New and Experienced Climbers over 50 #32

Yesterday I drove down to Tony’s nursing home to do what I thought of as an extraction, navy seal style. To rescue the hostage. I had a good plan – – I brought in a huge breakfast from Sherman‘s deli to give him enough strength to cooperate. I walked over to social services With the names of four Acute inpatient rehab facilities and told them I want Tony transferred to whichever one will take him. Tony inhaled the breakfast and had his 1st cup of coffee in six weeks.

An hour later, a nurse from the state of California wearing a very prominent badge walked in to Tony’s room to start her investigation of the complaint I filed. She went over everything. Then she went over to meet with the nurses and staff. Within a half hour Tony got his first bath and his gown changed. Workers came in to fix the shade in his room so it could be lifted and sunlight would come in. He got his meds delivered immediately. Another nurse came in and announced that they were about to get a Physiatrist on their staff and Tony would be his first patient.  The state nurse said plainly “you arrived here a healthy man and are rapidly becoming an invalid.“

—-

I don’t know why I was given this role. I feel outraged and broken record all the time. No part of me can get on board with all the drugs and surgeries. Every drug has a side effect and every side effect is dealt with another drug. They brought Tony two more cholchecine last night just for the heck of it despite the fact that his Uric acid level is now low normal and he shows no signs of gout.  He took it because “the nurse said it could help.” so fuck it. I told Tony “you do you“.

I suggested that Tony put his painful feet in the sun. He knows I’m big into grounding. I drink cherry juice for pain. My solution for everything is “go outside and let the sun hit your body and move.“ where is Russ when I need the proper response? I actually do want to align my chakras.   I would not let these doctors touch me unless death was the only other option.

Here is my response to having a miserable morning in which everything hurts. Go lay on a rock. If nothing else, peace will return in spades.

Also… I’ve discovered a new product for knee support. I’ve been seeing it for months and finally decided can’t hurt, might help.  “Green Lipped Mussel”  . Both desiccated mussel and 100 mg of the oil extracted from green lipped mussel is a powerful anti-inflammatory equal to or greater than ibuprofen.  It’s another omega-3.

Lastly, there’s this. I was so happy to see the statement this morning. I am really trying to deal with knee pain in both knees and just now starting physical therapy. It’s not arthritis related. But the one confusion I had was why my knee pain actually improved after several days of hard slab climbing. So I think this might be it.

I feel sorry for both Tony and me – – and all couples who don’t see things the same way. I am trying to step back and let him do what he needs to do. Meanwhile, I’m going climbing.

Thanks for the perspective, Lori.

Situation sounds horrible…

The key to training is not to overdo as your inset seems to indicate.

Lori Milaswrote:

Also… I’ve discovered a new product for knee support. I’ve been seeing it for months and finally decided can’t hurt, might help.  “Green Lipped Mussel”  . Both desiccated mussel and 100 mg of the oil extracted from green lipped mussel is a powerful anti-inflammatory equal to or greater than ibuprofen.  It’s another omega-

Don't fall for this. It's hard to protect you from yourself, but please don't spend your money on this snake oil.

Lori Milaswrote:

What was it before? I always check Google maps before I start to drive because if there is an accident on the grade I’d rather not be stuck. There’s no turn out or lane to pull over.  Was it always this way?

I'm sure it had accidents, but for some reason, it's daily, or multi-daily these days to the point of absurdity.

Sorta seems like people have gotten a lot more aggressive (and dumb) while driving since Covid. Maybe I'm just getting old.

Li Huwrote:

That’s a rare name, are you certain we’ve not met?

Did you go to school in Boston in the late eighties/early nineties?  If so perhaps we were roommates for a while!  If not, there's at least one other Li Hu out there for you to meet.

Cheers,

GO

Lori Milaswrote:

Yesterday I drove down to Tony’s nursing home to do what I thought of as an extraction, navy seal style. To rescue the hostage. I had a good plan – – I brought in a huge breakfast from Sherman‘s deli to give him enough strength to cooperate. I walked over to social services With the names of four Acute inpatient rehab facilities and told them I want Tony transferred to whichever one will take him. Tony inhaled the breakfast and had his 1st cup of coffee in six weeks.

An hour later, a nurse from the state of California wearing a very prominent badge walked in to Tony’s room to start her investigation of the complaint I filed. She went over everything. Then she went over to meet with the nurses and staff. Within a half hour Tony got his first bath and his gown changed. Workers came in to fix the shade in his room so it could be lifted and sunlight would come in. He got his meds delivered immediately. Another nurse came in and announced that they were about to get a Physiatrist on their staff and Tony would be his first patient.  The state nurse said plainly “you arrived here a healthy man and are rapidly becoming an invalid.“

—-

I don’t know why I was given this role. I feel outraged and broken record all the time. No part of me can get on board with all the drugs and surgeries. Every drug has a side effect and every side effect is dealt with another drug. They brought Tony two more cholchecine last night just for the heck of it despite the fact that his Uric acid level is now low normal and he shows no signs of gout.  He took it because “the nurse said it could help.” so fuck it. I told Tony “you do you“.

This is horrendous and sad.  My experience at every medical institution ever, advocating for my elderly parents when they had acute issues, is that the staff is overwhelmed and the squeaky wheel (the one with the best advocates) get all the oil, while everyone else is neglected.  It makes me sad and mad, but there it is.

So I gather that they did *not* transfer him?  Was this your choice - giving them a second chance?  Or Tony's?  Or did the state nurse say he should stay there?  Based on your description of the place, I would not give them any more chances.  If they have been half as bad as you say, Tony may be right and they'll take all this attention from the state out on him.  I hope not, but in your shoes I would thank them for doing better, but continue to work to get him out ASAP.

GO

GabeOwrote:

Did you go to school in Boston in the late eighties/early nineties?  If so perhaps we were roommates for a while!  If not, there's at least one other Li Hu out there for you to meet.

Cheers,

GO

That’s a decade later.   

I had such a wonderful day out with Bob today. We were at Echo rock and I managed to climb 200 feet of slab – – it felt like I had never been on slab before, but it improved on the second lap.

But by the second lap, I was in so much knee pain that I knew I was in trouble. So we sat at the base and talked and Bob seemed to remember that I had an MRI last year that showed a meniscus tear on the OTHER knee, but somehow I never followed up on that. How is this possible? 

I love moments of clarity. I have an appointment tomorrow morning with Kaiser. I hope to get a proper diagnosis on both knees and physical therapy and whatever else I need. I love some of these climbs so much and I cannot throw myself at them feeling like I’m about to shred my knee. So a plan is in place.

And we also talked about Tony. Bob has had back surgery so I could run a few ideas by Tony. It looks like he will be accepted into the acute inpatient rehab. If that happens, he would be transferred within the next day or so. I did not realize that there are totally different categories of post surgical care. The nursing home where Tony is THINKS it is a Rehab but it is not even close. We should have been looking for the proper designation and something attached to a hospital.(thank you KK!).

Right now, my job is just to run food in and try to keep him loaded up with nutrition.

I did want to say that the reason I have posted so much about this is that we all face some kind of need as we age and I’m hoping to get some of this figured out before it’s my turn. Or your turn. I do not know what happens Next for any of us climbers. I also know that every staff member and Nurse that I have met is genuinely nice and caring but completely overworked. They’re trying. A concern I have is to not throw Tony under the bus in writing about him, but he is an open guy and he is aware.

Lori Milaswrote:

And we also talked about Tony. Bob has had back surgery so I could run a few ideas by Tony. It looks like he will be accepted into the acute inpatient rehab. If that happens, he would be transferred within the next day or so. I did not realize that there are totally different categories of post surgical care. The nursing home where Tony is THINKS it is a Rehab but it is not even close. We should have been looking for the proper designation and something attached to a hospital.(thank you KK!).

Right now, my job is just to run food in and try to keep him loaded up with nutrition.

I did want to say that the reason I have posted so much about this is that we all face some kind of need as we age and I’m hoping to get some of this figured out before it’s my turn. Or your turn. I do not know what happens Next for any of us climbers. I also know that every staff member and Nurse that I have met is genuinely nice and caring but completely overworked. They’re trying. A concern I have is to not throw Tony under the bus in writing about him, but he is an open guy and he is aware.

Lori great news. Best wishes for you both.

There is no doubt that when the worst happens it can be a confusing journey. Keep the faith!

Lori Milaswrote:

I had such a wonderful day out with Bob today. We were at Echo rock and I managed to climb 200 feet of slab – – it felt like I had never been on slab before, but it improved on the second lap.

Isn't that like two routes on Echo Rock?

We took friends up Double Dip and Penny Lane last week and that was probably pretty close to 200'

Hi… Lori you did good by standing up for Tony. The situation sounds horrible. Hopefully things improve.

The Highway…. BITD it was smoother and there was no center median wall,  just a painted line. There was also about 89% less traffic- so it was possible to straight line the turns and achieve pretty hi speed.
Also… not one stop sign- or traffic lights- making the trip to PS a quick affair.
And honestly I can’t recall seeing any wrecks up in the curvy sections, the most I recall were down by the 10. It’s really busy now and with hordes of Truck Boys going 90 and scared tourists going 45, the wall in the center, the pot holes and bumpy surface- I can see why you get nervous about driving down or up that. Do you know the way to drive through the park and get to the 10? You don’t need to go via 29stumps.

@Carl …. Kicking tires works on older cars- but there isn’t much sidewall on 255/35ZR20/XL- they look flat all the time. 

Later all 

Guy Keeseewrote:

Hi… Lori you did good by standing up for Tony. The situation sounds horrible. Hopefully things improve.

The Highway…. BITD it was smoother and there was no center median wall,  just a painted line. There was also about 89% less traffic- so it was possible to straight line the turns and achieve pretty hi speed.
Also… not one stop sign- or traffic lights- making the trip to PS a quick affair.
And honestly I can’t recall seeing any wrecks up in the curvy sections, the most I recall were down by the 10. It’s really busy now and with hordes of Truck Boys going 90 and scared tourists going 45, the wall in the center, the pot holes and bumpy surface- I can see why you get nervous about driving down or up that. Do you know the way to drive through the park and get to the 10? You don’t need to go via 29stumps.

@Carl …. Kicking tires works on older cars- but there isn’t much sidewall on 255/35ZR20/XL- they look flat all the time. 

Later all 

Tony once told me I sucked all the joy out of driving for him. He likes to pull a G force down that grade and I just try to hold on to the armrests and not scream. OK, I have pointed out all the skidmarks veering off the road and into the embankments on the side. I have covered my eyes a few times. And frequently ask him “where’s the fire?“. But how important is it to arrive at our destination three minutes early? Apparently it is.VERY important.

And yet he cannot bear to watch me climb. He says all he can see is me falling to my death. No matter how much I explain he is sure the rope will snap.

On the day the 62 was closed I changed direction and tried to take the road through the park to Indio and there was a jam on that road as well, a fatality. I just gave up. As far as I know, there are only two ways out of here.  

Is anyone planning their spring garden yet? I totally passed on this year but I’m already itching to till some soil and think about early starts.  If Russ was around, he could share some advice on dealing with crop eaters, but I think it involved lots of ammo and publicly hanging the carnage. 

Lori Milaswrote:

Tony once told me I sucked all the joy out of driving for him. He likes to pull a G force down that grade and I just try to hold on to the armrests and not scream. OK, I have pointed out all the skidmarks veering off the road and into the embankments on the side. I have covered my eyes a few times. And frequently ask him “where’s the fire?“. But how important is it to arrive at our destination three minutes early? Apparently it is.VERY important.

And yet he cannot bear to watch me climb. He says all he can see is me falling to my death. No matter how much I explain he is sure the rope will snap.

The “three minutes early” isn’t as important as the means to which he gets there.

Your skid marks comment is hilarious, cause I can picture that conversation and the armrest grabbing. 

Sometimes, as I’m climbing up some easier routes, I imagine what would happen if the rope snapped. Possibly should stay on climbs where my mind doesn’t wander.   

On the day the 62 was closed I changed direction and tried to take the road through the park to Indio and there was a jam on that road as well, a fatality. I just gave up. As far as I know, there are only two ways out of here.  

From traffic?

Is anyone planning their spring garden yet? I totally passed on this year but I’m already itching to till some soil and think about early starts.  If Russ was around, he could share some advice on dealing with crop eaters, but I think it involved lots of ammo and publicly hanging the carnage. 

We have peacocks.

One day, I got one of my drones stuck high up in a tree, and was beeping incessantly. So, I had to get it down as quickly as possible.

I took out a slingshot, fishing weights and 15 pound line. Started shooting the weight up to my drone sitting about 100 feet up hoping to catch it and pull it down. 

Just then my 80 year old neighbour comes out with a homemade slingshot and pebbles attempting to shoot the peacocks sitting on the roof of his house

I was shocked, but then relieved as the slingshot he’d made tossed the rocks so slowly that the shots bounced harmlessly off the birds.

Apparently, they’d eaten the vegetables and fruits he and his wife had planted.,.

He asked if he could use my slingshot, and I politely refused making up an excuse. He insisted upon trying it, but couldn’t pull it back. So that was the end of that.

Next shot I made, looped the weight over the drone, and the weight dropped right next to my foot. We gave it a gentle tug, nothing. After wrestling with it a few times the 3 pound drone popped out from where it was perched and landed onto my driveway bouncing about 10 feet before settling safely onto my lawn. I immediately unclipped the battery and the noise stopped. The drone was fine with just a bent propeller.

My neighbour wanted to know where I could get a slingshot, and I told him Big 5. Fortunately, the peacock population hasn’t changed.   

I f***ing hate drones. Was climbing up at Suicide a few weeks ago, and one came right overhead. Totally obnoxious. If I’d had my preferred tool with me, I woulda shot that goddam thing out of the sky.

I was free soloing Center  Crack at Deer Leap and pretty high up. It also has great exposure. A drone buzzed me from less than 10ft away. It scared me pretty gud and I gave it a vigorous bird. Naturally when I topped out I thought to myself that might be a really cool picture! Never was able to track them down and get a copy....  Probably scared them away with my Italian hand signals. 

One time in NH Isa and I were skinny dipping in a secluded spot on the saco river and got buzzed by a drone. It hovered for a bit but flew away before I could find a suitable stick to throw at it.  I think its complete bullshit that you are not allowed to shoot them down. Should be part of the game. 

Yeah, many people hate drones, and I don’t blame them.

Once I got my FAA drone license those antics with FPV drones pretty much stopped.   

Lori Milaswrote:   

Is anyone planning their spring garden yet? 

We have some vague plans for Spring, but meanwhile...

Arugula and Iceberg lettuce sprouts

Bok Choy

And some frivolous flowers.

We also planted carrots, broccoli, swiss chard, and kale. Paula claims they all are suitable for a winter garden. I've had good luck in the past with the salad greens type of stuff. We'll see about the broccoli and carrots.

Todd Berlier wrote:

I was on pitch 8, maybe on levitation 29, the 10a face climbing pitch on friable edges when a passenger plane at eye level turned into the canyon so close I could see a guy in sunglasses smiling and waving, I flipped him off and screamed in response to the jolt of fear I got from the sudden shift in loudness of the engines.

Did they outlaw that at some point?  I remember a few years when I used to see and hear low flying planes in BVC regularly.  It was really obnoxious.  But I haven't noticed them for a while.

Drones are annoying to climbers. But some years ago I was soloing high up in Hardscrabble Canyon in southern Colorado when I heard a huge roar behind me. I glanced back and saw a fighter jet beginning to pull up out of the canyon 500 feet below me. 

In the 1990s when I used to roam in solitude over the domes of the Granite Mountains in Wyoming I would pick up .50 shell casings ejected by fighters when they practiced there some time before.  

Todd Berlier wrote: I'm not as nearly well traveled as I would like to be!

Some of us have been trying to change this....