Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Sandy, I'm taking notes on your travel preparations since dh and I are scheduled to go to Ireland and Scotland in late September. I'm wondering if the hotels have hair dryers. Haven't researched that question yet. We're travelling with a tour company so will be staying in hotels. The airline is United. Fingers crossed that Mother Nature doesn't present with a hurricane headed to Louisiana about the time we are returning home from MN to pack up and leave.
Mary, you have a lot of problems with that adult tricycle. DH used to say that Jaguar owners had to travel with their own mechanics because there were so many breakdowns. You seem to be in the same boat as old Jaguar owners! No offense intended. I admire your independence and resilience.
I'm ordering myself outside today to tackle weeding. Enthusiasm is totally lacking since experience tells me the weeds always win.
I, too, am waiting for Jackie to check in with a report on her status following her surgery.
I finished reading Genesis and am now in Exodus.
Happy Friday to everyone.
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Karen, thinking of you as you go through your rough schedule. I think the hardest isn't the chemo, or anything doctor related, but saying good-bye to DD#2! I used to cry for hours after dropping my DD off at college and she was only 4 hours away! We know we need to let our children go, and are thankful they are wonderful, independent individuals, but that doesn't stop the ache of missing them! I envy my friends that have their children living near by, and very thankful my DD and family are less than 20 mins away!
Mary, sorry about your difficulty sleeping. I used to wake up often due to anxiety, but I knew I would be fine and in the morning the worries would not seem nearly as daunting, so I would force myself to think of things that relaxed me. I would visualize myself on a hammock on a beach, listening to the sounds of the waves and the sea gulls.
Sandy, hope your vacation to Ireland is wonderful! You are braver, and a much more seasoned traveler than I am, I would not travel that far alone any more.
Also thinking of illinoislady! Looking forward to her next post!
Carole, when I was going to confirmation classes during my middle school years, we had to know all the books of the Bible. I used to highlight anything I found especially comforting or interesting. Needless to say, it is full of highlights! LOL about your enthusiasm and the weeds! I can relate!
Betrayal, when I was going through my files I came across my genealogy records. I love researching my ancestry but am forcing myself to put that on hold for the hot summer months. I still have so much de-cluttering to do! I have wash to do today but hope to make another dent in the decluttering!
Cardplayer, beautiful picture of the lake! I wish my house backed up to a lake!
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Uneventful getting the 2 shots. My CBC is good enough to get the treatment but my lymphocytes are low as is the MCH (anemia). WBC is dropping at the lower end of normal limits.
Good virtual visit with Nephrologist. We've know him for several years even before he as my doctor. He's a great person as well as doctor. A couple meds that I need to take (none of the chemo specific drugs) are hard on the kidneys, but he said the kidneys take a back seat to me. Acyclovir is one in particular that is hard on the kidneys but he said I must take it so we'll deal with kidneys. He also said he Hematologist will watch the kidneys "like a hawk". He said he doesn't want to overwhelm me with doctors so next appointment is in 4 months. He was seeing me annual before this and 1.5 years ago he said PCP could now follow. He agrees that it was smart to bring him back in to follow.
The two chemo injections make me tired, I feel like I'm moving in slow motion and stomach a little unsettled.
Maverick - DD#2 hasn't lived by us since September 2016 when she left for her gap year. She hasn't spent any summers here as she worked at a camp in 2017 for the summer in upstate NY, but since she comes in the fall for the holidays and in the spring for Passover. We try to go in the summer and during my winter break. But who knows when our next visit will be. I'd love to go before the Stem Cell Transplant but who knows if they'll let me travel so far. Also, I wonder about travel insurance. She was such a blessing and help this trip, her presence will be missed even more. I have a card for he, that I think I'll put in mail today. It's a blank card do plenty of room to write her a letter.
Still waiting on results of nuclear medicineCT scan. Labs from this morning should be ready later today or over the week-end. Medical oncologist Monday morning and virtual visit with Endocrinologist Tuesday afternoon. Then no appointments for a few weeks.
As I've mentioned before, I've only been at this school since February 13th, but I feel like I've known the team forever - our fit is seamless. I got a sweet text from the principal. I don't see her every day as she is so busy and is also responsible for another school.
I put up the challah dough before I went for chemo and DD#2 shaped them into rolls and then took care to put egg wash and "seasoning" on them - zaatar or everything but the bagel. She will cook the sides - green beans and lukshin kugel (noodle kugel). We make it "salt/pepper" as we don't like sweet kugel. DH will grill turkey necks for DD and himself as well as 1/2 turkey breast for everyone. I asked DD if she wanted to bake and she said there was still enough in the freezer that I made. I was hoping she would bake but I guess, I can bake on a Friday morning before I leave for chemo.
I think that's all for now. Have a great day.
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Hotels in Europe usually have hair dryers available in the bathroom as a wall installation. Not the speediest but they do the job. Have never packed one for all our forays and only pack curling iron which I use with a converter. Can tell you that access to electrical outlets can be limited and may be desk area or bathroom only. So you can leave your hair dryer home and pack something else in that space. Leave room for any purchases you make since they have such beautiful crafts in both countries: sweaters, shawls, etc.
Ireland will be chilly this time of year and it might be rainy as well. We honeymooned in Ireland in May and gloves and socks were welcome accessories as well as a raincoat. Umbrellas are nice but where do you put them when you are on a bus/tour? We had a car rental so they went in the backseat. Please include scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam as a treat for tea or if you see lemon drizzle cake offered, get it and don't think about the calories or carbs. You will not be disappointed with either treat. Guinness beef stew, porter cake, colcannon, boxty are also delicious dishes. In Waterford the hotel offered Jamison in your oatmeal; what a nice way to begin the day! We used to go for 3 weeks at a time and rent a car that usually had about 3,000 miles when we turned it back in, much to their chagrin. Not much we did not see on our 6-7 trips. It's a magical place with wonderful people. Enjoy your respective trips.
Illinoislady, hope you are feeling better today. I miss you but do not want you to rush back. ((Hugs)) and not touching your left arm.
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Karen, praying for you. Have you spoken to your rabbi recently?
My electric granny trike is an emblem of my independence. As part of that, I do my own repairs whenever possible. The recent flat caused by a hole on the sidewall, on the seam. I suspect it might have been user error. I just ordered two new tubes, and tips were that you need to have the tubes partially inflated before strong arming tube and tire into the wheel, to prevent pinching or twisting.
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Had a nice lunch and visit with my brothers and SIL. It was great to catch up and celebrate DB#2 birthday a day early. He now has two bottles of his favorite 10 year old scotch - one from me and one from DB#1. DB#1 will hopefully be moving back to Toronto in a year, so I’ll be able to see him and my other SIL more frequently.
Karen - not sure if you’ve talked to a nutritionist or not, but maybe eating more frequent smaller meals would help maintain your weight? It’s difficult to manage this when you work though, finding time to eat every 3 hours. I use to love my Moms noodle kugel. She also use to make cheese blintzes, which were very good. Hope you stay well.
Betrayal - sorry Regans class keeps getting cancelled. Hope she continues to make progress.
Mavericksmom - we back up to common area, which is nice and gives us privacy. Can’t wait for the leaves to fill out on the trees so we don’t see the cul-de-sac below.
Hope to hear from Illinois and that she is doing well.
Hope everyone else is doing well. Have a wonderful evening
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Card - I've thought about a nutritionist and/or eating smaller meals. The problems is that I have no appetite, and even though I eat, there is nothing I crave. I'll see what medical oncologist says. Nephrologist wasn't too concerned - he said not from meds since it started before treatment.
Mary - our shul Rabbi is aware as are 2 rabbis at another shul. I'm not particulary close with our shul Rabbi. The other 2 are great guys, but young - my bigger kids ages and not sure that I"m comfortable sharing.
Went to hospital portal to get test results from Wednesday. There is an adenoma on my right inferior parathyroid. Two options are watch and see or remove 1 or more of the glands. Will see what the Endocrinologist says Tuesday. Of course I will run it by hematologist when I see him next Friday. I may also ask medical oncologist his opinion on Monday. We have a very good friend who is a retired endocrinologist who has seen my other labs and DH will share these results with him.
Have a great night and Saturday.
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Thinking of you today, Sandy. Enjoy it all, the green, the beauty, and pretty sure you won’t indulge in one of my fondest memories, gigantic baked potatoes filled with melted cheddar cheese. Other memory that sticks is 1957 on my honeymoon when we drove across Ireland and I think I might have had a uti, though I didn’t know what that was then, had to pee so badly, no place to, except gorgeous green fields, but I was afraid to because of the numerous huge cows. I agree that you are brave and totally competent to do this trip by yourself even in a group. Have a splendid productive time of it. Green is the color of hope
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"The best index to a person's character is how he treats people who can't do him any good, and how he treats people who can't fight back."
-- Abigail Van Buren0 -
illinoislady, just seeing your post makes me happy! You must be home and doing alright! Everyone here was thinking of you. Still sending healing vibes!
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Yes, I am back and at home, thank goodness. All went well in the first part -- where I got checked in and assigned a room. Also, meeting Dr. Panda's operation women. In fact, they made is all much easier to get through.
It ended up taking longer than the original expectation which was three hours. I think it took about four and a half. They kept me calm and cooperative but I must say some of the meds helped there tremendously.
Hate to say, it was pretty much downhill after that. Once we were done we went to recovery. Well the nurse seemed a bit short and crisp with her answers. I wondered about it. Then later, I heard her complaining on the phone to someone that a previous patient had turned her into someone there at the hospital. She was telling the person on the phone that he had hi panties in a wad.
I think some of her treatment of me was due to being irritated over this person. If how she treated me was any indication, she should have been turned in. I only had the mildest sedation and was in fact awake for my procedure which I will admit didn't always feel great. I had to go to the bathroom so bad but I'm horrid when it comes to bedpans etc. So, first thing I asked to go to the bathroom which she ignored. I asked again and no response. So I asked her if she could bring me a bedside commode and in a very sharp voice she said no. I then ask her is there was a bathroom in the area I could use and she once again gave me a sharp no.
I know that her last two statements were bald-faced lies. You can jerk me around a bit here and there and I'll work around it but I cannot deal well at all with outright lies. So, I continued to ask every time I got the chance. Finally, realizing that I might be at my breaking point she told me okay. I could have walked and I'm sure she must have had a wheelchair, but she takes me, in the bed, to the other end of the room and she jockeys the bed around until I'm about even with the door. I jump out of the bed and hightail it for the commode. I almost made it but did leave piddle on the floor in front of the commode because that is how bad off I was by then. Something that would have so embarrassed me before didn't bother me at all. In fact, I hate to admit I had a small feeling of glees telling her someone was going to have to clean up the bathroom.
Okay, she gets me back to my bay area and shortly thereafter comes word that my bed is ready. Suddenly all sweetless and light. I presume she didn't like the idea of back-to-back patient complaints.
Well my room was on the 4th. floor and come to finds they put me on the 5th. floor. My belongings, including shoes were in the first room I had been assigned to on the 4th. floor . Dh went own to see if he could find my things. Whew?? Just made it. They had them in a special package with our home address on it. Wonderful, I'm thinking.
The next fiasco was someone the kitchen did not get the word that I needed a low-salt diet. After two tries my husband ate the food while I had two tiny cartons of rainbow sherbet since it didn't have salt in it. Then we find out that the arrangements for the room for my husband were not carried out either The night RN (though not supposed too) got a recliner and make up a bed for him in my room.
To Be continued.
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Moving right along ---- the night went fine although I was now exhausted and hungry. Hd to get up several times and walk down to the bathroom -- good for me really so that was okay. Then breakfast. Again, no low-salt diet so Dh got the omelet while I had the bowl of oatmeal. Thank God I had something. Then I asked for my medicine only to find out the cardiologists were afraid to give it to me because of my low blood pressure -- which has been a FEATURE for me since the mitral valve replacement. So that is just further irritation on top of all the other irritations.
It was music to my ears that morning when after the x-ray showing my device was still fine, they said I could go home. It would be after lunch, but I could go. I needed to get home to get something to eat. A fellow came in with some computerized gizmo and did some adjustments on my device and I apparently passed that with flying colors. And by the way -- lunch was also regular diet. In my view that is a bit of a dangerous place. Thank goodness, I did not have something super critical going on.
So right after lunch we got ourselves out of there and sit out front on a park bench to await our son-in-law who was coming to pick us up.
I am hoping to avoid ever having to go to John Cocoran again and if not, to at least avoid having to stay there. Dr. Panda and his nurses were fantastic. I wish I could say that for everyone. I did have a good night nurse -- the one who helped Dh with the recliner which normally is not allowed. I'm sorry for those for whom it is the only option. If I ever have to stay again I will though know in advance that I'm going to have to fight like hell to get my "normal" need met -- never mind the rest.
Okay, no more griping and ranting. It is an experience I will not soon forget.
I'm really happy to be home and while my arm is bruised and sore I really don't mind. The important thing is I am home.
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Oh my goodness Illinois what a terrible ordeal but am glad you are now home and presumably resting and well fed. I think I would have reported that one nurse, and also the kitchen/food situation. Both CARE issues that were totally unacceptable and potentially dangerous to you.
Glad all did go well with the procedure however. Hugs to you.
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Goodness, Jackie, what an ordeal with hospital care! I'm glad the medical procedure went well. You will always have a negative memory of the experience. I hope you tell your doctor about your treatment and especially about the incorrect diet. We're glad to have you back among us. You were missed.
I know nursing is a difficult job but it sounds as though the unsympathetic nurse might not be suited to the profession. A kind and caring nurse is a blessing in a stressful situation, being hospitalized.
I hope you get lots of pampering from your family.
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illinoislady, sooo glad to hear from you from your home!!!!
I couldn't have expressed my thoughts any better than what reader425 said!
Definitely report the nurse and the kitchen food. Hopefully you will never need to be in that hospital again, but someone is there, someone who maybe can't advocate for themselves! I would send an old fashion snail mail letter and send it to the top management!
I used to think they put the worst nurses in post-op, and felt surgery was like a conveyor belt. Everyone was so nice prior to surgery, the pre-op nurses were great, but the post op nurses not so much. I will be the first to admit that perception was totally wrong. The nurses I had in post op for all my cancer surgeries, especially the last two, were top notch. But, like you I have had bad nursing care in the past. I am also glad you peed a little on their floor!
Wishing you well as you heal and begin your "better life!"
petite, I forgot to say thank you for also seeing the "face" in the flower picture! Your boat trip with your grief group sounded wonderful! I only ever saw a manatee in Disney World. They are such magnificent creatures! I could never live in Florida as I hate gators and large snakes! OK, all snakes and yes we have some in PA, but I rarely see any. Actually, I can't take the heat or humidity, so I may end up being a reverse snowbird, wintering in PA, summering in Maine! LOL
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Illinoislady, please do discuss the diet boondoggle with your physician because it was his orders (or those of his underling) that were the cause of the dietary mess. Physicians order diets and it literally requires a new order from the physician to get it changed. Many post-op order sheets are checkoff sheets so attention to detail can be missed. Yes, the nurse can pursue this BUT she cannot change the order on her/his own volition. Same goes for your DH staying overnight, that responsibility lies with admissions and also requires an order from the physician.
You were lucky the nurse was willing to make a temporary bed up for your husband since this is a liability issue. If your DH were to fall during his stay (not an inpatient), the hospital would be liable. Hospitals today are not the hospitals of old since they are driven by the almighty buck and bottom line, insurance companies and lawyers hot to pursue perceived (and sometimes actual) negligence/malpractice.
I do not want to appear to be defending the post-op nurse but do wish to point out that post-op patients can have an altered perception of what is being done to them or may make demands of nurse's that they cannot fulfill such as totally control pain. I have had colleagues who were seriously injured by post-op patients, including one who had to leave nursing due to damage to her spine after a patient assault.
So what her issue was with the man probably shaped her response to you and that was decidedly wrong. She was also wrong for not taking you to the bathroom but since you had anesthesia you would need to be accompanied to again prevent falls. Yes, they may have to remain in the room with you, usually with their back turned. If you're male we would insist you sit rather than stand to prevent falls as you empty your bladder/bowel. Even if you had light sedation, it does alter perception especially about one's ability to perform routine functions.
What we cannot predict is how quickly you will excrete the anesthesia since this is an individual response and when you will be considered "safe" to resume normal functions such as walking unaccompanied. I do not want to tell you how many times we found patients who had been clearly instructed to "call the nurse" to go to the bathroom, were in the bathroom when we entered the room and they had not called us. Many were found on the floor and had never contacted us because "they did not want to bother the nurse". The nurse to patient ratio can be as high as 1:10 which means a nurse can only respond to one patient at a time and needs to rely on cna's if available for assistance with answering call bells. A cost saving measure that places patient's at increased risk for unexpected events.
As nurse's we do not always get a seat at the table when hospital administrative policies are established, but bear the responsibility for enforcement when they are established and it's not always a pleasant part of our job. So look at your hospital's policies as the root for many of the system problems that are occurring with inpatient care today; it is a top down issue that unfortunately shapes what occurs at bedside much to the dismay of caring nurse's. The nurse who set up the bed for you could actually be disciplined for what she did and if your DH had had an unfortunate event, it could have cost her her job. I'll now climb off my soapbox.
Have a good Sunday and I am glad you are home safely Illinoislady.
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When we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present--love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us pleasure--the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.
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Betrayal, I understand. I do know that patients often want things that are not easy or possibly not even possible in a hospital setting. My Dr. and surgical team told mw in advance that they were going to give me as little lt. sedation as they possibly could and I was to let them know if I needed more. Over many things I have a high pain tolerance -- so despite a few tough instances I was able to go through the whole four hours w/o asking for anything extra. They did though I believe keep giving me sm. amts.at their choice of intervals since I only had a few 'breath-taking moments which I rapidly adjusted too. I was a medical corpsman in service and have done different periods of nursing care through the years although I definitely am not a nurse.
I had heard there were issues there from a couple of other people but I had hoped most of them were handled. Not so. I would have to say Marion seems much, much better although not fantastic. The food there diet wise is correct, but it doesn't come to you nice and hot. JC, did have it great that way -- just couldn't get the diet right. The Cardiologists kept telling me they had tuned it in that I was to have a low-salt diet -- but it just never happened on the kitchen end. Sigh.
We had wild weather overnight. Huge thunderstorm and 40 degrees drop in temps. Brr outside right now. My arm is truly aching along with the surgical site, but a couple of Tylenol and I'm good to go. My family has been doing really well for me so far but they go back to work tomorrow. I'm still in pj's for the most part since it is difficult keeping my arm down, but will get dressed tomorrow since the family will not be here. Don't care to answer the door in the middle of the day in m night clothes.
I am so enjoying the Spring green going on outside. This is one of my favorite times of year although I did have to remove a tick off of me the day I did my car. That is the worst part of living here in the woods.
I hope you all have a good day, good weather, and a good time whatever you do. Thinking of all of you and I thank you for all the nice welcome back messages.
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illinoislady, I know this is not high on important list, but was the cat your neighbor asked about Gordy? You have a great mind set and are always an inspiration to me! I think PJ's after surgery are a must at home!
Glad to hear you are doing well so far with recovery! As for the letter I suggested, I would still do that, but definitely can wait until after you have more use of your left arm. I have written countless letters to hospitals, not always complaints, but also for outstanding care. When I write a complaint, I write it professionally, not with anger or malice. I explain that the intent is to prevent someone else from going through what I went through. Ex: for your meals, I would explain your need of low salt diet that was not followed, but add that your meals were well served (hot) and that you know there was a disconnect between your doctor and the kitchen staff. You are notifying not to blame the kitchen, but to be able to fix whatever the disconnect was caused by! I don't know if the VA sends out surveys after your doctor appointments or hospital experiences, but surveys are effective, they really do make a difference no matter if you rate things high or low! I try to lean towards positive, but I am honest if there was something that could be improved on. If you get a survey from the hospital, you could mention the things that could have been better on that.
Betrayal, I didn't know you were a nurse! Many on my mom's side went into nursing. I went into veterinary medicine, worked 3 years in a veterinary practice, 7 years in agricultural research, then ended up in the middle school for 33 years, go figure?
I have been an "over-night" patient in a hospital 9 times, in 6 different hospitals, and have come to the conclusion that when needing a surgery, one needs a reputable hospital, trusted doctor (s), and someone to act as an advocate to be sure things are being done correctly. Mistakes happen at all hospitals because they are run by humans and none of us are perfect.
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Just catching up somewhat. Our guests were taken to the airport at 3:40 AM. Partner stayed awake with them, I slept 2 hours before going and then back in bed; but still discombobulated. We had a blast going all over with them. Beaches by us destroyed and still dangerous as to what’s in the water or buried in the sand. So we went north by an hour to Venice beach. Very beautiful, we had free parking, bathrooms and a store w food & drinks to buy. Then we went south an hour to Marco Island and Tigertail beach. It’s beautiful but you must walk a mile (sure felt like a mile) from the parking lot to the actual gulf waters on the beach. I thought to myself, I could live here - at both places.
Jackie, it’s good to hear from you. But boy you had an ordeal. Glad you’re home and feeling ok.
Maverick, the heat says 89 and it feels 94 today. It’s horrible, we don’t like it this hot and humid. We leave in 3 weeks and hope it cools off somewhat.
Petite, I’m glad you’re getting out and about with your group. We see manatees down here at a place called, no other than, Manatee Park. It’s near a power plant which releases hot water. If it’s cold water down here, they are in that park. They are very cool to see.
Sandy off to Ireland, may the luck of the Irish be with her!
Betrayal, back in the day we always stayed overnight when my parents (late 70’s into 80 yrs old) were hospitalized. Nurses were glad we stayed, always set a geriatric chair in there for us. We’d get them to the bathroom in the middle of the night, wash them up in the AM, get them into the chair, change their gown, strip the bed/remake it and make sure their breakfast was set up before leaving. But that was 21+ years ago. A lot has changed.
Lastly on hospitals, both my parents passed 20 & 21 years ago, but we’ve seen a lot. Examples- a nasal inhaler given to my mom as a lung inhaler; an IV put in her arm (highly allergic to many antibiotics), removed, out into the hall and then back in again for the patient in the other bed. I hate to say it but I firmly believe you need to have someone with you, because elderly and alone could mean your death. Too many patients, too little staff, too much blame to share.
On that happy note, not, I’m hoping you all had a great weekend and the upcoming week is great snuneventful.
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Aaaargh! I lost a long post I thought I submitted several hours ago, but apparently my wi-if dropped out after I hit “submit." (Pretty hard to save stuff on an iPad, albeit one with a trackpad keyboard).
Jackie, JC Hospital certainly put you through the wringer post-op! Glad you're home, the procedure was successful and your “adventure" is history.
Those of you planning a trip to Ireland, most hotels provide hair dryers, but you can't use them in bathrooms—by law, bathroom outlets are low-power, for shavers only, to avoid electrocution hazard. But my hotel room has plenty of outlets (including USB ports on the clock radio) and a US/UK adapter plug (I brought several).
Also, DO NOT FLY AER LINGUS! Economy is like steerage (so my fellow attendees confirm what my sis told me), but biz class leaves much to be desired. The airline cut ties with the British Airways lounge at ORD, so they use the Swissport (Swissair) lounge instead—the most pathetic excuse for a premium lounge I've ever seen. No bathrooms—you have to go out into the terminal. No reading matter. The food (except for a few sorry sandwiches and a container of pasta salad of questionable vintage) is what you get offered after giving blood: junk, junk and more junk. Three or four cheap generic wines, no sparklers.The coffee machine makes terrible instant espressos & cappuccinos. Nowhere to stretch out, just armchairs. Small & cramped, one small TV screen playing an endless loop of ABC clips from prime time reality shows.
Once onboard, the hits just keep on coming. 20 seats in biz class—2 by 2, all facing forward—so if you’re in a window seat and the guy on the aisle decides to stretch out his bed-seat, you’re trapped—as I was. Oh, and 2 lavatories, but only one working. At least you get priority boarding. But you have to stow your “personal item” in the overhead bin, even though there’s plenty of room under the seat in front of you. The food was good (albeit running out of some menu items so I ended up with the vegan entree) and the drinks were decent and free (including real champagne). Friends reported that the food In steerage was nearly inedible. So much for the axiom that you should fly the flag carrier of your destination country.
Had to wait 5 hours for my room to be ready, but they kept plying me with pastries & coffee—no protein or veggies until tonight at the Guinness reception. Small room, hard surfaces, loud (though good) band—-conversation was difficult and our ears didn’t stop ringing till we were outside waiting for the Uber. But the hotel is nice and the camaraderie nicer. Pix tomorrow
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Illinois - so glad that your surgery is over and you’re doing well. Sorry that you had to deal with Nurse Ratchet. Hopefully you’ll be able to provide feedback via survey. I know hospitals have cutback but her treatment of you sounds abysmal. Sorry the food and your DH accommodations weren’t setup correctly either. Glad you’re home and being taken care of by family.
Cindy - sad about the beaches in Florida. We use to love spending time at Sanibel and Ft. Myers beaches when we’d visit the area years ago.
Sandy - sounds like your airline experience was less than desired. Hopefully your trip will be spectacular.
Spent the last three days visiting with DB1, DB2 and other family. We had a family lunch yesterday at Earls Kitchen. We ended up with 16 for brunch. My granddaughter was a big hit - she smiled at everyone. Went to Alexandria to DB2 and SIL home today with DB1 and DH for lunch. It was a nice visit.
Karen - hope you’re feeling well and rested as you go into the work week.
Have a healthy and stress free rest of day.
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Just popping in to say we’re flying Aer Lingus! Flying out of Bradley in Connecticut, into Dublin. It’s over $900 a ticket so I was hoping for something decent - eating wise. I’ll pack a PBJ on a bagel to cover all bases. In early 2000’s we flew to Paris on Air France and had the best food & drink in coach. Give me a good book and I’ll be fine. I hope
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Sandy - sorry that the flight left a lot to be desired. Enjoy your time in Ireland.
DD#2 made it home safely. The house is quiet. It was so wonderful to have her here and I miss her already. I guess, I never get used to being empty nest!! DS stopped over last night. He lives about 10 minutes away, but works 60-65 hours/week so we don't see him often so it is always a treat to see him.Gave him the latest updates as I hadn't talked to him since last Monday.
Been up since 4:00am and finally got out of bed at 4:30! When I slept it was good, but just not enough. Fell asleep reading on the sofa. I think it was 1:00am when I got into bed and woke up once to pee and then again at 400.
Feeling a little anxious about medical oncologist appointment this morning and I haven't been anxious about these appointments in years. I know everything will probably be okay, but I also thought appointment with hematologist would be routine and low and behold the shock of my life. One tumor marker is back and it is stable so hopefully no surprises. So many things going on and I don't like not being in control or plan. I think appointment tomorrow with endocrinologist tomorrow will hopefully have some answers. Watch and see or surgery and if surgery when? After chemo? Stop chemo for couple weeks? An of course the transplant doctor in just over 3 weeks.
Going to be in the 70s today and tomorrow then cooling off the rest of the week.
Have a great Monday.
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My family is doing all the planning for me. A relief after misguiding my life for so many years.
I have been waking up around five every morning. My meds wearing off. Fitbit does not recognize most of my sleep.
Our storm is over. Another one Wednesday and Thursday. It was 90 deg on the 12th, a low of 28 tonight predicted. With all this weather, the morning headaches are worse.
Making a kimono robe. They go together so quickly. I don't have enough room for both sewing machine and serger, so I will serge the seams after. Fabric IS010 Waffle 54% Linen / 46% Cotton Fabric Bleached (fabrics-store.com). This is the same fabric I got for the towels and washcloths. I am going to dye the towels and washcloths turquoise, and I decided to go with coffee brown (
!!!) for the robe. Wish me luck on that! I promise I will wear rubber gloves and my raincoat. I am also doing a custom job for a friend. Waiting on elastic for that. Two pairs of wide-leg pants from my sari collection.So happy you got through the surgery safely, Jackie. Prayers for you, Karen.
Sandy, I wish I were there with you for the music!
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How odd that hair dryers can't be used in the bathroom in the hotels in Ireland.
The sun is shining and yesterday's wind appears to have died down. Another beautiful day to appreciate before the heat and humidity settle in.
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Mary, you always amaze and inspire me! Turquoise is my favorite color! When I used to wear jewelry, l loved silver and turquoise the most!
illinoislady, hope you are resting well and relaxing! Still sending healing vibes your way!
Karen, wishing you a great visit with your MO today! I understand about the 4:00 AM wake up. That was my normal pattern for a while. Ironically, I expected to be extra tired the following day due to the early wake-up, but that was never the case. Hopefully you will sleep longer tomorrow morning.
I kind of wish I had an appointment with my MO today. I am not a patient person. I am having bone pain and decided to make an appointment with my PCP instead of my MO. I am so afraid of bone metastasis! My PCP visit is next Monday, so not a long wait. In my mind, I know I made the right choice of doctor because while I think it could be mets, it most likely isn't. My PCP is excellent and I know he will find out the cause or direct me to someone who can (MO). If he recommends that I see my MO, then at least I will feel more validated doing so.
I constantly fight my instincts of wanting everything done right away! I realized yesterday that I didn't get disks of my full body scan or CT scan (Dec 2018) from the cancer hospital where I was treated for ILC, so I filled out the request form and will drop it off at the post office today! That way I have them for comparison should I need to have another one. As much as I didn't like that hospital, they do send records and disks very quickly! A hospital is only as good as its doctors and staff and honestly, there are a lot of excellent doctors, nurses, technicians and staff at that hospital. My experience there left a lot to be desired. Only the PS I had, who was excellent, is still at that hospital.
Over cast today, temps going up to 69 degrees, with partly sunny skies this afternoon. I am fine with that!
DH sprayed around the outside of our house for pests. I hate bugs! I know how valuable they are, and I have been known to take a spider or two and release it outdoors! I just don't want bugs in my house....or mice!
Hope everyone has a wonderful day!
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Somewhat cooler today in Dublin than yesterday, but still nicer than back home. From my news app I learned that there was mayhem in Millennium Park & along Michigan Avenue when groups of teens (flash-mobbed via TikTok) massed and did what frustrated teens do in the 82F heat. Today, I hear it snowed overnight and there will be more snow today! I hope it’s melted by Friday evening. (Forecast for Dublin is thunderstorms, so I also hope they don’t put a “ground stop” on all flights—last thing I want is to be stuck in the airport (especially sans meds).
Went to bed at 11:15 and set a 6:15 alarm. Next thing I knew it was 7:15! (My earplugs worked too well). Rushed downstairs for breakfast, which in Ireland is big enough to choke a horse. I went to the buffet and vowed not to go near the breads & pastries; had a little cheese, ham, smoked fish and coffee—but then the waiter came over and asked for my actual breakfast order! A fried egg, half a broiled tomato and portobello mushroom cap, bacon, fried ham, a sausage, a chunk each of “black & white pudding” (sausages made with rice & oats as well as various pork products, and hash brows. Ate the egg and had a small bite of everything else except the spuds.
Classes were interesting today, highlighting the differences between the US (especially Cook County) and Irish legal systems. Here there are solicitors who negotiate and barristers who go to court, with differences in training & qualifications. You go to college and major in law, then take a law school entrance exam to qualify for either the solicitor or barrister training school. And to be a solicitor you also need to prove you have an apprenticeship contract with a more experienced lawyer. Solicitors—who work in firms, sometimes huge ones—can make much more money than barristers, who start out unpaid and are paid by the state as they are assigned cases. They are solo practitioners. There is no advertising—all “marketing” is by word of mouth by other lawyers and judges who’ve seen you in action.
After lunch, walked around the plaza (not much to photograph especially because it’s overcast, and didn’t walk to Christ Church because I popped a foot blister, which I had to bandage. Waiting for the tour of the Four Courts
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To act with common sense, according to the moment, is the best wisdom I know; and the best philosophy, to do one's duties, take the world as it comes, submit respectfully to one's lot, bless the goodness that has given us so much happiness with it, whatever it is, and despise affectation.
Horatio Walpole0 -
No, Sandy just the music. Unless they have something on special education law.
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