Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Weather started out nice yesterday, then temperature dropped about 20 degrees and it started to rain. rain in the forecast for today.
Have a great Monday.
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The life of the individual has meaning only insofar as it aids in making the life of every living thing nobler and more beautiful. Life is sacred, that is to say, it is the supreme value, to which all other values are subordinate. -Albert Einstein
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Hmmm, going to have a rainy day today it seems. Today will be the day we install our Spectrum tv. I was going to drop it. I think so much business has been lost from the streaming services that they gave me a super price for 125 channels for 8 months. Just $14.00 more than what I already will be paying for my Spectrum phone and Internet. As was, I was only able to afford ( or so I felt ) their 10 channels program --- so the $14.00 is getting me a whole lot more.
I'll have to keep track of the 8 mos. because I won't pay anymore for Spectrum. If I don't get at least the same deal at that time it will be time to leave it behind.
Rain most of the night and likely off and on today. Maybe tomorrow as well, but I'm hoping not. I do know we are going to go down to the 60's for a few days. Well, that happens ( the in-consistent temps. ) this time of yr. Glad Dh got most of last yrs. leaves mulched so we don't have too much bare lawn. We need to be ready for a couple of dry days and put a little grass seed down in the sparse parts of the lawn. Always something. When our sil gets back Dh will show him how to use both our lawn tractors and he will have help with our lawn. I think it will be a bit more consistent. At least I sure hope so.
Nothin special planned for this week. Just will be trying to get more of our living room straightened out so I can start on a couple of other areas as well as time to start some of the deeper cleaning that can't be done right now when I would usually get it well on its way. Like cleaning kitchen cabinets and washing them with wood oil soap and then polishing. It is always something here. Now that we are changing things a bit I feel like at the right time I can do lots of things that were very difficult before -- like emptying cabinets and pantries completely.
Hope you all have a really nice Monday and not too much rain.
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Good morning. The Bird of Paradise is in bloom.
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Petite, Beautiful flower.
Illinois Lady, I had a client who had kept kosher growing up. They take everything out of the cabinets, wash cabinets and dishes, then put it back. Sounds like what you're planning. I think about doing that but that's as far as I get.
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petite1: Love the flower. I used to order bouquets from Hawaii for my mother on her birthday that had this flower in them. She loved them.
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Petite--I hope they can find something to help your husband ASAP. That bird of paradise is gorgeous. I wonder if it is in the same family as a banana tree.
Illinois Lady--I've been trying to do some spring cleaning around here but it's going pretty slow. I used to be such a great housekeeper but lately I don't seem to mind a few dust bunnies.
Hope everyone will have a good week. I'm having an ultrasound of my cancerous breast tomorrow, I assume a check of how I'm responding to chemo. Naturally I have "scanxiety" today and my stomach is hurting. What on earth has happened to my life.
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LW, We have a saying, "in your pocket" meaning that our good wishes and hugs are with you during any procedure. We all know about scanxiety. In your pocket for tomorrow.
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Hi there, Wren44. Thanks very much, but I got a reprieve. My MO wants to wait on the scan till I finish Taxol so my appointment for tomorrow has changed. I appreciate the support!!
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LW - Whew !!! A reprieve is nice maybe and it does sound like waiting would offer perhaps a fuller understanding of where things stand. I think this is an entirely anxiety disease. No matter what goes on you'll have a case of nerves going on a certain amt. of the time. I just finished my third round of cancer but the last two tumors were I'm told too far away from the original to be primaries. What do they say " a rose by any other name", because it was still cancer. I'm back to NED again but since the last tumors were in the bladder I will need a lot of testing this first yr. Then a bit less the second and than once a yr. the third.
I feel anxious at times but not as much as I did my very first dx. which was breast cancer and a part of my signature line.
Our little Lucky kitty got out today. Whew !!! Two cans of cat food later he is back inside. He was running with one of our indoor/outdoor cats and going up trees. Not as high as Buddy thank goodness because since Lucky is disabled I'm not sure he could get down. He seemed to know and didn't go up too far. I did a lot of holding my breath when I spotted what they were doing. All's well that ends well.
Haircut day and such a long day we are breaking with tradition and doing pizza. Twice in one month -- a new record for us.
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Illinois I love the ordinary days when I can get things done and go at my own pace. Our indoor kitties are scared of the outside thank goodness. We got them as (rescue) tiny babies. I hope they stay scared as we are suburban/urban here. Not good for outdoor cats.
LW glad you got a reprieve from the scan for now. All this stuff is anxiety producing. We get it.
Petite the flower is lovely. And hope your husband starts to have better days or they get a better grip on how to help him.
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LW422, Yes, they are related. Glad you got a reprieve.
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I'm putting my persuasive and organizational skills to the ultimate test this week. Visited my 94 year old father over the weekend and have convinced him both to sell his 25 year old Honda Accord and to leave his apartment in a 62+ independent living facility near Minneapolis and move to Moorhead (the difference between a 5 hour and a 6" drive). For a year he's been telling me he wished he lived in a building that provided meals, so that was one of my bigger selling points, besides being closer to me. This place built a new addition this winter and still had 3 open one bedroom apartments available so he's moving into a brand new apartment. Yesterday I signed the intent to move in paperwork. The building also has the progression to assisted living, nursing home and memory care so if his needs change he won't have to move again.
I've hired the moving company to load up his stuff May 17th and unload the next day. Now I'm trying to find homes for the items that won't be moving, not easy since places that used to come directly to your apartment to collect donations are now requiring you to bring the items to them because of Covid. I finally found a chapter of the Salvation Army that will come pick up most of his items. They won't take his couch because it's a hide-a-bed and has a mattress which legally no one can take. Still looking for a home for Mom's Singer sewing machine that folds into a standing wooden cabinet, and a stereo that's in a wooden cabinet.
Trying to take it one day at a time but sometimes it feels like my head is going to explode.
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When your life is filled with the desire to see holiness in everyday life, something magical happens: ordinary life becomes extraordinary and the very process of life begins to nourish your soul.
Harold Kushner
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How wonderful for your Dad Puffin. You have done all this for yourself fairly recently so he has an excellent helper in you. Even though it is a lot of work ( who wouldn't do the same for their parent(s) the reward comes when Dad is safely in his new home close to you. I'm already able to see visions of comfort for both of you. What a comfort as well that this can be his last major move since proper facilities, if needed, are at hand. Don't know why but it seems to me you moved in May as well when you sold your home. Well, I'd like to think that is my memory.
Rained through the night with at times lots of lightning and of course this part of the yr. is when we can expect tornados. We don't get much out here at the lake as most things miss us, but I did worry about my daughter driving the 17 miles to work. We did get straight line winds out here a few yrs. back along with a lot of areas in town. It was over with quickly, but very scary while it was going on. About the same time I started to feel in control of my panicked feeling it was over. That time we lived out here w/o power for a week. Cold baths and cold food till it spoiled. By then a couple of restaurants were open a bit and we could get some hot food and get a reprieve from peanut butter and crackers. Fast food then never tasted so good.
Gray today so far and likely more showers possible. We will stay in the 60's for a few days. So, we are not yet into consistent temps, but it is early for that.
Hoping you are all well and have a good day.
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Sounds like a great plan for you and your Dad, Puffin. You might try some of the local thrift stores rather than the mega-ones. Our Foodbank thrift stores pick up and our drivers will go into your home. I have a friend here who had to hire someone to carry stuff to her curb to be picked up by another thrift shop. We also can't take beds and things that are heavily used by pets. Too much dander.
The same friend also had a really rewarding experience with getting rid of some of her furniture. Her Realtor knew a single older woman who was seeking housing to share with her adult disabled daughter. Found a place here in Phoenix that is specifically rented to single parents who need help. Area is secure and all the houses face into a common area and there is some level of staff available as well as some planned activities. My friend gave the woman everything she could use and she rented a u haul to take it to her new home. I hadn't heard of such a planned community but certainly was pleased to know of it.
My talented BIL has written a historical musical and I have been working with him on the dialogue. It's been an interesting project. He is a great song writer but the script got really redundant! I cut it by at least 15 minutes. I can't imagine how long the 19 songs will take to sing.
Turning out to be a busy week. Opthomologist yesterday, dental hygienist tomorrow and a return to in person bridge. I'm also back to seeing my acupuncturist. Hands were getting really bad again.
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Been absent from this thread for over a week--I get through the drinks & dinner threads, then get distracted by the cats (especially Happy, who's extremely clingy--sitting on my forearms as I try to type this) and answering stupid questions on Quora.com. Not to mention all the medical stuff--nothing dire, just a giant time-suck.
Welcome, Nonni, LW (prayers & hugs to you both)--as well as Nsbrown. You're in Winchester, VA? So beautiful there, by the Blue Ridge & Shenandoah NP. (One of my favorite folksinger/dulcimerists, Maddie McNeil, is from there--and we saw her perform at the park's Skyline Lodge, where she was artist-in-residence at the time). Anyway, our particular "sorority" doesn't require "pledging"--initiation is automatic, upon diagnosis. No silly outfits, no rules, no errands, no "big" sisters, and no memorizing the Greek alphabet & having to recite it backwards at a moment's notice. (Yeah, we had to do all that back in the day).
Beav, prayers to your son, his family & you--is a stem-cell transplant a realistic option? Best wishes for the road ahead. And MD Anderson is as good as it gets.
Judy, how are you feeling? Have you begun the dental repairs, and will you be able to have your KW getaway? That Apple Watch beats the pants off those emergency-pager pendants. I was considering upgrading to the Series 6 for that reason--I have the Series 4, since 2018, which also has the fall detection and automatic emergency calling, plus the ECG app & sensor. On the fence, though, because I already own a pulse oximeter; and I don't consider it a PITA to have to raise my wrist for the display to appear. What I will spring for, however, is if the next models come with BP and glucose sensors.
Meanwhile, Bob & I took the bait and traded in our iPhones (8 for him, 8Plus for me) for, respectively, the 12 SE and 12 Pro Max. (He wanted one the same size as his 8 so it'll fit in his shirt pocket; I decided to pop for the top-of-the-line, albeit the least storage--128GB, which is twice what my 8 Plus had--because I will be doing both more audio & video recording going forward). His screen had cracked to the point where he was on the verge of slicing his fingertips. We each got nice rebates for our old ones--half again as much for mine as for his because mine was in decent shape since only the screen protector had cracked. And I'm proud of him--he was able to pair his new one to his car via Bluetooth without having to come home & watch a video. I realize just now that I haven't checked to see if my new one's automatically paired to my Subaru. Oops. But nobody's called me yet while I've been driving, so no big deal. I'll try tomorrow while waiting outside the vet during Heidi's "mani-pedi" (Happy's is on Thurs.).
It's official--here in IL and Chicago, masks are no longer required outdoors unless social distancing is not possible. I tried walking maskless to a wine dinner last week, though, and got so many dirty looks that I put mine back on, despite the sidewalk being very wide and uncrowded. Better not to worry other people. But there's still an indoor mask mandate until at least July 4 (when the city will be lifting all capacity restrictions). Our temple has yet to transition back from online to in-person, even though weekly services had been so sparsely-attended even pre-pandemic that the currently-allowed 25% capacity is more than sufficient to accommodate the congregation (except for Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, when the pews are filled with out-of-town extended families). And the archdiocese is still not allowing in-person Mass except at Holy Name Cathedral, which is broadcast live on TV (not just online).
Had my weigh-in today and it wasn't as painful as I'd feared (the fear was reflected in my uncharacteristically elevated BP). I've gained only 9 lbs. since Nov., and I'm going to slam the brakes on further gain. My NP did say it was my choice to try and maintain, but I'd like to get down below 150 again to have a bit of a "cushion" for minor fluctuations. She did order me back to the gym...in-person if I can wear a mask. I'd love to re-start personal training, but L.A. Fitness requires a 3x/wk x 2-yr commitment, to which Bob said "no way." It works, but is quite expensive and ran up a huge credit card bill back in the day. (Had to quit when I broke my arm & wrist--then when I wanted to re-start, my trainer had moved out-of-state to become an occupational therapist; the day I was to meet with the manager was the day everything shut down for the pandemic). I still pay a reduced rate to use the facilities--including pools at branches that havr them. What I will do is find my training log book, see what apparatus I'd been using and what settings had been "square one." Silver Sneakers is not happening for me, though--it's in the morning and I am not a morning person. Online is a possibility too. Meanwhile, I have some home stuff: stationary bike & treadmill for cardio, hand weights (2-10 lbs) and resistance cords.
I also applied for counseling--for stress relief and cancerphobia/scanxiety. Today makes three weeks since my blood draw for three genetic panels: an updated expanded BRCA/PALB2, melanoma-specific, and Lynch Syndrome (especially a rare subset called Muir-Torre, because I get sebaceous hyperplasias). My future medical management may depend on the results of any of the above. Bob thinks that at 70, though, prophylactic surgeries and annual colonoscopy would be overkill.
I am thinking of one type of elective surgery, however: podiatric, to remove a large and exquisitely painful callus at the tip of one toe--it actually has lengthened the toe. It makes wearing socks torture--on Sat., after we bought our iPhones, my toe was throbbing so badly as we sat at (a near-empty) Buffalo Wild Wings watching the Derby that I had to dash to the restroom to remove my socks and stuff them into my shopping bag. Both of my podiatrists have retired, though. I'd even entertained the idea of consulting with the two famous Seattle podiatrists Drs. Huppin & Hale--but WA is back on Chicago's "$#*+ list" due to higher positivity rates. Bummer--was going to combine it with a visit to my godson, whose wife is >6 mos. along, as well as all the cool places I remember from when we lived there in the '70s. Yeah, I know that as a fully-vaccinated person I am exempt from having to test or quarantine upon my return home, but why take chances? The PNW seems to be experiencing a worrisome spike again.
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Good morning, ladies. It rained this morning and now very muggy. I am heading to get my skin "spot check". I dread it.
Puffin, That sounds great for your Dad and you.
ChiSandy, Good to hear from you.
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Puffin, sounds like a very wise move for your dad and you.
Sandy, you are always missed when you're absent.
Our power went off last night and the generator came on. It's noisy, located at the end of the house near our bedroom and bath, but kept the ceiling fan and reading lights and a/c operating. I used ear plugs and didn't know when the power came back on. We had electrical storms all night and lots of rain. The scene outside looks like a greenhouse with, probably, 100 percent humidity.
I find it amazing that people are buying tickets to go into space. What an ever-changing world, says this elderly woman.
Keywestfan, how are you doing with your recovery from the fall?
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Carole, when I heard our area and regional forecast, I thought of you since the storms were coming your way. We had 6 inches of rain last weekend but avoided the hail this time around (others in the area had hail). We are still working on getting the roof replaced after the last hail storm. Glad you folks are OK.
Update on our son is that his bone marrow changes are only 10% leukemia and they are struggling to identify the rest so no treatment plan yet.
Puffin, you have been one busy lady. Your father's move sounds like a good plan for both of you.has
Keywestfan, hope your healing from your fall is going well. My repair work from my fall took about 3 months and would have gone on much longer had I opted for a tooth implant instead of a permanent bridge.
Sandy annual co!onscopy?!?!?! I thought being on the three year plan was bad enough; fortunately back on the five year plan now.
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Stop! Breathe deeply.
Begin bringing peace to the outer world
by regaining your own inner peace.
Choose love, choose gratitude,
choose forgiveness, choose peace.
Begin with your own inner peace.
Then use that inner peace
as a platform from which
to approach the outer world
with perspective, understanding, and patience.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie
If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another.- Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama
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Partly cloudy here today, but sun is very welcome when it peeks out. No rain in the forecast thank goodness, but it will be back sooner than I want it for sure. My PCP is happy if I do a test done at home and sent to the VA lab. If anything shows there, then we would go further. Had to put off my last colonoscopy due to my broken arm and just haven't been able to go forward with another. My numbers are always great as have been my two PET scans -- so it is thought unless something in the home test turns up I'm otherwise at the age where normally I'd be left off the hook for ten yrs. at least. I'm good with that. I really wasn't looking forward to the prep end of the test anyway.
A lot of running around today, but do hope to get a little work done. It is going slow, but it is pretty much going. Deciding what to do with your 'life' collection can be tedious. Just moving it from one place to the other though actually helps me to really 'think' about how long these things have been planted around here ( wherever that has been ) and not used --- and so much of it could be easily used by someone else. I have two of a lot of things ( toasters, sm. pressure cookers, dish sets, silverware etc. ) I have always had a replacement waiting should something go un-expectedly. Now I'm convinced of the foolishness because it is not like you have to mail-order replacements -- the stores here are plentiful enough. Far past time to close up my warehouse.
I hope you are all going to have a really fine day.
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We're undecided about putting our house on the market again. We took it off when the builder said no. We've been here since 1984 and have accumulated a ton of stuff. DH is worried about the storage in the attic. It's about 10 rubbermaid bins and mostly bedding. I think we can just toss it. We have a king size bed, which is pretty scarce in Seattle, so unsure if anyone would want the comforters, etc. I have a bin of too large clothes which can also go.
I'm experiencing a lot of anxiety. DH has dementia, cat has diabetes, and the house is for sale. What do I have to be anxious about?
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Thank you for the welcome ChiSandy. I’m originally from the mid-west; grew up in Indianapolis and lived in Oak Park one summer. I moved to Northern Virginia after college and retired to Winchester 3 years ago. It’s beautiful here in the Shenandoah Valley.
Had my left hip injected this morning, so I’m taking it easy today. I had a hip problem that pre-dated BC diagnosis. My right hip has already been replaced. Hopefully the injection will my alleviate pain.
I hope everyone has a healthy and peaceful day
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So nice to see you back, Sandy. I saw the NP about my sleep problems, and she thinks that sciatic pain is waking me up at night enough to get me tossing and turning, but not enough to really wake me up. So I will be taking 600 mg gabapentin at bedtime. Was writing this post when my ride to quilting showed up. I got a book about the Jesuit Relations and a sewing machine attachment for quilting in the mail. About all. Just wanted to complete the post.
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Illinois Lady: I moved into my apartment during a winter storm in January, Dad's should be a much better move.
Didn't get to sleep until 1 am last night, way too much running through my head. It helped this morning to gather all the various slips of paper with notes and phone number on them and get them organized into a folder on my phone. Also started a huge master to-do list with sections of Personal, Dads Move, and what gets packed into my car for the trip back. Remember, this is also bird migration season so I'm trying to work a little birding into this chaos as well.
Picked up the key to Dad's apartment and dropped off the form they wanted with his emergency contact info. Picked up some packing supplies, a nice box with divisions to hold coffee mugs and drinking glasses. The clothing wardrobe was too large for my car so we'll probably stack a pile of his clothes in my back seat.
The best news of the day though was when the guy at the moving company said we could put the 3 items (the couch, stereo and sewing machine) into the truck and after they had unloaded Dad's belongings to his apartment they'd just drive to the city dump and get rid of them for me! Problem solved. Doesn't seem right to just throw away a sewing machine, but it's over 20 years old and doesn't have the fancy settings most seamstresses want now. And there really isn't a demand for stereos in cabinets.
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Sandy, Medical appointments are indeed a “giant time suck.” I saw the dentist yesterday, my PCP today. All cleared to go to Key West Sunday- May 18. Will do Mothers Day Saturday. On May 19, right after we come back, see the periodontist, on May 21, Jada, BS’s NP, on May 25, both the dentist and endodontist. And so it goes...
I’m interested when you say you “applied for counseling.” Not quite sure what this means. I had a psychotherapy practice for years, both downtown and in Evanston,as well as working in the Northwestern Student Counseling. When BC struck, and that’s what it felt like, I was an anxious wreck. I went to a psychiatrist and she was so helpful for me. I go now- Zoom- 2x month- and still find it enlightening and comforting. And helpful to me after the fall and concussion and her telling me - though I should have known- what a shock it is to the nervous system and that fatigue follows a concussion for a few weeks. My divine PCP was impressed with how well I’ve recovered.
I would wait for that next version of the Apple Watch with the BP and glucose as long as you have the fall detection.I wear the watch on one arm, my Fitbit on the other. Watch for today counts14,331 steps, Fitbit 10,041 which is quite a difference, but I think itbit doesn’t factor in my 45 morning treadmill.
My iPhone10 screen is a mass( hate that word) of cracks, but doesn’t affect the performance so I’ll stick with it for awhile.
Everyone, I’ll bet has gained at least 9 pounds.
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The a/c compressor decided to quit or take a break yesterday afternoon. Lucky for us, we're having what will probably be the last cool air of the spring and were able to sleep last night without a/c. It's 61 degrees this morning. Our a/c man is coming at 7:30 am. He has been such a treasure through the years. I'm guessing we will need a new compressor.
Keywestfan, you have a strong spirit. Glad you're getting your much-wanted trip to Key West.
Puffin, you are wonderfully organized.
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Good morning, everyone. Even though the phone says it is 68 degrees, it is already muggy. I think it is going to be a hot steamy day. The radar shows rain coming in off the Gulf. The dermatologist had to freeze 3 spots on my left arm. I worry about that, as that is the surgical side with lymph node removal. It was swollen last night and I put ice on it. It is better this morning.
keywestfan, I am glad you are healing from your fall.
Puffin, I know what you mean about the sewing machine and stereo. When my mom died, we had estate sale people handle everything. I assume someone bought the sewing machine and stereo, but I wasn't there, so I don't know. The younger generations don't seem to be into old stuff.
Nsbrown54, I as originally from Virginia. I lived in Troutville and then Roanoke. My dad was transferred to Florida in 1958 and I have been here ever since.
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As I look back at the entire tapestry of my life, I can see from the perspective of the present moment that every aspect of my life was necessary and perfect. Each step eventually led to a higher place, even though these steps often felt like obstacles or painful experiences. -Wayne Dyer
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