When did your parents start developing health problems?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My FIL never smoked a day in his life and died of metastatic lung cancer. It does happen

The first cause of lung cancer in the US, besides smoking, is radon exposure in buildings. Please get radon measured over the long term (not just a one-time test). They sell monitors that measure daily radon levels. You'll see radon spikes considerably after heavy rains. Don't spend lengthy periods of time in basements or anywhere underground unless you've done this.

Thank you for sharing this, but he lived in TX where basements aren’t really a thing.

Then the ground floor needs to be checked.

I mean, I can see if MIL has ever had a check done on their current house. The men in my husband’s family seem to all pass from different forms of cancer in their 60s or so. And they haven’t all lived in the same place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents in their mid 70s don’t have any health problems I am aware of. My dad is starting to slow down a bit, and we are always watching for signs of Alzheimer’s because that is what happened to his dad in his 70s.

My husband lost his dad to cancer in his 60s. His mom is now in her 70s and is a breast cancer survivor. She has had a couple other odd health scares, but I don’t think that they were long term health issues. She is still working part time and seems to be doing pretty well.

Oddly, I am the spouse with the health issues. Colon cancer at 41. Thyroid condition. Autoimmune disorder. All freak occurrences with no history/genetic component.

You just never know.

Did your MIL go through chemo for breast cancer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My FIL never smoked a day in his life and died of metastatic lung cancer. It does happen

The first cause of lung cancer in the US, besides smoking, is radon exposure in buildings. Please get radon measured over the long term (not just a one-time test). They sell monitors that measure daily radon levels. You'll see radon spikes considerably after heavy rains. Don't spend lengthy periods of time in basements or anywhere underground unless you've done this.

This is wonderful advice.

And then there is the reality of a great many folks who live ground level or basement level, and have no financial means to relocate nor pay for radon abatement.

Same goes for people who live in areas blighted by industrial pollution etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My parents in their mid 70s don’t have any health problems I am aware of. My dad is starting to slow down a bit, and we are always watching for signs of Alzheimer’s because that is what happened to his dad in his 70s.

My husband lost his dad to cancer in his 60s. His mom is now in her 70s and is a breast cancer survivor. She has had a couple other odd health scares, but I don’t think that they were long term health issues. She is still working part time and seems to be doing pretty well.

Oddly, I am the spouse with the health issues. Colon cancer at 41. Thyroid condition. Autoimmune disorder. All freak occurrences with no history/genetic component.

You just never know.

Did your MIL go through chemo for breast cancer?

I honestly can’t remember - it was about 20 years ago. FWIW, it was caught very early and had not metastasized. She may have had radiation treatments? She had a recurrence a few years later and she had a mastectomy to prevent any more. None since then. The type of cancer she had was not particularly aggressive and very easily treated.

[Anonymous]

Two parents in their late 80's. They joke: One thinks. One moves. That's pretty accurate.

[Anonymous]

Dad, probably around 65, dead of cancer at 67.


Mom, 72, but always was overweight and ate tons of fast food. Still alive, but in kidney failure.

[Anonymous]

My mother was diagnosed w/breast cancer at 53, and passed away from it at 67.

My dad is 79 and I think he has prostate issues. He's very private so there could be more, but he seems healthy enough for his age.

[Anonymous]

F: 54 cancer, dead at 58
M: 74 cancer and deteriorating health after that. Dead at 81 (but not from the cancer)
M: 65 illness that resulted in stroke-like symptoms. 76 now and somewhat impaired but independent and stable.
F: 76 healthy (some well managed chronic conditions)
F: Late 70s, mental and physical deterioration started. 81 now and independent but frail and we worry about the mental stuff.

[Anonymous]

I guess it depends on what you mean by health problems. Mom is 80 and nothing really too significant—has developed hypothyroidism and takes a low dose of a statin.

Dad had lung cancer in his late 40s and had a related stroke shortly after. He’s now in his late 70s and has had a lot of things crop up…nothing too serious but he has way more issues than my mom.

They both are still very active though. Have gone to Europe twice this past year.

My MIL is 75, lifelong smoker. Starting to exhibit memory issues. Has emphysema. She had a heart issue a few years ago. This past year she’s had numerous falls. Pretty sure she won’t make it past a couple more years.

[Anonymous]

Late 70s

[Anonymous]

80s.
My dad died at 84 and my mom at 97. My Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at 80. My mom died of old age but developed macular degeneration, hearing loss, repeated urinary tract infections, mobility issues, etc. A long, slow process of shutting down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents in their mid 70s don’t have any health problems I am aware of. My dad is starting to slow down a bit, and we are always watching for signs of Alzheimer’s because that is what happened to his dad in his 70s.

My husband lost his dad to cancer in his 60s. His mom is now in her 70s and is a breast cancer survivor. She has had a couple other odd health scares, but I don’t think that they were long term health issues. She is still working part time and seems to be doing pretty well.

Oddly, I am the spouse with the health issues. Colon cancer at 41. Thyroid condition. Autoimmune disorder. All freak occurrences with no history/genetic component.

You just never know.

I was going to note something similar. Lots of my friends and relatives in their fifties are having joint replacements, cancer, autoimmune disorders etc. Stuff happens way before retirement age and your 70s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dad had perfect health and died just after his 70th birthday unexpectedly.

What was the cause?

Cardiac arrest

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dad had perfect health and died just after his 70th birthday unexpectedly.

Of what?

If he died suddenly at 70 of natural causes, his health obviously wasn't perfect.

Obviously sorry for your loss, but if there was hidden heart disease in your dad hopefully you and any siblings are getting regular screenings so you can stick around longer.

He just had a complete physical and was in excellent health. Then he just died of cardiac arrest. Found dead on the bed after he returned from his morning walk.

[Anonymous]

Parents are both 80 with no health issues. They are cute, active old people who walk several miles daily and entertain often.

I know this can change on a dime.