Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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So chilly today but still with the bright sun. There is a little breeze so I'm sure if we go out a light jacket definitely in order. Were we to stay out long a medium one. I don't have anything much going on today. Some regular work and getting ready for the paying of mid-month bills. Some won't be due till first of the month but I'm trying for a system where I can pay each the moment it comes. Had that working once and I'll get it back.
Feeling well lately. I was able to get up earlier this morning which started me out well. Hope the momentum doesn't decrease too soon.
I hope you all have a really good day. Sure hate that we are into Fall so much right now and hoping for some good Indian summer to come along soon. Summer seems to go so fast.
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maverick, that happens to all of us now & then. Just don't do too much and pop a stitch.
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I had trouble sleeping last night and the bed looks like an eggbeater was at work. My SIL called at dinner time to tell us her DD had been found deceased by police sent for a welfare check. She was 61, 6 months younger than my DD. Her sons couldn't reach her and asked for the check. Police said it looked like she had fallen which is likely since she had episodes of vertigo. I think that was behind not getting to sleep. She was the family member who did everything better than anyone else. I talked to her last week and she seemed in good spirits.
Fall is arriving here on Friday when the rains come. They always start before my birthday (next Tues) although usually earlier. It was 88 here on Sun; a record for hottest day in late Oct. DH's birthday is a week from mine, so we'll have a little party for just family at his facility to celebrate both. I'll be 82 and he'll be 83.
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Thanks for the HA advise Mcbaker. I see my audiologist tomorrow. Trying to get information about OTC HA has been a challenge. I need small domes (5mm) and feel like I'm asking for KFC chicken spice ingredients when I ask for the dome sizes from the OTC HA companies.
No worries about venting. This is a safe space. Sorry you're having to do extra work as you recover mavericksmom. Can you get anyone to help out? I hope you're feeling better.
It's cooler and windy today. Not a good day for outdoor walking, so I'll use the treadmill later today. We expect a freeze tonight. The leaves have turned a beautiful gold and red. Our cats have been mesmerized by the leaves blowing around.
Have a safe and healthy day.
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I tried domes maybe seven years ago, and the feedback was awful. Way too much loss for them. I wear skeleton molds and ask for them to be deep. Hopefully you will be fine with the OTC HA's.
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Wren, I will say many positive wishes for you to have a wonderful birthday on Tues. and on any actual celebration day. Sorry to hear about your SIL's daughter. I can see your having a daughter roughly the same age could easily affect your sleep. Try as one might, thoughts sneak in to keep us alert. Anyway, I am so subject to not remembering I hope you don't mind that I'm early with my wishes for you.
Brrr, I'm not at all ready for this weather either. Had to go to the store and a fair amt. of wind made sure that we felt the chilliness even with that good ole. sun pouring down on us.
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MM - that's what we're here for - an outlet for frustrations, big and small. With you're still not feeling well, they undoubtable seem bigger than they did a few weeks ago.
There are only 3 years between us but negotiating who should and could do what seems to be an issue lately. Ken has been in charge at home since he retired and struggles to let me take anything over even though I know many things are hard for him now. I, on the other hand, want him to know that I am capable of tasks he has currently done when the time comes.
Current struggle is over his driving. His cataracts are bad enough that I refuse to let him drive at night. He did let me drive us to the airport recently and I heard him say to someone that they would have to ship something even though it's fairly close and I could pick it up so at least he is admitting that only neighborhood driving is allowed. He drove to his doctor the other day - probably less than 4 miles away but was going 35 in a 55 mile an hour highway, so where I'm comfortable having him drive is obviously getting to be an even shorter range.
My computer frustration is growing - some days I feel old!
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3 pages to catch up on!
MM - vent all you want, isn't that why we are here?
Wren, I'm so sorry to hear about your niece. 61 is way too young. Sending you hugs.
I got my Flu and Covid vaccines on Sunday. Thankfully only a sore arm. I was able to get both shots in the same arm.
I have domes on my HA - double domes on my right. Hearing specialist said I will need a mold when I get new ones as the domes are not strong enough for my loss. I see an audiologist the beginning of November - she is also an CI expert. I've been toying with the idea, but I don't think I'm a candidate. Costco won't see my new HAs till I've been seen by a specialist due to the significant difference between right and left ear - not sure why now and not 5 years ago, as its always been a big difference. Not sure that its gotten much worse.
Oncologist office called today. All good cancer wise, but he is concerned with my elevated Calcium, so he wants to run more labs. I go Thursday after work. I had my parathyroid labs in June and they were somewhat elevated which prompted a referral to endocrinologist. She ran 24 hour urine with calcium and it was within normal limits. Don't remember what labs nurse said oncologist wants to run. It's always something!!!
Have a great Wednesday.
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Good morning. It is in the 40's this morning. I have been having upper GI pain, like heart burn, but very intense since Saturday morning. I also feel ached, tired and just want to sleep. I haven't exercised since Friday and can barely get errands and chores done. I have a doctor appointment this afternoon.
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Praying for you, petite.
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MM, feel free to vent. It sometimes helps to share frustrations. My dh is three years older but he runs circles around me in motivation while dealing with leg circulation issues.
I had checkup appointments with two doctors yesterday. My labs for the kidney doctor were good except for slightly elevated D3 and calcium. My BP was high. I will check it for several days and report if it continues to be high. I don't have kidney disease but I go for an annual checkup because my mother had kidney disease and also I'm prediabetic. I like the way this doctor follows my health status with analyzing labs.
The dermatologist visit revealed no major problems but I will pay for a cream to treat my hands and forearms instead of going in for a blue light treatment. Dr. Baldone warned that my skin would look awful before it looked better. The cream won't be terribly expensive. It's compounded and my insurance won't cover it.
Wren, I'm so sorry about your SIL's daughter. I can understand losing sleep over a family tragedy like that. I've been acquainted with you for a number of years on bc.org and admire your resilience. I hope your dh is doing well in the care home.
I'm happy not to have an appointment today. I will probably venture out to senior exercise at 11:30. Other than that I will do household chores and deal with the daily challenge of planning and preparing dinner.
Happy Wednesday to all.
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Sorry for your loss Wren. My condolences to you and your family.
Hope you feel better Petite.
Heading to audiologist today. Been doing lots of research about HA in case my current ones can’t be fixed. Tomorrow I see my breast surgeon. Been following a swollen lymph node in my arm pit (left side). I’ll probably ask her to do an ultrasound.
Hope everyone has a healthy day.
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Belated reply to chisandy -- the Orthodox rabbis say the same thing: if it would be harmful to you to fast, you should not do so. I am in chemo right now, so decided that drinking water was not optional -- I had to do it. I decided I'd play everything else by ear. As it turned out, I wasn't particularly hungry, so I stuck to just water without difficulty. I hope that all who observed Yom Kippur (and, really, everyone else) were sealed for a good, sweet and health New Year.
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The tapestry of life continues to be woven. Occasionally a chance arises to repair an older, tattered piece of the weave. Something happens to jolt our awareness back in time to an event that resulted in tears and rips. With new, more mature vision, we see the circumstances in present time and have compassion for the unclear events of the past. While the new experience is being woven into the design, the old rip is simultaneously being repaired. All is well.
Bessie Senette0 -
Carefully made notes, but my page didn't flip over -- because I made notes.
Petite, I am so glad you are seeing your Dr. I hope it will turn out in a way that answers the issue well while de-stressing you as much as possible.
Carole, you are wise to keep a good watch on your kidneys. Easy most of our life to sort of take them for granted and more so if everything is working well. Problems can come in very un-expected fashion, and you already know that it is a possibly inherited problem. Good for you. Hope you get a handle on blood pressure. Something else that can be stubborn sometimes to deal with.
Your weather must be staying nice since it isn't mentioned. Being its Fall I sort of assume it can for the most part only get better where you are. I'm waiting to see if we might have a bit of Indian summer yet. Do you have an Indian summer there?
Cardplayer -- hope you have a good audiologist appt. Not hearing well is just the pits. I hate having to ask people to repeat what they say because I feel like they might wonder why I don't comprehend. (Major reason is often that people talk fast and one-word blends into the next which is hard to get correctly when wearing HA's.)
Pretty cool out here, but once again the sun. Hopefully the wind has settled as it was not great being out yesterday due to that wind. I think we covered everything we needed to do away from the house so it won't matter too much.
Hope you all have a really good day.
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Saw dermatologist yesterday for annual skin check and all is well. She zapped a skin tag that should disappear by Halloween. Saw ENT today for annual hearing test and follow-up. No change in hearing: still can't hear in dog whistle range which is fine by me since I am not a dog. Don't wear my HA consistently because I mostly wear them to damp tinnitus and find that sometimes they pick up noises I don't want to hear because they do override what I do want to hear. He discussed issues with OTC HA now available; some points were valid but think if you do your homework on what is covered vs what is not the cost savings may or may not exist. I found an online company that offered my brand at a cost $2K lower than what his audiologist offered, told her about it and she matched their price with 3 year post-purchase coverage so it does pay to shop around. I can also call her for issues and adjustments. I can and should sync the with my phone but haven't done so yet.
Cold here with temps in 30's overnight and only in low 50's but damp. Sun out but breezy. Regan went after the one cat today and came up short. Tawny is an instigator and got Regan good. She ran, Regan followed and ran into a small area near the fireplace where Tawny then attacked her. I heard this whimper and went in to see Regan cowering from Tawny. She is clawless on the front so can't inflict any damage other than a rain of swats. So I think Regan is now aware of the pecking order in the house with Smudge the major and the others the subordinates though Tawny does challenge Smudge on occasion. Leo is still playing avoidance with Regan but that's okay. He's spooky anyhow.
Wren: sorry about SIL and niece. Too young to be gone.
petite1: hope your GI issue is something they can treat easily.
mavericksmom: hope recovery is going well but you need to take it easy. Venting is therapeutic, especially here, so rant on.
mary: good luck with dentist.
Have a good day.
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Hi everyone! Thank you, a hundred times, over for not minding my "venting!" I saw my plastic surgeon today for my one-week post op appointment. He removed one of the two drains which feels so much better. I guess that is due more to mental feelings than actual feelings, but it was a positive so I am thankful for that! I see him again on Tues, then breast surgeon next Wednesday and hopefully then I will have a treatment plan moving ahead.
My husband accompanied me to the visit, I feel so bad for him as it is hard for him to walk, but he did ok. His driving was ok, but I am thankful it is only local driving that he does.
Petite, I hope your appointment went well. I don't know your history, but when I saw pain like heart burn, my mind went to heart attack. Probably because heart disease runs in my family and both parents had heart attacks. Anyway, while most likely not what you have, but I was glad you had a doctor appointment!
Carole, I could relate, I am pre-diabetic, determined to turn it around via diet, although right now I eat whatever I feel in the mood too, the usual post-surgery diet! My mom didn't exactly have kidney disease, but she had a kidney removed due to a congenital deformity, when I was about 10 yrs old.
Wren, I too am very sorry to hear about your SIL's daughter! So very sad!
Cardplayer, I hope the audiologist appointment went well. I already told my husband that as soon as I have some kind of idea of my future appointments, I am making him an appointment with the ENT who will schedule him for a hearing test with their audiologist. I agree with everyone here, hearing is so important! Also, I will be thinking about you and your appointment with your breast surgeon! I hope they do an ultrasound at the very minimum. Swollen nodes are nothing to take lightly! So glad you are going to have it checked out!
Betrayal, one thing you mentioned took me by surprise. You said something about HA helping your tinnitus? I had my hearing checked in the summer, and have some loss but not enough for HA. I also have tinnitus and sometimes, like right now, it gets quite loud! I am always interested in learning about anything that might help. Most of the time I don't even notice it, although it is always there. My listening-to-loud-rock-music days have definitely caught up with me!
I am sorry Regan got his feelings hurt by a cat! Poor pooch! I have scars on my left arm from a cat that happened in 1977! I was a vet tech, working in a clinic in Phila and I noticed that a cat that was down for a declaw (front paws only), was being prepped for a spay! It was too late to use the normal declaw meds so the other technician held on to the front paws and I took the back paws. The doctor tested for response, assumed the cat was "out" enough, it wasn't and with first cut, freaked out, the other technician let go, I stupidly did not, and the cat took its wrath out on my arm! Not the cat's fault, but I will always be reminded of that day. At least it got the procedure it came in for.
Colder here with first frost last night. As soon as I came home from appointment, I put my flannel pj's back on! Now to get ready for the Phillies game.
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mavericksmom: Yes, my HA are more for damping my tinnitus than for hearing loss. They are set by the audiologist and I can also control the damping with controls on the HA's. Developed tinnitus in 2019 after an upper respiratory infection that caused severe coughing only for about 4 days. Tinnitus did not respond to use of steroids, etc thus the referral to ENT after about 3 weeks of other treatments, all failures. Volume of tinnitus depends on day, because on some days it is loud and distracting and on others, I don't hear it at all.
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Wren, sympathy on the loss of your niece.
Tinnitus had me a while back. ENT said all normal aging, I think too loud music in my youth also. It was bad about 2 years ago, I’d fall asleep during the National news nightly after “teaching” with my then 6th grade grandniece. Now it’s random, but if I do that nap in the recliner during the news it sets it off again.
I walked this morning with 2 gf in 40 degree weather. I had 4 layers, plus a scarf & gloves. By the end I had tied my down jacket around my waist and was carrying the scarf.
I heard from my insurance company and spoke with the roofer today. Insurance says the roof costs $X, then less your deductible and less the depreciation. But it’s recoverable depreciation, so once the roof is repaired they’ll pay me that amount. The roofer assured me my out of pocket will be my 2%, which is about $4,200. I have an email to electronically sign off on and then I’ll get an electronic transfer of upfront money from the insurance company.
So much family stress has been going on - a niece was injured, hospitalized for surgery, then again later for mental breakdown. I drove her to a facility this evening, a place that provides great counseling and sets up her meds- she’s bipolar and has MS. I cried from the moment I left the building and tear up again just keying this. I was 10 when she was born, she was my first baby up close and personal. It breaks my heart to see her there but I know it’s the best place for her.
Eye doctor for me tomorrow at 11:30. They dilate my eyes so I had asked for the latest appointment I could get. They says he only works half days and that’s his latest. I hate the dilation that seems to last so long with my baby blues it wreaks the day. I’m wishing for a gloomy overcast day. Sorry!
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Cindy - sorry to hear about your niece. Optometrist by me know offer, of course for extra money, a digital exam of the retina etc instead of dilating the eyes. For the roof, that sounds like a lot of out of pocket money, but then again I don't know what it cost to replace a roof in FL. Good luck with it all.
Nice weather through Sunday, then cooling off into the 50s and rain. Cool to cold in the mornings but I can still get by in sandals
. But my office is freezing. So I'm wearing a fleece, sandals and a bare legs. My torso/chest/trunk is the part that freezes.Have a great Thursday
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Good morning. It was 36 degrees when I woke up. I did not see my regular PCP, but an ARNP. She was more concerned about labs from 10 months ago that were down loaded in the wrong place in my chart. She was not concerned about the results, just that someone put them in the wrong place. When I said something, she got snippy. She didn't even touch me and just ordered s script and said no coffee, tomato sauce, garlic or onion. I didn't say anything, but thought DUH. I am slowly feeling better, but it has nothing to do with her. I will pick up the script when I get notified that it is ready.
I have a hair appointment today. That usually makes me feel better.
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Cindyny: Sorry about your niece. It must be hard on her to have had so much trauma recently and most likely this triggered her mental health. Tough when you also have MS. Wow, your out of pocket for the roof seems high to me as well but then I don't know what a roof costs in Fl. Just know all we had to pay for the entire restoration of our home's damage (interior and exterior) was the deduction which was much less than that. Do understand that FL homeowners insurance is a whole different animal though.
petite1: Sounds like you got the bum's rush by the NP yesterday. Treating symptoms without identifying the causation doesn't sit well with me. However can identify how the "no-touch" system employed by healthcare practitioners seems to be the vogue. Love how a fully documented physical exam though appears in the portal. Seems that the insurance companies insist on this but don't seem to be concerned about validity. Hope the prescription fixes what ails you.
Want to finish mulching today and then we will enclose the area with poles and chicken wire to keep hungry deer from nibbling the azaleas this winter. DD advised that her DH needs a new omelet pan and to purchase this for his birthday since he won't buy it himself. Bought a flat pan yesterday according to what info she had provided previously but then she tells me new info last night when they stopped by. So I will look for an omelet pan later today. So he will get 2 new pans plus the Halloween items (his favorite holiday) I had already given him.
This month seems to be flying by. I always have a "to-do" list but the one for this month seems to be mostly unaccomplished. Need to get my butt in gear. It is still chilly today but supposed to warm up. Sunny and that's all that matters. Have a nice day.
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petite, sorry the NP was snippy with you! I have normally found NPs and PAs to be exceptionally good. I guess everyone can have a bad day, hope this isn't her normal self!
Today is sunny at least. Our lawn service is mowing the yard now. Wondering how many more times we will need that this year? He does a great job, it is his business, but he is also a neighbor, which makes it convenient.
I wish I had more energy, but for now I am still chilling in my flannel pjs and taking advantage of the down time. I am going to shower soon, probably will be motivated to change into sweat pants and a flannel shirt, aka comfy regular clothes.
I had all of this month's bills set to be paid and I was going to work on setting up the November bills but decided to give myself a few more days before I do that. My post-surgery, mental health, concentration, memory, took a bit of a hit this time and I don't want to push my luck and make big mistakes that will come back to haunt me. I feel more normal, more alert, each day, and nothing is pressing for me to do the bills now other than I was always one to set up things well in advance.
cindy, so sorry to read about your niece! You are a really great aunt, to take her to get the help she needs even though it was difficult for you emotionally. That is LOVE!
Also sorry to read about your roof but glad it seems to be working out okay! We will need a new roof and some home improvements in the coming year. Money is always so easy to spend, not as easy to earn! My sister has a place in Florida, on the gulf coast, Naples, but it is a condo. They don't rent it out, just stay there in the winter months and up here in PA the rest of the year. Hopefully when I retire, we will finally get to visit them in Florida.
Have a great day everyone!
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Betrayal, I guess it took me a long time to type my previous post. (I was interrupted several times by DH) I just read your post which wasn't there when I started mine, LOL!!!
I just wanted to add that I HATE portal health records. Every time, prior to my appointment, I am asked to check over my chart and make any changes. Every stinking time I would take a lot of time to look up exact dates. I just had to fill this out again this morning. Apparently, their system does not really save select information. I enter dates as requested 00/00/0000 push save, all is well until the next time when it shows, 00/0000 in red and requests update, restating the format of 00/00/0000! sheeeesh!!!!!!
I refuse to update until this is corrected so I took the easy way out and selected "don't remember," even for the birth dates of my children! Soooo annoying!
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Winter has arrived early behind an early fall. We were in the 30's this morning but in a couple of days the warmer weather will return. It's sunny outside.
Petite, I wouldn't have been satisfied with that visit with the PA. Not if she told me to avoid coffee! My morning coffee is one of my major pleasures right along with my before-dinner cocktail at 5 pm. But heartburn is not to be ignored.
My BP has probably been high all summer. The readings the last couple of days have been high, even the one using the machine at the gym, before and after exercise class. I just hope modifying my med doesn't make the BP go too low. I'm gradually losing some weight and lower weight should be a modifying factor in itself.
Jackie, I'm not sure what Indian summer is. We can have pleasant mild weather on some days throughout the winter months, which are December, January and February.
DH is off to a medical appointment. My only outing today is chair yoga at 1 pm. In the meantime I will get some household cleaning done and also some laundry.
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I have made it to the gym three days in a row! I get on the elliptical for as many minutes as I can do it, then switch to the recumbent bike, to total 60 minutes. Burned 268 calories this morning. Just got a free scale from my insurance company's weight loss program (20 pounds will hopefully just melt off).
Now I have some housework on my list but would rather sew while cogitating upon resuming writing. Stopped at Family Dollar and got six dollars' worth of treats for Tippy. Repurposing one of my canisters, was going to make a new label for it when I decided to stop by here. Label will read "TREATSES" (for my little Gollum). Yes, I watched the whole series.
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Sorry to hear about your niece Cindyny. Glad she's getting the care she needs.
Just got off my recumbent bike Mcbaker. It's in the 50s today but really windy, so I decided to exercise inside.
Saw my audiologist yesterday and my HA need to be replaced. She only carries high end models, so I’m heading to Costco next week. I don’t think OTC will provide me with the support that I need. Maybe in the future. I started noticing hearing issues in the early 90s, mostly in restaurants and meetings. Started to see an ENT, but my hearing never got bad enough for HA until 6 years ago. I use to mis-hear words, have the TV volume up high enough the whole house could hear, ask people to repeat what they said, etc. but not bad enough for HA. Guess I’m a good test taker in a quiet situation.
We didn't get the freeze over night, so we still have petunias and marigolds around. Everything else seems to have been effected by the cold weather.
Saw the breast surgeon NP today. My lymph node is still there, so I'm getting an ultrasound sound. Was able to get an appointment tomorrow.
Hope everyone has a healthy day.
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As long as there's that us-ness and me-ness and you-ness, there will
never be an all of us together. What we need to do is go up in a
spaceship together and look down at Earth and recognize that
we are all inhabitants of this fragile little planet. Instead of looking for
the things that separate us, instead of building more weapons to destroy
us, we must begin looking for ways that we can all get along.
Wayne Dyer0 -
Cardplayer, wishing you well with your ultrasound tomorrow. MC, hope you lose as much as you want to.
Carole, Indian summer is when we have cold that seems like it is all we will have and then out of the blue get several days of nice warm temps -- usually never hot and never with humidity just very pleasant in every way. Usually not less than three days or more than five and then we go back into the cold again till winter is over.
Another nothing special day -- just work although I do have to stat bill paying very soon.
Hope you all have a good day.
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Cardplayer, I am so glad to read that you will get an ultrasound tomorrow! Wishing you quick accurate results!
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