Best Of
Re: So...whats for dinner?
Take Out leftovers last night - Special Lo Mein with chicken, pork & beef. Yummy the 2nd time around.
Finally got to the grocery store today And the library book sale. 15 used books for $28 instead of 1 new book for $28.
Does anybody take Alpha Lipoic Acid? My PCP wants me to start for the chemo induced neuropathy. Seems strange after 12 years that my neurologist never recommended it. The pharmacist agreed that nerves will not regenerate but this might keep them from getting worse ??? Fortunately I don't have major pain - just dead feet and 1/2 dead fingers. I sure hate to start "just one more thing".
minustwo
Re: how about drinking?
Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Saturday! Things are still sorting out with Mom. The facility staff have taken over managing her pills, which takes that whole thing off me and ensures someone is laying eyes on her at least twice a day. She has started going to all 3 meals a day in the Assisted Living Dining room, is getting along great with her tablemates, and has even gotten out to a music event. Then yesterday morning I got a call, they found her on the floor in her living room when they went to get her for breakfast. Complained of pain in hip and shoulder, so they sent her to the ER for evaluation. Mom told them she fell out of bed, then she told the ER people that she got down on the floor out of bed because she wasn't supposed to stand up without her walker and it wasn't in reach, then scooted herself to the living room, headed for her chair so she could get up again. She didn't use her call button, so I suspect she will have to move to an Assisted Living apartment when this week's trial is up since that is one of the criteria for Independent Living. The staff have also turned off her stove so she can't burn anything trying to cook, and turned off her garbage disposal after finding a fork in it. So, taking things day-by-day, and waiting to see how it turns out.
Minus--thanks for the thoughts. I'm trying to let go of the guilt, but it ain't easy.
Carol--boy, talk about a short winter!
Jazzy--I looked for the Northern Lights but it's been cloudy here so not much luck. I was expecting things to get easier with Mom once she moved, but it feels even harder now, with trying to keep up with what she needs and figuring out what the facility staff is expecting of me. You are right, though, I can't make the whole aging thing better or even okay for Mom. I keep reminding myself that she is safe, her needs are being met, and everyone is still adjusting and adapting to the move, and it's ok if I stay home for 2 or 3 days in a row and start scheduling the work that needs to be done on my house and that doesn't make me a bad daughter.
Minus--I think I needed to hear that again to have it sink in. I did get the flat tire fixed, I will get my laundry caught up today, and I will spend more time playing with the puppers today.
Bee’s Knees
Ingredients
• 2 ounces gin
• 3/4 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 ounce honey syrup
• Garnish: lemon twist
Steps
1. Add the gin, lemon juice and honey syrup into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with a lemon twist.
From
Re: STEAM ROOM FOR ANGER
Good to know I'm not the only one who is all smiles and sunshine. I have had to tell 3 people about this. I told my sister because I felt like I had to do so. I told a friend because the hospital refused to just let me call an Uber to take me home after surgery which was dumb because I wasted her whole day and only let her drive me there and walk to my door, so basically an Uber. I had to tell another friend because I knew she was going to see him and his feelings would have been hurt. I deeply regret having to tell these people because I have gone from being a person with a brain and other parts to only becoming the area above my belly button and below my neck to them. As you said, I'm sure they are well-meaning but I have started avoiding having contact with them and I intend to tell no one else. I've always been pretty much a loner which is turning out to be a good thing I think.
july31
Re: STEAM ROOM FOR ANGER
july31 hang in there. Do your meds and follow up stuff and hopefully you have no recurrence. I managed no chemo with mine but have had a few scares with scans as well now. Where go for mine they at least read them when there and report to me before leave so not waiting for results to come and worry which they know we do. Best wishes to you.
Re: Planning surgery for November 2025? Join the waiting room for support.
Two days to go. Surgery on Monday. The panic has set in.
How have other folks made the last few days before surgery pass without going crazy? I'm spending some time playing video games, but although it's fun and distracting, it also amps up my nervous system and fight-or-flight mode, which seems counterproductive right now.
Any tips?
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Petite, my thoughts and prayers are for you and hubby.
Yesterday I volunteered at the school. I walked there and back. Tippy knew I needed to rest for the rest of the day so didn't ask for afternoon potty. I discovered that he had peed in the tub. 😘 I have a great assignment, two kids who would otherwise be in special education.
Finished the last chapter. I think.
Have also been repairing missals for church. They are limiting me to five a week, which is good because of my hands. It should have been embarrassing given how many have damaged spines. Only one will be retired, I think. There is a glitch in my OT, but I am doing my exercises faithfully. My insurance is dropping me, and it looks like I am going to have to switch to another medical service provider— and my left hand still has to be done. My hand surgeon is also a plastic surgeon, and his office is in the breast care department. I have had him for four surgeries.
i went to the podiatrist, and she ordered some new orthotics two weeks ago. They will not arrive for another four weeks. I bought some moleskin and put it under the joint for the little toe; to tip my foot a bit in the proper direction (I tend to roll my foot due to an old sprain). Not only was that joint painful, but my hip was hurting awfully. Hip is better, but I had better get walking more to keep it lubricated while I still have cartilage.
Sandy, please don't let your worrying and self-diagnoses (or Bob-diagnoses) go too far. You are not dying yet. Take it easy. Hopefully your house will arrive at the point that she won't demand as much money and worry. Grab yourself some pretty rocks and roll them around in your hands. Or a soft rubber ball. Or something like that. Even a back-massager for your favorite chair.
mcbaker
Re: skin sparing mastectomy without implant
I just made the decision to NOT have reconstruction on my one breast. So, I would like input from those of you who have opted not to have reconstruction and went with a prosthesis. What have you tried that you liked? I have read you can get a mold of your remaining breast made so the prosthetic is the same size. Anyone go this route??
Thanks!
gaildd7
Re: Planning surgery for November 2025? Join the waiting room for support.
Thanks @melisa_s for the detailed info! It's super helpful
Re: Are you currently (or have you been) in a Clinical Trial?
@cblaurenceauthor My heart goes out to you. The news is hard to hear, but whatever happens with the treatment, the palliative care option is a good idea. Here in Switzerland we are encouraged to contact them as soon as a stage 4 diagnosis is made, even if the disease still has little impact on our general condition. This allows us to get to know each other, to define our objectives in order to be supported in the best possible way.
I fully agree with Curios' comments: surrounding oneself with calm and serenity is essential, and enjoying every blessed moment that sustains us.
I join others in sending you all my positive thoughts.
Re: STEAM ROOM FOR ANGER
I know I have been more fortunate than many, My cancer was caught early and was small, Stage Ia estrogen and progesterone receptor positive, HER2 negative, node-negative, invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast. I had a lumpectomy on Aug. 28th where there was no residual invasive disease and 4 nodes were negative. The only hiccup was a high Oncotype DX score returned at 33 but because of the small size of the tumor I decided to not have chemotherapy. The SEs and risks just didn't seem worth the slight decrease reoccurrence. Time will tell if that was the right call.
I had the last of my 20 radiation treatments today (16 whole breast/4 targeted partial breast). Please no one congratulate me or ask me how I am celebrating because if you do I will start to scream and that is why I writing this rant. My Radiation Onc, the nurses, the radiation therapist, my sister, etc all seem to want me to be jumping in the air and celebrating this "accomplishment." I don't get what there is to celebrate except the fact that I won't have to be someplace at the exact same time which is a positive but not anything to have a party about. I do not feel cured or a "survivor." I feel more like an alcoholic that even if they don't drink any longer still has to think about it every day. I just put 20 doses of poison in my body. Every day I am taking a pill, Anastrozole, which has long-term side effects that terrify me and they want me on it for 10 years. The numerous comments on forums like this one that talk about reoccurrences at 5/7/10 years, even after they did everything they were suppose to do and in doing that harmed their bodies, makes me wonder if it was all worth it. I don't consider myself a pessimist but a realist, I am not a survivor but at best a manager of the disease and the side effects for the moment.
I hope to just stay home alone for the rest if the month and avoid all in-person human contact and try to regain the ability to fake the "everything is great" mentality that it seems we are all suppose to portray so as to not scare anyone about our mental state. Sorry not to be perky and happy and ready to celebrate. I wish you all the best. Thanks for letting me vent.
july31