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

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  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,593
    edited August 2022

    Wow, ladies. Betrayal, good to hear your well on your way to geting your living room back after so long. I envision a 'company' who has one building devoted to "lost" items. My goodness -- it sure seems a lot of things turn up mia. Then again, I tend to attach ( however I can ) certain things to its 'parent'. For instance -- I have some special sm. attachements that go on the end of my foot board to my bed. When I changed and went to JUST headboard only, I took those small pieces, placed them in a heavy zip-lock bag and tied the zip-lock bag to the footboard with heavy yarn. I'm sort of obsessive about keeping things together since I've ended up with so many ( parts missing ) things in my life. Can't give them away w/out the parts and can't use them anymoe either.

    Cindy, sure hope you remain well and don't have to get 'covid'. Had a friend talking about everyone getting it, but I don't think that is the case. A couple of my cousins got it, and didn't really quarantine, and the rest of the family stayed well. It is possible for you to be very close to someone and NOT get it. I'm sure hoping that I will be fortunate and not get it. That said, I wear my mask yet out in the stores and daughter and son-in-law avoid masking if at all possible -- so I keep wondering. Just have to hope.


  • betrayal
    betrayal Member Posts: 3,167
    edited August 2022

    Fingers crossed Cindy that you will not develop Covid. Sorry that your niece is ill and hope she has a mild course.

    I think this is par for the course with this restoration company. Not the first thing they have misplaced. The place that refinished the master bedroom furniture called to say they were delivering the bedroom furniture in December 2020. I told them they had to wait until the new bed was delivered and they did. When they finally delivered the furniture in February, a small walnut table that had been my DH's GM's table was missing. I described it and they contacted me about a week later to say they were delivering it. The table they sent was a large round very expensive table that was very attractive but definitely not mine. I caught them before they got it to the front door and talked to the guy telling him what my table looked like. They did find it and showed up about 2 weeks alter with it. So this whole experience has been a comedy of errors: long delays, making stupid decisions that caused further damage to house (removal of gutters), waiting to place an order for basement flooring meaning it was no longer available so a more expensive alternative had to be purchased (cost on them), installing broken door knob system, etc. The list goes on and on. Once the mirror is back and the door know is replaced we have a long punch list to resolve. Can't wait for them to be totally gone.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,593
    edited August 2022

    Do your words rain down comfort? Love chooses to cover instead of condemn. Job's choice confronts us daily. Some people provoke us to exchange blow for blow, gossip for gossip, curse for curse, rebuke for rebuke. To speak as Job's comforters spoke requires no wisdom or strength from God. That kind of speech comes naturally. But if we choose to use our words to encourage and comfort, we will need supernatural strength. God is ready when you are. -Jan Carlberg

  • oldladyblue
    oldladyblue Member Posts: 302
    edited August 2022

    Betrayal what a nice surprise to have an anonymous donor pay for the birthday cake. Woohoo!

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

    betrayal - your project is starting to remind me of the work that was always being done on the house on the old TV show Green Acres. Hope you get the furniture squared away.

    Cindyny - sorry to hear about your niece. Hope you’re able to avoid covid.

    I just returned from a neurologist appointment and a covid test. Increasing my gabapentin by 100mg during the day. Having some pain in the afternoon. Hopefully that will help alleviate some of the facial palsy pain too. Then I had a covid test in preparation for my endoscopy on Wednesday. Even though my procedure isn’t at the hospital, my GI doctor still is testing patients who go to their clinic. Covid is high in our area again.

    Enjoy your day.

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

    Welcome aboard, Denny & Moco!

    Taco, I think you'll be safe. It's almost certain that the woman at the table caught COVID while unmasked, so your masks likely protected each other. Not inconceivable that one would be loath to dine or shop indoors during those masked 10 days, however--especially as our immune systems become weaker with age. Cindy, I hope you continue to test negative and your niece's case is mild & short. Good call on continuing to mask--even though cases are declining in my area, I still wear my KN95s indoors in public. Never leave home without a couple in my purse and my car.

    The hair appointment turned out to be an expensive adventure. Not the cost itself, which I knew beforehand, having had several BBs done since 2010. No, I parked at one of those "meter box zones" that replaced regular parking meters (one per space) in Chicago years ago when Daley the Younger (aka Little Richard) made a disastrous deal with the parking company. I have its app, with both our cars' plates and my credit card entered into my account. The way it works is that you either enter your plate no., choose your time, and run your card through the box's reader; or punch in the zone number, select your vehicle and desired time, and hit "pay." This particular zone--an entire side of a city block--had a 2-hr. limit. But in the past, I was always notified via a ping on my phone & even a buzz on my watch that I had "x" number of minutes remaining and given the option of buying an extension. This time, no ping, no buzz. I decided on my own to buy another 2 hours at $5 a pop. (A BB plus color & cut is usually 2-1/2-3 hrs). When I brought up the app I got a message box stating my time had expired, so I went ahead and bought a new time slot. (I couldn't move my car, as I was sitting there in the stylist's chair getting glop ironed into my hair). When I finished and got to my car, there was a $50 ticket on my windshield, for "expired meter, driver not seen walking to vehicle." Nothing I could do to contest it, as "my app never nagged me" is not a defense. In fact, when I got home and looked up the ordinance, I found the time limit applies to the entire zone--yup, you have to move your car across the street or to another block. Most expensive parking by far, even pricier than an evening in a midtown NYC hotel garage.

    That's not all. When the stylist finished, my hair looked great: silky smooth, no frizz, straight as a pin. But within half an hour of returning home (and it was not particularly humid that day), the ends had flipped up and some frizz was emerging along the sides. Sent the stylist a pic. He said to sleep on it, and if it got any wavy-er to flatiron it, then wash it on my usual shampooing schedule. If it doesn't blow-dry straight, he will re-do it for free, because a true Brazilian Blowout does not require you to refrain from washing, tying back or putting up your hair for 72 hrs. the way competing keratin treatments do. So both Saturday & yesterday morning a few front sections looked "bent," so I gently flatironed them. So far, so good today. We shall see what happens: still wore a shower cap this morning but will wash it during tomorrow's shower--I have a full week of medical & vet stuff ahead of me--T, W, Th all occupied. Free today...but the salon is closed Mondays, so Friday may be my next chance for the re-do.

    Saturday was our annual block party, much smaller than in years past. (I missed last year because I'd thrown my back out and Bob was working). The city provided a bouncy house and a slip & slide, and that was it. No fire truck, no police K-9 demo, no ball pit. In years past, the Ethiopian restaurant around the corner would bring food and one year even did the coffee-roasting ceremony; and Streets & Sanitation would a truckload of sand for beach volleyball--but none of that this year. No band (my own band played several times before it broke up)--the funds collected were enough for only a DJ, burgers & hot dogs (I brought my own keto buns). I brought champagne, but few people drank any--so many of our neighbors are our age and on meds so are teetotalers. For the brunch, I made a big insalata Caprese with homegrown basil & tomatoes--I brought it over, then walked back to my house for a chair and the bubbly--by the time I got back to the table, all but one tiny portion was gone. (I make it every year, and I forget that it gets more popular each time). Fortunately, I was able to stay keto the whole time: there were three kinds of deviled eggs, a frittata (from the neighbor who usually makes a quiche or tortilla Español), cheeses, prosciutto & melon and fresh berries. I wasn't tempted at all by the pasta salads or baked goods. I was able to have a cheeseburger and char-grilled hot dog (no trimmings) at the BBQ for dinner, and I skipped the ice cream social (provided by the corner frozen-custard parlor).

    But the weather was the best I can remember for any block party--not too hot, not sticky, a nice breeze at times. Anyway, the neighborhood kids were having a blast, riding bikes and scooters and playing with each others' dogs. There was also badminton, but I'm no good at that. So we sat and chatted with neighbors and former neighbors who came back.

    Yesterday? Lazy day--just went for groceries & tended the garden between rain showers. The threatened storms never arrived.

  • cindyny
    cindyny Member Posts: 1,320
    edited August 2022

    My niece’s daughter is doing much better. Awake this morning at 6 AM, no fever but not feeling great. More Tylenol and back to sleep she went. Not sure I’ve mentioned, their dog got sprayed by a skunk the same night they got home & she tested positive. Well, she can’t smell it. My niece said the dog smells better (dawn, baking soda and peroxide) but she can still smell skunk in the house; her daughter can’t smell it. We hope that’s a temporary loss of smell.

    We still have no symptoms. My PT asked that I stay away until the end of the week. I’ll retest Thursday, unless symptoms show up before then. PT put off until next week. Orthopedic hand Dr on Thursday I plan on attending, they’ll screen me before seeing me and everyone in the building is masked. Thank you all for the good wishes!

    It’s 95 here and feels over 100. At 8 AM I put my bathing suit on to carry out old pressure treated deck lumber to the curb. I went on partners FB and listed it as free. Seven people interested and it’s gone! So thankful it didn’t go in the landfill.

    I did my PT exercises, and a 30 minute tai chi online class, all in front of the portable AC. I’m done!

    Sandy, the extra “fee” to park is exorbitant. Jackie, we’re hoping you can live with someone and not get covid too. Betrayal, it must be almost a surprise, like getting new furniture, to see all your belongings again. I know I’m forgetting some of you- these pages are shorter and it’s hard going back to see what’s what. Petite, I don’t think I’ve seen much from you, hoping your doing well too. Mary you sound busy whenever I catch up with your posts. Carol, maybe post a picture on here of your husbands bowls. They found lovely and you never know if one of us would buy one.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,593
    edited August 2022

    Cardplayer, hope the higher dose of gabapentin will put you in good form. Since there are a couple more covid variants since Omicron, it probably is a good thing to keep your eyes open and do some checking along the way. Using masks in certain situations just makes sense to me. Since sick people do go to Dr.'s offices and medical facilities, I'd be happy seeing people masked as yet and also in stores. I think be safe rather than sorry.

    We are awaiting some rain. It got dark on the way home from Marion -- about 3 in the afternoon. It also dropped 10 or 12 degrees per my car thermomenter.

    We are once again changing some meds. I will start doing higher doses of Carvedillio ( sp. ). The issue has been that often for people like me the blood pressure is too high. Mine has been lower since the operation -- so even though Dr. Ruben hopes to increase my dosages, it has to be done slowly so my body can adjust if it can and not throw me into dangerous territory with my blood pressure. We have been able to increase the Lorsarton. Hoping this change is as smooth as that one.

    Also going to have morning storms tomorrow maybe...well, if it lowers the temps a bit that will be nice. Just hope they stay down for awhile and they might. Hasn't been as bad this week as I thought it would be.

    Hope all have had a good day.

  • betrayal
    betrayal Member Posts: 3,167
    edited August 2022

    Lost my post. What happened to the font size that it is so small and the left margin is incrementally even larger than before? Finished sand on fire pit area today before temps reached one shade cooler than hell. You can cut the humidity with a knife it is so thick. Glad I can concentrate on indoor work and getting the house back in to some state of order without a stack of boxes all over. Even though they are labeled the labels are generic so it is like opening a surprise package and unwrapping all that bubble wrap does reveal a much missed item. The cats are enjoying both the lids and the boxes as well as getting on the furniture that hasn't been around for 2.5 years. Sort of like forbidden fruit to them.

    Attaching photos of the finished fire pit. Need maybe 2 more chairs and a small side table but will postpone that decision for now. Too hot to even give it a trial run. Just so nice to have a sense of accomplishment. Busy day and I am tired.

    image

    image So we need to clean up small rocks we excavated and reseed the area but we are officially done this project.

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

    Cindy, tell your niece that the old "country remedy" to neutralize skunk odor is a combination of tomato juice and vinegar. (I learned this 45+ yrs ago, after our little Datsun got sprayed barreling down I-5 in southern Skagit County on our way back from the San Juans to Seattle--a state trooper I called told me that's what he'd use on his dog after skunk encounters; just then, Bob burst in the door waving an organic chemistry textbook that came to the same conclusion). The chemical composition of skunk-spray is butyl mercaptan (the "butyl" part is what makes it smell faintly like rubber before the odor fully, uh, "blossoms"). The vinegar, acetic acid, neutralizes it into mercaptoacetate; and the tomato juice blunts the acrid scent of the vinegar. Saved me from having to get my car steam-cleaned, though it did smell like Italian dressing till we ran it through the car wash a couple of times.

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

    I'm back home after a wonderful 4 week trip. We had a wonderful time. I need to post pictures on FB. Will try to post a few here, but it proves to be quite the challenge for me to post more than one at a time/post. Thankfully, travel went relatively smoothly (no cancelled flights) and our luggage arrived with each flight. I'm going to go through my photos and make a photo book for 20, 21 and 22 (at end of this year) so my photos are somewhere other than my phone.

    Lots to do to catch up at home. And get ready for the start of the 22-23 sy which starts for me on the 15th. The kiddos start on the 22nd. Next week is full of PDs. I'll be at the same school I finished the school year at covering FMLA (at least I think I will as I haven't checked work email since I left) through October.

    Betrayal - happy to hear that your house is almost done. The fire pit looks lovely.

    Too hard to go back and read several weeks posts - I did skim posts every now and then, but not enough to remember to address everyone.

    Have a great Tuesday.

  • keywestfan
    keywestfan Member Posts: 367
    edited August 2022

    Sandy, this is sort of an addendum or whatever to your post on lumpectomy lounge about arthritis. I don't know the role, if any, of arimidex, but I had no joint pain at all, nor any arthritis that I knew of, before I began. Am on an extended break now after 3 years and it may be permanent now that I have to have total hip replacement. It is hard to explain how freaked I am by this. Will know the date on August 16 when I see one other surgeon who I prefer to use and see what his available surgical opening is. What's freaking me is he does a posterior approach and the restrictions for 3 months to prevent dislocation (no bending past 90 degrees, back sleeping surrounded by pillows, no crossing legs or ankles, no twisting,) seem as if I will screw up in some way and dislocate the first day. Buying tons of stuff like leg lifters, reachers, grabbers, wedges on Amazon, but... also, can’t take pain pills, will have to have a general instead of spinal anaesthetic because of low platelet count. Will go to skilled nursing unit here on second floor of this retirement home for two weeks and then there’s the question of going back on Arimidex which I’ll discuss with MO in September after yearly mammo and ultrasound. Just venting because of the freaking.

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

    Betrayal, that firepit is beautiful! Is that so you can stay warm on chilly days, or can you also barbeque on it? My font setting on my laptop is at 150%. It is easy to read and the left margin is fine. At 200% there is no left margin.

    Karen, great to see you back. Great to hear your stories about work and how rewarding that profession can be. Please post some of the best photos from your vacation.

    Pain has been destroying my sleep. Words fly around in my head, and I try to grab at them but miss time and time again. Short-term-memory is shot. I took two naps yesterday and got four and a half hours of sleep last night. I'll crash whenever I feel like it, and hopefully won't get like that again. Pushed myself too hard getting ready for the crafts sale.

    The crafts sale was the first time for the organization that sponsored it, as well as for me. She did not have me pay because I sold nothing. The group of vendors welcomed me. What I sell is not duplicated within the group, so I am a nice fit. They gave me a flyer for the next one, which is only a block over from where I live. I forgot to bring shopping bags, and I need to have business cards printed. I have until November to build up my inventory. I have 8 or 9 saris coming and am going to buy some wholesale lots of skirts from several vendors in India.

    I saw my orthopedist yesterday. He asked me some questions, particularly how the shot worked and checked how my knee moves. He told me that the knee is quickly becoming arthritic and that a steroid shot is not advisable at this point. There has to be a certain number of months between steroid shots and surgery. What he proposes is Orthovisc, commonly known as chicken fat. He needs prior authorization and to order some, as they do not keep it on hand. At least it will keep me comfortable for a while, once its lubricating effects settle in.




  • betrayal
    betrayal Member Posts: 3,167
    edited August 2022

    Mary, I have had Orthovisc series three times now. They can be repeated every 6 months or as needed and I went 9 months between series 1 and 2 and 14-15 months between series 2 and 3. I would recommend you consider it. It does take a month to 6 weeks sometimes to get benefits but wow it is worth it. I will eventually need left knee replacement but if I can postpone it by using Orthovisc, I will. I also need a fusion of the bones in my left foot (metatarsals to phalanges) but the 12 week non-weight bearing is a real negative. Can't use crutches and use of the knee thing would not work due to knee issues; can't kneel on that knee now. Pain in left foot sometimes feels like my foot is broken. I am using podiatrist recommended shoe inserts and they do help some. Warned not to go barefoot which I haven't done in eons. Medicare will pay for 4 shot series of Orthovisc whereas private insurance may limit it to 3. I had it done recently because we are going on a trip which requires a long flight and then a good amount of walking. Plane will be the worse part.

    I have my computer set to 100% and the print is unbelievably small in just the last day or two plus the font size and type seem to have changed. Margin is again quite large.

    Karen1956: Please post pictures of your trip. Love to see them.

    KeyWest: good luck with hip surgery.

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

    That sounds positive. I will definitely try it then, although he did not tell me that it means daily shots for a few days in a row. Delaying the knee replacement is a good idea if it can be done comfortably, though. Thanks for the information.

    I would rather keep mine set at 150%. I keep accidentally resetting mine with the touchpad, which I ought to turn off.


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

    Lovely fire pit betrayal. I hope you get lots of enjoyment from it.

    Welcome back Karen. Glad you had a good trip.

    Keywestfan - I hope you’re able to get you’re choice of surgery type. Having confidence in your surgeon is helpful. Please keep us posted on your surgery date.

    Sorry you’re experiencing pain Mary. The craft fairs sound fun.

    Not sure where my day got to. It was too hot to walk outside this morning, so I walked on the treadmill. I’m listening to The Overstory by Richard Powers. Was a nice change from walking outside. Did some laundry, went to REIKI, and polished some furniture. Phew, I’m tired.

    Some of my pain is due to my arthritis. But some pain didn’t start until I started anastrozole. Guess I’ll complain to both my rheumatologist and oncologist.

    Enjoy the rest of your day

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,593
    edited August 2022

    Certainly, in our own little sphere it is not the most active people to whom we owe the most. Among the common people whom we know, it is not necessarily those who are busiest, not those who, meteor-like, are ever on the rush after some visible charge and work. It is the lives, like the stars, which simply pour down on us the calm light of their bright and faithful being, up to which we look and out of which we gather the deepest calm and courage. -Phillips Brooks

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,593
    edited August 2022

    I was having issues with print size and I went into my personal computer settings and after working with it a bit got it to a place that is comfortable for me. I have used the tool box/bar on top ( the three small side by side lines at the far right corner of my computer ) but overall I prefer using my own settings page. It did take some finagling around thouh since I made it sizes a few times I decided I really didn't like after all.

  • cindyny
    cindyny Member Posts: 1,320
    edited August 2022

    Betrayal the fire pit looks perfect for sitting by to relax and warm up once the weather changes. Mary I’ve had the chicken waddle injected and didn’t notice much relief. I had to have insurance approval to get it. But as I key this, it has been years since I did it and I don’t think I’ve gotten any other shots - so it must have helped some. The knee still swells up with anything more than walking. Jackie it sounds like your meds being changed has helped in the past so I hope new changes work out too. Cardplayer vacation pics always enjoyable to look at. Keywest I think your freaking out is quite normal, a lot happening to get the hip replacement. Sandy the dog seems to be good now but I’ll pass on the de-skunking recipe.

    I spoke with my niece and she said her nose is running like crazy. I said that’s how your daughter presented prior to covid. She says she forgot her allergy meds. Within the hour she text that she tested positive for covid. I dropped off subs for their lunch and will probably be dropping off a lot more over the next few days, as long as I stay negative.

    Weather was 86 today and humid but it broke this evening. We’re at 74 with all the windows open. At 7:30 PM I ran to put my deck furniture, rug and planters back on the deck. He ran to the mower and zipped around mowing. I even spray painted a soap/hand cream caddy, did itout in the back yard. It has been too hot to do much of anything, so we were happy to accomplish something.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,593
    edited August 2022

    I think the firepit and surround is really delightful. I'm a big fan of being able to enjoy a 'fire' in the cooler evenings. It is relaxing to watch the embers glow and crackle and little sparks shoot off. Just something about it. Hmmm, maybe a former life stirring when fires for a lot of life activites were prevalent.

    Had to go get my prep today for the colonoscopy on Thurs. It all came up rather quickly. I'm hoping to hear from my PCP tomorrow to make sure I can 'handle' doing it. I was informed by the Dr. that if I got the all clear on Thurs. I could forget needing colonoscopies from there on in. Hmm, I have only had one other. Will be good to actually be able to do away with needing them. Fingers crossed.

    Still hoping your niece and family do well with the covid -- and that you are able to NOT have to get it. How nice that you dropped off food for them. I bet they really appreciated not having to deal with 'fixing' lunch.

    Hope you all stay as well as possible.

  • petite1
    petite1 Member Posts: 2,292
    edited August 2022

    Good morning. It is 78 degrees and not as humid, but going to 93 with a feels like temperature of 103. I will be so glad when it cools off. I miss my long walks. I don't have any plans for today, but that is subject to change. My grand niece has graduated with her Masters and got engaged on the same day. They have been together about 3 years. I am glad for her.

    Hope everyone has a pleasant day.

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

    Best of luck with your prep Illinois. That's the worst part of the colonoscopy.

    I don't go in for my endoscopy until 12:30. Am fasting since last night and nothing to drink since taking my pills this morning. Didn't take our morning walk since I couldn't hydrate during the walk today. Guess I should keep busy by doing some cleaning, but my cat has other ideas. She's sleeping comfortably on my lap.

    I see my oncologist tomorrow for my 6 month checkup. This was my view from the oncology center while I received treatment. They have this beautiful garden for patients to see while getting treatment. Trex donated the patio decking that leads to the gardens. You can't go outside during treatment but you can see the gardens.

    Enjoy your day.

    image

  • betrayal
    betrayal Member Posts: 3,167
    edited August 2022

    Mary, Orthovisc injections are weekly, not consecutive days. There is another product called Synvisc as well and it was the first intra-articular injection available for arthritis. Depending upon your source, Orthovisc is touted as being "better".

    Progress is slow but steady in reassembling the living room now that we are working on hanging the mirror (not up yet due to need for wall anchors) and the paintings. I bought oil paintings done by amateurs when we traveled in England, Wales and Ireland. Most of them were purchased over 20 years ago but still hold their charm for me. We met most of the artists and they were thrilled that their paintings were "crossing the pond". One was an elderly retired physician and this was his retirement hobby. So there is that personal attachment as well. So while they display locales we visited they also hold memories of times past. It is an eclectic mix because I also have a Chinese water color of Chrysanthemums and birds purchased at an art show in a local park. So sometimes it is the reminiscing that is slowing the progress and process. Memories can be so lovely. I had recently purchased a Chinese silk embroidered picture of a flower arrangement and was debating about where it should go. It is large, needs it's own space and with the range of colors in the bouquet, vase and table, it fit best in the dining room where the decor/color is bolder. It looks great there.

    I wanted more seating for the fire pit area but the dilemma was buying 4 matching chairs, buying just 2 additional chairs that matched each other (but not what we have) or just adding a bench. I opted for the latter and ordered a black cast aluminum bench which is "all-weather". We'll just tarp the whole area over the winter. Now I need to find a small accent table for the hot chocolate.

    cardplayer: Love the picture especially the troll. It looks so peaceful there.

    Jackie, hope all goes well with your colonoscopy tomorrow. Fingers and toes crossed.

    cindyny: Glad you were able to do some of those chores that have been waiting for a weather break. We got a lot of thunder rumbling, some lightning flashes and then a very small shower that was appreciated but was all in all non-contributory.

    petite1: Nice to see you and hope you get your walks soon. Congrats to your niece for her double blessings.

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

    Betrayal, it is Visco Gel One. I am looking it up right now. One injection of 1/2 tsp (still a lot), may last up to 26 weeks (6.5 months). It is made from rooster combs. Hope it works.

    Cardplayer, I also enjoyed the troll with a mask.


  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,593
    edited August 2022

    True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit

    what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.
    image
    William Penn

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,593
    edited August 2022

    Sigh!!! I called in yesterday afternoon and left instructions to be called by Mt. Vernon V.A. I'm their patient. I wanted to make sure I was still approved for the colonoscopy. I heard nothing. This morning I got back on the phone and after listentening to long bouts of elevator music twice -- I gave up. Got my shoes on, got in the car and drove to the clinic ( 20 miles away ) hoping it could get sorted once I was there.

    Turns out -- I had prep that was all wrong for me. NOTE: your intuition likes to help you. I kept feeling something wasn't right and it did turn out that the prep I had was loaded with salt. My PCP put the kibosh on it immediately. This in spite of the gastro Dr. saying that I had to use it -- there was nothing else. Later ( I"ll get to that ) his nurse parroted him. I told my husband I needed to drive to the clinic --- no way of being sure that any message got to them from yesterday because trying to get through this morning was a disaster and not working at all.

    I was able to have a long chat with Dr. Neely's nurse who is ordered the CORRECT prep from the V.A. Pharmacy and will overnight it. She did get the message from yesterday, but called after we had already left my house. Turns out that Mt. Vernon now actually runs all their calls through Marion. Who knew -- no one mentioned this to us. In any case, I had to change my date for the procedure which is okay -- other then the fact I was looking forward to having it be overwith.

    When I talked to the Gastro Dr.'s nurse she told me, as the Dr. had, there was no other prep. She said she had talked to the people at Mt. Vernon -- a feat which I had to go to Mt. Vernon in the flesh to accomplish, and they said to her, my using prep was fine. Apparently, she took that as -- ANY prep, even if very salty. I cannot drink a gallon of salty water with CHF. She told me again the Go Lightly was all their was. I told her ( something I handn't yet mentioned ) that I had just returned from Mt. Vernon. They told me I could NOT use the prep I was given, that there was indeed something else ( way less salt ) and that they would make sure I wa sent some direct from their pharmacy. After which I no longer had to argue the point with her that their WAS indeed another prep solution that I COULD use.

    I was really irritated, but kept my cool. Just amazing to me ( is it because a Dr. said it ) that people just insist that someone else CAN'T know something so should take their word for it. I likely would have had some real serious trouble, had I not follopwed my intution and kept checking until I was satisfied. So me and my hemoroid will wait a week and try again.

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

    I am so glad you listened to your gut. I swear, once people get their MD, they think they are gods.

  • 1946taco
    1946taco Member Posts: 300
    edited August 2022

    cardplayer - what a wonderful setting to get your chemo. Mine was dreadful - no natural sunlight, rows of chairs, noise, etc. I'm certain you left chemo much calmer than I did.

    Just took my second Covid test. Negative. I'm still annoyed that someone came to a game not feeling well but I am even more sold on both people masking. Missed what I'm sure would have been a fun get-together with the golfers and partners tonight but it hasn't been 10 days yet and I don'd want to be a carrier.

    DH is channel surfing - do we really live in the same country. One wouldn't know by watching the news.

  • cindyny
    cindyny Member Posts: 1,320
    edited August 2022

    Jackie, so glad you went with your gut! We sometimes ignore it, paid off that you didn’t

  • betrayal
    betrayal Member Posts: 3,167
    edited August 2022

    Mary, thanks for letting me know about another alternative to Orthovisc and Synvisc. So it will be a once and done? Hope you get the relief you are looking for.

    Jackie, my GI MD has not used GoLytely in many moons. My prep involves the use of Miralax plus cascara. You mix the Miralax with Gatorade (not me because I do not like it) or Crystal Light Lemonade. I have another colonoscopy this November and hope that I can get off the annual cycle. However, this is the last with this MD, who I love, because she is retiring in December. Prep is far worse than procedure because they really knock you out. Glad you were able to be proactive and a self-advocate.