Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Spent the morning cleaning. I’d love to get a service, but DH says he’d help if I need him to. He does all the outside yard work and vacuuming. We have several antique dressers and desks that I polish monthly and I’ve been cleaning the windows. I really wanted lots of windows when we built the house. Thought about letting the sun shine in. Didn’t think about the work to clean the windows. DH does the outside of the windows.
Hope everyone is doing well.0 -
We moved a stationary bike and step machine from the front bedroom out into the garage. Then we got the pool filter into the garage too. While this helps the house, we’ll need to clean out the garage, rearrange it, so the Fiat will fit in it when we leave for FL. We were working against time with a possible rain storm headed our way.
Speaking of rain, we went to the Outlaw music festival yesterday. As soon as we were let in we ran to be under a walking bridge because we had lawn seats. Which means bring your own chair and good luck with the weather. We were there over 7 hours and it rained on and off over the entire time. Good concert, thankful for the bridge.
I’m off to my chiropractor muscle therapist. Note I helped move everything prior to the appointment! We’ll start going through the U-box tomorrow.
PS- I’d love a cleaning lady. I wasn’t always open to it, as the belief of not paying for something I can do in my own. But only being here 6 months, wanting to be out doing things, I’d accept it now.
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Survived the colonoscopy. No polyps, yet still on 5 year schedule as considered "high risk". New GI doctor so first time we met was in the procedure room. I brought up my chronic constipation and he said to schedule an appointment in the office!! Seems each time I have one, it is harder to rebound. My first one 15 years ago was a piece of cake. Don't remember 5 years ago, but today it took several hours to feel relatively back to normal.
My brother is still in the ICU. I messaged him this afternoon and he said he is "making slow progress" but they are breathing for him till he recovers - meaning bipap or high flow O2. Really worried and his wife is pretty worn out. No need for me to go to Ohio as I would only be in the way.
DD#2 arrives tomorrow
Counting the hours.Have a good Tuesday.
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If, like a Cherokee warrior, I can look at the new day as an opportunity to stand on new ground, then strength and courage are on my side. I will remember that things do work out, bodies do heal, relationships mend-- not because I said it, but because I believe it. But it is time to make things right, to stay on the path. As water runs fresh and free from the woodland spring, so new life and meaning will bubble up from my own inner source. I will be still and steady, because there is nothing to be gained by showing fear in a chaotic world. -Joyce Sequichie Hifler
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Hooray Karen. Good to hear your procedure found you with no issues. Sorry that you will have to continue having them. I hear you on getting to feel normal afterwards. Of course, I did come home and sleep for a while before finally getting a bite to eat -- but even after that I really wasn't myself. Keeping your brother in my prayers.
Wish I could help you all out with the housework. Not because it thrills me, but because I did it for 9 yrs. to make a living and these last few yrs. took it back on part time. I do find doing it for someone else is easier and generally more satisfying. That is because I don't have to worry about cleaning out the closet, any of the drawers anywhere and just clean, clean, clean. I don't have to answer the phone or deal with mail when it comes. All the things that tend to slow a person down I can generally ( to an extent ) ignore.
Home always needs something. Despite four people and a bunch of animals living here, I am the cleaning lady. Do a majority of the cooking as well. and most os the time cleanning my own car now again. It's not too bad, but the house is never done all at once and my car can be a little hit and miss as well. Good thing I'm retired though I guess.
We went to Marion this morning to the Podiatrist. I need nail trimming at least every three months. SIL wanted to take us, but he is working and couldn't take off work. Neither he or my daughter need to right now. The weather is good and Dh and I took ourselves for yrs. and yrs. Nice to just ride along and we enjoyed it but I still know the way. They are making a new parking lot and it is so nice. Now the lots are made so you pull straight into the parking space. They are no longer on an angle. Much roomier really. I think they are going to add something to the front entrace since they made a whole other area out front, but as yet still using the old one. Going to be interesting.
Hope you all had a wonderful day. Hope Regan does well with her 1 on 1 Wednesday night. Bet she will.
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The witch doctor succeeds for the same reason all the rest of us succeed. Each patient carries his or her own doctor inside him or her. They come to us not knowing that truth. We are at our best when we give the doctor who resides within each patient a chance to go to work. -Albert Schweitzer
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When I miss a few days, it takes me forever to catch up. I am glad colonoscopies went well. Regan is so lucky, Nice fur baby. I am glad the home repair projects are going pretty well, but unfortunately mine is not. Too many no call no shows and one transfer $900 to my PayPal and I will start tomorrow. (NOT). So we are meeting 2 more people out there today. One for the outside and one for the inside. We are going to take some more stuff to the dump. I am hoping things turn around. I ran out of Arimidex and having trouble getting it refilled. The cancer center isn't contacting the pharmacy. I have been off it since the 16th.
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petite1: Sorry you are having issues with getting contractors to fix your rental property. When I called for floor refinishing I called 3 contractors. Only 1 responded and he turned out to be great but I considered that a fluke. My DSIL has had a call out for grandfather clock repairs for over 2 years and it looks like I will need one as well since my grandmother clock has not been wound in 3 years. I tried but no luck. Do you have anyone who can recommend one?
The Arimidex issue is a small worry but I have had 2 week breaks when I switched AI's and was told that there is residual AI in blood to cover this gap. Not fun when you have no control over ordering prescriptions/cancer center assistance.
Regan is making slow progress on "sit" and is so affectionate. Her owner did love her and called her "her baby" but a move to a smaller residence and the presence of 4 pugs that she did not get along with meant she had to go. So it was serendipitous that we lost our beloved Lita, decided that we had a hole in our hearts and home to fill with a new Dal and Regan became available at the same time. The same had happened when we acquired Lita as a pup. So life does move in mysterious ways. If not for breast cancer (not a plus by any means), I would not have met so many wonderful women on this site. Have a good day and petite1, I have my fingers crossed that you find the contractors you need soon.
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I too am glad at the "good news" from those having colonoscopies!
Karen, I am so sorry your brother is taking a long time to mend! It is frightening and exhausting. Hopefully it will go quicker than expected and he will be home again, enjoying his family.
My emotions seem to be up/down with surgery three weeks from tomorrow. I am not quite understanding why, but I am not asking either, I got a call from pre-admittance and apparently, I don't need blood work, even though my last CBC/platelet count was August 2021, and last lipid panel and comprehensive metabolic panel, for my cardiologist was in April of this year. My doctor knows all this, but he only requested one thing prior to my surgery, a lymphedema class! Not keen on that, but if it somehow prevents lymphedema in my right arm, I guess it will be worth it. I just hope my insurance will cover it. I will ask when I call to schedule it. My left arm has stage two lymphedema, and I have lymphedema in other areas too.
I had a long list of things to ask my plastic surgeon at my pre-surgery appointment this week, but after reading over the list, I tore it up. I am sure he will answer most if not all the questions I had. I just don't feel in the mood for this, which is bad, I guess, but pressure at work sucks all my energy out of me. I will just do what they say and not worry about the rest. My financial obligation is the only thing I care about knowing ahead of time.
I think I am going to get some good books to read after surgery. If I can't go apple picking or do other fun, fall, things I love, at least I can take a mental vacation!
Have a great week everyone!
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High 70 today with chance or rain - little cooler and same for rain.
Went to bed at 10:30 ready to fall over then in bed wide awake - so get up, go to family room and what do i do - M and M's and Triscuit. This habit of eating has to STOP!!! Eventually fall asleep and get back into bed and up even before alarm at 4:45.
Today is already set to be a whopper of a day at work.
Need yo get my menu planned for RH which starts Sunday night as well as for the rest of the week. I have menu was last year, but need to see what to keep and what to change. Cooking will be Friday and then Sunday - no time o cook in advance.
Have a great Wednesday.
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Good morning. The tree guy hopefully, will start this afternoon and finish tomorrow. He is rated a 5.0. We found a handyman we liked and he will start this week as well. He was rated a 4.7. Publix called last night and finally got the ok from the cancer center to fill the Arimidex. I can pick it up when they open this morning.
Betrayal thank you for the encouraging words.
Mavericksmom, The waiting is stressful. A mind vacation is a good choice.
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We transported our next door neighbors, Lyman and Mary, to Fargo yesterday. They were flying to their winter home in Ocala, FL, early this morning. One "fulltimer" remains and he leaves Saturday. I am feeling not only ready but eager to head south to Louisiana. But first we need to watch the tropical weather reports and see what happens with the current developing storm that could possibly travel toward the Gulf of Mexico.
I don't envy dh who left a short while ago to play golf. The wind has come up and it is overcast. My computer says it is 50 degrees outside. I plan to do some inventory of contents of cabinets today as I look ahead to packing up. Normally I would have dropped him off at the golf course and driven to town to the gym. But I wasn't in the mood.
Good luck with your repairs, Petite. And best wishes to everyone else with individual challenges.
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The U-Box, like a pod, only has a bin full of maps and travel info. Partner says he needs them. Don’t ask me what I think! House is nearly back together.
I have done at a minimum 12-15 loads of laundry. Yesterday was the clothing he’s keeping. Today it’s the clothing being donated. He kept more than I thought but it’s hard not being here in the winter but knowing we could be (radiation was Dec-Feb; covid we stayed put). He even found a pair of ski pants. I said they don’t take up much room and if we’re here, you’ll use them. The dry clean pile is large. I think when he evaluates the cost to dry clean the clothes you “might” wear someday, they could fall to the donate pile.
I’ve got a gf whose son is moving. I’m bringing her all the boxes on Friday. I’ll also call the U-Haul folks to say they can come get this thing out of my driveway.
Petite, happy you’re finding folks to do the job at the rental property. Carole, your wise to watch the weather before making your move. Karen, keeping your brother in my prayers. Mavericksmom, you’ve got a lot on your plate, wishing you the best all around. Betrayal, so glad your fur baby is working out. If I missed anyone, you’re still in my thoughts
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A heightened state of awareness comes when we look, and then look again, and then relax into whatever situation we are in. When we have a capacity for fascination with simple things, we are able to sit peacefully for hours on a park bench, or in an airport, engrossed by the different gaits and gestures of people as they walk, talk, and stand. We develop the ability to be patient as we stand in line at the grocery store because we have the ability to look with fascination and wonder at all that surrounds us.
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Will be another sunny quite warm day. Our heat has returned for awhile. We had it nice long enough for me to feel spoiled and a little resentful of the heat and humidity. Well, it is like that here and I'm grateful for the mildness we had for three or so weeks.
Glad things are coming together for most everyone. Hope the getting better trend continues for all. So, I'll be doing catch-up things again. Have been falling asleep easily at night and not taking the melatonin. Starting to think maybe I need to have it after all. I do fall asleep easy, and go back to sleep easy when I go use the bathroom, but I'm waking up really late these days. Use to get up before 6 a.m. and now it is often 8 a.m. or a bit later. I feel like half the day is gone already. I'll try and see if I can get a more possibly refreshed sleep with the hope that I can get up a bit earlier by using the melatonin again -- even if I don't seem to need it.
Hope you all have a good day.
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Hoping you are doing fine Keywest. I'm sending lots of healing thoughts and vibes. Hugs.
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In the face of circumstances that drive others to madness, awakened people
have a kind of calmness and serenity inside them. They're in charge of how
they react. They're not calculating, they're not cold, they're not emotionless
people—they simply know how not to make negative assessments of the
world and what's in it. They practice having healthy reactions to whatever
Wayne Dyer0 -
petite1: Glad you were able to find contractors and hope they do their jobs quickly and expertly.
Karen: Wishing your brother continues to make progress in his recovery. Slow and steady wins the race. Glad your colonoscopy was a non-event.
Cindy: Sounds like you have made great progress n putting the house back together and getting through those clothing piles. We will be doing that over the winter now that the majority of the restoration is done and we can concentrate on "our" projects.
Keywestfan: hope your recovery is progressing nicely.
Yesterday was a busy one. My DB came to do some repairs around the house for us including fixing the wainscoting he had to remove so we could replace the jetted tub motor. I keep a running list of the jobs he can do that are beyond our skill set and he'll make the hour long trip here to do them. Some are 2 step like the wainscoting repair. I just need to paint the wall again but that is within my skill set. The rug cleaning company returned my living room and dining room rugs and took the family room rug to be cleaned. Of course, that meant furniture had to be moved but my DH, DB and I were able to do that. Now we can lay the rugs in the living room and dining room. With rain predicted for today, this will be today's project. We had an evaluation of Regan scheduled at Petsmart for participation in obedience classes. She was nervous when we entered the store but also curious of her surroundings. Tail tucked and pretty much remained there until we were leaving. She was evaluated on how she reacted to the dogs leaving the training class which was shy and moving back only if they approached her but no growling, barking or aggression. Once in the classroom ring she was hesitant with the male trainer but he was able to treat her so he could touch her, she took treats from him and made eye contact. He spent about 45 minutes So she has been cleared to join a beginners class in November. We have to wait until she has finished her vaccines and has been spayed. Spay appointments were 6 weeks out when we made her appointment. So I am pleased how much progress she has made with sitting and leash walking (except when that pesky chipmunk appears) in just 10 days. She has begun to be less hypervigilant and actually nap now where she only slept at night for the first week here. Have a good day.
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Trying to catch-up. Sounds like everyone has been been busy with winterizing, house cleanup, etc. Thinking of you mavericksmom. A front is coming through on this first day of autumn. It’s raining and windy. We’ll start to have cooler nights and days in the 60s going forward. Spent yesterday at DD house. Love spending time with my new granddaughter. We made ourselves useful. We plan to pickup some items for them at Costco on Friday and visit again on Saturday. The other grandmother will be visiting next week, so we’ll be staying home.
Heading to see my PCP and GI doctors today. Have a healthy and peaceful day.
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Carole, We are watching the Gulf. If it develops, it will be Hermine the second. The first Hermine was a disaster in 2016. We are hoping history does not repeat itself.
The clean up and rehab is coming along. Of course, DH, used my truck to haul junk to the dump and now the bed is full of mud. I tried to sweep it out, but broke the broom. I am waiting until it dries, and will try again.
My PCP visit was this morning. He thought I lost too much weight and changed my thyroid dosage. He also did a referral to the Cardiovascular surgeon for my vein problem.
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Thank you Betrayal,
This has been, is, quite a trip. Am 11 days out from LTHR- left total hip replacement.Like BC it has physical,emotional consequences. Periods of discouragement, worry, anxiety, etc. Then the sun appears.I’ve been doing well, learned how to maneuver the walker, soon, I hope to transfer to a cane. Do fear I’ll just forever be afraid to simply walk unassisted like a normal person down the street..I’ve been in the Mather Retirement Home Skilled Nursing on the second floor. We live in Independent Living on the 10th floor.Skilled nursing has been good, but sort of scary, afraid of Covid, from wonderful staff and nurses, all of whom go back into the world at night. Going back to apartment tomorrow..
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Just popping in to say you all motivate me to continue the various projects we have going on here. Glad to hear of progress Petite, betrayal, card player, maverick. I know I missed some.
So glad to hear the good report Keywestfan. Have said a prayer. Sounds like you are making steady progress.
Everyone have a good day. It's raining here so I have a lot of indoor projects (cleaning kitchen cabinets, etc.). Also watching the hurricane, with relatives down south. Stay safe.
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Glad that you’re doing well Keywestfanand you’re heading back to your apartment tomorrow. Take care.
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Keywestfan, glad to hear from you! Getting home to your own bed will be heavenly.
I didn’t get a walk in today, it was cold & raining. But I did get out to a local hospital for blood work my new PCP ordered. The results were sent to my portal already, cholesterol is all good. Then I ran to the city mission and dropped off 4 bags of clothes - lots of sweaters I hope will get used. And from there made my way to CVS for my 3rd booster appointment. Sore spot at the injection and I swear my other arm aches in the same area. I know, nutty.
We ate a fast lunch and went to 3 more stores taking advantage of 20% off offers. In two stores we got out to the car to put things in the trunk and checked the receipt. There were errors. Overcharged by $7 at one place, just rang up wrong, and at the other store there was an item we never purchased but were charged for it. The clerk didn’t even know what the item was, issued a $5 credit. Glad we took the time to look!
Things on my to do shopping list were a new hairdryer and curtains. Fortunately I found both at great prices. I’m hopping in to take a hot shower and call it a day. I hope all of you had agood day.
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I had two appointments today. The first was a pre-surgical appointment with a lymphedema therapist who showed me exercises to do after surgery. The funny thing was that when I went to check in, the receptionist snapped at me and said "How did you get up here?" I told her I followed the instructions the person from admission told me. The receptionist said I was supposed to stop at security first, and I explained that I wasn't told that. She wasn't very nice about it, but apparently it is pretty easy for anyone to go anywhere without anyone stopping them. Later she said, "Oh, so you are here for a pre-surgical visit, so you wouldn't have known."
Then I had my appointment with the plastic surgeon, who, while very nice and apparently very good at his job, seemed more interested in my lymphedema than my reconstruction. I was surprised because I am having a mastectomy with tissue expander and possible lymphovenous bypass to prevent lymphedema in my right arm. I have stage two lymphedema in my left arm from the first time I had breast cancer in 2003. Anyway, apparently this is done as an outpatient surgery! I told him that if this is an outpatient surgery I will absolutely NOT stay overnight for any reason! My insurance rep warned me not to stay overnight unless they admit me, otherwise I will end up with a lot of medical bills! So, I already know what to say to get me home and I plan to do that even if I have to lie about it!
Then he told me to schedule my one-week post op appointment, but that will be with his PA, someone I never even met! I already decided that when I am done with this surgery and my implant surgery which won't happen for months, I am done seeing any doctor for breast cancer!
I am glad I will go home the same day, especially knowing how lax the security is there! Also, it will allow me to be in charge of what I eat, drink and when I use the bathroom, shower, etc. I can never sleep well in a hospital, so hopefully being at home will be better, and I won't have to put a mask on!
I am also happy that I will likely be back at work after Thanksgiving, so I will be able to celebrate the holidays more normally.
My DD and family are headed to Disney World on Saturday. I hope they don't have issues with the hurricane! They have been waiting for this trip for a long time.
Glad to hear everyone is doing well here and that all the renovations are moving along in the right direction!
So happy to hear you will be able to go to your apartment, Keywest! One can heal at home so much better!
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DH has been on the lookout for a used gas golf cart for weeks. One of our weekend neighbors sent pictures of a cart that a friend of his father's has for sale. It's yellow and has the features we want but looks well used. We made an offer and it was accepted. The neighbor, Brian, will be bringing it next weekend. Just in time for us to store it for the winter. Hope the new acquisition works out for dh.
We are only a mile from the golf course and there's a trail used by 4 wheelers and ski mobiles. I know it's optimistic at our ages (83 and 79) to count on being back next summer. So here's hoping we'll get some use out of the golf cart. With just one vehicle during the summer, the golf cart counts as a second mode of transportation on golf days.
It's a rainy dark morning. Some time during the day I may venture to town to a supermarket for one or two items.
Hope everyone has a good day.
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Good morning. My visit with the PCP went as expected. He adjusted my thyroid meds. The rehab is going well. DH is paying the first draw today. We will go out this afternoon, after I have lunch with my BFF. We continue to watch the tropics. I am topping off my gas tank just incase. I don't usually drive too much, but DH has been using my truck to go to the "job site". I might check on the battery supply and change out the flashlight batteries. Just in case.
Keywestfan, your own bed is the best place to recover. cyber hugs
mavericksmom, cyber hugs
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Honest and courageous people have very little to say about either
their courage or their honesty. The sun has no need to boast
of his brightness, nor the moon of her effulgence.
Hosea Ballou0 -
I now have nextpage-itis so hope you all hang in there with me. Very chilly this morning. Not due to get past 66 degrees. Just wow -- from humidity with some heat to brrr weather. All in one day. I finally put on long pants and a long sleeved t-shirt. They actually are only just barely keeping me somewhat comfy. If this keeps up we may have to turn a/c off and enough heat to keep us at a good indoor temp. Then again -- if we can hang on by next week -- who knows. Kate has a bad cold/tonsilitis or whatever some of the others have.
Hopefully Dh and I will be fine. We usually don't have much for colds ever so hoping that is how it sgoes now as well. Maverick and Keywest -- home really is the best place to heal -- not only your own bed, but the people who love you around. It is good medicine for sure.
Nothing special planned for today. Had two days of mainly seeeing Dr's. One day for me, yesterday for Dh. I need to move a lot more today than I have been. Sitting in the car driving isn't enough exercise for me.
Hope you all have a good day. Hope the golf cart works well for you Carole.
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Love today's quote. Seems everyone is busy and wish good results to both keywestfan and mavericksmom. Having spent 6 days in the hospital last year after surgery, there is no better place to recover than at home. Once I got to eat, the food was very good but being awakened every night between 1 AM to 3 AM for blood draws was awful as was having to share a room because they do not have private rooms.
Yesterday my DD and DSIL brought us dinner from the local Greek festival and it was delicious. For the second year in a row, my DD mistakenly gave me my DSIL's dinner (they buy 2 meals for each of us), the pastitso which I am not in love with. I had ordered the moussaka. After dinner we were able to put down the rug pads and then the area rugs for both the living room and the dining room. What a job! Now the rooms look complete. I have a lavabo to put up in the living room and the foyer still needs the crystal light cover installed to be finished. I'm going to polish the furniture in both rooms today.
Rain blew through yesterday and the temperature dropped significantly. It is a breezy 57 at present and only expected to make 62. I walk Regan hourly and it is jacket weather. Sunny but with the wind, chilly. I'll take it though because the sun is out. Hope everyone has a wonderful day.
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