Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Oh boy, the relief! Walgreens finally came to the Mather today, gave the first shot to 300 Independent Living residents and 200 employees. Governor Pritzker has been very “ troubled” by the delay and says Walgreens and CVS should have gotten on the ball one month ago. It was, though, well- organized. We got Pfizer and February 17 will be second shot. Exactly two weeks after that is March 3 which is our 19th anniversary, so off we will go to indoor dining at Avli, a Greek restaurant. Will be careful and scared. All is fine with the first shot,but I don’t really know how effective the vaccine will be for me, because, without a spleen, I’m immunocompromised and people with asplenia were not included in the trials, so little is known.
Had a major flu like reaction,chills, fever to the first Shingrix shot and so was afraid of the second, but just a slightly sore arm.
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I'm with Wren. I make our cloth masks and have always had three layers, using a pattern developed at a nearby medical school and approved by their surgeons for use in surgery. Also make them with ties instead of ear loops-- not enough room behind ears with hearing aids and glasses!! If course, started with this pattern before the variety of head bands for the ear loops were available! We like having the cloth masks to wash and reuse instead of adding disposable masks to the trash pile.
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To answer a question Wren posed a while back. I do hate hearing someone called elderly when something, as though the "old" are no longer capable now, and that was the reason for the accident. I know your reference was somewhat different -- but I'm a mite resentful when it sounds as though AGE was the whole factor as to why something happened at all.
Most of us 'old' or even 'ancient' people know we have limitations because we don't move as fast, or maybe think as fast -- but we are also good at factoring that into what we are doing. We don't want to be involved or get hurt or worse anymore than anyone. So it would be nice to find another less in your face phrase.
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Illinois thank you for the cleaning tip. If it works i have ideas of things to take care of also!
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Betrayal - thanks for the information on the mask extenders. I always worry about loosing my hearing aids with the masks. We started wearing disposable under clothes masks first time today when DH had appointment with Retinologist. Work gave us KN95 masks as part of our PPE - along with Lysol Spray and Lysol wipes. they gave us a Plastic tri-fold for testing, but it is cumbersome, so I bought a Plexiglass divider that has an opening on the bottom and sits on 2 thingies - I slide test materials through the opening on the bottom. I've only tested 2 kiddos so far this school year. Next week I'm back in the schools in person on Tuesdays and then the week of the 15th I add Wednesdays. A little nervous, but I have my own space and only see kids one to one. All adult meetings are zoom or google meets.
We are set for our second shot on Friday. DH called the facility today and they suggested picking up the permission form tomorrow to save time and save congestion in the lobby. Thankfully the place is only 5 minutes away. DH said he would go get them tomorrow. I will feel much better 2 weeks after the shot but know that we are not out of the woods.
My DD#1 told me tonight that her FIL tested positive for Covid. She was with her in-laws over Shabbat (as was my SIL and his 93+ year old grandmother). She doesn't know when symptoms started but neither her in-laws or the provincial health department has told her to quarantine. She can't get a break. mY SIL has been in the hospital since Sunday morning (not Covid) - she says the care is awful as they are overloaded with Covid patients. It took about 36 hours after he was admitted till he go a bed - waited in a little curtain off area in the ER. The hospitals by her are often overloaded and takes time to get a bed. Not sure how long he'll be in the hospital. His 39th birthday is Tuesday and it breaks my heart that he will not be able to enjoy his birthday. Hoping he'll at least be home by then. My daughter has to make an appointment to visit him and only twice/week. I so wish I could be with her - but with quarantine and closed borders it is not possible. Needless to say I'm stressed and I'm worried.
Fell twice walking this afternoon - first fall was on the driveway and the second on the sidewalk about 3/4 through our walk. I didn't walk after dinner - worried about falling again. We got just enough snow yesterday to make a mess of things, but main roads were good. Its supposed to warm up tomorrow so hoping the rest of the snow melts.
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I really don't like wearing masks that go around my head, so those "mask helpers" would be really uncomfortable. I do okay with ear loops as long as they're not so loose that the mask gaps or so tight that they fall off my ears. The masks that go around the back of the head are a royal pain for dining out, because we have to put the masks back on when not eating or drinking & when servers or other staff approach. If there's a head-strap, every time I put it on & take it off my hair not only gets messed up but sometimes caught & broken. Much easier for me to eat & drink with the mask dangling from one ear and put it back on when I have to (I don't like those lanyards either--they feel awkward dangling from the mask when I'm not dangling the mask from them).
Judy, whew that you finally got vaccinated! Wondering why some Walgreens are administering Pfizer and others Moderna? Bob told me tonight that the U of C's hospital system is holding a vaccination lottery for its 1B-eligible patients. Even more outrageous considering that 3 weeks ago its ER Chief Resident was pleading with hospitals & the CDPH to stop hoarding vaccine supplies in hopes of convincing recalcitrant employees to take the vaccines, but instead start offering it to vulnerable people in hard-hit neighborhoods before it spoiled.
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Sandy - I'm not sure. how I'll like the band, but with hearing aids, the mask is very difficult. I don't eat out so that is not an issue to deal with. Starting back in person in the schools, I"m sure my mask will be on most all of the day. If the band for the mask is not comfortable, then I'm only out $10 and they say 100% guarantee. Worth the gamble.
Have a great day everyone. Stay safe and stay warm.
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Good morning, ladies. We had heavy rain last night and cool this morning. The high will be 61 and 34 the low. I have my PCP appointment today. I need labs for thyroid and a referral for my mamo due Feb. 22. I prefer the mask I made over the store bought ones. It is the most comfortable and I made a pocket to put in a filter made from a coffee filter.
IllinoisLady. I do enjoy your thoughts for the day. Thank you for the Tide tip.
Sandy, I didn't have any problems with the Shingles vaccines or any vaccines that I have had. Hopefully, it stays that way.
Karen, I am sorry to hear of your falls and medical issues with your family,
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All that we are is the result of what we have thought; it is founded upon our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If one speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows that person, as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage. If one speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows that person, like a shadow that never leaves. -Gautama Buddha
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Well, we have a couple of inches on snow on the ground and pretty cold temps. I have to go out later and hoping the roads will be okay. Likely should be in town. I just have to get to the highway. Going to go feed a friend's outdoor cats. She can't get out. She has a ramp and uses a walker. I also will stop and feed the feral cats as well. Always something to do around here.
As to the soap thing -- the writer of the tip suggested those mops that wring out for you by using a foot pedal on the bucket. I went out and got one as I'm so hoping this ends up working out. Only said it a couple of times but our little lane is mainly a dirt lane though they covered it with a material that looks like asphalt but isn't. Made me quite irritated as they did not grade beforehand leaving some potholes. Anyway --- dirt from surrounding gets on the road. Same thing in our driveway. All to say it is not the easiest ever to control the dirt around here -- especially with dogs who go in and out. I really do need something that works better if it is possible.
Do watch out Karen. It is scary outside when I know there could be slippery places and I'm already nervous about going out today. Not much bounce to the ounce anymore. Hopefully, slow and steady and as much avoidance as possible when the weather is tricky.
The sun is out and I'm so glad of that. it really does look like winter here for the first time this yr. Long after we usually have it. It likely won't hang on though since their is rain in the forecast for towards the week-end. If it keeps changing that fast we should get through without much more snow for the yr.
Hope you all have a wonderful day.
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My homemade masks have a pocket for a filter but I haven't used any filters. I went to a nearby small supermarket yesterday and was glad to get out of the house. I also went for a walk but the wind was popping. A good thing, I guess, since I was glad to get back home and go inside. I do have a case of cabin fever. If the news wasn't full of talk about the more infectious "variants," I would go and walk around some stores just for entertainment.
My golf friend Mary who came down with Covid after her first Phizer shot is doing well. Her PCP was on the ball prescribing meds and ordering the infusion of the BAM that Trump was given. Mary's husband so far has not gotten ill nor have any of the golfers who played golf with her the day before she started to develop symptoms.
Today a Hello Fresh box with three meal kits is due to arrive. After this box, my meal plan will have only two meals with vegetarian choices.
It's cooler today and we have the heat on. Cool and cold usually equate to lower humidity, so are welcome.
Wishing everyone a good Thursday.
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Karen, glad that the schools are resuming in-person classes. There are so many things that teachers can't pick up on with distance learning. IEP meetings with Zoom!! That would be something to tempt old burned-out school psychs to return to work. If things start getting difficult, just stop and resume in a few days while people negotiate. I just saw a thread with parents making fun of IEP's for their complex multi-handicapped kids, I made the comment that things can get testy on both sides. I used to watch body language carefully, to back off if there was some difficulty.
Karen, you need to get some hiking poles for winter walking. I have not fallen yet this winter; four-footed walking is safe walking.
I already have my masks with self-fabric ties, one continuous loop, hanging around my neck most of the time. No danger to my hearing aids, ear rings do make it complicated. I could slip a paper towel between my mask and my face, or go back to the drawing board and reconstruct my collection, but no, as little as I get out, won't bother. Every time I see a neck gaiter I get irritated.
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Talking about cleaning made me think of the ad I saw for a robot self-emptying vacuum. I couldn't get the picture out of my head of the robot cleaning everything, picking a corner and upchucking the lot. You can probably tell from my mental picture that I have cats.
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DS, who is 46 and a social worker on a US airbase in Japan, got his second shot on Wednesday. They are 14 hours ahead of us. He said he went to bed feeling fine but woke up during the night with his arm feeling like it was on fire and a fever with the associated aches. Thursday he had no appetite and Friday, for him,he is feeling almost normal.
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My NP/PCP advised me today that once I get my second shot to immediately start exercising that arm to move the vaccine through the deltoid and diffuse it into my system as soon as possible--and to clear my calendar for a couple of days and make sure I have access to icepacks for aches (including headache) and to resist taking acetaminophen until the aches & fever appear and start to get intense. The whole idea is to make sure the reaction occurs and to let it run its course for a few hours, and then get it over with.
Speaking of vaccines, I got a message in my UIC patient portal to schedule my first Pfizer (with an "f," not an "h") shot at UIC Pavillion (I think it's Credit Union Arena now) asap. They assigned me a DO as a de facto primary, and he issued the order, good through July 28. Obviously, now that I got the first Moderna shot, I can't get the Pfizer; but if there's a variant booster available by July I can take it. And presumably, next fall or winter there'll be a bivalent, trivalent or (heaven forbid) quadrivalent vax, a la the annual flu vaccines. So long as that bug is around, we'll have to stay on top of it the way we do with seasonal flu. Otherwise, the "new normal" may never be "normal" again.
Also learned today that when dining out (whether outdoor, tented or eventually indoor), you're supposed to keep the mask on till the food & drink arrives--then put it away securely till your meal is done. If regulations require being masked when interacting with a server, keep a second disposable one rolled up and worn on your wrist like a bracelet, and don it only for that purpose. Apparently, dangling the mask off one ear (as I'd been doing), using a lanyard, or (as Bob does) taking it off & putting it back on multiple times invites contamination by droplets or aerosols of its inner surface and by your own hands of its outer surface. Bob used to put his on the table (anchored beneath a vase or candle-holder) when dining (truly) alfresco over the summer & fall--but that's a no-no too. Thank goodness I have a large supply of KN95s now, and an envelope with an extra surgical mask in my purse at all times. Can't be too careful now that those super-contagious variants have reached our shores.
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Good morning, ladies. 30 degrees and climbing to 64. The sunrise is peeping through the trees. A pretty morning and hopefully a start to a pleasant day. My PCP visit went well. Nothing new to report.
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Still dark by me at 6:00 am - supposed to start warming up today - have a great Friday
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A sunny day here but cold this morning. Should warm up to about 60 degrees. I was lazy yesterday and didn't go for a walk. I will be more disciplined today and go out once it gets warmer.
Funny about the self-emptying vacuum robot. I had one that didn't empty itself and didn't use it after the novelty wore off. Our carpet is too thick and the poor little thing would work itself into a frenzy. In our bedroom it spent a lot of time under the bed. I gave it to my sister who has wooden floors. I use a light weight upright vacuum cleaner mainly in the traffic lanes. At some point this spring I need to get a carpet cleaner in to clean the living room carpet.
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People have had to make up for their spiritual impoverishment by accumulating material things. When spiritual blessings come, material blessings seem unimportant. As long as we desire material things this is all we receive, and we remain spiritually impoverished. -Peace Pilgrim
People are realizing that what seemed important to them in their lives--materialism and consumerism--doesn't work at all to make a happy heart. It actually makes an unhappy …
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People have had to make up for their spiritual impoverishment by accumulating material things. When spiritual blessings come, material blessings seem unimportant. As long as we desire material things this is all we receive, and we remain spiritually impoverished. -Peace Pilgrim
People are realizing that what seemed important to them in their lives--materialism and consumerism--doesn't work at all to make a happy heart. It actually makes an unhappy heart. And an unhappy world. -Sylvia Boorstein
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Had to delete my first entry as I wasn't sure it would open correctly. Sunny here today and will warm hopefully to about 40. The sun dissipated all the ice on our country roads out here at the lake. We will in fact I think be up in the 40's for a few days so the couple of inches of snow will be no more. That is okay with me.
Several people here do not have any carpets -- at least the wall to wall kind I don't have anything but sm. rugs for in front of doorways. Others with lg. enough rooms have larger for in front of furniture or to help delineate sections of rooms. It is just ( too many areas where grass is thin or where dirt roads are near ) fairly dirty here and easier to keep up with wood ( laminate is often used ) floors. Better for the allergy sufferers as well. We don't find the house any cooler or warmer ( seasons ) so it all works out.
Sandy, as always good info on the shots and behaviors with masks. I stay worried but so far have kept up with the houses ( only two ) that I go to weekly. I always wear a mask inside and have my fingers crossed. I worry mainly about my BIL's. Not sure since they either work or attend meetings as I think they are around a lot more people at times. One goes to one of the houses I do and interacts a lot with the other so I remain concerned.
I hope you are all going to have sun today and a good warm-up. I'm thinking about you.
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Just thought I'd run back in tonight and tell you that to my surprise I got a call while I was gone from the V.A. ( Marion ) wanting to know if I wanted a covid shot. Well, when I got home I called back and set up an appt. to have the first shot ( Moderna ) this coming Wednesday. The first of February we will drive back and get the second ones.
I was thinking of calling our local hospital ( have no idea how long the wait would be or which med ) to get on a list for the vaccine, but knowing I'd likely get it sooner from the V.A. chose to go ahead and set it up there. We do occasionally need to go there for some things anyway so we are used to it. I'm also having my last chemo on Tues. the day before shot day.
I know there is still the same routines in my future ( masks, hand washing, distance etc. ) but I think at least I won't be "nervous" all the time about getting around someone who may be a carrier etc. I do owe it to others to remain vigilant and practice good hygiene for them. Hoping by the time late Fall is here this yr. we may be able to be more relaxed -- but just have to see. Sounds like it could be a mite sooner -- but whatever.
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How I got in my own way and really screwed up..My neighbor, a nurse for thirty years before she retired, told me in passing to take Tylenol before our first vaccine shot on Wednesday. I, who research everything, just took her word, didn't investigate, or even go to Dr. Google and swallowed one extra strength Tylenol. I had a slightly sore arm, no other reaction and fear I diluted a protective immune response, any antibodies. So, with that stupidity, and the asplenia, am worried that I will have an absent response to the vaccine
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It was 2 degrees when I got up 7:15 this morning. High I think hit 18, which is better than expected. Similar expected tomorrow. My boiler it seems is running more than it's off.
Shingles shot and follow up shot didn't bother me. I had the newer Shingrex (?) shot a few years ago.
I'm glad the weekend is here, I look forward to sleeping in. I have an upstairs bedroom that is the catch all room, it's on the list to get emptied out. So I plan on 1 hour of cleaning per day, can go longer but has to be 1 hour.
Enjoy the weekend, and stay safe. Beware of falls!
PS - I did a workout, 15 minute cardio, along with my grand niece for her gym class. The next day I limped downstairs! Squat kicks took their toll. I told my niece how sore I was. She said, 11 yr old wisdom, but you did more than that all the time at the gym. I had to point out that was 8 months ago! I blame covid, not laziness. Just saying.
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keywestfan,
Please do not torment yourself with the possibility you might have an absent response to your COVID vaccine. There are very few rigorous double blind studies that show premedication with analgesics & antipyretics blunt the immune response to an antigen. The best practice is to not premedicate prior to the vaccine. But, since you must have received either a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, you will receive the booster second immunization. That will boost your immune response to close to what it might have been after your first shot. You can always treat aches & fever AFTER your vaccine. Just don't premedicate before the next one.
Jane
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Judy, relax. One extra-strength Tylenol? Acetaminophen does not work with the immune system but rather the nervous system--it is an analgesic and fever-reducer, but does not counteract inflammation (which is basically what the immune response is). The first Pfizer shot usually produces, if anything, a sore arm. Some people don't get even that. (The second one--whether Pfizer or Moderna--produces a doozy of a reaction, kind of a "faux-flu"). The reason to avoid taking Tylenol prophylactically--and if possible, ride out the side effects as long as you can stand it--is to gauge what your reaction seems to be (and if rough, to report it to the CDC's VAERS page, the way I did for my Shingrix erythema reaction, to help build a database of real-world side effects for relatively new vaccines--which Shingrix was at the time). Anyway, the fact that you got an injection site reaction of any kind after the first Pfizer dose is a sign that it's working robustly the way it should.
CDC's advice is to avoid (if possible) taking anything prophylactically to ward off side effects; the reason they say "if possible" is that if you must take a painkiller of any kind for other medical conditions, take it unless your doctor tells you not to. Bob did not discontinue his daily baby aspirin before or after either shot (and that baby aspirin certainly did not prevent fever & myalgias after his second shot). And while my late primary's NP advised me to stop taking my antihistamine & montelukast two nights before the shot and resume them "Wed. or Thurs.," my current primary's nurse said that was unnecessary--she has allergies and took her regular Zyrtec before & after both of her Pfizer shots. So I followed the NP's advice and took my last Zyrtec & montelukast Sat. night. By Tues. evening (had my shot that morning), my eyes were itching, I was sneezing and I had to use my rescue inhaler almost every hour. (I normally don't even go through one every 2 or 3 months). So by 2 am I figured it was already "Wed.," so I popped a couple of extra-strength Tylenol, my Zyrtec & montelukast. Took a couple of days for my allergies to calm down--I was still wheezing a little all day Wed.
Jackie, I'm confused: isn't this Wed. Feb. 3? Four weeks after that takes you into March. You meant "the first of March" for the second, right? My HK's husband got his first Pfizer shot last Sat. at Hines V.A. He is lobbying his endocrinologist & nephrologist to give her a shot too, as she is basically his live-in caregiver (she nursed him through a mild case of COVID last March too). She gets her care through the Advocate system (Bob is her primary at his office & at Advocate Christ), which messaged her to expect a registration number when her turn comes. She's been unable to locate any pharmacy with available appointments, which tells me how lucky I've been to be able to get appointments at Walgreen's--albeit 12 miles away, in heavy snow--for both my shots.
I don't know if I read it on here or in another thread, but the reason Moderna usually produces a very stiff & sore arm within hours after even the first shot is that the dose is twice the physical amount of that of Pfizer's--so the reaction is not to the contents but to the greater volume being injected into the deltoid. The NP advised me to start exercising my arm as soon as possible after the second shot, to diffuse the vaccine more fully through the upper arm and maintain greater range of motion during the 24-48 hrs. after the shot.
I might attempt some X-C skiing around my backyard or the alley on Sun., now that I can fit into the boots and layers again. It's safer than trying to walk with poles. That'll make my weight-mgmt. NP happy (and it'd be more pleasant than dragging the 30-yr-old Nordic Track out of the attic).
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The true Light is a gentle love which, rising in you, causes you to look on the world with understanding and compassion and respect. When you respect the souls of your brother and sister, you respect their lives in every way. This gentle spirit, this respect one for another, must come. For this is the generation of the one true Light, and this true light is that of love.
White Eagle
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Jackie, I'm glad you have your vaccine shots scheduled.
Keywestfan, I either read or heard on tv yesterday that one should not take OTC painkillers prior to the shots. It hadn't occurred to me to do that anyway. I have a retired nurse friend who is skeptical about taking the vaccine. She plans to "wait and see."
It's overcast today but no big chance of rain. I have the opportunity to play golf but the gloominess of the day so far doesn't entice me to play. I'm thinking I will pass.
Most of us form our attitudes because of anecdotal experiences. Lately I have begun to feel less fear about getting Covid because of the people I know personally who have recovered from the illness with good medical care. My golf friend Mary (just turned 80) was ill for several days but is now feeling good. Another woman I know in MN, a person I would consider in more fragile health than Mary, had the same kind of medical care and is now recovered. I hear it said that the treatment of people with Covid has improved greatly and that seems to be the case.
I think it's important to consult your PCP as soon as you experience symptoms and the chances of recovery are good. Sandy, you will probably respond with some more informed information.
Happy Saturday to all.
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"I might attempt some X-C skiing around my backyard or the alley on Sun., now that I can fit into the boots and layers again. It's safer than trying to walk with poles. That'll make my weight-mgmt. NP happy (and it'd be more pleasant than dragging the 30-yr-old Nordic Track out of the attic)."
It might be safer in some respects. And would be better to improve balance. Most my walking is to walk my dog. I would dread the results of trying to cross-country ski while walking Tippy. There is a guy in the neighborhood who skateboards with his St. Bernard /German Shepherd mix.
I have been having upper back pain, so my PT tells me to cut back on the walking with poles. I need to learn to be more assertive with Tippy, it is his fault. Although washing the dishes also triggers it.
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Jackie, don't kid yourself--just because you know people who recovered from COVID doesn't mean that it's better than getting the vaccine. Some nurses, sorry to say, feel a sort of invincibility because they've been working with patients for a long time and haven't come down with it themselves. Are your "retired nurse" friends ICU nurses, and were they ICU nurses after the start of the pandemic? Talk to those actively treating COVID patients now, and you will get a very different take on the subject. The active nurses I know were all eager to be vaccinated. And as a chemo patient, you are at far greater risk of serious disease if you get COVID, which is why ASCO and the ACS believe cancer patients should take priority over others in their age group.
I saw a married couple of scientists (podcasters, actually) on Real Time last night, and their reason for wanting to wait for the Astra-Zeneca vax--which uses an adenovirus to deliver the spike protein--is that it's older technology that they feel comfortable with (that's how the HPV vaccine is made). They don't feel comfortable with the mRNA vaxes because they haven't been used before. Well, actually, the research goes back to the first SARS outbreak in 2003. Sounds old enough to me. Not just that--their attitude reminds me of people who cling to their flip phones, old computers and picture-tube TVs because they don't trust "newfangled" things. (Or like my BIL who resisted buying a new car for 10 years because they have onboard computers he'd have to pay a mechanic to fix). Well, this virus is as "newfangled" as it gets, the trial results of the mRNA vaccines have been impressive--both in terms of efficacy and safety, so it calls for innovation (and it's innovation that HAS been tested).
GET THE SHOT. ASAP!!!!
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