Comments on Kamal Shah's Blog: Life expectancy

I would not suggest a pension fund. Equiry as an a...

2009-12-28T17:38:59.691+05:30

I would not suggest a pension fund. Equiry as an asset class has surpassed all other classes when invested over a long term.

Equity would give you better returns and the flexibility to withdraw at any given time.

Hi Kamal, I want to let you know that you have bee...

2009-12-24T17:46:21.284+05:30

Hi Kamal, I want to let you know that you have been quite the inspiration to us, and have made me reflect on the complexities of life. Especially since we were all embarking on our path ahead at the same time. Reading your blogs also make me recognize and appreciate each day (not sure I would do that otherwise).
While, I don't completely know the details on your kidney disease, one of the commentators on the earlier post suggested he has been living with it for 40 years.
I too have been thinking about this question because a cousin recently died all of a sudden - quite instantly - leaving behind 2 small children.
Retirement is something we aim for, whether we avail it nobody knows. Setting aside that money for me is like gambling.
While thinking about retirement is important, I have decided it is more important to focus on one's legacy. What has my impact been on the world? What will I be remembered for? What has been my contribution to making this world a better place.
Your blog certainly falls into the later category.I really do believe you inspire people through your thoughts and actions I urge you to keep your focus through these difficult times.
Kathyayani

The thing that worries me is that the extremes are...

2009-12-24T10:38:01.843+05:30

The thing that worries me is that the extremes are people with co-morbidites. And I have all the co-morbidites except amyloidosis. So, does that mean I am close to an extreme?

Though I have been reading up on all this for years now and have probably seen those numbers before too, it never hit me that I was in the position I am in. It struck me when I talked about life expectancy with my neph a few days back.

I have been quite depressed about this for the last couple of weeks.

I was thinking it was a typo when you wrote 11. ...

2009-12-24T08:00:03.327+05:30

I was thinking it was a typo when you wrote 11. I went and looked a the chart...and indeed it says 11. This is quit a bit of shocker to me. When folks said to be going on Dialysis I was under the impression that it would atleast be 25+ years. As you said...it is all about extremes and statistics but this is quite alarming. This is quite important factor to know.

At the same time I guess it is the adage "prepare for the worst while expect for the best". We have to take this number as seriously as we will hope that we are on the top end of it.

What this does not say is the dialysis start date. So if you were to count from your (Kamal's) start date of dialysis in the age group. ..that number already is surpassed.

So, in summary I am not sure what to make of this as it neither talks about the length of dialysis etc. So, I think we should not take this too much to heart (simply because we might be saddling ourselves) but at the same time be aware that we could be there...especially given that the 11 itself is presumably an average of extremes !!!!