new and future flat sister, with questions
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Bobo.. I laughed out loud reading your kid stories. My DD wanted to know what was so funny! Oddly enough, she has always been such a good kid and I am the drama queen at this house. Oh, and thank you for reminding me that you fell and survived. You have been through the wringer that's for sure, and I always find your determination to persevere so encouraging. I don't handle stuff like this well .. after my fall I was dazed and looking for antibiotic cream and bandages etc.. and all I could think of was.. OK God, if you want me to die, just get it over with already! (see previous statement about drama queen lol)
GrammaB - I thought of you today as I was cursing the ice. I remember you talking about trying to get rid of the water on your driveway. I remember thinking at the time how lucky I was to not have that problem very often... then it rained and got warm for 3 days..and now I have a big patch of ice Currently -4 with the windchill. I have never in my life yearned for spring like I have this winter. I wish I could have planned my surgery better... 6 weeks recovery and most of it will be during this cold spell.
Idesim - Wheee, nice to see you back. Wow, that oil story sounds like a nightmare. Glad insurance is covering it all. OK, I have another story..and now I will always blame Bobo for saying that one story leads to another...but this might make you feel better, so I'm going to tell it. My sister had a friend who had to have their septic tank cleaned out (they live in the country). The sewer truck hooked into the tank to empty it.. but forgot to throw the switch or something and it basically emptied the contents of the truck and tank into their home. Yup, they had about a foot or so of their poop and everyone else's on their floor. They were literally standing in it trying to clean it up. (I simply can't imagine this..and probably would have sold the house and moved). Anyhow, they had to remove everything..the drywall and studs for like 2 feet up...and of course everything was ruined. They had a hard time recovering money from their insurance because they didn't have any receipts for many things. I often think of this story when some stupid thing is in need of repair at my house and I'm pissed...and then I think.. oh..it could be so much worse!
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Oh Wow! I love a good laugh in the morning and you guys have done it for me today!
PRB, that septic tank story is unbelievable! I can't imagine how awful that would be. I think I would have sold up too! I am going to officially file that in my "It could have been so much worse file!" LOL
I hope you are over that fall and feeling good again! M x
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Bobo, the story of W has me in stitches. I know it is awful if you have to live it, but I am loving the perfectly painted picture you have described, it is priceless. Then to read of our Princess talking back..oh the joys of children! I love the picture of you and the Princess having your faux popcorn as you do your chores.
As for the Wedding, please don't stress about it, there is plenty of time for that after you get the next surgery out of the way and finished. M x
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PRB, what a story, agreed to selling of the house but who the hell would want to buy it?? things happen dont they?
Idesim, nice to have you back. now we know where you have been... in the bathroom! ha. keep drinking the water tho, so good for us. I really get cold when I drink alot of water and it is cold enough here lately.
Bobo, your kids are just doing the normal things I think, they just have to test the waters of everything! You have been through so much and yet you keep going and humor is still there!! you know the old saying... if you are going thru hell... keeping going! seems like you the poster child for that.
Fiaranch... your pics are something else.. nothing like a good laugh anytime.. thanks.
Wren, so glad you results are ok, but what is up with the wait.. let them know what this does to us women. Sleep well tonight.
GB, no let up for our cold but no more snow just wind. My brother winters in Texas and says it is usually windy there too, of course much warmer, but not sure I want to winter in Tx if wind is an issue. DS lived south of Houston for awhile and we visited often and it seemed like it was windy there too. Think Wren once lived in TX maybe she can clue me in on that.
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TB, this is for you!
I can't tell you what a comedy routine this has been. I have been listening for the Cockatoos every evening. They fly in a big flock and land on trees all around here at dusk. Thy are incredibly loud, as you'd know, especially when there are 20 or more all screeching at the same time.
I have run out on several occasions, trying to catch them, but they take off if disturbed. Last night, I heard them and I crept out, with my camera. They were all over my neighbors trees, but kept taking off and landing on other trees. I just couldn't get a good enough shot of lots in the same big tree together. So as soon as a half dozen landed in a small tree I was there clicking madly, standing on a step ladder to get high enough to catch them. This is all I could get, but gives you an idea of what they are like in their habitat. I hope you like them! Mx
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The Baretta birds! Anybody remember that show? Peter Faulk? OMD and they're wild! How cool! We have wild Nanday conures here, just as loud, not as pretty.
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Wren, I am sorry you had that awful wait. I don't get it, do these people not understand what it is like to be waiting for these results? I assume not, or it wouldn't happen.
I wrote a letter to BreastScreen, who do our Mammos in Australia to tell them what a great experience I had from their service from Mammo to call back, biopsy and Dx, but although everything else was excellent, the wait time for my Biopsy results was brutal. There was a public holiday on the day which should have been my Dx clinic appointment, so I had another week to wait. That made it 11 grueling days from Biopsy to Dx. They absolutely agreed and have entered wait times, at the head of their agenda for their next planning meetings. Duh! it isn't rocket science! But, good on them, for at least looking at it.
I am with the cook before the surgery and freeze theory!
I am wondering if the CD is about Robot Surgery? I know 2 men who have undergone that method and have had great results. It is very expensive here, and not covered, for some reason on our Medicare.
I have to dash out to the hairdresser, will be back later...M x
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Ariom: Thank you so much and for all the effort you put into getting these pics. It brings tears to my eyes to see them in their natural habitat. I hate that our Blanche was ripped from her home to satisfy the needs of humans. But also so glad that she eventually ended up in our lives. I tried to feed her a fig the other day after hearing that the birds were all eating your figs, but she would not even touch it. Maybe it was not cockatoo's that were eating your figs. But she devours a number of kiwi every day. It is so funny, as my family and I are admiring your pictures, Blanche is calling out "hello Dwayne" to get DH to return to her. DH is her lover and their relationship amazes me every day. Blanche will even cuddle under a blanket with DH for a snooze. Well, you sure made our evening. Busy with rads and cording seems to have returned. Take care everyone here on this thread. Australia is now back on my bucket list, flight and all!
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I just caught up on everyone. You guys are so active. Just missing otceb. Hope you are feeling fine??
Sorry I do not comment on everyone, but I do love to follow all your stories.
II am spending 4 hours daily commuting for radiation, seeing a few clients privately and DH and I are teaching a cooking class twice weekly to teens on the Reserve. I cannot believe how busy I am. And I have to follow a number of these threads. This has even replaced some of my television shows as there are only so many hours in a day! You guys are just too interesting.
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No problem TB,I am so pleased you like them!
I have heard wonderful stories of people who have had Cockatoos for a lifetime, they live to a very old age, but sometimes have a habit of pulling out their own feathers. There was one near where I lived years ago that was practically bald, except for its head and rode with its elderly owner on the front of a shopping cart, wearing a football sweater, and it swore like a trooper!
It is the Rosellas that are devouring the Figs, but I have to say the Cockatoos will eat just about everything, including houses. There are many stories of Cockies as they are called here, the Aussies will find a shortening for the name of anything or anyone, eating the timber from Patios and window frames or the ballastrading of decking. They descend in a large flock and cause havoc in some places. There is plenty for them to eat here, so I haven't heard of it happening locally.
You're amazing, doing all that commuting and the work and classes too! Good luck for a quick finish of the rads and some time to take a rest! M x
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ldesim, I am sooooooo glad to see you back. I really missed you, but understand what was going on with you. That's heartbreaking, having to go through everything and get rid of stuff because of that error. To have the garden dug up to clear it out is such an upheaval.
I hope you are enjoying that new office and haven't made yourself sick sniffing the new carpet!
Now, I have to tell you. I had an appointment yesterday to have the Dog Ear dressing removed. I can't tell you how hard it was for me not to try to get a peek under that dressing...I know Bobo..I can't help it...I am just too curious to leave it alone. Well this time, I couldn't reach so I had to leave it alone. It could have had a couple more days, but it's done now.
I am so thrilled! The nurse who removed the dressing said, "Oh what a beautiful scar!" "He does do a lovely job!" I still couldn't see it so she went to her bag and got her mirror out to show me, and sure enough, it is just what I wanted. It is flat and as fine as can be, still bruised, but I can see with massage and silicone strips it will disappear, and I have full range of motion!!! Yay!
I am so tempted, as you suggested to get out on the water, but I have another week at least that I am supposed to not lift, or stretch. I think getting the Kayak to the water, and getting in and out at the beginning may be a bit too much for the internal stitches. I don't want to risk any setbacks or injuries. I can wait...just! M x
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Spookiesmom, sure do remember Baretta and that was his bird! I would not have thought of it, thanks for the memory.
Great pics Ariom, and great news about the new scar being a good one... never thought I would be saying those words!!
TB90, wow you are a busy gal, doing your treatments and good work besides. Well done! how many weeks left? Take care.
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ldesim, I forgot to answer you. Those flowers are called "Red Hot Pokers" I have no idea what the botanical name is. They grow to a great height, about 5' and really stand out. My neighbor planted them right at the edge of the cliff that goes down to the water from here. I caught a woman with a pair of secateurs helping herself last year. I went out and stood with arms folded till she was shamed enough to get back in her car and leave. The cheek of her! LOL We have the most wonderful flowers that grow on this small piece of land in front of us, every season there is something new. I especially love the wild Freesias, they form a carpet of mixed colors and if the breeze is right, the smell wafts into the house.
gB, your Spring birds are coming, take it easy with the shoveling!
PRB, getting the drain out is just the best isn't it!
Bobo, when I read that list of horrors you had to endure, it gives me goosebumps. I am so in the bag for this next one!
I know I have left someone out, I am sorry, but Colin is starving and it is almost 3.15pm, ooops forgot lunch!
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M - I have a couple of questions about the scar. What are these silicon strips you talk about? My surgeon took the steri-strips off today and my incision is looking really good, however, there's probably an inch where it curves toward my underarm where the 2 sides are not meeting up perfectly (it's all sewn from the inside). There's a very small gap and I'm wondering if I should put some kind of bandage or butterfly strip to hold it together better. I really don't know much about scar or wound care...maybe massaging it will make it lie flat and meet up correctly? Have to wonder if this was caused from my stupid fall today. ugh.
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Hi PRB, The silicone strips I use are available from pharmacies. I believe your pharmacies have their own brands. It is a strip of silicone that you place over your scar to reduce redness, and help to flatten the incision line. I have used these for lots of surgeries, especially the hand surgery I had that gave me an incision right across my knuckles. The hand surgeon had a silicone strip on that incision as soon as it was healed and I wore it all day under the sock and the apparatus I had to wear to cradle my fingers, for 5 months. I probably used it for 6 months after that and you can barely see the scar now. I used the strips on my Mx scar for a good 6 to 8 months, as well as the massaging I still do every day. I prefer to use massage oils with essential oils in them, but any good quality oil will do the job.
I am just trying to get a picture of what you are telling me about your scar. It doesn't sound like a Dog Ear. Do you mean the two edges of the incision are not exactly meeting? If there is a bit of scabbing there, just leave it alone till that comes away on its own. If it looks like a bit of a pucker, leave that alone too, there is still significant swelling and healing to take place yet. It is going to continue to change in appearance, so unless it is something that is a real worry, ie looks like it is getting red, swelling more, not less, oozing, or feeling hot, I'd just take a wait and see attitude. You can always check with your Doctor, but I imagine he took a good look after hearing about the fall and didn't see anything that worried him.
ndgirl! I know what you mean.LOL Who'd have thought we'd be comparing and talking about good scars versus bad ones.
Colin wins hands down in the comparing scars competition! He had the tendons from the front of his shins removed to have transplanted into his shoulders to give him tricep lift, which was lost when he broke his neck. The shoulder scars he has from that are zig zags that go down the back of both arms. He keeps toying with getting a big dragon tattoo on one of them. He'll never do it. LOL
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Ariom,
Your photos of your geo are so soothing!
Holly
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I didn't refresh the page before my last post, so missed some of you!
It is almost midnight here and already below 0°F. I have the most amazing icicles hanging off my roof. One is well over 4' long! I'll try to get a photo tomorrow.
Wren, it is just so wrong to take so long for results to come back. So glad all is well!
Fia, that so describes what life has been dealing me lately! No water, flooding, snow and deep freeze is coming now too.
ldesim, glad all the renovation is finally done and life can get back to normal at work. OMG, how awful for BIL! I can't imagine going through that!! At least he isn't responsible for the repairs. My DGD is so cute, really has a mind of her own, when she is done with something she is done and on to the next adventure. I wish I could see her more often. My DD will call and say she is walking around with things I send her saying "My gramma sent me this!"
bobo, always enjoy the stories of your sweet little ones. While you may seem to complain/be frustrated, your love for them just shines through with every story. I hope things come around for you and you can enjoy planning the wedding without any other worries.
posting as I am at the end of the page and don't want to lose this
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Ariom,
Freesias are my favorite because of the smells. And Red Hot Pokers are here in No California also. Accurately descriptive name.
Bobo--Drat. Another surgery? Still new but can I join the baggers and support you?
Re: Tightness. Oh yeah. Me too. I did my exercises to prevent too much tightness, starting the first day home. I was doing the circles just as I was told. Except when I STILL had too much drainage to move tube and I expressed my chagrine that Inhad been so GOOD about doing my exercises.... I found out that all that movement was perpetuating drainage. I had misunderstood. I was to start those circles AFTER the drain was removed.
Too much to remember.
Anyone have lumps and bumps post radiation? Worries me. Seems to be radiated tissue. But who knows. Will see BS in March. But wondering about going in sooner as I had positive margin on my chest wall. No lymph nodes involved, yay.
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TB90,
I too had a mid day long commute for radiation for five weeks.
I was soooo lucky that friends signed up to go with me and bring lunch for all of those 25 trips. They were my social life in that stretch and what a great social life I had for five weeks. I worked and saw clients for a couple hours each morning, drove and caught up with friends both longtime and newer, back to my office for a few more hours of clients and then home to dinner brought to us and bed. It turned out to be a very rich time, despite the raw flesh that developed and the tiredness. Who would have thought that Inwould be reminiscing about the radiation phase!
Anyone else have unexpected blessings in the midst of such challenge?
Holly
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OMG, Ariom! That is a major bird party in your tree!
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fiaranch,
You made me laugh out loud about your son and his alphabet soup vomit and wondering if he spelled anything.
Holly
Lakewood JHS 7th grade in probably 1961-62.
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fiaranch,
Loved the booty call cartoon!
Holly
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PRB, sometimes the weather just kills! We get so cold here, ice is always an issue. When I lived in CA in the Sierras, I had a very steep driveway. I was shoveling one day and I slipped and fell. I landed on the handle of the shovel and slid down the driveway out into the road. I had the most awful bruise on my tailbone in the perfect shape of the handle!! I can't imagine how horrible the septic tank disaster was. I'd move.....
ndgirl, the cold is here and will be for several days. It is good as we had so much snow lately, if it was warm, I'd be dealing with flooding again.
Ariom & Spookie, Yes!!! I remember Baretta birds!!! Beautiful!!
I too had my biopsy right before a holiday weekend and had to wait 4 days before the results. Not as long as you Ariom but it felt like forever to me!
TB love the story of DH sleeping under the covers with Blanche! I can't imagine the commute every day and add to that teaching a class!! Wow you are awesome!
Ariom, so happy that the scar is as nice as you hoped. Don't rush it, let it heal, Summer will be here next year too and you can get out in the kayak as much as you want. I welcome the birds back. The black birds the very first sign of spring were here a week or so before. What I don't like is that they get after the little birds who have wintered here and it seems so mean.
PRB, I got the silicon strips Ariom is talking about from Amazon. The brand is called ScarAway. I used them for a while, but I heal so fast that all I seem to need now is the Vit. E oil or Mederma lotion.
Ariom, I didn't realize it before, but now do, I was never repulsed by my scars. They speak to the journey of my life and each one is a milestone of my survival over another obstacle. As long as my chest is numb, I am considering at a tattoo. I just have to factor in the infection risk due too my diabetes.
Hugs
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M - thanks for that description and care of a scar. I think I'll leave it alone and see what happens. The rest of the incision meets perfectly and lays flat..this one inch or so meets, but is kind of 'open' ..like I could lay a thread or two in between the two pieces of skin. It is sewn from the inside, so it's not oozing or anything .. it's just not flat and the two pieces of skin are not touching each other. Make sense?
I just looked and they have those strips on amazon. I think I'll buy some to use once my incision is healed because I've had some scars develop keloids. My mother had several surgeries and her scars were always beautiful....thin, fine lines that faded to almost nothing. She was a red head with very fair skin. I remember one time when she was in a major teaching hospital here in Michigan... a boat load of doctor wannabees came in to look at her skin. She was in her 60's and didn't have any wrinkles and they were amazed! Later on, she was bed-ridden for 7 years and never once developed a bed sore. She had some damn good skin!
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Hi hollyboo, I think there are a lot of similar trees and plants in California. I remember seeing the same Eucalypts and Gum trees that we have as natives here when I first went to LA. You're right about these Red Hot Pokers, they look just like that.
I had only recently moved here when I was Dx. I really didn't know anyone very well, but our McGrath Breast Nurse put me in touch with a local group who welcomed me with open arms. I am very involved with that group now and help organize our meetings and outings. Through them, I have met many more people who have now become friends.
Funnily, I doubt I would have met and made so many new friends had this not happened to me. Mx
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Hello sweeties,
This is just a very quick post to apologise for my absence. I am a bit of a mess at the moment as I am in hospital on Friday and getting myself properly worked up!!!!
I will be resting after that and will catch up properly with you all then. I hope everyone is doing okay. I've missed you girls!
Zills - thanks so much for my card. How lovely, I was really touched you thought of me!
Sending all of you a huge hug from the getting warmer UK and throwing lots of love your way too.
Viv xxxxx
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Viv! What's going on? What's the work up? And how can we help? Have missed seeing you on the thread.
GB, my love for WB should NOT be shining through at the moment! We found a few empty candy-bar wrappers in his backpack yesterday.
DLLP: Where did you get these.
WB: They are not mine. I was just throwing them away for a friend.
M, please elaborate on scar strips. I know you must have done so 1,000,000 times. But I want to know exactly which scar strips to get. And when do you start them? Also, I think I want to use your exact formulation of essential oils. Should Vit E oil be the base? Now that I'm having this (I hope last) surgery, I want to get to work on whatever is going to be left so I can flatten and minimize scarring. I'm pretty worried about it. He said if I tried out the TEs and then it didn't work out, I could have straight scars just as I would have had. But I don't see how that is going to be true. I am so glad your (rather painful) scar is so beautiful, according to the nurse!
By the way, I am gobsmacked by the cockatoos in your trees. You live in a paradise. Never visit Philadelphia.
PRB, if that sewage thing had happened to me, I believe I would have just shot myself right in the middle of it. I wouldn't wait to clean up and sell the house. Other people's feces? I would want to put myself out of misery as quickly as possible.
UPDATE: DLLP is sneaking vegan mayonnaise (called 'Veganaise') and soy ice cream into everything I eat (that she prepares. It is gross. She is denying it. But we run out of Veganaise every week. And I'm the only one who would be eating it -- she eats real mayo.
me: What's in this soup?
DLLP: Do you like it?
Posting!
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Oh Bobo, I can just imagine what a house full of someone else's shit would do for you! I am so sorry, but the mental picture is so funny! Not that I could take it either, but OMG that made me laugh. The headline "Hysterical woman shoots herself in house of shit!"
Now I have composed myself, well sort of, the scar strips are all the same, just bought in different configurations. I bought "Scar FX" in a 22" long piece that was, I think 1" wide. I cut it in half and I had two to alternate. I know you can get them very easily over there, they are in the pharmacy, just get the right size for your scar. The massage oil I use is one I have used for many, many years. It is a massage oil made up of Wheatgerm, Macadamia and Sweet Almond oils with a blend of Essential Oils that are analgesics for pain. I have always used this for my Arthritis or for wounds that are healed. Just try your health food shop for a good quality massage oil with an Essential Oil blend. The Essential Oils are anti bacterial, and anti viral too. I use them all around the dressing till the would is completely healed and then I start very light massage and work up to a fairly firm massage over time. The scar strips can't be used till your wound is completely healed either. All this will feed your skin and make it supple without any adheasions.
I am annoyed this morning because I have found a couple of stitches working through my scar, so another trip to the Doctor to have them pulled out. I can't reach around that far and do it with my left hand.
Oh Bobo, I wish you could actually see this place. The pictures truly don't do it justice. The birds are unbelievable. Yesterday, while the Fig was a blaze of color, I must try to get a shot of those for you, Rosellas are the brightest colors, Colin and I were out there watching a huge Sea Eagle riding the thermals above us, then there are the Kookaburras, my personal fave, of the smaller birds, that come to find small lizards in the garden and give us a "laughing" show in the evenings. Then there's the huge Pelicans that absolutely blow me away, I adore them, and there can be 60 of them right in front of my window some mornings. I have always been a city girl, in fact an inner city girl, I've never lived more than about 15 minutes from the heart of the city. I have always tried to be close to water, but finding this place was truly gobsmacking! We thank our lucky stars every day for this place.
Now what's this about Veganaise? and DLLP sneaking it into your food? I am not understanding? All I care about, is that you are actually eating. Can you get into some garlic this week so you have some natural antibiotic in your system before the surgery. I always do that, and have been pretty lucky so far, with infections. I may offend the staff with the smell, but I don't care! I am sure it was my own fault for trying on that brand new, unwashed bra, that gave me that bit of infection after my Mx. Take care M x
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Hello Viv, you've been missed! What's happened? What are you getting yourself worked up about? Can we help?
Looking forward to hearing how you're doing...take it easy..M x
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Hi to everyone else, I know I have just missed gB, I am off to visit my friend this morning at the Oppie, I can't believe that Thursday comes around so fast...catch you later..M x
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