Starting Radiation October 2019
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I love FL as well. I've been researching buying a place in FL for three years now. The problem was that I couldn't come up with a city that I could settle on. Now, I think I'm leaning towards the NE. I used to live in Jacksonville many years ago and I like the weather and the fact that it was closer to the 'mainland' in case of a hurricane. I need to buy now while the interest rates are low but I can't see the houses till they open up the economy.
Today, I booked a Zoom call with my PCP. Normally it takes six months to get in to see her. I'm booked for the 18th. I also have a feeling she will take longer with me because she probably doesn't have that many patients using Zoom yet. They just started the service a few weeks ago. I don't think the RO will want to see the breast since he harder ever did when I was going through it. It's funny that my radiated side is so nice and firm. I want the other one to look as good.
Today I was on a Zoom call with the nutritionist. We had about 10 people and you could all see each other. I turned off my camera in that forum until I was talking. It's weird knowing that strangers are looking at you in your house. And, you sometimes forget and start doing stuff that you shouldn't.
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Kamboka - I would not like a Zoom call like that. The times I have used Zoom was with people that I knew, not strangers. I agree that I wouldn't want strangers seeing me, nor my home. I've only had one Zoom experience that was funny/gross. This was in a group Zoom chat and this person was sitting on their couch with their laptop on the coffee table in front of them. I could see that her feet were bare and suddenly she was fidgeting with her feet. I saw her get up and she came back with a nail file. I thought, "Oh no! Please don't do it!". She started filing her toes nails but then I think she realized we could see her and she suddenly stopped. Haha!
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mocame & Kamboka. Those Zoom experiences sound creepy. I hope I don't have to do one.
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I am cringing thinking about that toenail filing. I'll sharing a Youtube that I thought was funny about how to reintegrate back into an office after being at home teleworking. It hits on some of the virtual conferring hazards.
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Hello everyone!,
Boy that was a lot of catching up! Thank you ladies for the info and advice on gabapentin and celexa. My hot flashes have evened out a bit, but now that I'm back to work and wearing a full on water and air resistant gown with hood and booties, being hot is inevitable. I can't even see to work! It’s difficult at best, nevermind the possible negative health issues.
petite: I hope you are continuing to improve and are still walking.Hopefully none of you are working too much and are all feeling better as the days pass
Mocame: your story about the zoom call is hilarious!
Kamboka: I’m sorry u had to reschedule your trip, hopefully it can happen soon!
Question for everyone: did any of you go see, or do u know anyone who, saw or is seeing an oncology esthetician? For relation or massage, or comfort treatment?
I’m considering possibly going to school to be an esthetician and need to figure out a specialty that is needed/desired other than waxing hoohaws all day. I don’t want to do that.
Have a good week! teri
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TeriJ, It is good to hear from you. I would think esthetician that specialized in oncology or post op in general would be needed. Though, I did not have experience or know about any. I am doing well.
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Love the video.
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TeriJ: Good to hear from you. It's not funny but I started laughing when I read about your covering and the heat. I don't have to have my mask on five minute when I start sweating like a pig--and it's not even hot here yet. Yesterday we got a notice at my apartment that you had to wear a mask in the hallways, elevators and when you take your garbage to the trash room. What! No one is ever in the halls when I take my trash out. This is getting ridiculous.
I''ve never heard of an oncology esthetician. What do they do?
I've been looking for a house for three years. Now that the rates are low I feel the need to do it. I booked a flight to FL in three weeks so I can look around. I'm dreading having to wear the mask for a two hour flight. The plane is a small 2x2 and I know it will be full. I am looking forward to getting out of this apartment and seeing different scenery. I am worried about finding food and toilets. I remember when hurricane Andrew hit southern FL. I went down there a few weeks afterwards for work. I had the hardest time finding a place to eat and use the bathroom when driving around.
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Kamboka, Florida has changed alot since Andrew. LOL. Where are you flying into? Miami-Dade is the hotspot for the virus. Tampa, JAX or Orlando have less cases. I was out and about, yesterday. The mask makes me sneeze. I am not sure what that is about.
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petite1: South FL looked like a nuclear bomb had gone off. Driving was crazy. It was kamikaze-like because there were no traffic lights working. I'm looking at the NE since the weather is more moderate, they have fewer hurricanes, and it's easier to get out of town if there is a hurricane. I'm flying into JAX. Not much choice, it seems. I was able to get a non-stop from DC. I haven't been to JAX since the mid-90s. Looking forward to driving around. Hopefully by the time I get there, more places will be open.
What fabric is your mask made out of? Have you washed it?
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Kamboka, Jacksonville is OK. I was a Nursing Home administrator in a large old nursing home there in 2004. I was very home sick and moved back to Crystal River after a couple of months. I lived in a 10th floor apartment on the St. Johns River. In the 1980's I opened 3 Nutrisystem stores up there. I was in charge of the Behavior Break through program and hiring. I stayed in motels during that period and went home on the weekend. In my old age I like rural and less traffic and no job. LOL
My mask is cotton. I wash it after each wearing. I have chronic sinusitis on the right side and it may have something to do with that. The mask has a thin piece of metal to shape it over the nose, so it fits correctly. Maybe it is the slight pressure. I will try a different type and see if the problem resolves. I never had a problem with paper masks, but I didn't have sinusitis either.
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petite1: You have an intersting history. I lived near Jax Beach and not sure if I ever even saw the St. John's river.
I am older and alone and not quite sure if I want to be very isolated or to live in a place where there is a lot of activity. At the moment, I'm looking mainly at the beach areas or close to them. I don't want to spend too much money since I'm so close to retirement. I need to hold onto every penny now that the stockmarket is heading south.I ordered some cotton jersey (t shirt material) masks. I don't think they keep much out but at least I can breath better. Yes, try a different type and see if you get the same reaction. I used to work in the operating theater and wore masks all day long. Now, I can't seem to tolerate more than 15 minutes. If I didn't have occasional hot flashes and my feet neuropathy, I wouldn't know I had cancer treatment.
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Hearing you two talk about living in Florida makes me want to go down there...but not in the summer! LOL! I totally understand what both of you are talking about with the masks. Kamboka, I think I would really like the t-shirt material mask. That sounds doable. My first mask I got at work is...Flannel material! Yup! I get so hot! Then I got another mask at work that is a cotton material but it is too big! It goes halfway down my neck and when I talk with the mask on, it scrunches down off my nose. My coworker is now making masks and she is going to try and make one that will fit me and not be too hot. What a process! When I deliver groceries to the residents at work, I can't wait until I am back in my office and I can rip that mask off my face and BREATHE.
I'm still having hot flashes and achiness since being on the increased dosage of Amitriptylin. I think it helps a little bit but I am very concerned about the warm weather that is about to hit us tomorrow. My husband told me that he was planning on selling a small air conditioner that we had laying around. I was like "What?! You can't sell that! I'm going to need that to sleep at night!" We do not have central air conditioning in our house. We have one a/c unit downstairs and NOTHING except fans in our 2nd floor.
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Kamboka, I love all the beaches. Daytona and St. Pete Beach are my favorites. After my first husband died I lived in a studio on Pass-a-Grille Beach. It was very pleasant. I would walk for miles.
mocame, Keep the A/C. It is a must have.
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mocame: you must keep that A/C. I would even have two in the window. Today, I had a job interview on video. I finally had to get out of my normal leisure pants and tshirt and I put on a nice dress and makeup. Immediately, I started flashing with all those clothes on and had to turn the A/C on. Summers are always tough but this will be my first one with the AIs and hot flashes. The flashes are still much better with the Celexa but I'd be happy if I never had even one! I bought my tshirt masks on Etsy. There were five in a pack and I think it was about $15. I washed the one I wore the other day and it came out okay even though I dried it and I meant to let it air dry.
petite1: I've been saving houses for my realtor to see for when I get down there. Already two that I liked are pending sale. I guess its a matter of timing. I've been to St Pete but didn't get to the beaches. I've never been to Daytona. I keep hearing that the sand is much nicer on the Gulf side but they also get more hurricanes.
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Petite1 - Leaving on the beach sounds heavenly! I would love to have an area to easily walk and a great view!
Kamboka - How did the job interview go? I hope you can find a place in Florida soon. I'm assuming since you said that some places are pending that the real estate offices are open? They aren't allowed to be open here, so some properties have been sitting for the sale and the pending sales have been canceled. So, it might not be a done deal yet?
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Good morning. All of Florida is hurricane prone. The Gulf side has finer, white sand. The Atlantic side is coarse and darker. They say the sand on the Gulf side is older.
Kamboka, hope the interview went well. The realtors were working from home and would guess they probably still are. Mom's estate sold during COVID.
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I didn't know your mom's property finally got sold. That's good news.
I think the realtors in FL are showing houses but taking precautions. I was reading where one seller was telling people how they had to dress and use disinfectants after showing houses. I think I chose the first weekend of June to give the State more time to open up things.
The job interview went well. I asked them if the candidate could work from another State and not DC and they said they would think about it. That would be ideal for me. It was strange, though, that during the interview, two of the interviewees children just showed up in the room and started interacting with them. It was distracting and not really professional.
Today, I walked again down to the national mall and sat and people watched. I have to go past the Botanical Gardens to get there. Here is a photo of a lavender flower. I'm not sure if it's the same lavender I know as I thought it looked different. It was round like a globe.
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Good morning. I went to take the trash out and found a beautiful Lily under the oak tree.
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Gorgeious lily!
I had my Zoom call with my PCP today. It was so good. We talked for about 45 minutes versus our normal 5 minutes in person. She says shes been busy, not with regular patients, but covering in the hospital and teaching medical students. I have my RO call on Wednesday. The bariatric surgeon is also doing another video call but it might coinflict iwth my RO call. I'm having more physician 'face' time now that every before. I'm liking some of this telemedicine.
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I forgot to post this sculpture taken on Saturday at the Botanical Gardens.
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Beautiful pictures, ladies! I love Spring for the flowers and vibrant colors!
Kamboka - I'm glad your Zoom appointment went well. Hopefully all of the video appointment goes as well and you can get the time with the doctors that you need.
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My RO follow up is on the 28th. It would be nice to have a tele visit inside of going there.
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petite1: Ask your doctor if they are offering telehealth now. I'm getting emails everyday with many of my doctors letting me know they can do these calls. Unless I need a doctor to touch me, I think I prefer this way. I guess it's a natural progression from the portal and emails to docotors.
mocame: Spring is my favorite season. I feel, though, that I'm missing out on the best part of Spring. I love the weather when it's in the 60s and 70s. Last weekend was 80. I think we are back in the 60s today, but I don't go out much.
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Kamboka, some of the doctors are sending emails stating they will do telivisits. I have not had one from RO, yet. I don't think he needs to see me, but I will see.
mocame, I think we all missed spring while shut down. It is 78 degrees this morning and will probably go to high 80's. lol
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I had my RO video appointment today. I swear, I'm really loving this telehealth. During the six weeks of my treatment, he was supposed to meet with me once a week. I might have seen him all of 10 minutes the entire time. Today, we talked for almost 20 minutes. He did a real health questionnaire and we had some chit chat. He seems so much more relaxed and helpful. He says he wants to see me again in November. I'm really pleasantly surprised at the Radiology department at this hospital. My bariatric surgeon did another one hour video call with about 25 of us. This is how medicine is supposed to be.
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Kamboka, that is awesome. I bet the doctors are enjoying this type of practice.
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I think the doctors are enjoying doing real work that they thought they would do as a doctor when they went to medical school and not the shuffling 100 patients an hour through the system.
Does anyone have holiday weekend plans?
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Kamboka, No holiday plans here. One day rolls into the next. LOL
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We went to a family birthday party on Sunday. They were in yellow stage in that area so we could have the party. It was great getting to see family again. Yesterday, we were home and celebrated Memorial Day with a campfire. It was a nice day.
We go to yellow stage on Friday. Yay! That means some non-essential businesses can open. Unfortunately, both my kids have now lost their jobs due to COVID-19 and they are in the process of trying to find another job. It's hard to do when there are a lot of people trying to apply for the few jobs available out there. My daughter has an interview today for a summer job so hopefully she gets it but it's 35 minutes away. My son is done with school and graduating in a couple weeks and he is looking for a regular full-time job but so far nothing. We will see!
Have a great day! It's going to be a sunny and warm one here. Yay!
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