Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Comments
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Love those hats! I seldom wear a hat because my hair is so thick and hats don't seem to stay on very well so I just drape a scarf around my head and neck when I'm forced to deal with cold weather. Those hats, though, are adorable!
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As you know, my daughter Stephanie lives in my hometown, St. Petersburg, Florida, in my mother's house. I've mentioned the neighborhood peacocks and posted pictures of them from time to time. The local newspaper published an article about them yesterday and my daughter was quoted in it. Stephanie (and one of her cats, Franklin) are in one of the accompanying photos. Some of the other people mentioned are not fans of the peacocks and have actively tried to get rid of them! Yes, they do make a mess but they are so beautiful and have been a part of the neighborhood for over 50 years that I know about...probably much longer. Two doors down in this typical suburban neighborhood is a large house surrounded by a couple of acres. It used to be a plant nursery many, many years ago, before the houses were built in the 50's. The peacocks lived on the property then and that's still their home base where they go at night to roost. (Some apparently stay in the oak trees around the nearby streets.) Peacocks do get on the roof and walk round. They are not dainty and you can surely tell when they are there! They call to each other...it sounds like a cat howling. Otherwise, they are quiet and good to have around. There are no stray animals in the neighborhood and the bug population is kept in check...a plus for any Florida neighborhood.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/neighbo...
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The crocheted hats are cute. Someday I have to learn how to crochet. Years ago I tried knitting but preferred counted cross stitch so I never got beyond basic knitting. My mother could do beautiful crochet work and my daughter Allison inherited that talent. Yes, it's too hot in Texas for knit caps, at least now it is. A couple of months ago when it was cold they could have come in handy once or twice. It was 82 here in San Antonio yesterday. In this part of the state during the spring it starts out cool - 49 at 7 a.m. but warms up 30 degrees or more by early afternoon. In another month we will be longing for those cool mornings as the temperature rarely falls below the upper 70's even at night and we are in the upper 90's by noon with more to come by late afternoon.
Puffin, thinking of you. I read that the hardest part of losing a partner comes about two weeks afterwards. You sound like you have many good friends who are helping you through these trying days.
Friends are so essential, even if you don't see them often. Just knowing they are there makes you feel like you can float on a hammock of friendly support. Kind of like this place.
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Yes Sandra4611 you are so right about the cool morning not lasting much longer. Have been here in TX for 19 yrs but have never gotten use to the length of time the heat and humidity hang around. It the time I most want to run away & return home to NE Indiana.
Chevyboy those are amazing & sooo cute. Wish I could do work like that but chemo left me with terrible numbness in fingers & toes. I use to love to sew anything & everything but no can do now. Wishing everyone a terrific weekend.
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Morning all,
Just have to jump in the hair discussion. My hair is so thin and fine that I was wearing a wig before BC. The only silver lining I was hoping for was better hair when it grew back. I wasn't even narrowing what option of "better" I would get. I just wanted "better". For the first short while, it did seem better - a little thicker, and it responded to a curling iron. Now I am worse off than before. When I comb my hair aFter washing it, I can actually see my scalp on the top of my head. I also have been pure white since I was n my thirties I would guess. I had to color it. I needed enough hair to color, and by the time it was long enough, everyone told me the white looked nice. So, I bought a "wHite" wig. No where close to my white at all. Plus, I bought it from a catologue and it is just too much hair. I don't want to look like I'm wearing a Dolly Parton wig in a short style. I actually wore the white wig around the house yesterday but it was too hot and scratchy. Normally, I just deal with what I have, but in the next few months I have a bridal shower ( I am the mother of the groom) a baby shower ( I am the baby's grandmother) the wedding rehearsal, the rehearsal dinner that I am hosting, and then the wedding itself. I am more worried about my hair thaN about finding a dress. I am not looking for anything major, I just don't waNt to look like a tired old hag.
Anne
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Morning ladies, Had a few snow flakes this morning. They are putting the new garage door on. It's good they came today, as they are forecasting measurable snow tomorrow! Spring , please come back! We have apple orchards along the Hudson River and they are worrying about loosing their crop, due to the cold.
Got my hair cut yesterday by a new lady. My long time 30+ gal retired and moved to Fla. So been trying to find a new one. I like this cut, think she may be a keeper.
Chevy love the hats. I used to knit, but never learned to crochet.
Us New York Staters are loosing a lot of friends to the South. Have another good friend going to Tenn. this week-end to look for a house there. Do find that some who have moved to be near family are disappointed when they relocate and find their family are busy with their own lives and kids. We thought we might go to Tenn , but I don't think DH will ever move. The thought of packing up is overwhelming! Think I'd have to pay someone to do it.
You all that are enjoying warm weather , bask in it!
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NormaJean, I lived in Houston for 16 years and never got used to the climate. Seattle gets a week or two of really hot weather. Not much is air conditioned because it doesn't pay for such a short time. I hear you wanting to go back to somewhere cooler. I grew up in Okla which has dry heat and a breeze. Easier, I think.
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Haven't been on in a while. I just saw where puffin and sandra were going through a lot. Keeping you both in my prayers. Hi to all the newcomers and know all the ladies are with you. DH has had a pacepaker and Defib. put in and is recovering nicely. Sure hope this works for him and he starts to feel better. Getting ready to leave on our cruise to Alaska in May hoping this will be relaxing and beautiful. Working in the garden some but a little early for flowers here in Tenn. As always keeping each of you in my prayers. Shuf
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Welcome back shuf. Good to see a post from you!
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Perfect courage is to do un-witnessed what
we should be capable of doing before all the world.
La Rochefoucauld0 -
What a pretty morning outdoors. It got almost to freezing last night -- light coating of thin ice on the top of the water pail for the outdoor dogs. I hope it warms up ok through the day. Today is a special day. I won't be going to work tonight, but I will be going there for the 100th. birthday party for the lady I take care of there. It should be very enjoyable. Not too sure how she will react.
I know I can say this here, but I feel lots of concern that she has invested so much energy GETTING herself to 100 that she seems tired, and somewhat mentally exhausted as well. As a backdrop for this --- from the time I first started caring with and for her, she would often say in relation to our conversations, well, you know I'm almost a hundred. I started with her right after her 97th'. birthday. So, I've heard that statement many, many times. She has changed a lot since I got there. I'm generally accepting of ALL situations believing as I do that there is a plan for all of us and we are not able to change it much -- I just am dreading a bit for myself, and a lot for some of the family members. Probably wouldn't even think much of this were it not for some of the fairly recent changes -- as in I still hear this statement being made --- but not with the strength and anticipation that once characterized it. There is a lot more falling asleep in the chair, and little desire to participate in some of the daily routines that keep her functioning well -- like exercise.
Well, there, I finally said it all out loud --- sort of and I think I feel better. I will go and enjoy myself I'm sure --- just hoping my patient enjoys this milestone as much as the guests, though ( actually ) it isn't official until the 13th., but this was the time everyone could be gotten together for a party.
Hope the sun stays out nice and bright -- even if it stays a bit cool. I don't see much for the winds we had yesterday. That made it seem so cold. I even skipped going to the gym. Well, you know, I can't park up as close as I use to. I have to stay away in an area where few park so nothing happens to my car. I will likely go get a $5.00 car wash this afternoon.
Talk to you all later.
Jackie
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I'm sorry Jackie..... almost makes me want to cry, thinking of being with my Grandma, and watching her struggle with her later years.... There IS a "plan" for all of us.... hopefully we can all have a sweet, calm life when we get older.... and just ride off in the sunset somewhere...
Whether she "enjoys" this event, or not, is alright.... YOU guys are celebrating her life.... and just don't let it bother you.... With all kinds of friends and relations there, should make it easier on all of you... She has a very loving family.... so just bring that sun-shine attitude and help her celebrate the rest of her life!
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Wren44, glad you found someplace cooler. Seattle is like the complete opposite of Houston don't you think. The thing about Seattle is all the rain and I couldn't handle that either
being cooped up all the time. We have been stuck here for 19 yrs. Now that my DH is retired we are still stuck b/c of daughter & only grandchild. She just lives the next street over and we take care of the grandson 3 days a week when she works her 12 hr. shifts at the hospital. Someone said to me "you aren't just his caregiver....you are co-parenting him" which after thinking about it, I guess she is right. We would move to someplace smaller but can't leave the only remaining child and grandson. Our son passed away almost 12 yrs ago in his sleep from cardiac arrest. On a good note, I tell people back home there's only a couple of good things about Texas.........no income tax & your vehicles don't rust out before they are paid for !! LOL
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Norma! Being close to my Grand-babies when they were first born, was the happiest time of my life! Our Daughter & SiL worked, and I only worked part-time.... So when I was off, WE would get the boys... they were 2 1/2 years apart! I felt like they were "my boys".... I found the most exciting, fun things to DO with them.... even if it was just walking over to the ditch next door to us, with a blanket and picnic, and sitting there just talking about "stuff!"
They both had day-care, but I wanted them as much as I could have them.... The first time DD left our first GS, she came to get him.... and when she took him out to the car, he CRIED his heart out! I did too! She drove around the block, brought him back so I could hug him just once more.
"Our boys" are now 27 and 30.... and I still have that love for them as I did when they were babies.... They are all in Orlando, but when we talk, my heart just sings.... Your time with your family is precious.
Sorry about your Son.... glad you are close to your Daughter and Grand-son!
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The ultimate lesson all of us have to learn is unconditional love, which includes not only others but ourselves as well.
Elizabeth Kuebler'-Ross
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Norma Jean ...I have been in Texas but never to Katy, Texas. However, I get a Christmas card from there every year as one of my college friends lives there. She still teaches Special Education in one of the elementary schools in the area. They must love the area as they have been there for many years.
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There is no need to invent an ego that is separate from the divine if our basic human nature is trusted. If we trust ourselves, we know how to avoid interfering with nature and how to live in harmony. When we know God as an unseen, loving, and accepting power at the heart of everything, allowing us to make our own choices, then God is a trusted part of our nature.
Wayne Dyer0 -
Hmmm, finally stopped raining. Started yesterday and is mainly cloudy now, though we could get a little more. Going to be sunny tomorrow. Looking forward to that. The past two days have had enough gray to last me for awhile.
Everything else seems fine --- if a little water-logged outside. I hope you are all having some great sunshine.
Blessings,
Jackie
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Jackie we have had cloudy dreary weather with a little thunder this morning but missed most of the rain. We got a couple hard showers then late today partly sunny. But now it's pretty chilly and a little windy. hope everyone is doing ok today.
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We missed the rain in our area today, too. We didn't escape the increasing humidity, though. Even though the temp. was only in the 70's, I turned on the a/c this afternoon.
My mother is back in the hospital for a few days. She struck her leg on the frame of her bed in the nursing home and a hematoma formed on top of the ugly bruise. I suspect she's enjoying the break from several hours of rehab every day. She's in good spirits and continues to enjoy a lot of attention from her six children.
Greeting to everyone. Hope you had a good Monday.
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Thanks to you mid-westerners, sending your rain our way!
Been suffering With GERD for the past few days. I have eternal post nasal drip, went to the ENT last year, said I have GERD. Never had indigestion or heart burn, really didn't agree on it. The last few days increased belching and back and side pain. Wud almost think I was having a heart attack, but it went away when the belching decreased. Gas-x helped a little. Got reading on line , seeing a lot of people of all ages with the same complaint. Getting diagnosed with gallbladder, Gerd or never finding a diagnosis. Does anyone else have this? I finally decided to take Ranidadine, which has helped. Man, it was really painful. Cudn't get in to see my gastro , so will see my primary tomorrow. If it isn't one thing , seems to be another. Solved my tachy by going caffeine free, helped my IBS with Gluten free, now this! Growing old is such fun!
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Termite, do you have pain --- toward the left. Dh has had a lot of that. He ended up in the V.A. hospital last yr. for 6 days. They couldn't determine anything past a gall-bladder upset. He does though have GERD and has antacids, liquid and chewable tablets. He did find that he keeps the left side pain under control by taking Metamucil on a relatively constant basis. I know, I know --- we all laughed about him being 'full' of something, but in the end it seems whatever you want to call it, it keeps him feeling better and not in pain from gall-bladder or anything else.
Anyone else with ideas --- seems more people have this getting diagnosed for gall bladder issues --- that may or may not be. Interesting, huh !!!!
Jackie
p.s. I think they called it ( the upset ) Cholecystitis.
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Chevyboy I don't think I could stand being very far away from my grandson. He is my motivation to keep moving forward & just the other day a friend of DD said to me that I am a doting Nanny (that's what he calls me). Isn't it wonderful to have grandchildren? This is a recent picture taken at the Houston Rodeo.
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ritajean wish you knew what elementary school. My grandson is high functioning autistic therefore he is in ARD for special needs students. Who knows what a small world this is, right? The school system in Katy is ranked very well.........much better than Houston ISD. You don't know what you are missing by not visiting and make sure is you do that it is in July or August
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"Doting" is a RIGHT for a grandparent, isn't it???? If not, it should be voted into existence immediately.
Jackie
Love the pic of the Doter and Dotee
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IllinoisLady......thanks but the Doter in the pic is his mother. I only wish I looked that young :-)
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Oh I bet you come close enough --- I just know we all look good. Young man has a very pretty mother --- she had to get it from somewhere. There, have I covered my boo-boo here really good or what !!!!
Jackie
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I am age 71 & I noticed the same thing: everyone was/is young enough to be my daughter or grand daughter!
I think their needs are quite different from ours what with young children & jobs etc.
I'd love to find a job after having been forced to retire. I feel like a Jane of all trades (interests, many likes) & master of many.
I'm. divorced & share home with 2 kitties, & occasionally my son.
What about you?
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WELCOME Cherylista --- yes, yes -- most of us are a mite on the older side here --- not me of course because I'm only 70, but you know what I mean. We do have different things generally happening in our lives once we get down the road a ways. We have found a great deal of comfort in sharing many parts of our lives here, both the good and not so good. It is a safe haven that began with a bad diagnosis that was scary and has become a place where we can feel comfortable with each other.
My job is very part time but also extremely enjoyable to me. I need the money, no doubt about that, as retirement paid most of my cancer bills, but the other thing is I love being needed and doing something for someone that has become cumbersome for them. That brings a satisfaction and good feeling that no amt. of money could. I also go out daily and feed feral cats as well as having way too many here at my house.
We share everything pretty much here including even discussing cancer too so I hope you will feel welcome to come often and join us. The door is always open and though we are a small group --- hopefully someone close at hand to respond. See you soon we hope.
Blessings,
Jackie
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Jackie, when I have the pain it is mostly in my back, sometimes chest or the side. I was amazed on the website I found, how many were experiencing the same symptoms, some for years , with all the tests negative! Ranitidine has seemed to help me.
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