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I want to thank each one of you for commenting on my situation. You all have touched on various aspects of my life that I need to re-consider.
1. I agree that I should prioritize to get my knee taken care of. I had a cortizone shot 3 weeks ago, and am now trying Osteo Biflex which is giving some relief. I am seeing a top orthopedic surgeon in my area and right now he's not recommending surgery. There is no cartilage of ligament issue. There is swelling in the bone where the tibia meets the patella. The often knee feels like it might give out when I stand. I see my doctor this week, where we will discuss other options.
2. Some of you feel other than my knee, I don't really have major problems. As one person picked up on, I am not adjusting well to forced retirement. It happened suddenly and loss of work destroyed my self worth as a person. Work was my whole life. I had a good job, felt I had accomplished something. I traveled for 1/2 a year to avoid the loneliness, worthlessness, and depression I felt. Temporary fix. I see a counselor and received medications. I am at the point now where I should look for volunteer activities. I just haven't made the effort yet. Thanks for suggesting I should improve my social isolation.
3. Money. I don't feel rich at all. All my retirement money is taxable and health insurance will take a huge chunk of my other savings. I live on a frugal budget of $1800 a month, just enough to pay my utilities, health insurance, groceries, and have a little left over. I understand that others live on a lot less and I should count my blessings.
4. Quit feeling sorry for yourself, others are far worse off and/or have fixed their knee issue. Message received.
5. Sell the Townhouse. Agree. I give my self a year to get ready. Its a struggle to do normal things like bring in groceries. But I need to decide definitely where am I going to go (location). Don't want to make a mistake I'll regret.
Reading all of your perspectives on my post has encouraged me. Its as if you cared enough to comment. I really have no one I can talk to. Thank you.
BabyJuly: I am confused. In your original post, you mention you have quite a bit of money. Even with it being taxed, I don't understand why you are limited to $1800/month. Have you seen a financial advisor to help you understand what you really have?
You can also join some 55+ community to live - They have community centers where people get together. Check them out and see if a move is a good idea. I heard one friend say it's hard to live there when it's 'All old people' but in your case it'd be good so you'd socialize and feel connected.
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If one were to do that at 58 I would suggest they think about it very carefully. Those communities are usually full of people far older than the OP and even though I'm 70 you couldn't pay me to live in one they are full of busybodies
I want to thank each one of you for commenting on my situation. You all have touched on various aspects of my life that I need to re-consider.
1. I agree that I should prioritize to get my knee taken care of. I had a cortizone shot 3 weeks ago, and am now trying Osteo Biflex which is giving some relief. I am seeing a top orthopedic surgeon in my area and right now he's not recommending surgery. There is no cartilage of ligament issue. There is swelling in the bone where the tibia meets the patella. The often knee feels like it might give out when I stand. I see my doctor this week, where we will discuss other options.
2. Some of you feel other than my knee, I don't really have major problems. As one person picked up on, I am not adjusting well to forced retirement. It happened suddenly and loss of work destroyed my self worth as a person. Work was my whole life. I had a good job, felt I had accomplished something. I traveled for 1/2 a year to avoid the loneliness, worthlessness, and depression I felt. Temporary fix. I see a counselor and received medications. I am at the point now where I should look for volunteer activities. I just haven't made the effort yet. Thanks for suggesting I should improve my social isolation.
3. Money. I don't feel rich at all. All my retirement money is taxable and health insurance will take a huge chunk of my other savings. I live on a frugal budget of $1800 a month, just enough to pay my utilities, health insurance, groceries, and have a little left over. I understand that others live on a lot less and I should count my blessings.
4. Quit feeling sorry for yourself, others are far worse off and/or have fixed their knee issue. Message received.
5. Sell the Townhouse. Agree. I give my self a year to get ready. Its a struggle to do normal things like bring in groceries. But I need to decide definitely where am I going to go (location). Don't want to make a mistake I'll regret.
Reading all of your perspectives on my post has encouraged me. Its as if you cared enough to comment. I really have no one I can talk to. Thank you.
Once you relocate look at either returning to school, even if it's only to take a gardening or photography course - or volunteer. I retired twice, and was bored each time, so the second time I got involved with a group of women from my neighborhood and we worked on finding housing and jobs for homeless, or soon to be homeless women with children, it was very fulfilling.
As far as your knees, are you taking ibuprofen or aspirin? I have osteoarthritis in both knees and I get cortisone injections which help a lot but when they get really painful I take nsaids and they do work.
I am interested in what your doctor has to say about your knees, what does he attribute the swelling to it it's not osteoarthritis?
I'm 64 at 6'4, big guy at 275 with plenty of sore body parts. I got were I had trouble even bending over to put on my shoes. I took up yoga about a year ago and feel so much better. The stretching is perfect for us old guys.
Try a yoga class or 3. You go at your own pace and effort. I'm hooked.
BabyJuly: I am confused. In your original post, you mention you have quite a bit of money. Even with it being taxed, I don't understand why you are limited to $1800/month. Have you seen a financial advisor to help you understand what you really have?
NYgal: I have consulted with a couple of financial advisers, who both said I could retire on my savings if I was careful. I interpreted this to mean to not go overboard on spending.
There are a couple of reasons I live on $1800 a month:
1. I have no monthly income coming in, but do get some dividends on investments. I am too young for withdrawals yet from IRAs or SS. Its scary not to get a paycheck anymore.
2. I was always a careful saver so I choose to draw down my savings slowly at first; learning to live on less with no frivolous spending. When I want to spend money it will be on vacations, when I am able to do so given the state of my knee.
Simplepeace--You are right, Thank You
Rakin--I've got some Yoga videos, I never thought to try them.
2sleepy--The volunteer activity you describe with finding job and helping sounds right for me. I don't take Nsaids because I'm trying to see if the Osteo Biflex is working. Right now an over 55 community doesn't seem appealing, even though I am 58 going on 59. I'm quite young at heart --its having to use this cane that makes me feel old! Thanks for your insights.
Today I called a deck contractor for an estimate, and searched for volunteer activities. I'm going to do something every day to help get myself together!
Someone just sent me info on Coolief a new FDA treatment for knee pain, does not cure OA but relieves pain. I will mention it for the ortho MD when I next see him. Do a search of it.
Too much cortisone in joints can lead to more damage to cartlidge.
My daughter who is 53 has gotten into weekly yoga thru her daughter who is 20. Parents can learn from children. I did yoga over the years but not these days. My knee is a mess from an infection so I have to walk with a lot of caution and I don't drive now.
Physical therapy exercises for strengthening the quads around the knee are salvations. There is so much to consider.
Work on that knee before the cruise - you want to be able to enjoy something like that!
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