thread for middle age to older Christian women.
Comments
-
Dear sisters,
I haven't had this happen in a very long time but I had a very long post and something strange happened and one of my dear friends from BCO who passed away a few years ago appeared on the page and my post was instantly lost. Very strange. Anyway I will try to post what I meant to for tomorrow evening. It is very late and I am worn out. I was just getting ready for a nap for my usual Sunday afternoon after church and a board member called and we talked for three hours. So no nap time for me. We had a death in our family I found out tonight so it has been a strange day of unexpected and sad news.
Have a good night everyone. Wheatfields, I am really sorry you have fallen again. I had dizzyness therapy because i was having some balance issues possibly because my brain tumor is in the base of the brain that controls balance. It was helpful and I am not sure if it would work the same with your hearing challenges.
Well I will write tomorrow. I must get to bed.
I will be praying for all the needs that have been expressed.
Love,
Nancy
0 -
Isn’t that a crazy photo with the tree? It reminds me of The Chronicles of Narnia. I’m sorry your tenant left your condo a mess. I’m glad you have a good handyman to help get it in order to sell.
Chris, I’m sorry you fell. The fear of falling is real, isn’t it?
Nancy, how very strange to see a post. Three hours of conversation would wear me out, I think. I’m sorry about the death in your family.
I finally updated my blog this morning. I don’t know why I’ve been delaying that. It’s almost like it’s just too much mental energy.
I see the pulmonologist today. I really like this man. He’s very thorough and takes all the time I need to answer my questions.
Carol
0 -
I will try again after losing my long post late last night.
Chris, I am glad that your DH and the dog bite episode didn't turn into an infection. I hope he is feeling better and I am glad your cold was very short lived. I am glad you son's family had already gone before you got sick. I hope your scans go well and that you have clear direction on what to do about the chemo decision. I know that would be a hard one.
Carol, I hope your apt today gave you some insight and hopefully some encouragement. I absolutely loved your pics of your DH and Jeeves and you and Jeeves. That gigantic tree looks like it could come alive in a mystical movie. What a great pic of both of you. I have noticed your blog is now online and I will read it later this evening as I need to go out and water. My HOA board responsibilities have kept me going. I take all the complaints from the residents regarding the mowing and landscaping. The complaints have ramped up to high gear and I not only spent time emailing but I also go to the houses and check things out. Our crew this year seems to need a lot of direction and then either poor retention or ?????????? I do hope that you will not have any more esophagus spasms and once you talk to the PA via video I do hope that they will offer some simple meds that will prevent the spasms.
Hershey, that has to be very disheartening to find out your last tenant left the condo in a mess. I hope you can get it up to speed to sell quickly. I think this is still a sellers market.
Wheatfields, I am really sorry to hear about your fall. That has to be concerning. I was having some balance issues a few years ago and my neurosurgeon ordered some PT for dizziness and balance. I have a brain tumor at the base of my brain which regulates balance and the exercises helped me but I realize your issues may be very different with your hearing challenges. I know that state laws can very greatly but when we were looking to find a place for my Mom when it was no longer safe for her to stay in her home I called many facilities near her. There was a variety of expectations and some assisted living facilities would not take anyone with dementia. The assisted living that my sister and I chose told us they would take our Mom only if she was not a danger to herself or anyone else as it was a small facility with no special units for dementia residents. She did live at this place for almost three years and then she had a few days where she kept falling. It was her doctor who intervened and said she needed to move to a nursing home. She went into the hospital for a few days of testing (this was at the height of the pandemic) and then was in quarantine once she entered the nursing home. We were not allowed to see her at all and the day she was to leave quarantine we were to visit her outside only. We found out at the last minute they were not having outside visitations that weekend. The very day we were to see her she died and we never got to see her at all. I know she is in heaven and that gives me great peace.
The assisted living facility she was in was not fully equipped to deal with residents whose dementia was very advanced. You mentioned that your sister was being evaluated and you mentioned memory care. If they had a unit that dealt with dementia patients I really don't understand how they could have turned her away. I spent about 8 yrs volunteering at an assisted living facility that had one floor which was locked down for dementia residents. There were two of us from our church that did a mini church service for the residents and we spent the last several years on the locked down floor. I got to see all different types of residents on this floor. I can't imagine anyone being turned away if there was an available spot for them. That has to be very disappointing and frustrating. Your poor brother in law is feeling the brunt of all of this. I have a dear friend who is in her 90's and has dementia and she gets very angry with her family at times but never with me. It is a hard thing to understand and very difficult for the person feeling the anger. I will be praying that your BIL will find just the right place for your sister. I do feel for you as I know how difficult this time can be and how hard to see your sister experiencing this dreadful disease. I do hope that your new scrapes from the fall will heal quickly. I know you have had a time with your previous fall not all that long ago.
Teka, I hope you are doing well. We have finally gotten some rain but I still need to water my container plants which I have many. I was at a residents today checking on something she had complained about and I noticed she had several areas of moss roses but they were not in bloom. I thought of you.
I have had two of my cousins both lose their husbands to pancreatic cancer. One just died a few days ago and the other a few weeks ago. I will not be able to attend the funeral as it is just too far away for me to get to and then there is Cammie. Cammie has another weigh in next week. She is holding her own. If she didn't have so much fluffy fur one would ever suspect she is having all of these health problems. I don't think she is going to gain weight this time but i am praying she won't lose any more. She is sitting right here by me. She loves to be where I am. When I am outside or gone for long periods of time she doesn't do well being alone.
I am probably going to start my two week course of suppositories tonight and see if it helps at all. I am not sure what my next move will be but I would appreciate your continued prayers for this situation that just doesn't seem to heal.
Have a good night everyone.
Love,
Nancy
0 -
Hi everyone, I did see the pulmonologist yesterday. He feels like the inflammation in my lung could be due to micro aspiration. I'll see the GI PA tomorrow. I had a rough night with coughing. Ended up getting up and going into the den and listening to the end of C. S. Lewis' "The Silver Chair."
It's frustrating to feel like my body is falling apart, but nothing significant shows up on the scans or tests. Dh and I were laughing this morning. I was asking him if he could find my "Reset" button and push it.
Nancy, I hope that a two-week course of suppositories will help you. I have trouble being regular but have only had a few incidences of really painful movements. I can't imagine having that happen all the time.
Love to all,
Carol
0 -
Good morning, ladies. I'm waiting to check in to my video visit with the GI PA. Our neighbor is going to drop by. We're super disappointed that they're moving. They'll still be in San Diego (La Jolla), but just not right next door. I'll update after my video visit.
I hope everyone is doing OK today.
Love and prayers,
Carol
0 -
Hi everyone. I have felt nauseated since Monday night. I have a really important HOA board meeting as we are revising out Bi laws and Rules and Regulations and I have texted them asking if they could Zoom me in for it as this is an in person meeting. A friend was having a few people for lunch on Friday and I am doubting that will happen either. I would appreciate your prayers for healing.
I was having a custom countertop made as mine is an oddball size. I know someone told me the turn around was 3wks. Well that person was way off. It is a turn around of 8wks and my guy that is refinishing the cabinet will be in Florida for two months. UGH So my leaky faucet will be leaking for some time now I guess. This was not a want to but a have to situation.
Carol, did your pulmonologist say what could be done about the micro aspiration? I know you have your PA in GI video visit today. I wish you could press that reset button. Are you having the smoke from the wildfires from Canada? I do hope that you can get some relief from ALL of this STUFF!!!!! I know this has to be so difficult with one thing piled on another. I am praying for you.
We have another air quality alert period. I had to water last night and I wore a mask since I have had an incident of getting toxins in my lungs about four years ago after cleaning out one of my water fountains. I used an inhaler for a while. The atmosphere is full of this haze that looks like fog. We are certainly living in strange times.
Take care dear sisters. Is. 41:10.
Love,
Nancy
0 -
Wheatfields, I am so sorry to read about your fall. A four-stair drop is quite the distance. I do hope you are feeling better. I'm sad that the care facility has decided to turn away your sister. The physical and mental exertion required of you and your brother-in-law can be exhausting and overwhelming. Is there any back-up support or a local specialized organization ready to assist?
Nancy, there was a report several weeks ago on the national news about symptoms of poor air quality. Nausea was one of them, and some people are passing out from inhaling wildfire fumes. A doctor's recommendation was to use air purifiers and stay inside as much as possible. I hope the HOA Board will accommodate your request to virtually attend the meeting.
Carol, it is always sad to see good neighbors move away. It's nice that they will still be in the metro area. I hope that the telehealth appointment went very well for you this morning.
0 -
Nancy, I'm sorry you're dealing with nausea. I'll take pain over nausea any day.
I saw the NP (not a PA, as I thought) this morning and she ordered a "sooner rather than later" endoscopy. I wasn't available for the appointment on the 30th, so they're going to do it on July 5th. We will be visiting my dad and sister over the weekend and driving home on the 4th.
The appointment isn't until 4:30 PM and I'll be fasting until then. I'm thankful that I already fast until at least noon most days, so that shouldn't be a problem. At least I can have liquids up until 2 hours before the procedure.
So far, the smoke from Canada hasn't reached us in San Diego - at least that I'm aware of. Air quality index is 36-Good for now. It's a little worse in the desert - 56-Moderate. It's supposed to be hot there through the 4th with a high of 118 on Saturday and Sunday. Yikes!
0 -
I finally made it on to the Forum. Yay. Love Jean.
0 -
I've missed you Jean. How are you?
0 -
Hi all, and welcome, Jean!
I had my brain EEG yesterday. Can't understand the report except for "no seizure activity." Will wait to talk to the neurologist to go over the rest of the report.
Typing on my laptop is rough, so I'll probably just lurk for a while. We're in the desert. Supposed to be in the 113-118 range. Yikes!
0 -
teka, that's beautiful!!! What are your temps in your area? It's supposed to get up to 116 today, but it's tolerable in the dry desert and, of course, we have AC,
0 -
Are you all having trouble with the boards? I try to post and hit post comment and it disappears
0 -
Well now it's working!
0 -
Hi everyone,
I will apologize now if I missed anyone since there are many posts. I will try to trust my memory.
Jean, it is great to hear from you. I hope you can now post and will come back and check in from time to time. How is Valentina doing? How old is she now? Is she still living in the South ? I hope you haven't been exposed to too much of this Canada smoke.
Carol, I hope your pulmonologist will give you something to go on regarding the micro aspirations. Glad to hear no evidence of seizures. So it looks like your post July 4th celebration will be having an endoscopy. Thankfully you can drink liquids up to two hrs before. That is the part that always gets me when I can't drink. Too bad your procedure is so late in the day. Hopefully you will get some answers and solutions with all the issues you have had. Oh my gosh. Your temps in the desert are mind boggling. I do hope you have a good time seeing your Dad and your sister. I read your blog and got sick near that time so I need to go back and read it again. I do remember the part of I believe, help my unbelief. I think we have all been there at some point in our faith journey. I am sorry about your neighbors moving. Change is never easy is it?
Chris, how are you feeling? I know you were going to have scans and not sure if they have already happened or not. Praying for wisdom in your decisions regarding your treatments. How is your DH after the dog bite?
Hershey, I had not realized that this smoke could cause nausea but I have now heard that from a few different sources. Today Chicago made the top spot as having the worst air quality in the world!!! A few days ago we were second only to Toronto. I am now wondering if I was sick from the smoke as I also had a furious headache for days. I have been wearing a mask when watering at night as we still have not had much rain at all. It keeps missing us. I still had some nausea last night after coming inside from watering and I had a mask on too. So it may remain a mystery. It is hard to think that this whole smoke from Canada may be an ongoing situation. Someone said being outside today was like smoking a half pack of cigarettes, That is pretty scary.
GB, I had some trouble losing a post several days ago but I was pretty sure it was my goofy laptop computer's internal mousepad. How are you doing? Are you still seeing your bluebirds?
Teka, your flowers are beautiful and I still would love to see that cat in my yard. LOL My brand new computer which is three months old froze up on me today and the Geek Squad could do nothing remotely over the phone. So I have to unplug a millions cords and pray that I can lift this monster into my car for a Monday apt at Best Buy. This should be interesting. First if they can fix it and then me trying to get all the cords back in the proper place. Oh this should be so much fun.
I hope you all have a great holiday weekend. I heard a lot of fireworks tonight so the party has already started here.
I did finally start my suppositories on Wed night and today my horrible pain was reduced in duration so that is improvement. It is a two week course so I have a lot of days to go to see what is going to happen.
Take care everyone and stay safe.
Love,
Nancy
0 -
Just saw a new brood of bluebirds fledged a couple of days ago. So sweet.
Lots going on...almost too much to type put. Work stuff (not good), have to get a zoladex shot tomorrow which always worries me.
Insurance headaches....I have a plan that can't process simple claims correctly. I may have to lodge a formal complaint with the state insurance commission. They insist that I pay a specialist copay when I see my PCP, simply because there is a specialist in the practice. Even though i saw primary and it was billed correctly. NPI is correct but they're hung up on it being a multi specialty tax ID number. Even though the main specialty is family practice. For some reason they won't look at the NPI. I have been going to this practice for decades without insurance problems. It's only this new insurance (really a third party administrator) playing these games. I don't plan on letting this go, just trying to figure out the next move.
I'd really like to consider getting an oophorectomy so I can stop the zoladex, but I don't trust the insurance to process the surgical claims. I feel like they'd find a way to make me pay most of it. And I've seen how the hospital bills.
0 -
gb, good to read your post as I have been thinking about you. Sorry your work saga continues and also the insurance woes. You should not have to debate a major surgery just because you fear insurance mishaps. Surely you are not alone in that office with these issues. Are they aware? Praying God removes this mountain for you.
Nancy, glad to read your pain is subsiding some with the suppositories. I am praying they work well and heal and remove your pain entirely. This has gone on far too long!
I keep reading about all the smoke issues you all are going through. We are not having any problem where I live here in Colorado so my job is to keep praying for the firefighters and for all of you to breathe safely.
I am actually feeling pretty good since I have been off my oral medicine for six weeks now. I am getting a little anxious to get back on something so the cancer doesn't get a foothold and start growing again. I see my pulmonologist Wednesday to settle the oxygen issue, and I see my oncologist on Thursday. My MRI got pushed back to the 12th as the machine broke so I won't know how the cancer is doing until after that. My DH is healing nicely from his dog bites and his cold is almost gone. My DD is down with it now so I am avoiding her trying to stay well. We snuck onto our partially finished new deck last night to watch the fireworks from the high school. We have a great view! Hopefully it will be finished before the summer is over. My plan is to enjoy the summer as much as possible.
Take care dear sisters. Blessed Sabbath. Chris
0 -
So this chorus struck me hard today. It speaks for itself. ("Gratitude" by Brandon Lake)
So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it's not much
But I've nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah0 -
Chris, they are aware. I alerted our benefits dept, but their first action was to call the insurance and just report back what I was already told. I had to put my foot down and re-explain. So they said they're checking into it. We'll seem
0 -
Oh, it's so good to read all of your posts.
I didn't know about smoke causing nausea, but it makes sense. The heat here really isn't too bad, all things considered. My sister tried to take a walk last evening, but she only made one "lap" around the development/resort area because it was still to hot. Most of our trips have been to the grocery stores, so we're in and out of the car or the store.
My dad is SO happy with his new fridge. It has some fancy features that we're still trying to figure out.
gb, I'm sorry you're dealing with insurance issues. Isn't dealing with cancer enough for us???
Chris, I hope you can get your scans soon.
Nancy, it's funny (or not), but sometimes when I'm in the bathroom, I think of you and think, "How in the world can she deal with this every day?"
Love and prayers to all.
Carol
0 -
Hi everyone.
I am going to write quickly as you may not hear from me for a few days. My three month old desktop computer could not be fixed remotely since it totally froze up so I have to take it into Best Buy tomorrow afternoon. I just finished labeling all of the cords and taking pictures of the back of the computer so I can hopefully get everything back into the right places. I didnt' realize I would have to take the wi fi cord out. If I had googled first I would have left that cord in until I had to take the computer tomorrow afternoon. I have a batter backup but when googling it said it might only be good for three hours.
This will mean no internet, no phone and limited cell phone usage since I am on a pre paid plan which is not unlimited data. UGH Back to the old days.
I just didn't want anyone worrying why you had not heard from me. I don't have email on my phone so I am using my laptop right now.
GB, your insurance sounds like a nightmare BUT, God can move mountains out of the realm of our understanding. Pray that He will do this for you. As far as having that surgery wouldn't that have to be authorized before you have it. Hopefully they would not or could not legally (I am guessing) renege on something they had prior approved. I hope your Bluebirds give you some moments of peace and distraction.
Chris, I am so glad to hear you are feeling better. Your MRI machine breaking down sounds like some of my history with that sort of thing happening. I know you don't want to go too long with out your chemo treatments. Have you and your new sister been able to resume your Beth Moore study. I know how excited I was with it and I hope you get to experience that same wonder and life changing experiences. I watched the Brandon Lake video of that song. I was quite familiar with it as I hear it all the time on my Christian radio station but I had no idea who he was or what he looked like. I would have posted it but it was a 13 min video which for some may be too long. It is a powerful song. Thanks for sharing that.
Carol, I am glad you are surviving those unbelievable temps. I had to smile. I guess it is nice to be thought of. LOL I feel like I am delivering a baby every day!!!! I know you mothers out there are probably saying you have no idea……….and that is true.
Well I need to sign off and email some friends that will worry if they don't hear from me.
Have a good week everyone. I am NOT a Nascar fan at all but I have been watching some of it since they are racing in downtown Chicago. I find this unbelievable but the way some drivers around here drive maybe they were actually training for this Nascar race! 😁
Love,
Nancy
0 -
I think there could be a scenario where they approve it, but then declare that something is an exclusion (they did this with my PT treatments, making me pay more than copay), or give the wrong authorization (they did this with my Zoladex, which would have given me higher OOP if I hadn't asked benefits to investigate because it sounded odd). Or tell me that the hospital billed it wrong so it's covered differently somehow, like this nonsense with the co-pays. They're shady. I feel like it would be covered, but they would find ways to put more cost share on me!
Every time I call them to ask about a claim their initial response is that provider billed it wrong. I'm thinking the problem variable here is the insurance
0 -
Nancy, you probably won't see this for a few days, but I feel your computer pain. In the past, when I had to take my PC into Best Buy, I took a photo of the back of the computer with all the cords connected so that I knew where to put them when I got my computer back.
My endoscopy got moved up. They called me and said they could see me tomorrow, and I thought, "You work on July 4th?" Turns out, she meant Wednesday, but the time did get moved up from 4:30 to 10:30. Yay. I'll be glad to get it done earlier in the day.
0 -
Happy Independence Day to all of you dear sisters. My wifi is still working. I took my computer to Best Buy yesterday and the good news is my wireless mouse was the problem. I did leave my computer there for them to double check. I wasn't going to go through this loading it and unloading it twice. I bought a new wireless keyboard and mouse as mine was SO old I couldn't even tell you how many years I had it. I asked about unplugging my router/modem from the computer and if that would affect my wifi with my other devices and he said no. When it was still working the next day I figured that my calculations were totally off. The technical stuff of computers is out of my wheelhouse.
GB, are you on a group plan with your insurance or could you easily change if you wanted to for an individual plan? When I was teaching we had a group plan and I remember some years were great and then changes to a different company and then things were not so great. I just got notice of "new" changes to my health insurance. They wait until the period when you can change is over and then they make their changes. If this surgery would prevent you from the trauma of going through these shots every three weeks it might be worth it knowing you might have to fight with your insurance after all is said and done. I'm am sorry for the hassle you are going through. That is just wrong to not have a surgery because of insurance issues.
Carol, that is great news that your endoscopy got moved up. The procedure is painless and I do hope that it will give your doctors more information as to what is going on with your spasms.
I hope you had a good time with your Dad and sister and have a safe trip back home. I have never experienced the dry heat from a desert. I truly can't imagine those temps.
Everyone have a wonderful 4th. I am going to the fireworks with a friend tonight. Yesterday I wasn't sure if I was going to feel up to it but I am feeling better today.
Love,
Nancy
0 -
Nancy, I'm glad you got your wifi issues straightened out (hopefully).
I'm glad my endoscopy got moved up. I'm most nervous about something going down my throat as I have a very healthy gag reflex. In the past, when I've had twilight sedation, I haven't remembered anything, so hopefully, this will be the same.
We're driving home this evening and hopefully most people will be off the roads and at the July 4th celebration spots.
I hope everyone has a safe 4th and that all the poor pets out there are not too traumatized.
Love to all,
Carol
0 -
Carol,
You will be asleep and won't know what is going on. You will wake up and not remember anything about what happened. I used to have both a colonoscopy and endoscopy at the same time. The thought of that procedure is much worse than what you will actually experience.
You will do fine!!!!
Love,
Nancy
0 -
Good morning, ladies. I'm still feeling a bit muddle-headed, so I'll just give you a brief update.
Procedure went well. I remember some discomfort, but no gagging, etc. The nurse who admitted me said I was getting the "best" doctor there. She kind of whispered it and gave me a thumbs up.
Summary said normal mucosa, no esophagitis, no Barrett's and no ring seen. However, esophagus appeared spastic, and distal esophagus was very tight. They had to switch to a smaller scope and noted the procedure was "difficult." That was probably what I felt during the procedure. Maybe it was the stretching.
Woke up fine, put my shirt and shoes back on and they wheeled me out to Marty's truck. A little nausea after I got home, but not bad. Slept on and off most of the day.
Oh, and he took some biopsies. I should hear within a week.
Thank you for the encouragement. It really helped.
Love to all,
Carol
0 -
GB, how is the insurance fiasco going? I am still fighting Medicare for a mini oxygen concentrator so I am not so homebound. My pulmonologist tried yesterday while I was there and this time they said they were held up because they were contacting the wrong doctor. What? I know the pulmonologist office called them multiple times. I don't think there are any excuses left… They say by the end of next week but I don't trust them.
I feel so sorry for all you who are struggling in this heat. It is 57 and foggy here in Colorado Springs with a possibility of severe weather later. We are supposed to hit 73 but I doubt it, and it looks like the rain continues for the next 10 days. We have been trying to get a deck replaced and it has been too rainy to work. Unusual for us! They say Denver has broken rain records this year. We are about 60 miles south but I think we are breaking records too. I would stay in but have to go to the oncologist.
Praying for the results of the scans and treatments for everyone. Take care. Chris
0 -
Hi Carol,
I am glad your endoscopy is over. I have had several of them and have never felt anything. I am sorry they said yours was difficult. I didn't think you could have spasms with sedation so I was really wrong in my thinking on that one. I do hope you will be able to get some treatment once they have explored all the possibilities and I will be praying your biopsies are normal. I have heard of a procedure to stretch the esophagus but your situation could be quite different.
I do hope you can have some days of NO medical stuff and NO spasms.
Chris, I am really sorry to hear you are having insurance issues as well. Saying they billed the wrong doctor is of course something you can never prove so an easy out to a delay or whatever they are doing. I know insurance of all kinds seems to be going up and covering less. Whenever I was dealing with a denied claim that I really felt should be covered I would be very persistent. I think sometimes the tactic is if we keep denying then the person making the claim or request will just give up.
I will pray specifically for this issue.
Cammie had her weigh in today and had gained a little weight so considering the 4th and all the noise surrounding that I am very pleased. When she is stressed she doesn't eat much.
Have a good day everyone.
Love
Nancy
0 -
Carol, I'm so glad that your endoscopy is over and you are home and taking it easy. I will pray for favorable reports and biopsy results.
GB and Chris, insurance companies seem to put up more and more roadblocks for coverage. I think Nancy hit the nail on the head; companies deny coverage because many customers eventually give up on appeals, yet insurance premiums, co-pays, and co-insurance keep increasing. It's all very frustrating.
Nancy, it's wonderful that Cammie has put on some weight. You must be relieved and pleased with her progress.
Our Independence Day was loud (a LOT of neighborhood fireworks) and exhausting (our refrigerator gave up the ghost). Believe me, spending the day appliance shopping was not our idea of a national holiday. While there were many July 4th sales, numerous items are on back order. The model we eventually chose should arrive the week of July 17th. In the meantime, we are making do with our 40-year-old off-label dorm refrigerator that works like a champ. Go figure! :)
0
