POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Pre-HAART Long-Term Survivors => Topic started by: aztecan on September 07, 2007, 12:36:25 am
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OK, I celebrated the big 5 0 a few weeks back. I thought, "No sweat. It's just a number, right?"
Since that time, I have had to buy new glasses, with stronger bifocals, was told I have the beginnings of cataracts, broke a tooth and had to have it capped, and today, went for my annual once-over by the dermatologist, only to be told I am now growing "age spots." >:(
The dermatologist did find another precancerous spot, which she immediately disposed of with a swift wave of her liquid nitrogen wand. She also froze three other spots, not because they were precancerous, but because they were in spots where people might begin to notice - like my face. :-\
Ah, for the good ol days when all I had to worry about were the Hershey squirts, lipo and brain fog.
You know, last month. :-[
Nobody told me my warranty was ready to expire and that everything would need fixing all at once.
HUGS,
Mark
(Who is going to buy popsicle sticks and duct tape in bulk because he knows he won't be able to afford Viagra.)
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I'm holding on to my youth with all four claws and thank God every day for granting me another day of life. For someone that was diagnosed in"94" and only expected to be around five more years, I'm still standing and look pretty good at 49.That, I guess I can thank my parents for good genes and I've always been good about taking care of myself. There are so many that have gone before me that I felt were 10X the person i am. Possibly I've just not learned my life lesson but forwhatever the reason I simply remember "There by the grace of God go I." Your not falling apart, your just adding character! "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but but by the number of things that take our breaths away!.
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Happy b'day... and 50... I tell people I'm 56 eventhough I'm 46 and I get alot of compliments on my youthful appearence...lol its great to be alive and celebrate a b'day... even with a body that just seems to need a bit more maintenance... Happy 50 and many more...
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I know exactly what you are talking about Mark.
My Dad died in 1986, but I still get to see him every day: anytime I look in the mirror!
I think "who is this old guy? where did Alan go?"
My doctor told me last year "you know AIDS has aged your body quite a bit; you're more like a 60 year old in a 50 year old body" Gee thanks.
hugs,
Alan
PS - buy some fade cream for those age spots...a little dab every night before bed helps (like Ambi, Porcelana, etc)
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Alan, you look like you're 35 in your avatar.
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thanks Philly! It's about 2 years old, I was 48 then...
1) good lighting, soft focus
2) "Just for men" beard dye
3) ball cap (hides a lot)
;D
no more dye for me these days, and I don't wear a cap most days. I guess I'm growing more comfortable with aging....may as well, it's going to happen whether we like it or not!
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Mark,
Thank you for providing another fine example that life does not end at 50.
no more dye for me these days, and I don't wear a cap most days. I guess I'm growing more comfortable with aging....may as well, it's going to happen whether we like it or not!
Having surpassed several predictions of a shortened life, I welcome every day as a big F--- YOU to certain doctors. I used to dye my graying hair (long before I grew out the stache) until a co-worker told me what a mark of wsdom it is to her. And as I warned new classmates in grad school last night: I may be irritable and set in my ways, but I am NOT old -- I am chronologically empowered.
..... amazing..... the cuteest boy in the class always wants to be my project partner.
Peace,
David
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It's only a number. 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and beyond, I'm enjoying every last one of those years. It's nice to be at home now at night and not in some smokey bar trying to get picked up for a little squirt and a few minutes of pleasure. I also enjoy the fact that when I wake up in the morning there's no hang overs or strange men in my bed from the night before. Sure I enjoyed my youth, but now I'm enjoying my mid-youth. My parents were old in their 50's. me hell no I'm as young as my HIV positive self can be. Watch out everyone, in a few more years I'll be the old man in a scooter in Wal-Mart yelling get out of the way you young farts.
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Happy BD Aztecan.
I was doing fine until 50. Before that I could still read the paper without glasses tho it was fuzzy. Minor dermatology problems tho I'd been in lots of sun. Stayed up late to watch movies.
Now at 53.5 I have to wear reading glasses, I head to bed about 9 fucking 30. And I had my year and half ordeal with carcinoma skin cancer bumps. Those I''m happy to say have been reduced to nothing so now I have a nice round bald pate. I shave my hair now, it feels good.
I have heard that there are several limitations that AIDS creates. One is energy reduction and another is heat stress, for some reason our bodies just can't handle it so manual labor sweating outside or hiking long distances and steam baths are out for me. I'll do my touring from a nice car with AC or a walk around a park.
and my face is showing the raveges of time, I do look a lot like my father. He's 86 , glad he's still around tho slowing down a lot.
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Mark, look at your paperwork, I'm sure you got the extended warranty. ;)
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Happy BD Aztecan.
I was doing fine until 50. Before that I could still read the paper without glasses tho it was fuzzy. Minor dermatology problems tho I'd been in lots of sun. Stayed up late to watch movies.
Now at 53.5 I have to wear reading glasses, I head to bed about 9 fucking 30. And I had my year and half ordeal with carcinoma skin cancer bumps. Those I'm happy to say have been reduced to nothing so now I have a nice round bald pate. I shave my hair now, it feels good.
I have heard that there are several limitations that AIDS creates. One is energy reduction and another is heat stress, for some reason our bodies just can't handle it so manual labor sweating outside or hiking long distances and steam baths are out for me. I'll do my touring from a nice car with AC or a walk around a park.
and my face is showing the ravages of time, I do look a lot like my father. He's 86 , glad he's still around tho slowing down a lot.
I'm glad to hear of the happy outcome from the cancer bumps. I think bald is sexy - and since I have to look at myself, I thought I might as well keep the bald pate.
I didn't know about the heat stress. Ah Ha! Wait till I see my co-worker, who is accusing me of having hot flashes and going through menopause.
I'll show her this winter when I keep the office at 65 degrees.
I wasn't really trying to complain. It just seemed that everything went at once.
One interesting thing has happened recently. A lot of the more recently diagnosed Hi-fivers seem fascinated with my hump. They all want to rub it or touch it.
I know, it sounds weird.
Alan, you hit it on the head. I look in the mirror and see my dad's body. Worse yet,. I sometimes hear him when I have a hard time clearing my throat.
Oy!
HUGS,
Mark
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You kids are all so funny..... ;D
Let's see, I can remember my 50th. Yes it was the best one of all... When you turn 50, there is a hole that develops on the rear left side of your head, which happens to let all the BULLSHITthat has accumulated over the past 50 years to fall out. Some get terribly worried and try to find a cork or plug to keep the hole from losing anything. They are the crazy ones, let the bullshit fly and finally be rid of it.
That was a full 10 years ago, and now I am embarking on the next 10 year cycle, so come on guys, get used to it, as it only gets better. The age spots get bigger, the sun growths become more annoying, the body begins to give you pains in places you didn't even know could hurt, but in the end, all of it is to keep you awake when watching the news.
Cheer up Mark and the rest of you, this is the life we all bargained for when taking those damn pills we try to keep down each day. Make the best of what you have and enjoy every wrinkle, every age spot, and every ache and pain. You've all earned them, so enjoy!
Love,