Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Di - sorry to hear about DH. Wishing him a speedy and full recovery.
Key - sorry to hear all about your heart issues. I have an Apple Watch 4 and sometimes it will ask if I'm okay and did I fall when I haven't fallen. When my DH had a nuclear stress test in March 2020 just before Covid shut down, he passed it but he failed the regular stress test which immediately sent him to cardiac cath to hospital admission for quint by-pass. He as in the hospital for a week and I could see daily as things shut down. I am so grateful that I could be at the hospital with him. I would never have surprised if there were no visitors that happened so after he was discharged. He can no longer come to my oncology appointments but since they are just follow ups, its not a big issue for me, but he misses going. But his cardiologist allows patients to bring someone (as long as healthy). It's a different world.
Betrayal - hope you are doing better.
80 yesterday in Denver, sat out in the afternoon reading. 78 today and then I think its cooling off to 50s and 60s more normal for this time of year.
Stay well and be healthy. Have a great Sunday
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karen1956: I think PA is getting CO weather since we are currenlty in the 40's. However, I have been in CO in July when it snowed in the late afternoon and when the temps also climbed into the 90's with no A/C as well. Enjoy the nice weather while it lasts.
Each day gets a bit better but still no appetite and when I do eat it is not always comfortable. Discharge said it make take weeks for my gut to resume normal. Could afford the weight loss so I am not overly worried. My DD and DSIL have been coming to help out since DH seems overwhelmed with any attempt at keeping house clean. Am restricted activity wise but that 's okay since I do not have much get up and go anyhow.
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The moment I have realized God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him – that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free. Swami Vivekananda
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Beauty of a day here with lots and lots of sun. I think it will warm a bit more but nothing like hot weather. I plan on going to work today. Not to worry though. I really think though I'm needed at the Dr.'s house, it is more an excuse to get some funds into my hands. Dr. has an appt himself so I will basically be there so Jo won't be alone. Seriously doubt I will do much more than just be there. Not good at accepting 'funds' I haven't earned, but I truly appreciate their concern. I do think they look upon me as family -- they have told me there is no one for them in our town. In a very, very long stretch -- I am a cousin to their sister-in-law which doesn't count but does have a little connection.
Hope you are all going to have a wonderful day with sun.
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Three gorgeous days in a row, highs in the 60s. Cooling off tomorrow with rain--through Thurs., highs in the mid-50s before the bottom drops out Thuts. night--predicting "wintry mix," flurries Fri. turning to snow showers Sat. night into Sun. Good thing our shovel is in good shape and we stocked up on ice-melt in April. (Was tempted to buy more today at Target, but thought better of it).
Betrayal, your leg issue sounds like a strain of the "gastroc head." I didn't know the gastrocnemius (calf) muscle goes up that high, but it does. You might also have "IT band syndrome," in which the iliotibial band (connective tissue which runs from the side of the pelvis, down the back of the thigh parallel to the hamstring, then emerging from behind the knee to the outer side of the knee & calf). Happened to me in 2014 when I was hiking near Vail--and was definitely "rusty" at that activity. Your P.T. probably has suggestions for gentle stretches to ease it--topical analgesics with a cooling effect (Bio-Freeze menthol, Arnica gel, Voltaren gel or generic store brand, lidocaine roll-ons, and CBD spray--Sagely brand--or roll-on--NuLeaf) all help and are more convenient than ice packs.
Judy, I have an AppleWatch 4 too, cellular-enabled. Whenever I get "extra systoles" (as Bob puts it) its ECG app starts out "inconclusive" before restarting and giving a "sinus rhythm" reading. What sets off its "fall detector" are applauding too hard, waving my arms during choreography rehearsals, and even smashing garlic with the clove under the knife blade and my left fist slamming down. The two "shoe malfunction" spills I took in 2018 occurred before I upgraded from a wi-fi-only Series 2. I was tempted to upgrade to a Series 7, but it doesn't yet have a blood pressure sensor. I carry a pulse-ox clip, so the 7's sensor doesn't uh, "make sense" to me. I have no use, of course, for its menstrual-cycle function; and its battery life is too short to be useful as a sleep sensor. I may hold out for the Series 8 next year.
Back in 2013 I had issues with feeling faint, flushed and tachycardic not during but just after exertion. So I was referred to cardio at Evanston Hospital. I had the full-monty of nuclear imaging, stress ECG and echo--I had been scheduled for the nuclear version of the stress test, but chickened out and opted to do it old-school on the treadmill...wearing UGGs, no less. The only thing they could find was a very slight aberration on the tracing suggesting left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a souvenir of my 3 months on Redux back in 1996. Both Bob & my PCP said I didn't have LVH. But when I reported back to my PCP, and reiterated it happened not during but after exertion, he had me recline and do a "Valsalva maneuver," holding my breath briefly and then releasing it. He promptly declared I was having intermittent mitral valve prolapse. He was an amazing diagnostician--but COVID killed him in June 2020. I miss him.
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So much going on with you ladies. Wishing the best to all of you. We’re still on the way to Texas. Weather has been beautiful for driving. Todays side trip was to Loretta Lynn’s ranch. Unfortunately it’s closed on Monday & Tuesday. We don’t plan ahead, we just see the billboard, check our time and go. There were 3 other cars of couples wandering around, all of us did the same thing. We got some beautiful pictures, it’s a beautiful area. After that we stopped for gas and saw there was a battlefield, and had to check it out too. Parkers Crossroads, Tennessee was the area. We didn’t get to see it all, time was short so maybe a return trip next year on our way through.
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Good morning, ladies. It is cool, 45 degrees, this morning. My joints are acting up. I am guessing it is from Arimidex and cold weather. DH goes to the cardiologist today.
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By being yourself, you put something wonderful in the world that was not there before. -Edwin Elliot There is only one you for all time. Fearlessly be yourself. -unattributed
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Let all be well at cadio appt. petite for your Dh. It is going to be much cooler in here in the a.m. times and maybe more so thru the day starting soon. I'm not looking forward. It will speed the leaves decent off the trees, which is the big signal to the much colder weather. Part of me loves many of the changes, but I'm not looking forward to the cold this yr. One of these days I need to find a new coat. Having had a replacement coat for about 24 yrs. now. Zipper malfunctioned a few yrs. back in the old coat and I just left it. Time for upgrade.
Nothing special planned. Waiting on my referral from VA for my cadio issues. In the meantime --- going to the Dr.'s house to do small things ( just like I do here ) and that will keep me busy and out to trouble while waiting. Our kids are taking the brunt of everything. I could get used to that, but I'm used to being busy and it is my goal to be busy again. Going to make that happen.
The deer in the yard are fantastic. That is one of the GREAT things about fall. So many come to the yard to get acorns and we have had as many as 18 at a time ( sm. herd ) happily munching away. It is what I so love about our property and am so glad we will be able to stay here now.
Hope you all have a fantastic day.
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Saw a big buck in hot pursuit of a doe who was able to elude his romantic advances by hiding in the wooded area on the side of our yard. His eyesight must be bad because he passed within 6 feet of her. Nice rack on his head and fortunately no hunting in our townsip so unless a car gets him, he's relatively safe. Saw one of the younger males with two distinct nubs on his head which might erupt into mini-antlers. One last year actually had two small prongs, lost one and looked like a unicorn.
Weather in 60's so a nice day but still am unable to tolerate clothing over abdomen due to tenderness and have more energy with each passing day. My DB who is a general contractor needed some work so he has being coming to do the jobs I can no longer do and he is actually better at anyhow. He painted laundryroom yesterday and while it is not the color I thought it would be, I love it. It was supposed to be a spft mauve but actually is more lavendar. The room gets a decent amount of daylight so it sort of glows. Today he is painting the upstairs hall bath. These are the major projects and then there are some smaller things such as realigning cabinet doors (love the European hinges but they do get out of whack), fixing my kitchen sink sprayer (which I sorely miss), etc. DH can do all sorts of electrical work but there are some jobs I won't let him do such as those I asked DB to do.
We have oaks but no acorns that I know of. Two black walnuts that lotter the yard but the squirrels will take them. One drops walnuts on the roof often and it is quite loud. It also beaned DSIL one day.
ChiSandy, thanks for info about knee. I will pursue F/U with MD since it is not receding and actually seems to now be extending into toes. Still not much of an appetite and food doesn't seem to be processing well so I am careful about eating. So far, so good today but it is a day by day process with 2 bad days in a row. Hopefully today will be better.
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In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves.
The process never ends until we die.
And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.- Eleanor Roosevelt
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What a pretty sun outside this morning as the deer wander around the yard munching acorns. They are such gorgeous animals and while the acorns falling is a winter signal, seeing the deer makes up for it.
Don't have to work today so I will catch up a bit around here with some small projects to do. Nothing tiresome at all.
Hope you all have a wonderful day with lots of sunshine in it.
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Illinoislady - the deer must be gorgeous. I forget, do you have a lot of property?
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Good morning. DH had his visit with the cardiologist and it went well. He didn't change any meds and scheduled an ultra sound for the beginning of the year. DH needs to cut down on coffee and salt. DH has a dental appointment today and Miss Felix, the cat, has her annual vet appointment. My joints are better, but it is warmer.
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We're supposed to get some rain today. I hope we do because it is dry and rain would be welcome on the roses I planted a week ago.
I have some household chores and then chair yoga at 1 pm.
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I just started OT for joint pain in my hands. triggered by riding my bike. I was clenching the handlebars too tightly when I first started. I put away nearly all visible evidence of sewing, I am riding the bike only when necessary. If I do anything which triggers pain, I have been instructed to not power through it, but to stop. I also have to call the local full-service bicycle shop for advice on how to ride bike with widespread arthritis in my hands, and need to buy a wax heater to soothe my hands without drying them out with water.
I gave a blood sample yesterday and have a video appointment with my oncologist tomorrow. Not worried, I have no power to change things. All values are in normal range. Then early next month I have an appointment with breast surgeon. I have been having a tingly feeling in my reconstructed and numb breast. I think it is from bouncing around on the bike.
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Our lives are to be used and thus to be lived as fully as possible,
and truly it seems that we are never so alive as when
we concern ourselves with other people.
- Harry Chapin0 -
Karen, we have two acres here, but we are in woods around us -- so we are subject to sometimes small herds of deer. There are a number of other critters who visit the yard at times and we enjoy all of them. Wild turkeys, foxes, raccoons, possums ( they eat surprising things you will be glad are gone ) a bobcat now and then, turtles, tree frogs, and we have eagles, owls and a variety of hawks. The yard here has always been an exciting and fun place.
Huge rain overnight -- a spot of sun finally but didn't stay long and not so sure we will have anymore. Being under so many trees I'm not sure if there are more rain clouds above but it is possible. Just don't think it looks like it would downpour like through the night. I hope my car got cleaned. Doesn't seem to take much.
Still waiting for my referral to the cardiac Dr. at Marion. I seem at the moment to be doing well. I'm on something of a cardiac diet which mainly says to cut out too much fat, and very much salt intake. Fruits and veggies are fine as long as salt level is watched. Petite -- sounds a bit like your Dh may be on the same diet. I am to watch out for coffee as well. I had already switched to decaf where I bombed, but did go to a half and half coffee while cutting down so it seems to be all right for now.
Carole, maybe the rain we had here is heading your way. It sure brought the leaves down. The colder mornings had them well on the way and this morning it is hard to see ground under all the leaves.
MC you really keep up with your issues and look for plausible solutions. I hope something comes up as you worked so hard to get your bike. You just keep on looking for the doorway if the window gets closed. I am rooting for you.
I will go to work for awhile today.
Hoping you all have a great Thurs.
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Mary - it acupuncture is in your budget, please consider it. It has really made a difference for me and my arthritic thumbs and knee. Unfortunately Medicare will only cover it for backs even though it was suggested by my orthopedic surgeon.
We too made a cardiac visit for DH this week. Another medication change but no cardiac Cath, thank goodness. Last two times he had one, he arrested on the table and he was so much healthier and stronger then.
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Illinoislady - you property sounds beautiful. The last several years we were. in Ohio we had 4 wooded acres surrounded by hundreds of acres own by a large grocery company as their farm. The property was wooded and we cleared maybe an acre. We had a windy driveway so you couldn't see the house from the road. I don't remember having any critters except field mice and chipmunks.
Petite - glad your joints are better
To all who had cardiac appointments with your husbands, hope they stay well. My husband had quintuple bypass in March 2020 just as covid was hitting hard. He recovered very nicely and at the cardiologist visit last. month, cardiologist moved him to annual visits. So pleased for him. We are. on the younger side for this group, but we both have too many "ologists" for supposedly healthy people.
The past 3 days have been extremely windy. Weather is. warming up into next week. to the 70s
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Karen, Good luck with your husband's bypass. Mine had a quint at age 49 and he just turned 82. It's still doing fine.
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Good morning, ladies. I have been thinking about getting long term care insurance. Does anyone have it? Pros/cons?
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Jackie, we didn't get so much as a large drop of rain yesterday. Nature's strategy seems to be too much or too little.
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Good morning ladies….A gully washer here in the Philly suburbs…rain most of the day…leaves are yellow to brown now, and you can see fall is ready to make its exit and winter is on it way….high 50’s next week and 30’s at night…Oh how I hate this time of the year…When my kids were little and they would use the word “hate”…I would say….”Hate is a very strong word”…do not use that…you can say…”That annoys me intensely”….LOL…Well winter annoys me intensely….hahahahah
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You all have a great day today…..hugs
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Don't be in a hurry. Watch a flower grow. It is not in a hurry.
It does not compare itself with other flowers. It does not
wish to be some other color or some other shape. The flower
does not try to bloom. As long as the conditions are suitable,
it will come into full bloom and the flower trusts that.
So just relax and be in harmony with the real.
Leonard Jacobson0 -
Succumbing to winter is a have no choice item for me too, Ducky. I do enjoy some of it, but it is a mite more difficult with age. Needing stair rails, good boots with traction and being slow and cautious. Sometimes you can be out and it is calm enough outside that the cold doesn't penetrate -- those are the much better times. I did enjoy our first few yrs. here back from California where we didn't see snow for 25 yrs. or more. Now, I'm often coolish outside and just have to be really careful.
The sun is out today but it is rather cool. Trying to think of all the things I can do inside and that is plenty.
I hope you all have a really good day. Stay warm and dry if you can.
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Petite, My BIL had long term care insurance thru the state of Calif. He had liver failure due to Hep C. The insurance would only pay if he was in a nursing home and he couldn't be on the liver transplant list if he was in a nursing home. He went to an adult family home where he received great care but at his own expense. He died of liver failure. The problem of long term care insurance is that it doesn't want to pay for preexisting conditions. Which everyone is likely to have at age 65+.
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Wren - my husband had the surgery March 2020 - he is doing fantastic - sorry if my post was confusing. He was 64 at time of surgery, 17 years older than when his brother had the surgery 22 years ago.
Petite, my late mother had a small long term care policy - I don't. remember her monthly premiums but it covered 15 hours/week. At the time she had no pre-existing conditions but. high cholesterol. Husband and I have talked about it but not sure if it is a good investment or not. We both have significant pre-existing so not how that would work, would it be higher premiums.
Gorgeous week-end ahead with 60s and sun then warming o 70 beginning of the week, then winter comes!
Have a good wee-end.
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I bought long-term insurance just before I turned 60, influenced by a friend who had a stroke and my mother's dementia. Premium was reasonable and stable until I hit 70 and now they significantly raise the prices and cut the benefits each year. Now that I am 75, I would say it wasn't a particularly good purchase for me. I think by the time I will need it, it won't be worth much.
Ken's cardiologist changed his medication again but no cardiac Cath. He is tired and weak and I feel as if I am watching him fade away.
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