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

1141314141416141814191597

Comments

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

    Petite, the term "German Dutch" is confusing. German people refer to themselves as "Deutsche." And the Dutch call themselves as "Nederlanders." As in Pennsylvania Dutch and New Amsterdam Dutch-- one is German, the other is Dutch.

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

    Best of luck with your scope on Thursday Illinois. I hope they're able to identify the reason for your excess wax.

    Good luck with returning to school mavericksmom. Please keep in touch until you retire, as time permits, to let us know how you’re doing.

    Had an appointment with my rheumatologist today. I’ve had raynauds syndrome since at least college, but it’s recently gotten worse. She’s ordered an arterial Doppler for my arms and hands, which I’ll have after the holiday and did some blood work.

    We’re expecting up to 5 inches of snow on Thursday. We get plowed by the state, but they do the main road first. Hopefully they’re wrong.

    Have a nice evening

  • cindyny
    cindyny Member Posts: 1,319
    edited December 2022

    Yesterday evening we went to a free concert in the new downtown Fort Myers amphitheater. We had a blast, so many people gathered for some great music. But we learned for the next time we need to show up much earlier. We could see but we were in the very back.

    Tonight we ran down to the Murphy-Burroughs house. It’s all decorated up and has multiple Christmas trees inside the rooms. Absolutely beautiful, so much work has gone into it. It’s 2 historical homes on First Street downtown across from each other. But only one home was open, we believe due to the flooding at the house closest to the river. I’m hoping the other house didn’t sustain permanent damage.

    I rode my bike today for first time in 5 days. Hamstring had stopped screaming at me and it was time to get back at it. I completed 2.58 miles and so far 12 hours later I’m ok. I’ll skip it tomorrow, attempt every other day as long as hamstring remains calm.

    image

    image

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

    Wren-- good to see you back!!

    Cindy-- what a beautiful house!!

    My sister is visiting today. Called my brother last night. He may be waiting on the results for the biopsy until after Christmas. He is depressed and anxious.

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

    Good to see you back online Wren.

    Cindyny- glad to see that Fort Myers is coming back after the flood. Did the Edison home get damaged? We use to vacin Cape Coral with my in-laws when they were alive. They lived there for 25 years, so we spent many vacations in SW Florida.

    Have a wonderful day.

  • petite1
    petite1 Member Posts: 2,291
    edited December 2022

    Mary, Thanks for that interesting trivia. I will share it with DH.

    Wren, Welcome back. I missed you

    Cindy, Beautiful pictures.

    DH is having a biopsy on his nose, Thursday. I am meeting up with a friend today and another friend on Friday. Busy week.


  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,545
    edited December 2022

    Be on the lookout for mercies. The more we look for them,
    the more of them we will see. . . . Better to lose count
    while naming your blessings than to lose your blessings
    to counting your troubles.

    Maltbie D. Babcock

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

    Fingers crossed for a good outcome, Jackie and then a long reprieve from follow-ups.

  • cindyny
    cindyny Member Posts: 1,319
    edited December 2022

    Cardplayer, I went to Edison Ford Winter Estate tonight. We became members last year because every visitor wants to go, and $20 a piece for us was adding up. This year we increased our membership to 2 adults and 4 children. Tonight I took my neighbor and her 2 children, whom have never been there before. It’s beautiful this time of year, decorated for Christmas. The homes didn’t appear to have any damage. But I think that was fortunate because 2 very large trees came down. One from the river edge towards the house, another from the side of the Ford home. Both have signs on the type of tree, when it was planted and that on September 28 hurricane Ian took it down. Areas were “caution” taped off along the river edge, and at the built in pool area. We went after dark so I’m unsure visually how it looks in daylight. I’ll be back over there a few more times before Christmas and will take some pictures. There was a choir tonight too.

    Jackie best of luck tomorrow. I too don’t sleep well anytime I need to get up early to go anywhere. It seems I wake hourly or so to check the clock, making sure I don’t oversleep and miss whatever.

    My back is bothering me again after being pretty good for some time. I was hurting so bad I couldn’t tell if it was my back or an ovary ready to burst. It hasn’t felt that bad in 8+ years. I took a hot shower, loaded on the Bio Freeze, and have the heating pad on. I have a muscle relaxer but don’t want to take it, yet. When I blew out my back, it was from a sneeze. HA! Oh please make it go awaySanta.

  • petite1
    petite1 Member Posts: 2,291
    edited December 2022

    Good morning. Thunder woke me up as a front is moving through. DH has a procedure today at the dermatologist this morning.

    Illinoislady, cyber hugs and wishing you a speedy recovery.

    Cindy, I am so glad those historical homes were not damaged. I have been there many times.


  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 8,190
    edited December 2022

    Wren, I'm glad you have a good living arrangement. The same for you, Jackie.

    DH and I are feeling grateful this morning as we watch morning news and see tornado damage in the general viewing area. We had storms during the day yestereday and a lot of rain. The meteorologists were on tv all day.

    DH has been quite ill with a UTI. Tueday night about 8:30 he decided he should go to the ER. He had a 102 temperature and was feeling really bad. I don't drive at night so I called 911 and an ambulance was here within 5 minutes. He received care immediately at the ER. At 11 pm he was discharged. I drove to the hospital and he drove home. The traffic was very light by then and the route simple so I didn't have a problem. Yesterday morning I got his prescriptions filled.

    He was very disappointed with his urologist. There was little response when he called the office describing his distress and need for some diagnosis and treatment. When this is all over, I think he will switch to another urologist.

    The sun is shining this morning. I plan to go to the gym for some needed exercise.

    Hope everyone has a good day.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,545
    edited December 2022

    I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.

    image
    Diane Ackerman

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,545
    edited December 2022

    Count me in on being happy when old beautiful homes (used for holiday decorations and cheer) are left un-scathed I hate to hear of anyone (thinking Betrayal for sure here) having to deal with endless problems caused by weather events. Even though I don't partake as much as I once did, I do very much appreciate that these things stay for all others who do.

    Carole, I agree with your Dh. It sounds like something has fallen out of he and his Dr. being mutually able to figure out when and what help is needed to resolve an issue. Having had my share of UTI's, I think of it as, in general, quite straight-forward. Hope he soon gets the proper meds now and gets on the mend.

    I have had my procedure, breakfast, coffee and a nap so far. The results are in -- nothing found. Such good news for the holidays. I slept just awful during the night which is that I didn't sleep much at all. Fell asleep finally about an hr. and a half before we had to get up. Sure, glad i was first. Still seemed to have taken too long. I don't like being awake but have to admit this time --- the main thing was the intense cold and laying on a steel table for an hour. My Dr. was happy and so was I. Not sure when the next scope will be but likely not before 6 mos.

    We are gray today with the possibility of some more rain -- maybe even an errant snowflake. Nothing major expected, but we are heading into some cold weather again for at least a week. Hmm. I'm grateful we have done fairly well with almost no snow at all yet.

    Hope you are all having a good day.

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

    Great news, Jackie. Early Christmas present from your physician and hopefully you get off his dance card soon. Hope you can sleep tonight now that this is behind you.

    Regan graduated from her beginners class (she was the oldest in the bunch) and will take the intermediate class in February. We could not get into the January class we wanted and I wanted to see if Petsmart would honor an intermediate class I had purchased 5 years ago for my DS's dog, Maggie. Unfortunately, she had the same instructor that we had for Lita (our now deceased dog) for the beginners class and again she proved to be nasty. So we opted not to expose Maggie to her for a second class and the constant criticism she faced. Maggie was not the issue because she was eager to learn, did well when we practiced and performed in class but she never met her "standard". They agreed to accept this contract for Regan's class which makes me happy. I am so glad I held onto that contract. We have a photo of her with her mortar board but she is not happy with it and is cringing under the stools they provide for us. Regan is still wary around other dogs and growled at one who got too close for comfort last night. However in just 3 months she has made so much progress in other behaviors. Now if I could just get her to not pull or do zoomies when she is on a leash. She is a work in progress for sure.


  • petite1
    petite1 Member Posts: 2,291
    edited December 2022

    Good morning. DH had his procedure and had some discomfort yesterday, but has not mentioned anything today. He has very bad rosacea leaving a bulbous growth on one side of his nose. This they cut down, or removed the skin, not sure exactly. He had a growth on the other side removed 7 years ago. It seemed like a larger area and they did a skin graft. This time was not as intense.

    Jackie, I am glad your procedure went well.

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 8,190
    edited December 2022

    Good news, Jackie.

    Petite, my dh is a frequent patient at his dermatologist's office.

    Betrayal, you seem like a conscientious dog owner. Regan is a lucky dog to have ended up at your house.

    The sun is shining and my computer says it is 44 degrees outside. A nice winter day for south Louisiana.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,545
    edited December 2022

    In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always
    wins--not through strength but by perseverance.

    H. Jackson Brown

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

    petite1: Glad to hear your DH's procedure went well. I am sure his nose is probably tender and hope that passes soon.

    It's another gray day in the neighborhood, damp and chilly to boot. Prefer rain to snow at this time of year so it could have been worse. Of course, I canceled a dental appointment based on the hysteria of weather reports and could not reschedule now until February. It will be a long time between cleanings though.

    Tried cleaning Regan's teeth and she is receptive to me putting my fingers in her mouth due to the flavor of the toothpaste. Her back teeth have some tartar which is hard to see because she has a really tight mouth but I can get my finger back there and catch a fast glimpse at the teeth by stretching her lips.

    By this time last year I had several dozen cookies of various types baked and sorry to say I have yet to bake one this year. Maybe later today I'll make some chocolate chip since I have the ingredients and I have ingredients for cherry winks as well. I feel once I start I may get on a roll. I am done shopping and gift cards will have to fill in any gaps. Will start wrapping what I do have so it is not a chore. I used to do marathon wrapping and that kills my back, so I will be kind to myself by starting earlier and doing a few a day.

    Hope everyone has a wonderful day.


  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,545
    edited December 2022

    Beautiful sun out today but it will stay really cool out not helped at all by a small breeze just to make sure you feel it good. Can't believe how fast we seem to be speeding towards X-mas day. I can't say I'm looking forward to it although the thing is -- I look forward to most days anyway.

    Today is (despite the cold) really good. I had several naps yesterday in-between small bouts of catch-up but went to bed last night carrying my melatonin along. It is still on my bed-side table. I felt sure I might need it and was surprised to see it this morning. We have no plans for today but will take it as it coms.

    The Craig's list dog person never called Dh back about his inquiry which made me happy. I really don't want a puppy because I don't feel up to that much work. Especially given the temps out of doors lately. Had too much going on for me to devote any time to looking. I am getting used to having only one dog although I do suspect at times Minda would really like a littermate. She is fine with the cats but doesn't mother them the way Bill did.

    I hope you all have a fantastic Friday.

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

    I missed gym class Wednesday because I was waiting for my sister who was on her way home from Rochester. I called her to ask her for an ETA, and she said "Tomorrow". So yesterday I waited again, and she arrived. We had a good talk. Took my battery out to the bike this morning and the lock on the cradle wouldn't work. So I am going to have to carry the battery inside with me every time I leave the bike, at least until the weather warms up and frees up the ice in the lock. I really do need to make a blanket for it.

    My sister bought a skirt for her granddaughter and for her Christmas present ordered some wide-leg pants from another piece, a pink and aqua allover print.

    I made some star anise sugar cookies. Didn't put enough anise in the dough, so added more to the frosting. The effect was quite nice, rust-red speckles. Made enough for a cookie exchange, but they cancelled because of the weather. Disappointment. So I will put them away until the party on the 28th. Would like to put them in the freezer, but that is full so the refrigerator will have to do.

    I need to double up on my exercise program. I won't be doing any significant walking other than walking Tippy three times a day around the block or further. Bothers my knee too much.

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

    Thank you for the update on the Edison home Cindy. DH and I were wondering about the damage to to some of that area’s historic homes.

    Glad you got good news Illinois. Hope you’re feeling better.

    Enjoy your visit with your sister McBaker.

    Betrayal - sounds like Regan is getting acclimated. Brave of you to brush her teeth.

    Petite - sorry to hear about DH procedure. I hope he’s fairly pain free.

    Had a nice get together with the ladies in the neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon. We chatted for a bit, exchanged gifts and had snacks. It was nice to visit. We had icy conditions yesterday- it was rainy, cold and dreary all day. But no snow accumulation, which was surprising considering we had temperatures around 32-34 until late afternoon. Today is warmer, low 40s, but breezy.

    I hope everyone is doing well. Have a wonderful Friday.

  • mavericksmom
    mavericksmom Member Posts: 1,275
    edited December 2022

    I too am glad you got good news, Jackie!

    Betrayal, congrats to Regan! Graduating a class is a real accomplishment! Also, great that you brush Regan's teeth. It really can save a dog's teeth. I tried using the "finger brush" that came with the dog toothpaste, but sometimes just wrapping gauze around my finger worked better, at least for my small dog. Sometimes I want another dog, but right now, I am getting my "dog fix" seeing my "granddogs!" And I don't have to care for them or have vet bills, so a Win-Win for me!

    I went back to work on Wednesday. Started my day off by being at the PS office at the hospital at 7:30 A.M. for what I thought would just be a routine "fill." Turns out I have cellulitis, so I am now on two antibiotics. I had to wait for the hospital pharmacy to fill the scripts before I left because the PS wanted me to start them right away. Both are fairly large pills, one is 3Xday the other is once a day. I went to take them after I got to my car and of course I dropped one of the once-a-day pills and even after searching multiple times, have no clue where it went to! That made me extra late for work. Thankfully my boss was just so glad for me to be back, he said not to worry about being late for any doctor appointments. I am so thankful to work for and with such great people.

    I am glad I only had three days this week. It was easy jumping back in, my 7th grade class gave me a standing ovation, which nearly made me cry! I had many of them when they were in 6th grade. Today, I had three sixth grade science tests to give, Monday, I have to re-test several students, Tuesday I will have four classes to give social studies tests to and one math test. It is always a busy time before holiday breaks, as everyone wants to test the kids prior to break. It really makes the break more enjoyable for the students too.

    I know for many here Christmas is either difficult or not meaningful, but I love it! I normally pull the blinds close when it gets dark because I hate feeling like I am in a "fish bowl" and everyone can see inside, but the neighbors across the street all have lights up and it is so beautiful that I just like sitting down and looking out the window. I love everything about Christmas, getting a tree, decorating (although I scaled back on that this year), getting and wrapping presents, sending Christmas cards and baking cookies (also scaled back). I love watching Christmas movies, listening to music, especially, Handel's Messiah, (which was really intended for Easter), just everything about the holiday! Mostly I love watching our grandkids open their presents from us on Christmas Eve! Definitely my favorite time of the year! We might even get a white Christmas this year, which I will like as long as we can still safely drive to our DD's house Christmas Eve. We used to celebrate with them on Christmas Day, but it was really too much. One year my DD suggested celebrating Christmas Eve and it is so much more enjoyable. On the way home we drive around to look at the lights. Then my DH and I have a quiet, low stress, Christmas Day. We have stolen and coffee for breakfast, open our few presents, we still fill each other's stockings, which is always fun. We don't spend a lot on Christmas, it isn't about the cost of things, but the thought put into the gifts. We also Face Time with our DS and his family. I always feel sad taking the tree down, but there is something about putting the decorations away, that just seems to fit a new year. Everything seems fresh and clean and ringing in a New Year feels refreshing and full of hope.

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 8,190
    edited December 2022

    Mavericksmom, I enjoyed your post expressing your enjoyment of Christmas. One pleasure I share is seeing Christmas lights on people's houses. A beautifully decorated Christmas tree is also a pleasure. We know a man in MN who puts up multiple Christmas trees in his house. Each one is an artistic project. He has a very large storage room with boxes of labelled decorations. This summer he took me upstairs to his guest bedroom where one tree decorated in white and crystal ornaments is left up. It is gorgeous. A joy to see, like a painting or sculpture. Goodness knows the monetary value of those exquisite ornaments.

    As predicted by the weather forecast last night, we have a gloomy morning with overcast skies. I have no plans that involve leaving the house today.

    Thank goodness dh is feeling better, thanks to antibiotics for his UTI. He has not had a good medical care experience with this illness.

    Happy Saturday to all.

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

    Mavericks mom - so sorry you’re dealing with cellulitis. Hopefully the antibiotics will take care of the infection quickly. What a nice welcome back - a standing ovation from your students.

    When we celebrated Christmas with my in-laws, my MIL had two trees - one in the formal living room that had crystal ornaments and the other larger tree in the den. Nicely decorated.

    Sunny today but windy so I’m riding the bike and exercising inside this morning. I hope everyone has a healthy and peaceful day.


  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,545
    edited December 2022

    When you commit yourself to living love, you feel at peace with yourself because you are at harmony with the flow of life. Viewing life from the highest perspective, you feel confident and secure. You realize that no matter how things may appear, you are loved and protected. You know you are one with God, and you bring your peace with you wherever you go. You're not looking for love, but for opportunities to love.

    image
    Susan L. Taylor

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,545
    edited December 2022

    So nice to hear from you Maverick. I'm thrilled that your time (ovation and all) went well fo you. It sounds like you did just pick right up where you left off. I too hope you can defeat the cellulitis quickly and move on to the rest of your fills.

    It is a mite sunny outside but muted so far. Snow flurries are possible, but really doesn't sound like we will get anything to speak of which will make me happy. It will remain really coolish out for the next several days. Nothing special planned today although I will make my daily trip to Walmart to get the glasses from the V.A. adjusted correctly. Yesterday afternoon about 3 p.m. on the way home from Walmart we got into line at Circle K to get about 60 cents off the price of gas. That meant we got it for three hours only at the price of $2.58 per gallon. I always fill when I am half full (habit developed when I bought my last car which has a gas sensor in the tank). I wasn't at half yet, but I was determined to get cheap gas when I could. I do hope that this signals another downward trend for the price of gas. Only thing is -- if st some point and it always seems to happen, the gas goes up again it will feel so bad.

    I too like to drive around and look at Christmas lights. Didn't do it last year since I was just so recently out of the hospital. Despite our keeping it all pretty low profile I am happy to see people being very traditional about it. I do think it is important, and most especially for kids. There are things that tend to give life a certain stability full of meaning and I do feel Christmas is one of those. Also Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day as well as Easter. It is just with our children and grandchildren grown up and living all over the place we don't feel inclined to need to pass along these special days now. We are back in the woods on a little lane and few people even use our lane save for the three people who live on it. Our neighbor next door is never here for the holidays so only two of us on the lane as full-time lake people. We have it in our hearts and are not Scrooges but prefer to drive around and enjoy all the displays the city provides along with long blocks of lights at homes on the city streets.

    I hope all of you have a fantastic Saturday.

  • mavericksmom
    mavericksmom Member Posts: 1,275
    edited December 2022

    illinois, I LOVE your quote today, all days but this one especially! Happy exercising!

    Carole, the trees in that home sound amazing! Impossible to feel anything but joy looking at beautifully decorated trees! I agree, the price of ornaments, well let's just say probably more than I earn in months, if not a year! I bought my children a new ornament each year, from their first Christmas to the year they left home. They each had their own box with spots labeled for each year. When they were off on their own, they both had memorable ornaments and a good start to their tree decorating. One of my favorite ornaments is a felt cardinal with a string attached to a small Christmas card in its beak. My oldest sister made it in 1981 and it's been on our tree every year ever since. Growing up we always made all of our Christmas Cards. My father took pictures of us, wrote a poem like greeting and had them printed. My sister kept that tradition and hand made their cards. She passed years ago, but there is never a day I don't think of her, and the felt bird always makes me smile!

    Sunny here and I must get wash done! I was at the grocery store a little after 7 and there were quite a number of people shopping. I hope I do not need to run out for anything else as traffic gets heavy and the stores are full of customers. DH requested "scotch-a-roos" which is rice crispies, melted butterscotch chips with peanutbutter, and topped with melted chocolate. After it cools in the refrigerator, it is cut into squares. A special form of rice crispie treats.

    Have a great weekend everyone!


  • wren44
    wren44 Member Posts: 7,928
    edited December 2022

    Although I have a few lingering cold symptoms, I'm determined to see DH today. It's been almost 2 weeks and phone calls just aren't the same. They are threatening the possibility of snow starting tonight and I wouldn't want to drive in that. We live in a cul-de-sac which is never plowed. After a couple of days the main roads are good, but we still have to get to them.

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 8,190
    edited December 2022

    It's a sunny winter day here. "Here" is about 40 minutes from downtown New Orleans. My computer says 40 degrees Sunny. The furnace is cycling on and off. While scrolling through Facebook, I admired scenes of snow in MN and ND while being happy that those pretty scenes weren't outside in my yard, which did sport big swaths of frost earlier.

    Hope everyone enjoys the day.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,545
    edited December 2022

    "The fragrance always remains in the hand that gives the rose."

    — HEDA BEJAR