Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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I hope that my achievements in life shall be these -- that I will have fought for what was right and fair, that I will have risked for that which mattered, and that I will have given help to those who were in need that I will have left the earth a better place for what I've done and who I've been.
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Cowgirl - thanks for the gratitude reminder. I celebrated 36 years in Dec. And my mammogram was normal in March.
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Nice here although a lot warmer. The house ( thank goodness ) is staying cool. I went this morning for my corvid test. It was a little weird which I had heard. They do stick this q-tip up your nose quite high and leave it there for 5 secs. Afterwards I had to blow my nose and had tears in my eyes. Apparently the tears are a give-away that the test was done right. She told me to be cautious now about going out until after I've had my surgery which I've been calling a non-surgery. They will only make it a surgery if there is something that needs to be removed -- otherwise until they know it is just a test that is too painful to use locals for. So, hoping that I will not need cutting on I'm calling it a non-surgery but really no one knows.
It is going to get hotter yet than today and that will result in rain. It is no super dry here since it rained just a short while ago and as have an out of sight water table here.
I guess there was even a Floyd protest here -- in our tiny town. I saw some people at the Carillon Park but couldn't read the signs while driving. Wondered about it and confirmed by this mornings paper. I'm sort of glad but I would have made a positive honk for their efforts had I known what I was honking for.
I am not watching much news lately as I'm just had extra things to do and not able to follow much. I hope we are able to get over this and have a better world, if not soon at least beginning in Nov.
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Watching the news makes me nervous, but when I first saw the video of that cop with his knee on George Floyd's neck, I threw up in my mouth. (Then I wanted to throw things).
Glad I'm getting my ingrown toenails and hair done over the next couple of days before the inevitable COVID surge from crowded protest marches. Many are social-distanced, with masked marchers, but the turnaround point of each march culminates in a five-minute sit-in or kneel-in, which is quite crowded. I fear that by the time next week's mani-pedi comes around, we will have been moved back into Phase 2 again.
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A necessary part of our intelligence is on the line as the oral tradition becomes less and less important. There was a time throughout our land when it was common for stories to be told and retold, a most valuable exercise, for the story retold is the story reexamined over and over again at different levels of intellectual and emotional growth. -Wes Jackson
When we haven't the time to listen to each other's stories we seek out experts to tell us how to live. The less time we spend together at the kitchen table, the more how-to books appear in the stores and on our bookshelves. But reading such books is a very different thing than listening to someone' s lived experience. Because we have stopped listening to each other we may even have forgotten how to listen, stopped learning how to recognize meaning and fill ourselves from the ordinary events of our lives. We have become solitary; readers and watchers rather than sharers and participants. -Rachel Naomi Remen
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I went on our local march. Rode my scooter, but when they crossed the street to turn around and go back to the park, I left. I have a bit of history with a troubled relative and the police, and saw one junior officer looking troubled when he saw me. Didn't know why the impulse to participate was so strong until that happened.
A good day, some strong storms last night, evidently there was an electrical outage after I went to bed. Will be interesting to take our morning walk, but he is busy sleeping right now.
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Good morning, ladies. It is hot and slightly overcast. Thunderstorms are expected this evening. I have a phone meeting with my financial adviser this afternoon, but no other plans except chores. I am avoiding watching TV. I have 2 doctor appointments Thursday and one on Friday. They were all rescheduled due to COVID19. I think there will be a second wave from the protestors and the others (thieves, arsonists, vandals). I hope everyone stays safe.
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Photos of protests in Seattle show 99% of the protesters wearing masks. Still they''re too close. Once the police start using tear gas and pepper spray, of course the masks come off.
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IllinoisLady - I'm set for wrist surgery on 6/10. But before it, on 6/7 I go for a drive thru COVID test and I'm not looking forward to that swab!
We've cooled off a lot here. Weather lady said oh how warm it was getting. But both of us saw it up to 69, and back down to 66. No pool today. It's nice out now but its getting late.
I've received a call for a hair cut too. I booked 6/17 at 11. She asked me to stay in my car when I arrive, she'll call me on my cell to come in, and I have to wear a mask. Should be interesting but I need 3" cut off, so even though I've heard no blow dry either (say what?) I'll be glad to get it cut.
Enjoy the rest of the day!
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A woman with a sewing site showed how she made a mask from a blue shop towel and then used fashion tape to hold it on her face for a hair appointment. She said there were little hairs on her face that she wasn't aware of until she started removing the tape. I have no idea where you'd find fashion tape these days. From what she said it's the double stick stuff they use to make sure the neckline stays where it's supposed to instead of revealing all.
I would love to get my hair cut. I've cut it twice myself, but I can't see the back enough to do anything much to it. Ironically I had an appt for a haircut at the senior center for the day after the closure.
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Some jurisdictions say no blow-drying in case it aerosolizes water on the hair that might contain viral particles; but it stands to reason that if washing hands for 20 seconds is recommended, shampooing for a lot longer than that--and the friction involved--should suffice. It is considered safe to sit under an old-school hood dryer (which won't work with a keratin treatment, which must be blown dry on high heat at close range). Here in IL, blow-drying is permitted so long as there are barriers between adequately-distanced chairs and everyone wears masks.
Brutally hot (95) yesterday--perfect time for my kitchen fridge to die. (Under extended warranty, so if it can't be fixed tomorrow I will get a new one, pro-rated). Fortunately, we have a barebones top-freezer fridge (25 yrs old & counting) in the basement. Hauled out a couple of 6-cube "cocktail ice" trays and waiting for them to freeze before I empty them into a ziploc and start over. Brought down the most important perishables last night; and the kitchen freezer is full enough that the foods in it are acting like ice packs in a chill-chest. (For now). The motor is running, so I hope it's an electronics issue that a re-set could cure--but I didn't want to mess with that myself, lest it make things worse.
Cooler today--weather app says 85 but my car's thermometer said 77 as I drove home from the podiatrist this aft. May have to postpone hair appt. tomorrow, unless the fridge repairman arrives before I leave at 11:45 and is still there when I return.
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got pretty hot here today -- abut 92. Wasn't bad for me though until I decided to detail my car. Ended up very red faced, soaked from sweat, but the car looks great again and smells wonderful. I swore I could smell dirt in the car and I probably did. Dh and I ended up having to walk in a parking lot with weird colored mud. It was a large white gravel and I think something must have been mixed in because it looked like white mud. Anyway, that was a few days ago ( last rain ) and I felt like I smelled it ever since. Had Dh take my car to the car wash ( to clean the underside too ) all the while determined to get that white mud out of the car. Success.
A few minutes ago -- about 8:45 p.m. we turned on the air conditioner -- we need to get the humidity taken care of because it was just too close/sticky. Better now. We will have couple of days that are hotter. It will rain and I hope the temps. come down again. We were hanging in the high 70's which was pretty nice.
I will call and get an appt. for my hair. Don't know how they are working things. Wren, I was scheduled for my 6 wk. cut after my perm and two days before I got the call not to come. It would have been okay but she gave the perm when the weather was still pretty coolish and we both decided to leave it a little longer -- since I would be back in 6 wks. for a cut. I am quite shaggy. Can't remember when my hair was this long and my bangs are long too. Sigh.
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Jackie, that happened to me once down in Sparta (where my recording engineer has his studio next to his farmhouse). The last 1/4 mi. off the main road before the gate is limestone gravel; normally, it just makes whitish dust that is easily brushed off. But when it rains, it becomes whitish mud that is a real bear to remove--needs a commercial car wash (usually, there's a gas station that has one).
Much cooler here by the lake: by the time Bob & I walked to our favorite restaurant to celebrate Day 1 of outdoor dining, it was a (relatively) chilly 67F. Unfortunately, I wore the same shorts, T-shirt & sandals I wore to the podiatrist (further from the lake) earlier in the day. We have leftovers, but there's enough room in the basement fridge. It is getting to be a PITA to have to fetch milk for coffee, then put it back--same with harvesting the ice cubes and refilling the trays with filtered water, and stashing the leftover wet cat food. But I'm getting my steps in! Might have to wear jeans tomorrow to the salon, but I'll be driving. Supposed to hit >80 by noon, but the salon is even closer to the lake than is my house.
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Hi, Ladies. It is rainy, but it is cooler. I went to the PCP today. My BP was very low, 80/40, and they insisted on taking multiple blood pressures including one my bc side. I instantly felt pain in my breast, which is already swollen from lymphedema. Plus I am having a break out on the same breast with a pimple like rash. The PCP prescribed an antibiotic for the rash. I am grumpy and calling MO. My BP is up tp 103/65.
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To all the gay people over 60 with breast cancer celebrating Gay Pride Month
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With all that’s going on everywhere this is most superficial, but it felt wonderful when masked Danny came into the back yard and cut my hair, felt lighter and cleaner and , though so weird with the masks, and even with my fear because we weren’t distanced, still seemed like a tiny part of normal life was back. He said 25 people are allowed in the beauty shop plus all the people who work there. Everyone is masked and has their temperature taken, but he’ll continue to come to the back yard if I wish, which I do. Hope it wasn’t all taking too much of a chance. Gil’s beard is neat and we should be dressing up and going out instead of wearing the same clothes day after day in our 6 month little rented house. Feel sort of like a woman again, instead of a ragged mop.
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Judy, isn't it a joy getting your 'do rejuvenated after all these months? I went to the salon today and got my hair de-rooted, straightened and trimmed. Still shoulder-length but now it even bounces when I shake my head. It's a small salon with 6 chairs--only 3 of them in use now. Because of its small sq. footage, no more than 8 people (customers & staff) can be in there at a time. Had to check in by waving through the window; no magazines allowed, so waiting for the color to "take" was like watching paint dry. We were all masked--and I had to use one of theirs so as not to ruin my cloth one with the chemicals. Their surgical masks are huge (2 of the 3 stylists are rather large men, and it's a "unisex" salon), and I had to hold it in place with my glasses AND cataract over-shades (also cut down on fumes). I'm seriously considering buying "adolescent" or even "pediatric" size masks because my face is so small.
Did you get any downpours today? Ours was brief but heavy enough to short out the power line to the garage...again. The landscaper had to dig the trench even deeper (code says 24" so that the conduit is at least 18" below grade), and the electrician hopes to be out this weekend (definitely by Mon.) to lay the conduit, seal its joints, and then run the new line through it into the garage. We're both parked on the street: though the power came back on, the across-the-alley neighbor has a U-Haul blocking our garage door. Will move the cars after further storm danger (and that frickin' U-Haul) has passed. Went out to eat (Cellars' patio) last night, so doing leftovers tonight.
So the bad news is that the fridge will need a new compressor, and a software update. (Yup--you read the latter correctly. If anyone told me 10 years ago I'd have to "update the software" on my fridge, I'd have had them committed). The repairman says that Abt will call me tomorrow (when, he doesn't know) and may be able to come tomorrow--Sat. at the latest. We shoved as much as we could into the downstairs fridge and freezer. Whatever is still in the kitchen freezer is still solid and acting like ice packs in a cooler, but we did bring the steaks and fish downstairs. It is a PITA to have to keep running up & downstairs (one hand on a banister) for food, ice & drink, but in Colonial days that's what most people had to do--the kitchen was in the basement because the cooler temps kept food fresher longer. And on the plantations & large estates, the kitchens were a separate outbuilding, so if there were a stove or hearth fire it wouldn't take out the house. Imagine having to carry platters of food up stairs or outside in the rain & snow! So, First World problems--and I'm getting my steps in. The downstairs fridge doesn't have an icemaker, so we're kickin' it old-school with silicone "cocktail" ice cube trays.
Small "intersection demonstration" at rush hour a few blocks from the salon. It was peaceful: "honk if you support black lives" was the message. I didn't participate because I needed to get home (in the opposite direction) an hour before; besides, I am at elevated risk of severe symptoms should I catch the virus. So I donated to a bond fund instead.
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Good morning, ladies. I am feeling a little better, but cancelled the eye doctor appointment. It rained most of the morning and is now steamy. I am doing several loads of laundry and then maybe just read a book or work on some vintage costume jewelry (my hobby). I hope everyone has a pleasant day.
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Petite1 - your BP was very low. Years back after my 1st breast biopsy I dropped under 90, they made me lay back down and got me ice water to drink. Unsure why or how but it raised back up over 100. Keep an eye on yours.
Humidity has creeped in. Its warm, 80 w on & off sun. I'm still not feeling normal back in NY with no gym. Sort of adrift, I worked out more in FL w/o a gym than I do here. Need to find my normal.
Have a great day!
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Not sure who will understand & apologies if this offends anyone. WTF = Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, or What The F...
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Low blood pressure is a sign of dehydration. Drink plenty of water, and it will go up. Reason why they use diuretics to treat high blood pressure.
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Also, there is such a thing as "idiopathic postural hypotension." "Idiopathic" because they can't identify a cause. Happened to a 74-y-o buddy of mine last summer. He was getting off a bus when he fainted--fortunately, he was right outside Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where they kept him for a week. First 3 days completely supine, then raising the head of the bed 10 degrees per day till he no longer got dizzy.
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It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a person stands up for an ideal or strikes out against injustice, he or she sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.
Robert F. Kennedy0 -
Had my procedure this a.m. Had to be at hospital 5:30 a.m. Well, I did have some good sleep ( knocked out like a light for a bit ). Just off the top ( no heavy detail ) bladder was ok, as were kidneys. One of the ureter ducts had a growth ( biopsy material taken ) and I'll likely learn about that in a week or so. So, all in all, it sounds possible that I have non-scary something or other, but have to wait for the test results to come back. It could be a cancer. I had a non-cancerous polyp removed from my bladder when I was quite young so time will tell.
Didn't go to work this afternoon as another gal covered for me. Will go tomorrow. Since my procedure went a tad longer and my eventual recovery as well, the nurses said I'd likely want to or should 'doze' a bit after starting my meds ( was allowed nothing this a.m. ) which were my blood pressure ones. I can't re-start my aspirin for a couple of days and I'm bleeding a bit but thinning it all with water. Urge to go is settling down -- but most of the time I've had something to do. It wasn't as bad as when you have a kidney infection, but still annoying. Glad to see it dissipate. Back home by noon which was my hoped for time.
Hot today, but the house is cool. We are on schedule to have some furnace work done. There is a leak in some of the line outdoor in the compressor that must be fixed and the guy is booked -- so Dh called him today while waiting for calls from the hospital. They kept him apprised of how it was all going. We already knew he had a heavy schedule. He says it happens every yr. People don't know till they try to use their HVAC that something has gone wonky on it so he gets loads of calls. It has been two days of 9o's but should settle. It has been not too bad in our house as we placed fans around and live in good heavy shade the majority of the day. Makes it fairly tolerable. I do worry with rain coming though that it could get muggy which would be a bummer, but we only have to hold out for a week.
Hope you all had great days.
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Good Evening, Ladies. WTF 1620 - If my old lady brain is working, wasn't 1620 when the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock? That might have been what they said.
I have been monitoring the BP all day. Drinking fluids, etc. Since I have hypothyroidism, my medication may need to be increased. I don't think I am in septic shock or anything like that. Low BP in older people can be related to depression. BC, lymphedema, loss of my mother, pandemic, anarchists in the streets ....hummmm. I think #2 and/or #4. In undergraduate school I worked on a biofeedback project with depressed individuals with low blood pressure and depression. They had to think about things that made them feel good and the goal was to raise their blood pressure. It does work. Time to go to the Happy Place.
Lab results coming soon. BP has been running about 103/65.
IllinoisLady, I hope everything turns out well.
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Petite1- your BP is running at my normal 105/55, 106/66. And you do have a lot going on emotionally, so get to your happy place. ❤
IllinoisLady - I'm hoping for the best, with no cancer found.
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Fingers crossed, Jackie & Petite, that all turns out well for your biopsy and BP, respectively.
But right now I'm numb. Just found out (during the memorial prayer portion of my temple's online service tonight) that my primary care doc lost his battle with COVID-19 on Wednesday. He had spent a month in the ICU on a ventilator. Last saw him in Feb., and he was vital and energetic. No risk factors that I knew of other than his age (73) and being male. He quite likely caught it from either a patient or one of the parking valets in the professional building. His PA/NP is his daughter (just learned that tonight in his obit) and I don't know how she is doing.
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Notice what happens when you doubt, suppress, or act contrary to your feelings. You will observe decreased energy, powerless or helpless feelings, and physical or emotional pain. Now notice what happens when you follow your intuitive feelings. Usually the result is increased energy and power and a sense of natural flow. When you're at one with yourself, the world feels peaceful, exciting, and magical. -ShaktiGawain
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I am sorry to hear about your PCP Sandy. Of course so many of these people should not have lost their lives to corvid 19. I hope his daughter is fine. Sounds like it would be almost in the miracle category. I also hate to think of these people ( any person ) having to die alone w/o the comfort of family. I got a small taste of that yesterday. Dh could only drop me off -- and the nurses kept him apprised by phone of how things were going. Also, called him when it was time to come get me. That was a meek and mild introduction and nothing like having a loved on in a hospital for weeks and you can't go see them. Of course I lay the blame on the orange one.
Hope you are able to find a new PCP that you can work with successfully, Sandy. Fingers crossed.
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Good morning, Ladies. Lots of ran as tropical storm Cristobal works it's way through the Gulf. The internet was down this morning, but Spectrum got it up and going. Yay. I have my lab results from Quest. Love these patient portals. I have it before the doctor. Everything was normal except for my thyroid. An slight increase of my dosage should take care of that. I am still going to avoid watching the news. BP was good this morning 105/63.
ChiSandy, I am sorry to hear about your PCP.
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