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03-11-2014, 07:40 PM
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#21
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: yonder
Posts: 2,851
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03-11-2014, 09:01 PM
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#22
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Dryer sheet wannabe
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 23
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 Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeD
I was blessed with diabetes at age 6. I had a life expectancy of about 45. At 42 and very close to death, I got a kidney and pancreas transplant and have been happily doing great ever since.
The combination of diabetes and transplant drugs gave me vascular dementia which severely affected my short term memory in that I have great difficulty learning new things. Testing revealed that I learn at one quarter the rate I used to. That's not fast enough to keep a job as a real time programmer. I went out on disability at age 45.
So I am living a happy life free from work but getting ever closer to being dead. This is the first birthday that ever bothered me.
Don't get me wrong, I am very happy to be here. My only regret is I miss my beloved dog/daughter Emily Ann, the black lab. I can't get another dog due to fear of going through this pain again. She passed away five years ago and I am still not over her. She was our only child.
We are leaving for twelve days of vacation in Ft Myers, Fl tomorrow. Eight days of fun and four days of driving. We do nature related stuff and eat a lot and go to spring training games. This year's are Yankees vs Red Sox and Twins vs Nationals.
Still happily here after 18 years of transplant life,
Mike D.
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Happy Birthday and I hope you enjoy many, many more. My aunt had brittle type 1 and lived to 77! She had health issues but enjoyed her grand kids and sons company until her last days.
We too lost our dog babies, one lived nearly to 18! I hesitated to getting another one but my DH convinced me to get one. Then he came home with a rescue that adopted us. The sweetest friends you will ever have. Emily Ann would want you have another dog in the pack.
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03-11-2014, 09:03 PM
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#23
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Tampa Bay Area
Posts: 1,866
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Happy Birthday ! Thank you for your inspiring story. Enjoy the games and try not to miss the snow too much !
__________________
"For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." ~
Hebrews 12:11
ER'd in June 2015 at age 52. Initial WR 3%. 50/40/10 (Equity/Bond/Short Term) AA.
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03-12-2014, 05:20 AM
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#24
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 1,132
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You realize more than most...how great life can be. This could happen to any one of us, too. Or cancer. Right now. I do believe each of us has a path in life that unfolds as we live it. And not necessarily random. Your story is inspiring.
That's why being retired and free is so important. Most people don't get it.
I am 56. My 50th hit me the way 60 did you. And I understand.
__________________
"I either want less corruption, or more chance to participate in it." Ashleigh Brilliant
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03-12-2014, 06:37 AM
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#25
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: May 2011
Location: South Eastern USA
Posts: 1,068
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Happy Birthday! May you have enough!
__________________
All that glitters is not gold. -G. Chaucer, W. Shakespeare
All that is gold does not glitter. -J.R.R. Tolkien
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03-15-2014, 10:20 PM
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#26
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,532
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Happy belated birthday and I hope that you enjoy your trip!
I will be 61 on Monday and my father died at 61. I can remember thinking that he was old. I am sure that people in their 20's and 30's think the same thing of me. I am very thankful for every year older that I get.
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03-18-2014, 01:37 PM
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#27
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lawn chair in Texas
Posts: 14,183
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Way to go MikeD!
I'm not far behind... 
__________________
Have Funds, Will Retire
...not doing anything of true substance...
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03-18-2014, 01:44 PM
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#28
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 35,712
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The dual transplant has so far given you a lease of 18 years of life. You are blessed, as are other posters who have overcome medical difficulties. May it continue for many more years. Cheers!
__________________
"Old age is the most unexpected of all things that happen to a man" -- Leon Trotsky (1879-1940)
"Those Who Can Make You Believe Absurdities Can Make You Commit Atrocities" - Voltaire (1694-1778)
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