Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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(((((Puffin ))))))
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Sandra, I hope it helps to know that your son is in a safe place for a little while. You need to be able to concentrate on Mike. I think men will say they're a little uncomfortable until their pain reaches the screaming point. I'm glad he finally agreed to take something. Will they do another transplant soon if this doesn't take hold?
Puffin, Difficult day. Try not to isolate at home. It's hard, but people want to offer support. I'm glad you have Easter plans. Hugs.
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Hugs for you, Puffin. Let's get together this summer.
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Sounds like a good plan Carole.
I just spent 3 hours OPENING the cards. Can't imagine how long it's going to take to write the thank you's. He got 18 flower bouquets and over $1000 in the cards.
I'm taking tomorrow off, friends are picking me up and taking me to Easter dinner to their cousins' lake cabin (I know her, have been there for 4th of July brunches). I need to get out of this house and see some new faces.
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Chevy, thanks for your words about us all being different about medicine and that my MO should not have scared me that way. I am researching drug names and side effects, but if I couldn't take the Anastrozole for more than 1 week, I'm not sure I can take anything else. One the other hand, for me, more information is sometimes worse. DH and friends say try to take the pill. I understand where they're coming from, but they don't know what those days were like to me ... it was like I was going out of my mind.
Keeping my bipolar disorder under control is more important to me. It does scare me a little about getting another cancer, but Jackie's right, I could fall in the shower and hit my head or get hit by a car (G-d forbid). Living in fear won't do either.
Chevy, I didn't have pierced ears in high school, but I like the joke. Maybe socks would fit me. Those are 1 pair of breast cancer earrings I made and wear. When I was diagnosed and waiting for treatments, I designed a breast cancer jewelry collection ... made a donation from sales here because of this forum. I hope to make more donations in the future.
Sandra, I'm glad you went to the Dr. and got checked out. Stress can do horrid things. Please take time for you. You need to take care of Mike. I hope your son gets into another rehab place and gets counseling and meds for bipolar disorder. I hated being manic and for me, the meds help me be "normal."
Chevy and Sandra, if you don't mind me asking, are you guys in the Chicago area? Maybe us Chicagoland area peeps can meet up face to face once for ice cream and chitchat. ChiSandy - that goes for you too.
Puffin - hugs to you for your bravery and courage from friends and family for the funeral. Sounds like Lew was a terrific guy. Take your time with the thank you cards; people will understand. Remember the love they shared with you.
I hope everyone has a great Easter, enjoying food and family.
We're going to see the new Batman movie - it's the Jewish thing to do. I'm not cooking and looking forward to popcorn.
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Look to this day!
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the truths and realities of your existence:
The bliss of growth
The glory of action
The splendor of achievement,
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision,
But today well lived makes every yesterday
a dream of happiness
And tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day!
Such is the salutation of the dawn.
from the Sanskrit0 -
Good Easter Sunday morning,
It will be a good day here. Going to my cousin's house to eat later. Just me and Dh here and likely I would do little otherwise. It is not that I don't appreciate Easter Sunday -- it is just that every day I've given on this Earth is a reason to celebrate and try and be grateful for life and the chance to try and make some type of good difference in this world. I never do anything big, but I don't believe you have too. Your contribution to the world will be just as big as anyone's because all the little things you do all your life come up to as high a pile as the person who makes one or two big splashes.
Sort of not in the quantity, but in the caring, love, desire, and attention given to the aspects of your life which create in some way a better world --- like the daisies I see in some of the yards around here. Those people, even if I don't know them spent time making something for me to enjoy. We all get the opportunity to create something of value, something to be appreciated by others and hopefully uplifting to many. So, no matter what I do usually my days are more fantastic than not.
We have a nice sun this morning but sounds like rain could be on order for this afternoon. Oh my !!!! Not the biggest fan of rain, but at least we are in Spring and it 'seems' right now like March will go out like a lamb. Don't know about those April showers either. Weather patterns have gone to being so unpredictable.
Puffin, good for you to take a day off. Like being diagnosed with a dread disease, we can't ever prepare for losing a loved one --- and no matter how many times you may have seen it through others or felt it yourself, you can't prepare because it is not something we ever allow in our vision. So, each day is a new experience in how to get by ( my first three months of loss when I looked back was a total blur of just existing ) and keep going until you are REALLY in charge again.
Linda, your on the right track -- investigating medications and options without rushing into anything. You tried the Anastrozole and it didn't pan out. The thing with the "generics" though it may not hold true for all of them, is that often it is not the drug itself, but what is used in it to bind and deliver it into our systems. That is I think why I had the three months from hell when I switched from Arimidex to Anastrozole. I got fortunate and it all settled down but I can relate to being miserable on a daily basis and wondering just how long I could keep it up. In the end, in general, we all know ourselves far better than anyone else.
Blessings,
Jackie
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Blessings,
Jackie
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Here is a picture of my beautiful little Alexandria Rose. It was a dream delivery. She had an epidural, they started inducing about 8, she was born at 10:13am, after 3 pushes. I forgot just how tiny 6lbs11oz can be. Everyone, of course, says she looks just like mom, dad, Victoria or Kayden. I don't see anything yet although she does haVe Jamie's chin.
She was finally dischaRged at 5pm yesterday after being told she would of be discharged early. Jamie is on her way here - driving herself. I am thrilled they aRe coming over, but would have appreciAted her letting me pick her up. It's only about 15-20 min, and while their is no highway driving, most of the ride is on busy roads. But Jamie is fiercely independent.
Wrote a long post yesterday and it disappeared.
Happy Easter to all who celebrate, a calm, peaceful Sun to those who don't.
{{{{hugs}}}} to Puffin aNd Sandra
So glad you're back Chevy, we all missed your humor and good advice.
Anne
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hi Chevy, this is for you when all that snow melts away. This would be perfect in your backyard or by your blue Buddha!
Miss you on IT.
Anne, beautiful baby. Have fun with her
(Yes, I'm old enough to be here).
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Anne, What a precious angel. I'll bet you can't wait to hold her.
Smaarty, You're giving me ideas for the ratty bike in my garage. I'm afraid to ride it - I seem to have forgotten how. I know just the right spot for it in the yard. Too many people I know have told me about being hit by cars lately. Only one was badly hurt; the other two were just shaken up.
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Jackie, A cat volunteer on vacation in Malta sent this photo. He said there are many in various neighborhoods.
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wren, post a pic when you get it up. I'm sure Chevy can find one in her alley🤗
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I know, right? I went over to feed the Chicken neighbors chickens and "Edith" this morning... I'll take their little cat another blanket tomorrow... I MADE her that bed in that plastic crate, but they only have like a toilet seat cover for her, with the "heat mat" underneath! I plugged in the heat-mat for her, and took her dry & canned food.... I wish Edith would come over to our house! I would feed her all the time! And even let her in! But she must not know any better... She just stays there from habit I think..... The neighbor's are in California.... coming home "SOMEtime" next week. It's a wonder they didn't leave the little girls and Lilly, their dog, home with the Chickens & Cat!
The Chickens got Cantalope rinds & seeds and Pineapple core & rind... And DH is making sure the family squirrels are fed.... EVERYbody is hungry! And happy!
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Hugs and prayers to you: Sandra, Chevy, Puffin and Linda. Those panic attacks can feel worse than some actual heart attacks. Glad that Ryan is in a safe place for now (BTW, Bob's on staff at Advocate Christ but he has the weekend off). Hope that Mike can turn a corner and some of those cells start to "take." Puffin, knowing how well Lew was loved by so many has to be a comfort. Linda, I second the advice to try a different generic of anastrozole (assuming your insurer refuses to cover Arimidex) to see whether a different inactive-ingredients list might prove less problematic. You can Google for the generic mfrs., and each of their webpages for the drug will have an "inactive ingredients" list. Generally, Bob says that of all the generic drugmakers, his patients seem to have the least problems across the board with Teva products--Roxane and sometimes Mylan are also more easily tolerated. If you can't handle anastrozole at all, you might want to ask for letrozole--seems women our age and of our physiques do better on letrozole and the thinner gals do better on anastrozole or exemestane. All of them theoretically work via the same mechanisms, but it's striking how sometimes the slightest molecular tweaks can make a huge difference.
Sandra, Gordy got his MFA in Theater from Columbia College. He is a member of the pH Comedy Collective in Andersonville, a grad of i.o. (the full course plus a team), and both the Actors' Conservatory & Writers' Workshop at Second City. He's thinking of doing their Directors' Workshop as well, since he's been head-writing for, producing and directing the weekly revue "That Just Happened" as CIC Theater. I'll ask him if he knows Allison.
Hope you've all had as good an Easter as possible--I'm about to finish repacking (after a huge late aft. tea, I can't even think about dinner) for a 5:30 alarm and a 7am departure for the airport for a 9:20 am flight to Geneva and then the coach ride to Lausanne. We lost an hour last night to DST (apparently N. America jumped the gun on the rest of the world in that regard)--and when we cross the Channel we'll enter CET and lose yet another hour. We'll miss the hotel breakfast buffet, but the Lanesborough sent us on our way with leftover scones & pastry--and I still have a plum, pear, & apple leftover from the complimentary fruit plate at the Athenaeum.
May everyone's Monday be sunnier.
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Have a good trip. Sounds like a lot of fun.
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Things are better. I've talked to Ryan twice and he is reasonable and calm, looking forward to getting out of the hospital. Allison will figure out the flight situation tomorrow. I guess the worst situation is that Southwest won't let him fly and I'll have to buy a last minute ticket for both of them to get home.
Mike is still subdued and very tired. His hair started falling out in clumps.
Linda, while my daughter Allison is in Chicago, I am in San Antonio, Texas. I do get up that way several times a year. (Was just there for 10 days at Christmas.) We'll have to get together next time. It may not be this year...don't know when Mike will be able to be left alone and he won't be allowed to travel for at least a year.
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Anne, what a great on the eve of Easter gift. Big congrats to Mom and Grandmom and family. She is adorable and has a beautiful name as well.
Smaarty, of course you are old enough o be here. You know Chevy and she just says right out she's older than dirt --- so no problem, eh !!!
Wren -- (((((( Cat Feeding Station --Cat Cafe )))))). Been several days to my one feeding area here down a wooded path. My cat has been missing for a bit, but force of habit propelled me to pull up today and there Mr. Gray was. Not sure where he has been, and he is not as buff as he was, but still looking mighty fine. It is hard ( maybe that is a good thing ) for me to give up, but I was beginning to wonder if I was making futile attempts. I'd have likely kept it up for at least two more weeks.
It was warm most of the day, but a while ago it started to rain. It will cool drastically now, but I think will re-warm fairly quick once the moisture moves out well.
Hope you all had a delightful day.
Jackie
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Anne, Alexandria Rose is a beautiful child....a perfect 10! So happy for you and all your family.
Puffin, I thought of you on Good Friday as you would be joining with family and friends and facing together the reality of losing your dear Lew. Your notes here are precious memories packed with love, strength and courage. I pray you will find the strength to continue on your life's course as Lew would want you to.
Sandra, you and Mike have been through so much. I hope and pray that Mike will have a positive report soon. The stress of your son's crash is very difficult to deal with when you are already under so much stress. You are another who shows love and courage in your words. Just know you are not alone and can find someone here most any time.
ChiSandy, safe travels.
I hope that this Easter time has brought peace.
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You become spiritually rich when you discover the riches of the kingdom within: when you have a consciousness of the oneness of all life; when you experience kinship with nature; when you are open to the buoyant spiritual lift of being in tune with the Infinite; when you know the power of meditation and prayer. -Wilferd A. Peterson
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Puffin and Sandra, prayers and hugs being sent your way.
Carole, so sorry to hear about your mom. hopefully, they will be able to place her in a center near you.
I sent a message yesterday but it did not go through. I hope everyone had a nice Easter day.
We went to our ds and dil house for Easter dinner. Her family and our family were there. We all get along pretty good. Saw all my sons and grandchildren except the ones living in Philadelphia. It will be the last get together for a while since DH and I will be leaving next week for Florida. Our house is done and the walk through and closing has been scheduled. Feelings are mixed but I know we will see them all often.
Hope everyone has a great week!
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Termite, even having those mixed feelings, how exciting to see this day come. I've always looked at "new beginnings" as a great adventure. While there is always a little bit of 'remorse' for changes and you sometimes get in a "what am I doing here" mood for a bit, the feelings of discomfort and strangeness passes and the adventure continues. You will be busy for a time and one of the things Dh and I enjoyed doing after we got settled into our first home here in 1997 was that we'd get in the car, choose a direction, and then just start driving.
We'd go till we came to a town and we would 'find' the main street there and go up and down it, stopping anywhere along the road that looked interesting. We'd find a place to eat, and when we got tired, we just head back home. Next time we had a day or even a bit of morning and afternoon together we'd jump in the car and pick out a different direction and explore till we were tired, then come back home. It is a nice relaxed way to find out what surrounds you.
It has been a wonderful afternoon here. I have to get in the other room and try to get a couple of loads of laundry done. See you all later.
Jackie
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I went birding with a friend this morning to a wetland area west of here, found a couple huge flocks of Snow Geese, some Trumpeter and Tundra Swans, and lots of ducks. Nice sunny morning, felt good to get some fresh air.
Sandra, you and Mike are in my prayers.
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Anne, congrats on the addition to your family. A baby is so precious. Glad your daughter brought her over.
Sandra - thanks for clarifying you're in TX.
I talked to my psychiatrist today about the AI and after finding out what I went through with the first one, he really doesn't want me to try another. (And, I agree - my mental health and sleep are important for my life).
I'll have to do more research on natural estrogen blockers and cancer fighting foods. My dh bought blueberry pie, heated it up and put ice cream on it, insisting I eat blueberries, cancer fighting food. I love him so much. (Not blueberries, though).
Happy recovery to everyone,
Linda
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Linda, You might ask your psychiatrist if he knows anything about Tamoxifen and psych meds. It works totally differently, so it's worth looking into. That said, a stage 1A might be fine without an AI. Not worth a manic episode, for sure.
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The posture we take while performing our tasks today,
and the attitude we project toward those who cross our
path, will emphatically influence what the day brings.
No one else can decide for any of us what we'll feel or
think about the day. We have the power to be as
content or as discontent as we make up our minds to be.
unattributed0 -
Oh Anne...what a lovely little girl to spoil! She is just beautiful and so very alert!
Sandra, it's hard to imagine all the stress that you've been going through. It's no wonder your body let you know that things were not right. So glad you're feeling better and looking ahead again. My thoughts will remain with you and your family and hopefully Mike will show some improvment with each passing day.
Puffin, All the flowers, cards, and memorials certainly poured out lots of love to you and your family. They also speak very highly of your husband's character and life choices. Take your time writing the "Thank You notes" as those who gave did so because they cared and wanted to remember him in some way. I am glad that you are getting out of the house a little at a time. I would have loved "birding" with you. I love nature and taught science for 33 years.
Jackie, I am glad that Mr. Gray showed back up! How old would you guess him to be? He's one tough cat!
My son and family left today. They came down for Easter and we packed a lot into the few days they were here! My Easter dinner came out just fine and we ate at the patio table on the lanai. I ended up baking a ham, making sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, hot rolls, a fruit salad, watergate salad and another peach fluff salad, peas and corn....very simple due to my limited baking dishes! I ordered an ice cream cake from DQ for Evan's 7th birthday, so that was our dessert. Today I have spent the day doing laundry and starting to pack.
We are going to play our last round of golf tomorrow and then pull out early on Thurday morning. We have reservations in Prattville, Alabama for Thursday night so we'll have a full day of driving and will finish the trip on Friday. I have really enjoyed my winter in Cape Coral but I am ready to get back to my Illinois home.
So termite, you will be heading this way and I'll be heading back north. I know you will like your new home. Sometimes it's hard to make changes but it's also rather exciting! You'll have new places to explore, and new home to decorate, and new friends to enter your life! Best of luck to you!
Well, I need to pack up a few more things so I'd better get off of here. I hope everyone had a great Easter!
Rita
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I invited a friend over yesterday, had a nice salad for lunch, and then we tackled the thank you cards. She addressed the envelopes and put the return label on and I wrote the note inside and put the stamp on. We worked for 2 hours, made a good dent in the pile, I worked for about 3 hours last night, hope I can finish this morning. I still have to thank the people who sent floral arrangements (so that's 18 cards) and the people who brought food and did errands for me.
Lesson I've learned: if you're putting money into your card, put an address label inside the card with the amount of money written on it, it saves the recipient a lot of time. I have 5 cards I'm taking to the library this morning to see if I can find them in the city directory, they're not in the phone book, assume they have cell phones. Also, one card was just signed Stacy and Shelly and had $40 in it, don't have a clue who they are.
Went in yesterday to have my chest CT (I've been getting short of breath the last 6-8 weeks). Turns out the technician who did my scan also did Lew's head scan after the accident. Returning to the same hospital led to a massive sobbing meltdown, poor girl thought she'd done a bad job starting my IV and I had to explain. She said, oh yes, I remember him. Not surprising, don't imagine they get too many people falling off a roof on their head in one month.0
