They are Never Too Old

[cbk]

My macho, warrior, son just had some surgery on his throat. He drove his poor wife crazy with his snoring. Had tests and sure enough, although he hadn't developed full blown sleep apnea, he was well on his way. He thought he'd just have to get one of those machines. But in the crazy way insurance programs work that wasn't an option; although it was medically. Since number two son is in the Coast Guard, he and his family come under Tri-Care, not the military medical service. They would not approve the machine, but they would approve approximately $20,000.00 worth of surgery. Go figure???
So Thursday the poor baby had his throat slit, as he terms it. I knew he was going to have a very sore throat, and he has. I thought he'd not be calling as it would be painful to talk. But oh no. He has to get his full measure of sympathy from his Mommy. So I've received several calls saying how miserable he is. To which I reply, Take your pain medicine. Don't like pain medicine. Then hurt! Today he called to say that he was hungry but still could only stand water. He was up and about and on the way to change the brake pads in his truck. The station has a machine shop that they let the C.G. members use. Of course he forgot his wallet, & forgot a tool that he needs. Couldn't buy the brake pads without the money/credit card that was in the wallet. Was on his way back to the house to retrieve same. Boy am I glad he lives in California or I'd get dragged into changing brake pads....I just know it.
Just goes to show that when a male is miserable, he wants his Mommy....no matter how old, or tough he is.

[Tommy Thompson]

that's too funny. My recent surgery has left me with pain that doesn't seem to want to go away. I'm not one for taking pain pills but I couldn't wait to get home this afternoon to take a half pill. When I'm in pain or don't feel good I just like to not bother anybody with it.
We have a friend that's also on facebook and it seems like everything she posts is about how bad she feels and she wants her mommy to come over and take care of her. I just don't get it.

[cbk]

Well, the invalid finally got his brakes changed. It turned into a real chinese fire drill, but he got it done. Then he was SOOOO hungry he decided a hamburger would do the trick. Idiot. Why does he think ice cream is given to kids who have their tonsils taken out? He not only wants his mommy, he needs his mommy!

Tommy, I know that you don't like to take pain pills. But I promise you, GOD DOES NOT LOVE YOU BETTER IF YOU ARE IN PAIN. Take the damn pills! You won't become an addict.

[jb]

Chuckling!!! Tommy, I'm like you!! When I hurt, I just want to curl up in a dark corner and be left alone!!!! And I will also try to go as long as I can without taking pain pills.

[cbk]

What is it with you men and your reluctance to take pain medication when you need it? Do you not understand that pain puts stress on your body, makes your blood pressure go up, slows healing. etc. etc. It's not that I want to encourage anyone to become a junkie. But, my stars, all that science wasted on people who are too stubborn to use it.
What are y'all trying to prove

[nancy]

I completely agree with you, Chris! My sweet husband thinks that going without pain meds just shows how tough he is...I will never understand it. Recently my knee was hurting so bad I said that I wished I had a strong pain pill. He comes up with several bottles that he had been given over the past couple of years ... once for hand surgery and one time for a root canal. I told him we could get a good bit of money for all of those on the street! But now I have a good supply in case I need one.

[nancy]

I forgot to say that my hubby is like jb...he wants to be left along...my sons are another story!

[cbk]

Nancy, I guess it's just the difference between the sexes. Of course having been divorced for so many years the only critter I had to give me sympathy was the dog. And he's a great snuggler. LOL Besides, I take the pain medicine. Hurting is not my favorite pastime.

[jb]

When I was in the hospital some years ago for open heart surgery, you have to cough everyday to help prevent pneumonia. And it HURT doing that. One day early on, a nurse came in and said, "We are on to you! You don't want to cough and you aren't taking your morphine we have attached to you!" I told her I really only had slight discomfort between the coughs and didn't want to get addicted to morphine or make it so my body was used to it. They didn't buy into it and made me take it anyway.

You ladies make valid points. I really don't do it to be macho because I'm a man, I just don't want it if I can get along with it. TRUST ME, I will take the pain medicine if the pain goes beyond my threshold!!!!!

[cbk]

Good man, j.b. BTW, people who take heavy duty pain medication when they actually need it, very seldom get addicted to it. I don't know if medical science has figured out why this is, but it is well documented that it is so. So you can feel comfortable in taking the medication that your doctor gives to you. The only thing that I might add is that some of the medication can REALLY make you constipated. So eat those prunes! ;D

[jerrycsmith]

Boys want their mommies because their mommies make it a point early in life to convince their boys they can't do without them. Like the pain meds, it's an easy addiction, especially if Mommy is always there, ready to jump in at the least problem.

I've always felt that the best wedding present is a one-way ticket for two as far away as we can afford. You can't build a life if somebody insists on building it for you.

As for medicine, the less you can take the better your body will function on its own. Some, like insulin and blood pressure meds, are obviously vital, but many of those can be reduced or eliminated by proper diet and common sense.

[cbk]

Goodness Jerry, did you not like your Mommy? From what you've told me about your parents, they seemed to be the kind of people who gave you both wings and roots.
Everyone can appreciate a "mommy" when they are sick. When I was in nursing I never met a person who didn't appreciate a bit of sympathy and help when they were feeling lousy....even if they reacted by curling up in the fetal position in a dark room. When they recovered they appreciated the person who kept the phone from waking them, made sure their bed had clean linen, and kept the chicken soup coming....along with the meds that were helping them get better.

[jerrycsmith]

I was not referring to my Mother, who was the world's greatest. But she didn't spoil me or make me a dependent like I see so often these days. They're great when one is a child, but by adulthood a man should be able to do a few things for himself.

[nancy]

Our sons have certainly never been dependent on me or their Dad since they grew up and left home. They have made lives for themselves and their families. I didn't mean to imply that they were still 'mama's boys' because they are far from it. I was thinking more of when they were younger. They all still call me sometimes just to talk through something that is stressing them or that they are worrying about. I try to never give advice! I don't want to hear later that what I advised didn't turn out well. LOL

[cbk]

Nancy, Jerry obviously is not Jewish. All Jewish children know that it's useless to try to escape from the Jewish Mother. LOL They are used to us sticking our noses in where they aren't wanted....or needed. It goes with the territory. My children listen, lovingly, and then say, MOM! you're doing the Jewish mother bit again. Usually shuts me up. ;D But even they have to admit that I have a good idea every once in awhile.

When number two son was determined to be an airline pilot, I tried to keep my opinion (mostly) to myself. So he resigned from the Coast Guard, accepted North West's offer of employment, and was waiting to go to their school when 9/11 happened. Naturally the offer of employment went poof. And he had to beg the C.G. to take him back....which they thankfully did. So what did I hear when the dust had settled? "Why didn't you stop me?" You can't win.