Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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betrayal - enjoying the photos. Absolute amazing. Best of luck on your last day of school Mavericks mom. Enjoy as you step into retirement. Sandy - hope your mouth is feeling better. Cindy - having an ill pet is so difficult. Best of luck with your testing next week Jackie. Hope you’re feeling better Mary. Glad you’ve found good group for you petite. Heading to lunch for a holiday lunch with several former coworkers, also retirees. For people with free time on our hands, this was our first available time to get together to exchange gifts and have lunch together. Have a wonderful day.
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Pictures are fantastic.
Some sun today but not enough. I have to go to the bank later. I have been lazy today. Not sure what has gotten into to me -- or maybe that should be out of me. I can't get anything done lately in a straight line. I'm forever back-tracking to catch up on things that should have already been done. Starting to think I need a secretary to organize me. Oh well, thank goodness I'm retired.
So Happy Final Day Maverick. I think I too remember feeling odd and out of sorts when I first let loose of the structure that controlled me for so long. I also recall being nervous about funds and other things that help bridge life from the standpoint of employment. Then, I was able to get tons of things done. Now I have all the time I need and a few things are going begging. Don't worry though. It is an interesting phenomenon, and freedom to do what you want, when you want overrides any negativity. You will find your comfort zone.
Hoping all stay well, or get well, or have good tests and that Spring will soon be here helping everyone continue to look forward to plesant times
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I got my bike back Wednesday and fired my dogwalker. Made a pork roast yesterday. Couldn't find the packaged spice mix. Looked it up, and Chinese five spice and garam masala were recommended, cut it in half to experiment with both. Garam masala won. I have a friend with an Indian bil, and he thinks it is blasphemy.
Oh, well. I have a friend coming over later this morning to talk.
My sleep problem has resolved, I have had four good nights in a row.
Maverick, enjoy your freedom!! Petite, glad you are recovering from such a blow. Remember the grieving people in Turkey and Syria. Sandi, glad you have found the problem with Happy and are ready to resolve it, one way or another. Allowing him to suffer with dental problems is not fair.
I have a forearm crutch, and it is finally the right height for me. The friend who loaned it to me is 6ft 2, and it was on the last hole. I thought shortening it by 7 holes (inches) was the right solution, but evidently it was too short for him. My midfoot arthritis in my left foot is bothering me, lidocaine cream helps, but I have some shoe-tongue pads coming. Hopefully I won't have to borrow his other crutch.
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Jackie's remarks about retirement reminded me of the list I wrote when I retired. All the tasks I would accomplish with the time to do them. I came across that list a few years later and there were still things I hadn't done! And probably haven't done to this day.
I made an appointment with a car detailer to come to our home next Wednesday and detail my 2014 Prius. He even brings his own water. I especially want a good wax job. I don't foresee buying another car in the near future.
It's gray and gloomy this morning with rain in the forecast. Meanwhile the Mardi Gras parades are rolling, in New Orleans and in towns on the outskirts of the city, including the towns in my area.
Happy Saturday to all.
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My retirement was unexpected. I went out for a hip replacement, expecting to be out only 6 weeks and was never able to return to work. It took me 2 1/2 years to rehab my hip so that I was able to walk without pain and by then I was ready to retire permanently. Glad to hear your bike is fixed Mary. Hope you’re feeling better Cindy.Our dryer stopped working Thursday. We were able to get a repair person out late yesterday. First time we’ve ever had a woman repair person. She said she’s owned her company for 12 years, works on her own. Only Samsung repair person in our area. This past week we’ve had HVAC and a plumber out. We had water in our basement under our HVAC. Turned our to be a clog from a drain from construction debris. Our house is less than 5 years old so it’s frustrating that things are starting to break. Not as warm today, but still nice and sunny. Have a wonderful day.
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Karma is simply the law of cause and effect. If you plant an apple seed, you don't a get a mango tree. If we practice hatred or greed, it becomes our way and the world responds accordingly. If we practice awareness or loving-kindness, it becomes our way and the world responds accordingly. We are heirs to the results of our actions, to the intentions we bring to every moment we initiate. We make ripples upon the ocean of the universe through our very presence.
Christina Feldman and Jack Kornfield0 -
My last day of work was absolutely perfect! We had shortened periods due to a pep rally at the end of the day. My co-workers held a party for me during our lunch break. I was surrounded by all the people I am close to and even my friend/co-worker who retired two weeks ago came to celebrate with me! Honestly the day couldn't have been more perfect! It still hasn't quite sunk in that I will never have to get up super early for work again, but I am sure after a few weeks I won't be able to picture working! I am glad to start the next chapter in my life and I am looking to the future with hope and optimism! I also have a list, a very long, but well thought out list, so I will be busy, just a better kind of busy.
When my DH retired, it wasn't by choice. The company he worked for was taken over by another company. It was a hostile takeover. He went to work one day and was called into an office and they asked him to retire, as opposed to just being let go. There was the expected change in personnel and since my DH was in administration, the new company kept their people. He got a nice package and great healthcare plan for both of us for life, so we can't complain, but it was still difficult to deal with. He was only 60, but we survived well for over 20 years!
I will say we have been very blessed. We have always had what we needed, not always all we wanted, but if that continues into my retirement, I will be very happy! Thank you everyone for the well wishes!
Betrayal, again, the pictures are amazing!!!!
The sun is out and it is fairly warm, my kind of day!
Mary, I love the way you tackle things! I hope you enjoy talking with your friend today.
Carole, I love NOLA and I can only imagine how it is during Mardi Gras! Enjoy! I have a friend that worked as a cameraman for one of the network news stations in New Orleans. He covered a lot of sports and music events.
Cardplayer, nice about the "repair woman!" It is good that women have so many choices of careers, as they should! I do understand how frustrating it must be to live in a 5-year-old home and have things break! My DS and DIL bought a new built home last year. So far anything that has needed repair, which isn't much, was covered under their home warranty. The "killer" is when something breaks just after warranty expires!
Sandy, continued good wishes for quality time with Happy!
Jackie, again, I will be thinking of you Monday. Wishing you good luck with your test and doctor appointment!
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
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MM, congrats on a well-deserved and desired retirement!
Mary, I use garam masala for both baked sweet potatoes and butternut squash soup.
Happy ate like a horse yesterday morning (seconds, thirds, kibble). Vet says he doesn't have an abscess, but rather slight periodontitis from plaque; if & when he improves we will attempt tooth-scaling. He did have diarrhea late yesterday--but in the box, and it was better-formed than before. (He needs calories & nutrients, without excessive volume because his intestinal lumen has narrowed to the the extent of undigested regurgitation & excretion). She suggested holding off on the Flagyl till after she calls Monday morning. She thinks he had a GI bug, aggravated by his IBD, and the daily steroid may have lowered his immune system. So he's back to every other day. But because he doesn't always finish his food if there's medicine (other than the flavorless probiotic) in it, she suggested we feed him first; and after he finishes that, crush up the steroid and put it in "Churu" or "Squeeze-Up" gel packets. Worked like a charm today--he licked both plates clean. His hindquarter fur still smells like poop (though there is none visible) and I tried using those "Wet Ones" for pets; but he does not tolerate being groomed in any way from his flanks on back. So I just have to hope the stink doesn't transfer to my clothes--but if it does, wipes work well on them without hurting the fabric. He did lose another 1/2 lb. in the past 3 weeks (now only 6 lbs. 12 oz), so if he continues to dwindle she gave me a can of Hill's high-calorie a/d "urgency diet" to supplement in small amts (like a tsp. or two) occasionally. It's hard to believe there was a time when he was pushing 15 lbs. and his previous vet threatened to sic the adoption agency on us to take him back because we were "unfit pet parents" for letting him & Heidi get obese. (She left the practice to go to the CDC and study zoonotic diseases).
My back is sore again, and I am trying with all my might to keep it from locking up again--short of taking Aleve, which did give me a bit of mid-epigastric pain after a day or so. (PCP says it's a bit gentler than ibuprofen, because you take it only twice a day, but that I should save it for only when I can't move). Hoping a warm shower will work. Staying in tonight because Bob is working late. We do have V-Day plans, though.
We won't have anyone over for Super Bowl, because Happy is too unpredictable; and I think after New Year's Eve we're all a bit leery of gathering indoors in close quarters (albeit mild enough weather to open the windows). We did book our flights (SW, because Bob insists) & hotel for NOLA next month; and I for Ireland in April. So it's beginning to feel real.
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Butternut squash and sweet potatoes are some of my favorite comfort foods. I will try that, Sandy.
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Last night was exciting. I woke at 11:30 pm to flashing lights. I peeked out the window and saw an aide car, police car, and 2 fire engines (might have been 3, I couldn't tell for sure). They kept the lights going for 25 mins and it was like daylight inside the house. No idea what it was about. We live in a culture-de-sac so they all had to back up onto the cross street. DD thinks it was probably a problem at the group home next door. I hope it was resolved satisfactorily. So I slept in this morning and took a nap this afternoon.
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I lost my last post--Happy's diarrhea has gotten so bad that he stinks all over and the Wet Ones For Pets barely make a dent in his BO. My back is killing me from all the bending over (even though I try to squat as much as possible). I have to scoop the litter multiple times a day. Heidi is finding the boxes increasingly distasteful, and it's only a matter of time before she is forced to go outside them. I am tempted to call MedVet tomorrow to see if it's open (Super Bowl nothwithstanding) and they can keep him overnight for testing (imaging, endoscopy/biopsy, stool samples) & treatment. I'm not sure that Flagyl will make a dent in his GI woes, as the problem seems to be inability to process his food due to his thickened intestinal walls narrowing the "lumen" (the open space through which food and eventually waste passes). He still wants to eat (perhaps too much & too often for his guts to hold but not enough to absorb nutrients & calories). He is lethargic, but still demands affection--wants to be on me all the time--so long as he wants food & humns contact, and is otherwise not in pain, it would be cruel and selfish of me to consider ending his life while he still enjoys some of it, albeit on a limited basis.
But I don't know how much more of this I can take, as it's impacting my own health & hygiene (no time to shower & wash my hair). I have my HK only 3-4 hrs/day M-F, and Bob is clueless about dealing with the cats (especially Happy). He works hard all day (and many evenings), though he admits he loves his work. (Sure--it doesn't involve dealing with poop, finicky food preferences, or hurting himself bending).
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Maverick, glad your last day of work was perfect. Congratulations on a well-deserved retirement.
Now I'm having lower back pain/discomfort. I looked up some exercises and will start doing them. I will also start shopping for a new chair. My chair is finally showing its age.
We are looking forward to the football game and will be cheering for the Chiefs. But it won't really matter who wins. No Super Bowl party, which is fine with me. A golf friend did call yesterday and suggested dinner out for Valentine's Day. So we will meet her and her dh on Tuesday at a restaurant that wasn't already booked. We are due for a dinner out with them.
It's looking like a sunny day. We'll have several nice days then more storms starting Thursday.
Happy Sunday to all.
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A person is not given integrity. It results from the
relentless pursuit of honesty at all times.
unattributed0 -
Sandy, glad to read that Happy is doing much better!!!! As for butt smell, try using a soft cloth or paper towel dipped in a mixture of Dawn dish soap and water. I just eyeball the amounts, obviously a lot more water than Dawn. Dawn is safe on animals and smells great. A few years ago we were watching my DSS's little dog while they were on vacation. I had her on a long leash in our back yard early on a summer morning, and both of us were enjoying the calm peacefulness. The sun was up and birds were singing...and the, out of nowhere, a skunk came running into our yard!!!!! I used all the typical anti-skunk things to bath her, most of the smell seemed resolved but the last few days of daily "multiple" baths I used Dawn and water. I got a call from DSS the following day asking me what I bathed her in. I thought he was going to be mad when I told him, but he said she smelled better than she ever did! BTW, I am appalled that any vet would threaten people like you and your DH over obese cats! Good veterinarians usually use those situations as learning opportunities to help clients be better pet owners.
Sandy, I also hope your back continues to improve! Sounds so very painful! Your trips to NOLA and Ireland sound amazing. I always loved NOLA, we always stayed at the Royal Orleans in the French Quarter. Ireland is one of only a handful of places I would like to visit. PLEASE promise to post pictures after your trips!
Wren, sound like your adventurous night was similar to two we had years ago involving our next-door neighbors. I hope yours wasn't the same, but most likely drug OD. If ambulances, police and fire dept arrive, likely drugs in absence of a fire. At least in our area, fire personnel are the only ones who have protective gear in case fear of Fentanyl, which can be absorbed through the skin. I guess there are other reasons too, but that happened to two older teens next door to us. We were so glad those neighbors moved! Our street has been so much quieter since they moved away!
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Carole, I hope your back feels better soon! I don't care who wins the Super Bowl either although of course we will root for the Eagle. I just hope it is a fair and fun game to watch. No party here either. I like watching with DH and can put my pjs on if I want to!
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Bright sun again today. Thank goodness tor all the sun. You all know I'm so non-gray. I'm actually glad for the rain as we have a high water-table and notice quickly when we are too dry, but still hard to take the gray and rainy days.
Looking forward to getting my appts. done this upcoming week. I like to keep on schedule lately and having the appts. always throws me of a bit. Hopefully I won't get too out of whack.
We don't do Superbowl much here. From yrs. ago we found it difficult to follow sports on t.v. I did enjoy going to hockey games long ago when I lived in Detroit. I have to admit though it was so long ago you could purchase a decent seat/ticket for $5.00. I think that ages me pretty good. Guess I have to see the whole thing at once and in living color to 'figure' what is really happening. so I just don't really enjoy the games on tv. My ex use to have on at least two games on our two TVs while listening to a radio broadcast of some other one and knew perfectly what was going on with all of them.
Looking forward to a quiet and I hope productive day which I will use in part to get ready for a trip to Marion for a kidney echogram. Sigh !! At least weather in the 50's and plenty of sun.
Hope you all have a good day.
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mavericksmom so glad you had a special last day of work. Sandy and Carole - sorry to hear about your sore backs. I find if I keep up on my exercises my back feels better; otherwise, I walk around gingerly till I do my stretches and ice my lower back. Mary - I eat spaghetti squash and sweet potatoes every day. One of the few vegetables I can digest. Making butternut squash/ sweet potato soup tonight for dinner, as I do every Sunday night. Sandy - hope Happy improves. Jackie - best of luck with your medical appointments next week. We have cooler weather today and a possibility of rain. Looks like this cooler, rainy trend will be with us most of the week. Happy Super Bowl!
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I had a long post, had a phone call, and now it’s gone! Tooth - mouth still bothering me but at a lesser pain level. Woke up this morning with an ocular migraine. Took Excedrin migraine and 20 mins later it’s gone, but I’m full of caffeine! I don’t drink any coffee or caffeinated drinks so I’m buzzing along. I haven’t had an ocular migraine in years and I’m wondering if being off anastrazole for about 3 months has boosted my estrogen enough to go back to these light shows in my eye. I believe my ocular events were hormone related.
Betrayal, the pictures are super! I don’t think I’ll ever take the trip so seeing your pictures is fantastic. Mavericksmom, woo hoo on retirement! Mary, I’m glad you have your bike back. Cardplayer, I hope all your repairs are complete and you’re good for a long time. In our development all homes were built 2004/2005. We’ve replaced all appliances, HVAC, and water heater - as did our neighbors about the same time. And I think it was about 12+ years in, so 5 is way too soon. Jackie, sending good juju for your appointments tomorrow. Sandy, I hope there can be a solution for Happy cats health issues, and for your back problem too. I am seeing the dentist for the Maryland bridge, thank you for the suggestion. He said to wait until I’m fully healed; and explained sometimes it doesn’t stay well on porcelain (1 other crowned tooth) but that just means I’d be in for reattaching.
Super Bowl party 2 doors over today. Lots of good food grilling and prepared by each of us. I’ll wear my Invisalign and possibly make a plate to walk home to eat it. Super inconvenient when it comes to eating. I wouldn’t want to put it back in my mouth without first flossing and brushing. I’m rooting for the Eagles too!
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Cindy, hope you can find relief with your tooth!
Jackie, I'd be interested in learning how you can deal with the litterboxes without injuring yourself. You can PM me a description, or better yet a video if your DH is willing to shoot it. Happy pooped on the threshold between the kitchen and back den--Bob cleaned it up with first a wet & then a dry paper towel, then tossed it in the trash. I had to go down and disinfect the spot and triple-bag the "BM-bundle." Tried to teach him how to deal with the litterboxes--his eyes glazed over. He is not used to cleaning up even after himself: he's never lived alone (we both lived with our families and commuted to college), and either his mom, I, our HK or office staff & janitors have always picked up after him. At least he puts his dirty clothes into the hamper instead of the floor.
By contrast, when Gordy (who also lived at home and commuted to college) began to get serious about Leslie, he took his own apartment for a year to develop "adulting" life skills.
No Super Bowl party here. Bob bought a shrimp ring, veggie tray, and wings (marinated but raw, so I'll have to air-fry them).
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Good luck to everyone with tests and to those who are in pain feel better soon.
We watched the game - it was actually a good game, thought the Eagles would win, but we weren't rooting for either team. The commercials aren't good like years ago. My favorite and one of the only ones I liked was "Thank you Canada".
Going to be quite nice today, but cold and snow Wednesday.
We went to see 80 for Brady yesterday - cute movie.
Happy Monday.
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The Super Bowl game was a good game. Many years it's a blowout and only interesting for the fans of the winning team. I fully expected the Eagles to win. We watched part of 60 Minutes during the halftime show. Lets you know our age category!
Sun is shining and it looks like we'll have another nice day. DH just went to the gym and I'll go later.
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Sandy, I hope Happy gets to feeling better. As a cat lover, I know it is difficult seeing your fur baby in discomfort.
Cindy, I am glad the dental issue is getting better.
Maverick, Congratulations on your retirement.
Betrayal, I am in awe over your picture.
Jackie, I talk to him everyday.
MC, Glad things are doing better.
Sorry if I missed anyone.
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When your inner eyes open, you can find immense beauty hidden within the inconsequential details of daily life. When your inner ears open, you can hear the subtle, lovely music of the universe everywhere you go.
Timothy Ray Miller0 -
Lots of sun today and I think in the 50's. I'm loving it of course. Mainly the sun. Even when it's really cold a bright sun lifts my spirits to a much higher level. Nothing special but just going to Marions this afternoon and getting the Echo. Coming straight back home after. Sandy, I will send you a pm later on.
Hope you all have a great day and that your team won. I do think there is an awful lot of money swirling around in sports figures and teams. Don't care for that part.
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Jackie, I am thinking about you! Hope your test and all that is involved with it goes well!
Petite, nice to read your post! Continued thoughts and cyber hugs!
Cindy, I hope your tooth pain is gone or almost gone, you have suffered with that way too long!
Sandy, hope today was an even better day for Happy!
Karen, I want to see 80 for Brady, but will need to wait until after my surgery and by then it will most likely be out of the theaters. Hopefully, I will get to see it on Demand or one of the movie channels if I can't see it in the theater.
Carole, we changed the channel for the half time show of the Super Bowl too! Also showing my age, but we watch for the game, not half time show.
Even though our team lost, it was an exciting game and far more interesting than most years. Mistakes made on both sides and a few questionable calls, but all in all, a great game! Hey, at least I don't feel I have to fork out $$$ for Eagle Super Bowl Champion shirts, hahaha!
Now for March Madness basketball. I am not a huge fan of basketball but it is starting to grow on me. My DH loves it and tries to watch all the PSU and MSU games. I tease him and tell him he only needs to watch the last 2 minutes and OT if it happens, but he insists on watching the whole game! haha
I woke up without the alarm at 5:30, but I was still in my pjs two hours later! Yes, I think I am going to love being retired! I went to run a few errands and get gas and was surprised at how little traffic there was. That was an added plus! Also sunny and not too cold, it's a beautiful day!
I bought my grandkids (ages 7&9) a "moon phase" calendar. I am making them Valentine cards that say I Love You To The Moon And Back from the children's book of the same name. I never thought much about moon phases until I worked with 6th graders in Science class, and Earth, Moon, Sun is a unit in Science. Now I am always looking at the moon and thinking about the phase it is in! Just goes to show you, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks! Instead of candy, I ordered the GKs Philly Soft Pretzels in the shape of hearts! I will pick them up and deliver them along with the calendar and cards, tomorrow! Nice to have time for things like this!
Oh, and we are getting a higher toilet, but wow, I never realized how involved picking out a toilet is! So many choices! Also, heights! We are not getting a Tall toilet but a 16 1/2 high one. The tall is 19". Normal is 14 1/2. Oh the choices!
Have a great day everyone!
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Watched the LSU / SC Women’s basketball game yesterday afternoon before the Super Bowl. Two powerhouse ladies college teams. Normally just watch men’s basketball, but they’re on Saturday. Was glad the Super Bowl was a good one. If you missed the commercials, you can catch them on YouTube. Cindy - hope you tooth is feeling better. Sandy - hope Happy is improving. Mavericksmom - DH is a big ACC basketball fan, so we watch lots of basketball in our home. And pitchers report next week for spring training, I think. Hope your testing is going well today Jackie. Petite - thinking of you. Carole - wish we had thought of switching over to 60 minutes during halftime. A quiet day. Bloodwork this morning for an upcoming neurology appointment and an afternoon walk. We’re having nice weather, breezy but not too cold. Wish we had more sun so the crocuses would finish coming up and bloom. Hope everyone is doing well.
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https://youtu.be/MHusNDxUHNA If you like gospel music, you might really enjoy this very powerful song.0 -
Happy's gut is intermittently awful--usually resolves just before I talk to the vet. After the Sunday morning mishap, he was fine; but when I got home from the heme/onc and fed him at 5 pm today (HK left before his usual 3pm feeding because she had to be home when her DH was brought home from dialysis), he went upstairs and squirted semi-liquid goo into the litter box. There was also a little bit of bile-vomit on the bedroom floor because of hunger pangs, which cleaned up easily. But Bob has now had enough: since he goes to the bathroom barefoot (refuses to wear slippers) and is tired of stepping in puke, he has chosen to move into the guest room (where Happy doesn't venture).
Thanks for the PM, Jackie--but I already pretty much do everything you described. Will have to start him on BID (q. 12h) metronidazole tonight at 11 (he eats at 11, 3, 7 & 11), but I fear he may reject anything I put it into to mask the horrid bitter taste. I dread having to administer it via oral syringe.
On the bright side, the heme/onc is not worried--my MGUS is "tiny," and she simply wants to see me every 3 months. She's more concerned about my borderline low IgA & IgG levels--wants me to be vigilant about infections of any kind, especially allergies "percolating" into sinus infections & bronchitis. There's an epidemic of norovirus here now--I had it once and it was so bad I was afraid I wasn't going to die. I lost 4 lbs., and am back down below the BMI dividing line between "overweight" and "mildly obese." Yup, at 5'2", 4 lbs. makes that much of a difference,
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Poor Happy and you and Bob too. Hope the GI issues resolve. I was diagnosed with MGUS 4 years ago. Last year the hematologist put me to annual visits. I go for labs the end of the month and see him on March 1st. I see my medical oncologist mid April. MGUS was found when Nephrologist was looking for cause for the Stage 3 CKD - of course no cause found! I still say chemo is the cause.
Going to be 16 on Wednesday - every forecast it gets colder and colder 3-7" snow predicted but that could change too. I go back and forth between wanting a snow day and not wanting one. I could use the time in the house.
Hope everyone with procedures, they go well.
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