Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Went to our local gardens today. Not daffodils but tulips & other beauty.
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Reader, love those photos. So peaceful.
Carole, I’m so out of shape, the backs of my thighs ache. It’s from squatting at the end of the water tank flushing. SO would turn on water for 20 seconds to disturb what’s left in the tank as I squatted down to open the drain; and to close it. Felt like we did that forever. So I understand your knee pain. Take it easy
We were able to get out tonight for a walk. Sun was setting, and a breeze picked up, I even wore a light fleece. Too hot in the day but evening, with daylight hanging on seems to be good.
I ran around with a gf to a bunch of stores today. Lowe’s - she bought a new ceiling fan; Kohl’s, $ store, Publix, and Aldi’s.
Have you seen the price of chocolate Easter candy? Through the roof. I looked on Amazon where I grabbed a lot of Easter candy last year. This year they’re not even close to what I bought in price nor size of item. I may switch it up to a gift certificate to grandnieces favorite - Chipotle.
Tomorrow is our last Spring training baseball game, Twins vs Red Sox. Sad that it’s ending, but no more running to games.
Have a great day!
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reader - those are beautiful spring pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Cindy - your fixit skills continue to amaze me. Squatting is no longer a skill I can do as my knees do not want to bend that far. Hope you feel better tomorrow.
Carole - sorry to hear your knee is bothering you. I applaud you for continuing to workout, albeit at a slower pace. There is no point in pushing it as you could make the pain worse.
betrayal - thanks for the lovely poem.It’s been a long, hot, busy couple of days. Sunday we did a tour of Hue which is the former capital of Vietnam. Yesterday, we did a DMZ tour focused on the Tet offensive of 1968 at Khe Sanh and the tunnels made by Vietnamese villagers to hide from the bombing at Vinh Moc. I realize the war is still a sensitive topic with some and I respect that. The tour was, of course, told from the Vietcong point of view. While I always enjoy learning, I do not always agree with the ideology espoused by the tour guides. I think we can all agree there was a senseless loss of life on both sides., including my 21 yo cousin in 1967. What I do enjoy is connecting with people. The tour guide was excellent and while I don’t agree with their POV on many things, I found it interesting to be able to connect on a human level. She is a woman in her 50’s and the mother of two adult sons and a 5 yo granddaughter. So,we enjoyed chatting about our kids. In short, we all care for our families and this is a common connection.
Today we drove 90 minutes to a beach resort on the South China Sea. Waving hello to all.
Imperial City of ancient Hue
Vinh Moc Tunnels (this is my 6’1” husband) these tunnels are slightly larger than some.
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Harley, I have enjoyed your sightseeing in Vietnam. You're a good tour guide. It makes perfect sense that the Vietnamese have their own view of war in their country. I think the viewpoint of a majority of Americans is that the war didn't accomplish anything and cost lives and money. I know that's the view of my MN neighbor and Vietnam veteran, Lyman. He just turned 80 and still has nightmares about his tour of duty in the jungles.
Cindy, my advice would have been to buy a new hot water heater. LOL.
Another sunny day here. Like many other parts of the country, we have a deficit of rain and none in the forecast this week.
Hi to everyone. Enjoy your day.
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A thing of beauty is a joy forever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.
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Harley, my BIL’s brother passed a few weeks back. He was a Vietnam vet. I’m sure the point of views differ. Enjoying the pictures, although I’m not sure if I could go into one of those tunnels.
Carole, we’re trying to avoid replacing the water heater, to save some cash. We are also in dire straights here from lack of rain - we’re listed as being in an extreme drought.
Today was the last spring training game, regular MLB starts tomorrow. I was able to buy SO a nice spring training tee shirt on sale; they had a few specific to the Grapefruit League - which won’t sell back in Minnesota is my guess.Then back at our outfield seats a ball was hit - coming right at us. I’m yelling, it’s going to hit us! SO caught it bare handed, while I ducked away.
Stepson said it was shown on ESPN as he was watching. But we were a blip in the background. He found the 2 run home run and grabbed a screen shot of us - blurry. SO is catching the ball, it’s me turning away to preserve my face. Haha!
He got the ball and an ice pack from the usher. On the palm of his had you could see the stitching from the ball. It was a nice way up end our season of spring training baseball.Temperatures are running higher than normal. We may get some rain over the weekend, fingers crossed, we need it.
Hope you have a good one!
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quality4jeannie - great news!
My DD saga continues. She called Thursday morning to say the anesthesialogist wanted clearance from her dentist. Surgery postponed. Dentist saw her Friday and pulled the tooth yesterday. Surgeon said to call when she gets the dental clearance. We were within an hour of leaving for the airport. Mad dash to cancel flights, parking, rental car, dog sitter etc. So now we wait again. At least I've got the list from the first run. I'm sure it will be after Easter. I changed my knee repair until May 21st. Very helpful surgery scheduler. So we wait…
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Then there is a still higher type of courage - the courage to brave pain, to live with it, to never let others know of it and to still find joy in life; to wake up in the morning with an enthusiasm for the day ahead.
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Good morning. I feel a little better. I have enjoyed the pictures of Spring and Vietnam. Half of my family is from Vietnam.
Picture is from a couple of weeks ago in Murphy NC.
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Cindy, what a way to end the spring training baseball season!!
One year dh was on the weather channel. He was arriving at an rv park in MS with our 5th wheel camper when a tv reporter interviewed him. We were evacuating to avoid a hurricane. His sister was watching the weather channel and saw the interview. She was astonished.
Taco, I must have missed a post about your DD's dental issues. Hoping for things to work out for her benefit—and yours. With luck, maybe Congress will act to end the airport fiasco before you have to catch your plane.
Another beautiful spring day here. I will go to the gym and, afterwards, go to lunch with my exercise friends. I may attend the class and be modify any routines that seem too rigorous.
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A day full of surprises, none of which were really fun. I had a follow-up CT of my chest scheduled for 11 today and knew I needed to get bilateral knee x-rays for my Ortho appointment in April. I did not want to have to make a second trip or show up an hour before the Ortho appointment to have them done since the wait time would be awful between x-ray finishing quickly and the Ortho one running late.
So I called on Monday to get an appointment for my knees only to learn they had never put one on MyChart. The appointment person was nice enough to call the office who told her to tell me to wait, and they would post one in 30 minutes, then I would be able to schedule my appointment. I did and was able to schedule it online.
I forgot that the CT scan was a paper script since that group is not on the EPIC system even though it is considered part of the health system. I show up at 10:15 to learn that neither script was available on MyChart even though I was able to complete registration forms for both online. How does that happen? Of course, I realize my script for the CT is at home and to run home and then return would not work timewise. They were able to call and get the office to fax them the script.
I get called up to get my ID bracelet and learn there is no order for my knees in MyChart, yet after a few minutes of searching and they were able to find one but it needed to be authorized. Meanwhile the CT tech, who is a real sweetheart, says I'll take her back and you can straighten this out because after her CT I will take her directly to x-ray for her knee study. The desk had wanted me to return to them before getting my knees done. I did thank both receptionists on my way out for going the extra mile so I could get both studies done and I was actually out of there before the original schedule time for my CT scan. Now I can worry about the results.
Then out of the blue I get a call from the place where I store my furs (if you hate fur owners, keep it to yourself) and have since I purchased them eons ago. They are going out of business and closing as of this Saturday. No one had notified us prior to this call, but the guy who called recognized our names from their other store which closed awhile ago. He had worked there, knew us from there and decided to call us to let us know we need to make a trip to their original store, which is where furs were always stored. So we will have a change of plans for tomorrow and make a run to NJ for them. Then I need to find space in a closet that will keep them cool, so I think it will be my closet upstairs. However, DH was able to find a possible fur storage place so I'll give them a call to see if they can take them.
Had an appointment to get Covid boosters today in preparation for our trip in April. We arrived early and the pharmacist was available so we were in an out in lest than 15 minutes. One less concern now. Tomorrow I need to get bloods drawn for PCP visit next week and that will be my last visit for March. Only 2 scheduled for April and then none until June.
DH decided he will go alone tomorrow and it he returns at a reasonable time, we may run to Costco. If not, then we'll go next week. Regan needs her teeth cleaned and he is calling to see when they could do it. She's not very cooperative when we try to brush her teeth and it is her molars that are of concern.
I hemmed 3 pairs of trousers, I had purchased, Monday night. Even thought they were supposed to be "short", I still need to take them up. Yesterday was a dental cleaning and afterwards drove to Great Clips for a 5 minute trim and bang trim. I needed it and was trying to wait until they sent me a coupon, but wanted it done for the trip. I am a no fuss customer, take 1.5 inches off the length and trim the bangs, and really I wasn't in the chair for more than 5 minutes. Should get a discount, lol, since they don't have to fuss.
Today is much warmer than yesterday, it's in the mid 50's, but after the 30 degree drop between Saturday and Sunday, welcome. Still hazy and overcast, with a breeze, so it feels cooler.
harley07, DB is a Vietnam vet and would take issue with the POV of your guides. He still doesn't discuss the war and has the Agent Orange exposure issues he suffered then. He is on 100% disability due to it. I am glad you are enjoying the trip and I do love your photos. But name a government that doesn't have its own form of propaganda, our own included, since they dropped the Agent Orange on their own soldiers.
cindyny, loved the story about your SO catching the fly ball. How is his hand doing? I am sure that stung and happy they provide ice packs to those lucky enough to catch a ball. Game opener, I think, is tomorrow for us. Since knee replacement, I can squat again, but not for any prolonged length of time. Loved the photo.
taco, sorry about the delay in both surgeries. I know the wait is longer than you wanted, but better any dental issues are addressed before major surgery. Hoping the change in plans means a better outcome for all.
reader425, loved the photos of the tulips, azaleas and the sunning turtles. The ponds down the road have huge snapping turtles in them and occasionally we see them trying to cross the road.
petite1, glad you are feeling better and your photos of the daffodils in NC were pretty. I'll wait until my multiple beds are in bloom and take photos to post then.
Chris and eleanora, thanks for the feedback on the daffodil poem. It is a favorite of mine, too.
Hope everyone had a great day and waving "hi" to all.
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If one by one we counted people out For the least sin, it wouldn't take us long To get so we had no one left to live with. For to be social is to be forgiving.
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This has been boondoggle week. I could not locate blood work order online today and thought it was because they had just done an update on the MyChart screens. So I grabbed the paper copies and dragged them with me when I left here about 7:30. When I have to fast, I get up early and get there early because they do walk-in appointments for blood work. The receptionist tells me she can't find my orders online and insists these have been drawn in September. I tell her I get them done every 4-6 months and I have the paper orders for them. She says she'll have to call the office, advises me to go home and wait for her call. Nope, I'll wait because if I go home, I'm not coming back. So I wait and the other receptionist comes over to tell me that the issue is the order was written to expire in 6 months or on 3/15 (BTW, this was a Sunday and they don't work on weekends). I tell her I don't understand because my appointment is for 3/30 and this is a first for me with an expired order. So I wait until they get through to the office for a new script and once they do (took about 35 minutes) the wait was less than 10 minutes to get bloods drawn. She advised I tell them I want a one year expiration date for all scripts especially for blood work. I thanked both of them on my way out for going the extra mile. Thankfully it was not busy this morning, which is why I usually don't go on Mondays or Tuesdays.
I am still plugging away on reading Les Miserables. I am finally in over 700 pages with less than 400 to go to finish. It is slower reading than I anticipated, but I am enjoying his writing style and what I am learning about the political, historical, and cultural times in France during this era. It is a hefty tome where some sections move faster than others, and I want to finish it before we leave for vacation the end of April.
It's finally sunny, with temps to reach 75 this afternoon, and then tomorrow we plunge back into cold weather yet again. I hate this seesaw weather pattern. It has the plants and trees confused since they are budding and then the next day the buds are in danger of frost.
Lots of excitement on the news for opening day for the Phillies. Now they are letting you bring in food as long as it is in a clear bag which is a big help because the prices in the park can be staggering. Seems Victus bats, used by major players, are made locally in King of Prussia.
I have laundry to do, just sheets and towels which won't take long. DH will be out so I think I'll mop the kitchen, powder room and laundry room, too. I should be able to open the back door, pull the screen up and they will dry faster.
More daffodils are starting to bloom and after today's temp, I am sure many will bloom later today.
Waving "hi" to everyone and hope everyone has a great day.
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Cindy - wow! What a memory for the end of spring training and to have a screenshot! How is SO’s hand feeling? I can’t imagine the speed with which the ball hit his hand.
Taco - sorry to hear DD needs dental work prior to surgery. Fingers crossed that the TSA mess is resolved before you need to fly.Betrayal - how frustrating with the medical orders. It’s annoying and confusing for you and creates extra work on their end. Most of my doctors put a one year expiration date on orders although at each quarterly visit with the GYN Onc I need to remind them to put in an order for the next CA-125 blood test. Since these visits will be ongoing for many years I’m not sure why I need to remind them to do this.
When I tried to make a mammogram appointment at the 18 month mark after BC, the breast surgeon said I did not need a diagnostic mammogram beyond the 6 month mark. The hospital said I did and refused to make the appointment. The surgeon refused to modify her order so we were at a stalemate. At that point I decided the mammogram apparently was not that important and did not get one until last year which was the first time in four years. No plans to get one this year. The hospital system that treated me for breast cancer seems to take a very laissez-faire approach to breast cancer. I’ve seen on other threads on this site that women in their 80’s are being diagnosed with BC, yet I have an 82 yo friend from the food pantry who would like a mammogram but her PCP refused to allow it. Go figure.
We are enjoying the beach resort in central Vietnam and doing a whole lot of nothing.
Fishing boats using net fishing for grouper.
The view on our walk this morning. Our room is set high on a hill but walking is optional as they run golf carts all day long, up and down the hill to transport guests.
DH doing a whole lot of nothing (as was I)
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Harley, nice pictures. I have never been to Asia so thank you for sharing. It is on my bucket list but will not happen.
Cindy, our medical system needs an overhaul for sure! Your situation is one reason I try to stay within the same HMO which fortunately for my area is huge. All orders etc. are kept in the same portal. And what a great BB memory. My DS once saved my DD from major trauma when he caught a hockey puck headed right in front of her face at a game once. His hand hurt for days! The on-sight EMTs were quick to respond since it was at the Air Force Academy. Unfortunately there were no cameras to catch the moment, but he does have the hockey puck!
It is hot here in Colorado but is supposed to cool down next week. Good thing as we have a couple of large fires raging. The ski resports are all shutting down early.
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I'm going to start posting some of my own poetry from time to time. Hope you all enjoy!
MORNINGS
Some of the mornings when I arise
it seems that sleep’s stuck in my eyes.
My head feels just as thick as clay,
I’m not quite ready for this day.So what’s a sleepy gal to do
but make the coffee, add the goo.
With a little sugar and some cream
I might just wake up from this dream!(11/22/20 ©Jeannie M Myers)
ELUSIVE COMFORT
Comfort, comfort, where art thou?
Can't seem to find it anywhere now
Each day brings news that makes me cry
Each night brings dreams we'll soon all dieI search within my knowledge stores
and wisdom found on many shores
No answers arise from near or far
Guess I'll just go eat a chocolate bar(2/22/17 ©Jeannie M Myers)
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Jeannie, I have that problem. This morning I woke up at 4:30, a bit early for me. But I was aching all over. I discovered that my med trays were empty. I have changed my routine lately, usually I do it on Saturday mornings. I filled for just three days, took meds, had some coffee and cereal, and went back to bed and slept 2hr 30min more. I am thinking of setting my alarm for 4:00 to take morning meds.
Harley, beautiful pictures. Any trips scheduled for wreckage of a terrible war? I have a classmate who is 5ft 5in at most. The army really loved him. He is lucky to have survived, whole.
My doctors have annuals registered a year ahead. Then at six months they call or send a note to schedule. No glitches.
I bought a set of sheets, washed them immediately. The bottom sheet shrank a bit too much, but I think I will keep them anyway. I am only going to get pure cotton from now on. Also got new pillows, and my neck and shoulder pain is getting better. Generalized aches, not so much.
Petite, are those daffodils, crocus, or grass? Or maybe you don't know yet.
Reader, beautiful flowers!
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Our next-door neighbors texted yesterday, early afternoon, to invite us for a boat ride on their pontoon about 5 pm. We accepted and enjoyed the ride on the Tchefuncta River, which is a beautiful river with swampy terrain along some of the banks and also some homes in the mansion category. They have invited us in the past, always on the spur of the moment, and I always refused. I'm not a spur of the moment person, but they gave us a few hours this time. They are young retirees (60's) and always on the go.
I'm playing golf today, probably 9 holes. DH is also playing with his men's group. He always plays 18. He is managing his sciatica with exercises and trying to keep playing golf. So far, it's working.
I'm so glad the Senate finally passed a bill funding DHS except for ICE, which already has huge separate funding. I'm tired of the media coverage of airport agony and unpaid government workers. Taco, you must be relieved that air travel will be improved by the time you take your flights.
Living in south Louisiana has its minuses, but our health care system works smoothly for us. So far so good. We pay a lot for health insurance, but approvals are never a problem.
Happy Friday to everyone.
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Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and repeat to yourself, the most comforting words of all; this, too, shall pass.
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The upside to anger? Getting it out of your system. You got to express your anger. Then you have room for more positive things. If I hold something in a long time, and then I speak it, it's amazing how the light shines so much brighter.
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SO’s palm is bruised. The bruise showed up yesterday. But he says his thumb feels fine.
We’re off to a rally.
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reader425,
I love the turtles!😎
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Thankful that there were no reports of mass shootings at the No Kings rallies. All the huge gatherings seem to have been peaceful. I was fearful for the people protesting this administration. I was with them in spirit but not in presence.
DH and I visited two Saturday markets yesterday morning, one at Covington and the other at Mandeville. Both towns are in easy driving distance. The first market seems to be all food, no crafts. The second market is much larger and includes a lot of crafts and art. Next October when we return from our last summer in MN, dh will apply for a spot in the Mandeville market. Setting up won't be as easy as it is in MN at the Farmers Market, where we can back our truck to our site.
I purchased a loaf of bread and half a flat of strawberries, which are huge and delicious. Also shitake mushrooms. I'll have a slice of the bread for breakfast this morning. Toasted and spread with peanut butter and drizzled with honey.
Happy Sunday.
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cindyny,
Stepson grabbed a screen shot and saved the moment to be cherished.
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Quiet Sunday with sun and temps in mid 50's for a change. It has been dropping into the low 30's overnight though.
Met up with son at Costco on Friday and found some nice lightweight capri's for our fall trip. Funny thing is I am so short they are just the right ankle length for me, so I grab them when I see them, no hemming required. Our cruise is to the South Pacific so I need lighter weight slacks. I have to wear knee high compression stockings so no more true capri's in my wardrobe. They are sheer and skin toned so they are not that visible even when I wear sandals.
The Japanese maple is budding new leaves and that is a good sign that spring is really here. The daffodils and the early spring glories are in full bloom under it, so it is a pretty sight outside the bay window.
I bought fresh made crab cakes at Costco and will give them a try. I have coleslaw and roasted asparagus as sides. I love both, but did not add raisins to my coleslaw today. It's a hit with my family and I love the play of sweet and tart in a salad. BTW, the crab cakes were delicious with virtually no filler like bread and lots of crab. I would buy them again.
DGD was in a violin and string concert on Thursday night. Because there were 400 students in the concert, only parents were given tickets. It was video taped so we will watch it at home. DDIL said it was wonderful and DS said his ears hurt. Sure a difference of opinion, but these were 4th and 5th grade students playing, so you can imagine the skill level varies.
She has a choir concert in May, but we will be in Ireland so we will miss that. She has a good voice and loves to sing. I think this may be the last year they have an organized choir at school.
Tomorrow I have a PCP appointment, but still no results of the CT scan of my chest or the x-rays of my knee replacements. I'll see the pulmonologist on Thursday, so hopefully I have the CT results when I see him. I see ortho on the 14th so they should have results by then. Then I am free of appointments until the very end of May when I see pain management. I may cancel that appointment if I have no issues, hoping I don't have any while away.
Hope everyone had a great Sunday and waving "hi" to everyone.
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Waving hi from us too, and wishing each of you a good week. Keep us posted!
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Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.
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betrayal - you have some awesome trips coming up. Have you been to Ireland previously! Will you be driving? Or are you leaving the driving to others? My nephew and his wife are leaving for Ireland this week and are very excited. Are you going to the South Pacific in fall? 9Which islands will you visit? Wishing you good test results on your CT and X-rays.
carole - your last season in Minnesota? Sorry to hear that. I know you enjoyed the cooler weather during the summer.
Yesterday we flew from Da Nang to Hanoi. Today was our last full day in Vietnam and it was 95 and humid in Hanoi. Thankfully it was overcast (actually it is heavy smog) which helped a bit with the temperature. We did a DIY tour of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long which was the capitol of Vietnam from about 1010 to 1802 when it was moved to Hue (we visited last week). The citadel is only 1.3 miles from our hotel which is easily walkable for us, however given the heat we took a Grab car (Vietnamese version of Uber) both ways. It was a smooth process and allowed us to save our energy for touring the citadel. After we returned to the hotel we walked to one of the many, many coffee shops in the area and had an egg coffee. Coffee culture is very strong in Vietnam and while we aren’t really coffee drinkers we thought we should try it. Sitting down and then getting up from the 12” high stools has been a challenge. We then stopped at a local restaurant for pizza. Spent the rest of the afternoon inside the hotel enjoying the A/C before taking a walk through the Old Quarter tonight.After three weeks of traveling we are ready to come home but have enjoyed every minute of this once in a lifetime trip. We leave very late Tuesday night for the 27 hour journey home (includes a 10 hour layover in Tokyo).
Waving hello to all and hoping everyone’s health is doing well.
Cafe Dinh 13 for coffee
South Gate of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
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