Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Comments
-
Wren, I couldn't believe what I saw when I turned on the Seahawks-Bears gama: that's "Bears weather!" Still, your guys nearly pulled it off (10-point lead) till the Bears' amazing drive & then end-zone 2-point catch--both after the 2-minute warning. I will admit to having been a rabid Seahawks fan long before I cared about the Bears: we went to their first-ever exhibition game, played at Husky Stadium (IIRC), and were Kingdome denizens (Mariners too) for the last couple of years we lived there. As to weather, we had a thunderstorm and .5" of rain overnight. Going up to 48 today--about to go outside to waterproof-spray my UGG boots in anticipation of the 1-3" of snow we may get tomorrow...before it turns to rain.
Karen, in the house I wear OOFOs slides (I hate thong flip-flops and only wear them home from pedicures), UGG sandals so long as the house isn't cold and UGG clogs if it is. I actually prefer the UGG sandals because since the shearling footbed beneath my toes gets aired out instead of matted with sweat like in the clogs. (I need to get in there with a puppy-size slicker brush, a cocktail fork and sometimes even fingernails to attempt to fluff it up--even then I sometimes stuff a little lambswool in there for padding). I wish the clog footbeds were removable like the shearling orthotics I stuff into the loose-fitting boots--if I transfer them to the clogs, it makes the clogs tight enough to scrunch my toes together. Bob says I really should call my podiatrist and see if he can take me in his non-hospital office (Bob wants to see him too, on one of his days off next week). I'm not due for my next mani-pedi till 1/20, and I don't think my ingrowns can make it that long.
We've been invited to a huge New Year's Day open house at the home of one of Bob's retired Christ Hospital colleagues (a pulmonologist specializing in infections diseases). If it isn't too cold or snowy, it's close enough to walk there. We went in 2019 but they didn't hold the party last year--so they're super-excited to host it this year. Their house is an humongous and high-ceilinged mansion with industrial-strength ventilation; the food is a big catered buffet. I know the doc's wife from our B'way Cellars winemaker dinners. Our dilemma is that they're politically conservative (at least as far as I could tell from some of his NextDoor comments during the 2020 campaigns--that's the one thing we never discuss with them in person), so they may be lax about masks & distancing. (I'd certainly avoid the singalongs around the piano). But since he's an infectious-disease pulmonologist and in their late 70s-early 80s, I'm sure they're boostered, and they'd understand if we keep our KN95s on most of the time. If we go, we plan on bringing them a bottle of good Champagne, having a "dip-and-sip" glass or two, and staying no longer than an hour. (Then testing two days later).
0 -
My 94-year-old aunt got her first pedicure a few days ago. She was really impressed. Only time I ever went was when the left outer corner of a big toenail was growing two layers. She thinned it down to a reasonable thickness, and that is all I wanted. No charge! I was impressed. Yes, the damage was due to chemo.
0 -
What's weird about my big toenails is that they only hurt if I'm wearing socks with a lot of spandex knitted in (or shoes with toe boxes not round enough). I can press on them (while barefoot or otherwise sockless) without pain. If they really start to bother me and I can't get them podiatrically-treated I will have to stuff cotton underneath to get them to "outgrow."
I text-conversed with the nail salon owner and told her where I buy my N95s (ArmbrustAmerica for the vertical-fold IN-made and BonaFideMasks for the duckbill Kimberly-Clarks, both of which are white and have headstraps), KN95s (Armbrust for their ownTX-made gray ones, BonaFide for white Powecoms, and evolvetogether.com for the colored ones that look like KF94s), BOTN.com for their own S.Korean-made white KF94s with adjustable earloops; and Costco for their black "FILTR95," which claim to exceed China's standard for KN95. (N95s are approved by NIOSH, KN95 by China, KF94 by S. Korea). She says until she can order some (likely from the nail-supply store where she buys her Clorox spray & wipes), she and the staff will double-up (either two surgicals or cloth over surgical).
I will level with the NP on Wed. about my difficulties sticking to the diet. Back in Feb. she referred me to NorthShore's mental health counseling to deal with stress management for cancer patient--but I'm still waitlisted. I may suck it up and go out of pocket to the one oncopsychiatrist in Chicago...if she's still accepting new patients.
0 -
This is getting boring. No mail today. No garbage pickup. No newspaper either. I'm going to be forced to walk to the store and buy a food magazine to have something to read. They said if the garbage wasn't picked up tomorrow we could put out double next week. Not sure what they think we're going to put an extra week in. Tie a big bag to the lid and hope the coyotes don't knock it over?
Supposed to be 31 for the high tomorrow so snow will not melt. Probably just as well because it would only refreeze into ice overnight. The city has a map of streets they intend to snowplow. Nothing in our area.
0 -
Sandy, Gordy picked a wonderful wedding date- April 9- my birthday as well wonderful NOLA. We may meet my San Francisco cousin there the end of March or very beginning of April. Need the beignets. And more Thomas Mann earrings, though I can get them in Key West, not that I believe we will actually get there next Tuesday with the airline cancellations and spiking Covid. We have an early New Year Eve reservation at Regalia but will have to cancel since Bob,the male half of our accompanying couple, tested positive and has to quarantine until Saturday.Thankfully, we haven't seen him for a few weeks. He had aches and pains and fatigue for a few days but feels good now. Alcove, even for vegetarian me, was lovely on Christmas Eve, with its goat tart, mushroom risotto, goat cheesecake. And very distanced tables On another topic, my booster in August was still most effective two weeks ago when I got the Roche spike antibody test. Though I’ve had a splenectomy, antibodies were 6000+
0 -
Good morning. It was pleasant to read everyone's posts. Christmas Eve my DB and SIL came for a very pleasant meal. DH started feeling poorly and had a headache during the night. He did not go down to his niece's house for Christmas day. I went solo. It wasn't as crowded as I thought it would be and the big dogs behaved. I have a doctor appointment today. Just a wellness check. After that I am going to do a little shopping. It is warm and hoping for a pleasant day.
0 -
Wren, I don't think of anyone being snowbound in Seattle.
It's gray and gloomy outside. I committed to playing golf. Definitely shorts weather. The weather man is on the tv promising freezes next week after a week of summer high temperatures.
0 -
We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.
- Thornton Wilder0 -
I got the Revlon style brush some time ago and while I thought I might have a lot of trouble with it, it soon became fairly easy. My last haircut right before I went into the hospital removed most of my perm and so I have a page boy dropping right below my ears with some bags. I have actually been able to do my hair w/o a mirror and just a comb in the chair I sit in most after washing my hair in my bathroom sink. It's a big sink so not that hard to do.
Good and mainly quiet X-mas. On X-mas day I so enjoy one piece of the honey-baked ham. I tried to eat slowly an mindfully and by the time I was done felt as though I had consumed much more than one piece. Maybe with practice I will be able to be just fine with low-salt eating. I think it a mite troublesome mainly as I was not a big salt-user before -- much of the food we used had enough salt that what I added was minimal -- but it is still something of a challenge.
I so hope all are able to come and go with any plans and stay well. Wistful thinking, but sure would have been nice to have had someone else in charge when the covid first arrived.
0 -
Yeah, that dryer/brush makes it so much easier. Snowing outside.
0 -
Good morning. It is warm and pleasant. My wellness check went well, as to be expected.
0 -
With your recommendations of the brush dryer, I will do some research into what's available.
Another foggy morning and a summery day ahead. DH has been suffering with a pulled muscle but he has decided to give golf a try today. I played 18 holes yesterday and was very tired yesterday afternoon. But I made a few bogeys and even one par, so it was a better day than I've been having the last couple of years out on the golf course.
Jackie, I wouldn't have any problem bypassing the ham. I don't enjoy salty foods and seem to be salt sensitive. Eating ham will make the scales register an extra three pounds, indicating how much fluid I am retaining.
A trip to Sam's Club is on my To Do list today. We use their pharmacy and regularly buy certain items like the Community dark roast coffee that I use to make a pot of coffee every morning.
0 -
I got a gardener's bench for Christmas yesterday. We had book club yesterday afternoon. We moved it to Tuesday afternoons because we are all retired, and it is just more convenient. Most of us go to Tuesday evening Mass, too, so that strengthens our sense of community. I didn't wear my ankle brace most of yesterday, but with the snow I had a few occasions where the bones were slipping, and the ankle brace stabilizes my leg.
I have to do some accounting for that big seamstress job.
0 -
Someone once asked me what I regarded as the three most important requirements for happiness. My answer was: "A feeling that you have been honest with yourself and those around you; a feeling that you have done the best you could both in your personal life and in your work; and the ability to love others." -Eleanor Roosevelt
0 -
Mary, I wish you lived closer because even though I used to sew some of my own clothing, my skills have declined through lack of use. When cleaning out the attic I unearthed my very old Saucy Walker doll and hope to get her to a doll hospital for restringing of her head, arms and legs. Her eyes have gotten wonky as well and need to be restrung. I would like to rehab her in anticipation of passing her on to my granddaughter. I bought some patterns to replace her disintegrating clothing (the original dress is over 60 years old) and will attempt to make her some new clothing but have doubts about being successful.
So glad you got garden gloves and a bench for Christmas. Costco usually has garden glove sets (6 pairs) in the early spring and I ask my son to get them for me. Seems I am hard on gloves and go through a few pairs every year. A bench sounds ideal for working in your garden. We don't get enough sun to support vegetables so I have to focus on shade loving plants and bushes. If weeds were not considered a nuisance than I would have a winning garden. They always seem to flourish and my attempts to eradicate them are for nil.
I don't need any more dust collectors as gifts and ask my children and DH to focus on practical gifts so one was a gift card for a year's worth of free delivery from Walmart, and some music CD's I wanted (Traveling Wilbury's and newest from both Adele and Abba). My DH special ordered coasters for my car with U of PA insignia on them since my original ones were lost when my car was totaled a few years ago and Penn bookstore no longer carried them.
Yesterday a magnificent buck with a very nice rack visited the backyard and the lone doe was a yearling so he wasn't interested in her. He sniffed around because the larger does that could breed had passed through about 15 minutes earlier. He stayed for about 15 minutes and I am so glad there is no hunting in the area (other than speeding SUV's that seem to thin the herd). Today a multicolored male fox came through, sniffed around the bird feeder ground area, left his mark and moved on. His fur coloration makes him noticeable and he looks spotty because of it (no mange).
0 -
So great to read your posts.
Carole, those 18 rds. were productive for you. Maybe your on a roll. That would sure be nice.Petite -- good for you on your wellness check. Always great when you get the negative for issues stamp.
Sounds like you have good things going too, MC. A gardener's bench always seemed a bit of a luxury to me. Still, I almost bought one once and then didn't. Dh is so hard on any plantings here. Maybe that is why it became a luxury to me. Hope your ankle is/will be fine. You really do need that brace.
I'm still going slow but I will keep pushing on. If the nurse ( who was due yesterday but never showed ) comes today I will weigh again. Hard to believe I'm 150 and likely a bit less. I haven't been in that territory for I think about 35 yrs. We are still looking for recipes and hopefully will amass a few more soon so we can have a more varied menu.
Stay well.
0 -
I've discovered that coffee is a good suggestion for a gift. DS has a subscription and sends us extras from time to time. I'm into things that can be consumed.
0 -
Mary - I bought myself a potting bench when I retired 7.5 years ago. I love it! I use it for many things, it’s the perfect height to not get a back ache.
Wren- my step son enrolled his dad in a monthly coffee club. He loves coffee but would not spend the extra money to try all these from different countries. It’s a win win for them both.
We still have company visiting. We go to the pool or the beach daily. It’s been in the low to mid 80’s with sun every day. They leave on Sunday and Monday temp drops to 79, which is great weather to us too.
IllinoisLady- glad to hear you’re doing well, and hope that your nurse showed up today.
0 -
Judy, I'd been worried about you & Gil heading down to Key West--SE FL has seen a sudden massive spike in cases. Glad to hear your antibody titer is robust. My NP won't order one for me because my booster was too recent (Aug) and full-strength, so she thinks I'm still well-protected. She's not thrilled about my 6-lb weight gain since Aug., but is okay with me trying to maintain rather than try to lose and end up yo-yo-ing. Not sure my Bob would be home early enough Friday night to make dinner at Regalia--with his awful workload he'll be lucky to be home by 10 (he's been getting home well past midnight since Christmas Day, and today--which was supposed to be a "light" day is looking like another late one, due to a COVID influx at Little Company of Mary. Meanwhile, no word from his colleague down in Punta Cana as to whether he can get a flight home Friday so Bob can finally have his week "off"...that is, besides his Union Health days and moving the remainder of his office to his colleague's.
Found out today I have to co-lead services only on 1/29--the 15th is a special all-music Shabbat at which all I'd have to do is perform the hymn I wrote (in Hebrew & English). What a relief--I have time to order the hardcover prayerbook (navigating it on Kindle is a nightmare). I have a Jewish "fake book" (sheet music) coming next week. The session went well today.
Bob came home and declared we have an even better--and wholly ethical--reason to change our New Year's Day open house RSVP to "no:" he's seeing more & more COVID patients and his hospitals don't want him to test lest he have to stay home--they're that short-staffed. The host is 81--and quite frankly, Bob might pose a danger to him. But he still thinks I can safely attend without exposing the host, and if I'm careful, without getting exposed myself. (But that would use up one of our precious rapid tests, which I ought to save for going somewhere that's absolutely necessary). I might even already have Bob's possible viral load (or have had an asymptomatic infection). And as much fun as the party might be (and we might even see the owners of Broadway Cellars), getting there would be an ordeal. Saturday's weather looks perfect...for staying home in sweats, watching whatever bowl games might still not have been canceled, and eating leftover food from our own party. So we'll be spending the day at home (except of course for Bob working all morning at his hospitals...sigh...).
0 -
I can sit or kneel on it when picking strawberries or weeding. So nice to not look as clumsy to the neighbors. I had been using a child's stepstool. OK-- Amazon calls it a gardening stool. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gardening+stool&crid=17...
I made some treats for Tippy out of oatmeal, pumpkin, eggs, coconut oil, and peanut butter. I do think this will be a lower-cost alternative to the begging bacon.
0 -
Well, New Year's Eve is falling apart as we speak. Our godson, his wife & baby were in St. Louis for Christmas--and he (godson) just rapid-tested positive but asymptomatic. (Wife is negative, baby--3 mos. old--hasn't been tested). Godson's parents--our BFFs--also need to be tested so the whole clan will be isolating for at least the next 5 days. Gordy & Leslie got back from TX last night--also found out today her BIL (the science teacher who boasted he didn't need a booster) just tested positive--the rest of her family tested negative. Gordy & Leslie are feeling fine but haven't been tested. They may or may not come over for nibbles & bubbles. Their dog got GI distress in the car en route home but seems to be improving. Bob won't be home tonight till after midnight (what else is new)? The kids are afraid of infecting us, but as long as they test negative we'll be fine. Obviously, not going to have friends over--we invited another couple plus a friend who hosted a small party we all attended 12/18, but I'd be extremely surprised if they were willing to drop by.
Meanwhile, the hell with what my NP says. I don't feel like eating a plate of vegetables. I found a piece of fried chicken in the freezer--something I haven't had in months if not almost a year--and I'm nibbling it now.
0 -
Way to go Sandy. Sometimes you just have to eat something more appealing. It's a holiday. No one follows the rule on the holiday, except perhaps to limit damage.
DS & family arrived this evening. It's supposed to snow overnight, so we didn't make any plans for tomorrow. DIL loves playing games, so she and the boys did that and we had a chance to talk to DS. I hate playing games so I'm always trying to get out of it.
We have recycling pickup with a huge bin. I didn't see it today and discovered it upside down in the driveway which is about 5 ft lower than where it was. There was a prowler last night so perhaps he had something to do with it being there. He entered my neighbor's garage and stole a jar of peanut butter from his wife's car. He said the footprints led to our back yard and looked like a size 12. I'm just making sure our doors are locked.
0 -
The lines for testing in the Fort Myers area are very long. It’s been about a 3 hour wait in line to get in to be tested. They’re going back to appointments only. I’m unsure why so many are getting tested - I don’t think those I’ve seen interviewed were ill in anyway. Is it all to be able to be around other family?
We went out to dinner tonight, all open dining at the Boat House. Food was great, we enjoyed ourselves. New Years plans aren’t really set. I’d like to go to a neighbors event but would try to stay on their large back lanai. Partner likes the music of downtown, 5 bands, but I’m not into it being so crowded. Visitors mentioned the beach for fireworks etc, but there are drunks there on a regular day, I can’t imagine New Years drunks. Calgon take me away!
Sandy - enjoy that piece of chicken. Sometimes we just have to indulge.
0 -
We will celebrate the new year the same way we have for a number of years. Stay home and be in bed at the usual time, well before midnight. By then the fireworks will already be going off in the neighborhood. It amazes me how much money people spend on fireworks. A big tent with a fireworks vender has been set up a couple of miles from our house since before Christmas.
We can walk outside and see impressive explosions of light and color in the sky in all directions where the upscale subdivisions are located.
I do enjoy a professional fireworks display and have seen some great ones.
When we were younger, we attended New Year's Eve parties. I don't miss going to them. I would just as soon not be out on the highway with all the drunks driving their vehicles. There have been times when we were the drunk drivers lucky enough to arrive home without a crash.
The bah humbug attitude of an elderly person! LOL.
0 -
Good morning. It is very foggy this morning. It is so wet the sprinklers didn't come on. Yesterday we found out BIL (DH's late sister's husband) was admitted to a hospital with COVID. He was fully vaccinated. He is older than us, about 80 and a brittle diabetic. He was not at any of the family gatherings over the holidays.
I would have to have a garden stool or bench if I had a green thumb. LOL
0 -
Petite, bad news about your BIL. Hoping he recovers. I've been reading all the reports about Omicron being milder than Delta but also that it isn't clear yet whether that's true for older people and especially those with serious health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and also those who are obese.
Yesterday I had an odd experience, walking toward the entrance of Sam's Club wearing my n95 mask. A man exiting the store called out at me, "Masks don't do any good." I just kept walking.
0 -
I have looked at the masks that are more effective against Omicron, but I am not willing to spend that much money on something that is disposable. My sister's family Christmas was interrupted with two people leaving because of positive tests. I have to call for an update, because they were planning on visiting.
0 -
Finished puzzle #2. The top border gave me problems, had to work up to it, and remove pieces that were in the wrong place as I got to them.
0 -
You were trying to be simple for the sake of being simple. I wonder if true simplicity is ever anything but a by-product. If we aim directly for it, it eludes us; but if we are on fire with some great interest that absorbs our lives to the uttermost, we forget ourselves into simplicity. Everything falls into simple lines around us, like a worn garment. -David Grayson
0 -
Well, the darn woes of a pandemic that shouldn't really have lasted this long. It is what it is but just like Petite's family, it is sad that many fall ill and must suffer. Hopefully, your BIL will be able to recover. I also wonder if someone with one or more comorbities ( fingers crossed ) will not have to put up with long hauler issues later on as well. Seems most of the time many of these things are luck of the draw.
We too hit the sheets early on the EVE. Like most, yrs. ago we went out and as Carole said, were likely the over-indulged ones that we would be looking so hard to avoid if out this yr. Always did okay, but I do bear in mind that we are in a very small community which likely made it easier. Moot point this yr. anyway, but I'm the age where it sometime back lost all its charm and excitement.
Carole, if masks don't do any good it would be interesting to hear what that person thinks does. Sounds to me like jut another person not feeling the need to protect himself or anyone else. Many seem to not get how deeply you may regret your choice. Anyway, no matter how I felt I'm hardly the type to feel the need to try and make total strangers self-conscious or ill-at-ease for respecting themselves and others. You displayed the perfect attitude. Good for you.
0
