Pushing Back Age
This chapter is a tribute to Jimmy, Nazy, Michele, Suzanne,
Marlena and all the others who achieved excellence with daily
care-taking of Mary Austin, deceased at 97.
It's true that we have to die sometime. But why die before our
life span is up? If many people can live to 100 years, then surely
this is the human life span, not three score and ten. Some
scientists think the true human life span is closer to 140 years!
And that we all lead shortened lives. The shortening is due to
failure of some organ in us. Other organs are dependent on the
failing organ and begin to fail also. When the brain fails, death
occurs, sometimes in five minutes.
If we knew which organ is failing, we could come to its assistance
and prevent the collapse of the whole body. Often it is
easy to see which organ is failing. But whether this is the true
beginning of the body's problems we cannot know. Before death
there may have been appetite loss. Before the appetite loss there
may have been a broken hip. Before the broken hip, dizziness.
Before the dizziness a blood pressure or blood sugar problem.
Before these, an episode of “flu” or a dental “repair.” Sometimes
we know what started it all. But often we don't. Just make a guess
and begin somewhere.
