Eighty-one

I'm not getting any younger. Funny thing. But these days I am really feeling my age. I've been blessed with reasonbly good health and energy for 80 years. Why shouldn't it be my turn to take a hit? Anyway, since January when my atrial fibrillation kicked up and wouldn't go away, it's been one thing after another. Two cardio-versions managed to get my heart back ito sinus rhythm. That was in February. An ablation ensured (I hope) that it will not return, the only problem being that the ablation caused bleeding into the pericardium (the sack that surrounds the heart) and resulted in a hospital stay of five days. It was supposed to be a same-day procedure. That was in April. After that my shortness of breath seemed to worsen. After that I had a fall that bruised my ribs and gave me a black eye. That was in June. Oh, and I've been nauseas, appetite down, lost 9 pounds. OK I'll stop here. Let's just say I don't feel well. Walking is a chore, not the pleasure it's always been for me. Swimming doesn't sound like fun either with bruised ribs. Is it always going to be like this? I realize that with age comes compromise and loss of many activities, not to mention friends and relatives. Will I simply have to accept this quality of life? I'm hoping it will improve. It doesn't have to be perfect, just better. Wish me luck.