I splurged for my birthday this year, 2023, and secured a fine piece of artwork by artist Erlend Evensen of Norway. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are found in the Bible's 66th book (the last book) of Revelation 6:1-8

A couple of visions in Zechariah with similar imagery can be read at: Zechariah 1:7-11and Zechariah 6:1-8

 

 Checklist for Longevity

 

 

 

 

                          Age         Date I have/will Surpassed

_____________________________________________________________________________

Outliving my maternal Great-Grandfather               32          15 March 1987

Outliving my maternal Great-Great-Grandfather     57            17 April 2011
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Black Measles)

Outliving my Great Aunt Hazel Kirk Charlton           60             2004

Outliving an Uncle                                                     64           3 March 2019

Outliving my Great Uncle                                          64              2008

Outliving my Mother                                                  67            24 May 2021

Outliving my Maternal Grandfather                           67.5          24 Oct. 2021

                                            Pending

Outliving my Father                                              70.5     11 Nov. 2024

Outliving my Paternal Grandmother                      72       23 May 2026

Outliving my Paternal Grandfather                        77       9 March 2031

Outliving my Maternal Great-Grandmother           80          20 Jan 2035

Outliving my Maternal Grandmother                      83           8 Jan. 2037

Outliving my Maternal 3X-Great-Grandfather        88         3 April 2043
88 yrs 10 mos 26 days - James Kyle Charlton

Outliving my Maternal Great-Uncle                         88        26 April 2043
88 yrs, 11 mos, 20 days - Leland Andrew Charlton

Note: Some 'date' variants my surface due to slight variations in birth, census, or death records.

Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”

When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” 8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.

 Revelation 6:1-8

 

Post Thrombosis Syndrome (PTS)

 
I experienced my first bout with PTS recently. This occurred after 7-8 years since my treatments for hereditary Deep Vein Thrombosis. The pain was excruciating, and I wondered if I may have developed blood clots once again in my legs... this time my left leg instead of my right leg experienced the pain, but there was no swelling. My initial three blood test indicated some sort of an elevation - a trigger, but the ultra-sound revealed no blood clots, only the empty holes from the original clots were clearly visible.

I once again put on my compression sock on the painful leg and elevated my leg any time I was not out walking - walking to stimulate blood circulation. I also quit using salt… just my personal concern for excess water retention. I did not use salt in my younger years except for corn on the cob if the corn was not sweet enough…rarely a problem if you grow your own corn.

It was difficult sleeping due to the pain and the fact that my right knee has injury damage and is painful if not maintained in a careful position day and night.

After a few weeks, the pain has subsided - I still wear my compression sock during waking hours. Before, every step was horribly painful for my left leg. I could not use my left leg to climb stairs either or put any weight on that leg alone.

 

Post Thrombosis Syndrome: a chronic and potentially disabling condition, caused by damage to the veins.

Sometimes also known as Post Phlebitic Syndrome, PTS results from damage to the veins resulting in increased pressure on the vein walls. This damages the valves which normally work to keep blood flowing up the leg. With the reduction in the amount of blood being carried away from the foot and lower leg, severe pain occurs, and in some cases, swelling is also experienced. About 1/3 of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) patients who have had thrombosis in the leg will develop some post thrombotic symptoms within five years. Most cases occur within six months to two years of the initial DVT/Blood Clot treatment period.

 Physical signs and symptoms of PTS may include:

    aching or cramping;

    a feeling of heaviness in the limb;

    itching, tingling or pins and needles;

    swelling;

    discoloration of the skin;

    hardening of the skin;

    varicose veins; and

    venous ulcers.

Risk factors for developing deep vein thrombosis include the following:

    Previous deep vein thrombosis

    Previous deep vein thrombosis in the family

    Cancer and its treatment

    Known thrombophilia (sticky blood)

    Long-distance travel

    Immobility

    A recent stay in hospital due to any illness or for surgery, especially on the hips or knees

    Increasing age (but it can and does affect younger people)

    Pregnancy

    The use of the combined oral contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

            Below is from Cedars Sinai:   HERE

How is post-thrombotic syndrome treated?

Compression therapy is the main treatment for post-thrombotic syndrome. This helps to increase the blood flow in your veins and decrease your symptoms.

You may be given prescription-grade compression stockings. These apply more pressure than the type you can buy over-the-counter. These are worn during the day, on the leg that had the DVT. You also may also be given an intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) device. This device applies pressure on the veins of your leg.

Proper skin care is also essential. Your healthcare provider may advise that you use a product to lubricate your skin, such as petroleum jelly. Barrier creams that contain zinc oxide can also be helpful. In some cases, you may need a steroid cream or ointment to treat your skin. If you develop leg sores (ulcers), they may need special treatment.

In some cases, your provider may advise surgery. This can be done to remove a blockage in a major vein. It can also be done to repair the valves in your leg veins.

Have a Happy
Thanksgiving,

Christmas &
New Year!

Another year has all but passed and my PSA level remains steady.

I have had swollen neck lymph nodes this year, but nothing alarming was detected by scan or blood tests.

 

My 19-year-old knee injury raised its angry head, but I have managed to take things more carefully now with regards to using it on walks, stairs, and sleeping positions, so the pain has diminished.

The goals one sets with age comparisons prove far different than those from the days of youth long past. Now, with seven younger cousins deceased, including one twice removed... I keep a record:

 

Checklist for Longevity                                           Date Achieved

 

Outliving my maternal great-grandfather…age -33        15 March 1987

Outliving an uncle…                                   age -64        13 March 2019

Outliving one’s mother…                            age 67          24 May 2021

Outliving my maternal grandfather…         age 67.5       24 Oct. 2021

Outliving your father…                               age 70.5

Outliving your paternal grandmother…      age 72

Outliving your paternal grandfather…        age 78

Outliving your maternal grandmother…     age 83

 

 

And on and on and on - at least one hopes.

I continue to read, write, and take our little dog on her daily walks.

 

“So, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Psalm 90:12

 

 

    Balloon

    by Millie Ralston

"The story of a man whose life changes on discovery of a balloon attached to his waist. A short film to raise awareness of cancer."

A touching short film created by a young woman who lost her father to cancer.

- Click  HERE to view.