Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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It's 90 today in SF and supposed to be 99 tomorrow. It never used to be this hot and I have lived here for over 50 years. If it gets close to 90 in my bedroom tonight or tomorrow I'm going to stay at one of my petsitting client's houses. One of the houses has air conditioning! I'm currently petsitting for 3 cats so it's very timely. Oh, another fast burning fire in the Napa Valley area. Started at 4:30 am. I just can't believe it.
On a happy note, I was able to find a home for one of the rescue birds from the fires. Facebook is good for some things...because i was reading a friend's post on FB I found out that she was looking for a cockatiel because one of her cockatiels died and his mate was so sad. Also, the neighborhood website, NestDoor, is also good for something...because I saw a post from someone was looking for a home for a cockatiel. So I called my friend to see if she was still looking for a cockatiel and she said yes, that she was desperate for find a mate for her bird. So that's late yesterday afternoon and today I delivered the bird to her. She was so thrilled and I was so happy for the bird. The bird obviously had had a good home and wasn't scared at all. She sat as close to me in her cage as she could instead of sitting way over to the other side. The bird will have a very happy home and be so loved. So, yes, miracles do happen
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What a nice ending for the rescue bird, the bereaved bird and your friend.
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Cowgirl - so nice matching up the bird needing a home with someone looking for a bird. That's a good feeling!
We're having a bit of warm weather for a few days. I was in a quandry - do I put everything "summer" away now while it's warm, or enjoy everything until it's truly over. I left it all! Worse case scenario, I'll need to wear winter clothing when it comes time to close up.
I see my GYN tomorrow, my foot Dr on Tuesday (new orthotic mold), and my eye Dr on Friday (yrly eye dilation). We cram Drs into October in anticipation of FL snow birding. No FL this year until maybe January - FL gov is opening up everything, wants football stadiums full, so maybe not in January either. WHAT a year.
For Yom Kippur, may you have an easy fast.
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You too, Cindy & Judy. An easy and contemplative fast for those of us observing Yom Kippur--but do be mindful of your health.
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Judging others will avail you nothing and injure you spiritually. Only if you can inspire others to judge themselves will anything worthwhile have been accomplished. When you approach others in judgment they will be on the defensive. When you are able to approach them in a kindly, loving manner without judgment they will tend to judge themselves and be transformed. -Peace Pilgrim
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Woke up to rain that had apparently been going on most of the night. Since my ears are not what they use to be I was very much un-aware. It will stay cool today -- mid- 60's. Seems we are going to be there for a few days. It is typical of Fall weather even if I'm not totally ready.
Nothing special planned. Some bills waiting to go out. Otherwise just the regular work.
I'm starting to be able to pet one of the kitties ( outdoor ) in Sandoval. They were the first born of this Spring. The one I'm petting I named ( almost immediately ) Sassy. She/he - more likely a she, was highly curious and un-like the others never automatically ran when I came out to feed. She watched me pet her mother several times and I knew she was ready when she voluntarily brushed against my leg. Semi-feral kitties/cats always have to make the first move and usually only then can you attempt touching/petting. I have petted her now about three of four times. Not too much though. After I ignore her and just act as though nothing happened. It is very satisfying.
I hope you all will be able to enjoy good weather ( not too hot or cold or rainy ) and have a really good day. I hope I can make mine productive.
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Good morning, ladies. Light rain this morning. We still have a couple rentals (our retirement job) and the floor in one of the bathrooms fell in. Our contractor can't get out until Weds. The renters do have another bathroom. Landlord life. We started out with 11 houses and now down to 3. We sold most of them when I got the BC diagnosis. I did not want the additional stress.
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Showers overnight and again just now. Chilly--low 60s--but not as cold as later in the week, where we may struggle to make it as high as the mid-50s. The rain was sorely needed--landscaper turned off the sprinkler timer the last time it rained, and we now have some brown patches on the lawn after 10 dry days in a row. He never showed us how to turn it back on and reset the timer. My zucchini plant finally made one baby squash--hope it matures enough for us to pick before the critters discover it.
Was able to get my flu shot at CVS yesterday--in & out in 10 min. Arm was a bit sore by nightfall but fine now.
Taking a break right now from online Yom Kippur services--afternoon starts back up at 3:15. They're much shorter than in-person, mainly because they had to be pre-recorded, mixed and edited (they started back in Aug.). I couldn't volunteer to take part (blessings, ark-opening, etc,) in the recordings, because at the time I had the big lead patch on my eye, and then even with no patch my R eye was not ready for public viewing. But the services turned out fantastic--including even Jeff Tweedy (leader of Grammy-winning rock band Wilco) and his two sons singing one of the hymns, with wife Susan behind the camera. (Yes, they're temple members--we are so lucky to have them).
It was a bit weird to see the chat scrolling along the side, with greetings & comments by the rabbi & cantor in real time. At one point last night, there were over 300 people logged in, from all over the country. And I discovered this morning my TV has YouTube built in! No way to do live chat on it, of course, but I can always mute the audio on the computer and type while I watch live on TV. I watched archived morning services (slept in because of fasting), but will do the rest live, till the last blast of the Shofar and the subsequent Kiddush (blessing over wine & bread, which I'll have at the ready), Havdalah blessings & celebration. That will still end during daylignt, but we are a Reform congregation after all. (Not doing between-services Bible study on Zoom because I don't want to be visible in my PJs).
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A good, great beginning to the New Year, though I did not fast, but admiring of you, as always, Sandy. Did listen to Barbra Streisand, who DH dislikes singing,“Avenu Malkeinu.” Then went off to Evanston Hospital for my dreaded mammo and ultrasound. The breast center was crowded and, of course, I got more and more nervous. The technician was so nice and kind; went to show the pictures to the radiologist, came back after 20 minutes looking a bit bleak and said they need two more shots. My pulse jumped to 127, usually 58. She came back after another 20 minutes and said,” I have good news and better news. Which do you want first?” I opted for the better which was that I didn’t need an ultrasound; the good news was, “Go celebrate, see you in a year.” So happy that life hasn’t turned once again on a dime and it seems I might be written in the Book of Life.
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Mazel tov, Judy! My turn isn't till Dec. (though I do see Dr. Law & get labs drawn next week). But it was a relief to get that flu shot under my (virtual) belt and into my arm. One more reminder scrubbed from my patient portal. Meanwhile, just made an initial appt. for Nov. 14 (not sure if it'll be telephone or in-person) with the N.Shore Lincolnwood primary care doc my gyn recommened.
Chicago just slightly relaxed its COVID restrictions: as of Thurs. 10/1, bars can serve indoors, restaurants & gyms can increase from 25% to 40% (or 50 patrons, whichever is less), and salons can do facials, shaves and other services below the mask line (allowing temporary mask removal). But social distancing and mask requirements will remain in place. Still doesn't make me feel more comfy with dining inside. (I don't get facials anyway). I have a feeling that within a couple of weeks, those relaxations will likely be reconsidered. (Note: this is only for Chicago, not statewide, which in some counties & towns may be stricter).
Well, YouTube services ended with the shofar blast at 4:30. Havdalah isn't till 6:30 (likely sunset). So unlike previous years (especially my time in Seattle, when everyone chowed down in the temple lobby at 4:15), sticking it out with my fast till then. Will have to try to record my Bar Show solo, though--gotta send it in by tomorrow. I hate rehearsing and especially recording when anyone else is in the house. So, gathering up my headphones, iPhone (for recording), iPad (the old one with an audio jack for playback of the orchestral scratch track), sheet music & Scotch tape and heading up to my bedroom closet. (Insert tasteless joke here).
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Keywestfan - good news on mammo! Much relief to get it behind you. I'm scheduled on October 5th for mammo & ultrasound.
Petite1- I know bathroom problems, so I feel for you. Getting work done is a challenge.
I had good news from GYN. My cervix looked good, no bleeding. That's behind me!
We're still at 71 this late at night (10:36 PM). We had some nice temps for 4 days. Rains head this way, it's needed but I still don't have to like it.
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Well, just when I thought 2020 couldn't get any worse, about 90 minutes ago my cats came meowing to me in the front room--I got up and smelled the strong odor of skunk! (No, they didn't get sprayed--they're strictly indoor). Odd thing, is I don't smell it outside. I cracked as many windows that have screens as I could, and turned the AC on even though it's in the 50s outside (or so my Apple watch says). I'm smelling it in the front of the house--first floor (up 8 steps from the street) and basement. I called a wildlife removal service, and they said that usually means the skunk sprayed the foundation--but if that were the case, I would be smelling it outside but I'm not. Bob just came home and said it smells "chemical-y" or "rubber-y." Our eyes are beginning to burn slightly (and now my throat a little). I checked the stove (which is in the back), water heater, and boiler downstairs--there doesn't seem to be a gas leak. I searched and searched for holes in the front room walls and basement ceiling and can't seem to find anything but the smell! I am beside myself. The wildlife removal guy said he could have someone here tonight, but that they likely wouldn't be able to do anything tonight if there is no visible critter to be caught--and it would be $225 extra compared to waiting till tomorrow. They will call me in the morning to get some more info and set up a visit tomorrow to spend some time looking (and if they find burrow holes, investigate and set Havaheart traps). I don't know how we can hold out!
Gas company just came out and ruled out a leak, but said they could smell skunk odor on my porch (through their masks), which I couldn't earlier, sans mask. Hoping it was from outside--the AC seemed to be starting to blow it back in. Using air freshener helps a little--maybe some vinegar in the morning.
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Oh, Sandy, I know what you mean. When I was widowed and living in my beloved Cape Cod home right before I met Gil, I smelled this terrible smell in the first floor master bedroom. I had no idea, knew zilch about skunks. I kept waiting for the smell to go away. This went on for a few days. Mira, my Siamese, Leila, the Burmese, were beside themselves.I was sleepless in Glencoe.Finally some friend told me to call Animal Control at the Village Hall. When I did they had me call some place in Northbrooj which did finally come. There were 3 skunks kiving under the foundation, right below m first floor master bedroom window. What a nightmare, but not as bad as the rabbit which is another story for another time. But, today, your problem will be solved
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Good morning, ladies. Nice morning 73 degrees and showers this afternoon. Those shunk stories are interesting. I never had to deal with that. PHEW.
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Sandy - I've had skunks under a front porch, but they didn't live there - just used it as a "panic room." Apppatently they can have many burrows along their route. We found out when a neighbor said they saw one go in under the side of the porch. I'm hoping yours is a similar situation. My neighborhood is full of skunk - they dig up lawns for grubs.
But when my pool gave way, it flooded 3 skunks out from under the garage. Thankfully they have not returned.
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The moment you want to make progress is the moment you become an eternal beginner. The dawn is the beginning of a new day: it symbolizes hope, illumination, and perfection. Every day the dawn plays the role of the beginner. It begins its journey at daybreak and ends its journey in the infinite sun. If you can feel that your whole being—your body, vitality, mind and soul—represents the ever-blossoming dawn, then you will always remain an eternal beginner. -Sri Chimnoy
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Another really cool day here -- low 60's. Sweatshirt day again. Sandy, I do not envy you and hope this is resolved asap. I can't imagine. A time or two we have smelled a bit of skunk, but I think they were mainly passing through and it was far enough out in the yard that it did not have a lasting quality to it. We have two acres here. So -- now that I know -- I will hope that they ( any skunks ) really do stay on the peripheries of our property.
I'm grateful for today. Hope it is a good one for everyone. Thinking of you for sure Sandy. Saying hi to everyone else.
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No smell this a.m., thank goodness. Animal removal service called and said that it was almost certainly an "outside spray," most likely the skunk getting spooked by a coyote (there's a colony by the firehouse a few blocks away), and some of the squirt hit the foundation. If it happens again, it would be at night since skunks are nocturnal; the service would come out and look for holes or burrows and set humane traps.
Definitiley sweatshirt weather. If we dine out tonight, layer a down vest over it--Bob likes dining outdoors. Warm enough in the house that I can still hang out in my short-sleeve scrubs. Once restaurants can start having 40% rather than 25% of capacity, I'd (ironically) feel less safe dining indoors.
Recorded last night and e-mailed the tracks to the music director. Not in my best voice, but it IS a comedy number, and my acting was more important than pitch (he has Auto-Tune anyway). Waiting to hear if he wants me to do another pair of recordings an octave down, since there'll be only one other alto (who doesn't have a solo). I suspect he'll want that for the second track, which is ensemble-only. Hoping the basement-rehabbing crew next door can finish in time for me to re-record: the banging and machines are audible even in the closet. (Come to think of it, all that work next door might have dislodged a skunk den).
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Sandy, good news that the stink is gone and hoping it does not return!
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Yup! Hoping that the critter moves on to wherever un-populated place it feels secure. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
I did have a "plumbing adventure" today, though--pricy but not serious. We have a combo showerhead--handheld and stationary. I prefer the handheld because I don't always shampoo when I shower--having long hair can make styling to prevent the frizzies a PITA. But Bob, being a six-footer-plus, likes the stationary one because he shampoos oftener. The diverters (both those between the heads and the tub faucet) started leaking and dripping, including along where they're attached to the lines. I got dinged for the visit, the new parts, the trip to buy the new parts, and labor. I could have tried an unlicensed plumber or even a handyman for half the price, but I've used these guys for 20 years (I've watched their kids grow up and join the family business), they arrive quickly, and they guarantee their work. Another licensed service would have been as or more expensive.
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Good morning, ladies. 61 degrees this morning. I had a nice walk. Now we have some guys rescreening the pool cage. Yesterday we did a short adventure to Hernando Beach. Had lunch by the water and drove around looking at beautiful and not so beautiful homes. It was a most pleasant day.
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Many people believe that humility is the opposite of pride,
when, in fact, it is a point of equilibrium. The opposite of
pride is actually a lack of self-esteem. A humble person
is totally different from a person who cannot recognize
and appreciate himself as part of this worlds marvels.
Rabino Nilton Bonder0 -
My CT scan after my bowel surgery showed a spot they couldn't ID, ruled out an abscess, radiologist thought an ovarian cyst. When I contacted my surgeon and said when a cancer patient has a 17# unexplained weight loss since Jan and now has a spot they are questioning, how do I know it isn't ovarian cancer instead of an ovarian cyst. His response was to ask my GYN. So I saw a GYN, had a pelvic ultrasound which showed a complex ovarian cyst and the radiologist recommended an MRI with IV contrast if indicated. My GYN ordered a C125 blood test, which elevates in ovarian cancer. I got my results back Monday, normal number, a regular ovarian cyst which we'll follow with ultrasounds to make sure it isn't growing. A relief.
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((((Puffin)))) I can attest -- watching something is a lot better than getting a dx. you may not like. To use an almost worn out phrase, "been there and done that", both ways this past yr.
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Puffin, a telltale symptom of ovarian CA is abdominal bloating, not necessarily accompanied by weight loss. Glad it was just a cyst. (Even young'uns can get those--I had a burst infected one and a hot appendix at the same time when I was 13).
Our next-door neighbors are tearing their basement apart. They took on a lot of water during June thunderstorms and suffered mold. The jackhammers are going nonstop all day through Sat. and their trucks blocking our alley (and sometimes our garage door). I'm almost certain that's what disturbed a skunk den Mon., so when the coyote trotted by, Pepe LePew had nowhere to retreat so he let loose against our low retaining wall. My cats are on watch for mice seeking refuge indoors.
Bar Show choreography Zoom rehearsal tonight--might work, might be a dumpster fire, we shall see. Glad I got the recordings done & submitted before the jackhammers got going.
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That was an entertaining dumpster fire last night, wasn't it? I watched until 8:45, and realized that it couldn't get any worse, so I went to bed.
I have been watching youtube videos on spinning all day. Hopefully, I can teach myself all winter, so by the time hot weather rolls around next spring and I get Tippy sheared, I will be able to spin, at the very least, a black scarf for myself.
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Puffin - We all need to hear some good news, and your news was it!
We had some rain overnight that lasted until mid day. But the sun broke through and we were able to get out for a walk.
Oh these school days wipe me out! A nice break today was a quiet (no zoom class w 100+ kids in it) 20 minute read time. She set her timer to read and I cracked open a book. Heaven in the silence.
May you all get that little slice of quiet time and have a good Thursday.
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I am 66 and diagnosed with lobular breast cancer, ER PR+ Stage III. I had a lumpectomy in August with sentinel nodes biopsy. Unfortunately the nodes were positive and the margins were not clear so in September had a node dissection and re excision. A riral of 10 nodes our of 25 were positive. I start chemotherapy next week. I'm hoping my age and going through this doesn't lead to disability as I already have arthritis in my knees and shoulders. Chemo and neulasta afterwards can cause joint pain.
Has anyone noticed they had more difficulty walking or severe pain from chemo?
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Good morning, ladies. A cool 57 degrees.
Puffin, That's wonderful.
Gleason1, welcome
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Gleason, here is a good thread for your concerns; https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics/763459?page=74#idx_2198
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