For Older People with Sense

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 7,605

    What's a "pole barn"?? I have this image in my head.....

  • Dilly
    Dilly Member Posts: 394

    You are too modern with your poles (you made me laugh), but the explanation may tickle your imagination as well because these barns are made using poles (small trees) that have been stripped and peeled of their bark, instead of using regular sawn lumber in the framing.

  • macatacmv
    macatacmv Member Posts: 1,200

    Hey everyone on the boat again. Still feeling lousy. The RO dismissed my symptoms and wants me to see my PCP, which I have an appt with next week. I am also getting short of breath just walking the dog. This is so unlike me. I am glad I have ya'll to talk to because I would really feel crazy if I couldn't laugh and feel like I am not alone.

    I have lots of "outside pets" as I call my squirrrels and mice and chipmunks. I know I would not feel so kindly to them if they were inside. They get to live under the shed which is not as fancy as a pole barn I am sure. But it did use to be a county fair booth in another life and still says juice caboose on it. Someone gave it to me and I like to recycle and reuse.

    Hope everyone has a good day!

     Nancy 

  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 7,605

    OOoohhh, I WANT a Juice Caboose, too!!!!!!

    I kill bugs inside, but not outside. If they stay in their place they live. Good thing they don't feel the same way about me!!

  • mostlymom
    mostlymom Member Posts: 378

    Nancy - a couple months after compleating rads, I had shortness of breath.  I had heard rads can sometimes scar your lungs so I saw my RO & he essentially said I was nuts if I thought they had been anywhere near my lungs & recommended I see my PCP.  My PCP referred me to a lung specialist who referred me to a heart specialist who referred me to a muscle specialist....you get the idea.  Not one of the docs found anything specific & I slowly got better - so I'm still thinking it was the rads.  Plus I sure wasted a lot of $ we can ill afford.  I'm afraid if I had it to do over again, I'd have to do the same thing cause it did eliminate a lot of fears.  SOB isn't something to ignore.

  • Gingerbrew
    Gingerbrew Member Posts: 1,997

    I had the same symptoms Nancy and Mostly Mom. I could hardly walk I was so out of breathe. Even going into the kitchen was very difficult. I felt like I was dying I was so short of breathe.  I gradually got better. My MO and my RO were both not surprised by the symptom. With so many women having this symptom I can't imagine the RO thinking it wasnt related. Perhaps the "Fatigue" we know will come also encompasses this severe breathlessness?

    Ginger

  • dragonflymary
    dragonflymary Member Posts: 325

    Nancy, if you've had a blood count done recently you should look at your hemoglobin.  Anemia can cause SOB.  It can also be caused by heart disease.  It would be nice if your doctor would go over possibilities with you instead of just sending you on your way.  I have asthma so I'm familiar with this symptom and it is very debilitating.  I give you permission to be "difficult!"  I never miss the chance to give them all a hard time!

    Lynda 

  • lassie11
    lassie11 Member Posts: 468

    It's not the same thing as the shortness of breath some of you have described, but here's my story.

    First, you need to know that I am overweight - not the "I need to lose 10 pounds" kind- sadly not at all. Also, I am on Femara and parts of me hurt, different parts from week to week. So when I go upstairs in my house, I take a deep breath to start. For ages I have noticed myself out of breath and puffing at the top. Same thing happened when I bent over to the bottom drawer of my dresser for necessaries. Of course I blamed my weight even though my fitness level is otherwise decent.


    The greatest revelation came to me last week. After taking that deep breath at the bottom of the stairs, I didn't breathe again til reaching the top! And not while bending over at my dresser either! Probably people who do formal exercise regularly get reminded to breathe. I forgot to remind myself. It's a miracle. Just by reminding myself to breathe, I no longer am out of puff at the top of the stairs or after bending down to do a task.  Please tell me it's not just me.

  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 2,101

    lassie11:  You are right...one of the causes of shortness of breath is either over breathing or under breathing.  I discovered that when walking up hills in NC and was short of breath at the top.  I was breathing too deeply and then I hypervenilated.  You just take slow steady breaths.

  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 7,605
    lassie, I met you last August (didn't I?) and I thought you were a peanut!! Or is that just compared to me.....Embarassed???
  • macatacmv
    macatacmv Member Posts: 1,200

    Hi everyone,

     Well when my friend picked me up at the boat yesterday she took me right to the walk in clinic. I have some very pushy friends. I saw a new doctor and nurse. My blood pressure was high again, the nurse walked me around the office with the finger clip on and watched my oxy levels fall as my bp went up. We talked about another CT but since it was Friday afternoon he decided to put me on a zpac of antibiotics in case it is pneumonia and I go back to see them next week. I am so confused. Some doctor has added hypertensive disorder to my list of conditions on my patient gateway site. I just want to feel better. 

    Lynda, the techs already call me their problem child. I need lots of positioning to make me comfortable on the table, but they are also the most compassionate. The RO has ordered me to PT which I hear has a bc specialist, which is a blessing.

     Taking every kindness and being grateful.

    (((((3jays))))))

    thanks for all the helpful comments.  

      Nancy 

  • lassie11
    lassie11 Member Posts: 468

    Oh Barbe you are too kind. We certainly have met.  A peanut I am not.

  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 2,101

    Nancy:  So sorry you are still feeling ill.  I've had one of those tough upper respiratory infections as well and I wish I had gone and gotten a zpac right in the beginning because it has lingered and worn me down.  I see how it could easily go into pneumonia if not taken care of quickly.  The only thing that has helped me is rest, rest and more rest!  It's been a week and this is the first day I've felt normal.

    Sending prayers and hugs...take care of yourself. 

  • macatacmv
    macatacmv Member Posts: 1,200

    Thanks Kaara, it is so hard to tell if it is because of the rads or something else that is going on for me. So we are treating it as an infection. I had an upper respiratory thing 2 weeks after surgery so a good 7 weeks ago now and still coughing. I am usually a very heallthy person and hate complaining so much esp when there are others that really have something to complain about and yet they make me laugh. Oh well, more inactivity today or as some people call it rest.

    Here is a picture of one of my outside pets.  

  • lassie11
    lassie11 Member Posts: 468

    Is anyone else offended by the ad that turns up on the right top of the screen warning that older women have worse chances of survival of BC? I read the article and it was pretty much "on a yellow Tuesday if the moon is full" kind of case and small differences from what appears to be just one study. And what could we do about now anyway? 

  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 7,605

    I don't read anything except what my peers write in the comment boxes!! Also, the girl below in the pink scar is a generic public domain picture. I saw it in a magazine ad!!!

  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 2,101

    lassie11:  Yes, I read it, but if you read through all of the details, it really says in the end that older women who have larger tumors that went undetected from not getting regular exams were at higher risk for the poor prognosis because they couldn't be treated as aggressively as younger women.

     This after I read another study that said women over 70 have a better prognosis and don't benefit all that much from chemo and radiation....so which is it???

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438

    Nancy I sure hope you begin to feel better soon and your ailment is just a chest infection that the anti-biotics will get rid off.  I love you outdoor pet!!!!  It is sooooo cute!!!!  That's the one thing that facinated me while I was in America as we don't have those little critters here in Australia.  I didn't realise how tiny they were!  Thank you for posting that.

    I should be getting my new glasses this week, I'm just waiting for the phone call to let me know they are in.  Can't wait!!.....lol......I decided to get new frames as well as lenses and the ones I chose are purle with sixties multi-shade circles on the arms..............they are so cool and I just love them!  I tried on a multitue of frames but this one just did it for me.  I am also going the get a visit from my niece and her children on Wednesday so I'm really looking forward to that as I haven't seen Katlyn since the day she was born and she is two months old now, so many kisses and cuddles will be rained upon her........lol........and I'll also get big hugs from her big brother Lucas......bonus!!!

    I'm starting to get a little antsy as the weeks keep flying by bringing surgery date for my knee ever closer.  I'm looking forward to having it done but not the process of getting it done.........know what I mean?  I have been trying to loose some of the blubber that inactitity and Femara have deposited on my body by completely cutting out a lot of things including all bread (and I really miss that) and sugar (thats not too hard as I did't eat much sugar anyway) but at it is working as over the last two weeks I've lost 8lb.  I hope I can keep it going as any weight loss is a good thing and will help to take the pressure off the other knee.

    Hope all are having a good day!

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy

  • Gingerbrew
    Gingerbrew Member Posts: 1,997

    We have red and grey squirrels in the US. In Illinois we had grey squirrels in the North where I lived.  When I was a kid we had a squirrel that felt almost like a pet until he got more and more insistent that we have something for him when we left the house. He even figured out that he could quick run to the back door if we were avoiding him. We had to stop giving him treats. He had been a lot of fun for me, he would even sit up to get a peanut.

    I hope your knee surgery comes quickly and goes smoothly. Remember take the meds, let them work for you. 

    Hugs 

    GInger

     

  • macatacmv
    macatacmv Member Posts: 1,200

    These squirrels can be pretty demanding. The birds too, if there is no seed out there they stare at me until I give them some more. Between them and the dog I get outside no matter how I feel. I have had a very quiet relaxing day. Just a slow walk with the dog and a friend in the fresh air. Back to the traveling grind tomorrow.

    So Chrissy are you gonna take a pic of you in your new glasses for us?

    Hope you all are peaceful and joyful.

  • Elisimo
    Elisimo Member Posts: 1,262

    Chrissy - So glad to hear that you will get to see Katlyn and Lucas this week.  I know you enjoy all the hugs and have a truckload of kisses stored up for them.  Glad your surgery is quickly arriving.  Know that my heart is there with you in love and prayers.  I can hardly wait until I get to come see you. 

  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 1,929

    Chrissy, that's great about the weight loss! And I second what Mac said - post a picture after you get them!

    Mac, I hope you continue to feel better.

    My retreat was wonderful. The programs were helpful, and it's so good to meet up with others going through the same thing. I felt normal since all the women had cancer. That's one of the best parts of it.

    Leah

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438

    Welcome back Leah!  So glad you had such a good time at the retreat and you had a chance to feel 'normal'.

    Yes I will post a pic with them on and of them on their own....lol.  I got the phone call this afternoon saying they were at the optometrists but the appointment for fitting is not until Thursday afternoon..........so we all have to be patient.........lol

    Love n hugs all!  Chrissy

  • Elisimo
    Elisimo Member Posts: 1,262

    Leah - so glad you had a good timeat the retreat and got a chance to feel normal.  That is a good feeling when we can find it.

    Chrissy - here's hoping you great success with weight loss plan.  

  • QCA
    QCA Member Posts: 1,150

    What a blah day it's been here!  Cold, clouds, and rain but hope to see the sun tomorrow.  This weather, plus trying to get our taxes done, makes me depressed---although it's probably more the taxes!

    Mac, hope you're feeling better, and it's good to see you AmyJo!  And Leah, glad you had a good retreat!  Chrissy, I want to see the new glasses too when you get them. Your surgery date will be here before you know it and we'll be hearing about your recovery!

    3jays, always in my prayers.  Hope today was good for you.

    Kathy

  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 2,604

    thanks, Kathy, and all you faithful ladies.. i got some answers today, the ones from the dr i adore...

      its not really good news, but we ALL understand, here, the circumstances are just different..

      it is my ms, just as we thought it might be.. probably worsened by the hypo.. the part of the brain affected in my brain, is toward the brain stem.. the impulses that control autonomic impulses isn't working right.. my walking, falling shows that. the mri i had proved that.. so, the impulses left/right on the swallow muscles aren't coordinating any longer, ie the choking..

      one thing he said that was different than the hosp dr. is, that it MAY calm down, if thyroid fixes itself.. then, he siad that's unlikely, also..

      he told me to get my forms for no tubing, etc and carrying them with.. but, diff than the hospital dr.he says fluid that is "leaking" uncontolavly is going to my 1st brachia?? NOT the lung immed, like they said.. so, if we keep close watch on my brachia, we'll get it "a time or 2" before it 'll be fatal...

      so, he tells me (to his interns horror) if everything keeps goung smoothy (HUH??!!!) you;ll die of pnemonia, not bc.. she almost stroked out, while we were all happy with that!(a softer easier way)

      he said he couldn't say today, tommorrow, 1o yrs from now.. BUT isn't that where we ALL are?? exactly..

      I have to use a yuckky corn starch powder called "thick it" when i drink fluids (YUCK!!) and, he DID finally decide to give me the "big guns" for the staph.. it might be in my lungs, i've had it so long so thats a big yeah!!!

      in order for it to work, he can only use it 3xs a year; so id better do well this time!!!!

      so, thats the news.. nothing to be done, ms is ms, and can be really scary!!!

      i told him i just am concentrating on Qchemo induced hair loss.. how lucky can a girl get!!!

      im still here, and as far as i know, NED.. and thats the most imp of all. just need to get "built up" again.. and stop looking inward, as soon as i have strength.. God has put a few ple in my life that need me, and i can eat with them in the day, and that'll help. my diabetes isn't so good, not being able to eat all day..

      for the most part, i just have to accept a new "phase" i find my health in.. so, thats all.. just acceptance. many of my good friends are in the same positon, and if they can do it, so can i!!!

      enough said. now, we'll just move along..........3jaysOL niow, and this isn't what i had in mind.. we also discussed kvorkian, did you know most of his pts had ms?? its not an option for my beliefs, nor his.. he's Jewish, Im christian, but we see eye to eye onall of that.. with respect for one another.. everytime i see him, im more impressed!!!

      so, Chrissy, get those pics taken.. im also working on some light wigs, so i'll get poics taken soon.. they dxed a kind of alopecia that comes from

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438

    Oh 3jays big ((((((((hugs))))))) my darling girl.  You are such a fighter and at least now you have some answers not good one but answers.  Here's hoping the 'big guns' anti-B's do some good and finally get rid of that infection.  So sorry you need that thickening agent but if it keeps you safe from choking for a while longer that truly is a good thing.  I so wish I was closer so I could be there for you.

    I don't know what you were saying in you last sentence as it seems to be cut off but talking of wigs, I wore the blonde one you gave me out to dinner a few weeks ago and a friend (a guy) whom I hadn't seen for a few months complimented me on my new hair style and color!  I did tell him it was a wig but it was nice to know it looked good.  My hair is so thin and still falling out........I have no idea why but I still have enough to poof up a bit with the hair dryer when I wash it so I can still get away without wearing a wig all the time but if it keeps going?..............well that's another thing all together......lol.

    I will certainly post a pic as sonn as I can to show everyone the new specs......lol.

    Love n hugs girl!.   Chrissy

  • Gingerbrew
    Gingerbrew Member Posts: 1,997

    3Jays I know you have been waiting for these answers. I am happy you have those people in your life to share your meaals with. I hope you are able to eat more regularly now and your diabetes will improve. 

    You sure have to deal with a lot of information don't you? You are good at sorting through it all and making sense of it for yourself. I send you love and peace 3jays.

    Blessings

    GInger

  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 7,605

    3jays if your lung is treated with the "big guns", that alone, may make you feel much better!! We all know how much an infection takes out of you...just saps your energy. Prayers being sent!!

  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 3,600

    And I will continue praying for you 3jays.