How long do you want live? 80, 90, 100?

I had one aunt who died of cancer at age 52, after suffering thru treatment for more than 10 years. I also have relatives who lived to almost 100 without any major illnesses.

I don't have any number in mind; I just want to be healthy & functional .. and die fast, when that's no longer the case.

"...I don't have any number in mind; I just want to be healthy & functional .. and die fast, when that's no longer the case.....".

    Times two!!!!

I learned something very interesting last fall, about genes. I thought that you were born with genes, and they were either OK or not. If they weren't, you might be born with some disease, or develop it later in life. I never realized that genes could mutate or become defective, as we age! So certain genes protect us against cancer or other diseases .. but if they mutate/become defective, they no longer protect us! So the longer people live, in general, the greater the probability of their genes becoming defective, which is why we're seeing more people get various forms of cancer as they age!

IN THE NEWS

Baltimore Sun 01/17/2015 Discussion over 'death with dignity' emerging in Maryland

 ~from the link ~

"The highly publicized death of Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old with terminal brain cancer who ended her life under Oregon's death-with-dignity law last year, is renewing a national debate over assisted suicide — including whether to legalize it in Maryland.

Some lawmakers are proposing to enact a death-with-dignity law like those in place in Washington state and Oregon. And an ailing former Annapolis alderman, who has Parkinson's disease and says he is "ready to go," could provide a very personal side to the General Assembly debate."

~ more at the link ~

Good Luck, Maryland - some of us will be watching this debate closely.  What higher human right could there be than CHOICE to determine ones own fate when the future may hold nothing but losing your autonomy and perhaps living with pain.

As long as I can retain a substantial use of my mind and body and serve my community.

My mother passed away about 6 months after I returned from the Gulf War in 91. She was 77. My father lived until the age of 93, 11 days short of 94. Mom's family were lived anywhere from 75 - 87, while dad had 3 brothers and sisters that lived until their early to mid 90"s. So what do I expect? A question I've not thought about much; I think my goal is to live until I die. Then return and watch over my children and grandchildren.

I expect to live to the age of 117! 

When I was 16 years old, I had a dream that I would die either at the age of 16 or 117.  The rest of that year, until my 17th birthday, I worried constantly (not really, but I was aware of the dream).  On my 17th birthday, I heaved a sigh of relief and settled down for another 100 years of life.  I have now made it to 70, so I am over halfway there. 

Several years ago when my high school class held its 50th class reunion, at the end of the evening I told some of my friends that I'd see them at our 100th class reunion.  I figured that since the reunions have traditionally been held about 6 weeks before my birthday,  I would still be 117 at the time our 100th reunion would theoretically be held, so I would have a chance to make it. 

The dream really occurred, but the expectation is imaginary . . . or is it?

Jim

I completed one of those "health assessments" a few years ago, and if that proves to be true I should live to be 100.  As long as the next 38 years are good, I'm happy.

I would like to think that I would live into my 90s as 5 on both sides of my family (and another 2 into their late 80s) have. But I would still want to have decent health and all my brain facilties.  Without that then what's the point.  My hope is that when it is my time that I pass quickly and quietly in my sleep.