Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Gang,
Holy crap, SIXTY! I thought the baby boomer generation was going to be exempt from this aging thing? Don't trust anyone over THIRTY!
Today marks my first full day of retirement! I turned 60 12 December (Bill 60, Sinatra 100, but he seemed to be the one mentioned in the news), and my ETS from the Army Reserve was 31 December. But you know how the Army is...I guess they figured enough was enough and cut my retirement order for 12 December..of course, I didn't hear this until yesterday (Still don't have the order, my CO called me on the phone and said "Ummm...I have some bad news for you." So I packed up my stuff and left. Uncle Sugar got 2 days free duty. Everyone was laughing about my "stolen valor" situation..as you are not authorized to wear the uniform if you aren't in...but I think under the circumstances...
I must say, it was INCREDIBLY tough to leave military service, I loved the people I encountered over the 39 years. And I was incredibly lucky to serve that long and nobody ever shot at me. The only overseas duty I did as a soldier was a month in Germany for REFORGER (circa 1992?), and 3 months in South Africa after being mobilized for 9-11 (TOUGH duty, huh?).
My first project today is to clean my home gym,which I haven't done since I moved in here in 1990..what the heck is that stuff growing on the equipment? Wow! Like any guy, I just didn't see it, but once you start to clean, OMG! I will then start my new exercise regimen...I weighed in at 235 this morning, 29 pounds overweight..NO EXCUSES NOW!
First thing I would like to do is thank my hero, Dr. Hugh Calkins, for a successful ablation, which allowed me to finish up the last 3 wonderful years of my career. He first didn't recommend an ablation, but when I told him I was in the military and wanted to complete my last 3 years, he agreed to do one. I can never THANK you enough, Dr. Hugh Calkins!
Time to get back to the cleaning..really, is that dirt, or mold on that exercise stuff? ACK!
60 year old retired guy
Holy crap, SIXTY! I thought the baby boomer generation was going to be exempt from this aging thing? Don't trust anyone over THIRTY!
Today marks my first full day of retirement! I turned 60 12 December (Bill 60, Sinatra 100, but he seemed to be the one mentioned in the news), and my ETS from the Army Reserve was 31 December. But you know how the Army is...I guess they figured enough was enough and cut my retirement order for 12 December..of course, I didn't hear this until yesterday (Still don't have the order, my CO called me on the phone and said "Ummm...I have some bad news for you." So I packed up my stuff and left. Uncle Sugar got 2 days free duty. Everyone was laughing about my "stolen valor" situation..as you are not authorized to wear the uniform if you aren't in...but I think under the circumstances...
I must say, it was INCREDIBLY tough to leave military service, I loved the people I encountered over the 39 years. And I was incredibly lucky to serve that long and nobody ever shot at me. The only overseas duty I did as a soldier was a month in Germany for REFORGER (circa 1992?), and 3 months in South Africa after being mobilized for 9-11 (TOUGH duty, huh?).
My first project today is to clean my home gym,which I haven't done since I moved in here in 1990..what the heck is that stuff growing on the equipment? Wow! Like any guy, I just didn't see it, but once you start to clean, OMG! I will then start my new exercise regimen...I weighed in at 235 this morning, 29 pounds overweight..NO EXCUSES NOW!
First thing I would like to do is thank my hero, Dr. Hugh Calkins, for a successful ablation, which allowed me to finish up the last 3 wonderful years of my career. He first didn't recommend an ablation, but when I told him I was in the military and wanted to complete my last 3 years, he agreed to do one. I can never THANK you enough, Dr. Hugh Calkins!
Time to get back to the cleaning..really, is that dirt, or mold on that exercise stuff? ACK!
60 year old retired guy
Retirement can be a difficult adjustment. I know, I've done it at least three times!. Take a few months to settle in and get bored. Then maybe a part time job (there's a guy by the name of Paul60 who tends to work a bit too much on his part-time job), join a gym (the comrades may be like the military), and take up a hobby (Paul60 and Duder do woodworking, Yogacat does her garden, Bergeram does her volunteer thing, one of my gym buddies took up stained glass making).
Don't continue to be Mr. Couch Potato, you'll go nuts.
I LOVE retirement. I spent a lot of time at the gym when first retired. I volunteered and I started to garden. I bought a camera to take pics of my Kitty. When he crossed the Rainbow Bridge, I had this camera...and I was depressed for loosing him. I started to take Nature walks and soon got involved with a photo group. My love of Photography skyrocked for me. I take photos everyday on a Nature Walk, always somewhere different.. I am involved with several photo groups.
I am interested in making Paintings of my photos. I have been learning Acrylic Painting on You Tube. I just finished an Oil Painting Class, and love this. I don't go to the gym, volunteer or garden anymore. My time is so precious to me.
I had to try different things to find where my passion was, and once I found out.....I have been so happy to have the free time to practice and learn.
Volunteering for a Group that interests you is a good start. I volunteered for the HS, Humane Society, Historical Society, Church and misc. It gave me a structure for my time, new friends and a sense of being valued. There are a lot of needs that need filling. You can try one and if it is good, great, if not. try something else.
I was diagnosed with afib 2 mos. after retirement. I have Paroxysmal afib, so I often had to cancel a commitment. Several months ago, I had to cancel and couldn't find anyone to fill my place. I decided to not volunteer anymore. I have Shoulder and Lower back issues, so my gym activities were minimal, so I gave up my membership after 12 yrs. of regular working out. I do some youtube aerobics now.
It is all about adjusting to Change and finding yourself a new passion. We are not here forever, so "hitch your wagon to a star, and hang on"
Don't be surprised if you feel that loss as well.....the military is definitely a career of service.
Retirement can be an adventure....find new interests, make new friends, learn new things, travel and enjoy having more time with family and friends.
Congratulations Bill! And thank you for your service.
Happy birthday and happy retirement!
Carpe diem,
atp
"Monday morning never comes."
Cheers !
Thanks so much for the well wishes...so far so good, but I have been warned that the initial euphoria wears off after a month or so...I think I am actually still in the "shock" stage. So many years of 3 jobs, then 2, and now down to a part time janitor gig, but that is something. MariKay, I think you hit it on the head...the military isn't a job, it is a complete lifestyle, and that will be tough to move past. My government job was wonderful for 25 years, but the last few were the "Just get me out of here!" years....but that never happened with the military..loved it right up to the last day. And Petey, I remember from one of my psych classes way way back in the 80s...the prof said that we are one of the few cultures in the world that define who we are by what we do for a living. Didn't say it was good or bad, but it certainly was interesting to me. So will try NOT to feel like I lost part of who I am simply because I am NOT a soldier anymore (Well, not a REAL soldier, as I never left a desk, but you know what I mean).
Day 4 and still NOT going crazy Bill