In memory of Norman. Flown west... (Norm)

SkyDog58 said:
I bet Norm would have been great in person. Both Norm and Ben would have been on my list of POA folks to buy a beer for.
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Agree, me too. Ben and Norm were on the same frequency as myself. Hell the 4 of us would be interesting having some brewskies. I always wondered whether Ben was related to the Haas that owns NASCAR and Indy Car race teams.
 
steingar said:
It isn't at all uncommon for seniors to become confused in hospital. That's one of the reasons a broken hip is often lethal, the victim becomes confused in the hospital, then incontinent, then doesn't want to eat, and it become s downward spiral.
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Indeed, a broken hip was the first step in my mom's decline... :( but the confusion was incidental, I think. She stubbornly insisted on trying to keep her independence even as her balance and strength failed, and she wound up breaking much more than just her hip. On one occasion, it actually occurred in hospital (or rehab, my memory on that isn't quite certain) - a rib and several bones in her face. :(
 
mscard88 said:
Agree, me too. Ben and Norm were on the same frequency as myself. Hell the 4 of us would be interesting having some brewskies. I always wondered whether Ben was related to the Haas that owns NASCAR and Indy Car race teams.
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I'm pretty sure he was. He made references to the racing days and building engines for NASCAR etc. He used a lot of that knowledge when he built the engine in his plane. The engine was stout, being a 302 stroked to 347, aluminum block/heads/intake, forged pistons/rods/crank, all built to his specs for takeoff at 4500 RPM, climb at 4000 RPM, cruise at 3000 RPM. The prop I think was about a 1.5:1 reduction, but I forget exactly.

To my knowledge, he only once had an issue with the engine. After running the thing on pump gas for so long and running the EGTs really hot (I think they were over 1700 in cruise normally) with a whole lot of timing advance he cracked some pistons after 400 hours. Put new pistons in, switched to 100LL and running cooler EGTs, retarded the timing a bit, didn't happen after that, at least he didn't tell me if it did. He probably had 700-800 hours in that airplane, basically all just having fun and seeing how his crazy automotive engine could do when thrown in the air. Answer was... pretty damn well.
 
i liked his posts,, but never met him,, it is too bad...

i wonder ,,, if we could find out,, or be told,,, what was he reading when he died?
i wonder ,,, if he was writing a response to a post ,,, but then died, before he had hit that last ever,,, submit!!!

what did he want to say.....
 
SkyDog58 said:
How did they get the grades or pass entrance exams in order to get into college with that issue? Have things really changed that much at the college level? I guess it makes some sense as I have seen a general decay in the intellectual capabilities of the population in general especially when it comes to math, but I would hope at the university level that certain standards are being maintained.
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You think it's bad now, wait until the generation that didn't know a time before smartphones gets ready to go off for four years of advanced Marxist indoctrination.
 
steingar said:
It isn't at all uncommon for seniors to become confused in hospital. That's one of the reasons a broken hip is often lethal, the victim becomes confused in the hospital, then incontinent, then doesn't want to eat, and it become s downward spiral.
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I think the broken hip leads to reduced mobility then pneumonia.
 
paflyer said:
I think the broken hip leads to reduced mobility then pneumonia.
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Leads to lots of different things in different people. The only thing they have in common is they're all bad. In seniors a broken hip is often the first stage of a lethal downward spiral.

Actually, if the senior is mentally tight the one thing that shouldn't happen is reduced mobility. They get you up and moving right after the surgery. Mama Steingar wasn't mentally tight, indeed her cognition was as leak prone as the rest of her. She was unable to respond to therapy, and was wheelchair bound thereafter.
 
Dad fell and broke the ball off of one of his femurs. He wasn't out of bed for a couple of days after the hip replacement due to how much they had to do, but he was able to walk without a cane at my wedding 7 weeks later. He was 60 at the time. Pretty much stopped him from getting on ladders and climbing more than a few steps at a time after that.
 
Craig said:
Dad fell and broke the ball off of one of his femurs. He wasn't out of bed for a couple of days after the hip replacement due to how much they had to do, but he was able to walk without a cane at my wedding 7 weeks later. He was 60 at the time. Pretty much stopped him from getting on ladders and climbing more than a few steps at a time after that.
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60 isn't old, LOL. I would be really surprised if someone couldn't recover from a hip replacement at 60...
 
Everskyward said:
60 isn't old, LOL. I would be really surprised if someone couldn't recover from a hip replacement at 60...
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Depends on the 60yr old. Some are quite, uh, hefty and have trouble getting around in the best of times.
 
Bill Jennings said:
Depends on the 60yr old. Some are quite, uh, hefty and have trouble getting around in the best of times.
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Or some are like my mother, who've aspired to be old their entire lives, both physically and mentally. At 73 you could swear she was in her late 80s by how she behaves how poorly her body works, although her body is very well aesthetically preserved - the result of having a life of doing nothing.
 
Bill Jennings said:
Depends on the 60yr old. Some are quite, uh, hefty and have trouble getting around in the best of times.
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Osteoporosis isn't just for women. Anyone with weak bones can have a problem that takes a long time to heal. I know a guy who broke his arm shaking hands...
 
Clark1961 said:
Osteoporosis isn't just for women. Anyone with weak bones can have a problem that takes a long time to heal. I know a guy who broke his arm shaking hands...
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Yeah, I've never lifted weights before, but I am now. I figure that and some cardio (running and biking) will hopefully help keep me going in later years.
 
I do weights 2 times a week and walk daily. Warm months I'm more active in the yard cutting grass, gardening, etc so that helps too. And then there's the trying to keep up with the grandkids! Whew...
 
Ted DuPuis said:
Or some are like my mother, who've aspired to be old their entire lives, both physically and mentally. At 73 you could swear she was in her late 80s by how she behaves how poorly her body works, although her body is very well aesthetically preserved - the result of having a life of doing nothing.
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Yeah I guess. At first I was reluctant to join hiking groups around here since people seem to be in their 30s and 40s. But then I realized I have no problem keeping up. And these are people who elect to go hiking. I imagine inactive people wouldn't do very well. I kept up with those 30-something whippersnappers in Antarctica too, although I was shocked when someone guessed me to be 38. They must have been trying for the flattery angle. Uh, I could have a kid who is 38...
 
Everskyward said:
Yeah I guess. At first I was reluctant to join hiking groups around here since people seem to be in their 30s and 40s. But then I realized I have no problem keeping up. And these are people who elect to go hiking. I imagine inactive people wouldn't do very well. I kept up with those 30-something whippersnappers in Antarctica too, although I was shocked when someone guessed me to be 38. They must have been trying for the flattery angle. Uh, I could have a kid who is 38...
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The fact that you're very active is a good thing. My father is too, so I need to follow that part of his routine.

A lot of times people make their own luck in that regard.
 
I used to think 60 was old. Now that I have passed the 60 year mark, I feel pretty good about my condition overall. Not quite as spry as I once was but not as decrepit as I thought 60 year olds were when I was younger.
 
steingar said:
Leads to lots of different things in different people. The only thing they have in common is they're all bad. In seniors a broken hip is often the first stage of a lethal downward spiral.

Actually, if the senior is mentally tight the one thing that shouldn't happen is reduced mobility. They get you up and moving right after the surgery. Mama Steingar wasn't mentally tight, indeed her cognition was as leak prone as the rest of her. She was unable to respond to therapy, and was wheelchair bound thereafter.
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My mother fell and broke her hip when she was 86. It took 10 days to get her stabilized enough for surgery. She was suffering from aortic stenosis and severe GERD, and could not eat or drink very much. Mentally, she was as sharp as could be, but her body was failing her. She died about a month after the fall, and her death certificate listed the cause of death as accidental. Quite frankly, what killed her was the GERD, if you have a hard time keeping food down, you just get weaker and weaker. There was one day in the hospital where she didn't recognize any of us and became somewhat combative, but as soon as we got her out of there her memory returned.

Everskyward said:
60 isn't old, LOL. I would be really surprised if someone couldn't recover from a hip replacement at 60...
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I hope 60 isn't old, I'm 60 and am signed up for a 5K, a 10K, a 10 miler, and a half marathon this year, plus I'm planning on doing a short distance triathlon and a 3.7 mile Quarry Crusher.

Besides, my eldest turns 18 in May and I'm supposed to go skydiving with her, and the water's going to be warm enough to go wakeboarding soon.
 
Osteoporosis is a huge problem for older people, especially woman. Apparently, changes in hormonal balance do a number on osteoblasts, the cells that break down bone, don't know why and I don't think anyone else does either. I have a pet theory that skeletal members respond to load, lots of good anecdotal evidence supporting it. Best thing to do says me is stay physically active and loose. I doubt you can stop osteoporosis, but I'll bet cash money you can slow down the progression.
 
steingar said:
Best thing to do says me is stay physically active and loose. I doubt you can stop osteoporosis, but I'll bet cash money you can slow down the progression.
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Yup, weight lifting to stress the structure combined with jogging and bicycling, and drink a couple of glasses of milk daily.
 
paflyer said:
You think it's bad now, wait until the generation that didn't know a time before smartphones gets ready to go off for four years of advanced Marxist indoctrination.
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I wonder if the first generation smart phone users are going to be a bit like kids who took up smoking in the 50's and 60's and didn't really question the long term health benefits. In my kids, the youngest (13) seems to be more aware of the dangers of too much smart phone use
FormerHangie said:
My mother fell and broke her hip when she was 86. It took 10 days to get her stabilized enough for surgery. She was suffering from aortic stenosis and severe GERD, and could not eat or drink very much. Mentally, she was as sharp as could be, but her body was failing her. She died about a month after the fall, and her death certificate listed the cause of death as accidental. Quite frankly, what killed her was the GERD, if you have a hard time keeping food down, you just get weaker and weaker. There was one day in the hospital where she didn't recognize any of us and became somewhat combative, but as soon as we got her out of there her memory returned.



I hope 60 isn't old, I'm 60 and am signed up for a 5K, a 10K, a 10 miler, and a half marathon this year, plus I'm planning on doing a short distance triathlon and a 3.7 mile Quarry Crusher.

Besides, my eldest turns 18 in May and I'm supposed to go skydiving with her, and the water's going to be warm enough to go wakeboarding soon.
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That’s something I don’t understand about hospitals. They are filled with people who have chosen a life of healing. And yet they don’t seem to understand how people heal themselves (hint: it has a lot to do with sleeping well...). My father in law spent a couple of nights in the hospital for a thumb injury. By the end, he was delirious from lack of sleep. I’m guessing we could materially improve patient outcomes if we just monitored their sleep and didn’t wake them up when it was convenient for the hospital staff.
 
Everskyward said:
60 isn't old, LOL. I would be really surprised if someone couldn't recover from a hip replacement at 60...
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Dad was a bit slow in the physical therapy side of the recovery. What didn't help was 30 years of crawling around in all the piping and pressure vessels in the refineries and not having much cartilage left in either knee. Once he got things going and some muscle tone built back up, he did pretty well until about 3 years ago. That's when Parkinson's hit him and hard.
 
Craig said:
Dad was a bit slow in the physical therapy side of the recovery. What didn't help was 30 years of crawling around in all the piping and pressure vessels in the refineries and not having much cartilage left in either knee. Once he got things going and some muscle tone built back up, he did pretty well until about 3 years ago. That's when Parkinson's hit him and hard.
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Sorry about the Parkinson’s. I have a relative who has it. Luckily, it has progressed slowly, so far.
 
Sam D said:
That’s something I don’t understand about hospitals. They are filled with people who have chosen a life of healing. And yet they don’t seem to understand how people heal themselves (hint: it has a lot to do with sleeping well...). My father in law spent a couple of nights in the hospital for a thumb injury. By the end, he was delirious from lack of sleep. I’m guessing we could materially improve patient outcomes if we just monitored their sleep and didn’t wake them up when it was convenient for the hospital staff.
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After the heart attack I spent 3 nights in the hospital. Worst bed I have ever been on in my life. I got only a couple hours sleep each night. I was totally exhausted and mentally spent from lack of sleep. When I got home I went to bed and slept for 6 hours, then ate supper, took my drugs, and went back to bed for almost 9 hours. When I woke up the next morning I felt so much better.
 
Everskyward said:
Sorry about the Parkinson’s. I have a relative who has it. Luckily, it has progressed slowly, so far.
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It's how the cards get dealt, and we take it in stride. I do know that it frustrated the fire out of him, as he can't walk anywhere without assistance now due to the danger of falling.
 
Zeldman said:
After the heart attack I spent 3 nights in the hospital. Worst bed I have ever been on in my life. I got only a couple hours sleep each night. I was totally exhausted and mentally spent from lack of sleep.
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I'm with you, the third night after my surgery was the worst night of my life. My back went into total spasm after being in those crappy beds, and I spent most of the night sitting on the edge of the bed bent over shivering. They kept upping the medication, and finally somewhere well past 3am my back finally released and I could lie back down. They cut me loose the following afternoon, it was a godsend. Sleeping in my own bed was like a prayer answered. Being in the hospital is a thoroughly sucky experience. Not recommended.
 
Bill Jennings said:
I'm with you, the third night after my surgery was the worst night of my life. My back went into total spasm after being in those crappy beds, and I spent most of the night sitting on the edge of the bed bent over shivering. They kept upping the medication, and finally somewhere well past 3am my back finally released and I could lie back down. They cut me loose the following afternoon, it was a godsend. Sleeping in my own bed was like a prayer answered. Being in the hospital is a thoroughly sucky experience. Not recommended.
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It's sure no place for sick people!

I had a gal bladder attack several years ago that did a credible impression of a heart attack. I spent 5 days in the hospital while they sorted things out. I was exhausted. I sleep on my side. There was no way to do that with all the tubes and monitors attached. My back was killing me. And they came in every 2-4 hours (it got longer as the days went by) to do blood draws. All night.

The nurses were nice enough but it was unpleasant.

John
 
Clark1961 said:
Osteoporosis isn't just for women. Anyone with weak bones can have a problem that takes a long time to heal. I know a guy who broke his arm shaking hands...
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Who did he shake hands with, Chuck Norris?
 
Norman said:
My doctor is under strict orders to not prescribe anything I don't absolutely need. I'm 78 and have no wish to make the medical community richer upon my exit.

Do not resuscitate. I wish to go peacefully in my own bed that I built in 1976.
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This is from another thread, sounds like Norman was only a few feet from getting his wish of going in his bed. I always liked his posts and I miss the guy.
 
Ryanb said:
It doesn’t appear to list an obituary or time of service or else I’d be happy to chip in and help with some flowers.
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This would take MC involvement, maybe a separate "poa supporter" type of fund.
 
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