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

Thanks for kind words Wren. BTW Chloe is my dog off to take another nap

After a whirlwind four days, Mike and I are home. I was released from the hospital a few hours ago. Mike got his release from the hospital last evening after 3 days. We are both enjoying "recliner time" complete with obligatory cats on laps, naps and fuzzy blankets. My surgery went fine, I'm glad I went ahead with it although I considered cancelling it several times. I always have Mike with me in the pre-op area but this time I was on my own. There's no reason for me to feel vulnerable in the OR holding pen since I've spent so much time in there over the last 15 months but this time I felt like Alice in Wonderland who had shrunk too small. Everything around me was big, intimidating and overly bright. I really wanted to head for the nearest exit. It was nerve wracking because Mike was upstairs having a bone marrow biopsy and my mind kept saying, "Your place is upstairs with your husband, not down here with hospital bracelets and an IV, you selfish girl." Soon the anesthesiologist came to discuss what drugs I wanted for the surgery vs. what she wanted. (I won. After five previous surgeries, I KNOW what works and how to avoid post op nausea.) Things moved fast after that. She started the Versed and off we went to the OR. I hoped onto the table and the next thing I knew I was in recovery and my husband was standing there! He had told his nurse he HAD to be there for me so he left his floor to come to me. By the way, he said the bone marrow biopsy was not painful even though all he got was a shot of lidocaine. I've heard most people are put out for that procedure. Tough guy. His pelvis is sore today but he says he is fine.

The internal medicine guys did their tests on Mike the first day, the rheumatologists did theirs the second day, and the hematologist was called in Friday because the tests were not making sense. She ordered the bone marrow biopsy and said it could be kind of bone marrow cancer. We won't know for a week since the holidays are here and the samples were sent to three different labs. Mike was feeling so much better after the 2 units of blood he received Wednesday. His hemoglobin had been down to 6 but was 8.2 after the transfusion. It started falling again, but very slowly so the doc felt he was no longer a fall risk and could go home. The restrictions from his cataract surgery at the beginning of the month have been lifted, so he can now bend forward and pick up the things I am restricted from doing for the next few weeks. Good timing. A tag team effort!

Surgery #6 was the final one for me. The plastic surgeon did fat grafting and final repairs. He harvested a bunch of fat from my upper abdomen and used it to fill in all the painful hollow spots on my chest (divots and troughs) from the double mastectomy last August. The infection I got in the hospital that same day caused me to lose parts of three muscles and most of the soft tissue on my left side. I've had 4 additional surgeries to repair the muscles under my arm and on the front of my shoulder so I have a bunch of zig zag scars, ugly tissue flaps, and very deep hollow areas. The surgeon grafted tissue into the areas that needed it and removed what shouldn't be there so it looks smoother. I won't be scaring little children with my Frankenstein arm anymore.

Thank you for all the good wishes. Time for another nap. I swear that anesthesiologist slipped in some other kind of drug that is giving me "cloudy brain after surgery" brain.          

Sandra, I'm so glad your surgery is over and that your dh is home with you.  We'll all have our fingers crossed as we wait for the results of his testing.  It's hard to believe the turn of events in your life--that you BOTH were in the hospital at the same time!  I admire your courage in going ahead with your surgery. 

Susan, good luck to you in this new phase of your life.  I remember so well the fatigue after my BMX but I had reconstruction at the same time, which made the recovery even more difficult on my body.  It's a balancing challenge--to rest as much as we need to rest and to gradually begin to do more to regain our strength.  Your positive attitude toward improving your life will help you as you go forward.  Feel free to complain and even whine occasionally!  You've earned the right! 

Rita, I hope your travel is safe and that you have a great Christmas holiday with your son and his family. 

Jackie, it hardly seems possible you've been helping out this lady for a whole year!  I remember well when you were starting the job.

Chevy, I think I heard on the national news about some woman out in Denver whizzing around in her new car!  Just don't start feeling like you're Jimmy Johnson behind the wheel! 

Greetings to everyone.  Hope you're all buying more presents than I am or else the economy is REALLY going to suffer!  This has been my non-shopping Christmas except for buying three bikes for my niece's kids.  I will be buying groceries and cooking for Christmas Day dinner so that has to count, too, right?

Sandra, Glad you're both well enough to be home where it's all comfortable and cozy. Get all the rest you can to help heal. I'll bet Mike's problem is an aftereffect of that recluse bite. Hope they come up with the cure right away.

Mimi, Good to see you again. Waiting to hear about your adventures.

Every person must follow his or her own process.  No one else knows what is right for another.  There is no goal in living our process, except to live it.  Our processes can change.  Our lives can change as we participate in the process.  Our only requirement is to trust the process and live in faith.  Our responsibility is to live out what our Creator asks of us.  To live our lives.  Living our process demands a deep spiritual commitment of being one with one's life.
 
Anne Wilson Schaef

Sandra, good to hear that you and hubby are home and recuperating. Hope the doctors come up with a plan for hubby soon.

I spent all day yesterday out with 3 other people counting birds for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. The temperature was about 30 all day, overcast, but damp feeling so glad I'd put on my layers. All our snow has pretty much melted so we were able to hike along the river without having to trudge through deep snow, and water wasn't frozen at the sugar beet processing ponds. We spent a long time with our spotting scopes scanning for different duck species. Had a fun day, all teams met for a pizza supper for the final tally. Our team found 29 species, grand tally was 54 so we were happy with that. After the tally we went to a Christmas party at a friend's house. He always has a white elephant gift exchange, everyone gets a #, # 1 opens a gift, #2 can either steal that gift or open a new one, and on it goes. Lew and I brought the gifts that ended up being the most wanted ones that got stolen over and over. I'd brought a wizard statue (about 8" tall) that I'd gotten at a silent auction at a Sci Fi convention, and Lew brought a copper sailing ship that was also a music box that ran on a battery, When you turned it on the ship moved up and down like it was sailing and it played music. He paid nothing for it - found it on a recycle table at my Dad's apartment building. It was bent and out of shape and Lew fixed it. Both items eventually ended up with owners that really wanted them.

Weather is taking a shift toward freezing drizzle and slippery roads tomorrow, so we're leaving this afternoon for our holiday trip to see family. Going to Brainerd first to visit Lew's mom and sisters and a granddaughter, then heading to Burnsville, MN to see my Dad, and grandkids in St. Paul. Will be home Dec 30th. Should have internet access along the way so will stop in now and then.

Hope everyone has a relaxing time with family.

Chevy, so glad you have a new car...now you don't have to continue to drive your Fred Flintstone car. That will save your feet. You DID have to use them to propel the car like Fred did, didn't you?

Puffin, your story made me think of white elephant games I've participated in. They were quite popular while we were on active duty in the Air Force. We moved often so we were able to "re-gift" previous white elephants without anyone noticing. The best one I ever got was a fake Tiffany lamp in avocado green that had presided over someone's table 20 years before. People have different definitions of a white elephant party. I just went to one a week ago where the hostess had said we should, "spend no more than $10." Spend? I thought a white elephant was something you already had, probably something someone gave you that you had no use for. Preferably it is something you would be embarrassed to re-gift. At this party, people brought bottles of wine, a bottle of whiskey, candles, and lots of other new things that were all "good", not white elephants. Fortunately the two things I brought (a particularly tacky Christ-moose wreath someone gave me and a nice box of stationery and matching pen) were appreciated. I think the games with really funny things are best. The stealing gets out of hand and the laughs get louder.

My head is clearer today but the pain in my upper abdomen is fierce when I move. Whoever said the donor site for fat grafting would hurt didn't use the right word. I holler, "chit" when I make it to my feet. It's darn painful, even with my trusty Tylenol. Getting up is a big challenge since I can't use my left arm yet, and my abs are off limits for a week or two. I've been trying to lean on my cane and standing without using anything but my legs and right arm. It's a skill I haven't managed yet, but it's only day 2 post-op. About the time I have it figured out, I'll be able to use my abs.

Mike is resting. He is a bit grouchy but that's because he has a mysterious possibly serious malady hanging over his head. At least with my cancer, it could be identified quickly. He's been through so many test since last Wednesday, all negative or inconclusive. Maybe the labs that are working with his bone marrow samples will perform a miracle and get results to his doctor in spite of Christmas short staffing and closures.

Thank you for the well wishes. It is really, truly helpful. Time for another nap.

P.S. The picture of hugging orange kitties was adorable.

Nothing to share except for the fact that I don't think I've ever been so much in the present moment. My friend Diane said BC was in a way the best thing that happened to her as it made her slow down and get her life in balance. I'm trying to look at it that way (especially as my drains are talking back this morning!)

Am sitting on the sofa between my 2 precious doggies listening to them make sleepy sounds. I am so cry grateful for my Jeff husband of 37 years who is taking such wonderful care of me in this recovery. I am so appreciative of you amazing ladies who inspire me and have made me already feel apart of a community that cares for each other so deeply. Gentle hugs to all!

I LOVE roses. Had 3 dozen bushes at my house before we moved. Only have 15 now. Yellow is my favorite. This year I didn't nurture them like usual. Got too busy with work! Not anymore!

Hi everyone!

Carole, you don't have to worry about the economy. I helped it out this year. I didn't realize how much I had bought until I got out the tubs to transport the packages and we packed three of them! (Two of the large sacks were birthday presents for my two oldest grandsons so that didn't make it seem quite so bad.

Tomorrow I'm having lunch with my neighbor lady and working on getting our clothes packed for our Christmas trip because we want to be on the road EARLY Tuesday morning.

Joan, I do think you need a kitten to keep you company...especially after all these cute kitten pictures that are being posted. :-)

Travel safely, Puffin! My son lived in Deerwood for several years so I'm well acquainted with the Brainerd area. It's lovely up there!

Oh Sandra, I'm sending healing vibes to both you and your hubby! I hope you can enjoy the holiday!

Chloesmom....I think my cancer experience made me much more compassionate and willing to reach out to others who are having hard times. I guess I'm just not as self-centered as I once was! It was a tough way to learn that lesson but just one of the good things that came out of my cancer diagnosis....not to mention all the wonderful people I have met on this thread and in many other ways.

I hope to log on again tomorrow before we take off. I hope everyone enjoyed your Sunday!

Rita

Chloesmom - sitting between two lovely dogs and knowing your husband cares is such a delightful way to describe "the present." I sure agree that BC makes small pleasures so much more evident in our lives.

Chevy - nothing like a new car to make going for a drive fun. I'll be you smile each time you slide into the front seat and get behind the wheel. Happy for you. Just don't put that pedal to the metal all the time. And watch those mirrors. I just bashed the outside drivers side mirror off my car backing into the garage. Luckily a fellow at the auto parts store here at the lake can order one, paint it and get it on my car for me. His rate per hour is lots less than at an auto dealership! It's reverse that always gets me.

The week after I got back from Texas was so hectic I wasn't even doing email or or this lovely discussion board. Between laundry, lunch with friends , babysitting grandkids, hair appointment, dr appointment, and helping at the hospital giftshop I was mighty bushed. My surgeon was sneaky. She offered me this cute little calendar for my purse and said it's so nice because it has this handy checklist inside. Bottom line is I'm now to be scheduled for a colonoscopy since I've never had the pleasure. Also found I need to have a new crown from the dentist, not a prince, and possibly root canal work. You can see it was quite a week.

Sunday I traveled to St Charles IL to see that old boyfriend again. I've enjoyed seeing him again at his house and talking on the phone, This is pretty amazing after not being in touch for 45 years. This time I had one of those gizmos that lets you drive past the toll booths and pay automatically from an account that is set up. It saves stopping at each booth and the cost is half price. I was feeing pretty smart. I am not adding the all blue print and underline to the words like "new car", "dentist" and "half-price". This computer is doing that on it's own!!!

Tomorrow I am the guest reader in my grandson's first grade class. I'm supposed to let them know how reading has been an important thing in my life for fun or work and then read a story. Since the Christmas program is coming up later in the afternoon I'm reading Twas the Night Before Christmas in one of those books that has pictures that pop up I'm 3D. I'm so please he choose me as his special reader since he only gets to do that once a year.

Whoever said white elephant gifts can be interpreted in many different ways was SOOO right. I've usually thought it was something still useful but no longer needed at my house or no longer fits the decor. But one time I got a bunch of coupons for groceries that were expired. Clearly that lady had a different idea about white elephant. We did it at a party at my house this year with old office friends. Some velvet fur trimmed sexy nightgown has often appeared at some point with lots of laughter when the gift wrap reveals it is inside. This year it was the first gift opened and the hysteria almost blew the windows out.

I'm hoping we all have a holiday that feels happy and relaxing. I know some will feel healthier than others. But this group is surely evidence that recovering from BC happens and love and laughter return. Sandra, praying for Mike as you two figure out this problem. Let us now about how he is doing when you feel like it. Thanks again for coming to lunch in Texas.

OH NOOOOOOOOOOO! Cammi! Did you see THAT?????????? She went and met up with that felon-person again! The one we had so much trouble with beFORE! Or was it HER we had trubble with? Trying to keep her from going, and being attacked?

She sure brushed off this LAST meeting, didn't she? I mean hardly even mentioned it! Like it was an after-thought! She must be safe though.... And I can tell she is smiling! You know what THAT means, don't you? It means he must have been nice to her, and didn't pillage her.

We have to keep her aware of this impending happenings that could happen. She is going off all willy-nilly, without a care in the world, but seeming to come home safe and sound... We must monitor this situation.

Meemers needs supervision I think. And we are just the ones to DO it... I mean if any of us can ever FIND you!

Where ARE you Cammi? I don't want to think of you being sickly or something... Just maybe over-worked... and THAT's a stretch...

But Meemers, you talk about the books, that have pop-up pictures! Did you see the Carbonaro Effect, where that Magician opens up one of those books and opens the little box.... and takes out a little glass jar, with a gold-fish in it? It was hysterical! That show is on TruTV, and Michael Carbonaro is this young magician, and his shows are just fun to watch! He poses as cashiers, etc, and talks to these customers, and always does tricks, and scares some of them 1/2 to death! It is funny!

Morning Teacher... Sorry you had a rough time... Geez, the things you gals have to go through...

And good Morning to everyone else! Going to grab another cup of coffee! Snowed last night... but looks clear out right now! xoxoxo

Mimi: good to hear from you, have missed you, sorry for the dental issues, crowns are SOOO expensive, I lost a chunk of a tooth this week and thought I'd need a crown but got by with replacing the filling one more time

What a wonderful note for us Mimi.  I was hanging on every word.  I'm saying hi to Cammie and Blondie and all those who don't get to post as much as some of us do.  My computer ( especially on the really yucky days ) is my very best friend and I stay far too close, far too long -- while the world at large and my housework just drift in place.  I'll have to do better somehow --- just have to decide which one I actually want to do BETTER with.\

I got up ( just a tad late by 1/2 hour ) to a light rain.  I think in the main it will do this all day -- never a pour-down, just a slower consistent wetting.  Of course, I wouldn't so mind the rain -- better than snow right now for sure, but that means another REALLY gray day which is fairly un-desirable for me.  I need my natural Vitamin D which comes direct from the sun. 

The graphic of the dog at the diner getting coffee made me laugh.  Since I was up late -- I didn't get my two cups and had to do my morning chores after only one......and I tried to rush through the chores just to get to that second soooo needed cup.  One in the a.m. just starting out is far too skimpy for me and I am surprised I managed to actually move at all. 

Hope your all going to have a fantastic day.  I'll be back later.

Blessings,

Jackie

This is Chevy and Cami riding to the rescue of our own Mimi, who is carrying on a clandestine affair with an old lover out in the woods somewhere!