thread for middle age to older Christian women.
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Noooooo
Yesterday my hair seemed so important. Now I find out there was a water (? Sewer) leak into my office at work, that wasn't caught for 4 days. I came in this morning to an office that didn't smell right.
Now I'm in a room with a coworker, so social distancing is no longer a thing for me. I've been distancing and masking this entire time. This might be God's way of telling me to let it go.
Sigh.
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Hi ladies,
I have been MIA for a few days as some of my health issues came to a crisis level. In my real life I am a very private person. I probably share sometimes more with you all than people I actually "see". This is very awkward to share but I am sharing because I need prayer. I have been dealing with hemorrhoids for weeks and weeks. My efforts weren't helping. I changed up some things in my diet and that did NOT go well at all and sent me into days of diarrhea which just aggravated the pain and discomfort to the point that at 3 am on Friday night I got up and scheduled an apt with an oncologist who specializes in colon and rectal diseases and deals with hemorrhoids. The earliest I could get in is Oct. 12 which happens to be my Mom's birthday of all days. I did make the apt for that day. 31 years ago I had a procedure to burn off hemorrhoids and my doctor admitted after I was days in terrible pain that he burnt too much tissue. So I do have a history here and it was a nightmarish experience. When I saw one of my specialists the week prior we both contracted Covid at around the same time and she was asking me about if I had any GI issues which I did. Anyway long story short I told her about the hemorrhoid situation and she recommended this doctor who is in the same clinic as she is in. I didn't realize he was an oncologist at the time but when I thought about this I have to realize that anal cancer could come into play here. So I have doubled down on home remedies but having to wait for so long to get in is really hard to imagine since I have been in a lot of pain and discomfort actually for many weeks and getting worse the last several days. The best case scenario is that this would just go away but I am a bit doubtful at this point. I know I can call and see if he has a waitlist to get in earlier which I will do tomorrow. Unfortunately there is now a central scheduling which has become a real pain to get through to even make an apt. or to ask questions. So I would appreciate your prayers that I can figure out a routine which will help alleviate this pain and discomfort in the mean time.
Hershey, you are probably a walking encyclopedia (remember those) now on all things Medicare. If I have any questions I'll know who to ask. I know your workshop will be a great resource for you. Praying you can find the perfect plans for your needs.
Chris, I think today you had your visit with the radiation oncologist. I hope you have a good understanding now of what is to come. I loved my RO and she was so good. I am hoping yours will be as well.
GB, I have never actually played Whack a Mole but your issues that have cropped up reminds me of that. I guess someone could write a sermon that our lives problems are like playing Whack a Mole. We no longer get one issue dealt with and then another pops up. I am sorry about your hair and your work situation with the sewer leak. YIKES I sure hope that can be fixed asap so you can go back to your social distancing. I hope your hair is not as bad as you first thought.
Wheatfields, are you feeling any better after being on the acid blocking med?
Teka, how are you doing?
Carol, I remember shaking my head at the fact I was of age for Medicare. Sometimes I just asked people how in the world did this happen!!!!!! Now I am an old hand at Medicare. That is even more depressing. LOL
I got a letter from the City a couple of months ago saying they would be replacing sewer pipes in my area. Well the flags marking all things are now up and my whole parkway on the side and front of my house has flags of many colors all over. Then I saw flags appear in my front yard. Can you hear me screaming from IL. I just hope they get this done before the snow starts falling. I guess another Whack A Mole analogy.
Have a good night dear sisters.
Love,
Nancy
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Nancy, I am so sorry to read about your troubles. You certainly have my prayers for a quicker appointment and relief from your pain. I personally know that one... Your sewer issues don't sound good either, but it is best to correct it now rather than waiting for something bad to happen.
GB, You keep me coming back to this site so I can update my prayers for you! I felt like that during my move from California. I will pray things will settle down for you.
I am hanging on... Friday they put in a port, and all went well except they used surgical tape which I am very allergic to. Saturday morning I was inflamed almost to bleeding. So upsetting. I should have gotten up in the middle of the night when I first felt it and ripped the bandages off then. My daughter helped me Saturday morning and we put on a "sensitive skin" bandage. Well, that caused problems too. So we decided to leave it uncovered and be very careful. The actual incision looks fine: it is the skin around it! Fortunately it is about an inch away from the incision. When I showed my radiologist today she apologized profusely and said she would make a call... I do like my RO already. She reminds me of my former oncologist. We decided to wait until after my PET scan scheduled for next week to decide whether I need pallitive radiation or a stronger ablation. If the PET scan shows no additional lesions other than the two on my spine, we will try to get rid of them. Otherwise, we will use a gentler approach and target it because of my pain. It is actually the smaller lesion that is causing the problem and that is her intention just to radiate that one if there are additional lesions..go figure! So right now I am just trying to figure out my schedule which has become almost a fulltime job!
I know you all have been through chemo before, but it will be the first for me. I am trying to relax and have peace about it, but it is hard. It is like I have moved into a new era--from oral chemo to IV chemo. It is a paradigm shift for me.
Take care. Chris
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Nancy, I'm SO sorry! Hemorrhoids are no joke and can be horrible. And you just can't stop "everything" while they heal. I truly hope you get some relief soon. And I hope the repair work on your sewer pipes happens and is completed quickly.
Chris, wow, I'm sorry for the surgical tape fiasco. And I'm sorry about the shift from oral to IV chemo. I'm glad you like your RO and have confidence in her.
GB, I'm sorry about your hair, and now a water/sewer leak at your workplace.
To all my other sisters, sending gentle hugs and big prayers!
Carol
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Chris, I'm so sorry you had such an awful reaction to the surgical tape. I am allergic to it also and I know how awful it can be. Hopefully your skin will quickly heal. I have never had a port or chemo so I don't really quite understand how that all works as far as the port. I can certainly understand your apprehension and I will certainly be praying against fear and that you will do well. That is a head scratcher on the radiating only the one lesion. I am glad you like your RO and she sounds very compassionate. Are your two lesions in completely different places? I know you have your women's retreat with your daughter. Is that this coming weekend ? Do you know when you will start the treatments and will they both start right away? BTW It is the City putting in new sewer pipes and it is not a problem with my sewer line. Even though I have recently had issues with mine and I have never had problems before. I actually got to see my sewer line inside when I had to have my porch lifted and they required a sewer line check first. The guy doing it showed me on his computer and it was very clean he said. That was just five years ago.
Carol, it is always interesting why this subject seems to be the butt of jokes ( No pun intended} because if anyone had them really badly they wouldn't be laughing. How are you doing?
I found out my zoom class for tomorrow night has been canceled because the head of the group has water damage in her house and apparently can't get to her office. I actually am a bit relieved as it will give me less pressure until I can find my equilibrium.
Have a good night dear sisters.
Love
Nancy
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Nancy, I'm so sorry that you're experiencing painful hemorrhoids. I really hope that the wait list opens and you are able to be seen very soon.
Chris, I'm so glad that you like your RO. That can make a world of difference. Will you see her each week after your treatment?
GB, I hope the water/sewer leak has been resolved by now.
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Nancy, I pray you are feeling better today. My bandage irritation woke me at 6:00 this morning, but it does look better. Yes the retreat is this Friday and Saturday. We are getting excited. It sounds real loose with timing, etc., which is good because I have to go in for labs in the morning before we get there. Fortunately it is on the way. Then I start chemo on Monday. There are two lesions for radiation: one is on the T5 vertebra and is 11mm. That is the one that is causing the pain. The other is on T12 and is 1.7cm. There is no pain so far with that one. She doesn't want to just radiate it because she said you can only do a radiation cycle twice or you cause more problems and she would rather save it for when it causes problems unless there are no other tumors anywhere else. She wants to let the chemo handle it if it will. Since I historically get multiple tumors in my liver I have a feeling we will be waiting on that one. I will continue to see her as needed. This is becoming a fulltime job!
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Hershey, with all the discussion about Medicare plans I just opened an email and got a huge shock. My state plan is changing to Aetna starting on Jan 1, 2023. My head is spinning at this point! This will cause a disruption in meds and scripts and so many issues. I just hope they made the right decision but I am a little skeptical that their motivation was THEIR bottom line and not necessarily our best healthcare. It sounds like it might be cheaper but does that me less care than we got. I guess time will tell.
Chris, I do understand about the radiation and I thought for breast radiation we could only do it once in one breast. I am glad you have your retreat this weekend. I have to believe that was meant to be. I do hope that your treatments will resolve this pain you are in. I am getting ready to take my bath. I mixed things up a bit and tried to time things today around my bathroom trips. I will feel better after my bath. I was happy to see that this surgeon was added to my list of doctors in MyChart so I was able to send him a personal message asking about a waitlist and if I could get in earlier. Being a surgeon I don't imagine I will hear anything right away.
Take care everyone.
Love,
Nancy
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I have some good news. The new surgeon's office reached out to me and I am getting in to see him on Friday, Sept. 30. I had to cancel a dentist apt but that was the least of my concerns. Ten days still seems like a lot but it is certainly better that waiting til Oct. 12.
Thank you all for your concern and prayers. I appreciate all of you very much and pray for each of you all the time.
Love,
Nancy
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Nancy, that is good news. Glad they are responsive and moved you up.
To whomever said frantically their state is moving to Aetna (sorry I can't find the post): I am on Aetna and it has worked well for me. Of course I live in a different state so that may make a difference. It is so confusing!
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Chris, yes, I was thrilled they called. Gives me hope that maybe this will be over sooner than I expected.
How is your skin doing? My sister has to wear a heart monitor that sticks to her skin and she is having similar issues. She can move this around but eventually she will run out of places to put it.
That was me that found out today that our State plan is moving to Aetna. Of course I could chose whatever plan is offered in my area but I will go with this plan and see how it works. I am glad to hear you are happy with yours. Of course we have no specifics of the plan at all at this point.
I guess I better fix dinner. I have been so worn out I fell asleep at my computer and just now woke up. It is late even for me!!
Take care. Praying for you.
Love,
Nancy
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Wow, everyone has a lot going on. We are all being refined by trials, that's for sure.
Nancy, sorry about your issues. I've been there. I had one start bleeding at work once. Ugh.
Nothing is resolved at work. Servepro is involved. My office was at the end of the leak chain...and because of the way the furniture is set up it's hard to tell how much carpet is involved or if it just destroyed the wall. But they found moisture and it smells bad after sitting all weekend. No one thought to check my office (I was off when the leak happened). Anyway, my computer is captive behind industrial fans so it's made getting my work done very difficult. I can't access email or other things I need very easily. Once the fans are gone and they go in there to move the furniture to start the cleaning and repairs I hope someone will help me rescue my computer and relocate it. If they had just issued me a laptop during chemo like I asked, this would not be a problem.
At least the person I'm sharing a room with now is nice and a friend. But we have a meeting today so I have to sit in there with all of them (5 of us) for hours. I guarantee masks (other than mine) will be off. Well, I need to drink water so mine will be off at times. I'm trying to think of this as desensitization therapy. But the hard way.... Haha
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Wow, I've been gone a couple days and a lot has happened! Nancy, I'm sorry to hear about your pain, those are very painful and I'm praying that your doctor can resolve the issue right away. GB, I'm sorry about the hair situation and now at work too! I'll be praying for you. Chris, I'm praying that the treatment goes smoothly with the least amount of discomfort. Hershey, I hope this all works out smoothly for you as you retire and transition over to Medicare and a supplement. We will be praying for you. The clinic called yesterday with a biopsy report and nothing was out of the ordinary, no celiac or gluten intolerance, and no H Pylori. So hopefully the Omeprazole with calm it down. Once in awhile I think it may be helping a little bit. The doctor didn't say anything about a particular diet, I did ask about my morning cup of coffee and he didn't object to that. I don't understand it, but the coffee in the morning seems to stop the burning and keep it satisfied till noon. I do eat mostly a nutritious cereal in the morning for breakfast but within an hour it is burning and then I am eating something again to stop that for a little while where with coffeeI don't have the burning pain till closer to noon. Praying for each of you!
Love, Wheatfields
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hi ladies it's Jean. I haven't posted in a while but I am reading daily and I just prayed for all of you. My only new issue is lymphedema in my left arm where I had an axillary dissection. I've been to the lymphedema team at Sloan Kettering and had PT to teach me how to manage it at Helen Hayes which is an excellent rehab place. So far it's manageable.
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Hi Jean, it's nice to hear from you. Glad you are managing your lymphedema and doing ok.
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Wheatfields, I'm so happy that the biopsy report indicates nothing concerning. I hope the Omeprazole successfully treats the stomach acid and gives you long-lasting relief.
Nancy, I'm thankful that you were given an earlier appointment with the specialist. Mid-October is a long time to wait when in pain.
Jean, it's wonderful that you're receiving expert care from Sloan Kettering lymphedema therapists. They will be fantastic resources for you.
The Medicare workshop was a bit of a letdown. There were two presenters, and it felt at times they were just going through the motions. They wrapped up the workshop very quickly and left little time for questions and answers. They did pass out the Medicare & You 2023 books, and those are very helpful indeed.
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GB, I hope this leak will be fixed and the fans do their job of drying out all the mess. Sorry this is happening. I would keep wearing a mask as well no matter what others are doing. Yeah, many years ago I started bleeding and scared myself to death until I was told it was just a burst blood vessel. I ended up having to have a lower GI which was just awful. I would prefer a colonoscopy any day over that test. I have not experienced any bleeding with this but just a lot of pain.
Teka, glad to hear you both are doing okay. I did sent a PM which you may not have seen.
Carol, is SD still experiencing the awful heat? I suppose your experience at your Dad's was like a boot camp prep!!!!
Wheatfields, I am glad the biopsy showed nothing serious. I do hope your meds will work for these ulcers. I imagine it will take a bit of time to see just how effective your med will be but I am praying it will totally resolve the ulcers. I know you have been going through this for a long time and will be so thrilled once you are out of stomach pain.
Jean, glad to hear from you. It sounds like you have been in good hands with your LE treatments and therapy. It sounds like things are manageable. Always good to hear from you. I do pray for you often.
Hershey, that is really a shame that this workshop turned out the way it did. The whole point of these information meetings IS for questions I thought. I used to be on this patient advisory council that formed for our huge doctor network. We discussed Medicare issues and the need for workshops which they did. They were really good. I am glad you at least were given a booklet which will help. I imagine I will be going through all of that soon once my new insurance gives us info. I wish that the State would have given us a more of a head's up on this huge decision and change. Unless things look really different I will just go with the new State plan and hope for the best.
Chris, how long is your retreat this weekend. You may have said already. I think it was two days and one night but I may be wrong. I do know you start treatment on Monday. Praying for you as you mentally adjust to this big shift in your care. I really pray that this retreat will be an uplift and encouragement to you.
Have a good night dear sisters. Thank you for your prayers.
Love,
Nancy
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I forgot to add that one of the workshop presenters said the county hadn't received numbers just yet, but they were hearing Medicare costs are expected to go down for 2023. That would be wonderful if it comes to pass.
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Chris, how was your retreat? I prayed that both you and your daughter would receive special blessings and that God would meet each of you at your point of need. I know you started treatment yesterday and I am praying God will give you the strength you need to go through these treatments.
I have been busy washing windows and curtains and doing things I would have normally done early in the summer but for Covid!!! Trying to get things in order if I would have to have a major surgery.
I had my second Zoom church group meeting tonight. Last week was canceled due to a flood in the leader's house. Priscilla Shier is such a good speaker. If any of you saw War Room when it came out a few years ago which was a Christian movie Priscilla had her acting debut in that movie. She shared in this session tonight that she had never acted before. If you haven't seen that movie it was such a great movie. I am not sure how you would be able to see in now but I bet it is out there somewhere.
Have a good night dear sisters.
Love,
Nancy
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Nancy, thank you for thinking of me. The retreat was wonderful. God reminded me of the value of fellowship and meeting with old friends. Friday night we were on our own for dinner and my daughter and I shared a marvelous meal with just the two of us. Saturday morning was filled with assurance and trust, and we watched a herd of Bighorn sheep climb up the steep cliff on the property there as we left. I have done fine with my first chemo with few side effects. I even did laundry and dishes yesterday. God is good!
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Chris, I am so happy to hear your retreat went well. Watching a herd of Bighorn sheep had to be an awesome sight. I am so glad that your are doing well after your first chemo treatment. That is so great to hear!!!!! Will be praying for smooth sailing and a great result.
Take care everyone.
Love,
Nancy
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Nancy - we are praying for your appointment tomorrow and a good outcome. Chris - so happy to hear of the retreat and the bighorn sheep, that was wonderful and also that the first treatment went well. We will be praying that you continue to feel stronger and better.
Love, Wheatfields
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I forgot to add that I was thinking about War Room since Nancy mentioned it, it really is a great movie and if you are interested, check with your local library if they can get it in DVD for you through Interlibrary Loan, or it is available on Amazon. Praying for each of you!
Wheatfileds
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Thank you Wheatfields. I appreciate that. I am apprehensive to learn what my fate might be. I am not sure if I shared that I had a very bad experience with a procedure for the same problem 31 years ago with my gastro doctor who admitted he destroyed more tissue than he should have. That was a very painful experience so I am fearful of what the doctor will say.
I have not felt like going out with my camera for a while but yesterday I wanted to get some shots of this field before it was too late so I went out for a little while yesterday. The field of Goldenrods were not as bright yellow as they were just a few days ago because our nightly temps have been pretty cold. I knew if I waited any longer it would be too late. This is my new lens which is really not intended to be a landscape lens but this was an experiment.
Wheatfiedls, I thought of you even before you posted that you would appreciate the yellow flowers. Also thank you for mentioning War Room and where you could find it. How are you feeling after being on your new med for a while? I hope those stomach ulcers are improving.
I imagine many of us know people in Florida. My former neighbor of many years moved to Florida last year. I texted her to check on her and she was without power on the East coast but has a twin sister in the same town and she was going to stay with her as her power was restored.
Also Ellen, from this forum lives in North Carolina. I know they are going to be hit with this hurricane soon. Pray for all the people who have already lived through this devastating hurricane and for those in its path in other states. Pray for the families of those who have lost their lives.
Have a good night dear sisters.
Love,
Nancy
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I just returned from the radiologist. My latest scan shows no cancer activity anywhere so she is cancelling the chemo. (I had one dose Monday and am glad to put it aside for now!) I will be having a biopsy of the spine in a couple of weeks to see if the two lesions there are even cancerous. We will proceed according to the findings.
I am praising God for His touch and healing. It does not mean I am cured, but it does mean I am stable without active disease (sounds like cured to me!) I will remain on a maintenance anti-hormonal drug as a safety since cancer feeds off hormones. When a patient has had the amount of cancer metastases (spread) that I had, the doctors are reluctant to call it cured, and they don't use the word "remission" for stage IV either. They also don't recognize the healing touch of God like you all do! I know you are praising God with me.
Thank you for your love and continued prayers. I love and appreciate each of you. Chris
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Wow Chris!!!!!!! There are times where words are not sufficient and you want to drop to your knees and give God all the praise. Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!
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How wonderful Chris! Yes we are praising the Lord with you! That is such great news!!!
Love, Wheatfields
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Chris, what exciting and wonderful news! You, your family, and your medical team must be so happy. Praise Jesus!
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Chris, that's wonderful!!!
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Rejoicing with you Chris..how exciting! love, Jean
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