Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

Jess, don't need a thing at the moment, but what a kind offer!  I've been to Oz an LOVED it.

I'm  back!  I could feel those positive thoughts as I went through every stage and I so appreciate it. I didn't feel any fear walking into that hospital. And I had a strong discussion with the anestheologist  Even though I don't have a "traditional" friendship with any of you, I look forward to what we do have. Today's the first day I'm out of the dopey fog.So, I couldn't wait to get on and see what all of you have been up to. You're a busy bunch!

Love, hugs, and kisses 

Just a quick "drop in" to tell everyone Hi!  I've had a hectic day and I'm ready to grab my book, my cat, and a cup of tea and curl up for a bit.  Susie, I'll have to check out "Secret Daughter."  That sounds interesting and I never pass up a good book suggestion!  

Jess, how nice of you to offer to help with legal questions!  I'm sure everyone will keep that in mind!

Hugs to all of you.  I'll be back tomorrow.

Rita

When you commit yourself to living love, you feel at peace with
yourself because you are at harmony with the flow of life.  Viewing life from
the highest perspective, you feel confident and secure.  You realize that no matter how things may
appear, you are loved and protected.  You
know you are one with God, and you bring your peace with you wherever you go. 
You’re not looking for love, but for opportunities to love.

Susan L. Taylor

welcome back Lost!  I am so thankful I have a place to come with people who understand.  My son was unable to come for my surgery, and I understand, his wife is 9 months pregnant and due any day, but it would be nice to get a phone call.  He texted me yesterday to tell me he had the flu and was so miserable, and his work was not being understanding, blah, blah, blah.  Didnt even ask how I was feeling. I know the flu is miserable but sheesh...men are such big babies!  

Sandra- I so agree that younger people can't always see things from their parents view. When our first DD was about 14 months old, we decided to move from the Bronx, NY to South Florida. Or more accurately, my husband decided and I was too young and naive to understand what that meant to me, my parents and our daughter. From that point on, my parents saw their grandchildren once a year, and my relationship with my parents was through snail mail because long distance phone calls were too expensive. We made a very nice life for ourselves and our children, except that I felt bad that they didn't really know their grandparents or extended family on either side. We became friends with a wonderful couple who took over the grandparent role for the kids, but it wasn't the same as I had growing up with extended family I really knew. Anyway, my children growing up always said they were going to stay geographically close so their kids would know aunts and uncles and cousins. That worked until my oldest son married and moved to Charlotte, NC, because his wife was in the mortgage business and that was the "home" of the mortgage industry. I handled that okay, because no children were involved, and he continued to spend summers with us because he runs a camp in our area. Meanwhile, all three of our girls had gifted us with a total of 5 grandchildren and I was extremely close to all of them. I was devastated when DD#1 announced about 4 years ago that they were moving to the Atlanta area and even worse- they were taking my grandsons with them. It was at that point, nearly four decades later, and long after my parents had passed on, that I realized how badly I had hurt them by taking, at the time, their only granddaughter so far away from them. Oh, and the difference between then and now- I flew to Atlanta 3 days after them to help them unpack and settle in. My husband and I had been to our son's home before his wife ever arrived (she stayed to sell their townhouse, and he went to close on the new house), and traveling became routine. I was probably at my daughter 's new home 7 or 8 times that first year. We also had Skype and email to stay in touch. When I think back to the hurt I caused my parents, I am overwhelmed that it never crossed my mind at the time. I have gone through his whole BC  journey with DD#1 in Atlanta, and while she and her husband (and the boys) have been absolutely great, they do not get why I am so anxious to go home as soon as possible. I have 3 children and 3 grandchildren there that I have seen once since last Sept, and my home of 38 years is there. My husband passed away less than 2years ago and his presence is still there. I will be on the move a lot, because I want to stay close to them all, including my son's 9 mo old daughter, but So Fla will always be "home" to me. I have already talked to my Onc about getting some of the Herceptin infusions in Fla and she said that's not a problem. I am so blessed that I am welcome at each of their homes whenever I want and for as long as I want. And that I have the financial stability to be able to fly whenever I want. Sorry this is so long, but once I start, I can't seem to stop. Probably because you all have become my friends now, and I don't have anyone here in Atlanta except my daughter and her family.

Can't stay long, and actually shouldn't really be here now, but I needed a protein snack ( I'm outside doing work Dh should have had done -- a yearly fiasco where I end up helping more than I think I should )  and it is going to rain, but I was touched by your entry Anne.  It is so much a part of why we came here and never left.  We need the normalcy of allowing ourselves to un-burden now and then.  Cancer is not an easy disease....very life-changing.  Though I don't do it often, I've been able to say things here that I've never uttered anywhere else. 

Sometimes....I think maybe due to having the same illness our compassion and understanding changes....and definitely for the better. 

We are all for one and one for all here and share just about anything and everything.  It is great to have a place to feel understood.  We may be far apart and only able to give verbal cheers, and support or even at times a few tears across the miles.....but its an important thing.  Life is short and I love being just about anywhere, where I can be myself and this place is usually at the top of the list.

Well time to get hard at it again before the rain.  Talk to you all later.

Blessings

Jackie

Lost I think you are doing too much and fretting too much, and maybe some other too much's too.  Women just are around because the home fires need stoking all the time and that means major amounts of work sssooooooo many times when we don't feel like it.  Is there any way you could afford to have the Merry Maids come in -- even for only an hr. or two, and you could assign the things that most need attention to keep the bill down.

There is no way to "plan" breast cancer.  It will likely show up at  the worst possible time.  Even when you are neat as a pin and you do all you can to put things in order beforehand, it tends to steal your starch a lot of the time. 

Nature sometimes demand that we stop what we are doing and take care of ourselves.  This is one of these times.  I survived ( ultimately in what became a pretty dirty house ) by deciding what priorities to see too and the devil worry over the rest.  The bath and kitchen had to stay clean.  Laundry got done and the rest was pretty much catch as catch can. 

People really don't understand and never will unless they too get cancer.  Then they will realize that this is not pneumonia or strep throat.  This is totally un-like anything you have ever had before and creates so many limitations for a while.  How long ????  As long as they last....everyone is a little different. 

Lost.....this is why this site is here and why all of us are here.  We all wore ( and in some ways still are ) each others shoes throughout the crazy cancer journey. People who don't have it seem to want to look at it like a bad cold.  People who do, know better right from the get-go.   It can be a real struggle.  Having a Dh who cares helps a lot, but sometimes even they don't quite get the full picture. 

If I were there or no doubt anyone here, you would not have to fret one minute over housework, laundry or where the next box of chocolates was coming from --- the only thing anyone would ask of you is that you enjoy taking it easy.  We don't get to pick and choose, but if I could, that would be my choice. 

It is hard to see, but this too will pass.....maybe not fast enough, but it will.  Hang on Lost.

We struggle, but we are going to make it.  I'm sending lots of love and soothing energiy and lots of hope and inspirations.  This is the place where we all care.

Blessings

Jackie

Wilsie....not sure that I met you before but I am sorry to hear you are having so many difficulties.  Maybe if you are still on a physical therapy schedule, you will be able to work out some of the kinks you got over the week-end. 

I have a Pomeranian too.  His name is Baby Boss.  It will soon be time for him to get a summer cut as well.  I can bathe him, but need a groomer to give him his cut.  My daughter who is a groomer has been doing it for me, but she is going to Utah soon and I will have to start going back to a grooming shop.

We have had some really nice weather the past couple of days but some storms and cooler weather is going to turn up.  I think Alabama may be stormier and cooler the next few days as well. 

I do hope you will be able to figure out just how much you can do at one time, to avoid being full of aches and pains for all of your efforts.    Wishing you well.

Blessings

Jackie

welcome to the nubies,  I am just 60....no matter how old the kids are there are still issues and I am still stupid....it is funny

cancer sucks and I am tired of doing all this chemo and crap but it is what it is....

Joan...I adore you!!!

Happy sunday night!!

Sandy

Blondie/Sandy  I loved your post and Cammi's too.  We really don't care if someone has a rant or a whine.  Some things just call for a pass you know.  I can't think of a better one.  I've often wanted my 'ignorant bliss' back....sigh !!!!!  That is never going to happen -- the minute you take the reins to be responsible...you never get to put them down again. 

Just a bit earlier found yet another tick on me....ggggrrrrrr.  That is three in a week, two of them today.  I am just amazed.  We don't even normally see them around here for a few weeks yet.  If this keeps up I'm going to have to leave home till tick season is over.

Blessings

Jackie

There is not anything that I'm aware of....they are little opportunistic creeps.  I'm not much for bugs either.  You can get Lyme Disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever from them too.  Cam, we lived in a rigged world but we got to do the dance while we are here. 

Dh has had to take all three of the ticks off of me.  I don't like anything that bites, but I especially don't like the  ones who insist on staying attached for as long as inhumanely possible.   Little creeps.

Jackie

MISSED EVERYONE!!!!

First as some of you know I have been fighting chemosis since Dec 2 in
both eyes (since my
lower eye lift). I saw my eye MD twice before leaving for Mexico and
was using PRED drops once every hour for a week and then every two hours
for another week and when leaving for Mexico cruise he said to continue
drops. After returning I came down with eye infection in one eye, saw
him twice for that too, my chemosis has now cleared up after more than 3
1/2 months and now have a bad case of dry eyes.....and my glasses were
not helping, I knew I was losing my vision and he said I should NOT
drive...feeling very down and restricted about that!....still using my
drops and eye lubricants....
I loved our Mexican cruise, I saw lots of whales but no babies. VERY VERY hot!
I
started swaying/losing balance in Cabo San Lucas from the
heat, I thought.....drank lots of water, wore a large brimmed sunhat,
and 30 SPF, also tired of hearing, "Senora, Senora.....almost FREE!" and
was anxious to get back to the ship and air-conditioning and my
cabin/bed, even though the bed was HARD as a rock.... There was only one
other ship (Carnival) anchored/tendered in the harbor...I have been
there when there was SIX ships anchored in the harbor.
Then up the Sea of Cortez.
La
Paz was a port I have never been visited before but a 20 min bus ride
provided for the ship's passengers from where we docked, not many ships
stop there so everyone seemed friendly, very clean and a nice
waterfront walkway.

Next port was Loreto (another port that not a lot
of cruise ship stop)....I loved that town!...very very clean place,
friendly people. Mountains behind the little town, very scenic! (love
to walk but was painful)

Puerto Vallarta...just ok....been there
before....cruise ship docks
across the street from Walmart and a mall. Took a tour to a tequila
factory out of town, so we could see the country side, I had one sample
of tequila and hubby had his six and then 5 of mine! I had the BEST
chicken taco there with home made taco shell...not crunchy but soft and
still warm off the grill....instead of Office Depot ,
KFC....etc.....also saw OLD Vallarta, very narrow streets very old
buildings.

I was still favoring my left side/leg, pain in left hip
bursa and having trouble with the stairs on the ship. Gave my self the
"stroke" test everyday....all okay.

Saw my PS a few days after
getting home and he said my brow lift was improving.... (NOT!) but I
took it as he did not want to refund me, as he said he would refund the
surgeon fee several times before. He also check if his created nipples
were even, even though they weren't all along..."droopy/floppy" wasn't
gone to rise and shine for him!....I put
my arms straight out at my sides and he said they looked even....I
said yes, because they were like they were when I was on the OR
table....put my arms down and he measured and one nip is 2CM lower than
the other...I am pissed!
He's talking about another surgery! (I had 7 surgeries in 1 year and 10 days...UGH!)

Then I got an eye infection and back to my eye Doc for two more visits and more treatment.

Went
to an my orthopedic surgeon to get a shot for my bursa in my hip, as
my old doc wouldn't give me one again....dropped her found a new
doc...that is so new...he had to check on treatment....and did not ever  give a shot of cortisone for hip bursa....decided to go to someone
in the "KNOW" An orthopedic Doc, I saw long ago.He gave me a shot in my
left hip bursa and the next day it was instant
relief...he also checked my left leg as I was getting
pain/spasms/charlie horses in it and my lower back, he found my left
leg was much weaker than the right...they took x-rays and the next day I
had an MRI and he found a pinched nerve and arthritis of the lower
spine near where I had a disc removed 22 years ago.....so a week and a
half ago I had a procedure in their OR suite (I was awake) and they used
x-rays to target & shoot me with meds and epidural...20 minutes later
I climbed off the table and walked to a recliner and had a diet coke
and said I was ready to go.....I do feel somewhat better.....my eyesight
comes and goes (last 2 days I had more that a couple hours of
vision!)....I am hoping it is just the pollen and my allergies, as it
was fine in Mexico....my eye doc suggested maybe I should move there, as
I did not have any eye trouble there. (other than the chemosis and it
cleared up! FINALLY!)

LORETO at dawn

Hugs, Di

Di....now that I read your entry.....I want to tell you how much fun I had in Mexico....except for that Tequila.  Every thing else really had the wow factor for me.  Guess you can tell the stay-at-homes just by their responses. 

Sounds like you had a pretty nice time and so welcome home.  Do hope some of the other issues smooth out and glad you got the hip shot.  Also that you persisted and found out what was causing some of your problems.  I guess we have to deal with some things.....22 years later too.  Yikes -- that part is not fun.

Raining tonight finally....just sounds fairly steady.  Blech.

Have a good night all.....I'm off to the living room and my recliner.

Blessings

Jackie