Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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I am interested in finding cousins I never knew. One in England is a dedicated genealogist, has tracked my grandfather's family waaay back. Another on my mother's side is in California, her husband is descended from my mother's mother's father's brother. That family has extensive geneologise in New Amsterdam and New York in general. We have a dead end with my mother's mother's mother's father.
On my father's side, his mother's father's brothers. One died in Kansas, fairly young. The brother he was with went to Oklahoma and I conversed with his descendants. Another went to Minnesota, Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and had a family. I conversed with one of them. The others came from Ireland and Germany. My cousin and others have traced the family in Germany, basically through records rather than people. Dead end with Ireland.
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Judy, i've had to resume using my cane (the travel version I stashed in my rollaboard). My R hip now feels like a rerun of the 2015 bursitis that put a crimp in my own trip to Spain (but got me into the Prado without waiting in line). Sometimes when I get up from sitting it feels like it might give way, and I shuffle stiffly for the first 4-5 strides. I had planned to go to the walk-in ortho clinic at Skokie today for an X-ray &/or ultrasound, maybe cortisone shot. (No time yesterday with all the shopping & errands). I might even switch to trekking poles if my L toes keep hurting. In Toronto, my cane helped me walk much faster than Bob, who's only a year and a half older than me. He has sciatica and his R foot looks far worse than mine--the big toe is horribly deformed with a bunion, not only overlapping but with the toenail horizontal, with several hammertoes and toenails that are difficult to cut (and which actually puncture his socks and the mesh of his sneakers). But he claims it doesn't hurt. (He never complains about pain until he can't stand it any more--typical guy stuff). Because podiatrists won't do nail trims on non-diabetic seniors (Medicare won't pay), I keep begging him to let me make him a pedicure appointment; even pleaded with him to go into one of the several nail salons we passed on our walks in Toronto, but noooo... He won't let me reorder the shoes from Zappos, saying he wants to go try them on in person, but refused to make time to go to a shoe store. (I told him to stop in at Alamo Shoes, and reward himself with a martini at Calo a block away--that'll give tonight's steak a chance to defrost, especially if I have to go get our friend). He says "sounds like a plan." (I said the magic words "martini at Calo").
But no good deed goes unpunished. Just as I finished last night's dinner, my phone rang--it was my longest-standing Chicago friend (at least the first one I met in our current social circle). He's 80, on a small fixed income, and doesn't drive--just cycles or takes CTA. He asked if I could pick him up from Northwestern Hospital after a "procedure." (I didn't ask what kind). I figured I needed for once to give of my time, not just my money, so I said yes. I asked him when, and he said "tomorrow afternoon," but couldn't tell me exactly when--he'll call or text when he's ready to go home. So there goes my clinic visit. I'm stuck home all day waiting, waiting, wasting a lovely sunny mild day. No answer at his phone. I have a sinking feeling there goes dinner, too. (I'd call him, but if he's in the midst of a procedure...).If he calls soon, that means going downtown during rush hour. I'm hoping a transporter can wheel him down to where I can pick him up, rather than having to spend >$20 to park and walk into the hospital.
Judy, I'm too paranoid to use a backpack because I'm afraid of thieves dipping into it. (And carrying it in front like a baby in a Snugli just looks unbearably dorky).
Toronto was a mixed bag--the massive weather delays (we were supposed to land at noon) had us landing just in time to ditch our bags in our hotel room and cab it to our 9:15pm dinner reservation at Canoe, which was awesome. Slept in the next morning, dashed down to the free (mediocre) breakfast buffet, then napped & went online while Bob took walks. I walked too, in search of sundries--and then we walked to our terrific dinner at Adega (Portuguese).
We drank way too much. Sunday was wasted going to the pharmacy for our TSA-mandated COVID tests (we passed), but we went back to the same block as Adega and had a delightful alfresco lunch. Then we walked to Nathan Phillips Sq., but the museum there was closed. Did get some sightseeing in, and the breeze off the plaza fountain was quite welcome. Our dinner at Lai Wah Heen in our hotel was disappointing--huge portions of not very inventive Cantonese food, which leftovers we put in the fridge and intended to eat in our room the next day but awoke Monday not wanting to try to do so. We checked out, dropped our bags with the valet, and took the Big Bus tour. Sat up top, and it was hot. (Bob refused my offer of sunscreen, again typical guy thing). We passed by many ethnic restaurants, and the aromas were tantalizing (both as we walked and as we rode).Both Porter Air & Billy Bishop airport are not what they used to be. The airport was renovated--looks great, easier to navigate, but amenities have gone downhill. No free refreshments in the departure lounge. And inexplicably, the good restaurants were all on the arrivals level! The turboprop plane seats, which used to be roomy and comfy, have been replaced with narrow lightweight seats so they could increase capacity. And customs at Midway (unlike at larger Canadian airports, no US Customs at the departure point) was a nightmare. I have Global Entry, but the kiosks didn't work--and there were no regular kiosks like at Toronto. We had to stand in the long snaky line with passengers also arriving from Mexico & the Caribbean, and there were only TWO CBP officers working the entire hall. When we got home we were too tired to cook or go out--so I just nuked a couple of hot dogs & sauerkraut.
Next time we go to Toronto (assuming Bob gets his s**t together and renews his passport, which expires in 3 weeks), it'll be either by car (side trip to Niagara) or another airline, through Pearson Int'l.
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Thanks for your Ancestry suggestion everyone. I've been on it for years. Just haven't found recent military records. A large number of my maternal cousins served in CW from Elgin, Illinois. I'm guessing that Dad's Kentucky ones would have fought for the south but haven't confirmed that. A favorite story about s War of 1812 grandfather is that he was captured and released after promising to go home - which he didn't - just signed up again. My Dutch ancestors were Loyalists who went to Canada after the Revolution, eventually returning to the states through Detroit. Also had ancestors at the Battle of Lexington and Concord on the Patriots' side. My Mom's family came to Mass and New York very early and Dad's were Jamestown. Dad always said he had lived in Kentucky forever and it turns out his family was with Daniel Boone, settling bounty land. Ken's Catholic line came with Lord Baltimore and settled in St. Mary's County before heading west. His Protestants came to CT very early. Joined several lineage societies over the years but have let those memberships drop recently.
Probably my most notorious relative is Margaret Plantanagent Poole. After serving as Lady in Waiting for both Princess Mary and Princess Elizabeth and a close confident of Catherine of Argon, she was put to death by Henry VIII - she was the oldest woman ever beheaded in the Tower of London. Henry VIII was sure she was helping the Catholics and from what I can find, he was right. One of her sons, a Cardinal, escaped to France but others were beheaded with her.
It is an addictive habit and I spend way too much time on it but I've really enjoyed doing so. Just wish I could get back to the NEGHS again.
Already in the 100's here and I expect it will be a long wildfire season. Stay safe everyone.
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Good morning. I have my PCP appointment today and eye doctor Friday. We have been watching the Tropics for Agatha redevelopment. It looks like it will going south, over by you, Cindy. But, one never knows.
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Good Morning - today is the two year anniversary of my breast MRI that started my BC journey. I had a mammogram 6 months prior that was good, so I was surprised that they found a 7.5cm tumor.
Had a 1.4 mile walk and am heading to PT shortly. My hip is doing well at 7 weeks post-op. My shoulder needs more PT. I had hip bursitis before replacements. Injections helped give me temporary relief.
My mothers ancestors came from Germany in the 1800s. There's even a relative who fought in the civil war. They lived in Columbus Ohio. My fathers family also came from Germany in late 1800s. They lived in Canton Ohio. All my family got out before the holocaust. My husbands family came over in the 1600s from English. They settled in Massachusetts. His grandmother was born in Scotland.
My parent met when they were 15/16, went to college at Ohio State, but dropped out when my Dad enlisted in the Navy during WWII. They got married before he was shipped out. He served on the USS Canberra in the Pacific during the war and was a mess Sargent. My Mom worked as a chemist during the war.
Enjoy your day
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Creative gratitude is an attitude. It is magnetic and will draw good to you. It is good therapy, a road to happiness. Thankfulness is a way of living more fully. Be thankful for your health and you will have health in more abundance. Be thankful for the love you receive and it will be increased. Be thankful for your success and you'll open doors to further achievement. Be thankful for your friends and more friends will come to you. Be thankful for beauty and you'll experience it more deeply. Creative gratitude is a force for harmony and goodwill. It brings people together in love and understanding. It is high on the scale of creative qualities to be practiced day in and day out in our moment-to-moment contacts. -Wilferd A. Peterson
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Cardplayer - my DH is a Columbus native and I lived there for 15 years. Do you still have family in Columbus? We've been gone for 36 years. No family left in Columbus, but I have a brother in Cincinnati. We both went to OSU - small world!
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Yay! It isn't windy today! The poor red geranium plant is leaning in its pot. Poor plant has had a rough time of it since it was placed on our deck.
I got a start on removing weeds from the little graveled playground yesterday. I use a yard rake to push the gravel back and forth and uproot the feathery weeds that seem to thrive in rocks. It will probably take me two more sessions of raking.
DH isn't happy with the situation so far this summer. We liked it much better when the owners weren't in residence. It's just natural that the campsite renters go around us, the managers, and communicate with the owners. Mowing the grass has been our job up until this summer when the owner is taking it upon himself to mow and bag the grass which we did not do. The couple are only in their 60's and ran a large resort in Texas before selling it a year ago. I'm expecting them to take over the entire operation of this very small resort. Maybe that will be for the best.
I'm adopting Jackie's philosophic attitude!
I plan to go to the gym a little later.
Happy Friday to all.
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karen1956 - we moved to Indianapolis in 1964 and all of the other relatives left after college (most went to OSU) or moved away. My older brother grew up in Columbus (Whitehall - graduated from Yearling High School and went to Case Institute) keeps talking about planning a family reunion and having it in Columbus, but isn't getting much traction.
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It's only in our minds that we are separate from the rest of the world. -Gay Luce
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Going to be pretty here today. Very cool this a.m. Son-in-law goes outside to do a little morning surveillance of anything ( tree limbs or whatever ) that took place overnight. He came in shivering a bit. This is how summer's usually start out -- with pretty cool mornings. Would be nice if we could have something more normal for us, but that is not likely.
Have to go to my friend's and care for her animals. This is a short time jaunt. Just two days -- so it won't take anything out of me. I, in fact, continue to feel pretty well, all things considered. I did get a bit of a slow start -- but I think I'm catching up pretty well. Some days I'm still a bit more tired than I expected I'd be, but nothing else to complain about. Work remains to be done on figuring what it will take to get my blood pressure at a good point. I'm much better -- 81/56-87 today, but the respirations could be less. Just had a blood test for the cardiologist who I will see on the 13th. So far she has done me a world of good and she has no idea how much I appreciate it. I did not realize till I started to feel so much better, that I was not progressing near enough toward wellness.
Carole, you are right. Some of our blessings come disguised and it may take some time and hindsight to figure it out. I hope we all have a beautiful Friday to lead us into a really wonderful week-end.
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Yesterday I met with my gym gf’s at a local park, and we walked 3 miles. Felt good to be out but afterwards my left foot had a sore spot. I do need new orthotics and they’re on order, but I hope this spot doesn’t have me bowing out of our walks.
After going home and showering, I had an appt with my breast surgeon. All is good and she’ll see me in a year. It will be 5 years in November since my surgery, so I’d guess after next year I’d stop seeing her.I went home to eat, then off to volunteer work. I had a very busy job handing out chocolate chip cookies and a loaf of bread from the race sponsor Freihofer’s. Everyone was happy getting cookies!
Today was a long lunch with old friends. All our lives have taken different turns over the past 40+ years but put us all together, men and women, it’s old times again.
Tomorrow morning 9 AM is the 5k Freihofer’s Run for Wonen. Weather should be great for it. I hadn’t planned on going but my niece and her daughter are running in it, so there is where I’ll be.
Wishing you all great weather and an enjoyable weekend.
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I knew very little about my family tree until one day in 2018 when we got a call from a French genealogist searching for the heirs of my paternal grandmother, whose cousin in Paris had recently died intestate without heirs. She was his closest living relative. (I had no idea that I had family in France--I'd assumed that any of them who hadn't made it across the pond by the 1920s had perished in the Holocaust). I learned that the family legend of my paternal grandfather was true: he had indeed died young (36) in NYC--Queens--during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, when my dad was only a toddler. (My dad and his baby sister had fallen ill and their father had gone out in a snowstorm to pick up some medicine for them, but collapsed in the street and died). We were able to trace our paternal line (both grandparents) in Poland, Hungary & Austria (the part lying w/in the Pale of Settlement) back as far as my great-great-grandparents. A huge surprise was that I have more cousins in Canada & the UK than I do in the US.
I resorted to Ancestry.com to find my maternal line--I made it as far back as my maternal grandfather's parents & brothers (all of whom emigrated to the US by 1900); no record of my grandma's parents, whom I assume never made it out of Belarus--but I've known all her sisters, who emigrated with her to NYC. 23&Me included three first cousins once removed (two live in FL, and I actually baby-sat them when we all lived in Brooklyn; the third is the son of another first cousin). All but one of the second cousins (per amount ot shared DNA) the site listed came up as dead ends--we were mutually unfamiliar with the surnames we mentioned. Surprisingly, the one who did come through lives in SD--and was able to confirm about my maternal grandfather's brothers (including some juicy dirt on minor family feuding).
Bob's paternal grandma was 100% Scottish, born in Edinburgh, and Anglican; his grandfather (born in the Bronx) was half Italian-Swiss and half Peruvian (grandma, being somewhat ethnocentric, told everyone he was "Swiss" and conveniently omitted both the Italian & Peruvian parts--the Swiss part, being Calvinist Presbyterian, was close enough for comfort since most Scots were Presbyterian). Bob's mom was born in what is now Romania but back then was Austria-Hungary, to where her family had fled in 1845 when Catholics in the Black Forest region of what is now Germany were persecuted. Her parents brought her to Brooklyn when she was only 18 months old. They settled in a Park Slope brownstone they bought, and then sold in the 1950s when the neighborhood was considered "iffy." But Park Slope became very trendy, and the latest Zillow valuation was >$3 million. Bob's paternal grandparents had temporarily disowned him when my FIL converted to Catholicism to marry my MIL.
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Back to the present day. My friend's procedure turned out fine, and when the anesthesia wore off he was cleared to go home solo via taxi. He texted me that...but to my landline instead of my cell! When he got home, he fell asleep and got none of my and my BFF's frantic calls & texts...till he awoke at midnight and realized his mistake.
My R hip, leg and knee, which began bothering me 3 weeks ago, flared up enough over the weekend that I needed a cane for the first time in years. (I always pack a collapsible hiking cane in my carry-on just in case). I finally went to the walk-in ortho clinic at Skokie Hospital yesterday. After several X-rays, ROM tests and very painful poking & prodding (the ortho kept apologizing every time I screamed), the diagnosis is moderate to severe spinal arthritis (moderate in the C-spine, mild in the S joints, severe in the lumbar region, with both joint-space narrowing & bone spurs on the vertebrae), compressing the sciatic nerve all the way down to & past the knee. The hip itself has only mild-to-moderate arthritis; but the hip flexors, piriformis, iliopsoas and IT band are all stiff & sore from first underuse (my L foot can't tolerate socks and I get blisters if I go sockless in a closed shoe, so I've been unsble to exercise) and then overuse from trying to compensate for the L foot, and R hip & spine while walking around airports & city streets. She estimates that I'm about 1-2 yrs. away from needing a hip replacement, and that cortisone shots are no longer advised because they accelerate destruction of cartilage. I will likely need lidocaine injections in the hip & lumbar spine--but to forestall that, she prescribed 5 weeks of PT. My health system's PT scheduling office closed early today, so I'll call Monday. BTW, I can no longer take oral NSAIDs--at least not until a GI bleed has been ruled out as the cause of my mild anemia. So it's topicals, ibuprofen & CBD. (Swearing also helps somewhat).
So to put it in lay terms, if I were a house: the exterior is still looking pretty good for its age; the plumbing is fine and (except for the occasional basal ganglia misfires) so is the electrical; but the framing is shot.
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Yes, Sandy. I never knew of the depth of anti-Catholicism in this country until I started researching for my book. We know so little about my Irish great-grandmother. She must have been an exceptional woman for so many spouses of her descendants to have converted to Catholicism. And of course what the Irish went through under the thumb of the English for so long influenced her.
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Good morning. It looks like topical storm #1 is disorganized and will be out in the Atlantic this evening. It s overcast, but no rain as yet. South Florida is getting lots of rain. It should be cleared up when we go down for the Celebration of Life for our nephew on Sunday.
Hope everyone has a pleasant weekend.
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Just finished our morning walk. It's a beautiful day here. Started off in the upper 50s and now is a comfortable 75. Going to a get together with some of the ladies in the neighborhood. We try to meet monthly. We use to play canasta or Rummikub weekly before the pandemic, but haven't started back up. While I was doing my treatment during the pandemic, I played online canasta with one of my friends when I felt up to it.
I'd been dealing with hip issues since 2008 when I developed avascular necrosis in both hips. I had a reaction to penicillin and took high doses of prednisone to resolve, causing the avascular necrosis. I had core decompression in both hips in 2008 which helped. I had my right hip replaced in 2016 and left replaced just recently.
Have a wonderful day!
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Sounds, Sandy, like you had a thorough exam from Skokie Hospital Ortho. Which is more than I had a few months ago. I saw a young DO for a buckling, painful leg and knee joint. He barely listened, spent 5 seconds looking at the leg, but did send me for XRays which showed only mild knee osteoarthritis, for which I, possibly wrongly, blame, not age, but Arimidex. But he did not examine hip, spine, etc. His prescription,too, was for PT. Said it was a" simple bread and butter case." Which it is not turning out to be. The PTherapist is skilled, thinks it’s muscle weakness, tendinitis, but leg, after 8 weeks, still very sore and I've developed some curb hesitation, where I stand at look at it, then am afraid to go up or down. Will have to pull my folding cane out of my backpack and actually use it for curbs, though do not need it just to walk. Am nervous about the airport and airplane Monday on our trip to Asheville. We sit in 1A, 1B and,as I, the first one, limp off I’ll be holding all the rushing people behind me up. None of this is serious though it is tiring and I also cannot take NSAIDS. I did, because of the Arimidex, get a DEXA scan a few weeks ago and though I have bone loss, no osteopenia nor osteoporosis.Do have a pretty degenerative L4, but no back pain. Perhaps this is contributing to wonky leg, but DO did not even ask about spine or back. Will continue with PT and will keep walking a lot. Will take cane out of backpack when needed.
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Remember—“up with the good leg, down with the bad.” Every time I strained my back stepping off a curb it was because I stepped down with whatever was the weaker creakier leg at the time.
Speaking of canes I noticed that both my trekking poles are missing the rubber tips—I’d last used them during a blizzard. So I’d better order a pair of tips (the mobility section at the pharmacy has only the full-cane tips, so I’ll have to try Dick’s Sporting Goods or REI).
Make sure you pre-board—and there is no shame in being the last one off the plane despite sitting up front, so don’t be afraid to mention that to the flight attendants before you take off. Unless there’s a connecting flight with little time to spare, the peace of mind of not p**sing off the other passengers is worth the delay. Bob actually likes having the extra time to read.
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I my poles came with several sets of tips. These poles are my second set, and higher quality than my first set. I need to get going to take Tippy out to pee.
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We had a lovely day yesterday for our second Saturday at the farmers market. We didn't match last Saturday's sales but did fairly well. Customers from previous years have been stopping by and telling us how much they enjoy their bowls and usually end up buying another one.
I'm enjoying a leisurely Sunday morning. Later I will do some laundry.
Happy Sunday to all.
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The whole of life is a journey toward youthful old age, toward self-contemplation, love, gaiety, and, in a fundamental sense, the most gratifying time of our lives. . . . "Old age" should be a harvest time when the riches of life are reaped and enjoyed, while it continues to be a special period for self-development and expansion.
Ashley Montague0 -
Starting out slow this morning. Doesn't look cloudy but the sun seems muted this morning. In among all the trees -- we can't always see a lot of sky in the morning. It has to be pretty bright from the get-go to be for sure.
Farmer's Market sounds like a good outing for people on Saturdays. Glad you are doing well there Carole. I did much the same as the people you are describing as having made purchases in previous yr. and coming back for more. I did this with pottery bowls every yr. at Balloon Fest. That is until the lady stopped coming. I still enjoy those bowls and use them quite frequently. It was a bit addicting -- apparently people feel the same about wooden bowls.
Not a lot planned today. Just hoping for a nice quiet day.
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Glad to hear the Farmers Market went well Carol.
I often wonder if doctors don’t take womens complaints seriously when they look at our age or medications. I know I blame my joint pain on anastrozole, my mastectomies or both. Hope PT gives you some relief. It’s worked great for my hip. Still working on my shoulder.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
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I got a haircut yesterday. Had a brainstorm yesterday while sitting there. Asked her if she was interested in selling silk pillowcases for me. She said "Yes"! I asked her about a commission, and she said, "Nothing." I have two saris coming, and they make up so quick.
Did a bit of gardening in a light rain today. Have more to do tomorrow but have to get some more seeds and some kind of deterrent to keep Peter C. out of it. Plus helping my mechanic.
i have so much to do but being very slow about getting it done.
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Early morning wake up call by the cats. Bart likes to grab my hair to wake me up. I have REIKI therapy this morning followed by PT. Since it's another beautiful day, we'll do our walk this afternoon.
We go to the beach in two weeks. We've been going with the kids plus their friends/family and now spouses for the last 29 years. We rent different houses each year, which is fun. We go to the Outer Banks NC staying in Duck this year.
Have a healthy day.
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When your inner eyes open, you can find immense beauty hidden within the inconsequential details of daily life. When your inner ears open, you can hear the subtle, lovely music of the universe everywhere you go.
Timothy Ray Miller
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MC, brainstorms are fairly productive it sounds like. Also, being slow means you always have something to do tomorrow.
Cardplayer, your Outer Banks trip sounds great and like it is always fun -- different houses, different parts of the coastline. My friend's sister has a home on the Outer Banks. Don't recall just where. They live there yr. round.
Interesting day today. Got a call last night to go to my friend's today. The people that start up their sprinkler system every yr. ( late this yr. ) were coming and so she wanted me to go over early and stay til' they were done. So, I grabbed my pills this early morn, my box of low sodium cereal and off I went. Was home in an hour as the men worked fast. I think they must have a big backlog for some reason. About a month late to my friend's house.
I finally got my test results back from the Cardio Dr. I can d/c the potassium for now, and start taking a half of the Torsemide ( water ) pill per day. I see Dr. Ruben on the 13th. In the afternoon and will likely go early to have some ordered bloodwork to see if these changes are being reflected.
All else is about the same. We are having a slow steady rain -- not drenching like they have been but enough to get you properly wet if you are out for long.
We have our chairs and umbrella on the deck and shading the table now. I washed them up yesterday while awaiting the restringing of the umbrella ropes. SIL took care of that while I washed the table -- top and underside, and also redid the deck windows. We had some company over and all ate out on the deck last night which was very pleasant.
I hope you all had a good day.
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Practicing the dulcimer pieces and guitar exercises I'll be teaching this weekend at Gebhard Woods--it's tricky not just because I'm rusty and my calluses aren't hard enough yet, but also because my L index finger (distal joint, especially) has become quite stiff & arthritic, with a visible bone spur--and the fingertip is very sensitive to pressure. If I teach next year, maybe I'll do a workshop on "Strategies for Aging Fingers," based on my experience going forward. Meanwhile my nail tech is gonna blow a gasket Wednesday when she sees how short I had to clip back my L hand nails so I could fret cleanly.
Tomorrow morning is my first PT session. I chose the Evanston Athletic Club location because it's closest to me. To my chagrin, I discovered the city parking garages are each 3 blocks away--one in the Target on Davis St. and the other northwest on Maple. (The EAC itself is on Benson--Judy, you know what I'm talking about). The only PT location with free parking is up at Skokie Hospital's Ambulatory Care Center (where I did OT after my hand & arm surgery in 2018). So this is all a plot to make me get my steps in.
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The radiologist's X-ray report (as opposed to my new ortho's after-visit summary & notes) showed up in my portal today. I have both L-3 and L-4 radiculopathy, which is causing the sciatica--which in turn produces the hip, knee and calf pain. Oh boy. Hope the PT can work some minor miracles.
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