Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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When we lived in Ohio, we lived on 4 wooded acres - ticks on the dogs, on DH and me. One time I went to get my hair cut and the stylist found a tick on my head. Thankfully we never got sick. Rocky Mountain Fever was the worry, not Lyme disease but this is going back 36+ years ago.
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We once had aa neighbor who got guinea hens to eat the ticks and other nasty bugs. The whole flock sometimes got on our property. We did not mind in the least.
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The paralyzing effect of fear makes us as helpless as babies and blinds us to the truth that God didn't send us here to be powerless spectators, but to become powerful initiators. We are spiritual beings having an earthly experience, and we have the power to break the cycle of negativity that is fueling a very dangerous world. It's not only possible, it's why we are here.
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Cloudy today, but likely no rain. Going to PCP today, and maybe to Krogers which is just up the road from Dr's office. It is my last day of helping my friend. They went to see Garrison Keillor ( Prairie Companion ) who is in his 80's. Someone else does the show he did for so long but they just don't come across like he did -- so a return tour. My friends did not want to miss the two day event. Likely the last time Keillor will be seen in person.
Otherwise nothing special going on.
Hope you all have a good day.
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Illinrois lady..I love the quotes you post. So thoughtful and timely.
Garrison Keller was someone i enjoyed listening too and although his replacement is good, he is not the same at all. Prairie Home Companion. I found the show by accident and listened in the car as i drove places for a few years. The "Me too" movement took him down. I hope his 2-day show will be posted.
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Male public figures tend to be the objects of worship of some females. The wires often get crossed. Especially when alcohol is involved. Forgiveness is necessary, not life-long stigma.
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Didn’t know Keillor was still performing—IIRC he got swallowed up in the “Me Too” movement a few years ago (for putting his arm around a staffer’s back).
Still very chilly, though sunny. Tomorrow will be wet & raw again. The stain on the deck is still off-gassing (so not gonna grill any time soon) because it’s just too cold out and we never get enough dry days in a row. Crops are a disaster here—corn & soybeans can’t be planted because the soil is too cold for them to germinate. This can only spike food and gasoline (which is blended with ethanol) prices even higher. Of course, people who don’t pay attention to real news tend to blame whoever is in office.
Bob has been coughing so hard (and having beige post nasal drip) that I sat him down last night and COVID-tested him—negative. His coughing sounds exactly like the kind I had when I had parapertussis just before the pandemic. No fever, his gut issues have resolved. He says about half his patients have the same symptoms as he does. I had a little sudden hyperreactivity this afternoon—not sure if it’s something I ate (choucroute & sausages last night, bacon & egg this noon) or abruptly increasing my water intake (triggering the Gastro-colic reflex). I’m feeling fine, though.
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Hope you continue staying well Sandy. This time of yr. all I seem to get are sinus/allergy reactions -- the pollen is so thick it turns my blue car green. Hope Bob stays okay.
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Our pollens are not very visible, but we can sure feel them. Bob admits he's probably developed allergies on top of what looks to be either a bad cold or the 2019 parapertussis that seems to have made a comeback since it was muscled outta Dodge by COVID. I want to scratch my ears from my throat and my throat through my ears; and I am going through Systane eye drops like they were drinking water. Twice a day I need to roto-rooter my sinuses with saline and then at bedtime take a hit of Nasacort, besides my oral antihistamine and leukotriene inhibitor (Singulair). Before he died of COVID, my former PCP took me off Nasonex at the start of the pandemic because he felt that because it's so much more effective than the OTC steroids, it might be too immunosuppressive. Bob (and my HK) both got their second boosters today.
We here by the lake are suffering from a "Honey, I Shrunk the Biblical Plague of Locusts" phenomenon: swarms of midges, some so dense that people mistook them for clouds of smoke. They began to hatch last week, are starting to mate, and will be dead by the end of next week (they are indeed the proverbial Mayflies)
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I awoke this morning with the wonderful realization that I did not have to go anywhere this morning unless I chose to. It was a mistake to play golf two days in a row in hot humid weather. My energy was lagging yesterday and my interest in being out on the golf course was definitely missing.
Today I hope to catch up on laundry and also go to Chair Yoga at 1 pm.
I spent $300 at Sam's Club on Monday buying coffee and Premium Protein chocolate drink to take with us to MN. I drink half a carton of the chocolate drink with breakfast and I've been making Community dark roast coffee for my entire life. No chicory but the dark roast with chicory is available. The order also included some other items from the pharmacy area with over the counter selections.
We don't have a Sam's Club nearby when we're in MN but there is one in Fargo, about an hour and a half away.
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I think I wrote a detailed blurb and it’s not posted. Weather here has been wonky. Tuesday was a Travel Rally we’ve attended for a few years. As we left our development it was pitch black scary looking. But neighbors and I decided we’d go and if it’s bad we’d come back home. It was fine, nice and sunny. But within a half hour they announced the storm was coming too close to have people out under tents. It was shutting down for 20 minutes or more, return to your car and watch social media. We grabbed some food, ran to our cars, and headed home.
It seems every day by 4 pm on, we are at great risk for a storm. We were at a deficit for rain, now at a surplus. My fake lake where the turtles were basking on the big pipe, it’s full again and you can’t even see the pipe. On my bike ride I can see every lake in our place full again. Supposed to hit 93 today, ugh.
They say it’s the summer weather early. I’m not bothered by the fact we usually leave before it hits. Tonight is a bbq send off for us. Not sure if outside or inside, we’re on a wait and see with weather.
Guest bathroom, unsure if I’ve said, taking out the tub and replacing it with a walk in shower. I’ve purchased the tiles, the transition border tile and the grout. Bullnose ordered from their other store. Call yesterday, they can’t get it. I’m going down to the store today to attempt to pick something else. And yes we leave in 6 more days. HA!
We were at Lowe’s yesterday and purchased the shower pan, glass doors, cement board and drain cap. I opened a credit card to get 20% off. I saved $174! I still need a product, it’s a paint on membrane. They were out of stock so I’ll go to the next closest Lowe’s.
I did get my Wi-Fi thermostat installed. $99 to my AC company. But the young technician who we always seem to get, he took over my phone multitasking away - he set up the app so I now see both thermostats - NY & FL. What would have taken me an afternoon took him minutes. He also flushed out the drain pipe on his way out. All in all, worth the $99.
Friends in NY had their son test positive for covid. It seems to be back in full swing in upstate and central NY. They’re leaving for Florida on Saturday and I’m encouraging them to test. I hope it hasn’t fallen on deaf ears.
I’ve got to get moving, too much to do today to sit and relax. I hope you all have a great day
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Talent is God-given; be humble.
Fame is man-given; be thankful.
Conceit is self-given; be careful.
- John Wooden
There is no respect for others without humility in one's self.
- Henri Frederic Amiel
Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real.
- Thomas Merton
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Cindy, we are reaching 82 degrees, what a different a few hundred miles makes. We have had short thunderstorms each afternoon and I think more storms on Saturday.
DH is finally getting in to see a doctor about his hearing. (He lost all hearing in his left ear.) He is seeing the cardiologist on Friday for an Ultrasound and follow up on Weds. The rest of the month looks good and I start with visits to the various doctors in June.
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It is great to GET to be home and do only what you like Carole. Sorry that you are bushed though from all the heat you are having. Well, soon enough you will be heading for MN and if memory serves might even have to wear some long sleeves for a bit -- maybe even a bit of heat. I guess I sort of wonder with the way the climate seems to go around here -- just where things might settle in areas that typically have been more comfortable.
Cindy, we had the overnight bad weather that wasn't, and it has started in earnest this morning. Sounds like it will be an all day thing here. It has been at night -- and sometimes extending into the morning hours a bit. Just reversed itself last night. Great news on the thermostat, and especially getting the twofer on it. Sorry to hear about your NY friends but I do hope they heed what you mentioned to them. Better safe, than sorry and NY is in a surge again. I think there are two covid Omicron variants this time, together but sounds like you should still do fine if you have all your vaccinations. Fingers crossed.
No plans for today. We tried yesterday to lay in extra things so we would not have to go out today. I do have a call from the Nutritionist but that will go quick I think.
I went to PCP and she was VERY pleased with how I looked and felt. She thought it was a big improvement over what I looked like last time I was there -- not so long ago. I think about a month. Guess this is how we deceive ourselves sometimes -- I thought I looked great back then too and was surprised to hear apparently she did not see it that way. Well, no harm done. Just nice that I've apparently made that much improvement in her eyes. She certainly has the ability to be much more critical than I seem to be.
That does tell me that between the PCP and the new Cardio Doc. I'm on the right track finally. So, PCP said -- if my blood tests say my red blood cells are slightly higher or at least the same as they are right now -- she will approve as well the work Dr. Barrientos needs to do. I have the big lesion that needs to come out of my bladder and I will be happy to get that done. PCP said -- not to worry about colonoscopy until we have the bladder procedure done. She also felt ( she is actually well versed in hematology ) that we did not need to have me see a Hematologist just yet since we have not given the iron supplements a chance to not only gain the needed ground, but give me stores. She also feels most of this ( since at the time my numbers were fine ) came from surgical blood loss during my open heart. It just was not noticed in time to do corrections early and we are having to catch up now.
Gets a bit convoluted, but overall it is just a very involved thing. I, in fact, just heard from a friend's daughter, that she too is struggling to recover from open heart. Took place in Jan. A result of covid pneumonia casing a serious heart attack and the need for a 6-way by-pass. It is a long hard pull so I need not get too excited just yet. Need time for the body ( maybe several months ) to readjust not only to the body insult from the operation but as well, getting replacement that needs to adjust to being able to make my heart function as it should.
Hope you all have a good day and good weather if possible. I will take vicarious pleasure if your day is nice since mine is not going to be.
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I took Tippy for a walk two blocks longer than usual. Then I dug up some strawberry plants and put them put on the curb with a sign. That pretty well had me done for the day, at least for anything physically demanding. I sent out two boxes today. One some silk scraps for an artist in Australia. They are going to Texas first, where one of her friends will scatter them in another shipment of stuff to Australia. Then a big box of clothing made from saris went out to Kentucky. She will be getting another box later when I finish the last two items. Then some skirts to be altered for a returning customer. Then I need to do some writing before starting to play with more sewing for myself. My tricycle is at the mechanic's getting put together. He has been sending me updates.
I tried not using my ankle-brace, but I need it to stabilize my knee. I see the ortho Dr. next week. He presented this appointment as a "What do we do from here?" kind of thing. I will totally flip if he tells me that my knee needs more time to heal.
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We are still stuck in a late-winter weather cycle--rainy and in the 40s. We may get up to 50 here by the lake on Sat. & maybe 55 Sun. (further inland they'll be in the 70s. We here won't see that till Mon.--and on Tues. 85 is predicted. Of course a dry spell is forecast, but if you live in Tornado Alley you know that heat (especially fairly sudden) causes "instability clouds" to form which often bring severe storms. Heeeere we go again...
Cases in Chicago are spiking among kids & teens. Can't say I'm surprised, only dismayed. Once mask mandates were lifted, there's no stuffing Pandora's demons back into the box (genies & bottles seem too benign a metaphor). And the immaturity and selfishness of so many adults is utterly infuriating. (If I hear one more "you wear a mask or stay home so I can have my freedom" or "it's just a cold, grow up & get over it," I may soon discover just how much power is in my fists).
Bob's cough is improving. But my voice teacher has it now, so bad that he's considering asking his ENT for a steroid pack. I'm having flashbacks to my parapertussis* episode back in Dec. 2019, which caused me to cough so uncontrollably (worse than when I was on an ACE inhibitor) that when I was live-on-air at a local radio station singing "It Sucks Being Sick at Christmas" the DJ thought I was doing a marvelous job of acting. (COVID has permanently retired that song from my repertoire, alas. So many things just aren't funny any more).
Carole, I can barely choke down chocolate Premier Protein--and that's if I spike it with a shot of espresso and run it through the blender with crushed ice. I have K-cups of Cafe du Monde with chicory; if I steam unsweetened vanilla almond milk it makes a passable cafe au lait. I wish my gym offered Silver Sneakers, much less chair yoga (will have to look for some videos of it). I bought a bunch of toe separators and lidocaine foot cream so I can stand to wear shoes & socks for exercise. And the Hunter adjustable-calf rain boots arrived today--even the size 7 is loose on my foot when I walk but I think if I wear a diabetic (no toe seam) or an open-toe sock I'll be fine. Essentially, they're for having to navigate through downpours, not for any distance walking.
*Parapertussis ("whooping cough lite") is bacterial, related to the bug that causes "O.G. pertussis" (whooping cough). But unlike pertussis itself--against which there's a weak component in the combo TDaP vaccine--there is no vaccine for it.
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The more things you care about, and the more intensely you care, the more alive you are. This capacity for caring can illuminate any relationship: marriage, family, friendships--even the ties of affection that often join humans and animals. Each of us is born with some of it, but whether we let it expand or diminish is largely up to us. To care, you have to surrender the armor of indifference. You have to be willing to act, to make the first move.
Arthur Gordon0 -
We are soggy, soggy, and even more soggy here. Rained all night last night ( still going this morning ) and it rained all night the night before. Tomorrow weather says we will have sun. Boy, I hope so. I worry about the trees staying in the ground when it rains like this -- and of course you have to suspend all the Spring yard work that needs accomplished. Farmers can't get into their fields to plant either.
This stuff sure isn't helping my sinuses one bit. I keep Kleen-X stock from dropping too low this time of yr. Still enough stays in to make my head 'heavy'.I have some pills for it, but I already take too many pills so -- unless it gets much worse I'll ride it out.
Nothing planned for the day much. I do hope we will have a dry enough spell that I can go and feed the feral cats. Couldn't go yesterday so they will be ready for it -- if it will dry for a little while.
I hope you all have a good day.
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Do you have a roofed feeding station for the feral cats? Quite a few people around here have straw-lined shelters for the feral cats, so they can survive the winters. This winter was "warm" and dry, so the rain is welcome.
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Hi Ladies - I’ve been following this topic for a couple of days and thought I’d jump in and introduce myself. I’m from Virginia and live in the Shenandoah Valley. I’m a retired IT Project Manager.I live with my husband and two cats. I have two adult children - one in Virginia, one in Maryland. I was diagnosed at age 65, through a breast MRI. I am recovering from a recent hip replacement, just 22 days post-op and doing well. Looking forward to joining the conversation.
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Wow!! Triple positive. Lots of weapons in the arsenal. Welcome. We do not participate in hazing our newbies.
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Welcome Cardplayer. Good to hear the hip replacement is going well.
I woke up this morning to find the living room with newspapers and magazines on every surface (2 sofas, floor, table). DH said he was looking for something. He's in mid-stage dementia and can't remember what he was looking for. I'm so tired of picking up after him. To be fair he was a slob before the dementia, but now can't figure out how to clean it up.
50's and rain here today and through the weekend. DD is having a hysterectomy today and my thoughts are with her. She had to be at the hospital at 5:40 this morning, so hopefully they'll do it before noon. There's a possibility of CA, so we'll wait for the path report.
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Wren
Thinking of your daughter and hoping that any news is what you would consider good, whenever it comes. I think living with family members with dementia is always sort of difficult and is wearing on the caregivers. I'll be thinking of you too.
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Cardplayer'
Welcome. I think you'll like it here. We pretty much avoid politics and religion here save for light references now and then. It seems like most everyone here is and has been through their treatments for some time, but we do talk about dx's from time to time. We mainly just like to keep the door open and watching over everyone that has become such a friend through time. I hope you will like it here. We might even post a recipe here from time to time.
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Thank you for the welcome.
mcbaker - Glad there’s no hazing. I’m not sure I could afford the airfare to travel across the country to wash everyone’s car. 😁
Sorry you’re dealing with your DH dementia wren44. My heart goes out to you. Its so difficult for caregivers.
illinoislady - I may have an odd recipe to share occasionally. I have GI issues and have a fairly restricted diet. However, I can eat Cornish Game Hen, which is I’m making tonight. Yum!Enjoy your evening.
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Hi Cardplayer, we have met on another forum but welcome here as well.
We are socked in with rainy weather for today and it looks like most of the weekend. I have so much gardening to do but it will be on hold until we get weather that is dry and where the nights are not dropping to freezing. I need to move plants in anticipation of getting new front steps and a new walkway, so for some it will be temporary plant holders and for others I need to find a new spot. However I don't have enough holders that drain well and have so many Seal of Solomon to transplant. They are quite prolific spreaders and I do have places I can move them to, I am just concerned that they will also become deer salad like my hostas. I do apply deer repellant but sometimes they just don't understand it is not a taste improver (they still eat it).
The floors are done and I have to say I am impressed by this contractor since they even sanded down the quarter round and refinished it as well. They put the last coat on yesterday and will return to remove the plastic shielding today. Two of the cats have been penned in the basement and another in a bedroom. The dog has been content to stay in the dining room with me. She sleeps most of the day anyhow. I ordered a new area rug for the family room and it should arrive in the next few days. I need to sort through the drawers in the large chest and the smaller one to purge unwanted and unused items. Plus this gives me the opportunity to deep clean all the furniture before it goes back in the room. So the rainy days will allow me to do this without taking away from the gardening that needs to be done.
Had the top of my left foot injected (second and third metatarsal) today because I have been having a lot of pain lately. Turns out I have bone on bone arthritis related to a fall where I landed on the top of that foot about 7-8 years ago. I've had the pain off and on but it has been really bad lately especially at night. Podiatrist recommended an online source for shoe and sneaker inserts and so far they have helped reduce the pain. Most of the time I am in sneakers anyhow and she even suggested a sneaker brand and style (that I normally wear ) that is not overly expensive. Of course the two expensive pairs I do own, purchased at a running store, did not make the cut. I will wear them until they bite the dust and not purchase again.
Hope everyone has a pleasant weekend and a Happy Mother's Day. I am mother to humans, critters and have human grands as well as critter grands so I am blessed.
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Welcome cardplayer, glad you found us.
Wren - wishing your daughter a speedy recovery. Being a care taker is hard. Try to find time for yourself.
Hot today and hotter tomorrow.
Have a great week-end.
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betrayal - what brand of shoes does your podiatrist recommend? I’ve worn Saucony for years but recently started wearing HOKAs, which are kinda pricy but comfortable. Developed neuropathy from chemo and am always looking for comfortable shoes. My husband does most of the gardening. We’ve given up on hostas. The deer just love them. Our purple flock and red azaleas are in full bloom though.
Nice to meet you karen1956.
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Hasn't rained all day here which is great, but it has stayed very moist outside when it wasn't raining. I hope we have some good weather tomorrow. The Downtown Locust Street Fair will be on for a few hours. I would be able to go since I no longer have the breathing and exhaustion issues that I had not so long ago before my meds were changed. There will be 40 vendors and 12 food booths. I won't likely bother with food since no one will worry about salt. But I might like to see the booths. The fairs here usually specify that the entrants/vendors have crafts they have produced so it is always nice to see the talent displayed.
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cardplayer - I also have neuropathy from chemo & my big toenails never completely re-attached (after 7 years) My podiatrist also recommends HOKA shoes. You're right - pricey but I can walk 6-7 miles w/no problems.
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