Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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"See yourself in others. Then whom can you hurt? What harm can you do? "
~ Buddha
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Taco, count me in as liking pre-cancerous far better. As always, finding issues and dealing with them early is always better or you might say pre-cancerous. I really wish I would have insisted on getting something 'started' way back when I first had hematuria ( which isn't normal ) but since I had no pain, burning, urgency I waited. The same outcome may have taken place, but the difference is the risk. Had it not been papillary I likely would not be here -- so glad that your Dr. will start working on ridding you of this sort of for now -- non-issue so it won't become a big issue.
We will be under-going a slight warming trend. Mainly will result probably in getting rid of the long sleeve shirts for a bit which is okay. We are in that transitional period where inconsistency is more the norm. Otherwise all is well.
Hope you all have a beautiful day.
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Cowgirl - about 99% of my pre-cancerous lesions are treated just with freezing. Acitnic keratosis. One or two have to be frozen a second time.
Was actually at a substitute derm doc today. My regular doc has severe asthema and I've had two appointments cancelled since March. New doc wanted to biopsy a spot by my nose where I'd already had MOHS for basal cell. Her thought is it might be a recurrence or a new cancer. I convinced her to freeze the thing first. I'll see my regular derm doc next month - or at least hoping she won't have to take another 'time out' if our virus numbers rise again.
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Hello all my foot has been bothering me since DH and I took a longish hike in a nature preserve last weekend so I did a 30 minute walking video with Leslie Sansone today. I guess more cushioning helped as so far it's good.
Yesterday i felt under the weather and so just rested mostly. I felt guilty but based on today I must have needed that. To listen to my body. Important in all ways.
DH goes back to work Monday after many months not working due to covid. We called it his fake retirement haha. It will be a change for both of us; I'm hoping to get more done around the house than I have been.
Tomorrow my sister who has breast cancer meets with her team to discuss her next treatment steps. She had her lumpectomy 2 weeks ago. She doesn't even know her lymph node status yet. That would have made me crazy but it seems that is how her doctors do it. 🙏 appreciated for her.
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Reader, I wish your sister easy treatment plan and a good path report. I'm with you. I want to read every detail and research. Not knowing would really drive me crazy.
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Reader, adding my wishes for your sister for an easy course of treatment and a path report with "indolent" prognostic markers. Petite, hoping your kitty does ok at the vet. My cats have always kept their claws--but we do get them trimmed at the vet. (My first four cats actually let me do the clipping so long as I bribed them with treats--Happy & Heidi are not so chill).
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Good morning, ladies. Poor little cat meowed through the trip, but was fine during the examination, nail trim and shots. Both of my cats are indoor cats, but have their claws and need trims. My elder cat is 22 and grows very thick claws. She no longer uses the cat scratcher (or furniture) so they require more maintenance to insure they do not grow into her paws.
Warmer today 75 degrees this morning
Reader, hoping for the best for your sister
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We humans think we are smart, but an orchid, for example, knows how to produce noble, symmetrical flowers, and a snail knows how to make a beautiful, well-proportioned shell. Compared with their knowledge, ours is not worth much at all. We should bow deeply before the orchid and the snail and join our palms reverently before the monarch butterfly and the magnolia tree. The feeling of respect for all species will help us to recognize the noblest nature in ourselves. -Thich Nhat Hanh
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A lot of cats ( thinking of my what use to be large group ) make lots of 'noise' if they should have to travel to the vets. I'm sure they are anxious just like we are about trips to the Dr. They don't see need of it which I think in most cases is somewhat built into their DNA. They accept life on whatever terms present. Still, even if almost nothing is wrong, most visits are for something good in the end. It may be the cat will never feel/know it all that much, but we know much of why they go is to prevent issues they don't need to have.
Most cats and dogs sit still and behave once they are being examined because un-like us, the Vet presents an authority when they are out of their element so they generally behave unless they are a super aggressive personality.
Going to be another warmer day here. Nice because no humidity and only warmer, not hot. It looks cloudy and may stay that way since rain could come. Seems iffy now, but this time of yr. we can't be real sure.
I hope you all have a fantastic day. Saying hi to all those who aren't posting as much. You are being thought about for sure.
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Whew, Petite--I had thought you meant you were getting your cat declawed. Glad to hear it was just a "kitti-cure." When I learned years ago that declawing surgery is actually amputation of the first joint of the toe, I vowed never to have it done. A cat with no claws can't defend itself, nor can it get down from a tree; and it tends to be aggressive in other ways. My aunt once had a declawed cat, and it had a habit of swatting and even biting people who walked past it. All the adoption agencies insist that adopters never declaw their cats, and breaking that promise is grounds for confiscation.
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I totally agree Sandy. We took in a cat that had ALL of the claws removed. Autumn was hissy and pushy for a long time. In her later yrs. with us though she was very loving towards us. We knew to expect different behaviors from her and never really chastised her and always let her decide how she wanted things. For a very long time we had an extra lg. dog crate with her own potty box and food and water. She would roam around the house during the day, but all meals and bathroom breaks and sleeping at night took place in the crate. Her last two yrs. with us she gave up the crate. I'm not sorry we gave her a home and if I were younger I'd probably look for someone just like her because I know I could handle it.
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When I talk to prospective adopters, I go into gruesome detail about what declawing actually does. I also tell them it's illegal in the United Kingdom.
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Wren I am so glad to hear that. I always looked at Autumn with the idea of how would I like it if someone removed my feet or hands. It would be such a hard adjustment and always feeling something was wrong or missing. For a long time one of my biggest fears was that she would accidentally get out. She seemed to know it was bad for her and never got hear the door when it was open, but I always worried.
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Finding the center of strength within ourselves is in the long run the best contribution we can make to our fellow people. . . . One person with indigenous inner strength exercises a great calming effect on panic among people around him or her. This is what our society needs--not new ideas and inventions; important as these are, and not geniuses and superpeople, but persons who can "be", that is, persons who have a center of strength within themselves. -Rollo May, Man's Search for Himself
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About 73 today which is almost the perf3ect temp. with no humidity. No sun as yet and maybe it won't come. I have the same long list of things to do but that is okay. Leaves, thin at the moment are building up on the ground. The summer always seems to have flown by at this time. I'll just enjoy it while we wait for the bigger part of Fall to begin. A little different this yr. Covid does change things. We were usually looking forward to the last Weiner roast of the yr. about this time and I think that is on hold for now too.
I hope you all have a really pretty day -- a just right day.
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I finally gave up on co-sleeping with my dog. My sleep reading on fitbit immediately started improving immensely. First night I tossed a treat into his kennel, and he walked right in to get it. Second night, I "poured" him in. Third night, he took his rawhide and toys out and put them in the bedroom, but I returned them to the kennel and put him in without resistance. Last night, he went into the bedroom and installed himself on the bed, waiting for me to go to bed. I put him in with a little bit of resistance. God only knows what will happen tonight. He is hungry for physical contact.
I have been making a series of seven dolls using my sister's wedding dress and my mother's collection of lace edging for her dollmaking. I am getting burned out on the project, and put it all away.
I think I will start writing again, and maybe working on the recipe book. So badly burned out on sewing that I am thinking of putting away my machine.
But right now Tippy is staring at me and scratching my leg. I think we will watch TV for a while.
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MCBaker: Have you thought of putting an older piece of clothing/throw that you no longer wear or use but has your scent on it in his crate? That may help with is need for physical contact. I know they use this method for dogs with separation anxiety (when owners used to go to work).
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Thanks for the suggestion. I already knew about that, and started looking for something, but then realized that his kennel is right by my laundry cart, so I think that is already taken care of.
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Can he cuddle with your laundry cart? It's not just the scent, it is also the ability to have physical contact with an item.
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Illinois I love Rollo May. Good quote. 👍
MC and Betrayal my first kitty came with a worn sweatshirt of the prior owner in the kennel. Really helped Natey adjust to not having her around and to get used to his new home.
Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts 🙏 for my sister. Her way forward after she heals from her lumpectomy looks to only "maybe" include radiation and definitely not include chemo. She and I are very grateful.
Have a great rest of your weekend. 🤗
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Tried to get a flu shot at Walgreen's, but the clerk at the pharmacy counter ran my Medicare & BCBS cards and said that my birthdate didn't match Medicare's records (and that BCBS no longer contracts with Walgreen's for flu shots). I did a live chat with Medicare and they said I DID give the birthdate they had on file, and confirmed with Social Security that my Medicare number is also correct. I bet the clerk made a typo on the Medicare number. I will just have to suck it up and go to NorthShore's "flu clinic" in Skokie.
Went to Warby Parker for my eye exam (everything but dilated retina exam). The optometrist was young eye candy, even with his mask on. The exam was the most thorough non-dilated exam I've ever had. He said that he could see no residual sutures nor damage from the brachytherapy plaque in my R eye, but he could see the floater (and slight vitreous detachment) in my L. I learned that part of the trouble I've had reading is that my reading glasses--same diopters as the "add" in my progressives--are too strong! He explained that single-vision readers needn't be as strong as the limited-area in progressives. I was able to get the lenses in my readers replaced (sending them out to the lab in upstate NY) for $50! He suggested that in the meantime, I get some drugstore readers in +2.0 for close work, especially the double-acrostic puzzles I love to do as a distraction. So my trip to Walgreen's was good for something after all.
I also got new progressive shades, replaced the progressive lenses in the last Warbys I got (right now, wearing an older prescription because the coating on the pair I got in Oct. 2019 (ordered in March, but had to send them back twice due to breakage and then a lens defect) from my old ophtho's in-office boutique has begun to get blotchy (yes, the pricy Essilor package)! Those Warbys will be my spare pair at home--no photochromics, but blue-blocking instead. For my main pair, I splurged on a purple-tortoise pair with silver accents--and those are photochromic. I should have everything delivered in about two weeks.
Judy, have you tried Spirit Elephant in Winnetka? (On Green Bay Rd., down the street from Graeter's Ice Cream). It's vegan (with some ovo-lacto options) and mostly gluten-free, and ABC7's "Hungry Hound" featured it tonight. My mouth was watering! They have a huge patio, and there will be heaters and a canopy until winter gets untenable.
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Sandy, I'm learning so much here. I just go to my wonderful opthomologist in Skokie for eye exams. He did my cataracts too, I never heard of Warby Parker. Will get flu shot in drive through at PCP's office in Winnetka on Oct. 15.
Love The Barn, but am going for very early old peoples' pre Yom Kippur dinner at Avli tonight because it's DH's favorite and it's his birthday and because I'm nervous about my mammo and ultrasound tomorrow( scheduled a year ago when I didn't know tomorrow was a High Holiday.) No reason,other than the obvious to be anxious, but I might as well live today and eat well, just in case.
My son, who is vegetarian, though not vegan, also told me about Spirit Elephant and we went there right before the lockdown in March. Was so surprised that in Winnetka, a vegan restaurant would be jammed packed with a 2 hour wait. We just avoided that going at 5. It is unusual and excellent, all kinds of black rice Oriental bowls and a marvellous grilled cheese sandwhich for my 11 year old grandson, made of walnuts, which he hated, but I loved. We order out from there quite a bit and always a line, which will be more so, I bet, after ABC's publicity. Have heard about, but not been, on the patio, But will try
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To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.
-Helen Keller0 -
Good morning, ladies. It is 76 degrees and feels like Summer. Both my little cats are social and love watching TV with us. Purr purr purr. Many years ago I adopted a big cat from the pound. He had been declawed and he would bite as a game, but sometimes broke skin. He was big and had a big mouth with big teeth. His favorite was to pounce on me as I stuck a foot out of the shower. Needless to say he was soon locked out of the bathroom and the master bedroom.
reader, that is good to hear.
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Keywestfan, Happy Birthday to your other wonderful half. Glad you will have a dinner out -- and yes, splurge it up. We are all so held in by the fear of covid. I hope you have a marvelous time. Sandy, you are a fount of knowledge which does help everyone so much. I'm still getting my glasses from Walmart. Mainly due to its being local and pretty affordable. I will have to go to the V.A. though to get tested this yr. I don't feel like I've had any change but since I've had my current glasses a bit over two yrs. I need to make sure.
As well, I think some glasses hold up better than others and is one of the biggest reasons I started using Walmart. I had my old glasses for a bit over 7n yrs. and they were getting almost brittle. Seemed like every few months I would need some sort of adjustment.
Should be a nice non-humid day here and plenty warm enough not to have to layer after the morning time.
Hope you all have a beautiful day.
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It seems the MN weather is advising us to head south! Yesterday was mainly overcast with some light rain. We drove to Bemidji to use a rebate credit at Menard's, a store we do not have in Louisiana. We marveled at the beautiful leaf colors. I bought a mask that I really like.
Today it's gloomy outside again and that trend is supposed to continue next week with cool/cold temperatures. I have a hair appointment on Tuesday for a cut. We have decided to depart on Thursday. Sadly I am not excited about resuming everyday life at home in this Covid world. I may be more limited in getting out and about than I have been here where Covid cases were so few. At least we will be confined in a larger home space where there are always things to do. If nothing else, clean out closets!
Happy Sunday.
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Thank you, Jackie- you always, one way or the other, make me feel so much better.
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Wow !! Carole that will be difficult to have to give up the possibly of decent ( is it great anywhere ) freedom by coming home. Well, you are right. There will be more space at home and anything that has been an avoided chore at home maybe would actually get done. None of us dreamed that we'd be doing some of the things we do because we just are not able to roam about as we once did. I am not much of a shopper so generally never went to a store just for window shopping so to speak, but on occasion if I was in the area I might. These restrictions might be a little easier for us who are a bit older. We have all accepted that we are not invincible while many of the younger people haven't gotten there yet.
Also, almost all of us in one way or other -- even if just age, have strikes against us. I hope we can loosen up a good deal if we are able to get a GOOD vaccine, but that is going to be awhile. Since I've always been happy as a home body I think it is easier for me as well as the fact that I'm able to live in a sparsely populated little area of town while being about two miles from town. I try to remember to appreciate that I can step out my door and take a long walk w/o having to confront another person. If I do they are usually friends who have been ( we are all similar in age ) as cautious and Dh and I try to be.
Wishing you well with your this upcoming week as you prepare to travel back home.
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I have had no success at getting motivated about those "little jobs." Seems as if the less I have to do, the harder it is to do it. Finally dropped the "get out the vote" postcards I was assigned a month ago when we walked Mutz this morning.
Still over 100 every day. Not thinking about "fall" at all here. Would love to go north for a few days but AZ still is having over 500 cases a day. 10th in the country in per capita so we'll stay put.
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Judy, you will get a divine dispensation (if there's such a thing in Judaism) for getting your mammo & doctors' appts. on Yom Kippur. Remember that "pikuach nefesh"--preservation of life--is a paramount mitzvah. I had my lumpectomy on Yom Kippur--and my "breaking the fast" (as well as my first meal after being NPO since the night before) was a mini-bagel & schmear. (Gotta love Evanston Hosp.).
Warby Parker was originally started by a couple of young enterpreneurs who were fed up with the "Luxottica" (one guy in Italy, not even a publicly-traded co.) monopoly on almost all optical shop chains and eyeglass brands, with prices to match. They began as "disruptors," online-only; sending out up to 5 pr. of frames for customers to try on and return, picking one they liked and sending in their prescriptions. All their glasses were designed and the lenses ground & inserted in the U.S., with all the frames made in China. Eventually, they began opening boutiques, and w/in the past couple of years offering on-site optometrist exams. They also have their own brand of contacts. Their acetate frames are $95, including plain anti-UV single-vision (reading or distance) lenses; there's a $50 upcharge for blue-blocking, $100 extra for Transitions (which actually block more blue light than the blue-blocking coating), and $200 for progressives (digital free-form). So a pair of clear progressives starts at $295, blue-blocking progressives $345, and Transitions progressives $395. Sunglasses start at $95 for nonprescription, $145 for single vision, and are inherently blue-blocking; some frames are as much as $195 with single-vision lenses. My progressive shades are $345.
Their metal frames (which run $145-195 for single-vision) are now made in either Japan or Italy. Once our ophthalmologist sold his practice and optical shop, and then retired, Bob & I both get our glasses at Warby Parker. So does Gordy now (though he goes the online route).
BTW, the founders decided to become "disruptors" in the luggage industry, and started Away luggage.
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