Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable.
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harley07, I am hoping she gets a cancelation before 7/27. Right now I am so swollen, I feel premenstrual and I never enjoyed it then and most certainly don't now. Bad enough I felt like I went through menopause multiple times with the AI's. Thank you for your response.
Temp outside is 86 at 4 PM, but feels much hotter. No breeze today and while humidity is still lower, it feels sticky when you are out there. I have been limiting outside time to running out to apply a coat of spray paint first on powder room shelves and next will be the stork yard ornament I have in backyard. It is made from the base of a shovel, the neck is a pipe, and the beak is made from garden shear blades. The legs and feet are made from rebar pieces. The legs, feet and beak need orange paint which I have, but I have the white out to do the shelving, so just its body, neck and head will be done today. Had to scrub it to remove algae so will let it dry before first coat applied.
I want to paint the frame of the powder room medicine cabinet mirror and think I have the paint. I will save that for tomorrow.
DB was here to start on my "to-do" list and made a significant dent. He needs parts to effect some of the repairs, needs to get a new lock for the back door storm door and to buy a new ceiling shower light to replace the one we have which is difficult to reinsert after changing the light bulb.
I have indoor household chores I can do and will get a start on them. The powder room is done and once DH is out of the laundry room, I will clean that one. Kitchen, family room, and foyer will be tackled over the weekend. Dining room and living room just need a dusting.
Have doctor's appointments next week: Monday is cardiologist; and Tuesday is Pulmonology. Then a break until end of month when I see ophthalmologist. DH and DD celebrate birthdays this month. DH on the 16th and DD on the 21st. We are having a family party for DH on the 14th when everyone can get together at the Bonefish Grill. They provide a private room and as a surprise I invited the DB and DSIL, who stay in touch, to come. We haven't seen them since December when we were at her father's funeral and luncheon.
Unfortunately, the DB who does the work for us, his wife has a very sharp tongue and said some unforgiveable words directed at me at my mother's funeral. It was loud enough that everyone heard her. We no longer speak or mingle, so I can't invite him without her. Her daughter did seek us out at my niece's wedding and was quite pleasant so that link has not been severed.
Now that all the nieces are married, we no longer have family get togethers except for showers and funerals. I missed my niece's baby shower in May because we were in Ireland and it also was the same day as my BFF's birthday party. Ireland saved me from making a decision that would have hurt someone.
Guess that's about it for now. I am hoping the stork is dry so I can apply a coat of paint. I'll wrap the beak, legs and feet in saran wrap to protect them from the paint.
I hope everyone had a great day and waving "hi" to everyone. Stay cool.
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Apologies in advance for length:
I went out early to attempt to secure a side door on my extended portion of the garage. I think it’s been 5-6 years ago that I had our front entrance replaced. Old one was custom- side lights (6 panes), transom lights (6 panes) and door (3 x 5 panes); replaced with same custom - all newer products vs wood & glass. I kept the door thinking I’d use it on the garage.At some point we did put it as the side door, but the door frame is out of whack (technical term there HA!). It’s like “there was a crooked house” song. So it was more wedged in there, than secured. The door is unusable, there is a post that holds a regular electrical outlet, and special pool outlet, partially blocking the opening of the door (don’t ask LOL).
As wood will expand and contract, if there was a good gust of wind and the main garage door was open, our replaced door would fall out and hit the pole. Not a big deal, all recycled material, but you know I’m not here 6 months so I wanted the door to stay put in the opening.
Last night I came up with a plan. This morning I went out to clean out the area inside to get to the door. I had 3 bags of topsoil stacked there. Once I saw the inside of the door, I remembered it had one of those slide locks. All I needed to do was drill a hole big enough for the slide to fit in. And on the inside of the frame was an “eye” circle ⭕️, all I needed was a hook.
This took me on a side mission to find the hook in the mess of bins that hold all sorts of junk - my dad would say Fibber McGee’s closet; except think Tupperware type bins, in an old dresser. OMG I did purge a lot but could have done much more, kept my focus on the hook. Never found one.
Ended up at Lowe’s and bought a heavy duty eye hook lock for a gate. Installed it and I’m done. One extension cord I threw out, didn’t work at all - I saw an old repair, all copper wires hanging out of it.
If you’ve read this far, lord bless you.
It was 87 here! All the bins I pulled out are still out. It’s too hot on my back porch to futz around getting the bins back in the dresser. That’s tomorrow mornings job.It pretty much took me half the day. My cousin who hasn’t retired yet when he said he was retiring last year… he’d probably have framed it out nicely on the outside. And he still can, when and if he starts working on it. But framing isn’t in my wheelhouse. CHECK that off my list.
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Self-love is the source of all our other loves.
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Very warm again with temp at nearly 4 PM 86. There is a breeze, but it is so humid, it's not much help. Today I woke far too early, drifted back, but finally crawled out at 7. Decided to focus on indoor chores, but had a few things to do outside while it was cooler.
I had DH assist me with removing the mirror from the powder room medicine cabinet. I took it outside, trimmed newspaper to cover the mirror so I could spray paint the frame and it only needed one coat. Applied a second coat of white to the stork yard bird and decided I wanted to finish it today. I had sanded the place I repaired on the one powder room shelf last night and gave that a spray of paint as well. Once the shelf dried, I reinstalled it and the second one. While waiting for the mirror frame to dry, I went through the medications in the cabinet and discarded some outdated ones for Regan. I decided to clean the powder room so I cleaned the windows, the glass in the picture frames, dusted, swept the floor, and cleaned the ceiling light (had to take shade off) and wall sconce.
Then I decided to wash the island runner that Misty got cat food on, and once that was done took down the valances in the kitchen, powder room and the curtains in the laundry room and washed them. Now all the first floor curtains, drapes, and valances have been cleaned recently. Put out a new runner on the island after cleaning it, watered the garden window plants, and once the valances were washed, I hung them back up to dry in place.
I cleaned the laundry room window, cleaned the stained glass ceiling light, dusted and cleaned the glass on the pictures here, wiped down the washer and dryer and swept the floor. Second room done.
I decided to finish the stork today and it requires painting the beak and legs orange, however the end of his beak and the toes on his legs are black, so I have to do them as well. I painted the legs and the beak, but then got some orange pain on the neck, so I had to wipe it off and spray that area white again. with it being this war, thing dry fast thankfully. I touched up his long toes and just need to spray the tips black now and the same for the beak. The orange is messy to work with, so all the birds with orange legs/toes will get that applied first in an assembly line order. Then I'll focus on painting the body parts and where there are multiple small areas of different color paint, I think I'll spray the paint in an empty cat food can and use a foam brush to apply. It's difficult to handle or predict the spray cans trajectory.
I am tired and plan on taking the rest of the day off. We are supposed to get heavy rains/thunderstorms tonight so I may have an entire day inside tomorrow. I started on the kitchen "hot spots" where clutter appears and cleaned them out. So I can now proceed with cleaning all the other surfaces quickly.
The ropes for the patio umbrellas decided to break this year. We've had them for many years so no complaints and I was able to purchase replace rope online. DH was able to restring them today and had to create a long pin that inserts through the wooden pole once the umbrella is up, The original got misplaced somehow and this umbrella has been in the shed for several years without being used. So where it got to, is unknown.
Today is my grandniece's 8th birthday and my nephew's 49th birthday. My grandniece is in NYC with her parents getting the American girl doll she wanted.
cindyny, you are certainly hitting the ground running as well. I have no idea where this energy spurt came from and I am hoping it will continue for me. My "to-do" list like yours, seems to keep expanding.
intolight, I wish I lived closer so I could do some gardening for you. Hope you can regain some strength soon.
Hoping everyone had a great day and waving "hi" to all.
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Thanks Betrayal. It is warm here also. I don't feel any better but am trying to enjoy the family while they are here. My DD is baking cupcakes and preparing party theme stuff for my DGD party tomorrow. We are all going out to dinner soon which is great so I don't have to worry about cooking tonight. I'm just extra tired and sluggish and feeling like crap. I envy you your energy. If I can't get through feeling like this I don't know what I'll do...
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Intolight, I'm praying for you.
I'm starting PT for walking. My assignment this week is simple. Concentrate on walking heel-toe with my right foot. She has signed me up for two months, twice a week. I am totally frustrated because of the results of a bad sprain 40 years ago. No PT, no surgery, student health was cutting costs a bit too vigorously. I can't walk very far at all without getting tired. Plus, I can't sleep on my left side without my lower leg aching and waking me up.
Went to the city for the ordination of six deacons, one from our parish. He is also Director of Religious Education. With my hearing loss, I was pretty well cut out of everything. But at least I got a chance to socialize with three other women.
I nearly have my second mitten finished. My mind was really muddy when I first knitted it, have ripped it out several times. More so because I am switching to Continental (yarn held by left hand). Subset Norwegian (picking yarn which rests on tip of left index finger). Supposed to be less stressful for hands, and my OT agrees.
I am going to have to make more scrunchies for holding my hair back. I think I will use silk scraps with iron-on interfacing. I certainly have enough. For those recently here, one of my hobbies is making skirts, and shorts with pullover tops out of sari fabric.
I have given up on finding a recipe for keto bread that is tolerable. I will be making 100% WW bread in my bread-maker. I have almond flour, coconut flour, soybean flour, chickpea flour, oat fiber, psyllium husk powder, chia seed, and ground flax seed. Zilch, nada. When I really want to double down, I can buy the keto bread at the grocery store— a luxury at $6 and $7 a loaf. I can use the exotic flours for pancakes and tortillas and maybe muffins. Maybe I can substitute one cup of exotic flour for a recipe that uses four cups of WW. Have also decided to convert recipes from cups to weight. Much more accurate. Especially with lumpy exotic flours.
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Hope you will send a pic of your stork when it's done, Betrayal. I'm having trouble visualizing it.
I've been sprung from my compression stockings so I'm a happy lady. Expect they will add strength exercises next week.
Intothelight and Chris - holding you close.
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Intothelight, I hope you feel much better soon.
Chris, hoping your PT brings improvement.
Betrayal and Cindy, I'm feeling exhaustion after reading about your activity. I, too, would like a picture of the yard sculpture.
We will be having hot temperatures this week. I am almost dreading our planned excursion to Fargo on Thursday to attend a Red Hawks baseball daytime game. We thought it would be something fun to do when we bought the tickets.
I intend to do a load or two of laundry today. That chore involves walking back and forth to the laundry room so I will clock some steps.
Happy Sunday.
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Here's a photo of the stork. I need to do a touch-up on the beak where the black ran under the painters tape. It looks brand new. So one done, a few more need to be repainted and I will share the results. They are all formed from garden implements.
The German festival has been permanently canceled and I will miss it. I have been going to it since I was a child and it always had vendors such as the one I bought these from.
Enjoy.
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“There are two ways of spreading light: to be
The candle or the mirror that reflects it.”― Edith Wharton
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Betrayal, your sculpture is adorable! I love it!
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Cute!
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It is 83 degrees and humid. There is a breeze, but it doesn't offer much in thexway of cooling. The brief rain we got last night did not do much for the patio flowers so I watered them by hand so I didn't have to drag the heavy hose around. DH loves the hoses, but I don't because they are hard to manipulate and subject to kinking.
Had DH get the birds with orange feet and beaks thst needed a refresh painting. I was planning to finish what appears to be a flamingo. It has a trampoline spring for a neck which unfortunately took a direct hit from a heavy branch and as a result has a floppies neck now. It is done except for the white on it's legs. I may have to use a brush for them.
I did the feet and beaks on 3 others, but each of them have areas that must be hand painted so they remain unfinished. There are 2 that look like ducks though one looks more like a wading bird due to its legs. The odd looking one is purple, white and orange with black accents. It will have to be hand painted. I am learning I would have failed as a graffiti artist and I am disappointed with how thin Rustoleum spray paint has gotten. Controlling the direction and scope of the lspray has been a challenge. It wants to spatter.,
Here's the nearly completed flamingo.
Chris, hoping you are comfortably mobile soon.
Intolight, I am hoping you can enjoy your family visit and that you get some relief soon.
Carole, I hope your planned trip ti Fargo turns out to be very enjoyable and you have pleasant weather. I love to go to baseball games.
Cindyny, what did you accomplish today? Seems like being able to be fluid about ones "to-do's" does manage to get them done, even if in not the order you prefer.
Taco, I have to wear compression stockings every day and even though they are lightweight and mikd compression, they are still uncomfortable. Be diligent with exercises so you can regain mobility sooner. Hope your pain is manageable and ask fir more when doing PT.
Hoping everyone had a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.
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Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others.
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I like the sculptures. They are charming.
We're having a rainy day on dh's birthday. He isn't happy to have to miss men's golf, but nature is in charge.
We got the tickets to the baseball game printed. It gets tricky switching printers. My laptop can't find this printer but, fortunately, his laptop does find it.
DH has been wearing knee-height compression socks for a number of years. He doesn't seem to mind. He has some that are neutral in color and others that are colorful. He has poor circulation in his legs.
Happy Monday to all.
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Hi everyone, I haven't had the energy to check the website but wanted an update. I just had a 3 hour surgery, double removal. Armpit came positive and dr cleared 1-2 levels. Not sure what any of it means.
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justforher, I did not require axillary dissection so I will leave that to those who know respond to that. Please be kind to yourself and rest up as much as possible. You had major surgery and recovery will be slow so plan on that, too. Your biopsy results may take awhile to return and that can be frustrating, but will give you a clearer picture as to what is next in your treatment plan. Your MO will be the person who can assist you with this and I hope you have managed to find one that is compassionate. ((HUGS)) for when you can physically have one.
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justforher, I have not had surgery so I can't help there, but I can send prayers, hugs and support. I was dxd ten years ago Stage IV from the beginning (de novo) so it was already too wide spread for any surgery. Rest and accept as much help as is offered.
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Justforher, hugs and hopes for successful treatment.
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I see possibilities in everything. For everything that's taken away, something of greater value has been given.
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Good Morning.
Betrayal, I have to wear compression stockings. I remember that you are short. Where do you get compression stockings that fit? Also love the yard art.
Got to run - back later
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petite1, my legs are short and these have been the best I can find for this. I was given this information by a vascular surgeon. since I only require mild compression from 8-15 mm Hg. The online company is discountsurgical.com and I order the "Absolute Support Sheer Compression Knee Highs". They list at $10.95/pair, but I usually buy them on sale for $9.95/pair. They offer sales frequently and will remind you to reorder every 6 months. I usually buy 10 pairs/order and don't reorder every 6 months since I rotate them every day. They wear well and breathe which is what I wanted. They do offer them with open toes, thigh high and also pantyhose, but I've not tried any of them. You might get a discount as a first time buyer, too.
I have finished painting the birds today and am pleased with the results. I am waiting for the last 3's feet to dry on the bottom and then they will be placed around the back gardens. I decided I will not use spray paint in the future, but will buy small cans of paint instead. The spray paint was really hard to control for this type of project and I think the guy who made them painted before assembly. I did manage to find his name and address online and will send him a letter asking where they will display this year since the German festival is defunct. There is a new venue there and we do plan on visiting it on 7/3 to see whether it is any good. Plus we'll be able to make a stop at Longacre's dairy in Bally for their ice cream (to bring home) and to have a hot fudge sundae.
I had my cardiology visit yesterday and everything seems fine and I will see her again in 6 months. I had an EKG and it seemed normal. My BP was low last week at the MO's office and even lower yesterday so she did advise me to take 1/2 dose for both HCTZ and KCL which I take for leg swelling, not my BP. I started today and she requested I take my BP at home twice a week, keep a record of the readings and send her a report via the portal in 2 weeks.
Today was the Pulmonology NP and discussed cost of distilled water in Ireland which is $18.75/liter(quart). I need it for my CPAP machine and I had to purchase 2 though I did not finish the second one. Expensive water which I purchase here for less that $2/gallon. Seems they don't use it regularly and it is only available in pharmacies. She will lower pressure again since higher pressure wakes me due mask issues. I will see her again in 6 months because I am doing well. We discussed resuming Wixela and I will give it another try. I have been okay without it, but need to give it a solid 3 month trial to see if SE's continue. I was having raspy voice issues and loss of taste for some foods.
I got a call yesterday from the lymphedema PT office saying they had a cancelation for tomorrow at 10:30 and was I interested. Yes, I was and I am so happy that I can get this swelling addressed before it gets up to my neck. I have been seeing this PT intermittently over the last 10 years after trying 2 others and finding them to be not helpful. One was difficult to get appointments with and the other was a PT aide who had me doing exercises at our visits, which did nothing for the swelling. There are so few in this area and they are in high demand. This one is also part-time so getting appointments is challenging.
DH went to get Chinese food takeout for dinner. We haven't had this since before our vacation. I'm tired today after all the running around. I also went to the Dollar Tree for some items including birthday cards, some pretty peel and stick wallpaper panels I'd like to use for crafts ,and some disposable roasting aluminum pans that DH can use when he installs new straps on lawn chairs. They need to be immersed in boiling water prior to attaching to the chair. This way he can work outside and not in the basement.
Waving "hi" to everyone and hope everyone had a great day. Weather was warm with a breeze so tolerable for the most part.
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Here are photos of the last 3 birds. They each needed one more touch-up so that's why they are on the colorful cardboard. We have some interesting colored grass, too.
I finally resorted to spraying paint into cans and using brushes on the detail work. If I have to do this again, I will purchase cans of paint. I am pleased with them and tomorrow they will go to their spots. Enjoy.
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Betrayal, I love the bird sculptures. They are so colorful, creative and fun. Brightens up the day!
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Happiness can only be found if you can free yourself of all other distractions.
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Betrayal, good news on the open appointment. We find that an earlier appointment usually happens when we put ourselves on a call list.
Last night we had a storm pass through at 3:30 am. Thankfully, it must have been fast-moving. I heard some hail pummel hit the roof but not a lot. With luck, our Ford pickup truck won't have dents. At home it's under the carport but has to be parked outside here in MN.
Tomorrow is the baseball game in Fargo. I'm not sure what the weather will be. I'm thinking I'll take my rain jacket with a hood. I don't know whether all seating is outside or some is covered. At least it won't be as hot as the last two days at midday and afternoon.
Today is gym and a stop at Walmart's with a short list.
Happy Wednesday.
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Good morning.
Betrayal, thank you for the information. I will try them.
I am heading to yoga this morning and lunch with a friend. I am heading back to North Carolina, Thursday.
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