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

Sweet Blondie. Thinking of you, my friend. Feel better.

Blondie it's okay.... I'm sorry.... I know just how you feel.... After my broken hip, and I was home, I was sooooooo afraid of everything! Just take little steps at a time... I'm STILL afraid to go up and down one step! It's been just over a year...

When I DO go up our stairs, I go up on all 4s! Then when I come down, I lean against one wall, and hold onto the opposite wall... You just have to have something to steady yourself... It's okay.... You will be able to do a little at a time.

And the shower? I mean lifting EITHER leg over the tub? Gave me the shakes! But the first few times, I set the walker in there first... then after awhile, I tried it alone... leaning up against the wall, and make sure you have a MAT inside to not slip. Don't move around! Then I washed my hair.... And when I would get out, hang onto the walker after drying off in the tub! Lean on anything... and hold on!

I just fell out of the tub a couple weeks ago, because my foot caught the shower hose, and held on! But I fell on my hands and other knee... making quite a racket... but DH came running in, and tried to help my slippery self up! I cut my leg... my bad leg.... but sure could have been worse. I was happy!

I hope your kitty is better... Don't read the Insomnia thread... because I found a funny picture about falling, and I put it there for me.... but maybe it will make you laugh!

And you say YOU feel stupid for falling down stairs and breaking your ankle all over the place??????? And then there is ME, who fell smack-dab in the middle of an ALLEY! And I lay there flailing my arms and screaming!!!!

Nah, I didn't do any of that, but you just feel so STUPID for falling! For whatever reason! So I made jokes about it.... and that CAMMI just went all crazy, talking about me falling off that pole when I was dancing! ... So that sounded better than how I really DID it.... Hah!

Things could have been worse, I guess... and it's been over a year for me! But at my age, things.... (lots of things) just start to give out.... so we have to be more careful...and that's your lesson for today.

Chevy, I love that picture. Thanks. And Blondie-I sure hope you are able to get out soon. Nothing like being home.

Not exactly surprised that I chose the quote I did today --- and I left it on the Illinois thread first and come here and find that Blondie maybe could use it.  Well, it is not always easy to be happy -- to look beyond our present circumstances, especially if we are in a way trapped there a bit.  Physically by medical ailments and broken bones mainly.  I am much more timid now than I ever was.  You, of course, always prefer to stay up-right when you are supposed to be for sure.  I don't consider myself old at 69 -- but I know when I fall the last few years I go down without a bounce.  I'm just as PADDED and maybe more than I ever was but I think the padding has moved. 

It really hurts when we fall now -- and our bones along with us are older, or thinner or just a bit more brittle -- and with the padding moved,  aarrrggg.  I am just more aware and as well did learn in my NEXT class that lack of exercise for the part of our bodies that actually offer strong support make us much less able to "catch" ourselves and regain balance when something does happen.  The teacher said that is the major cause of broken bones in older folk.  So, not only do we need a bit of cardio but also resistance-type exercises. 

You could do this with those stretchy big bands if you have them -- or just push yourself away from a wall -- and take cans of food from your pantry and use them as little barbell weights.  Don't I sound like I have it down pat.  Well, I actually don't -- but I keep thinking about it and know that I can't keep taking the "class" and at some  point have to push off and get real about taking care of myself now --- while it will be easier.  Don't want to wait until too much of it is by walker or wheel chair. 

Brrr, here this morning, but always could be worse.  I think later we may be getting some wind and that is not going to be fun.  It will seem much colder than it is and it is not winning prizes now.  It is still rather crunchy out of doors.  Any thawing yesterday and surprisingly there was some -- re-froze.  Most of all of that is not on the roadway so traveling is all right.  Just getting down our long walkway to the cars. 

I'm thinking of all of you today and hoping that you each have a really good day.  I'm off work until probably Wednesday.  My lady has a long Dr. appt. on Tues. so I'll be home.  Hate to say it --- but when my little schedule changes -- I usually get all confused and feel at loose ends.  I think that is just getting older and having responsibilities ( am I in denial about age or what ) changing. Well, yeah, ok --- it likely is age.  I just am not always pleased with changes as it tends to confound and confuse me more now.  I have always thought myself flexible, but it is harder than it used to be.

Ok -- I'm about ready to turn on some sunlight here in my little office room.  I'm not seeing much outside.  All the white snow though does make it seem lighter even if the sun it not out.  Maybe it will come out later ---  sure hope so, but a huge thanks to Diane --- it is in my room here any time I NEED it.  What a blessing for me. 

See you all later.

Jackie

Bonnets good luck with stress test.

Chevy thanks u...have a chair  in the shower, it will get easier,  i am too hard on myself n need to stop pushing myself. 

Blondie, yes you need that chair! I probably would have fallen OVER it, but when it is your ankle, you can't stand on it... like I could with my hip! My knee just wants to "give-out" sometimes, but so far, I have caught myself, and remained upright...

Bonnets! So you didn't watch Nascar? The first "race" of the season? And Kurt and Kyle are BOTH out? I can't believe it! Kyle broke his one leg, and then the ankle of the other foot, and he is in a MESS! Bad crash into the wall during practice session!

So I didn't really watch it until the last 40 laps, but it was REALLY good! 3 wide, all the way around! I thought Junior would win, but I'm glad the kid...Logano, won it all! His Dad has been there with him all the time.... Always like when the "new guys" win!

We were at that track one year... not during the races, but the BANKING on that one corner is unbelievable!!! It's hard to see it by looking at pictures, but it's almost "sideways!"

And they were 3 wide, going over 200 miles an hour!!!! Right NEXT to each other! All in a pack! Best race I ever saw.

I get scared going over 70 on the highway... with no-one around me! Except the cops...

Jackie, I really like that quote because it's so true.  If we wait for perfection to be happy, we'll probably have a long wait. 

Puffin, I like birds a lot, too.  I think being a part of a birdwatching group would be fun and interesting.  One of my big "bird thrills" is seeing a blue bunting during the spring.  One year I saw a painted bunting and it was such a pretty little bird. 

Jackie, it sound like you operate better on a regular schedule.

I was awake at 7 am and got up a few minutes after that to drive to Quest Diagnostics for blood work.  I learned there that my dr. had also asked for a urine specimen.  It will be interesting to find out how my fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, etc. compare to last year's.  I stepped on the scales this morning as I do almost every morning and said to myself, "This is a new week.  I will clean up my act."  Wish me luck and will power in eating healthy this week.

I hope everybody has a good week.

Morning everyone,

A spot of sun out this a.m. --- not sure if it will last or not, but so far, so good.  I don't mind when you talk about the races Chevy.  I don't watch them and probably never will.  I got so TURNED off of almost any kind of sport when I was married to my first husband.  Had he devoted even half the time to our marriage that he did to sports of all kinds, well who knows --- might still be married to me. 

He would have two televisions and one or two radio's going -- depending on what was on.  Although during those years I loved ice hockey -- it was mainly as tickets back in those days were in-expensive and we often would go to the Red Wing Stadium ( lived in Detroit anyway so was easy ) and watch.  Otherwise, I came to sort of detest sports because I was forced to endure hours of them while knowing there were other great things on t.v. that I would have to miss.  A little "education" on racing doesn't bother me at all. 

I do think that most people couldn't just sit down and watch --- I think like you Chevy -- getting to know some of the drivers and learn something about the cars they drive etc. would spark enough interest to keep you watching till you did learn more.  Might have one day done it had I not had nothing but sports, sports, sports for several yrs. 

Sure hoping a good Spring is on the way.  No matter how bad it seems here --- it is absolutely nothing compared to many places along the East coast.  It has been so bad here with 8 foot or more of snow in Boston alone.  I find that just incredible. 

Puffin, it is interesting that you got to Pierre ( which I think according to my Dh is pronounced Pier ) North Dakota.  I think of both N. and S. Dakota as not the places to be in winter.  They. like part of the East coast seem to get hit with some really rugged winter weather.  My Dh was born and raised in S. Dakota and though his 3 children still live there, he would never go back ever.  A couple of the grandkids have left for places they think will be a lot warmer. 

I hope you all will have a wonderful Monday. 

Blessings,

Jackie

Anne, I'm truly glad your friend seems eager to re-join the world again and chose you for her new beginning.

I am very fortunate my Dh now does not much care for any sports, just like me.  There is an occasional game here and there, but those are only BIG ones and I think he too does not want to come off to others as totally dis-interested.  If he can at least say he saw the 'important' plays, then he seems satisfied.  I'm sure most people who have known him long enough realize he is not truly into these things. 

I actually do like watching the St. Louis Cardinals play baseball, but I don't usually follow all the games.  If they get into the play-offs, you can often find me watching then.  I think another factor was that in the beginning, there were no color t.v.,s so you ( or so it seemed to me ) really had to be sharp about who was who to keep up.  I just didn't have that kind of patience then.

Time to go out and get my kitties done.  See you all later.

Jackie 

Mommarch, I will join you for wine and cheese!  LOL!

We're having some nasty weather all week, rainy and cold.  A little farther north the rain is coming down in the form of sleet.  We have the fireplace going and are snug inside the house.

I installed the Basic Turbo Tax today and entered tax information.  I kept getting a message that I needed to pay $40 and upgrade to Deluxe.  I put in a call to Turbo Tax to complain.  Just now I got a call from a nice young woman who promised to send me the free upgrade.  It would be different if our tax affairs were complicated but they aren't.  It looks like I overpaid and will get $1000 back.  I raised the percentage of withholding this year. 

Hi Ladies,

It seems that our schedule here is busier than when we are in Illinois....or maybe there are more things to do here in the winter. I have been trying to get a walk or bike ride in everyday and play golf at least three times a week. It's hard to believe that we've only got another month here. I love the heat and the sunshine. Last week the temps got down fairly cool in the mornings here and then warmed up for the afternoon. The natives were freezing and moaning about how cold it was and we were outside in sweatshirts or jackets having a good time. :-)

Blondie...so glad to hear that you are doing better. It's such a long haul, isn't it? Hang in there. I hope your kitten is doing better, too. I am a true cat lover....but I guess I'm a dog lover, too but our life style lends itself more to cats right now. Our two are enjoying the caged lanai.

Jackie...wow! I'm glad your furnace is fixed. It looks like you've had some pretty low temps up there and a cold house is not a happy house.

Carole...LOVE that tax return! I always have to pay. I have an appointment when I get back the first week in April to get mine done. I pay estimates and never et anything back. Maybe I need a new tax man. I never do it myself as I'm afraid I'll do something wrong and then I'd be in big trouble. We pay ALOT in Illinois taxes, too. It has us thinking about relocating.

Hi to EVERYONE. I didn't get completely caught up on all your posts. I have a free day tomorrow so maybe I'll coe back and read some more. In the meantime, I'm off to watch "The Voice!"

Everyone have a good week.

I'm trying to catch up page by page.

Blondie it's just nice to see u post, say anything u want and unload on us. I do hope u get out soon.

Jackie that was cheap or a furnace fix---it's much more here just with a little ffix, but with this cold it's nice to have a warm home to cuddle in. I had an orange tabby also and she was so loving, and of course I loved that.

Chevy don't u ever listen to me? I told u when u gals have a hard time washing u'r hair to buy the shampoo no rinse--it suds up like crazy and really washes wet--use no water, then u take a towel and dry it off--it's great and they have no rinse body wash too. Talk about falling stairs scare the hell out o me too, I take them sideways now, it does make a diference, but remember when I went to court and as I walked up to the bench I lost my balance and fell straight down with my arms out and my legs too--of course my legs were used to that position, like Chevy's are, but there I was all alone LOLing, what else could I do. Years ago (many) my GF's brother raced and we'd go to them sometimes and we were told if we ever see Paul Neuman just react normally to him. Well we saw Paul Neuman and I was ready to mount him in a minute, but then I was told not to act naturally so I just smiled and was all shaky. Still remember those eyes.

Carole thank or getting it out of u'r system again about u'r weather being 70, while ours is way below 0.

Ah GEEZ! That girl embarrasses me! She goes off talking about Paul Newman, like she is some FRIEND of his or something.... You with your crossed eyes and flannel night-gown on!

And so you are telling me to "wash" my hair with WHAT? WTH are you talking about? I mean how can your hair or any PART of you be clean without WATER? Don't you guys have any running water? What is going on over there? Do I have to come over there?

I just laughed out loud, when you were talking and drooling about Paul Newman! You would THINK you were stil in high-school! Yes, I would be with you.... But I always thought he was "older".... I liked Clint Eastwood.... not so much now.... but at that time I did.... I like George & Adam Levine, and Blake Shelton, and Mark Harmon, and who is that OTHER guy that is on that show? Yes.... him too.

Okay, now that we got THAT taken care of.... And if I could EVER get my legs "into that position" I would be elated! Legs just don't work the same way they DID when I was say 20 years younger! Not to mention my arms! How can ANYone ever fasten a bra by putting both arms around back? It just ain't normal.

And I don't like to kneel down, or get on the floor for ANYthing! That's why I have a kneeler.... I'm going to fit this house with a hoist. Something installed that would follow me around and help me get up-right when I get down on the floor. When I look under the beds for something, it's so nice to have something to hold onto.... I mean without dragging all the bedding off on top of me....

They are talking about IUD's on TV now.... I'm so glad I don't have to worry about that anymore.... I worried enough about it before..... never mind.....

So okay.... guess I'll go look at the sun coming up..... It's so nice to see day-light.... and then get ready for another storm tomorrow.....

What's that old saying? "Same song, second verse.... It oughta get better, but it's gonna get worse!"

“It may look as if the situation is creating the suffering, but ultimately this is not so - your resistance is.”
Eckhart Tolle