Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Mavericksmom, Sorry to hear about you DD. With the family history, they should be moving on it.
I had the cardiovascular doctor appointment today. I will have the vein ablation on the 28th. One of my friends is taking me. Of course it is the last one for the day and there will be delays from procedures that run over time. I am not expecting to get home before dark. I invited my friend to stay over and we would have a girl night.
I will go to the group Weds. and if it isn't any better will check out another group.
I did think about another kitty or maybe a dog, but it is too soon. Midnight Louie and I need time to adjust.
Thank all of you for your kind words and thoughts.
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petite - Sorry you had a hard time at the grief counseling. I did like it and it did help me, but I did not go this soon after my husband died. I went about 5 or 6 months after. I went through a bit of grieving before I went and felt I needed the help. Hopefully, the next meeting will be better, and if it doesn't help you now, maybe it will at a later time. My daughter was in a car accident and ended up with a small brain bleed - they sent her by ambulance to Shands Hosp. and the ambulance got in an accident. She is healing ok, but I am helping her a lot with her kids and house work. I wanted to get in touch with you and take you to lunch one day. Hopefully, things will settle down at my end.
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Mistyeyes, what incredible bad luck to being transported in an ambulance that gets involved in an accident! I'm glad your daughter has you to help her and I hope she heals well.
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We are all citizens of one world, we are all of one blood. To hate people because they were born in another country, because they speak a different language, or because they take a different view on this subject or that, is a great folly. Desist, I implore you, for we are all equally human. . . . Let us have but one end in view: the welfare of humanity.
Johann Amos Comenius0 -
I thank you for recognizing all of us petite. Really important that you have friends while your world is still topsy-turvy. Glad you will get a girl's night out of your medical procedure.
I too think just wow -- to be in an accident and then a second one in ambulance going to help for the first accident. Hope it all works out well and it not too stressful on anyone.
Here late today as I had my appt. in St. Louis at John Cochran V.A. Good thing we had a bit of help to get around there. A male worker took us up to the 8th. floor where the Cardiologist's office was located. He told us that many people who work there don't really know themselves how to get around that well in the hospital. Like him, they only go from their entrance to the area or floor where they work and no place else. Whew!!
Turned out to be smooth sailing. The Echocardiogram was interesting. The lady administering the test had me do things I had never been asked to do before and I've had several echo's now. At one point bearing down for a number of secs. like I needed to evacuate my bowels and then the next time sniff with my nose audibly. I will learn later what the test itself showed. That said though, his recommendation was for me to actually get an implant. It was called a CRT-D. It is similar to a pacemaker but is meant for getting the heart chambers to beat w/o even the slightest pause between upper and lower chambers. Apparently, I have a pause even though it sounded slight to me. So, when I see the Cardiologist here in a while, we will likely discuss it. Hopefully, it could be done around here. It would require spending one night in the hospital. I could live with that. It is called re-synchronization.
I hope you all had a really nice day.
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Jackie, those weird tests were actually called Valsalva maneuvers--to check if your valve prolapsed once the stress (bearing down) is relieved. They're going through with the implant, so I guess you "aced" the tests.
Cindy, a temporary Invisalign with the missing tooth painted to match your other teeth is kind of like a "flipper" that models or actors with less-than-ideal smiles pop in to make their smiles more even. What both Gordy & I ended up with to permanently replace a missing tooth is a fixed partial denture called a "Maryland bridge" (after the university dental school that introduced it). A groove is etched or ground into the lingual (rear) side of the two adjacent teeth; a ceramic "tooth" is made by the prosthodontic lab to match the color of the adjacent teeth, and it is attached to a flat metal strip on the back with "wings" that fit into the "slots" on the rear of the two adjacent teeth. It is then cemented in place. I've had mine for 20 years. Gordy just got his.
It's been a wild week. Thurs, night when I was rinsing out cat food cans & lids to go into recycling, I nicked my R index fingertip on the edge of a lid. Washed it out immediately, stanched the bleeding and applied antiseptic adhesive--which restarted the bleeding, so started over and used triple abx ointment and a waterproof bandaid, which kept falling off whenever I washed my hands (should have gone to urgent care immediately for a suture but it was way past closing, and an ER visit seemed needlessly frivolous). After 6 days of waterproof bandages, adhesives, and even a Steri-Strip it still wouldn't close (and stings to type or wash my hands). So after my Prolia shot today I wnt downstairs to urgent care. The NP said it's too late to try to close it lest bacteria get trapped and risk infection. Keeping it open to air is preferable but still risky. So she rigged up a loose but secure sterile dressing that lets it air out in a sterile manner but makes my finger look like a big white baseball bat. My winter glove won't fit over it and I don't have mittens--so I can't go out Fri. when temps go back down into the single digits. I can't type or grip with it (real fun pulling up my pants, and I will have to either sleep in my current bra or have Bob remove it and let "Thelma & Louise" hang loose for awhile). I can't remove it or get it wet till Sat. aft.--and I have a hospital Black Tie Gala From Hell that night. Once I remove it I have to use Bacitracin and a loose nonstick band-aid, changed after each handwashing. My typing is slow and wonky, and it doesn't help that one cat or another is sitting on my lap across my forearms.
(cont'd below)
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And that's not the half of it. My back is really sore because my HK is here only intermittently to help me with litter-maintenance & cat feeding. Last week it turned out her DH had been blowing off his dialysis sessions. Then Sunday night he had a mild heart attack and was admitted to the CCU with ultra-low blood sugar & BP (which was when she found out he had blown off his dialysis sessions while she was working--he refused to let his neighbors take him). She was able to come in yesterday for awhile but today had to turn around while driving here because they were discharging him after dialysis. Meanwhile, Happy keeps puking (I wake up in the middle of my sleep when I feel him about to retch so I have to put him on the floor so he doesn't vomit on my comforter) and having diarrhea. When he climbs on my lap he stinks to high heaven. Half the time when he drinks he uses his paw as a scoop, and I have to keep changing the water in his bowl because of the little bits of litter clay that precipitate out (aggravating my back again). And litterbox duty is torture: my back aches dragging the Litter Genie over to the boxes, Happy's "litter clumps" stick tenaciously to the scoop and I have to wash it off in the laundry sink (with rubber gloves on--now I have to wear a Baggie instead on my R hand). My HK's hack of pouring the litter into a sifter pan won't work for me--too much bending (squatting only goes so far) & lifting (very heavy), and then the pans have to be washed off in the laundry sink.
Meanwhile, Heidi is getting finicky again--when she eats, she pecks at her food, leaves it to go down to the litterbox (the boxes are in the basement) so I have to bend down to pick it up and cover it (if I cover it whle it's on the floor, Happy knocks the cover off and swoops in to eat it). Then she comes back up, yowls till I put her dish back down, and I have to keep bending down and turn it around so she can see it and eat enough of it that it's safe to let Happy eat the "crumbs." I find a food she likes, buy enough of it...and then she rejects it. I'm sick of popping up & down like a yo-yo.
HK says not to scoop at night--she will do it daily which should be enough. Her SIL will baby-sit DH when he's not in dialysis--and on dialysis days the V.A. will send an ambulance to pick him up at 10 am and drop him off at 3pm; she has to be there to make sure they force him and again when he gets home. But I can't assume she will be in on any given day--after a night of interrupted sleep I dread hearing the phone ring in the morning. I have no other help--Bob & Gordy both work and my friends are also aging and dealing with their own senior cats. (And my BFF is still testing COVID+ after over 3 weeks).
I didn't have this much aggravation when Gordy was a picky toddler--nor with my prior cats.
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Things are going downhill quickly. I am now using both of my hiking poles with his leash attached to one of them. Other times I have a friend hold the leash while I walk beside him. He refuses to walk on a leash with people other than me and his dog-walker. And we have a deal for three walks a week for $10, I can't afford any more. Just dreading the knee replacement. My neighbor has told me that I will be in a nursing home for a week or so. I am cutting back on other activities, other than cooking and reading. Probably ought to fill my freezer with home-made meals.
In other news, I started working yesterday on giving Tippy a haircut. He is suddenly more affectionate. I also ordered a different shampoo. He spends much of his time attacking itchy spots. I know part of it was that his hair was so long that I couldn't get all the shampoo out. This one seems to address it. I might dilute it a bit before using it on him.
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Sandy, what an ordeal with the finger! And the aging cats!
Jackie, I hope the implant does its job if you proceed with the recommendation.
Mary, Tippy will survive the period when you take care of yourself. I have known people who had significant improvement with knee replacement. I hope that happens with you.
DH is now on his 4th antibiotic. He isn't as ill (yet) as he was with the 2nd UTI. The UROLift procedure had to be postponed.
A tree man is outside looking at a job we need done. Removing branches that are scraping on the roof of dh's workshop. DH isn't able to climb up on a tall ladder and cut the branches. I hope this man's price is reasonable.
Wishing everyone a good Wednesday.
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A good Thursday! I'm a day behind!
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There comes a day when you realize turning the page is the best feeling in the world, because you realize there is so much more to the book then the page you were stuck on.
Zayn Malik
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I'm here late and Sandy - thanks for telling me what those Echo tests were about. I didn't think to ask the lady, or the Dr. and it would have stayed on my mind forever. I also think you are having your own brand of hell right now. I use an electric can opener I found at Walmart's. It cuts the tops off the cans without any sharp edges. You can even do the cans that have pull tab tops -- so you can set the cans back in your fridge if needed to be saved for a bit. Ir was I thought a bit of an extravagance, (I wore one out after a few yrs. and now they cost more) but I had a lot of "cuts" from trying to wash cans for recycle too. I try to be thrifty, but some things I now feel are almost a must. Lastly, you can wash the can out, put your valuables in it, and stash it in a special spot in the pantry, because you'd swear it is not an OPENED can. You just have to remember which one and where if you do this.
I've been back to doing our cat boxes for a while now and if I were close to you I'd come and do yours Sandy. It is not a great job but I am able (knock on any available wood furiously) to stoop over and clean ours w/o taking much time at all,
Carole here's hoping the anti b kicked in at just the right time, and maybe the UTI won't be quite as bad this time for your hubby. Fingerts crossed.
Mary, I would walk Tippy for you if I could. I love animals and it would be fun for me and healthful too since walking is my best exercise. After all, I used to go over to my friend's house and spend the night with their dogs so they would have someone to sleep with in the big bed. Animals are and have been for a very long time a part of my joy and contentment.
Probably shouldn't say it since I'm too far away, but I always think these things when I hear how it is going with some of the other pet lovers here.
Hope you all had a good day.
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Sandy - you’ve got your hands full, no pun re your bandage. The HK husband seems to have a death wish; this isn’t his first time skipping his treatments. Thank you for the tooth suggestion. I’m not sure if I need 3 more taken out sooner than later. I’ll ask the oral surgeon on Monday.
Jackie, the implant sounds like the way to go. Mary, you take care of you and Tippy will have to go with the flow. Carol, your poor DH. I can’t imagine what a pain in the arse a 4th antibiotic is! My UTI would go to my kidneys and hurt like “all get out.” (I had to look that up to see if I made it up or remembered it incorrectly)
We went to a play called “Six” on Wednesday night, about the six wives of Henry the 8th. It was good, not great, but a good time getting out with friends. We were glad we didn’t splurge on the $135+ seats. Afterwards we went downtown to a small bar with an ensemble band and a singer. I think all over 75 yrs old and they were great. Home by 11:15, late shower, a late night all around.
Today was an easy day. I got in a bike ride, took a neighbor shopping, roasted some chicken legs w thighs - made a delicious fall off the bone chicken dinner.
Tomorrow evening is our “first Friday of the month” Art Walk downtown and probably a VIP set up for the big Art fest scheduled for over the weekend in the same area. Saturday has a car show at Edison Ford, and Sunday has a Gumbo fest at the Shell factory. Busy weekend will close out for Mondays tooth extraction. I’ll need to enjoy the weekend and not focus on Monday.
Keep an eye on your weather. Horrific cold happening many places. Wind chills at my NY home could be -25 to -35. I’ve boosted up my heat and will keep an eye on it over the weekend. By Sunday I think they go back to 40 degrees. FL were in the 80’s. Texas grand babies are in the ice storm zone, no one getting out of their homes. Crazy weather. Be safe
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Wind chill -20 right now. Couldn't sleep. Hopefully I will get some later. PT appt on Monday!! Already completed the pre-appointment questionnaire.
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Interesting quote today, Jackie, about turning the page of the book.
We have sunshine and it's a pleasant change to look outside to bright rather than gray.
I will venture to Sam's Club today to pick up a couple of prescriptions and buy a few items we regularly buy there. A Costco is finally coming to our area, a few miles from the Sam's Club, which is always busy with customers. I use the Sam's app to check out and never have to stand in line. Most of the check out lanes have been converted to do-it-yourself check out. Customers in the learning phase can take a long time.
Cindy, hope the dental issue works out well for you. You have a great attitude about enjoying life despite humps in the road.
The latest antibiotic is working wonders in making dh feel good.
Happy Friday to all.
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It is our own pain, and our own desire to be free of it, that alerts us to the suffering of the world. It is our personal discovery that pain can be acknowledged, even held lovingly, that enables us to look at the pain around us unflinchingly and feel compassion being born in us. We need to start with ourselves.
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Sun out today and it is very clear looking -- which also means its 12 above. Brrrr. We won't get as cold as the upper northern areas, but the long John's certainly needed to stay out for now. I hope this doesn't last too long for anyone. This winter seems to have produced some really brutal cold in places. We had the artic blast earlier and I feel for anyone having to go through it again. Our furnace has been busy. I'm thinking we won't see much change in our bills for next yr. since we are on budget billing.
We have Sam's Club close here and actually I have found Cosco is almost as close. We no longer have cards for either, but I've thought of re-signing. Mostly had issues for storage as we don't have a lot here -- but the almost daily trips to Walmart are tiresome. I think we could 'find' a bit more room if we tried. Cosco has Kirkland brand and I just read a few days ago that while many of the products may not say it, well known brands are packaged for the Kirkland name. I think the article listed about 22 of them. I also think for those who don't have bulk storage -- we might be able to share costs with someone else and divide purchases, so no one has to store too much at one time. Thinking out loud here.
Hope you are all going to have a good day.
Adding -- thinking of you Mary and still hoping that you can get your operation and get started well to being back on your feet with a lot less distress.
Also Carole, good to hear so far your hubby seems to be able to have his meds working well enough to keep him from extreme dis-comfort. Sure hope this can resolve for him soon.
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Hello all. Those with upcoming operations/health issues of their own and/or their significant others/family - positive thoughts coming your way.
Mammo yesterday - got results - all clear, so NED 6 yrs now! Eye Exam today - needed new scrips for distance and computer glasses. Went to Costco and was able to get 3 pairs for $300. They had a nice selection of frames - had fun shopping/selecting.
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Yesterday and today have been emotional days. I really didn't expect it to be but this year it hit me hard. Yesterday, 17 years ago was my biopsy and I left pretty sure I had breast cancer and today February 3/2006 is when I heard those dreaded words. During the biopsy, I made the comment that I didn't know how I would tell my daughter who just went back to school for second semester and she responded "you'll have to tell her". I can't say the BC has been a gift, but I have met so many wonderful women these past 17 years - some only virtually and others in person. I am grateful for every day that I have. I treated myself to a pretty bouquet from Trader Joes so it was only 6.99 and sushi (vegetarian) for lunch. Gd willing I will continue to be relatively healthy. I see my hematologist March 1st and my medical oncologist mid April.
Have a great week-end.
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Karen, if you're keeping kosher but like sushi, tekkamaki (tuna) or kappamaki (cucumber) rolls are the way to go. You can also get salmon as a roll or nigiri (atop rice). Tuna & salmon have fins & scales and are not scavengers, so they're kosher. (The salmon is either smoked or not--but either way it's been flash frozen to kill any parasites).
Jackie, a Costco membership pays for itself in gas savings alone. (Not to mention Kirkland wines & spirits are always highly-rated by Consumer Reports). I'm no fan of Wal-Mart, so I ordered that can opener from Amazon.
I'm nervous about tomorrow: Bob came straight home from the S.Loop yesterday, so he didn't pick up his tux in Oak Lawn. He picked it up today but didn't try it on--so we don't know if it fits ok. If not, he no longer even has a suit that fits him (long story), just a navy blazer and gray pants---not exactly appropriate for a black-tie event where almost all the male docs will be in tuxes. I hope we don't cancel--both the outfit I wore to Gordy's wedding and my mom's mink still fit.
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I'm having to admit that the health crisis for us and for those we love will get worse and closer together. We're dreading Ken's visit to the cardiologist on Tuesday.
Some good news for my food bank this week. Total Wines chose us for their opening weekend. We were to get 10% of their total wine sales opening weekend. It's over $14,000.00. I walked into the locker room of our country club yesterday and the box we collect food donations in werepacked with 36 pairs of new shoes and socks of various sizes. What a gift.
Started acupuncture this week. I think it will help my knee and wrist joints.
Busy weekend for us. Usual Sat. dinner with friends and then we are having 6 for brunch on Sun.
Stay warn. DD said it was below zero at her house.
Taco
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Karen, 17 years is a nice milestone. As I was thinking about my dates of surgeries what popped in my mind was 9/26/2017 - it’s the day I had the mammo & ultrasound that showed cancer. Those dates stay with you. I’m glad you treated yourself to flowers.
Celiac, you got a great deal on your glasses. Taco, your charities made out well. I had acupuncture on my back and was without pain; hoping it works for you. Sandy maybe Bob will need to leave the jacket open, but fingers crossed his tux fits! And that your finger is good too.
NY weather showed -10 and feels like -30 w the wind chill. I bumped the heat up to 62, it’s remained steady. I may go to 70 and turn it back down as tomorrow warms up. By Sunday it will be in the 40’s. Stay warm and stay safe!
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Wow, soooo much to catch up on!
Sandy, sorry to read about your finger! So hard to get finger cuts to heal because of all the touching, bending and washing of hands! Also, not good for you while you are having to clean up after older cats! I hope the event you are going to goes well for you and your DH! I think you will have a wonderful time and that you will look absolutely stunning!!!! My mom had a mink too. I remember when I was around 13, my dad took me to a salon in Philadelphia to buy a mink stole for my mom. I was the same height as my mom, and we had the same hair and eye color. The mink wasn't the kind with the heads and feet, just the fur, and it was gorgeous! When she passed my niece got the mink, which I am glad for, because it was so gorgeous!
Mary, good luck with your PT on Monday! I always prefer to fill out health questionnaires at home.
Carole, we use BJ's. There is a Sam's Club near us but no Costco. You still have to watch the prices because buying in bulk isn't always the cheapest, but we do save a lot of money buying from BJ's. Jackie, fortunately we have room in our house to store a lot of things, but I totally get why limited space wouldn't make shopping at those stores practical.
Cindy, I agree with Carole, you do have a wonderful attitude, and I too hope your dental issues work out well for you!
Karen, even 17 years past the date, I get it why it comes back to haunt you! Fortunately, I don't get those feelings anymore, but I guess after being diagnosed 3 times, it becomes less mentally stressful. My first time was the worst! I wrote a book for my family about my experience. Basically what could go wrong did! For years I carried around so much anger. Then after a number of years post Dx, one day I said NO MORE!!!! It was ruining every summer for me. The anger left, but not the memories. I don't think they ever will, but like most traumatic things in life, time does lessen the mental pain.
My second Dx I was in shock. I NEVER believed I would ever go through cancer a second time, especially not after almost 16 years! Not a recurrence but a new cancer, ILC. My first and third time were IDC, but different breasts, so three new breast cancer diagnosis. This last time hasn't been easy but no where near the mental anxiety of the first two times. My exchange surgery and mapping of my lymphatic systems in both arms will be done March 2. I am not the least bit stressed over it, of course some of that may be due to my focus on my retirement from work. My last day is Friday! Woohoo!!!
Taco, awesome news for your food bank, and thank you for all you do to help people in your community!
((((Petite)))) Continued thoughts and cyber hugs!!!
I will end this with GOOD NEWS! My DD who had a call back for more mammogram views, and US, found out the issue is likely benign and she is scheduled for another mammogram in six months!!!! I read her report and I am sure they are right, that it is benign! Such a relief!
Stay warm everyone!
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Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present
experience. It isn't more complicated than that. It is opening to
or receiving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as
it is, without either clinging to it or rejecting it.
Sylvia Boorstein0 -
MM, such great news about your daughter! I'm happy for you and her. Good news is always welcome.
Taco, the women's golf group at our country club is always generous with donations at the Christmas luncheon. Fingers crossed for you and your dh as he nears the appointment with his cardiologist.
My laptop says it's 43 degrees outside. The sun is shining and it looks like a beautiful day. I hope everyone in cold locations stay safely warm.
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Wonderful sunshiny day here. Sadly, we have a lot of wind so the 47 degrees will not feel as nice. Just glad we have that ole' sun to help defray the negative input of the wind on our weather. I am delighted about the sun. I need it to bloom, even if it's a 'chilly' bloom. Nothing special today. Yesterday the dog next door got after one of our cats. We are going to have to address it but will have to think about it. The dog is not bad, but excitable about things that move and run -- like cats. The owner knows this but has twice allowed his dog to get loose. I just feel for the dog, but it cost us over $100.00 yesterday at the Vet to address Lucky's upsetting encounter with the dog. Our cats do not go over to the neighbor's yard, and they do not have a fence. They have one of the systems that use an electronic collar that activates if the dog goes too far out of his yard space. They are not checking the battery strength soon enough I presume.
Maybe I will get to the bank today. I am planning on going to Goodwill over this weekend. It has turned out to be one of my favorite stores. I find odd things there now and then -- like the Cuisinart saucepans -- never used I don't think. Also, a couple of Mirro brand which are great to use. Lots of Faberware as well. I've put together nearly a full set for myself. Quite a lot of Pyrex too. I figure out what I can use well here and give the others away.
I hope you all have a good week-end, with lots of sun and warm weather.
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I successfully sent Tippy over to the neighbors for the weekend. Made contact with his foster mom from the shelter, and she promised she would help us prevent surrender. They do offer post-adoption services.
So today I will rest and relax and hopefully stop the pain for a while. Got seven and a half hours of sleep. Puttered around between 5:16 and 6:46 and went back to bed in order to do it. Of course I encountered a bit of wet carpet as a consequence. I think pain is the most significant factor in my consistent decline in sleep quality and quantity over the past week.
I hate to be such a complainer in my posts.
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Wow! Skip this forum for 3 weeks and so much has happened. I skimmed back to see what has been happening while we were away and had to take notes about some of the things I wanted to make comments on. Petite: grief is an individual response and you will recognize when you need to share it with others. Sometimes it is just too close to be shared and thus more painful or overwhelming. I hope you can find the peace you need soon. Carole: sorry to read about DH's repeated UTI's and hope he can get a solution soon. Mary: hope all goes well with resolving the knee issue and surgery. Hope that Tippy will be able to reunite with you. Surprising how animals can sometimes sense changes in us that then produce changes in their behavior as well. Jackie: hope all goes well with your cardiac procedure. Sounds like they have been doing due diligence in finding and addressing the problem. Taco: glad that your food bank was the recipient of such a bountiful donation and for the shoes and socks from the golf club. Cindy: glad your dental issues are less than originally expected and wish you well on getting it resolved. Sandy: hope the finger heals quickly.
MM: sorry to read about the death of Jerry Blavat. When I was in my 20's we rented a house in Avalon for several years and actually met him at the Hotel Avalon. He came on Sunday evening with his body guards and asked if he could join us (all the housemates). He danced with all of us and it soon became a Sunday night ritual. He had a regular DJing gig in Avalon which we honestly never went to but we enjoyed his company. He was quite the dancer.
Our cruise of South America and Antarctica was overall fantastic. There were some issues initially when a Covid super spreader event happened at embarkation. Seems the ship encountered rough seas before arriving in Santiago, Chile which meant the terminal used for embarkation was packed with both embarking and disembarking passengers, 95% of them unmasked. Both DH and I had been masked at all times from the time we left Philadelphia and even on the ship. Spent 2 hours on a bus to get to the terminal and seems at least 3 people on the bus had failed to complete the mandatory Covid testing 48 hours prior to boarding so they had to be screened before they could enter the terminal. Of course, they had no masks on and we did not know what would happen if they were positive though supposedly they were to be denied access to the cruise. They must reimburse us for the days we were in isolation on a future cruise and we will pursue that.
It was hot, overcrowded and hours were spent in close contact. They insisted on using a facial recognition machine to try to take photos and after 12 attempts on 2 separate machines and about 20 minutes unmasked, I told them they needed to find another way to take my photo. Needless to say, the very negative Covid test (from Monday) before we sailed on Wednesday, became positive on Friday morning. I was isolated in another stateroom on the ship for 5 days and promptly forgotten about as far as daily services from the staff. True in room dining was well covered but finding someone to fill the ice bucket, take dirty towels, etc. necessitated having to contact guest services multiple times. I missed 2 ports of call. The first because the ship sailed so late we could not make it as planned and the second because I could not leave the ship. DH became positive 2 days later but was allowed to remain in our stateroom. So I saw nothing in Chile and my first port f call was Ushuaia, Argentina where I took a catamaran cruise to see penguins and sea bird rookeries. It was so nice to be off the ship but DH was still in isolation. Took Paxlovid but unfortunately it was not covered by our trip insurance (might pursue that though) and know that Medicare will most likely refuse to pay for it. Cost was prohibitive for both of us and accounted for >50% of our onboard expenses. Missed several perks due to us courtesy of our 4 star mariner class but did manage to get an upgrade to the premium wine tasting seminar gratis. Due to the debacle in Santiago, the ship must not have been able to upload supplies so they ran out of things such as steel rolled oatmeal, Equal, the wine package we purchased had less than 50% of the featured wines available (reconciled by a happenstance meeting with the Cellar Master who provided us with private stores) so every time we ordered a wine we were being told it was not available nor was our second or third choices. However, for all these somewhat petty annoyances, the scenery we saw more than made up for them. Antarctica was unbelievably, eerily haunting and not as cold as we expected. True we had no land excursions there but we could stand on our verandah in shirt sleeves to take photos. The hat, scarf and gloves I dragged (on their advice) never made it from the closet. Our windproof, waterproof parkas were used in the Falklands where it was quite windy. We took advantage of every port of call for the rest of the trip in Uruguay and Argentina seeing remarkable gaucho shows, tango dance shows, and eating incredibly tender Argentinian beef steaks at the trip luncheons. The food was phenomenal. I have loads of pictures so will upload a few at a time in later postings. I have to get my DD to download them from my phone to the computer since this is easier. Saw whales, penguins and sea lions, orcas and numerous exotic animals and birds.
If I wasn't so old, I would do the trip again, just without the Covid experience which continues to be a bummer because we both have a cough estimated to be present until the end of February and still seem to tire easily.
Seems one of the boy parakeets, trying to figure out if it was Dos or Tres but TBD, born in 2021 was found dead in the bottom of the cage while we were gone. DD reports the others seemed affected by the death and for several days after they were much quieter. The boys were raucous at times. Regan missed me as did Leo, my velcro cat. Smudge and Tawny seemed to not notice we were gone but as long as both are fed on time that is all that matters to those 2. Have a good weekend.
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betrayal, WELCOME HOME!!!!! I had been thinking of you and I meant to ask if anyone knew when you were coming back from your vacation but with all the posts to keep up with, I forgot to do that. I decided to pop on the boards again and there was your post! So sorry to hear you got Covid, but WOW, your trip sounded amazing! I would love to see Orcas and penguins in the wild! My DD and DSIL went to Patagonia years ago and hiked the Perito Moreno Glacier. CNN did a special on Patagonia, I can't imagine seeing sights like that in person! I am sorry to hear about your parakeet, but glad to hear Ragen and Leo were glad to have you home! I hope you were able to have some Malbec, at least on the ship.
You always write with such figurative language that I can literally "see" the images in my mind! You give all of us a mini vacation with your writing and it is so very much appreciated! As for Covid, I hope you and your DH feel 100% back to normal soon!
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Taco - wow - your charity sure did well with the fundraiser
MM - good news on your daughter
Betrayal - your trip sounds wonderful minus the Covid. My late parents loved cruising.
Sandy - I've been keeping kosher for decades so I'm quite aware of the available sushis - but thanks for sharing. I don't like raw fish so when I wrote vegetarian was because I either buy fake "crab" or smoke salmon or avocado. DD#2 and DH love tuna or salmon rolls. Hope you were able to go to the black tie even.
My mother and grandmother both had fur coats as that was the style in Montreal and Mom had a mink stole. Don't remember if grandma had one. They kept their fur coats for decades - would have the lining redone when needed and put in storage in the summer months. Mom gave hers away when we moved to the states and my cousin got my grandmother's when she passed away, but to be honest, I don't think she kept it.
Spent the afternoon looking through an under the bed box filled with pictures and other things from my late mother. Lots of pictures that I sent of my kids, my cap from high school graduation, photos from her childhood and of my grandparents and great grandparent. Includes is my paternal grandfather's landing papers and his passport (I had seen passport before), my father's discharge from the Canadian Army, a photo of my grandmother, her two brothers and my grandmother from the "old" country. The three oldest were 2 years 4 months apart then a 10 year gap till number 4 as my great grandfather went to Canada first and it took a long time for my great grandmother and the 3 kids to arrive. Letters that my grandmother wrote to my mother in 1950 from Old Orchard beach and many other momentos. Very nostalgic yet in some ways sad. No one left to ask any questions. Next task is to grow through it again and throw away the multiple copies of the same pictures of my kids, DH and I - but not of the old pictures.
Everyone stay warm and safe
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