Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

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  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited May 2022

    Ultimately, we have just one moral duty: to reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves, more and more peace, and to reflect it towards others. And the more peace there is in us, the more peace there will also be in our troubled world. -Etty Hillesum

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited May 2022

    We don't mention much politically here. Not too much religion either. It is hard though not to speak when such a tragedy takes place. I too have tears in my eyes many times over since this latest massacre of innocent children. I won't say a lot more because it doesn't seem to help anyway. Just try to find some peace in yourself ( not too easy at the moment ) so others later can feel it and wish to spread it outward to others -- each in our own circles. All I will say on my way to other subjects is only love ( of life and each other ) will help us get over this huge gap in our consciousness.

    Dr. appt today and then blood draw in the afternoon. Likely not too much fun. We may have rain -- possibly some serious pour-downs. Hoping to at least avoid thunderstorms. I don't like to be out and about when the thunder and lighting is streaking through the sky. If, when we are done with the blood draw, we are able we will likely stop at the Kroger store near-by which has so many nice low-salt items. I'm a bit shy on a couple of things. The Dr.'s appt. will be just to confirm the findings that I already knew about and likely to talk about time for the next scope. I'll be starting all over at 1 again on the series of 4 scopes that have to show clear before they can be lessened to twice a yr.

    SIL will drive us -- at least to Mt. Vernon and the second appt. for the blood draw. This draw is just for some numbers the Cardiac Dr. wants to check -- I've already had the big once a yr. ( though I think they snuck an extra one or two in on me ) one that checks your overall numbers for any health condition just showing up or for that which you already have.

    I have had a lot of changes since the surgery in Nov. ( 21 ) and since all I'm doing is designed to make me better, I hope by next yr. I'm able to get off a lot of the medication I'm having to use now.

    I hope you all have a good day.

  • cindyny
    cindyny Member Posts: 1,321
    edited May 2022

    Carol, getting back on track takes time. Funny things - FL couch has electric recline, NY has manual recline, you pull a small lever. My side has broken and I’m trying to get LazyBoy to fix it. Partner gets up, OMG his side won’t go down. He’s getting upset that his is broke too. I go over to sit there, and it goes down. He’s laughing because he just touched the side button and nothing happened, when in fact he had to push it down with his legs.

    You’ll catch up on things again. We’ve been back just over a week and we’re semi back on track.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited May 2022

    Checking in quicky again. A couple of things here. First, I sent you a p.m. Carole. Also wanted to let all of you in on my good news. At Dr. B's office I got really good news. He has sent specimens into the lab from this latest scope. Even though he recognized the big lesion as a cyst, he sent some in to be checked. That, plus the other place that looked like a cancerous spot turned out to both be negative. No cancer. That means I've actually been cancer free since my scope that took place in 9/2021.

    I automatically go to the 6 months schedule now and will not scope again until this coming December. This is great. I've been hoping to be able to NOT have to see Dr.'s so much and it is happening. Also, it is nice to think/know that maybe a good heart valve and other items ( like low iron replacement ) are being addressed and that all will help my body function hopefully a lot more normally than it has for a while.

    Lastly, we do have muted sun so the weather is matching my good mood. See you all later.

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Member Posts: 1,833
    edited May 2022

    Your medical news is great. Prayers that the recovery from your crises continues for a long time.

  • cardplayer
    cardplayer Member Posts: 2,051
    edited May 2022

    Wonderful medical news. Good way to start off the holiday weekend. Had a busy day. First PT, then the grocery store for a few things. This afternoon I had bloodwork. My stomach is still feeling a bit wonky. So I'm going to do a liquid diet till it feels better. Gatorade and chicken bone broth soup. Should get some of the blood work results tomorrow and the rest next week. I'm sure by then I'll feel better.

    It's been nice today, but we're due for rain all day tomorrow. Then several days of sunny and warm. Love spring. Enjoy the rest of your day.

  • wren44
    wren44 Member Posts: 7,928
    edited May 2022

    Great news Illinois Lady! It's always nice to have fewer doctor appts.

  • cindyny
    cindyny Member Posts: 1,321
    edited May 2022

    IllinoisLady, great news! A weight off your shoulders

  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 4,619
    edited May 2022

    Illinois Lady -awesome news!!!!

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 8,192
    edited May 2022

    Jackie, I read your PM.

    Today I hope to buy some flowers for our deck. It looks very bare. DH loves red geraniums so I usually buy a large one if they aren't all sold out. Apparently other people like them, too!

    Happy Friday to all.

  • cardplayer
    cardplayer Member Posts: 2,051
    edited May 2022

    A rainy day here today. Good day to finish the book I have on my nightstand - The Storyteller by Dave Grohl. Next up is Making Rumours by Ken Caillat about the making of the Fleetwood Mac album Rumours. My husband and I love to listen to music. We have some local venues that bring tribute bands who play classic rock music. We usually go when they have a band that plays music we enjoy.

    Enjoy your day.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited May 2022

    Most mornings when I awake, I am pleasantly surprised to find I'm still alive. On occasion I have been known to wake up mean and irritable, but even then I can choose not to stay that way. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow may not come. Today is the only slot of time I really have. What a shame to blow it. I want to make today the very best possible. . . . Before I crawl out of bed, I thank the Lord for another day and ask for strength. Maybe I'm to clean the house, or work at the office, or talk with a friend over lunch. The tasks aren't the issue; my attitude is. -Marabel Morgan

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited May 2022

    Cloudy this morning. I'm not sure what it will do. Our weather is predicted ( sometimes for as long as a week in advance ) but we seldom can be real sure. We have had our rain lately, more at night then during the day. Plenty already and sounds like more will come. I have some chores today -- ordering medications and paying some bills.

    All our trees are dressed up and it is one of my favorite times. The hues of green, each a little different are vibrant and full of life. Those trees 'look' energic and so alive. Waiting to be noticed. From the sides of our house ( and sitting down inside ) it looks like we live deep in the forest. We are only one tree line from the start -- which is actually setback city land. So most days now I'm typing, then stopping to look out the window and enjoy all that lush leafy green. Just uplifts me.

    Hope you all have a good day.

  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 4,619
    edited May 2022

    Cloudy and muggy this afternoon. Walked this morning with a girlfriend and it was nicer out. Carole - love red geraniums. Hoping you find what you need for the deck. Cardplayer - those books sound good. Might just have to get Rumors.

    Have a great week-end.

  • K-Gobby
    K-Gobby Member Posts: 144
    edited May 2022

    61 here.

    So cal is breezy and beautiful. This day is why people move here. I just wanted to check in. I will post more one day, but I was to have my good breast removed the 31st of May, Brca2 +, but a blood clot got me after my mastectomy Feb 9th. All is good. I suit up each day around 6:15 and say to God, let's do it!


  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited May 2022

    k-gobby,

    I agree southern Calif. is beautiful. I spent 25 yrs. there but returned home in 1997. I missed ( though I didn't realize it for a long time ) the seasons we have here. I guess I need more change than how Ca. was back then. We lived in Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, and Ventura. I wouldn't trade it, but I've been very happy here at home since we returned.

    Hope the blood issues are going to totally resolve so you can do the other operation.

    I'm hoping for no more rain, but it was in the whole week's forecast. Dh said we have some sun tomorrow -- sure hope so. It has though been raining more through the night then the day lately -- so sun could happen.

    Glad to see the week-end -- hope you all have a wonderful one.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited May 2022

    Walking exercises the whole person. It exercises the body-- it gives the arms and legs a workout. It stimulates the flow of blood; expands the lungs. It is gentle and relaxing. It exercises the mind-- it shakes up the brain cells. It fills them with oxygen; drives out the cobwebs. A famous scientist says he does his best thinking on the two miles of sidewalk between his home and office.

    Walking exercises the emotions. It gives you a chance to observe and enjoy the world. Open your eyes to beauty. See the homes, the trees, the gardens. See the shining faces of little children. Listen for the church chimes, singing birds and the laughter of happy people. -Wilferd A. Peterson

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited May 2022

    Starting out cloudy and cool. I think it will change to sunny and cool. Most of our rain predictions have disappeared. That is nice. I have nothing special for today, but plenty to do -- so whatever gets in front of me first will get the attention. Do need to visit a friend for a bit. Need to get to breakfast now -- got up late, so it is too.

    Hope you all have a really good Saturday.

  • cardplayer
    cardplayer Member Posts: 2,051
    edited May 2022

    A beautiful spring day today. Breezy, sunny, and 70. Had a nice FaceTime call with my brother who lives in Hong Kong. Then took an after breakfast walk. The Washington Nationals have a doubleheader today, so it's an all baseball day here. Hope to finish my book and do some laundry. Enjoy your Saturday.

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Member Posts: 1,833
    edited May 2022

    I got my housing recertification letter. Rent is unchanged from last year despite more medical expenses because of increase in rent.

    I have been having problems with strange sensations in my left foot. Lots of weird stuff. I have been paying attention to it. I identified one as the pressure of my foot crushing the carpet. I am Nerdy. But I think my right foot is a goner, given all the reasons for nerve damage. At least it isn't a candidate for amputation.


  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 4,619
    edited May 2022

    Illinoislady - my sentiments exactly about walking

    k-gobby. welcome, hope the blood clot resolves quickly

  • chisandy
    chisandy Member Posts: 11,408
    edited May 2022

    Great medical news, Jackie!

    Cardplayer, I love Foo Fighters (still mourning Taylor Hawkins). Speaking of Dave Grohl, have you seen his TV miniseries about the various cities he & the band played (culminating in a live set on “Austin City Limits”)? I downloaded the album (back when AppleMusic was still iTunes and you could buy downloads—I resent having to stream).

    Yesterday (Friday) was miserable, chilly & rainy. (My carefully-flat ironed and anti-humidity-serumed hair immediately fluffed up into a frizzy mess resembling old carpet). We left home at 7 for a 10am flight to Toronto out of Midway. Got to the airport just before 8 and discovered the 7:45 flight had yet to leave, due to a ground stop in Toronto (near-zero visibility), No word on our flight—Porter has only one gate at Midway, so our plane was stuck in the hangar till the earlier flight took off…which wasn’t till 2pm. We couldn’t board & leave till the gate was empty, at 3pm. Got to Toronto and waited 30 minutes for a gate, because all the earlier delayed flights were ahead of us and the customs/immigration hall could take only 2 flights at a time. No taxis waiting in line—the whole world is using rideshares these days. (We’ve found Toronto cabbies really resent credit cards—I had to pay with US$, losing a bit of money on the exchange, till I wised up and took out CAN$ from the hotel ATM—even with the fees, we still came out ahead on the exchange).

    Weather here is perfect: sunny, high 60s-low 70s. My L toes hurt and my R hip is killing me. But if I wear my OOFOs slides or Vionic sandals, my foot is fine. Luckily, I packed a collapsible hiking cane, and that is helping my hip immensely (and lets me walk much faster). So at home, I’ll exercise in OOFOs and walk outdoors with my hiking poles (which will also give me an upper-body workout).

    As to the Texas shooting, all I will say here is this: any pol who doesn’t do diddly about gun laws and asks “Do I have your vote” will get the reply “No, but you have my thoughts & prayers.” Anyone in any state who facilitates an abortion in TX (even suggesting where in an adjacent state to get one) can be sued for $10K; but anyone who sells two assault weapons to an 18-yr-old psychopath who then murders 19 kids & 2 teachers gets off scot-free. In OK, a doctor can be prosecuted for removing an ectopic or rotting embryo which could kill a pregnant woman—so the life of a fertilized blob is considered more valuable than that of the living, breathing (and often already-child-rearing) woman carrying it.

    I don’t give a rat’s arse if that violates Forum guidelines. It had to be said

  • cindyny
    cindyny Member Posts: 1,321
    edited May 2022

    Sandy - I agree with everything you said. Enjoy your trip.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited May 2022

    Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light. -Brené Brown

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited May 2022

    Sandy -- what you have said is basically common sense. Those who could do something haven't lost enough of anything so as to put them in a position to relate in any way at all. Were they losing their children and or grand-children I know things would be a lot different. They would have realistic empathy. Right now, strangers ( be it kids or adults ) just can't measure up to their loss of money or power. That is the only kind of loss that has meaning for them.

    Agree totally as well with your ending statement on abortion.

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 8,192
    edited May 2022

    Sandy, I totally agree. We just heard on tv that there have already been 27 school shootings this year. They are so common that they don't make the national news unless the number of murdered kids is large. Somehow it doesn't make a difference that a majority of the country are against sales of assault guns to 18 year olds. The minority rule.

    Yesterday was the opening day of the Park Rapids Farmers Market. Venders were asked to be set up by 8:30. We were in compliance and did not make a sale the first hour. Then a woman who buys one of dh's bowls every year appeared and picked up the most expensive bowl on display, a large burl bowl, and bought it. That broke the stalemate and we ended up having good sales.

    I was afraid the inflation and pessimism about the economy might put a damper on sales this year but apparently not. People are still spending money. I empathized with some senior folks who admired the bowls but didn't have a place for additional beautiful things. I am in pretty much the same position. I used to buy something beautiful, pottery, glass, wall art etc., whenever we travelled. But now I try to restrain myself unless the purchase is something like a wonderful mug that I use.

    Today I am relaxing. Later I hope to take my 2 mile walk. Maybe I will extend it to 2 1/2 miles.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited May 2022

    May be an image of text that says 'PLANNED PARENTHOOD ISN'T KILLING CHILDREN YOU'RE THINKING OF THE NRA- News X American'

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited May 2022

    Get rid of this useless GOP boil, and all the others who are like him.

    May be an image of 2 people, beard and text that says 'NOW THIS Ted, I know you'd rather spend your days doing impressions of 'The Simpsons' and googling stepmom porn, but at some point you might have to get down to it and do your job. JIMMY KIMMEL το SEN. TED CRUZ insg Sasty'

  • cardplayer
    cardplayer Member Posts: 2,051
    edited May 2022

    chisandy - we did watch Dave Grohl's Sonic Highways special on HBO several years ago. Really enjoyed it. Dave Grohl is quite the musical prodigy, along the lines of Lennon & McCartney and others. Taylor Hawkins death was a tragedy. His biography is really interesting. Did you know Dave Grohl has appeared on SNL more than any other musician? I hope you're enjoying Toronto.

    Took a 2 mile walk this morning before we did our grocery shopping. That's the most I've been able to walk in several months; good test for my rebuilt hip.

    Plan to relax the rest of the day. It's our easy dinner day. I have butternut squash + sweet potato soup (homemade) and DH has salad.

    Glad to hear your sales are good Carol. We always enjoy browsing Farmers Markets, hoping to find a rare find for a future gift.

    Enjoy your day ladies.


  • wren44
    wren44 Member Posts: 7,928
    edited May 2022

    Sandy, I totally agree. I keep getting calls from a national Republican committee fundraising. Can't wait to use the thoughts and prayers for them.

    Carole, I love farmer's markets. You remind me that I haven't been for a long time.