Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Comments
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Hi everyone. I hadn't been here since July 20th and with THIS group, that means pages and pages of posts to read before you get to the end. It was good to catch up with your lives and learn that for the most part, you are doing ok. Mommarch, hope you continue to have a better than expected time with this chemo.
Things are up and down here. Mike had another bone marrow biopsy last week - first one since the one in December when he first went in the hospital. It takes a long time to get results since it has to go to three different labs so I don't expect to know anything for another week. His routine labs are staying steady. None are great but they aren't taking dips like they were back in January. In spite of the lab results, the important thing is the % of cancer cells in his bone marrow. It will tell us a lot about how his illness is progressing and give us a better idea of when he will have to have the bone marrow stem cell transplant. I'm still hoping to put it off until the end of the year. I'm on several support groups where people report how their loved ones are doing after transplant and it's so discouraging. So many don't make it or have such misery and suffering in the first few months especially. There are some bright spots however, so we'll cling to that.
Allison leaves to go back to Chicago tomorrow. It's been wonderful having her here for 6 months. We've gotten along great and she's become my best friend in many ways. She will move back into her apartment and should have a job back at Northwestern within a few weeks. She's been in touch with the HR department and since she is a former employee, they think they will find a place for her quickly. She goes back with only one of her kitties, which is sad, but in the 10 days since Joshua died, she's made a lot of progress in her grief. She has decided she will get a new kitten so Toby will have somebody to play with while she is gone all day, but isn't ready to do it yet. Assuming Mike is still doing ok, we may go up there for Christmas. We've visited Chicago a number of times but never during the holidays. I especially want to go to their legendary German Christmas Market. Allison has sent photos in past years and it makes us all so homesick for Germany.
Welcome to all the new folks. Kisses and hugs to all the "old" folks.
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Sandra, such a delightful note. I'm so glad Allison has decided Toby will get a companion. I think kittens/cats are much like us --- we can be alone but are so appreciative when we have someone with us to share in our joy and be a warm comfort when we are not having peaceful times. Good and bad feel different if there is someone to divide them up.
Hoping Mike's tests turn out ok. The stem cell transplant sounds so strenuous and difficult -- and harsh for a while. Whenever it needs to happen just know you will have so many, many cheerleaders wishing they could be right there willing things to be ok as soon as possible.
I looked at your graphic and you know your right. I feel ( at least to a fair degree anyway ) that I'm only mildly " older and different " than I was a few yrs. out of school. Full of energy and life and eager for whatever would come next. Well, you know we are that way --- but I admit a little more restrained about it all. In fact, I enjoy much of how it goes now. There is time in between things now --- lighting Mach speed no longer needed. It would be nice to multi-task like I once could -- but oh well. I'll just make lists -- juggling ten things at a time isn't as necessary now.
Hang in there Sandra --- and big hugs right back at ya !!!
Jackie
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Sandra, it's good to have you drop in and give us an update. My dh is from the Chicago area. I have always enjoyed going into the city. It really is a wonderful city that offers so much. I love walking on Michigan Ave. The buildings are so TALL.
I'm tired this afternoon. We had a good workout at the gym, then had a delicious breakfast at Great Northern restaurant, and took care of some errands in town. We now have more reasonably priced insurance on the camper and insurance on the boat.
This afternoon I cleaned the hull of the boat and did some cleaning on the interior, too. DH has been puttering around and checking out this and that on the boat.
I wish someone else were in charge of cooking dinner tonight!
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To possess a rich life of wholeness that brings happiness into the soul,
is to show loving and caring characteristic traits toward others.
Ellen J. Barrier0 -
Good Morning,
Wow !!! he heat sure has been oppressive these last two days. Not great beforehand -- but so very sultry and sticky these last two. Hoping as we move toward the week-end that it settles down again for a bit. I really dislike it when it is like this. I have found though --- if I make myself slow down when I'm outside and not do things I really don't have too --- that is tolerable. I'm never really going to like it though. We have the big wading pool out and filled for the dogs -- as usual -- they are using it as a BIG water bucket -- but at least it is there for when they are outside.
I think there are many parts of the U.S. that are getting excessive heat right now, so I am in good company. Seems like it has made people much quieter here on the thread. I'm here at my normal time as it is a 'break' time for me to relax ( and I need to do this anyway ) and cool off after the morning chores we have to do right away for all the animals here.
I hope you are all going to have a really, really good day. I'll be thinking of you. I've a few things to accomplish. Dh is going to day to have a hearing test. Hmmm, finally. He always speaks about how well he hears, and I certainly don't feel his hearing is as bad as mine --- but he isn't as he once was. I think he use to equate good hearing to thinking sounds woke him up at night. I never felt that. I think you are in a 'wakeful' state already if you hear enough at night for you to think it is waking you up.
Have to admit though --- to me, nighttime is time to sleep and that is what I do. I rarely have a "wakeful" night -- though I do get up a time or two to use the bathroom. I get back in bed sometimes wondering if I'll be able to go back to sleep -- because I'm more 'wakeful' then I meant to be --- and the next thing I know its time to get up. Always been that way -- and it has not mattered what condition my hearing has been in -- good or bad, just the same. I'm glad he is doing this -- it is good to know. He also gets a free Wal-Mart gift card -- aha. Now we know why!!!!
See you all later on if your here. I'm off to do the feral cats.
Blessings
Jackie
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Hi all,
Today marks the end of a 5 day stay-cation for Tracy and me. Everyone else in the house left for sleep-away camp early Sat morning, leaving Tracy and me to fend for ourselves. We've heard from Dougie a few times- enough to know he is having a great time and enough to let us know he is having a better time with Uncle Rob than he would be having if we were there. One text was a picture of him climbing a huge tree- so big you really had to look to find the speck that was Dougie- on his way to a zip line. A later text says he didn't "stick to the basic zip" , he turned over and did an upside down Spider-Man, whatever that is. Like I say, if Mom and I were there, really doubt he would have zip-lined at all.
We have really taken advantage of this break. We have not cooked once, but have either ordered in or gone out to eat. We have watched movies, and caught up on what we had on our DVRs, and read, and just were lazy. One day, I never got out of my Pj's. The house stayed pretty clean, and even if it hadn't, the cleaning lady came yesterday, so it is all nice and clean for the homecoming invasion tonight. I did do a lot of laundry over the weekend so thr three campers can have the machines for the next couple of days.
Jamie seems to have taken my decision in stride. Both kids are coming over this afternoon and staying for dinner.
Sandra- both you and Mike are on my church's prayer chain and ex will be praying for good results from the recent tests.
Anne
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Anneb: thanks for this post: I've been thinking it is time to get a cleaning lady, and your post helped me see why it is a good idea. I can afford it, and even after I am through all the current 'stuff', I'd much rather spend my unscheduled time lazing around than doing housework! I have a growing list of 'things I've thought about while recovering from surgery that I want to do soon' and I am going to add 'Get a housecleaner.' to the list!
It is hot here, but not humid at least. Triple digits. Like you, Jackie, I usually don't have any issues sleeping. Last night was an exception, as I am feeling anxiety about uncertainty with my initial post-surgery apt with MO scheduled for Monday. Planning to nap and stay out of the heat today. Hope everyone has a good day.
Octo.
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Good for you, Octogirl, on deciding to get a house cleaner.
Anne, how wonderful that you and Tracy had some days of peace and relaxation.
Hang in there, Jackie. Don't let the hot weather get you down.
It has been very windy here today, 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. I went to town and bought some groceries about mid morning. This afternoon I cooked a pot of chicken and sausage gumbo and brown rice.
Maybe the wind will settle down and dh and I will have a chance to try out the boat tomorrow.
Hope everyone had a good day.
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Dh is standing in the boat.
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Stern view.
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Carole -- that is a great looking boat for its age. Looks like it matches your truck in color too. I enjoyed the few boat rides I was able to take on our lake here. It is a drinking water/fishing lake. Big, but nothing else is allowed. People are not even supposed to swim in it ( partly a liability thing with the city ) but some kids do. Anyway, you can't go very fast on the lake -- maybe 5 mph or something like that. But the shore is all woodsy with lake cabins all up and down and in the big coves. Water is usually not really choppy so it makes for a really great ride.
I could almost imagine the last time we went on the lake. We don't know anyone with a boat now.
Your deck looks so homey and just right for you camper. Even in the heat we are having -- I can't imagine not having a deck.
Well off and running. I'll see you all later.
Jackie
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Love it Carole!!
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Hi Carol, having been campers until mets dx, I have been wondering how are you going to take the deck and boat with you when you return home? We had a camper trailer (basically a tent on wheels that opened up like a flower to become our home away from home) that was capable of going to the roughest places, which we did as we wanted to prospect for gold when we retired. We loaded that thing up to the gunnels and still couldn't take all we needed, like enough water to last three weeks a long way from civilisation. Have you got some kind of attachments on the roof of your 5th wheeler for the deck and are you allowed to tow two trailers in the US?
Just curious,
Sheila.
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Sheila, we have decided to go "seasonal" and leave the trailer here in Minnesota. So we won't be moving the deck. We'll also winterize the boat and leave it here, too, when we depart at the end of Sept. With luck, we'll return here for our summers as long as health allows us to do so. I'm sorry you had to give up your camping/travel. We have met and observed quite a few gold prospectors in our travels to the western US. Did you have some success?
Today we towed the boat on its trailer to the launch site and got it afloat. I brought the trailer back to the campground, probably about 5 or 6 miles, and dh drove the boat to the campground dock. I got aboard and we went for a boat ride. DH got the trolling motor to work and I did a little fishing but did not even have a "bite." The boat will stay securely tied up to the dock so we can easily go out on the lake whenever we want to. I wish dh liked fishing as much as I do. One disappointment today was not seeing any loons out on the lake. I know they're around because I hear them.
This afternoon we have a tee time to play golf at the twilight reduced rate.
Jackie, I wish I could take you for a boat ride on our lake. I like the rule on your lake about 5 mph and no wakes. Some people waterski on this lake but the majority of the boaters are fishermen. The lake is about 1 1/4 miles long and 1/4 mile wide. There are much larger lakes in this "lake country."
Wishing everyone a good Thursday.
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Carole, glad you were able to find a boat so that you can enjoy it for a couple months yet this summer. It looks like a nice boat.
Our camping plans for the weekend with granddaughter and her dad went caput - Ed is in jail for driving without a license. Don't know how long they've be keeping him, hopefully we can go later this fall.
Tonight we're going to Mary Poppins at the outdoor theater in Moorhead. Our friend's 17 year old daughter is in charge of the lighting for the show.
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Puffin and Anne, beautiful pictures of all your grandchildren
Carole, nice boat. you will have so much fun with it.
Sandra, praying for good results for Mike's recent test.
Octogirl, great idea to hire a house cleaner
Jackie, our weather has been hot and humid also. Today was a little better but not much. It makes being outside for any time almost impossible especially when it takes your breath away.
Mommarch, I hope you are doing well.
Went to ortho dr today for a knee that I heard pop a while back. He said I just moved the knee the wrong way and it has irritated the arithis in the knee and there is a bakers cyst in the knee. so back to therapy, meds to reduce inflammation and icing knee 3x per day.
On a happy note.....we got our 9th grandchild today. A little 8lb some ounces Boy named Adam James (AJ). Our DIL had him 2 weeks early. this makes 4 boys for them (just like DH and me). They are in Philadelphia so now I have to figure out when to go meet him. Now we have 6 grandsons and 3 granddaughters ranging in age from newborn to 11 years.
Hope everyone is having a good week,
Emma
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Congratulations on the new grandson, Termite!
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Termite -- adding my well wishes to the pile. What a nice name too. Hope the ice on the knee has you back in business with no issues in no time.
Jackie
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Carole, our lake is 660 acres -- not huge, but I don't think of it as small either. Seems just right to me. Our first house here has a small section of cove right in back of us --- this second house doesn't have the lake, or a part thereof, but we can go over to the neighbors anytime. So far, for the most part we have had pretty fair relationships with our neighbors and usually always have something of an open door policy.
The lake area ( now leases have been sold to the lease holders ) used to get along in something of a pioneer fashion. Each helped the other with things. As well, in times past, if no one had the lease next to you --- you could use as much of that land as you liked -- provided you didn't do anything that would be of a permanent nature. It was all pretty relaxed.
About 5 yrs. ago we were asked if we wanted to buy our lease and we did. The city no longer wanted to be lease landlords but it worked out better for us. Though buying when we did was not troublesome for us --- many people who wanted to be out here had trouble. The bank would not loan on a house that was on leased land, but mainly, had we not agreed to purchase --- we could have forced the city to hold our lease --- and they would have honored it, but every five yrs. lease prices are allowed to go up and the city intended to raise it as high as they could every five yrs. Sounded scary to us.
We are now a part of the city which is ok. I can't say they seem to do much for us -- but do fix our roads up and sometimes take out dying trees, and the township comes out in the winter and plows our lanes. I'm ok with that. One of the major reasons for being here was no one fussing much with you and so either way -- leased or now privately owned -- that has pretty much held. I do truly appreciate our lane being plowed. Dh and I both have four-wheel drive vehicles as using any of the roads out here and our one-lane lanes was challenging for a long time. It sure helps when the snowplow comes.
Jackie
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Congrats on the new grandson, Emma! My grandson is also an Adam, 2 years old now and adorable (of course).
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Sorry to say Carol, we didn't find any gold but I was really more interested in the areas we visited. There were three of us plus our staffy who loved guarding us from all the wildlife and the cattle which seemed to be on every property we camped on. DH had a super-duper metal detector and I had a much less complicated one which I only got to use once before mets dx. He decided to call it quits as soon as I was dxed, so up and sold all our camping gear, which I often wish we still had, as I enjoyed the peace and quiet of being far from the madding crowd and also overcoming the challenges of how to do things when you don't have the 'tools' that you have at home. We only stayed at a public camping park once and I hated it....swore I'd never do it again.
Sheila.
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Emma/termite - congratulations on the new grandson. I hope you will spend extra-special time with him and his brothers very soon.
Jackie, I read the Shakespeare quote about some people never becoming "fogeys" - but am truly wondering what was considered "old" at that time! Can you imagine? Probably 40s?
The human race truly is evolving.Carole, what a great lake boat! But now you have something else to clean and care for. Ahhh vacations bring such surprises! You have really established a vacation home now - and so great that you "tried it out" before expanding the settlement! Enjoy your new toy.
Anne, I love the photo. I am glad you are getting a "camp" break. You deserve it.
Sandra, we have to look at the positive, just as we did when we were diagnosed. The road is long, but remember to live along the journey. I truly hope that you and Mike will enjoy many good days and a great trip. One day at a time is all any of us can handle. Hugs....
(((Mommarch)))
Jean / bonnets, I know what you mean about moving. When I returned from living in Colorado for 2 years, I loaded the wardrobe boxes with rocks at the bottom. I now know that is unacceptable for those poor movers.
Wren, I have way too many rocks. I want to have students come over and take whatever they want but never have done so. I ended up bringing the rocks back in my suitcase. We had weight available.
Jackie, such a sad event with the loss of the Yorkie. I am glad you were the caretaker, but it must have been hard.
Octo, I am glad I missed the triple digit temps. I came home to hazy, hot and humid (triple "H") on Long Island. We just got the central AC in June so I never know what the weather is until I open the door.
Our kitty was boarded for 12 days and she definitely grew and has changed a bit when we picked her up She is still a mush and snuggly, but is much more aloof and exploring the house. I found her up on a bed yesterday, as I left a door open. Her sleep habits changed. So we will all grow in a new direction. She is safe and healthy and that is what counts.
Aussie, how does one look for gold? I have been panning and to mines, but do you use metal detectors for gold objects?
I am heading to the beach for a walk. I did not get dressed for 2 days when I got home from CA. I met a friend last night for dinner so washed and dried hair and dressed for the occasion. Now I need to get off the sofa and exercise.
Enjoy the day!
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Hello to all old friends and welcome to new ones that I haven't yet met! Sorry I haven't been on here in a long time....it seems that I get sidetracked with other things and forget to check in. I recommended this site to someone the other day and remembered how helpful it was for me and still is. I'm approaching my fourth year since surgery and as always hopeful that my mamo will turn out fine. Eyes are stable...trying out new drug that doesn't require an injection so often and it's working. The AMD did spread to my right (good) eye last year, but the new drug zapped it early. So far no damage.
Jackie, Carole, Chevy, Mommarch....it's good to see that you're still sharing posts and keeping this thread going. Congrats on the new boat Carole....know you're having lots of fun over the summer. Jackie...your inspirational posts are great as always. Mommarch..hope your treatment is going well...I pray that you get through it with as little discomfort as possible. Chevy...I missed skiing in Co this year due to my eyes, but am going to try it one more time with new prescription goggles in 2016. Hope all is well with you!
Our new home outside of Greenville is great, with lots of places for me to plant flowers and a screened porch to enjoy them! Beach house is rented for the summer and DGD is "babysitting" house in Florida until we get back there over the holidays. Better than leaving it empty I guess. Going to be a great grand again...boy this time....I'm happy but sad at the same time that my other DGD is so irresponsible that she can't realize that she can barely support one child, much less two, and the father seems to be nowhere in sight as usual. It will fall to the family to pick up the slack for her and that just isn't fair, but I can't let the little ones suffer...they didn't ask to be born. I've tried tough love but it just wears me down to try and be the enforcer. DS (her father) just detaches from it all and moves along with his life as though nothing is going on.
Doing some travel with girlfriends now since boyfriend doesn't fly due to ear issues. Went to Amsterdam and did a cruise down the Rhine this spring. Saw enough cathedrals and castles to last a lifetime, but it was beautiful! Next will be a nine day cruise in the Caribbean this January (to recover from college football overkill) and then the annual ski trip in February with DD and family.
Nice to catch up with everyone....will try and do better about staying in touch..LOL! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
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Happy Birthday Chevy
Hope you have as many laughs today as you give all of us!
Anne
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Wishing you the bestest birthday ever, sweet Sunny.
and lots and lots and lots more.
Best Wishes
Jackie
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A human being is a part of the whole, called by
us "Universe," a part limited in time and space. We experience
ourselves, our thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest--a
kind of optical illusion of our consciousness. This delusion is a kind of
prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a
few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this
prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and
the whole of nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this
completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the
liberation and foundation for inner security.
Albert Einstein0 -
Kaara -- I always wonder where people are when they don't come on here. Specifically --- it is more hoping and praying all is well. So, it is so great to see you and so glad you caught up with all our doings here. We can get so many pages going, but it has been a little more quieter here of late. That would sure help for those being away for a bit.
Glad to hear things seem so well with your eyes. In fact, glad to hear that there is really great stability. I know most of us wouldn't even want to imagine the loss of sight. Likely why I'm wearing glasses and have hearing aids for my ears. Some day I will take my appointed trip to eternity but until then --- I want to see, taste, smell, hear, feel and see everything -- always. I guess I'm just selfish that way.
Anyway -- back out to the cat room which is getting a through cleaning as we had a kitten pretty much forced on us. DRAT. I love animals and was trying not to have to take anymore --- at least hoping if I did it would be an older adult --- but we have a bouncy little lovely it. Haven't had time to determine if male or female. Med. hair, and it is mostly white with lots of light gray patches here and there. A real beauty -- but everyone that ever landed here was.
Anyway, look for me later.
Blessings,
Jackie
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So glad to have the humidity here back to tolerable. Was cool enough this morning, I cud have turned off the A/C in the bedroom last night.
Chevy have a wonderful Birthday. We aren't getting any older , are we?
Enjoyed all the pictures, the boat and everyones grands.Termite, congrats on the new grandson
Sandra, I'm an old Chicago girl, but the Christmas Market must be something since my days growing up there. Downtown, the Loop is a wonder, with a lot of changes. When I was there, the Prudential building was the tallest building!. I ived on the South side and went to Nursing School in Evanston , on the North Shore. It's sad to see how the South Side has deteriorated since I left.
Mommarch, hope hubby's tests are encouraging.
Kaara, we did a riverboat cruise in the Netherlands a few years ago, for tulip time. Wud love to go back and do the Danube or Rhine.Don't ya know the day we did the Tulip garden it was 47 and rained. The trip was a great experience anyway!
Stay cool.Jean
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHEVY!!!!! I'm sure you're doing something fun to celebrate.
Kaara, it's good to hear from you and catch up on how you're doing. Glad your eyesight is stable and that you're travelling and enjoying yourself. Hope you can check in more often.
Jackie, if I were a kitty, I would want to come live at your house. Post a picture of the new kitty when you can.
Today is the kind of day that brings us to northern MN for the summer. It's a bit too breezy but the temperature today is in the 70's. DH and I went to the gym about 9 am. Afterwards we had breakfast in town and made a couple of quick purchases. Back at the campground, I spent several hours doing cleaning inside the camper. Judging from the dust and dirt on my cleaning cloth, the cleaning was needed.
Hi to everyone not mentioned. Hugs to Mommarch and Mike and Sandra.
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Happy Birthday Chevy. Hope you have a great day!
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