Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Jackie - do you have a corneal abrasion? Those are painful and annoying. Make sure to rest the eye.
Mid 30’s and rain here. At least it is warm enough that we are getting rain rather than sleet or snow. A dreary day all around. I went to the gym earlier than usual today in case the roads turned icy. Tomorrow should be in the forties so I’m hoping to go for a hike in a park.
I returned to volunteering at the food pantry yesterday. It was wonderful to be back and I received a warm welcome. They are such a good group of people. My plan is to resume volunteering every Friday.
Thinking of Betrayal and Petite. Wishing everyone a good Sunday.
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Harley, I love looking at a great lighting display. That picture is a beauty. Congrats to getting back to the food pantry too.
Jackie, I’m not sure if I even have pseudo gout, it may be an excuse to get the MRI approved. I don’t think he’ll find anything from the MRI, but it’s now scheduled for Monday. Hoping your eye feels better tomorrow.
Betrayal, I started rads the day after Christmas in 2017. We went to our regular big Christmas gathering and I was mentally absent. You’re not a downer, but you are in my thoughts.
Taco, our community Christmas dinner was last night. It helps beat the blahs!
Reader, WW is hard this time of year. I’m with you, I don’t deny!
Like I just mentioned, our Christmas dinner at the community clubhouse was last night. We were missing a few regulars but still enjoyed ourselves. Partner won a bottle of Remy Martin. I won nothing. Ha! Food was very good and we had “to go” containers for our neighbors.
Wren, you’re not a wimp, just practical. Treat yourself on MondayThe new garage door opener was installed yesterday. Today I thought the lights in it were very bright. Well, they used what they could find in my garage - which was two 3-way bulbs! (50/100/150) I replaced them this afternoon with regular bulbs and brought the 3-way ones into the living room. Nice and bright where we sit now.
I’m off to dye my roots. I now get an extra week since going dark blonde. Ha! The things that make me happy.
Enjoy the weekend! Petite, thinking of you too.
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I got a note from Karen this morning, so decided to post. I am settled into my new apartment.
I have an appointment with the plastic surgeon's PA in January. I have maintained my weight at 163 for several years (thanks to Tippy), and I'm tired of carrying a big balloon of water on my chest. Hoping for a smaller implant. No longer seeing the oncologist, it has been six years, and lefty never gave me and my babies any problems. Righty was problematic since the beginning.
Knee is doing well, although the temporary housing situation meant 18 steps going up and down stairs multiple times a day, and moving meant a lot of walking and carrying heavy weights. It has been more painful since then.
I am busy with my writing project right now, and this should last for a while.
Tippy is intensely bonded with me now, and we are encountering frustration at my inability to read his mind. Nonverbal stuff only goes so far. We have had two communication problems recently that could have been serious. So I bought us a Christmas gift of a button system (Fluent Pet) that is a big improvement over what we had before. I have been watching their videos, and I think he has been listening to them, too.
I am writing again, and eager to finish it up.
Not going to catch up. Too many pages.
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If I can think of myself as loved, I can love and accept others. If I see myself as forgiven, I can be gracious toward others. If I see myself as powerful, I can do what I know is right. If I see myself as full, I can give myself freely to others.
Kathy Peel
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Good morning after an all-day rain yesterday and through the night. It is gray and 47 right now so I expect more rain — if not through the day, then tonight. This is much more like the holiday seasons we have had in the past. Temps will be higher for awhile so no idea what the big day will be like.
Chris, it is so good to hear from you at last. Many of your friends here were concerned when we didn't hear from you for some time. We haven't heard from Sandy either. So glad it seems like things are going fairly well for you. Glad you are moved. Your new place sounds very nice. I had no idea you had so many stairs in the other apt. I'm sure you said at some time but I forget things a whole lot easier then remembering these days. Sounds like Tippy is okay with the move as well. Glad you have him.
If you haven't been keeping up, we have a new companion here. Lil' Red. He is a miniature Schnauzer. We just got him neutered. Pretty lively he is for us older folk, but he will settle in time. He will be an only dog because we are not into multiples of anything much anymore. When we rescued, we always had too many cats and dogs, but physically and financially it is no longer a good thing for us.
Harley it sounds like we are having pretty similar weather. It is going to stay warm I think thru the week so who knows how much rain we might get. This is much more like previous holiday periods — no snow, but plenty of rain. It is one of the reasons we have held off going through the X-mas story and all the lights in the big park down the street from us. We were hoping for a nice gentle falling snow evening — but who knows, we might end up going in the rain.
Chris, hope you can join in more often now. Hopefully, Sandy too will be able to get back.
note: my eye is better this a.m. The annoying feeling and constant watering are gone but my sight is a bit blurry. Hoping that clears us as well.
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Tolerance, a term which we sometimes use in place of the words respect, mercy, generosity, or forbearance, is the most essential element of moral systems; it is a very important source of spiritual discipline and a celestial virtue of perfected people.
Fethullah Gülen
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I solved the Christmas question: "Should I get the Christmas tree down from the attic this year and decorate it?" Yesterday while my brother from Oklahoma was here visiting, he and dh got the tree down from the attic, loaded it into the back of dh's new pickup, and we took it to my sister's house. Now it will no longer be in the attic. It will be in her attic. She can deal with the Christmas question.
We had a siblings get together on Saturday and four of the six siblings were there. Two had excuses and didn't come. We had wonderful food prepared by my middle brother, who hosted the party at his son's beautiful new home. I hope I'm not repeating myself because I'm fully capable of doing that. There was definitely no WW self denial and I'm steering clear of scales for a while.
It's good to know that Chris is settled in a new apartment and seems to be content. At some point Sandy will probably assure us that she is and has been doing well.
Happy Monday to all.
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Good afternoon. I'm on late today. Daughter has not been doing well, and her hubby took her to the emergency room last night. She was thinking she had bronchitis that might be turning into pneumonia. Anyway, I'm glad he did. She got a massive amt. of antibiotics in a I.V. and some steroid (she actually sounds a lot better today) and a prescription. Wish I could get her to quit smoking. When you are sick with upper respiratory issues smoking just totally irritates and certainly likely slows down getting over your infection.
At long last, huh Carole. You have a perfect solution, and no tree stashed in your attic. Hooray!!! Good for you too, having a no holds barred family holiday get together and partaking joyously without considering Wt. Watchers — there are just times. You are so good at doing your program that most likely you will be shedding any excess fairly quickly after all the festivities are out of the way.
No real plans for the day — couple of small things, but nothing outstanding. I'm so happy that daughter finally GOT some help for her cold/URI that I'm not obsessing over anything right now.
Hope you all have a good day. Hi again to Chris and hopefully Sandy soon as well.
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Chris - good to have you check in. You have been missed! Are you revising your book or doing something new? Either way - good for you. Ken always thought I had a book in me but I never have. And Karen is doing okay? I miss her too.
We gave our tree to the thrift store several years ago but DD has been sending us a small tree made with fresh branches from Maine. This year's is particularly lovely and I smile every time I look at it. My mother used to tell us to only buy stuff they could use up or eat up and I understand that now.
Have a good week ladies.
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Good morning! My results came in and no cancer. The lump is an enlarged lymph node and just needs to be monitored. Yay! And my pool repairs are finally finished. Yay. Now, payments for a long time. I hate debt.
Harley, loved the decorations. Great picture.
Chris, good to hear from you.
Now, if could just hear from Sandy.
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Good news, Petite! And a beautiful pool.
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I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.
J.B. Priestley
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Good morning. The sun is finally out which always delights me. It may rain tonight, but we don't have sun at night so it's okay by me. It is indicative of our continued warmer temperatures as well. Not sure how long they will last, but it is more like the majority of our Christmas season the last few years. The first couple of times we had rain for Christmas it was something of a novelty but sure isn't now. Een though it can be worrisome for anyone traveling Christmas Day is so pretty if we have a White one.
Petite — yay for you and the and the early Christmas present of no cancer. Also a finished (and very good looking) pool. Glad all has worked out for the better for you.
We haven't had a tree here since the second or third yr. we lived in his house which is over 20 yrs. now. We had many rescue cats and they were 'tree' climbers. The last yr. we had the tree it was the first time when I truly felt our tree was nearly perfect and so were the decorations. That is until the cats knocked it over about three times. We finally got fishing line and tied it to the ceiling, but it remained a site for sore eyes. The next yr. we got a wreath for the wall behind where the tree use to sit. Now we don't even use the wreath. We are content back here in the woods — just knowing it is Christmas. We feel blessed every day to have life and still be able to enjoy so much of it. We also take joy from other's celebrations who likely charge up our spirits too.
Taco — your "Maine" tree sounds so delightful and I think I'm smelling the Maine woods pine too.
I hope you all have a wonderful day.
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Karen is doing fine. I was really worried for a while.
Yes, petite. Beautiful pool, and almost an essential in your climate. Glad your concern was eased.
Yes, taco. Yet another revision, which amounts to a large addition. I had already made many cuts before this came up, so still plenty of room. Most books that have taken almost 20 years to write are huge. This, no. Amounts to a journal of personal discovery, so I have been free to cut without regret. My earliest efforts have disappeared.
I have a two foot high fiber optic tree and a nativity set on display. Joseph is ten inches tall, their complexions are pale, except the wise man, who looks like he came from South Sudan. Made in China, what else should you expect.
Yes, Jackie. Looks like your daughter made it to the emergency room early enough. There are some people here who have smoked for years and years and cough like idiots. Some with COPD. This place is less restrictive on personal lifestyle, for which I am glad. I share an entrance with a guy who has been in and out of prison a number of times. I use the back door, he uses the front door, and we are happy.
Tippy and I have been having communication problems. The guessing game gets old after a while. I bought us a more sophisticated button system than we tried in the past. Hopefully he is motivated enough this time, and our bond is stronger.
Just got back from the dentist.
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Love to such supportive community members ♥️
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A beautiful summery day here. 77 degrees but we're comfortable without the a/c. The back door is open and a window in the bedroom. I dusted off my golf clubs and played 9 holes of golf this morning with two other women. I could have played the back 9 but play was slow. Our club has two golf courses, but only one was open. I'm not sure why. Maybe maintenance.
According to my weather app, we'll have sunny days all the way to Christmas day with mild temperatures. The high on Christmas day is forecast to be 65 degrees. No snowmen for south Louisiana.
Hope today is a good day for everyone.
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Fantastic news Petite!!
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Petite, no cancer is great news! Your pool looks beautiful. Glad you’ve got that work behind you.
Chris, welcome back! Glad to hear your move went well. Sharing your entry way.. you came up with a good solution.
Jackie, I’m glad your daughter got meds she needs to get better. As an ex-smoker (quit in ‘85), it’s an addiction and hard to quit.
Carole, glad you got out for some golf. It’s good to be active.
Taco, I love the smell of fresh greenery. That’s a lovely gift.
No results of the MRI in my portal. We’re stocking up special requests of food, niece and grandniece arriving on Friday. I ran around grabbing some gifts early today. In the afternoon we did the groceries. I ordered tickets to a Cirque show that we were supposed to have seen during covid that ended up cancelled. This time we’re seeing it. I also booked a boat tour as well. I think I’m done! I’m trying for less stuff and more making memories.
If weather holds out on Thursday we’re boating with friends. Friday before guests arrive we’re headed to Music Walk down next to the river, and meeting friends for dinner. Afterwards we head to the airport - family arriving after midnight! Tomorrow, the hush before the storm.2 -
Cindy, you're busy as normal. Good idea to choose gifts that make memories.
The view out the windows this morning is white. Fog not snow. Glad I have nowhere I have to go. The fog should have lifted by 11:15 when I drive to the gym for a senior exercise class.
Jackie, hope your daughter is doing much better this morning. I wish she could break the smoking habit, expensive with no health benefits.
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We can choose to gather to our hearts the thorns of disappointment, failure, loneliness, and dismay in our present situation. Or we can gather the flowers of God's grace, boundless love, abiding presence, and unmatched joy. I choose to gather the flowers. -Barbara Johnson
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Good morning. I think it did rain last night at some time. Looks pretty wet outside — clear though and the sun is trying to break out of the clouds and so is muted for now. Daughter is better, but a ways to go.
Carole, I too wish both my kids would stop smoking. And Cindy it is a BAD addiction to try and get loose from for sure. Over time so many more addictive substances become a part of the whole deal. I quit myself 26yrs. come Jan 1, and wish I had done it even sooner. And to me now the price is astronomical. I think to myself and that is what my kids work for — to afford something that often totally destroys your health.
Nothing special for today as yet. Dh had his cancer removal yesterday. He says the bandage is too tight and making his head throb. Guess he spent a bad night so has called in order to get an apt. for someone to loosen the bandage. He was to be able to remove it himself in a couple of days and then have stitches out on Friday. I would loosen it myself, but I'm wondering how/why they got it so tight in the first place so I'm reluctant to do anything here at home. He seems to run into these sorts of issues most of the time when he does anything nowadays.
Hope you all have a fantastic day.
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Illinoislady - happy to hear your daughter is on the mend. Smoking is so difficult to quit. DH has smoked on and off in the 48 yrs we’ve been together and just can’t kick the habit. He is not allowed to smoke in the house. Sorry to hear about your DH - hope he can find some relief tomorrow.
Carole - We are looking at the other kind of white stuff tomorrow late afternoon. The kind of stuff that needs to be shoveled. We’ll try to get out for a hike earlier in the day.Cindy - I totally agree with the ‘making memories’ type of gift. It never wears out, takes up physical space or gets outdated.
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Four to six inches. And I am going to get molds taken for my new hearing aids! Luckily I will be taking a cab. And it is not far. I vaped to quit smoking, and now I have a problem with my vocal cords that the vaping probably made worse. Tippy woke me up this morning by dancing on my bladder. 😄 Dental evaluation, pins in front in my lower jaw, new upper and lower. I have been making do without a lower for six years since UHC refused to pay for my upper.
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Good morning. There is sun and it will get to at least 42 today. So, we are still sort of holding. Perhaps more rain on Friday, but the temps will stay in the 40's.
We never allowed smoking in our houses either. Too hard to wash walls, drapes, curtains. light fixtures — you get the drift. We have to do that anyway, but it can be on better rotation. I do feel for anyone who is addicted to anything — I think all addictions can be difficult. My sister was addicted to gambling before she died so there are all sorts of things. I'm trying to be addicted to happiness and serenity which as most of you know is sure going to be difficult in the next few years.
Chris, glad you found a way to "quit". I used Zyban many yrs. ago. It totally wiped out the deep craving which is what I needed so much. Not sure if it is still in use or not. Back then, if you forgot and took a second pill you would likely have a seizure — so I quit taking the pills after two weeks. I think it made it a longer mental addiction that way, I think — but I still managed. One day about a yr. and a half after I suddenly realized it had been about three months, and I hadn't wished to smoke once during that time. So, the mental addiction was then gone as well.
I hope you all have a grand day.
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I started smoking cigarettes in graduate school because I thought it was a "sophisticated" habit. I stopped at age 40 and it wasn't difficult except for parties. Drinking and smoking seemed to go together. I was never a heavy smoker and I don't think I ever really enjoyed smoking. DH stopped smoking a pipe at the same time. We were going to Europe and decided it would be simpler not to be smokers for the five weeks we would be traveling, using Eurail passes. When we returned home, we never resumed the habit. From the non-smoker's point of view, sucking smoke into one's lungs and blowing it out seems idiotic. And now smokers are made to feel like outsiders with No Smoking signs everywhere. It's ironic that smoking marijuana is more acceptable now than smoking regular tobacco.
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Having struggled with depression all my life, thought control is important to me. Lately, I frequently smell old fashioned marijuana in numerous places. It smells good, although I do not partake for the above reason. My problem with smoking was the comfort of the associated motor activity.
In relation to the Conquistadores, I am researching "gold hunger", which was named as an addiction in 400 AD. "The more you have, the more you want." Probably one of the most harmful addictions in human history.
Audiologist cancelled— satellite office, and a drive in from La Crosse.
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We were able to get out today with our friends boating on the Caloosahatchee river. It was super hot, 84 w full sun, so the breeze of the boat felt great.
The sun shot is for Jackie.
Smoking - I quit with hypnosis. I was one of four coworkers who went together to a session. Long story I think I’ve told before. Two were smoking again within a week. Myself and another lady were zombies at our desks, but we held out and both quit. Many years later she died from lung cancer.
I had vivid dreams of smoking - I’d wake up and think I was out last night in a bar, smoking. Felt very real. In one dream I was at a gf house and we were smoking by her built in pool; but upon waking I knew it was a dream as she had died before I graduated in 1977. I’ve read these are called “addict” dreams, where the addict dreams they’re “using” again. I’m glad I quit. About the same time a cousin also quit, so near 40 years ago - she still can smell a cigarette and want one. That’s my story.
My nieces arrive tomorrow night. Let the festivities begin!0 -
Interesting story of quitting smoking, Cindy. Nice photos from the boat ride.
We're back to some days of Louisiana winter. This morning it's 44 degrees outside and sunny. When it warms up, I have committed myself to going outside and doing some weeding and pruning instead of going to the gym.
This morning I'm back to my pre-Thanksgiving weight. Yay! Yesterday I had lunch with two women friends at Rip's on the Lakefront, a favorite restaurant. I made a WW wise and delicious choice of Shrimp Remoulade Salad and brought half of it home. Pat on the back.
Happy Friday to everyone.
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Superfluous wealth can buy superfluities only.
Money is not required to buy one necessity of the soul.
Henry David Thoreau0
