120 AND BEYOND: RADIATION TREATMENT JOURNAL CONTINUED

An Invitation to my 120th Birthday Celebration.

After 39 years of teaching, my last words to my students on that final day came in the form of an invitation: "You're all invited to my 120th Birthday. Celebrate it by skiing with me." I think it was Sara who shot up her hand saying: "Wait, wait." (pausing for a quick calculation) "I'll be 77 years old!"

"Don't worry." says I, "I'll slow down for you!"

"Never limit yourself." had been an underlying lesson for my students. I realized that I'd need to engineer a comprehensive plan for myself to optimize the quality of my life to 120 and Beyond.

In order to take good care of your brain for the long game, begin by taking mindful care of your body. Read on to chart your own course for 120 and Beyond.

Monday, March 31, 2025

RADIATION TREATMENT JOURNAL CONTINUED

Raindrops Tuesday, April 8th RAD 24: Radiation Therapy #16 8:05 am.

"Present moment, precious moment." I hear this a lot from Ron, my tai chi instructor and friend, reminders to not get lost in the future or in the past. Well, Ron wasn't here this morning after my radiation therapy, but "raindrops" were today's reminder to stay in the now. Can you see where this is going?

Time for our Friday Tai Chi Salon morning.

Thursday, March 27th 7:30 am. waiting for my RAD 16: Radiation Session #16

I meet Richard this morning, the assistant Medical Physicist on my prostate cancer care team. He was part of the collaborative team (along with Dr. Kim, Joann, and (ask for others on the treatment planning team) that conducted my simulation CT scan, the crucial step in planning my detailed radiation treatment plan.

In preparation for the simulation I had followed instructions to empty my rectum and arrive with a full bladder (and I almost forgot, no gas.) for the CT scan to insure accurate positioning for the upcoming 30 radiation treatments.

Richard worked the radiation dose calculation using today's CT images of my prostate volume and surrounding area which establishes the duration of treatment.

The door to the treatment vault is two feet thick and weighs over 100,000 pounds due to its lead brick shielding. The rest of the vault is radiation proofed using think concrete walls.

I will work to get a video of one of my linear accelerator treatments. I think I'll be able to post it here soon. Check back in a week to see it.

Photo source: marshield.com

Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3845545/

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INSPIRATIONAL TEACHERS

In the next few days, I'll begin introducing to you examples of the extraordinary people who will help you build a beautiful and brilliant future.

1. The trainer who leads my Monday morning spin class exhibits all the qualities of the kind of teachers to bring into your life. For one hour this morning she motivated a "sold out" class into high performance with her artfully or perhaps scientifically designed modeling, encouragement and interactive style. Stay tuned for 120 and BEYOND interviews. Maybe you'd like to be the first!

The Aging Process

During the 40 years I've studied Anatomy and Physiology and brain research, much has been published about slowing or eliminating the negative aspects of aging. In the next few years you'll begin to hear more frequently, medical discussions about living a high quality life to 120 and beyond. Personally, I plan to squeeze up every savory drop along the way, and this be the log of that journey.

The journey: At 44 I had a mild heart attack, like a two by four, reminding me to take better care of my body. I instructed my cardiologist to: "be more aggressive with me than any patient in his history." He immediately ordered me into a program of cardio work outs 5-6 days a week.

At 59, I learned I needed to correct a Kyphosis, an over-curvature of the upper back probably from a combination of slouching and aging. Here was my first lesson about the critical importance of our backs for continuing health and well being.

Save A loved one's life!

For the nine years that I lived alone, my daughter and son worried that I'd have a heart attack and no one would be nearby to call for help. But with this new smart watch app they won't have to worry!

Today my smart watch constantly monitors my heart rate. My children can tap their smart watch and instantly feel my heartbeat! No need to worry!

Along with friends and neighbors on my alert list they will be instantly notified if there is any abnormality in my heart rate.

In an emergency, the nearest paramedics will be notified, my GPS location will appear on their digital map along with a link to my medical ID providing them with a list of my medications, medical history, medications that I'm allergic to and a list of phone numbers of contacts for further medical authorizations.

Paramedics will be in position this critical information before they arrive having saved precious life saving minutes.

If I fall, the accelerometer in my smart watch will send similar notifications.

We are also working on sensors to detect strokes and additional medical emergencies.