Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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I had a busy day today and accomplished quite a bit.. I went to the gym fairly early. Then spent some time in the yard doing weed control. THEN cleaned the house. Goodness! I can't believe I did all that. No wonder I'm tired.
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Not so good news here. I have lymphedema, just diagnosed and my surgeon's office is looking into the best treatment MLD, which of course isn't in my insurance plan. In my plan is going back to Park Ridge, where I had my 3D mamo and biopsy. It's pretty far. I have researched some options and there is a place and therapists not too far from where I work, but still a lot farther than the 1st choice which happens to be in my neighborhood, just a different hospital.
Insurance company says PCP can request 1st choice and insurance might approve it, but it's the surgeon's nurse navigator doing all the work, and she's always swamped so I don't get information until it's set up vs. "I'm working on this ... just so you know," which I would rather have.
It started as hardness in my whole right breast, not only the incision side. Now I notice my right arm feeling like it's in a blood pressure cuff.
It's a new journey and one that I would have preferred not to take, but that's not my choice.
Had a lousy day at work yesterday - reporters asking for different things online, that are not the norm, challenging and frustrating. Have to resolve some of those issues today.
I know Sandy has had these issues and am hoping the MLD is part-time, once a week or something to start until I learn how to do it. I already used sick time for the surgery and am starting to build a few hours back. I may have to use vacation time.
Prayers and information would be great.
Hope you all have a great day ... gotta leave for work.
Linda
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Be humble and you will remain entire.
The sages do not display themselves, therefore they shine.
They do not approve themselves, therefore they are noted.
They do not praise themselves, therefore they have merit.
They do not glory in themselves, therefore they excel.
Lao-tzu0 -
Linda, you assuredly will have my prayers and hopes that you are able to get the care YOU will feel most answers this problem. I don't think I've ever heard a description of how lymphedema feels and though I hate to sound so awful ( I'm the put on a happy face gal you know ) about it, it sounds totally distressing. It is not likely to happen but sometimes ( like for dx'ed cancer patients ) it would be so nice if some part, if not several parts of the tx as well the problems the tx might bring had standard solutions --- not the usual of one hospital can't be paid for something --- or you have to be in a certain network, or only SOME Dr.'s. We just seem to have to soldier on and so the best we can.
Other news here is we are once again awaiting rain --- after a big honking storm last night. I slept through it --- which is normal for me, but I'm tired of this rain. It seems more like April where we had a couple of storms, but nothing consistent --- as in April showers bringing May flowers. Well, the weather patterns have been topsy-turvy and very unpredictable for some time. I'll just plow on.
Lots of phone calls yesterday to get myself un-hooked ( thought it had taken place ) from Liberty holdings for electric power. I was disgusted --- I paid my electric bill and skimming through saw their name. A few months back --- when our two yr. contract was up, we told them we were not going to re-sign. They never really saved us the money they said they would. Well, they have something of a sneaky deal on it seems. If you say you are not going to re-sign ( tying yourself up for another two yrs. of un-happiness ) they apparent check a box that says your now going month to month. I wanted to scream at the ( foreign and hard to understand guy ) what part of NO doesn't your company understand. Both Dh and I emphatically told the person who was to re-sign us that we wanted NOTHING more to do with Liberty. Well, we are now out of it --- with no cancellation chgs. to us. I don't know if it helped or hindered that I said if I wasn't treated correctly NOW my next call would be to the Energy Commission followed up by the BBB. Whew !!!!
Now back to my happy face. Hope you all have a good day and not too much rain, or snow. Have a nice sun in your sky, please --- for me.
Jackie
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Linda- I was diagnosed with LE as a result of my biopsy. It is a pain in the butt, but controllable. My insurance has approved physical therapy 3 or 4 times since my diagnosis in Sept of 13. You just need a prescription for it. Getting it under control is especially tough, as most likely your arm will be wrapped from you fingers all the way up the arm in 3 or 4 different wraps, the final one being similar to an ace bandage. You have to leave that on for several days, although your therapist will unwrap to massage, then rewrap. Because I am right handed, and the LE is in my right arm, I found that part very frustrating. You may be given compression garments to wear. I wore them daily for while, now I only use then when I fly. I have learned not to do anything that puts pressure on that arm. For example, when I fly, I check my bag, even though I could get by with a carry-on - I can't get the carry-on into or out of the overhead areas. When I do a weeks worth of grocery shopping, I always ask the bagger to help me to my car, because opening the hatch in the back hurts my arm. And when I an sitting watching TV I massage the arm. With those minor adjustments I seem to do okay. It is always a little swollen, but not to the degree that stops my normal life.
Anne
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Anne, I don’t have to wrap, just use compression (sleeve & gauntlet) for flight, going to high altitudes, and exercise/repetitive motions with my R arm. My LE doc told me yesterday that it was probably the rapid elevator ascent to the 96th fl. of the Hancock bldg. that caused my flare--not the altitude itself. He said that I needn’t wrap or get a night garment for my 5 days in the Blue Ridge Mts. (2500’)-and that I might become acclimated to the altitude by the second day or so. He says to just sleep on my back with my arm on a pillow, or on my L side with my arm lying atop my R hip. (The Rockies, Cascades or Alps are another story--yet I didn’t notice swelling when my train from Lausanne-Paris went through some Alpine passes).
Linda, so sorry to hear you developed LE and it seems to be worse than mine. (I only got the hardness over the incision site, and the triamcinolone ointment my dermatologist prescribed and the Swell Spot I wear in my sleep bra seems to have softened the tissue and reduced the swelling considerably). Even my worst arm flares didn’t feel as tight as a BP cuff, and though I do get impressions from the charms on my MedicAlert bracelet (I remove it to type) and my ring needs to be twisted rather than just slipped off, that’s about as bad as my arm LE gets.
I started with stage 0 (not visible, no increase in measurements) but just based on the symptoms I described to the LE doc. My current stage 1 dx is based on pitting edema on my inner forearm, the marks from my bracelet, and finger tightness (measured by how far on my pinky I can reach with my R thumb relative to the L). Measurements are about the same. My skin is still soft. I got Dr. Feldman (at Evanston Hosp., the founder of LANA) to write me a scrip for LE therapy with the OT/PT LE therapists at Evanston’s PT dept. Go to the LANA site and look up LE therapists in your area--then get your PCP or nurse-navigator to write you a scrip to go to the specific ones you want. (What’s your insurance, may I ask? I have BCBS Medicare supplement, and they covered 6 weeks of twice-weekly sessions). MLD can be done at home--ideally, daily but whenever you notice a flare. Some private insurers may cover compression garments---when I first got my bc dx and scrip for a sleeve & gauntlet. I wasn’t yet on Medicare. United covered it--but the vendor (Second Act) didn’t accept United, just BCBS. The shop closest to you (Geneva?) might. Unfortunately, neither Medicare nor its supplements will cover it. (That’s what the National Lymphedema Treatment Act, stalled in Congress though with bipartisan support, is for). I’m lucky I can afford to pay for several sets of my own.
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Linda, I don't have any info for you but I can pray! :-)
Bonnets....I know how you feel about kids that can't get it together for Mother's Day. I have only one son. He watched me honor my parents on their special days and should be more sensitive to these holidays. They usually send a card with a gift card from somewhere but you usually don't get it on time...maybe a few days late, maybe a week or more later. I struggle with the birthdays and Mother's Days and get a little depressed, too. Since they live in TN and I live in IL, they seldom spend a Mother's Day or birthday with me so they are not inconvenienced in any way. Just bugs me that they can't find the time to get the card in the mail so it arrives on time. I think Chevy has the right approach.....just act happy and don't let them know how you're really feeling. I usually choose to be happy, regardless of my situation and I guess I just need to remind myself of all the wonderful things I do have in my life. Thanks to Dave, I got a Mother' Day card on Mother's Day from my fur babies!
It has rained nearly everyday here for a week. Golf is cancelled for this afternoon because the course is too wet. As a result, I have gotten lots of things done in this house today so it's been a productive day....but not one that I would have actually chosen. Still, it makes you feel good to get things accomplished that you've been putting off!
Well, I need to get creative and decide what we are going to eat tonight for dinner. Last night I made chicken and noodles in the crockpot and we do have leftovers but I like to eat them for lunch so I may just make breakfast for dininer!
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I LOVE Breakfast for Dinner! Mostly I just love Mashed Potatoes and Gravy no matter what time of day. I make my own mashed potatoes with butter, milk, and sometimes cream-cheese... and the packages of Gravy mix are GOOD! I even add a little bit of cooked bacon bits. My Mom always made Bisquits & Gravy for Sunday Breakfast, with Bacon and eggs.
Mothers Day is just to honor "us".... I thanked my Girls for making me their Mother.... But sometimes kids just can't be bothered... or don't think it's "special".... Don't let it bother you.... It is their deal..... we can't let our own feelings get in the way of us having a beautiful day.... maybe going for a walk, or going to get a Starbucks....
We are "special"! We gave birth to our children, but so many of them just go along their merry way without any regard for us.... I know a lot of Mom's who don't have much of a relationship at all with their "children".... It's alright.... That's what we are here for.... just us friends.
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Linda: The site below is a wonderful reference. Many of our BCO members were responsible for the writing & content. It will details the kind of training your therapist (s) should have & answer lots of other questions.
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/
I don't wrap either. Just wear sleeves & gauntlets for flying or repetitive motions (like water aerobics). My LE is mostly breast & truncal. I do wear a compression bra 24/7. I use the last one on the bottom right (Sydney Bra) since it's tight enough & cut high enough for my LE. It will hold chip bags or swell spots but still not look too "medical".
http://www.wearease.com/wear-ease-products/compres...
Medicare pays for I think 6 PT visits a year so I do my own MLD regularly and space out my appointments
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I haven't been here since April 28th...the longest time away since I joined this amazing group of friends in 2013. What a surprise to see a post from Di. OMG, I missed you! I sent you several private messages and was quite dismayed that no one else had heard from you either. With the health issues you already had, I was afraid something had happened to you. Now I find out you have had a horrible series of experiences. You poor thing! Wish I were there to come help you. Hope your body continues to heal itself and some of your deficits are reversed. It's going to take a while to get some kind of strength back so be patient with yourself. Please stay in touch and send updates. So glad you are back.
Welcome to all the newcomers. Funny how we go for long periods without any new members and then all of the sudden several join our motley crew.
Things are better here. I no longer feel like I have the world's biggest brick lodged in my chest. The stress level is back down to a manageable 5 out of 10 with occasional spikes, which apparently is my new normal. Mike is at day +61 from his bone marrow stem cell transplant. He's been home from the hospital a month now and has made enormous progress. Although his lab results are inching up towards the normal range, his health is still in jeopardy. The first 100 days are especially dangerous, but the fact that he is still alive and kicking in spite of a 50/50 chance of surviving it is quite encouraging. Just this week, his doctor upgraded him to only once a week appointments at the hospital transplant outpatient clinic. He is driving himself now, which means I can get something else done besides sitting next to him for 4 hours while he gets blood work and IV's for whatever he is low on. At one point he was going 7 days a week!
Ryan has still not been to rehab but is out of the scary, hostile and confrontational phase he was in a month ago. The combination of stress over his father, a severe bi-polar episode, and alcoholism pushed him over the edge. Once we got him released from the psych hospital in Chicago and he flew back to San Antonio, he refused to go into treatment and went on a major drunk. We had decided to have him committed, for his own good, since it was apparent that someone was going to end up dead...him, his sister, me, or a stranger. His doctor made a last ditch effort to talk to him and Ryan agreed to enter an in-patient program. That was two weeks ago. He hasn't done it yet. <sigh> But he has come down from the worst of the bi-polar episode and has now sunk into depression. He has been hanging out at our house for 5 days now, which he does when he feels the lowest. We've been through this many, many times...and can do it again. I have hope he will at least agree to an out-patient program. We'll see.
So, unlike so many of my posts lately, this isn't doom and gloom. There's hope all around.
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Sandra, glad to hear Mike is on the mend--though not fully out of the woods, being allowed back into the driver’s seat is HUGE. 61 days down, 39 to go! Sorry Ryan still hasn’t gotten himself into rehab and is depressed again. The mental health system is so screwed up--in giving patients autonomy back in the mid-‘70s, we did them--and their loved ones--a major disservice.
Minus, once again I am frustrated as hell. Does NOBODY bigger than a DD ever get lymphedema? Or is everyone with bc supposed to have mastectomies and/or breast reduction? What about those of us who wear a size 16/18 (XL/1X) dress but also F,G.H or I cups with a 38 or 40 band? There are no bras, camis, or tees I can possibly wear on that WearEase (or any breast cancer clothing) website. I wear a stretch leisure bra at night (Leading Lady) but in order to fit my breast size, I had to buy 40 or 42 in F/G/H---so the back of the band rides up and the girls still hang low like basset-hound ears. (And the dang thing still has darted seams).
When will people wake up and realize that moderately plus-size women with large boobs not only get breast cancer but also often hang on to our breasts????
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Mornin all
Today is another travel day for me. I leave this house at ten and will walk into my home in Fl about 4.
Sandra, so glad to hear Mike is going n the right direction, but sad to here Ryan has not yet accepted the help that is available. Will continue to pray for him.
Anne
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Humility does not mean false modesty. Humility does not mean taking a back seat. When you take a back seat consciously and deliberately in order to show others how humble you are, you are not being humble at all.
False humility is what slaves show to their masters. Slaves know that if they do not obey their masters blindly, if they do not show this kind of outer humility, the master will punish them.
True humility is something totally different; it is the feeling of oneness. Humility means giving joy to others. Here on earth we want to get joy. But how do we get joy? Real joy we get from self-giving, not by possessing or by showing our own supremacy. When we allow others to get joy, then we feel that our joy is more complete, more perfect, more divine. By making others feel that they are either equally important or more important, we show our true humility.
Sri Chinmoy0 -
Sandra, like always, I'm sure all are now feeling a bit more secure since we heard from you. I'm so happy for Mike and certainly will pray that this last 'scary' month gets over and that both of you can be adventurers in life together again. GOOD positive, loving and fun adventures well removed from the adventure of stem-cell transplant. Sad that Ryan has not been able to take the last hurdle and avail himself of a tx specifically designed to get him in an all around healthier state, but nice to know that he is has turned enough of a corner so that you can de-stress for a while which I hope continues. End result would be Ryan SEEING himself, what it will take for him to regain a steadier, healthier path in life. Hopes, prayers and everyone in the Universe pulling that direction.
Chi, it is hard from your picture to think of you with the problems ( with cancer on top of it ) of being over-endowed. Just from the people I have known and the debilitation they often had -- and this was during the young years, it sounds like a terrific burden. Like you ( there must be such a difference ) I would think that a site devoted specifically to BC would have sizes for all. No matter what options are chosen, Lx, Mx etc. Most of the people I knew were in fact basically pretty much a normal size -- maybe a bit taller or something like that -- sooooo and I do feel like most people, myself included probably end up in the category where with a Lx, we remain able to fit pretty comfortably in the bras we had beforehand. There is only a small area that is somewhat flat -- not noticeable underneath my clothes.
A long day for you Anne, but I bet you will be glad to get 'home' in Fla. It is probably ( though your area my feel that way all the time to you ) just right this time of yr.
Today is the big day here. The new super Walmart ( not that it doesn't irritate me to the hilt too ) opens. The good part is that like it or not, people of my means almost have to shop at Walmart and at least now I won't have to drive 19 miles to get to the bigger grocery store provided. The other thing that will happen is that it will tend to somewhat curb and influence the larger stores ( grocery chains and gas stations ) in town to be more competitive price-wise. So, finally, I won't be going w/o things that I need too long and hopefully will pay a bit less, especially for gas. That had come down substantially, but as of late was fluctuating a bit more than I like.
Anyway, I'll be back later --- all things going it will be a long, but no reason not to have a satisfying day.
Jackie
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Hi All- it finally stopped raining/ although I know we needed it I wish it would only rain at night when I'm asleep- I met with my doctor earlier and showed him exactly where my arm pain is- it is coming from the incision site of the lymph node surgery- he stated that the nerves are regrowing and I would feel better in time- I'm just so sick of feeling lousy- I'm greatful that I have come this far yet again but can't help from feeling down. Have any of you experienced this? I didn't with my last BC and just thought this recouperation would be like that one. Have a nice day
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Oh Sandra, I'm so glad to see you "back." I have thought about you so much and am glad to hear that Mike is improving and things are a bit less stressful for you now. Now if we could just get these kids of ours straightened out! :-) Hugs as you continue to deal with the issues at hand. I sincerely hope that things improve with Ryan.
Jackie, I shop Wal-mart for groceries, too. There is a BIG difference in prices between them and the other grocery stores. Some of the other stores offer gas credits where if you buy some items you get cents off on a gallon of gas. At first I thought that was great until I figured out that it really wasn't that much savings compared to the over-all lower prices at Wal-mart. I tend to favor spending my money at smaller businesses but with prices going up everyday, I've made my way back to Wally World for the groceries and staples.
Safe travels, Anne. It has been so rainy and yucky here the past few weeks that I was wishing I was still in the Sunshine State. We always come home the first week in April because I love the spring flowers but April wasn't so kind to us this year.
Hey Chevy, I never thought about thanking my son for allowing me to be his mother. Great suggestion.......
I am off to play Bunco this afternoon. We have a great group of ladies who love to laugh and so it's a fun day!
Hope everyone is enjoying the day.
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Sandra, great news about Mike's continuing improvement. I know a woman who has had two stem cell transplants, which have extended her life. Currently she is enjoying two small grandchildren. Without the stem cell transplants I don't think she would still be alive.
I played golf this morning. It was quite humid and hot, in the 80's, but an occasional breeze helped out a lot. This afternoon I'm happy to be in the air conditioning. I'm doing two large loads of laundry so that should keep me occupied.
I shop at Walmart's occasionally. Our nearby Winn Dixie has started competing with Walmart's prices and I would rather spend my money there if items are about the same price. The W/D is clean and not usually as crowded as Walmart's.
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I forgot to wish Anne safe travel today. Hope your flight is uneventful, Anne.
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Jackie, thanks for your "happy face."
Hope you succeeded in getting done with yoru electric co.; I'm starting to hate utilities.
Anne, it's my right arm; while I'm left handed, I do a ton with my right hand, so it's already a small problem. Thanks for your information.
Sandy, my insurance is BCBS HMO, and I've looked up the LANA already. My surgeon recommended a therapist not in my plan, but it looks like there may be 2 others, 1 in S. Elgin and 1 in Algonquin. The other's back in Park Ridge, which is really too far for me to go. That's where I had my biopsy.
I just found out about Congress voting to have it in medicare, and I'm not sure about garments or sleeves yet. A friend lent me 2 breast cancer bras so that's what I use. Geneva is pretty close to me, so I'll head there after I find out what I need. I go to Living Well, a cancer center in Geneva, which is terrific. I see a cancer counselor, got a massage and if I'm not exhausted, there are classes on nutrition, yoga, eating well, cancer support groups. It's amazing.
Before visiting my onc, I wasn't even wearing a bra; it was uncomfortable, so I've been wearing one ever since I saw here. It would be hard for me to sleep in one. I wasn't brought up that way, and I get some relief when I take it off.
Ritajean, thanks for your prayers.
MinusTwo, thanks for the links, I will check them when I'm not so tired.
Sandra, glad to see you post and that Mike is doing well.
A resource for your Ryan might be www.emotionsanonymous.org a 12 step group for people with emotional problems: bipolar, anxiety, anger, everything. I'm a 23+ year member and it's helped me tremendously.
Linda
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All progress is made by people of faith who believe in what is right and, what is more important, actually do what is right in their own private affairs.You cannot add to the peace and good will of the world if you fail to create an atmosphere of harmony and love right where you live and work. - Thomas Dreier
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This is your Pollyanna weather reporter -- darn cloudy and maybe more rain. We had such a storm yesterday afternoon. I had gone to work a few minutes early and as my patient was sleeping --- I left about 10 minutes early --- in time with about 10 mins. to spare beating a wild pour-down which with the deep gray and rain you could see NOTHING outside but a wall of water leaving the sky. Sure hoping that anything today is just a tad better/lighter/ and easier on people who may be outside for some reason and or definitely if they are on the road.
Otherwise, I'm happy enough as such. Have my bills paid for now and keeping on, keeping on. I talked to my friend ( I'm her cat-sitter when she takes a trip ) and she will start end of next week and be gone for 7 days. I should be able to do her just fine --- she only lives about a block from where my patient is at the Manor. As well, the week after she gets back I will be going to the Manor and then going over several times a day to check on the two little dogs where I work when my patient is at home. My bosses will be gone for about four days for a graduation out of state --- and rather than putting the dogs ( which I get along with VERY well ) in a kennel, they will be left at home for me to see too. So, I will get a bit of a bigger pay for it. Though I will appreciate the pay part -- I would do it for nothing to keep the dogs out of a kennel. They ( even though the dogs will spend a fair amt. of time alone ) will likely get far more attention from me since they will be the ONLY ones needing and getting attention --- and I will go over three or four times a day. Thinking of spending a night or two there as well, but we will see. Depends on how the days go.
Well onward. See you all later.
Jackie
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Mornin, all
Nana-- yes I still experience pain on my chest wall, especially under the arm area. I have a "pocket" under the incision that swells when I do too much or am tired. I finally feel better with a bra on, ( I did not have recon) and have found that when it really hurts, to wear a sports bra overnight. My surgery was in 2014, and it still feels like a tight rubber band is where my boobs used to be.
I will shop at Walmart for boxed or canned food, but do not like their produce and meats. Most of my kids feel the same.
Talk about culture clash- wow- the difference between Ga and Fl was overwhelming last night. Jamie was the only one available to pick me up yesterday, so of course, she and her three kids stayed for dinner. It felt so good to hold Alex again, but she seems very gassy and Jamie cannot understand why. To other people, Jamie looks great- she has lost all the baby weight. But as Mom, I am concerned at how tired and pale she is. She is totally exhausted. But she is SO independent. I think the only decent food she gets is what we cook here and send home for them. Then Tracy came home from work to find the TV's not working AGAIN. Called Comcast, they had turned it off because we owe them $70. Tracy pays the bill in full every month, so she was upset. Turns out Comcast has a limit on how much data you can use. We are not talking phones here- we are talking TV's iPads, home computers etc, and if you go over your limit, you are charged extra. We will be looking for another provider this weekend. So Tracy is upset, she is loud, she is telling her son he has to stay off YouTube until we get a new service. He thinks she is blaming him, so he starts yelling at her, saying she is always blaming him. So, I've got Tracy and Dougie yelling at each other, Jamie yelling at both of them, trying to convince them they have no reason to be yelling. The timer goes off that dinner is ready, and Rob calls for his daily check in on his way home from work.
Georgia is completely the opposite. There, the boys come in from school, ask what's for dinner and when will it be ready, then go to their rooms. Scott comes in and says hi, and goes to the garage or back yard, and then Nancy comes home as dinner is ready.They are all very quiet for the most part. There are small conversations going on here and there, but no yelling, no chaos at all. Rob still calls every night, and so does Tracy. But Florida is my home, I am stability to these grandchildren and I love being around them. While I was at Nancy's Jamie said Kayden (7), was getting into major trouble at school daily. He is on a color chart for behavior- green is good, yellow okay, red bad. I called him and told him if he got greens on Thurs and Fri, ( it was Wed), I would give him $1. If he went 5 days with no reds, I would take him to McD's for icecream. If he got greens for 5 days, we would go to Menchies (frozen yogurt with many choices of flavor and toppings). So far, today being the fifth day, he has gotten 3 greens and one blue ( his teacher wanted us to know he was even better than the usual green. He is not crazy about his baby sister because all the attention goes to her. So he does whatever it takes to get some attention- misbehaves in school, carves on the wood kitchen table, gets in fights with other kids- negative attention Is better than nothing.
Enjoy your day.
Anne
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Wow Anne, I guess much of it is relative but I and maybe many of us would not feel like we would have a chance of coping with what you walk through and barely seemed fazed. I know it is not that easy for you, but yet I'd be a total wreck since the last few yrs. I seem to have real limits on what used to seem like endless patience. At least, listening to you GETS me to think about trying to be mindful about when things aren't going quite as I wish and if I at least think before I tie myself in knots and say something I might regret, then it is a good thing.
I hope in short order, things quiet down for you. Your concern seems to actually help you focus -- often I feel more un-certain and scattered. Guess older age plus some harsh disease processes have put me in a spot where if I don't have the same circumstances which are rote -- then I'm often lost and needing a little help to define where I need to be and do. Oh well, I'm here to complain about it so how bad is it really -- not bad at all. The alternative is real punk.
Going to work in a bit. See ya'll later.
Jackie
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Anne, I might stay in GA! I don't think I could live with that much discord that you tolerate in FL. Maybe when I was younger.
I went to Sam's with a list this morning that included 14 bags of Community coffee and 2 boxes of coffee k cups plus other items. The bill was $400. It's expensive to save money!
Dh went to another store and stocked up on wine for the summer. We're preparing for a summer in MN.
Meanwhile hot and humid have arrived here in south Louisiana. Thank goodness for a/c.
Happy Thursday to all.
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We had a monster storm overnight--fortunately, no trees damaged, no deck furniture upset, and the plants in pots that need to go into planters tomorrow stayed upright. But today was GORGEOUS! High in the mid-60s, dry as a bone, clear as a bell except for some pretty clouds. Perfect evening to walk to & from a wine dinner at our local restaurant. Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy again--of course, the only day my housekeeper & I can transplant those tomatoes, strawberries & basil plants before she takes off all next week for major dental work (extractions, new dentures) and I have to travel--overnight Sat. to Iowa City for a concert I’m doing; then flying to Charlotte Wed. for a 5-day music conference in the Blue Ridge an hour e. of Asheville (SW doesn’t fly to Asheville, so I’m flying into & out of CLT and renting a car--cheaper than driving there and back to Chicago) and then to give a benefit concert our own HappyHammer arranged in Hickory to raise funds for the Vital Touch program (free spa services to bc patients) at the Vitality Spa there. Mustlovepoodles and her DH are coming too! I don’t approve of what the NC legislature & gov. have done, but I don’t want to penalize a worthy cause (and both the organization holding the folk music conference and the center hosting it also oppose that legislation).
I’ve driven to & from Iowa City since my surgery--just before starting radiation, in fact, while I still had sutures holding my ruptured SNB incision together. Only 4 hrs. each way--not hard, and I only need to bring my meds, as I keep an overnight gym bag in the car. (I draw the line at driving 4 hrs, playing 2 hrs, and then turning around and driving back home to Chicago 4 hrs. in the dead of night--treating myself to a hotel room). But as to my NC trip, that drive is a long one solo even in the best of health: Chi-Cincy the first day, Cincy-Knoxville the second, Knoxville-Montreat (Black Mountain) the third. If I cut it to two days, I’d be driving at night on unlit mountain roads. Not with these 65-yr-old eyes, thank you very much. Last time I did it was two years ago--had planned to go last year but Bob had his surgical emergency. And this year, instead of turning around and heading home after the conference, I’d have to drive home not from Montreat but Hickory--three full days. Hence my decision to fly & rent a car. Saves me 4-5 hotel room nights en route both ways, days of meals and goodness knows how many tanks of gas! (And I’m using frequent flyer miles and Hertz points too). Plus, this way I’ll be home when Bob’s lung CT results come in. We have a rule in this house we’d like to keep--one spousal health crisis at a time. "No crises" would be even better.
Jackie, I actually fit quite well into my normal underwire and sleep bras. Because of American mfrs. refusing to make anything larger than a DDD cup (if even that big), I buy European ones. At first, I had to go to the same pricey boutique Oprah used (Intimacy, now called Rigby & Peller). But once I got properly fitted, I found the same bras in different colors online at BareNecessities, Figleaves, and HerRoom for much less. The irony is that while American bras in DDD tend to come in black, white and maybe beige, I can find all manner of sexy, lacy, or seamless E-through-K cup bras in myriad colors and styles. The downside, of course, is that I can’t just walk into Target or Kohl’s (I refuse to shop at Walmart if at all possible) or even Lane Bryant or Macy’s and walk out with a pretty bra that fits me--some Nordstrom’s stores carry some Elomi bras in H or I, but that’s pretty rare.....and they charge an arm and a leg. I dress in such a way that you can’t really tell I’m “leading with my chest;” but let me tell you, when I was a B in jr. high and then a C & D in high school it was hell. I couldn’t wear all the cute little jr. petite outfits--I had to buy women’s and have the wrists and waists taken in. (Except for my bust, until about age 13 I was very, very underweight). Pregnancy took my bra size into a range that could easily be mistaken for really lousy arena-concert seats. What I find frustrating now is that if I need a compression bra (and, if it ever comes to that, a mastectomy bra and a form), they just don’t make them in my size--I would have to pay a fortune for a custom-made compression bra; and if I ever had a mastectomy w/o recon, I would definitely have to.get my other breast reduced to a normal size (or removed as well). I have to shake my head when young girls tell plastic surgeons they’d like to be enlarged to DD--I’d be deliriously happy to be reduced to that!
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ChiSandy, I can't empathize with your problems about bra size because prior to bc/recon I had extra room in my A cup! I always wanted bigger breasts and am a small B after silicone implants. By the time I was faced with bc, I was in my late 60's and breasts weren't terribly important. Still I wouldn't have considered not having reconstruction.
Today is a bright sunny day. The promised "cold front" didn't bring cooler temperatures but is supposed to lower the humidity for a couple of days. This has been a lovely spring this year. We didn't plunge straight into summer. This morning I took a couple of pruning tools out into the yard and gave the wisteria bushes a haircut. Also pruned a large azalea bed. All the limbs and clippings are in piles and dh will man the wheelbarrow later on this afternoon when he returns from his golf game.
This afternoon I will venture out to a few stores and look for shorts in a larger size than the dozens of shorts in my closet. Which I am still hoping to wear again eventually. Hope blooms eternal, somebody said.
Happy Friday 13th!
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ChiSandy, I remember a couple of magazine photos showing 2 women in the same dress. One was sort of slumped and the other had her chest stuck out. I said the difference was the slumped woman's breasts were the originals and the check stuck out woman had just had augmentation. I never was as large as you, but enough that clothing was difficult to find. Now my belly is the same size as my boobs. Love that Arimidex.
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Wren,
My hips were always bigger than my chest, even though I wore a D or double D! HAve always had to buy 2 sizes, one for my top and one for the bottom! But I agree, thanks to Arimidex my flat belly is also the same size as my boobs. My daughters used to say they were jealous of my stomach being so flat, and I had 3 kids. Don't expect it to be that way again, even after the Arimdex is done.
Yesterday was lovely here, now sitting here listening to it rain .
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Got my letter from Metlife yesterday, they're refusing my claim for Lew's life insurance policy. They can't find verification of the form I sent them that he signed in 1998. The company changed from U.S. West to Qwest to Century Link over the years. I'm sure they sent him some form to sign to update his beneficiary information which he probably never even opened. When I called it sounded like it'll go to his 3 living children instead. They can certainly use the money, but it still irks me knowing that wasn't his intention.
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Morning Puffin... I don't know if I would take that as their final answer... I mean can you call, with your information, and ask to talk to a supervisor, and ask why your "signed" copy was not good enough? I wouldn't quit yet... Companies change all the time, but records are usually kept, and sometimes just getting the right person to talk to, makes a big difference.
Are you working with an attorney? Is this all in the hands of the Probate court?
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