Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Wow, Illinois, glad you went to the clinic to sort out the prep solution. What a way to push through to an answer to the problem. My VA is 45 minutes away.
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Yeah, just once, until it needs to be done again. I do hope it works, it takes a few weeks to know, however. The longer I put off surgery the better.
I am now sleeping better, and my brain is now working at its average. The kava was the problem. However, I am going to try one last thing before I quit entirely.
I pulled the beans, and the peas are producing nicely now. I have some more mint drying on the porch, it may be a week before it is ready to sort and whirl and put in jars. I also need to get some peaches for making spiced peaches and jalapeno peach jam. That is all the jam I will be making this year. Tomorrow will be cool and rainy. Will be a good day for that.
I need to get some sewing for myself done before the saris I ordered arrive.
I received notification that I need to have Tippy on the leash all the time. Invisible leash does not count. That is ok, because I was beginning to realize that.
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Glad you got the prep sorted out Illinois. Sure wish there was an easier way for a colonoscopy.
My endoscopy was fine, except for getting the IV. I mentioned to the nurse that I was dehydrated (NPO after midnight), have small veins and that last time they used an ultrasound to set the IV up. He tried to find a vein anyway. Twice. With no luck. Finally called for an ultrasound. It delayed my endoscope by an hour. Once I got the IV, I was done within 15-20 minutes. Should get results of the biopsies in 7-10 days. I don’t see GI till later in September.
Seeing my MO today for my 6 month checkup. I’m sure she’ll go over my DEXA scan, which was fine and I’ll complain about anastrozole and ask a few questions.
We had lots of rain over night and this morning. The sun is trying to break through the clouds. So maybe we’ll end up having a nice day. Hope you have a good day
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I have the MO 3 year visit on the 25th. I found the lump on Aug. 8, 2019. Surgery was Aug. 23, 2019.
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It's all a matter of paying attention, being awake in the present moment,
and not expecting a huge payoff. The magic in this world seems
to work in whispers and small kindnesses.
Charles de Lint0 -
My GI doc uses GoLytely - my colonoscopy is on 09/19 at 10:30, so I have to finish the prep at 6:30 am. I had drinking the stuff!! My last one was 5 years ago due to one poly - my GI doc retired so I got assigned to another doc in the practice. Thankfully, I don't need to see them on a regular basis, so it really doesn't matter to me who does it.
I see the endocrinologist on 09/06 due to some elevated labs to look at cause/possible parathyroid issues.
6 month visit with medical oncologist is in October.
Need to schedule eye exam and audiology exam. My Medicare Advantage covers both so looking at practices. I've been using Costco and even with my hearing aids I miss conversation or don't understand what was said. I want to talk to an audiologist if I'm a candidate for cochlear implants and learn more about them - not sure what all is involved, but I want to hear better.
Wow - it feels like all I do is see doctors!!! At least nephrologist is taken off the table as my pcp is going to follow me and my hematologist has me now on annual visits in March. And I'm not even old!
One more day of summer vacation. Better get busy on posting photos here and on FB and order books from Snapfish. Next week will be busy with professional development at least part of every day.
Temp is supposed to get to 98 today. ugh!! I'm ready for the 70s.
Wishing everyone good luck with upcoming procedures and doctor appointments.
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This past year I did Cologuard instead of going in for a colonoscopy. I have not had any polyps nor any family history of issues. My first colonoscopy they couldn’t find a vein. Poked my right arm 2-3 times then tried the left. They said if they couldn’t get a vein I’d have to reschedule. HA! I said if you don’t find a vein don’t ever expect to see me again, I’m not doing this prep for nothing. They found a nurse and a butterfly needle. I’m thankful for Cologuard.
Today I went to orthopedic hand surgeon. I had an injection in 2016, which obviously worked so I received another today. He also gave me two hand braces, a soft one for day use and a longer one w metal to sleep in- just until it stops hurting. He said X-ray shows mild arthritis and at the base of my thumb it shows a bone spur.
We walked 3 miles today before the Ortho appointment. And I’ve tested negative again this morning. CDC just said we no longer have to isolate if you come in contact with someone who has covid. Not sure that’s the sbartedt
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Cindy, I have had that before. Prayers that it stops hurting soon. OT people have prohibited me from knitting and crocheting, but sewing is ok, because it is not repetitive.
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Gentle rain started during the early hours and is continuing. The patter on the camper roof sounds peaceful.
Nothing planned for today.
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Woke up to a beautiful cool morning, almost fall like. It’ll stay in the 70s today.
Saw my oncologist yesterday. I start yearly checkups. I’ll see my breast surgeon yearly, too. At least I’ll see someone every 6 months. She listened to my complaints, said I’m doing all the right things. I see my rheumatologist in a couple of weeks and will discuss the problems I’ve been having with my hands.
Going to listen to music tonight at one if the local farmers markets. They charge $5 for entrance fee. Hope to pick up some fresh produce too. We haven’t been to this market, but have wanted to hear the group that’s playing.
Enjoy your day
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A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most complete prayer.
Gotthold Lessing0 -
Hugs to all deealing with medical issues. Strong vibes sent for good resolutions that will suit you.
Carole, that sounds fantastic. Sounds like a day tailor made for loafing -- or at least as long as the rain lasts. I don't mind the gentle rains although we have to step outside in the screen room to hear it. Too often it is a real downpour -- coming too fast and creating too much run-off when the fround needs a good soaking.
Not too much planned for today. We goofed off yesterday so I have to pay some bills over the phone and finish a couple of 'started' cleanning cycles. I guess one of the best parts of retirement is that any day is a good day to 'catch' up on what you left to spend an un-planned day fooling around.
Our weather shounds like we will continue not getting over-warm. Lo 80's and that is great for this time of yr. for us. Hope it continues.
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Gentle rain here, too. I was planning on spiced peaches and peach/jalapeno jam today but need to get a sweet red pepper and some apple cider vinegar. Rain expected to stop around 3:00.
Checking on my list, I guess I will give Tippy a bath. Then do some sewing.
Ordered some kale seeds as ground cover and for drying for a boost of nutrition in soups this winter.
Nope, it is raining. Tippy has to go pee before he gets a bath, otherwise he will release it in odd places after. Tippy refuses to go outside in the rain. Even though he has a raincoat. Tippy took a walk in his raincoat and produced! He also got a bath.
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I had Suppartz shots back in 1996 but they didn't work and my insurance (private back then) refused to pay because it was still considered "experimental." Since then, Orthovisc & Synvisc came on the market and are almost universally covered.
The shots are NOT "chicken fat." They are hyaluronic acid (thicker and in far greater concentration than in faciel skin care products--i.e., vicscous, hence the "-visc" suffix), derived from rooster combs. They mimic---and stimulate increased production by the cartilage--of the synovial fluid (hence the "syn-" prefix) that normally (hence the "ortho-" prefix) lubricates the joint. But if you're completely (or almost completely) bone-on-bone, there's not enough cartilage able to produce synovial fluid sufficient to cushion the joint as it moves. Cortisone shots can reduce inflammation in the surrounding ligaments, tendons & muscle--but they accumulate and can thin the tissue, eventually causing it to fail or rupture if given too often. If you are going to get a "cruciate-sparing" knee replacement (as some modern TKR procedures are these days) it's not a good idea to have weakened cruciate ligaments (or collateral ligaments, for that matter) because the rehab PT exercises will greatly stress that soft tissue in order to eventually strengthen it. When I had my TKRs in 2012-13, they were "cruciate-sacrificing" surgeries because it was considered a superior way to place and secure the prostheses. (I lost my L. ACL in 1994 anyway). Because I knew my TKRs would be cruciate-sacrificing, I got a cortisone shot about 8-10 mos. before each replacement surgery. And if you have torn cartilage (usually medial meniscus) that needs to be debrided, you need to build up all surrounding soft tissue structures via PT, and cortisone can partially compromise that.
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Sandy, I was just waiting for you to weigh in on that discussion, to see what you had to say.
Even though my knee is bad from an accident, rather than years of extra weight or extreme athleticism, it is still wearing down the cartilage/synovial fluid from abnormal position (that knee is in knock-knee position), maybe it will give me some extra months of use. Worth a try, anyway. Yes, he is going to have to replace some of the structure that was damaged when the knee was dislocated. I don't mind not getting another shot. At this point, when I take Tippy on a walk, I am on my trike. It really seems to not be hurting as much. I am getting some good exercise moving my knee in a highly structured way, but I need to get back to Anytime Fitness.
I have been making the jam until now. Eager to open the kettle tomorrow and see how well I did. But that will be the morning.
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Low '70s here by the lake--utterly delightful. Had to water the herb & tomato plants on the deck, but didn't set up the lawn sprinkler. Supposed to get a bit of rain overnight, though. As predicted, a number of tomatoes are ripening simultaneously. Have five big ones on the sill in various stages of ripeness, as well as about 20 cherry tomatoes. Lots of basil, chives, mint, thyme, rosemary & scallions--and some of my flat-leaf parsley is coming back. No more berries, though.
My GI prescribes SuPrep, but says that magnesium citrate is fine too. You can get that OTC at any chain pharmacy--it's colorless and comes in lemon, lime or cherry. And it's cheap. (You'll need 3 bottles). Bob's GI prefers it. You can also do Miralax with gallons of water and a couple of cups of double-strength cascara tea (Starbucks & Metropolis sell cascara--it's the dried hulls of the coffee cherries, and it keeps forever). No salt necessary.
Saw the physiatrist on Wednesday, and we went over my spinal MRI. It looks a lot worse than I feel (have had a string of "good back days" lately). He pointed out the worst facet joint spurs & disc herniations are at L3/4, L4/5 and L5/S1--the thoracic spine looks okay for my age. When he rotated the images, it was possible to see the stenoses where the nerves exited the vertebral foramens at L3 & L4. The compressions were evident, but he didn't see evidence of actual inflammation--and since cortisone is an anti-inflammatory, at this point shots would do more harm than good (elevated glucose, appetite stimulation, weight gain, insomnia--not to mention possible injury & infection). Considering one of the reasons I wanted to treat my back was to facilitate exercise (and slam the brakes on weight gain), that needle isn't going anywhere near my spine for now. He suggested I keep stretching, maybe look into gentle Pilates with a certified & reputable instructor, and tweak my meds from BID Arthritis Tylenol (2600 mg/day) to TID Extra-Strength (3000 mg/day). Otherwise, keep moving as best I can and see him if it gets any worse. He says that the hip/groin pain upon walking is L3/4 compressing the nerves that "feed" my groin, thigh, knee & outer calf--but I am nowhere near needing a hip replacement. As for my foot pain, roomy cushioned shoes and lidocaine lotion (especially for the L third toe callus and R metatarsalgia) are my "friends."
Judy, I'm surprised that your ortho surgeon is advocating an approach with such a long recovery time and considerable restrictions. My knees took only 12 weeks each, tops--and TKRs are a much longer and tougher rehab than hips. IMHO, time for another opinion. (Speaking of second or third opinions, I'm considering either seeing Bob's colleague down at Advocate Christ--Dr. Grady the DPM--or even going to Seattle to consult with Drs. Huppin & Hale, since I could use an excuse to see my godson, his wife and their now-one-year-old son. Not to mention revisit my old stomping grounds from 1971-8. I wouldn't mind bunion surgery, but MTP joint fusion is a bridge too far).
Tomorrow, against my better judgment, we're going to the "Immersive Monet & the Impressionists" exhibit. To me, "immersive art experiences" are to actual art as Hooked on Classics is to a symphony concert, but Bob has his heart set on it. We wanted to go to the Signature Room on the 95th fl. of what used to be the Hancock Bldg. (now known by just its address) to have brunch during the Air & Water Show a week from Sun. (as we did in 2015 just before that fateful mammogram that started me down this bc journey); but they no longer do brunch. Instead, we are going to the restaurant at Theater on the Lake, which is having a viewing party with open bar and BBQ buffet from Smoque (the city's top BBQ restaurant). The parking lot will be a rideshare-staging & viewing area, so driving will be out of the question.
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Mary, what you describe seems to be a classic instance of "traumatic arthritis:" an injury that starts a cascade of progression of OA symptoms. Just like my L. knee--which was fine till I took a spill crossing State St. on black ice in Dec. 1991, causing an ACL strain that weakened my knee to the point where I ruptured it in a fall onstage at Disney MGM Studios in 1994, necessitating removal--not just debridement--of what remained of my ACL. Had I been a dancer or athlete, I'd have had the ligament surgically reconstructed. But I had a nonrefundable trip to China coming up in just 6 weeks--so instead I did intensive PT every other day. I did end up able to walk the "Sacred Way" in Beijing with my tour group; but I fell at dinner on the Jumbo floating restaurant in Hong Kong a couple of days before we flew home. (Serves me right for wearing "kitten heels" to dinner on a boat). I got the last laugh, though: I'm still here, but Jumbo sank a couple of weeks ago.
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That was sweet. But what were you doing wearing heels? Yes, the arthritis is moving along quickly.
I got 12 half pints. All sealed. They are still warm and move slowly, but the test bowl of what was left is jelled. They are now on my table, some waiting to get the 22 written on the lids. My permanent marker is failing. He had a nice long run. Will be sweet sorrow to drop him into the garbage.
Three nights in a row of 77-78 sleep score, ~6 1/2 hr sleep. Victory. I think my kava experiment was a disaster, but I will try one last thing with it.
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Truth is the beginning of every good thing, both in heaven
and on earth; and the person who would be blessed
and happy should be from the first a partaker of
truth, for then that person can be trusted.
Plato0 -
Glad you got your ' pints ' done Mary and love how you describe them as well as your sharpie that desiginates the yr. the pints were put up.
Nothing special today -- just a little more catch up and then mapping out a loose plan for starting the week. Will do ( I think ) the colonoscopy on the 17th. Still waiting on the solution that is coming from V.A. Also on the 19th. my kids are going to Florida for a couple of days to pick up a car. I'm not sure Dh and I will know how to act. We are fine with the kids living with us -- it is something we need since we have the two hilly acres in the woods, etc. Still, it has been a little over a yr. and a half w/o always having someone here all the time. Good that it will be a short period probably.
Hope you all have a good Saturday.
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Today is my birthday and I did one small picture arrangement hanging to accomplish my goal for the day. Yes, it was a gift to myself to turn this blank wall area at the top of the steps into a work of art. The rest of the day is going to be devoted to leisure activities. Dinner will be from Bonefish Grill: lobster tails, I think. Family party will be tomorrow due to DS having to work today. We will celebrate DSGS, DGS and my birthday since they occurred on Sunday, Thursday and today. Should play the numbers 7-11-13. Party will be at Capital Grille.
I was born on my DF's birthday so it is a reminder of past birthdays and how much I miss sharing it with him, He died in December 2007. He always teased I was his most expensive birthday present, but also the best gift he had ever received. Lovely card from DH and a lovely mother of pearl hummingbird necklace. DS always gives me a renewal of my Acorn TV subscription and DD will give me a surprise gift.
Weather is lovely so I may sit on the porch and read for a change. Mary that jam sounds so good. Have a good weekend all.
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Happy Birthday betrayal! I hope you enjoy all of your celebrations.
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Wishing you a wonderful birthday, Betrayal. How nice to be able to pay tribute to your Dad on the same day. Enjoy the joy.
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Happy Birthday Betrayal! Sounds like a good time surrounded by family
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Happy birthday - two days of celebrating is wonderful
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Happy birthday weekend, Betrayal!
So we went to the Immersive Monet, which turned out to be "Immersive Monet, & his Friends the Impressionists." Meh, as I expected. (The Van Gogh may have been better). As a feat of computer animation engineering & visual sampling & manipulation I suppose it was impressive, but to me the experience was underwhelming. It was especially disconcerting to see human faces & figures blown up to life-size & larger, because the brushstrokes & blobs looked like...brushstrokes & blobs instead of people. And the soundtrack was very loud. We got two posters (identical) and had to take a cab home because Lyft had transitioned to surge pricing, charging twice what they did on the way down.
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Happy birthday, Betrayal!!
I have many things to do today. Yet again.
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Happy Birthday, Betrayal!
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Sandy I’ve seen the Van Gogh exhibit in Sarasota and totally enjoyed it. And then we went to the Monet & friends at the Biltmore in
Asheville on our way home from FL and enjoyed that too. Van Gogh had more walking through a set of panels that described his life, before entering the hall. Neither had intrusive music when we attended.
I went to find pictures and could only find the Van Gogh pictures, none of Monet. This picture is of his letters to his brother.0 -
If we keep this question in mind while planning our days, we will
see that we actually have countless opportunities to add to our
life force. Being around people and places we love and doing
things that give us deep satisfaction, taking time to digest the
events in our lives, being less busy, telling the truth, laughing
a lot, eating right, exercising regularly, having long talks with
those we love--these are among the best ways to nourish our
vitality. Our life force thrives when we are
completely engaged in the present moment.
Debbie Ford0
