I wouldn't really use "specimen" in this sentence. I would instead say "You must have been something else!". But, what "specimen" is intended to convey is that he was impressive, "some specimen!", really out of the ordinary, exceptional, etc. Also, I wouldn't say "what about the physical failling-aparts?" It would be a separate sentence, and would be phrased something like" What about the physical deterioration?" or "what about the negative physical consequences?", or something like that...