Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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1946taco: so sorry you are going through these tough times. I will be praying for your Dabbie and Ken. And for you as you go through it with them.
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A book is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, a party, a company by the way, a counselor, a multitude of counselors.
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Don't worry, guys. I just ordered ketone test strips to make sure I don't let that get too high.
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Sorry I'm popping in so belatedly, but things are moving fast here, what with home repairs, appointments (medical & other), upcoming travel, vet visits and now—yesterday—new car (first time I didn't have to buy one "under the gun"). Subaru Forester Hybrid. I will offer comfort as soon as I have time to log back in (I did see in a post above mine that you're having difficulties, Taco—sorry you & yours are having to deal with this). More later
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I saw this posted today on NextDoor and thought I would share.
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Taco - I’m so sorry to hear about the difficulties you are facing. I hope that DD’s surgery can be scheduled soon and wishing you the best that Ken can handle the trip.
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I, too, am thinking about you with supportive thoughts, Taco.
Chris, your post was somewhat baffling. I must have missed something.
Sandy, glad you checked in briefly, and everything is ok with you. Looking forward to more communication when you have time.
Cindy, hope the concert lived up to your expectations.
I began to have problems opening my favorite sites yesterday afternoon, including NYT and BC.org. DH had problems with Libby, his source for downloading ebooks and audio books. This morning I manually turned off the wifi at the modem and re-started it, using the phone app. Hallelujah. Everything is working again. It's weird that my apple phone and my laptop showed that the wifi was on and things weren't working. I definitely don't like being "unplugged." LOL. However, I'm not one of those people constantly checking my phone. I make sure I turn off the sound when I go to exercise class.
No lunch date today. Just exercise class and some household chores and figuring out what's for dinner. I'm conscious of needing to empty out the freezer before we depart for MN on May 21.
Happy Friday.
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Your problem is how you are going to spend this one odd and precious life you have been issued. Whether you're going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over people and circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are.
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I think Chris's message was in relation to her using the Atkin's diet. It can cause stress or damage to the kidneys leading to development of kidney stones, plus joint pain and gout. Testing for ketones can help identify potential issues. It's a wise move on her part.
Taco, any new news on Debbie? Bell's palsy is usually due to a viral causation. The inflammation associated with this can attack the facial nerve. I'm not aware of any association with a dental issue. I am so glad that her Bell's palsy dx did lead to them identifying her carotid artery issues. It was a lifesaver in disguise, though a painful and somewhat disfiguring one. However, an occluded carotid artery is life threatening, so a good catch by that physician. I am sorry to hear how taxing this trip will be on Ken physically and mentally. I really can't find the words to offer to comfort you, so I'll offer a ((HUG)).
I talked to my BFF since I will miss her significant birthday in May. DD and DSIL will attend her party in my stead and deliver the presents I have for her. She likes bourbon, Jif peanut butter, and as a gag gift I got her a bottle of Sloe gin. Seems PA doesn't stock the latter in our state liquor stores, so I had to special order it. It arrived on Wednesday and I have a 10 pack of small Seagram's ginger ale cans. This was our drink of choice when we were poor students. The party is about a week before we return home.
Then DSIL tells me that my niece's baby shower is the same weekend! So I would have had back to back parties. It's either feast or famine with social events anymore. She is having a boy and loves Toy Story as her favorite movie. I found some Toy Story bedding (quilt, sheet and crib skirt) that I'll purchase and mail to her. She is the youngest daughter of my closest brother and this is her first baby. The baby is due the end of July. They had 3 daughters, already have one granddaughter and one grandson, so he is a bonus.
I'm still plugging away on the one family history. It was complicated by the fact that I was trying to document with more detail the offspring of my ggm's siblings. She was one of 6 children, of which only 3 (including her), made it to adulthood. She lived to be 95, outliving the other 2 by over a decade. Her brother's children were quite prolific and one of his daughter's birthed 13 children. They all lived to adulthood, married and each had at least 2 children. it took 2 days of data collecting to track each of them and I decided not to pursue beyond the second cousin at that point. My ggm had 2 sons, and one remained a bachelor. Her sister's family was also 2 sons. My gf fathered 9 children and my mother was number 8 of 9, so she had nieces and nephews about her age by the time she was born. Having 13 children reach adulthood is a feat in itself, considering they had no vaccines, rampant communicable diseases, and no antibiotics. Interesting history, now I have to determine how to weave it into the family history.
harley07, I am down to 2 parakeets. The daughter and one parent (also 11 years old) and they are quite vocal. I still have my musical canary, Bumblebee, who has been serenading me a lot lately. Thanks for asking.
Sandy, good to hear from you. I can understand how busy you have been.
It is sunny, headed into the 60's with a warmer weekend predicted, like summer, and a mild breeze. I hope everyone has a wonderful day and waving "hi" to everyone.
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Here are some photos of the daffodil varieties I have. I am missing the orange trumpet ones that are elsewhere.
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I like the idea of an older gals forum, the issues are somewhat different. Maybe pre or post menopausal is a good definition. Even though treatment throws you into menopause if you are pre.
I'm 65, was diagnosed the first time in 2014, very straightforward, just lumpectomy and radiation plus tamoxifen/letrozole for 5 years. Diagnosed 2nd time in 2024 with triple negative, stage 3c. Had Keynote protocol - chemo, immunotherapy, surgery (bilateral mastectomy), radiation. I had to go back for full node dissection. Only had partial response to chemo. Am on Xeloda now. My husband had cancer, I was his caregiver, he passed away last year. So I am really trying to figure out what life looks like now. 2 adult children, going to be a grandmother soon. Live in Toronto. I'm anxious about what post-treatment looks like.
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Welcome, honeymoonkaminski, to the club no one wants to join. However, the membership here is supportive, open to all and kind. We share our treatment experiences and while many of us are post-treatment we listen and offer advice as needed.
You definitely barely made post-menopausal with your first dx, and the recurrence a decade later must have been an unwelcome surprise. Sorry about this and the loss of your DH last year. The last 2 years for you seem to have been difficult? Life after treatment differs for each of us, but we do seem to reach a point where we are able to discover there is more to life than BC.
The fact that you have 2 grown children and are expecting a grandchild is a plus for post-treatment, especially if your children can offer assistance as needed. The new grandchild is something to look forward to as it will provide a new focus for life.
I had my BC dx and tx, shortly after my granddaughter was born and was sad that as a newborn, I really could not hold her. She will be 11 this year and my saying to her is "I love you to the moon and back" which she has altered to be "love you to the moon and the back" since she was about 2.
Please feel free to post as often as you'd like, we'd love to have you join this forum.
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honeymoonkaminski, I join betrayal in welcoming you to this forum. Please feel free to post openly as there is no judgement here. I have four grandchildren ages six to twelve, and unfortunately none of them knew me before my dx. But I can still shower them with love and we talk and laugh together often. They are my joy and blessing in the midst of my struggle. Look for the small joys and they will help get you through.
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We will be with you through this, Mrs. Kaminsky.
We are waiting for you, Sandy.
Betrayal, I just love that pink-edged one. Agreed on the ketone testing. The books I am reading are library books. As soon as I finish reading them, I will be revising my recipe ring-binder. Residents here are going to be writing a cookbook, also.
I will be getting out of this gosh dang awful cast on my hand on Monday. Then PT for neck and OT for hand.
Just got back from doctor appt. Checked the diet thing out with my doctor. Also got prescriptions for knee pain in early mornings.
Taco, I am praying for you and Debbie and Ken. The situation has so many layers of pain and frustration.
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Taco, off the cuff - is there a way Ken could stay home to be with the dog? He wouldn’t have to travel, but I don’t know if that would add more stress leaving him.
Honeymoonkaminsky, welcome to the group. Like Betrayal said, the group no one ever wanted to be in. We make the best of it.
Concert was great! I’m so glad we went. Santana plays with such ease, so smooth. He does use a high swivel seat for a lot of it but at 78 years old, justifiable. Listening to him play, he could be a kid again.
Totally enjoyed ourselves.
Yesterday my SO son called from his vacation in Mexico, he & wife away without their 2 sons. They were calling to see if we received a package. Mail was late and SO went out to the mailbox to look, and came in with a small box he handed to me and he went to sit down. Me, feeling this was something special due to a call from their vacation, I made him come stand by me as I opened it.
Late Easter gift? No.
I had to crack the egg… we’re getting another grandchild!! Super happy news. And such a cute way to announce it. Think pink ladies! LOL Due date 10/24.
Last night we picked up niece and grandniece from the boat returning from Key West. They had a horrible ride. A storm beating on one side of the catamaran, tossing the boat (she thought it would capsize), lights were flickering, and people were getting sick. They were both very scared. Only lucky thing was the boat stayed close to shore and they had phone service. And an older couple next to them were calming them. Last night she said she’d never take the boat again. Today she said she’d take it again but not anytime soon. I was very happy to see them pull into the dock.Gf & family that didn’t get on a flight Wednesday are still here. I think she may be flying home for tax papers, and returning. Her husband is adamant he has to do the taxes (he’s 90 and SET in his ways). So who knows!
My guests leave Sunday morning. We’ll leave my house about 5:30 AM; up & back in about 1 hour. So if my gf needs a ride to the airport it will have to be Monday or later. I’ll be glad when I have no more morning wake ups.
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Welcome, honeymoonkaminsky. My sympathy on the loss of your husband. Feel free to come here and share experiences, good and bad.
Betrayal, I wasn't aware there are so many varieties of daffodils. I consider them a "happy" flower.
Cindy, I love that Santana song that is so famous. I would definitely have enjoyed attending the concert. I don't envy you the hostess role but I'm sure you're very good at it. Not all boat rides are pleasurable. I know that from experience.
Taco, I also wondered if Ken couldn't stay home with the dog. My middle sister, Linda, is in the situation where she doesn't think it's feasible to leave her dh at home, even on a grocery shopping trip. His mental clarity comes and goes. On a recent shopping trip, he became convinced that the woman in the checkout line behind them had his and Linda's items in her cart. It took the woman, Linda, and the checkout employee to convince him.
Chris, I apparently missed a post when you mentioned being on a low-carb diet. Those diets seem to work especially well for men. All the research I have read indicates that they result in good blood work numbers. I read the Atkins book years ago and followed the diet for a while. I especially liked being able to cook with butter and cream, which were no-nos on WW.
My current peeve is a letter from Amazon telling me my Kindle Fire registered in 2012 and in great working condition will soon become obsolete, and I won't be able to download books on it after a date in May. I can continue to read any books already downloaded but if I want to continue with Kindle eBooks, I have to buy a newer model. I guess Bezos needs to add more money to his billions. Just for the heck of it, I will look into other electronic readers. Any recommendations?
We'll be watching Masters golf this weekend.
Happy Saturday.
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The manner in which one endures what must be endured is more important than the thing that must be endured.
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Carol, I am experimenting with it. I still have leftovers in my freezer that I collected before my hand surgery and some during the recovery. I intend on doubling down on it when I have that done. I have two bags of WW flour, Stevia sweetener, soy flour arriving maybe today, summer squash and green peppers. chickpea flour and the test strips. As I continue reading the books I will add other useful staples. To do the anti-inflammatory diet, cheese and nightshades are also banned. I don't think I can give up cheese, tomatoes and eggplant.
Yesterday, doctor gave me prescriptions for 5% lidocaine cream and Tramadol to help with sleep. She looked through the Mayo online library and could only find one article on Atkins, which was a description and claims. Extracting any new information was difficult. Just a strong warning to emphasize fiber.
I am getting tired of one-handed typing. I am pretty decent at it, but it is tiresome. Remember when I was experimenting with voice-to-print when my right hand was casted?
I read Kindle books on my phone, Carole. No tablet necessary. I love the Kindle Unlimited books. i have an Atkins cookbook for seniors. The recipes are economical and easy to prepare.
Cindy, that Santana concert had to be a thrill! And the baby announcement was cute!
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honeymoonkaminski,
Welcome to the thread. 🙂
cindyny,
Due date 10/24……Halloween baby! 🎃
Our 1st crocus blooms!
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Carole, woot.com is affiliated with Amazon and they randomly have Kindles at steep discounts. I grabbed a Kindle Fire 10, refurbished, for $52 ($59.99, a discount, add tax). I didn’t care what color because I put a cover on it. I think it’s a dusty rose color. And Amazon itself runs sales, although I’m not sure when the next Prime day is.
Today was a pancake and egg event here. GN loves pancakes, and I needed to get rid of Bisquick. A win win.
Afternoon at the pool, meaning a great time for me to read. Showering to get out to dinner now.
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Most importantly, the meaning of spirituality lays the seeds for our destiny and the path we must follow.
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Last night was a pancakes and bacon event here, Cindy. LOL. I didn't feel like making the chicken dinner I planned to make. DH cooked the bacon. I made the pancakes with a mix. Hit the spot. Wonder where that saying came from.
I'll check that website you mentioned.
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Carole, I read my kindle books on my ipad.
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Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.
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Welcome honeymoonkaminiski.
I am heading back to NC to turn prep the cabin for warm weather. I am finally over the cold and bronchitis. I have returned to my usual routine.
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Prejudice is a great time saver. You can form opinions without having to get the facts.
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Last 2 days have been more like summer than spring. Far too early for this weather though it has been nice to not have to wear a jacket.
Saw ortho for last visit since TKR last April. Both knees look good though lately they have been uncomfortable and it is not the joint itself, but the surrounding tissues. Offered PT in case it is tendonitis, but I'm going on vacation in 15 days so no time to plan for that. Hoping I don't have issues while away. Will take Voltaren gel to use as needed.
We went to Bonefish Grill for a late lunch/early dinner. I had the lobster ravioli for the first time and they were quite good. DH is a fish eater whereas I am not, so he had scallops with butterfish and said it was good. I eat lobster, crab and some fish like cod, flounder and halibut, but not a fan of salmon or other fish. They had blue berry creme brulee for dessert and it was very good. The manager said they will be doing a cinnamon swirl one and he asked if I had any recommendations. I asked if they had done banana and it was a "no" so I suggested a bananas foster creme brulee.
Stopped at Five Below and Giant on our way home and found peppers on sale so I'll make stuffed peppers. I make them in the oven or microwave. They are a family favorite and quick to make. One container cooking.
Took a walk around outside to see how landscaping from last year did with the winter we had. The Lenten roses are in bloom and they look lovely. A few of the bushes look like they might not make it so I'll keep an eye on them since they are new to me. I have a list of what was planted so I'll have to look to see when they get leaves, etc.
I'll post some photos of the "hidden garden" hyacinths. They look lovely. I can't find the orange trumpet daffodils so I am wondering it they have died off. The bleeding hearts are up and some are blooming. I weeded under the bay window since the weeds in there were doing so well and were dwarfing some of the other plants. Tomorrow is supposed to hit the 90's so I may try to do some yard work early to beat the heat. I need to cut some dead wood out of the one lilac that has very small, but very fragrant flowers. It doesn't smell as nice as the purple one in front of the house which also has very small flowers and I'm hoping it will bloom before we leave, otherwise it will be a year before I get to smell it again. I wish I could bottle it.
Hope everyone had a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.
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