Last month I saw Alan Alda as part of our Distinguished Speaker Series. My husband Tom and I, like most of the country, religiously watched him as young Hawkeye Pierce in the hit show MASH from 1972 through 1983. He is now 83. He continued acting after MASH and used his fame to speak on political issues especially women’s rights. He has done extensive charity work and was instrumental in the formation of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stoney Brook University.
He spoke about a very painful, near death medical issue that occurred in a remote area of Chile. Getting to a small rural hospital involved a long bumpy ride in an old ambulance. Alda did not think he would survive. He did survive and after a difficult recovery recognized that life had taken on a wonderful color and newness.
As most of us know, this period of extreme gratitude lasts only so long. Alda found himself returning to the days when he had taken his healthy life as a given. His life goal became to do everything possible to see each healthy day as the special unique gift it had seemed right after his recovery.
Four years ago Alda thought he was developing Parkinson’s symptoms. His doctor told him not to worry but he pushed his doctor to do all possible tests. Alda had been correct and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He had known the Parkinson’s path could be a rough one and wanted to begin his battle right away. He developed a vigorous new exercise program and learned new sports intended to improve his mobility. He is very aware of the progressive nature of the disease, knows his days will not get easier and has formed plan for dealing with the later stages. In the meantime. he is determined to appreciate and use every good day to enjoy his life and family and continue his fight against Parkinson’s. He is continuing with speaking engagements over the country with the fees going to nonprofit organizations.
I and most seniors know aging can be very challenging. Like Alan Alda we need to develop a plan to address future housing needs, potential medical issues, family relationships and financial strengths and weaknesses. Ten years of researching my options for the best and worst case scenarios are finally beginning to crystalize into a tentative plan for my future. The plan will no doubt change as the years pass. Now however I can focus my energy on maintaining an appropriate physical activity level, remaining involved with our senior community, staying connected to old friends and developing new ones and continuing to learn through my local senior center and schools.
My husband survived bacterial meningitis including a 7-week coma and numerous dark periods where he was not expected to make it. If I can only experience my days with a tiny bit of the gratitude and renewed enthusiasm I felt when we knew he was going to live, I will have had a very good life.