Month: May 2021
Five Years ago – And the Movie: ‘June again’
Five years ago we did not know yet that Peter had cancer. Five years ago we were getting ready for another trip to Berlin. Five years ago Peter turned 81,
In the movie ‘June again’ June, the matriarch, is played by Noni Hazlehurst. After a severe stroke and several smaller strokes, June does not know what happened over the past five years. So five years have gone, and then, to everyone’s surprise, she is gradually able to remember things about her life that went on before she had the stroke. The family is quite shocked, when totally unexpectedly, June is in their lives again! So this is ‘June again’ after five years!
I wonder, if I had such a severe stroke now, what would I miss out on over the next five years? Since I absolutely do not believe in euthanasia, I guess I would have to accept it, if, against all odds, I survived such a stroke. I just do not want anyone to help me to survive something like this!
Now back to the example in the movie. So, June obviously did survive the stroke, but she is severely disabled. In all likelihood no permanent cure can be counted on. So she does need constant looking after. The family leaves her in a home, where admittedly she is being treated very well, but without any significant family contact.
In this make feel good movie June ends up with loads of family contact, and even the love of her life meeting her again and staying with her in the twilight of her life! Well, this is as good an ending as can be. There is lots of love and caring all around. So I find it is a make feel good movie, even though it makes me think a lot about it how problematic caring for old people actually is in our society!
Drinking as many as eight cups of coffee a day could help you live longer, study says
Sam Meredith
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/03/drinking-coffee-could-help-you-live-longer-study-says.html
KEY POINTS
- In a study of around half-a-million British adults, coffee drinkers were found to have a slightly lower risk of death over a 10-year follow-up period than non-coffee drinkers.
- The apparent longevity boost comes as yet another piece of good news for coffee lovers, with health benefits recorded in drinkers of instant, ground and decaffeinated coffee.
- Late last year, researchers at the University of Southampton in the U.K. found people who drink three or four cups of coffee every day could significantly reduce their chances of early death.
Andreas Solaro | Getty Images
“Drinking coffee could boost your chances of a longer life, research shows, even for those who consume as many as eight cups a day.
In a study of around half-a-million British adults, coffee drinkers were found to have a slightly lower risk of death over a 10-year follow-up period than non-coffee drinkers.
. . . Overall, coffee drinkers were found to be about 10 percent to 15 percent less likely to die than non-coffee drinkers during a decade of follow-up checks. The differences recorded regarding the amount of coffee consumed and genetic variations were minimal.
Other studies have claimed substances in coffee might reduce inflammation and improve how the body uses insulin, which could decrease the likelihood of developing diabetes. . . “
If I stop breathing, please don’t make me start breathing again!
I think, I am more or less past my ‘use by’ date. I still have a little bit of independence, but not much. If I lose all my independence, why should I want to go on living?
I said, I still have a little bit of independence. This is true, even though the vulnerabilities are many: Very poor eye-sight, bad communication when there is too much background noise, being hardly able to walk, difficulty in remembering new words, breathing difficulties, needing frequent rests, not being able to use public transport and the list goes on . . .
So far I can still shower myself (with difficulty!), I can dress myself (slowly!), I can cook for myself, I can do the dishes, I can do a little bit of cleaning and gardening, I can walk with my walker, I can do shopping with a shopping trolley . . . If I can’t do all this anymore, why should I want to be kept alive? I don’t see the point, for I have already had a very long and mostly happy life. I think, when my body has had enough, I should be allowed to depart.
I don’t believe in euthanasia. So, how do I know when my body has had enough? Well, I guess, it is just when I stop breathing even though there is enough good air around. It is then probably like going to sleep and not waking up anymore. For as long as I can still wake up alright, I am grateful for my life and willing to try to make the most of it. But please, don’t wake me up, when I stop breathing under normal circumstances! You have to let me go then!
Diary
This is where we had lunch on Mother’s Day:
https://www.opentable.com.au/r/kneading-ruby-wollongong
“Located at 5 Crown Lane Wollongong, Kneading Ruby offers authentic woodfire pizzas & bespoke dishes made to share. Produced traditionally with the freshest seasonal produce, join us for a dining occasion with a casual modern approach.”
We had a lovely time on that day sharing some very good food. We had booked a table for eight.
At the moment the great news is, that finally we are actually planning to build a deck: It looks it may be happening very soon now!
https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/building-construction/decking/planning-to-build-a-deck
Also very soon, Caroline and I are going to see the movie ‘June again’ in the Gala Cinema:
https://www.galacinema.com/movie/juneagain
The other day I watched the movie ‘Schwarzwaldliebe’ and I liked it very much:
On the following Sunday, 16th May, Peter would have been 86. I am going to have on that day some family and friends over for afternoon coffee and cake in memory of Peter.
So, it looks like I keep myself pretty busy!
Noam Chomsky on Climate Change Crisis
“When it comes to climate change, there is always more to be done. President Biden has signed an array of executive orders combating the crisis, but the modern GOP’s stance makes it difficult to get long-term legislation passed. Legendary political activist Noam Chomsky joins NBC’s Mehdi Hasan to discuss the threat this position will have on the future of our environment. . . .”
Colonization Australian-Style
In My Blood It Runs
Directed by Maya Newell (2019)
Film Review
A very poignant film about a ten-year-old Aboriginal boy who is failing all his school subjects despite having special healing abilities and speaking three languages. DuJuan’s mother and grandmother have brought DuJuan and his younger brother from their traditional Sandy Bore homeland to attend public school in Alice Springs. Sandy Bore has no school, and his family worries he won’t adjust to modern society without education.
They all spends every weekend in the bush in Sandy Bore, where DuJuan speaks in his birth language Arrente and renews his healing powers. Struggling with contradictory messages he receives from his family and teachers, DuJuan hates his Alice Springs school. He bunks class most days and celebrates when he gets suspended.
When his school finally expels him, the family’s biggest fear is that social welfare will kidnap him and send him…
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The Essential Role of the Gut in Immunity
What is going on in the ‘gut’ I find most interesting!
Is the Gut the Driving Force of Systematic Inflammation?
Dr Robin Martingale (2019)
Film Review
In the following video, ICU general and trauma surgeon Dr Robin Martingale explains the role of gut bacteria in protecting human beings from infection and inflammation. The key take home from his presentation is that it always seems to take the medical establishment at least 20 years to catch up with basic science research. Peer reviewed research about the role of the gut microbiome first appeared in medical journals about 20 years ago. When the mainstream media began reporting on the research around 2010, many “alternative” health practitioners (naturopaths, homepaths, etc) began incorporating the knowledge into patient care. It’s only thanks to efforts of pioneers like Martingale, that some mainstream medical practitioners are finally incorporating it into mainstream medical practice.
The research Martingale presents shows a direct statistical link between modern humans declining diversity in…
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Breathing
If we don’t breathe, we die! If you are interested in what breathing is all about, please have a look at this podcast:
https://www.shdc.com.au/holistic-dentistry/how-quality-breathing-supports-good-health-podcast/
Engaging With Aging: Gems from Doris Carnevali’s blog Kindle Edition
Growing old can be a lonely process because your family and care-givers have no experience of what you’re going through. In Doris Carnevali, 99 at publication time, emerita professor of nursing, we find a companion and an inspiring guide for the ultimate developmental tasks, those of very old age. She discusses the realities of her own daily life and explains her ingenious system for dealing with the inevitable problems. She tackles formidable barriers with courage, humour, warmth and ingenuity. Engaging With Aging was adapted from Mrs Carnevali’s blog by Rachel McAlpine. Invaluable for caregivers, health practitioners, and everyone facing their own future frailty. Comments from readers show they regard the original blog as an encouraging example of positive aging and creative aging, with practical tips and insights about caring for the elderly. The book is intended to expand the reach of this brilliant and compassionate writer.
AuntyUta 