Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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It’s chilly and breezy here, but the sun is shining. We’ve delayed our walk until this afternoon. The temperature should be in the 60s by then. saw my PCP and GI doctors yesterday. My PCP adjusted my blood pressure medication. I’d been experiencing low blood pressure after exercise which was causing me to feel faint. Hopefully this will work. My GI made a few suggestions, which I’ll try. I’ve already switched back to my previous PPI medication. I hope everyone has a healthy and safe day.
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55 here at 1 pm. I was in the mid 40’s when I woke up. Inside my house is 60, and I’m cold! I put on a pair of fleece bottoms and even plugged in a heating pad to warm me as I read the paper this morning. We have an electric throw somewhere in this mess but heating pad was behind my spot on the couch, EZ PZ. Full sun now but windy too.
Today I’ll hang new pleated shades in my bedroom. They showed up yesterday and it gets dark so early I didn’t get to them.
Florida neighbors sent me a video of the weather report. Not encouraging, as it appears a direct hit may be in SWFL, and it appears the “cone” of this storm could be coast to coast. Also sent me a video of BJ’s placing pallets of bottled water in every open isle. So Petite, you’re correct in getting the gas tank filled and batteries set up. I’ll be keeping an eye on the Weather channel, it could hit within the next 5 days.
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Welcome home, Judy! One's own bed is the best therapy, even if it doesn't have the electro-mechanical bells & whistles & call button. Nice to be in charge of your own meds instead of waiting for the computerized pill machine to dole them out to the nurse or patient-tech. Will they send you a home health nurse to take your INR (I assume you're on a blood thinner just in case) and/or a visiting PT? I had two weeks of a visiting PT every other day after being released from in-patient rehab for both my TKRs. You will be surprised by how soon you will be confident on your feet. I suggest a quad cane first when you're ready to transition from the walker. Is your walker a Rollator? I used the seat on mine to transport meals & drinks (in lidded cups). After rehab, I used a cane, but I got the Rollator from when my back locked up on me in 2016. Hoping not to use it often. When my sis was non-weightbearing after ACL reconstruction surgery and had to use crutches or a non-wheeled walker, she rigged up a macrame sling to dangle her travel coffee mug or water bottle from her neck. For aluminum walkers (wheeled or not), you can trick them out with padded hand grips, a denim sling seat and drink holders as I did back in 1997 after tib. plateau repair surgery I had at Rush & then 2 weeks at Bowman. There were mail-order catalogs and even a healthcare-and-disability-supply superstore in Village Crossing back then--alas, victims of e-commerce. But I bet you can still find that stuff online (or consult with the PT/OTs at Mather).
Mav, good call on your surgeon's being proactive on LE education (and hopefully, MLD self-massage). Should you need compression wear (other than that quilted giant oven-mitt stuff), LympheDivas has reasonable prices and occasional great sales on sleeves, gauntlets & gloves in myriad colors & patterns (even fake tattoos). They even have a measuring/fitting template--if you lack a tape measure, you can even print one out from their site! (Assuming the therapist hasn't already measured you, which my surgeon's PA did a couple of days before my surgery).
Karen, I hear you re the night carb-cheats. For you, the starch of choice is Triscuits, but for me it's whole-wheat bran matzo (Yehuda) sometimes with melted cheese. Also keto "cereal," which unfortunately too often triggers me to eat the real thing. Instead of M&Ms (I don't keep them around except for the Atkins peanut ones, which don't satisfy me), my sweet-cheats of choice are dark chocolate Little Schoolboy cookies, biscotti, stroopwafels, or whatever evil assorted chocolates Bob gets given by patients (the imported booze-filled ones are quite tempting). Oddly, milk chocolate leaves me cold. I have to steel myself to abide by an intermittent-fast schedule; if I can't sleep and must nosh on something while I watch or read something to make me sleepy, I go for mixed nuts.
I usually take CBD and Baclofen about 90-120 min. before bedtime and then a CBN softgel last thing before I hit the sack; but Heidi gets so demanding about my getting the bed ready for her to knead on & nuzzle me that sometimes I forget that pill and have to get up to take it, pushing my sleep-wake cycle back. Last night, she came to me every 2 hrs. for some "Mama-lovin'" and it blew up my schedule. (She's 17, and I want to give her all the affection she wants before she gets too old & frail). Gotta be up early (for me) tomorrow to make Bar Show cast meeting & vocal rehearsal at 10am in the Loop. Torn between risking safety &/or delays on the CTA train, or paying through the nose (even via SpotHero) for the closest garage to the Bar Assn. bldg. Haven't had to use the train to go down there since 2019. (I even gave up and started driving to the dentist down there once the worst of the pandemic abated).
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My DD, SIL, and family are still going to Florida tomorrow. I am so nervous, but they are adults so I try not to give unsolicited advice. Hopefully the hurricane will go to the west and miss most of Florida, but right now it doesn't seem as likely. They are headed to Disney World. My grandson's 9th birthday is on Monday. My worry is that they will get down there and not be able to get a flight home if things get bad. I don't know how well prepared DW resorts are. They are staying at one of the newer resorts, I think it's called Animal Kingdom? They have insurance on flights and hotel at DW. I simply texted my DD and told her to keep checking the weather.
It is cooler here too, which I love. Stay safe everyone, especially those who might be affected by the hurricane!
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Well, the gods (of your choice) giveth and the gods taketh away. Good news is that I'm "legal" again--finished my MCLE, paid the slight late reporting fee, and I am once again fully on the rolls...until I have to renew my license in Dec. Bad news is that Gordy called tonight--he threw his back out coughing (thought it was his allergies) on Wed. He & Leslie went to an indoor concert (Pavement) tonight and she mentioned her throat was scrstchy, but unlike Gordy she doesn't have allergies. They both home-tested; she was positive via throat swab but negative with two nasal swabs. Unfortunstely, Gordy tested positive right away, vis nassl swab. Bob had to call in Paxlovid scripts for both of them (Leslie's picking them up at the drive-thru). They were both "COvirgins," double-boosted but hadn't gotten the bivalent ones yet. He's asthmatic; she is Class II obese (though she's neither hypertensive nor diabetic). He's on the cusp of Gen X and millennial, she's a millennial. After Bar Show rehearsal in the Loop tomorrow, I think I'll drop off some chicken soup if I can find an open deli; otherwise, a jar of Better Than Bouillon, leaving it in the vestibule and texting them to come get it. Afraid to tell them they should stay away from Dot (my grand-dog), lest it guilt-trip the hell out of them. Good thing we didn't make Rosh Hashonah dinner plans, though maybe after temple Sun. night I'll drop off half our challah, an apple, and a jar of Bob's patient's honey.
Even when it doesn't rain, it pours.
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Good morning. Repairs and rehab are still progressing, though DH doesn't like the paint job. I think it was still wet and will be OK after it dries.
Cindy, It looks like it, Ian, will be going in above you and below me. I am glad it is Ian, rather than Hermine. I know that sounds silly, but the first Hermine was a bad experience. A storm that is off the coast of Africa got the Hermine name.
mavericksmom, It probably won't be the best vacation they ever had. Even though the eye may not go over Orlando, the rains will be there.
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There cannot be a sense of abundance or the experience of prosperity without appreciation. You cannot find beauty unless you appreciate beauty. You cannot find friendship unless you appreciate others. You cannot find love unless you appreciate loving and being loved. If you wish abundance, appreciate life. -William R. Miller
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Sure hope Gordy and Leslie do okay. You hope we all ( including them ) get through without getting covid, but we are so anxious to be done with it I think sometimes we just make a mistake in judgement over when and where to continue with masks. I've got my fingers crossed and we are preparing to get our 4th. vaccine very soon.
Petite, paint will look different in the dry state. I hope it turns out to be the case. Sounds like having progression going on is fairly up-lifting. Also hoping that you are right about the storms. Daunting to face it and hopeful that if anything it really will be only perhaps rains.
Cool here this a.m. but sun out early. I think it will be a bit warmer today -- very low 80's. We will get cooler again though afterwards. It is definitely Fall with the back and forth temps. Deer have started coming to the yard in groups to nibble the acorns. We have seen at one time ( it's been a while though ) as many as 18 at once and pretty much all in a group rather than scatterred through the yard. I love seeing them, but we have to be careful walking in the yard and sometimes take the scooper out to dispose of what they leave behind.
Kate has been off ( today will be the second day ) work due to a cold. I was a bit afraid, but it really is a cold. The 6-month old has it and I think that is where she got it. I do think she would do a bit better with these things if she would quit smoking. In fact, it does seem the weather change for Fall has seemed to encourage most of the 'family' smokers to be under the weather. No pun intended.
So nothing special. May do a quick Goodwill visit.
Hope you all have a really good day.
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Subject to change
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chisandy: Glad to hear that you have successfully finished the CE to remain legal but sorry to hear that Gordy and Leslie are ill with Covid. Hope they have mild cases and recover quickly.
petite1: Paint does dry different which is why they always tell you to sample before purchase and it will look different in varying light situations such as morning versus evening, sunny versus cloudy. I hope it is the color you wanted. Nice to hear progress is being made. Hope the hurricane threat is so early that it will change direction away from FL.
Karen: hope your brother is feeling better.
Regan has been with us for 2 weeks now and she is definitely settling in. She is taking treats from DH and allowed him to walk her this morning. She is doing better with "sit" including responding to hand gesture rather than vocal command. She is now comfortable enough to take naps which is new.
It is cooler here with highs in the 60's today but it is sunny. Definitely feeling like fall since it was in the 40's overnight. Small to do list today. Just touched up 2 picture frames with gold leaf paint; seems they were damaged when tree hit house. Bought these 2 pastel oil paintings in St. Ives, Cornwall years ago. They are countryside scenes and have a very calming effect. They are dry so I can rehang them. Have a good day.
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Jackie, I suggest your 4th shot be the new bivalent booster--no point in getting the single-strain version. (I don't think they're even using it as a booster any more). 2 weeks ago was my 5th shot. (The kids are advised to wait at least 2, maybe 3 months after they recover before getting their new boosters, as this bout of BA.5 should provide some decent hybrid immunity atop the 4 shots they've each had. But as soon as they've recovered (with no "rebound"), they should go for the flu shot, especially since Gordy's asthma is less-well-controlled than mine.
Was nice to rehearse in person today, and touch base with all the changes everyon's been through--travels, engagements, weddings, births, job moves, a divorce or two, and performances. I'm ashamed that I only extremely recently re-started the latter, due to my reluctance to sing indoors close to unmasked audiences and aversion to recording myself (especially on my phone) and inability to live-stream. My temple choir has yet to resume (in fact, indoor services are still mask-mandatory). I harbor no illusions about getting any parts other than perhaps a single line or a small ensemble, as I'm the oldest female member of the singing cast and so many young'uns were musical theater majors as undergrads. (I double-majored in Poli Sci & English Lit--AFAIK, there are no songs about polling techniques among novelists nor about confirmation bias among 19th century poets).
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Sorry to hear your family is dealing with covid chisandy and Karen. Chisandy - I hope they recover quickly. Karen - is your brother still in ICU? Sending healing vibes his way.
Hope the storm reduces intensity as the week progresses.
We’ve had nice fall weather. Went to visit DD, SIL and baby. The baby has been much more active (eating) while we visit, which is nice. Other grandmother will be visiting next week, so I’m not sure if we’ll visit or not.
I hope everyone is doing well and had a good Saturday.
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Sandy sorry to hear about Gordy and Leslie. Congrats on finishing the CEs.
As of yesterday, my brother is out of ICU and only on 2 liters O2. He is hoping to be home the beginning of the week.
Lots of cooking to do tomorrow so I need to be organized. I hope my menu is all worked out. Too tired to look at it now. DD wants to go to Costco so we will go tomorrow morning and then again before she leaves with the new ad.
Have a great Sunday.
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Karen good news to hear your brother is out of ICU. Sandy - hoping Gordy & Leslie have a speedy recovery w the Paxlovid. And glad your online torture is over with. Petite, my paint for the front bedroom was Sherwin Williams, color lemongrass. Once the room was painted I thought…pea soup. Thankfully it didn’t stay that dark, it looks nice now and especially clean with white trim.
We went to an Oktoberfest in an area village yesterday and had a great time. The weather was beautiful, sunny mid 60’s. The food was good too. I have to admit I had to wear jeans, crew socks - no more little sports socks, a long sleeve shirt and a thick fleece. I hated to put all that on but my house was 58 and I was freezing. As soon as we came home from the event we pulled apart my “fake” closet to access the basement and closed those windows.
Rain is expected later today, it’s 55 out and gloomy looking. I’ve got another pile of clothes from partner to donate, this time 4 loads of laundry completed. I have a box I need to go through but it’s things I know have to be stored - a king size set of sheets we use in Cape Cod, clean and in the zippered plastic; things like that. I’ve got to go through my sheet sets and let go of some. Bottom line I’ll be puttering indoors today. I’ll be glad when the house is all back together and I see no boxes anywhere. I hope you all have a good Sunday!
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Gratefulness brings joy to my life. How could I feel joy in what I take for granted? So I stop taking for granted, and there is not end to the surprises I find. A grateful attitude is a creative one, because, in the final analysis, opportunity is the gift within the gift of every moment-- the opportunity to see and hear and smell and touch and taste with pleasure. -David Steindl-Rast
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At this point it looks like landfall will be in Perry, but it not just the eye of the storm to worry about. It think it will be a nasty couple of days midweek.
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Spent the day cooking and baking as well as trip to Costco with DD#2. Candle lighting is in about 45 minutes. Will be off line till Tuesday night. No time to read today's post. Have a great beginning of the week.
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Good morning. The hurricane projections have changed again. It looks like it might be coming closer to me, but that may change. The good thing all the debris has been cleaned up from around the rehab project. The handyman should be finished before the hurricane and the carpet people will go in after it passes.
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Thinking of those in Florida. Good health and be safe.
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Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.
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petite- I think you are right, I am a little scared on this one. I have lived here since 1975 and this is the first time I am nervous. It might just be because this is the first one I faced since my husband died and I am the one that has to figure out everything and my mom that lives by me and calling me every hour wanting to know what I am doing. Whatever, it will be rough no matter where it hits.
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mistyeyes , are you near a coast? My daughter and family are at Disney World and I am a bit worried about them. My sister, who has a home in Florida that they stay in during the winter, said it is only the coastal areas that have issues with hurricanes. Not sure I am believing that, but I did read about Disney World and hurricanes and felt better. My DD planned this trip for a year, and when they arrived there was no certainty as to how far west the storm would track!
I feel sorry for you. Bad enough not to have your DH with you but having a mom nearby that calls every hour sounds totally overwhelming! I will be thinking of you and others here who live in Florida!
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Misty, Petite--hope you can stay safe, inland and in sturdy structures on higher ground (such as it is in FL). Can you get to parts of FL not in Ian's path? If you are not under mandatory evac., still be prepared to lose power for awhile--so stock up on drinking water and put the foods you can't afford to lose on ice in sturdy coolers. I've been seeing there's a run on generators & gas cans in the Tampa area.
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For those that reside in FL, please stay safe and if you can evacuate because you are in the path, please do so. Better safe than sorry especially when the power is out and cell towers may not work.
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My thoughts are with all of you who reside in Florida or have anyone visiting there. I agree. If possible get out of the storm path, and be safe.
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Please stay safe, all of you in the storms path. I'll be thinking of you. I have friends who left Sun City, on their way to Mobile, AL.
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Watching the local morning news and the weather woman said she felt guilty announcing such great weather for us when Florida is getting hit by such a powerful hurricane.
I was off from work yesterday and again today. Yesterday was super productive for me. My insurance company has been causing me so much stress with my Oct surgery. I am not stupid, but insurance and taxes are two things that give me stress because of the complexity. Anyway, I spoke with an insurance rep and my PS office. The woman who does the insurance and billing at my PS office was far more helpful. I told her I am trusting her information and will "shut my mouth" and just go with whatever happens the day of surgery! I am going in as an outpatient.
I also cleaned my oven racks while my oven self-cleaned. It wasn't very dirty but I am trying to do things that require reaching prior to surgery. Soaking the racks in the tub works amazingly well. I mix baking soda and regular dish soap and after a few hours they just need rinsing, and all the grime is gone.
I also cleaned the bathroom, which I do every week. The good news about soaking oven racks in the tub is that it is an easy way to clean the racks, but it leaves the tub a mess. I also washed my shower curtain and it was time to get new liners for both bathrooms, so I did that too.
The other day my driver's side window on my car started having issues getting closed. I was going to let it go until after my surgery, then realized all the time my husband or I would need it for banking and the gate at my surgeon's office parking lot! So today I am going to the dealership, which is about an hour away, to get that fixed and an oil change and tire rotation. After thinking about it, I am lucky about the window because I really needed the other services. Time just got away from me, I am usually very up to date on all things car related. Also, it is a relaxing, beautiful drive, mostly in the countryside.
My eyeglasses frame also decided to break, which has literally NEVER happened to me before. I was lucky again because my eye doctor where I get my glasses from, told me they are still under warrantee! I didn't even know there was such a thing! Good to know!
I also got a 2023 calendar for my refrigerator. Does it make me officially crazy if I say how much I love filling out calendars with birthdates and events? I don't know why I love it so much, but I think it has to do with my love of organization. Also, I am a visual person. I have a calendar on my phone, like everyone else, and I do use it, but it will never replace my good old refrigerator calendar! My husband highlights all his doctor appointments in yellow, I do mine in pink. Not as fun as the years when I color coated our kids sports and music events, but still makes it easy to see.
So, this morning, the sun is up and in an hour I will be on my way to the car dealership. Hopefully it won't be a long wait, but I take things with me to do.
Have a wonderful day everyone. Those in the hurricanes path, I will be thinking of you! Stay safe!!!!
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Thanking all of you for your kind words. Mistyeyes, we live in the same town. I am high dry, but do worry about the power going off for extended periods of time. My coastal dwelling friends are evacuating. I have lived in Florida since 1958 and seen many hurricanes, but this one seems different. (or maybe it is the media) I will be glad when it is over.
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Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh, and the greatness which does not bow down before children.
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I do think a lot is more media attention, but with global warming some of the storm events have been a lot stronger and more overall damaging. I will continue to hope for Fla. and anyone in the path of this hurricane to end up with the best possible outcome.
Sounds like yesterday was one of those rare times when everything falls into place and is smooth and comfy. Getting those makes going through the other kind worthwhile. I hope today is good too Mavericksmom. I love it when my days work out.
Nothing special today -- catch up things that have moved down the list from other items turning up un-expectedly. That is usually what upsets my best laid plane. Good thing I'm retired with lots of flexibility.
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