody]

Trevor, take it in stride. That's not a fun Doctor's visit, but now you know that you can do things to keep the ol' ticker working better. With that said, I would never want to remove my favorite hobbies, and I am with you on your approach, I may cut down a bit on the smokes, but no way would I quit. No cigars? Then why live!!!

[CanuckSARTech]

Trevor, here's to good health. Hopefully things smooth out better for you. To relieve stress, enjoy your cigar and scotch!

[Colt45]

Trev, I'm no doctor, but for things that aren't genetic, a little consistent exercise and evaluation of diet can be of great benefit.

Stick around

[MontrealRon]

Hey, Trev - It is NOT the cigars nor the drink that makes us ill.

If anything, they are destressors that, in relative moderation, do us good.

Of course, anything to great excess leads to imbalance.

Colt is right; a little excercise, some attention to the quality of our diet, will go a long way.

For further on this subject, I would suggest a consultation with Dr. Wong.

Seriously, though, do not let some damn fool puritan doctor try to convince you

that life extention requires the removal of all things pleasurable!

Balance in all things, brother.

Be well.

[cigcars]

*My mother always loved watching those old WC Fields movies and stuff from the '30's. One movie she told me about was where this old, old man was hospitalized, bed-ridden in ill health. His doctor told him, No smoking, No drinking, No physical exertion, etc. or else he'd never recover. EVERYTIME, the doctor was gone, his friends would show up in his hospital room with cigars/cigarettes, booze-booze-booze out the wazzu! And they'd play records, music, he'd be standing up in his hospital bed dancing, dancing, smoking, drinking, enjoying himself to death (no pun intended)! Of course the nursing staff, etc. would always catch them, order them out, call his doctor who would angrily demand that he lay still, which the old man would lay back down looking dejected, upset, etc. When the doctor and staff left, they'd be back with the music and the dancing, the drinking and the smoking - only to be thrown out when the staff, etc. returned. And he'd lay back down, still, quiet, unhappy looking, etc. They just wouldn't listen to the doctor or obey his orders the whole time he was there.

Then she emphasized to me, "Don't you know - He got well."

*my own disclaimer for legal reasons - don't listen to me, I'm not a doctor! But that WAS a pretty good movie story she shared with me.

Long Long LONG life to you, Treavor. You've got a hell of a wonderful, exhaustively detailed website there!

[coneatty]

Trevor, that is precisely why I avoid doctor visits at all costs. Best of health to you!

[Trevor2118]

Trev, I'm no doctor, but for things that aren't genetic, a little consistent exercise and evaluation of diet can be of great benefit.

Stick around

Ross, those are exactly the two things that I did take on board from the doctors recommendations. Cheers.

[investandprosper]

Wishing you the best of health Trevor, and enjoy the finer things in life. That Cohiba's looking' mighty fine!

[Trevor2118]

Thanks to everyone for the good wishes and advice.

I have modified the original post to put the emphasis more on life's "hiccups" and the resulting lifestyle compromises (rather than my medical problems).

[Leopolis Semper Fidelis]

Hey, Trev - It is NOT the cigars nor the drink that makes us ill.

If anything, they are destressors that, in relative moderation, do us good.

Of course, anything to great excess leads to imbalance.

Colt is right; a little excercise, some attention to the quality of our diet, will go a long way.

For further on this subject, I would suggest a consultation with Dr. Wong.

Seriously, though, do not let some damn fool puritan doctor try to convince you

that life extention requires the removal of all things pleasurable!

Balance in all things, brother.

Be well.

Doctor Wong says to Trevor: Hey, cookie boy, you see my advice on living healthy? Here is it for freely, no consult fee require!

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/inde...033&hl=wong

[El Presidente]

Trev, has the syphilis cleared up?

[CanuckSARTech]

Trev, has the syphilis cleared up?

LOL. Oooooooh, that's just mean right there. Funny though. I have a feeling that he'll get 'cha back, though!

[Trevor2118]

Trev, has the syphilis cleared up?

What syphilis.....?

It was just a rash!

[El Presidente]

What syphilis.....?

It was just a rash!

Yes..yes....that is what I meant

[BonVivant]

Winston Churchill has some excellent advise on doctors, IIRC.

Sorry to hear about the tests, Trevor! Hope everything turns out well - that Cohiba with 15 years old single malt should at least balance the time at the hospital. All the best wishes!

[PigFish]

Best of luck on the tests and procedures mate. I have been there and done that and if it were not for modern medicine, Piggy's pork would be cooked!!! I have been in the cat lab so many times I know the techs by name... and they know me!!! -LOL I give out a few cigars and they give me extra "juice" if you get my drift.

On a more sober note, if you want to talk with someone about procedures I will be happy to correspond and dismiss your concerns. My arteries are like rusty pipes and if they can reboot me, you should be a-okay. God bless and drop me a PM if you want to have a chat. -Ray

[thechenman]

Trevor...sorry to hear the news. Still...I think you are taking the right approach....compromise. Life is full of compromise, and to get to enjoy the things we love most, oftentimes it is required. Good luck with the diet and exercise, but continue to do what you love because that's what makes life worth living. So, light up those cigars and pour that drink, you've earned it.