Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Hi Bonnets,I hope your colonoscopy went smoothly and you were able to rest today. Sure knocks a lot out of you.
Just woke up after taking a nap after the colonoscopy. The doc couldn't get to the ascending colon because of the tumor in the sigmoid. We knew about the sigmoid tumor three years ago. My MO is going to have new tests run on the specimen they took out today. It is my understanding nothing stays the same. My MO is recommending Taxol, three weeks on and one week off. I know I posted that I was considering not doing chemo. I think I am going to try the Taxol if nothing more than to ease the discomfort I have in my belly. I had a paracentesis last week, removing three liters of fluid. Now that felt better! I asked my MO today if I was in the end stages of cancer. She skirted the issue saying she wasn't sure.
On a good note, the sun is shining and my daughter is bringing dinner tonight.
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Just bopping in to say HI to everyone after a busy but fun Labor Day weekend. We also went fishing and we're having white bass for dinner tonight.
Termite...the doll cake is fantastic. I think you've found a new career for you. You are quite talented!
Carole, when are you heading back south?
It's a beautiful day here in central Illinois today. We finally got some much needed rain yesterday and the morning was cool but it warmed up again this afternoon. I like the upcoming Fall but I do not like what follows it!
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Judi,
Don't know about you , but the prep here is worse than it used to be. They now use Miralax in 64 oz of liquid and 2 double doses of Dulcolax! Proceedure just noted diverticulosis, and 2 polyps. Wont get the bio back til next week.
Glad you feel better with the ascites drained.Hope Taxol works to ease things for you. Went thru my daughter fighting BC for 6 and a half years, and many chemos. Thinking of you, Jean
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judi, my prayers are with you. Shuf
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Shuf, I've been on anastrasole for 3 1/2 years. I take it at night because I couldn't keep my eyes open when I took it in the morning. I also take loratidine (Claritin). I'm stiff when I get up in the morning, but I hop in the shower and the warm water really helps. I know I've been lucky to have so few side effects.
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Shuf, we did a mix of ship and private excursions. I researched for over a year before choosing exactly what I wanted to do each each port. (Some people wait until they are there to decide!) Our cruise included a day in Glacier Bay, one of the must-see places. Gorgeous! In Juneau we went whale watching with a private company that takes small groups. The ship excursions can have hundreds of people on large vessels. I think we had 6 people on ours and best of all, it had a bathroom. Some of the smaller boats don't. Our excursion included a visit to Mendenhall Glacier as well. Quite beautiful. In Skagway we took a ship excursion to Davidson Glacier (as detailed in a previous post.) Fabulous and the highlight of the trip! We finished the day with a trip on the famous railroad but wish we'd skipped it. The views are nice but it's a long trip and most everyone fell asleep on the way back. (It's the same track...you just go down backwards. The train seats convert.) The tickets are expensive as well. Not worth it really. In Ketchikan we took a private excursion with a tour guide who let us design our own tour. Through e-mails, we told him what we wanted to see and he arranged it all. We went up into the old growth forest, saw several wild salmon runs on the mountainside, saw nesting eagles as well as adults in flight, and went to a totem park where we saw many including one being restored by hand. Afterwards we met friends in a lodge and explored the downtown boardwalk. Our ship did not arrive in Victoria until early evening so we took a ship excursion that included a city tour and then a stop at a huge old Victorian mansion. Lots of fun. Had no interest in seeing Butchert Gardens by flood lights. Would have gone if we'd arrived earlier tho. Our ship was round trip from Seattle so we went four days early to enjoy the many treats that beautiful city has to offer. If you are going out of Seattle let me know and I'll give you some recommendations.
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The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help that would never otherwise have occurred. A stream of events issues from the decision, raising unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no person could have dreamt would have come his or her way.
W. H. Murray
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Things are going fine here in sunny San Antonio. We're looking forward to a cold front due to arrive in a few days and the low 90's temps that will come with it. We might get some much needed rain as well. (Haven't had any all summer.) At least the grass hasn't grown much. Now that I'm doing all the lawn mowing, I have more of an appreciation for how difficult it is on 100 degree days. That leaves me more time to deal with the pool, which takes so much more attention than I ever knew. Mike always took care of all that.
Mike continues to be holding his own and amazing the oncologist. He has gone back to riding his motorcycle (against doctor's orders I might add.) Since his platelets are so low, he bleeds quite easily so the doctor says if there is even a minor accident, it could mean unnecessary risk. Mike told him, politely, that while he appreciated the concern, he understands the risk and will do his best to minimize the chances of anything happening while still enjoying those blissful rides in the Texas hill country with his riding buddies.
He had a couple of bad days last week during chemo, but bounced back as usual. I love that his sense of humor is back and we are having such a good time together again. We leave for the Florida Keys (Marathon) in three weeks. I bought snorkel gear for us so he wouldn't have to borrow any and take any risk of infection. I'm excited for the first time since this whole nightmare began 9 months ago.
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Expected or un-expected -- it is wonderful to have some bountiful blessings to enrich your life ( and Mike's too ). Hope you get lots and lots.
Jackie
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Sandra,
Glad to hear things have been looking up for you and Mike! Jean
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I'll be doing a Casting for Recovery Retreat in Valentine, NE Oct 12-14. Really looking forward to it. I didn't realize that Judi was doing one this weekend. I already flyfish but looking forward to gaining more about it and meeting other BC survivors.
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Sandra - so glad to see your post and know that things are going OK. Hope your FL trip is fun & easy.
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Teka - I was commenting on your post on Sept. 9, 19 hrs ago where you wrote "Judi - going on a Casting for Recovery Retreat this weekend?"
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Sandra, thanks so much for the info. Wish you all the quality time possible.
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Silence must be comprehended as not solely the absence of sound. It I the natural environment for serenity and contemplation. Life without silence is life without privacy. The difference between sanity and madness is the quality of our thoughts. Silence is on the side of sanity.
Norman Cousins
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Good morning,
It started raining ( just minor sprinkles at first ) last night before bed around 10:30 p.m. and is still at it this morning -- though heavy in the wee hours. It has settled down now, but may last a fair portion of the day. So, our silence here is filled with the sound of rain hitting roof. Though too much gray "gets" to me --- so much, I do like some aspects. Sometimes the earth needs watering and I understand and welcome that part of a good rain -- and it changes even the air around us --- can have in that way a calming effect. It is only the gray ( if it lasts too long ) that starts to make the welcome mat shrink badly.
Finally got that shopping trip in yesterday. Not the way I had hoped. We had to go late so did not stay as long as I might have liked -- but even so I'm breathing a sigh of relief. It is one more thing off the list. The worst was having the blouses just sir around doing nothing for anyone --- and I was able to fine another that I liked. I'm really fussy for someone with very little taste --- and maybe that is why I'm fussy. Anyway --- I thankfully did find something.
Not sure what is on for today. Dh thinks we should go to our local social security office and check and see how our paperwork to end Medicare deductions is coming. As we didn't use it and it seems that it was going to get more expensive -- we decided to opt out. It has been ( I think ) just under two months. I'll know more when I get my SS this time. I haven't used it since I was arbitrarily signed up. That has been five years now at least. So maybe we should go see how or IF things are progressing. I do have some errands to do today and some of my usual work. I don't go to work tonight, but will go tomorrow. Mainly a day-time ( afternoon ) work period.
The new little puppy was due ( there was some question as to whether she would have teeth soon enough ) to come home to the home where I work. She was 8 weeks old just today. Not so sure ALL breeds are ready at the stroke of 8 wks. I think there are likely some who might benefit a little more with some extra mommy training time -- so will see when I go tomorrow. I'm so anxious about it --- was thinking I might call --- but as I do like surprises ( well ones like a new puppy ) I may not. Samantha ( Sammie ) is a miniature Schnauzer and I'm pretty sure will be one adorable little pup. I know I will welcome having her around. For me, the household was always one of two dogs and I think everyone, including me, have missed Sadie since she went to the Rainbow Bridge. All have been waiting for the feeling of completeness to the household that has been missing.
Hope you are all going to have a fantastic Friday with weather to match. Cheering on all those who are doing well and sending much positive energies to those who are struggling in any way.
Blessings
Jackie
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Morning everyone,
I have been reading, but haven't been posting much.
Right now, I am in the process of selling the house in Ga to my daughter- what a major, unnecessary mess! I can't just sell it to them for the amount of the mortgage- that would bring the price of all the houses in the area down too much. So I am selling It to them for $240,000, which is $90,000 more than we paid. Scott has qualified for a $130,000 mortgage, then I have to "gift them" the other $110,000. And, of course, I have to pay the closing costs. Since the original mortgage has only less than $130 left on it, they will end up with about $9000 to do some much needed repairs. Nancy just sent me an email about how stressful this all is - I told her she had no clue. It is being handled by one of the real estate brokers that's works for her company, selling the houses they build,, and the actual paperwork is being done by their in-house mortgage person, and the lawyer is also connected to her company and says he has to charge something to make it legal, so he is charging us $50. The others are doing it for free. Plus I said to Nancy, could she imagine if she were dealing with a real seller, who was out to get top dollar?
Tracy (broken ankle)is back to work, after 11 weeks in a wheelchair. She has no problem driving, but is still using a cane to steady herself when walking. She only went back Tues, and every day she finds new piles of paperwork that were hidden instead of taken care of. The company has lost so much money while she was gone that it is ridiculous. It got so bad, they fired the manager, and hired a new one. Problem is, Tracy knows it was not the manager's fault. He was all set to fire the incompent "service manager" when Tracy hurt her ankle. They needed someone there who "knew" how to do things, so they kept him. Tracy went in last Fri to meet the new manager, and he was telling her how it is the service managers job to open work orders, etc, and she just laughed at him. She said, we'll try it your way, but it has been tried before, and when done that way, there are so many errors by the time she gets it, it takes her three times as long to close it.
Since she is back on her feet, I am heading to Ga next weekend. Her broken ankle was a gift in disguise to me. I have been home in Fl since late May and I have loved it. I am now getting on the whirlwind of travel again. I will fly to Nancy, but will only be with her for a few nights before driving (3 1/2 hrs) to Rob's for his birthday on the 24th. Then back to Nancy until the sale of the house is done, then hopefully to NY for a couple of weeks. I have a feeling that may not work out, because I need to be back in Fl by the end of Oct for Dougie's 13th birthday. Then I am going to Orlando the weekend before Thanksgiving to celebrate my brotnet's 60th birthday. My neighbors want me to go to Nancy's with them for Thanksgiving, but I think that is too much. I will be heading back to Nancy mid- Dec, and will be spending Christmas at Rob's for the first time. His mother-in- law can't make it there this year, so I get to be with Lucia on Christmas morning. I didn't even wait for them to ask- as soon as Rob said his mother-in-law was coming for a visit in Oct, I said if she's not going to be there on Christmas, I will. It has nothing to do with us not getting along or anything, we are fine together, it's just that they only have one guest room, and she only sees Lucia a few times a year, where I try to see her every other month. So I hate to intrude on her time, although I will go over for a day while she's there, or more often, they will come over to Nancy's. A one day trip means at least 7 hrs of driving and Rob can handle that much better than I can. I will stay in Ga till Andrew's 14th birthday at the end of Jan, then come back here to await the arrival of grandchild #7 in early April. I am going next week with Jamie to her first sonogram.
While in Ga this time, I will be seeing my MO, BS, GYN, radiation Dr and a dermatologist. I should have seen everyone except the GYN and dermatologist months ago, but was stuck here with Tracy. I waver between knowing all is good cause I feel fine, and panicking thinking they will find something and this whole mess will start again.
Sandra - so glad to hear Mike is doing well enough to plan another vacation. Enjoy every minute.
Anne
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Your heart's voice is your true voice. It is easy to ignore it, for sometimes it says what we'd rather it did not--and it is so hard to risk the things we have. But what life are we living, if we don't live by our hearts? Not a true one. And the person living it is not the true you.
Susan Fletcher0 -
Good morning,
We are having a super ( for us ) cool morning -- in the 60's and it won't even reach 70 today. I don't mind. I can come and go outside w/o all the sweat and sticky feelings that usually are a part of our warmer weather. A nice surprise.
Having been a realtor for a short time, it is easy for me to understand the dilemma you found yourself in Anne with your "house sale" but it sounds like it will work out ok. There is a somewhat delicate system in keeping neighborhoods balanced by their price comparables. I was not at all a good realtor so I didn't continue on with it. I did the book work of it fine, but putting it into practice I found cumbersome and I knew I would not like it any better the longer I did it so I went back to being a Realty Receptionist.
Anne, I'm really glad you will be tending to your medical appts. I know if you felt something was amiss you'd go and take care of it. I guess when we are older, sometimes we do a bit better. My Dr.'s have put me on a yearly schedule which is fine with me --- but since mammo's are at the end of the yr. they put everything there --- and I find that a bit tricky since I need to leave myself as free as I can for work. I usually know when I'm going to be working, but it still can get complicated having two or three calls because first they make the appt. Call me or send a letter. If I find it falls at an inopportune time then I have to call them back. They then have to reschedule --- then call me back. I sort of long for the days when I just called and made the appt. but as I'm with the V.A. for my medical it can't work that way. I am happy though that I have them to rely on for care -- just nice if the appt. process was a little easier.
Well, hooray --- yesterday I finished the last item at my friend's place -- the lady who had the fire. Only had to do the fridge. Was quite a chore but I did get it done. Now -- I will help her a bit more here and there, but I won't be running over three or more days a week as I had been. I hope it won't be long before she can get back into her house. I don't know how she holds up in that motel. It is a nice one -- but living at a motel ( just during the week as I came home on week-ends ) for 7 wks. while I did my radiation about drove me up the wall. Nothing to do, and I often cleaned my room --- not too well mind you as I didn't have anything much to clean it with --- but I kept the counters clean etc. The lady/motel maid seemed to love coming to my room ---- said I'd likely not believe the mess most of the rooms were. People she said seemed to think renting a motel room meant total freedom from any semblance of order. I don't really see any reason to be a slob in a motel room. If I were at a friend's I wouldn't be --- nor in my own house so not going to make any more work for a stranger.
Teka, don't we all get things skewered now and then somewhat. I often don't comment on things because I'm so apt it seems in getting the names wrong for the event I'm trying to discuss etc. I hope everyone knows my feelings are and can be quite deep and strong and I'm not ignoring what is said. I just tend to screw things up sometimes if I'm not just able to scroll back easily to keep my focus straightened out. I've blamed it on this dx. and the chemo etc. but I think a part of me had some issues in that department already.
Hope you are all going to have a really nice Saturday and a great week-end. Hi to all who don't post everyday --- I'm thinking about you and my wishes always go to all of you as well.
Blessings,
Jackie
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Judi thanks for the fyi on the book. I did stop treatment last year bc of the horrible se n doing it since 09. Ur feelings matter, do what feels right 4 u.
Welcome n good luck.
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What a nice day. It's only 88. Mike rode his motorcycle for several hours this morning. Love that he is getting to do what makes him happy. We're now happily ensconced in the living room watching college football games. Every 15 minutes I get up and go to work on removing more wallpaper in the kitchen. It's such a messy job. I quickly work up a sweat and it seems to take forever to make much progress so I sit back down to cool off and watch the game instead of just listening to it. At this rate it's going to take a month!
We had a nice night out last night. After a good dinner with friends, we all went over to check out an photographic art exhibit by another couple we're friends with. They recently went on a cultural exchange to Cuba and took the most fascinating and sometimes disturbing photographs. He is a professional photographer and she's an artist, so you can imagine the 1200 photos they captured with their two cameras in 10 days. It wasn't all the "pretty" stuff. Cuba is covered in scaffolding now. I was so surprised to see that. After years of neglect and poverty, the government is investing is improving the infrastructure of the country. Why? Because the tourists are coming! They have to try to get back to the dazzling hot spot they were before the 60's embargo was initiated. The exhibit was in an old distillery. There was a bar, a Caribbean food truck and a trio of musicians playing good Cuban dance music. We danced for the first time since Mike got sick!
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Oh Sandra, how good to see you both looking so great - AND out on the dance floor. About the wallpaper - so what if it takes a month. It's better to do things with Mike when he's feeling OK, not to mention when he's in a good mood.
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Love the pics Sandra and the bright smile. That is wonderful.
Very interesting about Cuba. It is not something I would have thought about -- rehabbing it since no one has much come since the embargo. Makes sense though. Sure glad that we have opened the door once again.
Jackie
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Jackie - I understand exactly what you mean about the VA and getting appts. Bob was treated by them for years. The most frustrating part was getting the letter notifying you of the appt the day after it was scheduled for. I am on VA survivor health care since he passed. It's called ChampVA, and is accepted anywhere Medicare is. Now I have Medicare first, then ChampVA as the secondary.
Anne
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I want to go to Cuba birdwatching once it's opened up for tour groups. One of the tour leaders in Minnesota has been invited there a couple times with other experts to do a survey of the birds there. He's written an article about all the awesome birds they found.
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Puffin, Check with the Audubon Society. They may already have something scheduled. Groups can go if they have a special reason and birdwatching should qualify.
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Puffin, bird watching in Cuba! You'll have to give us a full report if that trip works out.
We pay for Medicare, roughly $200 a month and basic Blue Cross Blue Shield runs about $300 a month. The latter is our secondary and includes prescriptions. Then our long term care insurance is a little more than $100 each per month. On the good side we pay no deductibles and to date have paid nothing on surgeries like dh's three stent procedures and my breast surgery and reconstruction and my foot surgery.
Add house insurance of $2000 annual and car insurance of $350 a month and now boat insurance and stationary rv insurance and we pay a LOT for insurance.
Last night was one of the few nights here at Pine Hollow that the noise hampered my going to sleep. The bachelors' party at one end and the campfire at the other end with people drinking and playing a radio loud combined to keep me awake while dh snored beside me. We didn't need the bedroom fan but I turned it on and directed the air at the ceiling. The sound it makes blocked out the music and voices and I fell asleep. Then about 2 am dh got up and turned it off. The absence of the fan whirring sound kept me awake for a little while. Not a good night. I won't be sorry to see people leaving today.
Grumble, grumble!
Our thoughts are on winterizing the camper and boat and loading up the cargo trailer we bought for transporting stuff back to LA. We'll be heading home the end of this month and I'm getting excited about returning to house living.
Happy Sunday!
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Most people see success as being rich and famous or powerful and influential. Others see it as being at the top of their profession and standing out from the rest.
The wise see success in a more personal way; they see it as achieving the goals they have set for themselves, and then feeling pride and satisfaction in their accomplishments. True success is felt in the heart, not measured by money and power.
So be true to yourself and achieve those goals you set. For success is reaching those goals and feeling proud of what you have accomplished.
Tim Tweedie0 -
Good Morning,
It is really cool outside -- we went down to the 40's overnight. Thank goodness it is going to come up nicely through the day. I don't mind cooler, but sometimes those big jumps can tend to startle when you first step outside.
Carole, I think I won't complain anymore about the cost of Ins. Seems you are paying over $1,200.00 a month just for that and still have one payment yet. We don't pay that much out for all of our monthly bills ( not included is gas, incidentals, vet visits, groceries, cat & dog food, and trips to get hair done etc. )
It surely is the pits when you have a sleepless night. Thank goodness I don't have many, but I do know when they happen the next day you are just sort of spacy and you know it. Nothing you can do much about it either. Like you --- I'd be glad to see the party-goers head for home.
Had a nice early night at work. Well, I started in the afternoon which is what made it early. My employers brought dinner home and we all ate together before I left. That was nice. They are really great people and every day I am grateful for having been able to fill a need they had to help care for their household member. They treat me like better than anyone ever has. So nice to have this happen. I could have gone my whole life and never seen or felt what it is like to be very appreciated and shown that very thing all the time. Lord, let me never take for granted all that I have been given.
The sun is out rapidly warming us up. I hope you are all going to have a truly fantastic Sunday.
Blessings,
Jackie
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Happy Birthday JACKIE!!!
Hope you have an absolutely fantastic day.
Anne
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