The Hermit Club
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Daisy- colors will be pink in the guest bedroom called "Puppet" and a pretty blue/purple wall for the home office called "Bluebonnet". I will post pictures when it is all done and reassembled!
Dodging the flu was bad enough, but now we have a bed bug infestation in the admin building where I am working one more day. I hope to emerge from this contract flu free and bug free. The idea of the bed bugs just makes me itchy all over....
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Onco, I had never heard of gastroparesis. I googled it. It sounds like a condition that would majorly complicate life. And, might I add, you DO have a "perky attitude". I admire that. Since I am in need of inspiration right now, I will think of you. I will add you to my prayer list.
Jazzy, how can that be - bed bugs??? I would be very itchy. Searched online and found this: http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/BedBugs_OfficeBuildings.pdf So,wash and dry your clothes as soon as arriving home! So, is your life always so adventuresome?
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Ducky, my son has 2 inhalers: Albuterol for rescue and for when he is sick and daily use Flovent to prevent issues. I am not really sure how either works. I was prescribed the same inhalers a few months ago when I was sick - couldn't use the Albuterol with my blood pressure medecine, though. I definitely felt relief from the other inhaler. I wish you health! Stay inside for your "blustery frigid weather with snow squalls"...
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Daisy ......I have a rescue inhaler too...........have never had to use it......just the daily inhaler......I am on a product called Qvar........an I use the "spacer" to administer it...........had a problem using that little shit thing...........I'm good now........guess I'm an idiot......hated the little gizmo.........hooked up to he spacer it works somuch better.........
I realy think it heped get me through this Flu crap......kept my lungs and airways open..........
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Daisy- the area that has the problem is not where I sit. As I understood it, they sent folks home in that area and are fumigating tomorrow and those workers will work from home. It sounds like a worker had them in her cubicle area. As we know, anyone can get them from hotels, etc. By the end of the day, they had it figured out and it should be resolved quickly.
Is my life that exciting most of the time? Probably not, although others here may beg to differ. On a positive note, I walked out tonight with the corporate CFO who I know and whose area I was helping and told him I was finishing up this week and he said "oh, well thank you and let us know if you need anything." I have never asked him to be a reference for me, but may do so now!
Now I have to go back and catch up on today's posts! It looks like it was a busy day here on the hermits thread!
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Daisylover, my son Michael can be a talker when it's just the 2 of us. He texts me a lot too so feels good he's not too old or cool to hang with mom. He doesn't hug me much but once in awhile he will. When he was little it was just the 2 of us and I think he still likes it that way. Now he's got a stepdad and a little brother. I miss him being little, they grow so fast, he's 6ft 4in now and calls me shorty. The Hobbit movie was pretty good. I liked the book too. Thanks for asking. What kind of movies do you like?
I hope those that got sick over the holidays are feeling better.
Mags, I love your bedchair...I want one too! I would never leave it. Enjoy! Glad the scans were good and hope they can do something for shoulder pain.
Jazzy, you may need a hazmat suit for that client, flu and bedbugs! Yikes!
It's super cold here so they called off school for today. That wind chill is deadly. I am staying warm under the covers. I feel like hibernating.
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Hi hermits- okay, I think I am caught up now.
Daisy- do you belong to a gym or have access to some sort of fitness center? Finding a good trainer who understands women who need to do certain exercises for fitness and bone health are sometimes hard to find. I worked with a personal trainer when I first went back to the gym in 2013, just to get a weight routine going. She put together something that worked, but she was more into body sculpting/building.
This last trainer I worked with works with people who are recovering from injuries, surgeries, have chronic health conditions, etc She really got where I was coming from, and what I needed. You need to work with them long enough to learn enough variations of routines, so you won't get bored with it. I am going shortly tonight as a matter of fact for an hour of working out with the weight machines. Another option is to find a trainer who can help you set up a routine at home with some smaller free weights.
Mags- I am glad you found out about the block and hope the MO can get back with you soon. I hope you can get through the rads treatment and so sorry your shoulder has so many issues. I think we all went into our bc diagnosis with some issues, and of course, you then find out how with cancer, how these things either get worse or complicate your treatment process. The radiation treatments don't last that long once you get them going.
And about your gardens, do know they will be waiting for you. I did not do much in mine the summer after my bc, but this past summer, I was able to do more. Things will come back and you can return to it when the time is right. Trust me that all the things that get parked slowly return with time. I am still watching things return that got parked for a couple years now.
Footprints- how are you doing? I don't think we have heard from you in awhile? Are you doing okay as winter has set in? Feeling okay?
Mommy- so glad you are feeling better.
Lili- are you doing okay and working on your plans for a better 2015?
I know it is bitterly cold back east. We had that bitter cold here over Xmas and New Years, but think it is worse there. I have a friend who lives along the coast in Maine and said it is going to be -20 there tonight. Dangerous cold, stay in and be safe my people.
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Daisy, it was a really bad cold.
Very cold here this morning. Was out long enough for my dog Jackson to do his business and right back inside. Schools here are on a delay of anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours.
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Hermits- what is going on my hermit friends? Everyone okay? Staying warm? Getting better?
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Getting better ........just the cough and co[ngestion.............otherwise ok
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Got up early and drove myself to physical therapy. Josie did a bit of range of motion assessment active & passive then took me through some exercises she wants me to do twice a day. Half an hour later I begged for ice and she iced the shoulder. For me the ice is not to reduce inflammation but to numb it. Drove home, and an hour later had to take half a percocet and half a muscle relaxer as the pain was so bad. When I arrived, Josie asked my pain level, I said 6. By the time I took the meds it was a 9.5. Rested a while, DH made me an egg sandwich, now I'm in the studio with the laptop and a cup of coffee (peppermint mocha). This bed chair supports my arms so they're not hanging loose, which is painful. I just don't know how I'm going to get through this. I can't take my celebrex until after the nerve block Wednesday, or even ibuprofen, so that makes it that much worse.
Wish I could just take it easy, but I have to do these exercises! Twice a day! Ouch!
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Relaxing and a bit sore tonight from doing the shovelling snow we had today
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Mags- oh this shoulder thing sounds so hard for you. Pain of 9.5 is the worst. I know PT helps, but hurts in the process. Your poor body is just wanting a reprieve. We get dragged through the worst things with this. I am wishing you better days.
Anyways, I am glad that your chair is helping in all that and the coffee sounds really good. Is the peppermint mocha from Starbucks? Those are the best......
Mommy- I am glad you are doing better and actually shoveling! How much snow did you get? I miss CT, but not those winters.
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Hi everyone. I am new here. Diagnosed 12/1. My surgery is Monday. I'm 35. I've always been fairly introverted and preferred a quiet lifestyle. My husband and I have always preferred to sit at home and watch movies and cook dinner than to go out. I have no kids and three dogs. Now that this happened to me I feel like I am having to force myself to do things like go to work, out to eat, etc. I don't want to be in social situations where I'll be asked about the cancer or someone will say something stupid that will make me feel bad. It's a double edged sword because the more I sit at home the more I obsess and think the worst, but I feel safest at home. It's like I can't win either way with my feelings. I want to lay in bed or on the couch and read all day, but I can't spend the rest of my life that way. I've had friends reach out to me and try to get me to do fun things like dinner or a pedicure but I just haven't wanted to participate. I have some anxiety and depression issues to work through as well. I'm just trying to hang in there. Glad to connect with you all.
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Shelley- I am sorry you have found yourself in this situation, but glad you found our thread. Being newly diagnosed is very overwhelming. Hermitting is a natural thing to do as you go through treatment, perhaps you and your husband enjoy alone time anyways.
Here are a couple things that helped me during the very beginning and as I went through treatment:
- I had to learn to not let other people tell me what I need. Don't put pressure on yourself to socialize, go out to eat, help others to understand what you are going through. You need your energy to take care of yourself and get through treatment.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help. I learned to be very specific with people as I knew what help I needed. You may not know this right away, but it will be clearer as you go through this. Please pick up my mail at my PO box, take me to the store, stop over for a visit, pick up my meds at Walgreens, come watch a movie with me.
- Work can be a slippery slope. Many people need to work through treatment, I did for part of mine. I just went in, did my thing and left. I worked PT as I went through rad treatment, then would go home to rest the rest of the day. I took a contract with a long time client and just told her I had had some recent surgery and could only work 8-2 each day. Then I would go home and rest the rest of the day. Working helps to keep your mind from dwelling on things. Working actually helped me to stabilize my life on at least one level.
- It is okay to tell people you don't want to talk about it. I found myself being asked so many questions from well meaning people about things I could never answer. Some people will give you their opinion about your treatments or judge how they think you are coping with it. I figured out who could be present with me and my situation pretty quickly.
- If you need to get out and take a break, do so with people who can do that with you. Short outings may be all you feel like doing. Even having someone take you for a drive or out to get a Starbucks coffee can be such a nice break.
I am glad you have your surgery date scheduled and no doubt are preparing for that. We will be here on the other side as you come through that. Let us know how else we can help you?
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Shelly.........I am old enough to be your Grandmother........WE all hate to meet under these conditions, but we are all here for each other.........Your feelings were once our feelings, but it does get better........Once you have a plan, and can see down the road things will be seen more clearly........take one day at a time........get good Dr's......liten to what tey tell you, and soon you will understand it all much better........We have all been there, and here we still are........we will also be here for you.....love and hugs......your gonna do ok..............
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Welcome shelly
Hey ducky, mags, daisy, onco, mommy and jazzy
Daisy, thanks so much appreciate it.
Ducky r u feeling any brtter, u need anything
Am in have a birthday psrty tomorrow, other than that in
Hope everyone thst is sick feels better.
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Getting there Blondie............still with the cough and congestion, tired of cx soup, but its better then nothing, and easy going down..........I think I'm seeing the light at the end of th tunnel.........still an' believe I got the Flu with the shot........
CDC better do better next 'year........so many sick people..........just glad I got the shot.........imagine where I would be had I not.......
Hope your ok......take care of yourself.....I might go to the store tomorrow........but then I said that today too.......LOL........hugs Sweetie........
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thank you for the advice and warm welcome.
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Maiden, my son is 6'4" as well - did I already mention that? They do grow up so fast. I used to call my 6' 1" tall daughter "shorty"! Does your son enjoy athletics? He should try rowing - he's a great height for it
I like feel-good movies - romantic comedies and some lighter dramas, adventure movies if they're not too tense. I thoroughly enjoyed "The Theory of Everything" about Stephen Hawkins' life. We saw "Into the Woods" and enjoyed the first half very much. It slowed down/"got weird" (my daughter's words) about half way through though. My daughter and I watch "The Proposal" over and over again - we just LOVE that movie. We find it very amusing that Alaska looks just like our favorite Massachusetts coast day trip destination, Rockport. I just asked my husband if there are any movies out there that we want to see and he said "The Hobbit" movie. HaHaHa... Enjoy your time with your son. Jazzy, I definitely should figure some sort of training program out. I do the treadmill and ride my recumbent stationary bike, but need to add weight training. I have a breast cancer exercise book somewhere here in my bedroom... I need to make my way over to the decluttering thread maybe?
Mommy, I have my dog trained (he does this reliably just for me) - I take out a treat, show it to him, send him out to do his business, then give him his treat when he returns. We have deer and other smaller creatures traveling through our yard - the treat ensures that he doesn't head off into the woods... I don't go out in the bitter cold anymore. Some would call me a weather wimp.
Mags, how did the second set go today? Could you do it? Would they be easier in the shower? hugs and prayers...
Ducky and Blondie, next time I drive to Philly, you will have to let me run an errand or two for you... Stay warm and Ducky, get well. Blondie, Happy Birthday!? Whose birthday? Love the welcome mat.
Shelley, I remember those early days - Jazzy is right. You should do whatever feels right to you. Once you have surgery, receive your pathology report, and get a treatment plan, it will become less stressful. Whenever you need support, these women on this thread are the best. Takeout can provide a nice break from cooking and cleaning up. It all gets easier...
Happy Saturday!
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Good Morning ladies----I' so far behind, but I did read all the posts but now I can' remember much. Chit
Welcome Shelley, u are so newly diagnosed it takes a bit to have I all register--listen to Jazy, she always thinks things thru--and personaly I would say do exactly as u eel like doing--no pressure to go thru things u normally don't do. And u'r furbaies are going tto be a joy for u.
MO finally u'r OK--I still have some cough let, but not much--I didn't even have this cold as bad as others, but my DD's had it bad, one ended up in the hospital for dehydration and she's my water girl-so she was out from work all week,but she too can do work from home if needed.
Jay u'r colors sound wonderful, it's so exciting to get all that work done.
Mags I'm so sorry i'r having all these problems with u'r shoulder, that pain must be horrible.
Blondie U are amazing, prayers or u my darling.Onco, WI---we're in a cold blast that even closed schools this week and so cold at nite too. Not much snow tho just colder than a witches ---nose.
Sally I was going to say something to u, but u know I forgot, in fat I forgot a few things now, Oh I do work from home but it's not a crazy job, just answering phone, nessages and iling , of course al in the computer now a days--but I'm home so much it works out ok or me.
My sister was getting the shots for her knees, but they don't work anymore so she got gel pads put in, cuz she's bone on bone and it was a painful week for her, so she stayed home from work, meaning all she did was call me, put me on speaker and her and my BIL talked for hrs. I told her this isn't going to fly when she retires LOL
Oh I start all my Dr. stuff in a couple o weeks, Istill hate going--I never get used to it==but my Drs, offices are right in the hospital, where all my tests can be done--so I like that part.
I;m sorry I'm forgetting everyone, I never mean to that's for sure. Hope everyone has a good day and keep warm.
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Jazzy- got about 3 inches here of the nice fluffy stuff.
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Blondie- is the birthday party for you or someone else?
Daisy- I am so decluttering right now. Pulling apart the spare bedrooms today to prepare them for painting and knowing there will be things that won't be going back in. I heard there is a decluttering thread here too.
Mommy- not too much snow, that is good to hear.
Cami- I am right with you on hating to do all the dr. apts. Two more this month. Always feels heavy.
Onco- I hope you are staying warm. Are you skating this winter?
I finished my short contract yesterday and now on to the renovations. I will be glad to have the rest of the rooms painted and flooring finished in the remaining bedrooms.
Hope everyone here has a good day/weekend and is getting better and keeping warm.
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hi shelly, welcome to the hermits! we all know how the initial stages of this experience suck. Jazzys advice is spot on. I say also, join some other boards here as apply to you. Chemo board here saved my sanity and spirit during that process. Ditto for the surgery board. Remember you don't even have to post, but can read and others experiences are very helpful too. Support is here though, so don't be afraid to connect with others. best wishes in all things!
hi to my regular hermits, mags, thinkin of you and that chair, peppermint coffee....hope you get thru shoulder rads.
Hi jazzy, onco, ducky, camile, lily, everyone else! I have been venturing outside and feeling so much better. Rads start Jan 20, so I have a few more days of vacation, hahahahaha. Onco says I had CPR, and that is what they "dream of" for patients. I cried with joy, and really am in disbelief about it. Such good news.....
Made my trademark creamy chicken coconut thai soup, oh, so good. These little things make life special. Stay warm my cold climate hermettes! I shant tell ya our Fla. Weather
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Welcome Shelley. I will be thinking of you on Monday. You said you feel safest at home. I know that feeling; it has gotten better with time. Women here on breastcancer.org told me that in time I would feel like reaching out again. They have been right. They also told me that everyone's time schedule is different. Like Ducky said, we will be here for you.
Cami, it sounds like your daughter is home from the hospital ... I hope ... I also hope that that darn bug is gone from everyone in your family soon. Cami, I hate going to doc appointments too. I hope yours go smoothly.
Jazzy, I am picturing you getting ready for painting week. You mentioned more doc appointments ... I thought you were finished. Do these cause anxiety? I have my three month check up on Tuesday ... it is causing me anxiety which I am keeping at bay, sort of, with some chores. Yesterday I cleaned part of a closet out, so today I am going to take some stuff to a charity. For some reason, getting rid of stuff that is no longer needed and organizing messy closets is fun for me.
Bippy, wonderful news hearing that you had CPR.
Hi M0mmy, Mags, Onco, Blondie, and Daisylover.
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Morning Hermies. Daisy, I never did my second set – had to ice both shoulders down even to get to sleep, and again this morning. The right shoulder feels like the left one did when the rotator cuff was sliced almost in half by bone spurs. And I know what did that, it was working them out, reps of shoulder movement that eventually nearly severed them. I might be able to do these if I focus on stretching slowly instead of quick reps. I might try the shower idea, the warm water might loosen things up.
Today is my cousin's 78th birthday. She moved in with us 3 years ago, and she's been my mom, sister, companion, confidante, chauffeur, cook, and caregiver. She's got amazing energy even when she says she's tired. She sings in choir at church, and leads a group of women who are widowed or divorced. She's been a widow for over 25 years, took care of her parents until they passed away in their 90's a few years ago. She has kids, step kids, grandkids and great grandkids, but DH and I are her main family now. And all 3 of us wouldn't have it any other way. We're taking her to a restaurant by the lake for dinner, her choice.
So that's what I'm doing today.
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Jazzy, there is no place like home. Hey I thought that you were busy decluttering...
Cami, it's good to have sisters in our lives, but I really hate speakerphone - just a pet peeve of mine. My sister and her husband do that to me all the time and sometimes my son does too...
Blondie, enjoy that party!!!
Mommy, we barely got an inch, but they plowed my street - our tax $$$ at work... Hopefully your dog loves the fluffy white stuff. You should hunt for some of Mags' peppermint coffee
Bippy, YAY for CPR and creamy chicken coconut thai soup! My daughter is in Florida for spring training for rowing - swimming in the Atlantic Ocean during her time off... up here I would not even stick my toe in the Atlantic
Pretty sure that you are enjoying a very different sort of weather! A warm beach is my "happy place". Is the soup hot or cold? Enjoy!Shelley, hang in there, you can hibernate until it feels right to venture forth. Friends and family will understand. Protect yourself until you are stronger - and you will be. As they say here on BCO, I will be "in the bag" for Monday - hope it's smooth sailing. With surgery behind you, and treatment determined, you can start to feel more control.
Sally, very nice work cleaning out. Wish you lived closer to share your talents and enthusiasm - my intentions are good, but my piles are daunting. Today, instead of decluttering, I will be replacing my broken dishwasher and searching for new eyeglass frames (the better to see the mess?)...
Mags, I shudder to think of your pain. I feel like there has to be a better path. I usually feel better the day after (day of is painful) PT. Do you trust your therapist? Do not overdue the exercise? Can you find another therapist? second opinion? Well, you are a trouper. Your cousin definitely deserves the meal of her choice! I would say that everyone should have dessert to celebrate her birth - I admit that I ate 3 cannoli's last night when out to dinner with my friend (it was a single dessert item!), and it really changed my mood for the better - I still remember the taste dreamily... not too sweet, light and fluffy with a slight crunch, hint of nuts and chocolate... Worth it. I am eating super healthy today! Family celebrations give one such a feeling of connection. It's so special to share your home and church with her. Celebrate your cousin with gusto! But, try to get a chair with arms? do you have a sling for immobilizing/supporting your shoulder(s)? You want to be comfortable for the party! Can I be in the bag for dinner? Happy pain-free thoughts...
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Mommy, is it snowman snow? Or snow angel? enjoy.
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