Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Just sitting here watching it snow! More forecast for Thursday!
Not much happening here. DH supposed to have his tooth pulled tomorrow. Had cardio write him a note after his BP was 214, when he was supposed to get it pulled last week. I have blood work on Friday. Hopefully we will be dug out by then! Got a stress test on the 23rd, think it is the medication one. Never had that before, usually walk the treadmill. Hear a lot of people don't like the meds one!
Tons of birds here. Now that we aren't feeding a kitty , we are really in the bird feeding business. ONly trouble is it also brings woodpeckers, who like to eat on our log home. They can do a lot of damage!
Have a good day, stay warm. Hugs, Jean
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We're coated in a thin layer of ice. I'm glad I don't have anywhere to go today.
My sister and I are planning a road trip to Colorado in late July. We're meeting up with 3 of our cousins for a week of fun and memories. I need to be drugged and drunk to get on a plane, so we're looking at driving. Now we just have to make arrangements for 6 dogs and 6 cats. This should be fun.
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Oh teacher, I am so sorry to hear about your Penny. Our fur balls become part of the family and it's so hard to lose them. Hugs to you!
We are getting a few sprinkles here today but the sun is starting to poke through again. I hope t clears up as I have ben very diligent about riding my bicycle and about walking.....and I must admit that it makes me feel so much better.
I have some crockpot chili cooking for dinner tonight and have the rest of the day to enjoy! My first enjoyable stop was this site!
I hope everyone is having a great Monday.
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I am back to Fl. Got home about 9:30 last night and was in bed by 10:10. It was a long day, made longer by the fact that I was traveling with a friend. Her daughter lives an hour away from Nancy, and they hadn't seen each other in forever, so we went over to them for lunch, and sat and visited for more than 3 hours before we left for the airport, which was almost another hours drive, then finally the flight. Thankfully, we are only a half hour at most from the airport here and my friends husband picked us up. All in all, it was just a very long day.
I am picking my 2 DGCfrom school today, but Tim, who moved to his own place with his fiancée the same week I went to Ga, asked me to have lunch with him today, but said he would call when he woke up- it's 11:48 and I haven't heard from him. Unless he calls soon, we won't have enough time, and tomorrow someone is coming to finish up some stuff around the house, then Tim works Wed, so if I don't see him today, it will be Thurs before I have another chance,
Nancy and I were just talking about how strange my life is- she said she doesn't know what"normal" is any more. Is it "Ok grandma's gone, we can get back to normal", or is it " Ok, grandma's here, we can get back to normal" and I said I hate leaving them, the only thing I hate as much is leaving here. I am trying to be grateful that I have the financial ability and health to go back and forth as much as I do. Problem is, I have no "permanent " base or home- I go back and forth constantly, fitting in one week trips to my son in So. Caroline each time I am in Ga. For someone who has lived in the same house since 1978, that's a bit unsettling, especially since I gave up the master bedroom here, which surprisingly, re-orients everything.
Sorry for complaining over such a trivial matter, but just needed to get my emotions on paper. It really helps me see things a little clearer
Prayers and hugs to Sandra, Mike, Blondie, Carole, Mommarch and Cammi. Hello and hugs to everyone else.
Anne
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Jim and I just returned from a 10 day road trip "down South" and have been reading here, but no time to post. It was a rejuvenating trip that offered visits with Jim's aunt and uncle in GA, an old friend in Wilmington, NC, a day at Disney Hollywood Studios with two oldest granddaughters, daughter and SIL, and first time visits to Naples, FL & Savannah, GA. It was a celebration of being one year (January 9) past my bc diagnosis. We loved every minute of it, and rejoiced in the lovely, warm weather we were having everywhere we went (at least warmer than home), the joy of being with family and friends, and exploring two charming cities.You have all been in my thoughts and prayers Sandra, Mike, Blondie, Cammi, and now Teacher (you also Anne & Carole). So very sad to say good-bye to our beloved pets. We are seriously considering getting another dog after the loss of our Sandy cocker-golden mix almost 4 years ago. They just bring so much joy and love into our lives.
Blessings to all.
Paula
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It gets better yet. DH & DGD worked on the old 86 Tempo and we took her to school this morning and
we had some errands to run, well on the way back from Alpine it caught on fire. A nice person picked us up and took us to Fort Davis. then one of neighbors came to town and brought us home.
We are stuck on the Mt. with no transportation, maybe I can laso a donkey.
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teacher so sorry about Penny...hugs
mommarch wow, that really is horrible, what are you going to do with the cars. fire, boys is goes from bad to worse.
mom thanks
thanks for all the prayers and thoughts
Sandra and Mike thinking of you
am still in the nursing home, still non weight bearing, am bored thank goodness for pain meds, don't know how the food is cause I can't smell or taste think I might order out tonight don't like dinner or the alternative...am not in a private room anymore which sucks.....sharing a room with just 1 person tho.
kids are coming to see me, all have and so has friends, bored. they have already stolen things drank some choc mill i placed in the nurses frig...and deoderant from my bathroom, the vice administrator just came she started 3 days ago, gave her an ear full, they hate me cause I am vocal...what about all that around, the advocate in me is at full strength or other people have to do it for myself. surgeon tomorrow we will see no discharge date as of yet, it is a month tomorrow since I fell.....wth.
HOW IS EVERYONE????
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Mommarch! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! You are getting into too much trouble! I just don't know what I would do! I don't think my DH would handle all of that as well as YOUR Husband does!
I'll bet you are thinking, "Well it COULD be worse"...... Nope! I think you have covered it all..... Sorry about that....xoxoxo
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I hope you are hearing my sigh's where you are because they are so loud. For you Blondie and for Mommarch. Mommarch that is hard to take in -- that you have no vehicles at all at the moment. You do have a sense of humor about the securing a donkey for yourself, but my heavens. When it rains it really rains on you but conversely I hope when things start coming together they do so in a wonderfully big way. I can't think of anyone who deserves it more.
Blondie, if I were there I'd give the Administrator a chunk of my mind as well. You have so little control about where you are and little privacy -- sometimes even if you are the only room occupant. No one should have to hire a guard so that what little you have is not taken by others. It is difficult I know to be there and than to have to deal with those sorts of un-called for losses. It is not that they are necessarily expensive things -- but just the fact they were yours -- all that means something to you. Something to make your life where you are as tolerable as you can make it. I'd be pissed too.
I'm sure hoping these latest events can start to in some way bear much better fruit. Just have fingers and everything else crossed and lots of prayers and positive energy flows from the Universe.
Jackie
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Oh mommarch.............WOW! You've had your share of challenges lately. Hugs!
Anne...vent all you want here. I understand how hard it would be to go between places and not really feel like you have a true home of your own. We all need a home base and my home is so important to me. Your situation would drive me crazy, although I would like to see my grandsons more that I get to see them now. At least the contact with your family is a plus for you. You seem like a very strong person so I'm sure you will figure out what you need and will be able to adjust to what works best. Ssometimes, time is just the best answer to a problem. Hugs to you also.
Blondie...sending healing vibes your way. I am so sorry that you've had problems with thievery in the nursing home. That's terrible. I'm glad that you're getting some company as that will help the time go better while you heal. Check in here when you get bored! We'll keep you company.
Nice to hear from you MomMom and so glad that you had a nice vacation!
Well, I'm headed for the recliner and my book. Catch you all tomorrow.
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Yes Chevy it could be worse, we were not hurt and we were all together tonight for dinner. We just have
to count our blessings.
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Our neighbor has two ford trucks, one is wrecked and the other is drive able but needs some repairs. He is selling both to us for $300.00. A friend who is a mechanic will take what parts he needs off of wrecked vehicle and then take the wrecked vehicle for his payment and tow it away and part it out.
Adjuster is to look at Fiesta tomorrow, make sure it is not totaled. They will cut us a check and we will
fix ourselves. God is good
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I just KNEW you would say this Mommarch! It' s like no matter how bad things get, you know in your heart, they could always get worse.... And you really appreciate when little things help it all "turn around."
Same thing when I was laying there in the alley, and couldn't get UP! I thought later, well at least I didn't get run over..... And thank GOD that the neighbor just happened to come buy, and had that wheel-chair in his trunk! And it was a WONder that I didn't pull my Husbands jeans off, when we were trying to get myself UP...
And this stupid neighbor looking at us about 4 houses away! What did he think? That I was sprawled out on all 4's for some good reason? When you break your femur, there ain't no putting any weight on it... So it COULD have been worse.
But it's been 3 days short of 1 year.... and it has healed pretty good I think! I mean considering I am NOT in my 20's! I don't use a cane, unless we are walking around the Mills.
I just bought some "heel lifts"....! And they really make a difference. I think that leg just got shorter... So I can fix that....
Sandra, how IS everything? And you Anne? It's just like we NEED to feel like we "belong" somewhere.... We need a "base"..... Normal will not be the same tomorrow, as it was last week.... That is always changing.... and look at Mommarch.... I mean she like lives in a place where Life keeps throwing monkey wrenches at them!
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The higher goal of spiritual
living is not to amass a
wealth of information, but
to face sacred moments.
Abraham Heschel0 -
What a nice place to be this morning. While all of us were there once -- young and likely not willing to use time the same way some of we older gals do --- the one thing I can count on when I come here is all of you. There is nothing like sharing your life -- good and bad, with people who you have come to know and they have come to know you.
I am grateful that I do not have many ups and downs and most of the time just go along, getting along. I don't really even go too many places and not for long when I do as my little kitties wait daily for me to show up. They are a huge source of joy and contentment for me. When I think they are happy --- by default, I am happier. And life just continues to go -- most of the time on an even keel. I am blessed with few complaints -- directly or most of the time even indirectly.
Learned this year that it is the last year that we have to file income taxes. Well, that was good news. Lady said we would have to earn at least $15,000.00 more to qualify for paying income taxes. Sssh, I think that means we are a bit on the thin side monetarily but you couldn't prove it by me. I was a little shocked , but sort of glad too -- to be relieved of a yearly burden. Have to admit in the pre-Obama yrs. it was scary --- since we seldom got more than a few dollars back -- that changed with a Democratic president so we got to not dreading it -- just surprised to reach this point where we don't have to do it at all.
Yes -- no matter what for us -- quitting is not an option. Whatever changes or rearranges itself -- we adapt because we stay flexible and open to possibilities. Here's to never, ever, quitting before its time. See you all later -- going to work now.
Blessings,
Jackie
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Jackie, you have a great attitude toward life. I love that you enjoy your life and do so much good. I thought everyone had to file income tax whether or not tax is due. Guess I'm wrong again!
I have my Turbo Tax program in the office and a pile of forms has stacked up. So I can do our return as soon as I get around to it. Aside from social security and dh's small pension, our income is retirement money that we saved tax free. As we spend it, we have to pay the taxes. I guess that's as it should be.
I took my car to a body shop today to get an estimate on repairing some minor damage to the righthand rear fender. Some months ago dh backed the car into a pole in a parking lot. There's a round dent about 3 in. in diameter and the plastic cover on the backup light is cracked. The estimate was $849. Outrageous! The per hour labor charge is $48. I have a $500 deductible. I'm thinking I'll just drive a slightly damaged car. It's pretty old anyway, a 2003 Camry that has been paid for since 2006.
Hi to everyone and hugs to all dealing with pain and problems.
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Carole, I was always of the opinion that you had to "declare" yourself even if you did not owe any taxes so I'm going to be looking for clarification on just how this all works. The thing that happened is that our tax return this year gives us back everything that was paid in -- so this is why we no longer have to file an income tax form. I am un-easy and figured surely someone here would have reached this stage for themselves and might say.
I think repairs on things are all pretty pricey. From your description of the damages Carole -- how in the world could it be so much. Though some difference might come up maybe owing to how deep the round dent is.....I thought garages had those "suction" things that could basically pull a dent out -- like from to inside to back up to surface level and as for a tail light -- even knowing more is charged for a total replacement today, I still can't see it. One hour of labor with more than a half hour left over sounds about right to me. Sigh !!!!
I have had a rather ugly dent in my 2004 Blazer. Dh had it ( hmm, something about dh's driving their wives cars here ) and had stopped at a filling station to get a cup of coffee. Apparently while inside some one with a piece of farm equipment somehow managed to park so close that they caused part of the back lower front door and some of the second passenger door behind to be bent and caved in. Due to deductible which Dh had set rather high when we had that insurance company I drive around in a car that could make other people nervous, who knows !!!! Since my car is getting older all the time and since it is hard for me to do without --- with a lot of reluctance I keep on going with it. The car has always run very well. Replaced batteries a couple of times and tires twice ( from the original set ). I guess I will drive it till it won't go anymore -- with the dents remaining.
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We got welcome news today. Mike's only sibling, a sister, is a 10/10 bone marrow match! There was only a 20% chance that she would be any kind of a match, much less 10 out of 10. There are 10 major hormone markers called HLA's on the surface of all our cells that tell our body that a particular cell belongs to this particular body. When a cell from someone else is introduced into your body your immune system realizes it is not "self" and attacks, even if the blood type is the same. The more HLA markers are the same between donor and recipient, the milder the attack.
After the transplant, Mike will have his sister's bone marrow and therefore her immune system because his own will have been wiped out with heavy duty chemo and total body radiation before the transplant. Once it is established in it's new host body, his sister's immune system will consider Mike's body as alien and mount an attack against all his organs. (Graft vs. Host Disease) The more cell surface HLA's that match, the better chance Mike has of surviving the transplant process. Drugs are given to minimize the Graft vs Host Disease but many patients die of organ failure or suffer debilitating illness the rest of their lives.
Transplant doctors will not perform a bone marrow transplant unless there is at least an 8 out of 10 match because it WILL fail. Even a 10/10 match is no guarantee, especially because his sister is well past the 18-44 age group whose stem cells are stronger and healthier. The age cut off for a donor, even a sibling, is 60. She is 60 now but will be 61 in June so there is no time to spare. The chance that the Mike will survive the transplant process as an older patient of 67 with a 10/10 match from a 60 year old donor is 50%.
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Sandra -- breathing a sigh of relief. I'm so glad about the 10/10 explanation. Would be nice is sis was younger, but wonderful that the match numbers are what they are. If we got everything we wanted a 'match' would never have been needed. Prayers of thanksgiving along with continued positive energies and heatlh.
Blessings
Jackie
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Sandra - fantastic to be starting out with that 10/10 match. Hooray
Carole - I caught my front wheel well on the side of the garage trim when I was in chemo & not "tracking" (backing) straight. I just have a dent & a small scrape, but it's over $1000 to fix, I also have a 2003 Camry that's paid for and runs very well. I hate driving w/the ding but it's not rusting. It doesn't make sense to spend that money at my age.
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Sandra, I've met Mike. He's going to make it. Good news on the 10/10.
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Sandra, What wonderful news of the 10/10 match!! Positive thoughts that it can be done asap. I know we are all cheering for you both.
Take care of yourself.
Paula
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Sandra, good news when you needed it! So happy for you.
I'm with the others who have had a car damaged, but didn't fix it, as the cost was over the top. Was at the local Medical center for a BC gathering, last summer. My Mitsi was parked in the lot. Some one must have had a large SUV or truck and nailed me with their mirror. Nice long scratch/gouge. No note left or anything! I used touch up paint and live with it.
Nine degrees this morning and sun is shining.
Getting a cardiac event monitor delivered tomorrow, for my palpitations tachy. Have to wear it for 2 weeks. Has anyone done this before? Then have a stress a week from Monday. Love getting old!
Stay warm. Hugs, Jean
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What great news, Sandra and Mike. I pray for continued blessings for your family.
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Sandra! Congratulations on the great news! A transplant will work! Our neighbor DID have a heart transplant... Long slow process, but it did work out! I'll be praying for both of you... When will this happen? I know.... so many "if's" .... BUT......just take each day at a time.........
Carole... that is right.... A little ding is no big deal.... I got a couple with my last car... one on each side of the rear end, from bumbing into ANOTHER car backing out at the same time! We didn't think it was worth it to spend that much money... This was our 1999 Chevy Prizm, which we just sold to DH's Nephew and we bought my 23011 Chevy Prizm from him... a private dealer. I was pulling into our garage, and DH had the paper shredder on the floor, and we had a BLOCK of 2 2X4's... to keep my car from hitting anything.... but one slid off the other, and I rolled over them, and into the wire-mesh paper shredder basket... it scraped some paint off my NEW CAR!!!!!!!!! So instead of standing there sobbing and swearing, I ordered the perfect match spray paint, primer online, and I'm waiting for the weather to warm up, and then I'll sand it, and repair it myself....
It's just at the bottom, but I can SEE it, so I have to take care of it... Nothing dented, just the paint came off when we washed it with one of those high pressure hoses at the car-wash.... NOW DH fixed that problem with a 4X12" cinder block for my front wheel to stop at.....
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Sandra: great news about the 10/10 match, hope they can get the transplant done soon.
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No doubt we would all agree with the sentiment: “There’s more to life than things.” Yet much of our lives seem to be spent in the acquisition, maintenance, and disposal of material goods. Certainly we cannot enjoy the basics of food, shelter, and clothing without a concern for things. The truly important things of life, however, are those which cannot be encountered by the physical senses, purchased with money, or placed on a shelf. When we take a look at what we value most in life, we generally find family, friends, health, peace, contentment, laughter, helping others, and communion with God foremost on our list of priorities.
Unattributed0 -
Good morning,
Wondering about that -- one of the little nuisances of life -- we need ( I know it is not the right name for it ) a thermocouple type thingy for our tankless water heater so the only hot water we will have for the next couple of days, till the part arrives from Vermont, is what we heat ourselves. It seems this so far ( furiously knocking on wood ) this yr. has been sort of like that. Nothing earth shaking and we have only had to replace parts in machinery, but it seems everything that we NEED to have on a consistent basis, has had to have something. Twice our furnace, and now the water heater.
Over all -- it is a small thing and I'm not much concerned -- though I won't be liking my sort of spit baths from a basin -- but such a small in-convenience, easily fixed so I'm happy about that.
Anyway, I hope to have a really productive day as I have lots planned.
A little surprised by the number of us driving around in dinged-up cars. After that happened we did do a couple of small backing into things incidents but they didn't do anything which was great. This car is the first one in our life, that didn't get fixed and my dented area is more than a ding. The driver side door is hard to close and Dh has had to toy often with the weather stripping for that door -- we had water getting in a time or two just for a hard rain. To fix it we would have been out of pocket about $800.00 -- but I think part of the whole thing was the fact that both doors were involved.
Later on, maybe someone thinking ( due to this damage ) that my locked door would be easy to break into -- I found an area just past/around the window that was slightly bent. Someone was trying to slip some sort of tool between the frame and into the car to pop the button. Here's the thing --- about the only time I carry anything much of value in my car is when I go to the feed store and buy dog and cat supplies. Then I have three or four large bags which I sometimes have to leave in the car. My windows ( the car came that way ) are heavily tinted so I don't know if the " possible" thief saw the bags -- or since I keep other feeding supplies ( my back deck area looks full of interesting things ) in the area used for hauling things, thought I must have some 'great' things that he/she/they should avail themselves too, I don't know --- but in addition to the other issues is a door that clearly ( though you have to look at it directly to see it ) has the appearance of having had someone attempt to gain entry while the car was locked. Oh well as Mary Englebright ( a local artist here ) would say " life is just a chair of bowlies. "
Blessings
Jackie
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Sandra glad to hear that some good news is comming your way Jackie when I was pregnant with my first we lived in iowa and everything froze. The only water we had was from a hydrant outside. DH would have to stuff insulation between the outer pipe and the water line and put desil fuel on it and set a match to it and let smolder.we heated water in metal buckets for everything. What fun. Well things looking up. Our neighbor had a 95 ford pu he sold us for 300 runs well. Our bank has approved a new car loan. Going to El Paso morrow and get a Focus.
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My previous car had scratches on the right side. My job was in a big old house with a circular driveway. The rear portion had a berm lined with concrete blocks and curved to match the driveway. In the winter time it was covered with moss and it was dark when I got off work. Someone else put at least one scrape on it. I just drove it that way.
Bonnets, I wore the halter for a week. It cured my heart's acting up. It was totally normal the entire time. Hope your results are good.
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