Pain, age, and wine
Friday, August 24th, 2012After suffering through several days of a withering headache brought on by surgery to the root of a tooth my dentist is trying to save, I finally gave in and asked him to prescribe a pain medication more powerful than Ibuprofen. It’s the second time I’ve had surgery on this tooth in the past year, and I hope this is the last. I have very sensitive teeth, am easily sidelined by pain, but need this remaining chopper or I have to start looking at fake teeth.
While I’m trying to tolerate this, I thought it would be a good idea to play golf to take my mind off the frayed edges of my nerves. But my left knee, which has needed replacing for a couple of years, flared up and nixed that idea. It is now trying to overtake the tooth for the pain gold medal. I limp as I walk. Is that sick, or what!
It’s a pain getting older. Older brother Hugh, who is currently coping with a knee-replacement-surgery-gone-bad ordeal, and I are testifying to that universal truth. It’s not that we have neglected our bodies. Just the opposite! We’ve spent a lifetime drinking the best Irish beer and Italian wine, exercising regularly, and reading the great poets. We’re just succumbing to the traps age has laid in our path.
I’m 68, Hugh 74. We’re fine examples of how to live your life. Enjoy every moment, be productive, always do the best you can. But you grow old! That’s just part of life!
But there’s more to this story. Right now I’m drinking a glass of good merlot. It It takes the edge off pain like nothing else can. I can relax for the first time in several days. The Romans understood this medicinal quality of wine. That’s why their civilization advanced to areas where they could go grapes.
I’m pain free. Holy shit, that feels good!
