Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Comments
-
Befriending the life in others is sometimes a complex matter. There are times when we offer our strength and protection, but these are usually only temporary measures. The greatest blessing we offer others may be the belief we have in their struggle for freedom, the courage to support and accompany them as they determine for themselves the strength that will become their refuge and the foundation for their lives. I think it is especially important to believe in someone at a time when they cannot yet believe in themselves. Then your belief will become their lifeline. -Rachel Naomi Remen
0 -
Going out to see the leaves is a wonderful thing. The lady I "sat" with quite some time back ( ya'll may recall my mention of it before ) insisted on taking a car ride everyday, period. One of the things we did in Fall or as long as the gates were left open, was go through Foundation Park to see the leaves as they were changing. This park came about from land donated by a Dr. many, many yrs. ago. My Dad worked for this Dr. when I was quite young. At any rate, I kept up with Fall back then on a daily basis. I'm not as punctual now, but I still enjoy the process of hibernation. Can't say I'm fond of the starkness of the un-dressed trees all of the time, but it does make for pretty snow scenes.
Fingers crossed that we don't get a 'bad' winter with too much snow. I still love being outside in a good snow -- which is the fatter wetter kinds of snowfalls. Those have not required me to even button my coat as it is too warm for me. So we shall see. So far a wet Fall. Maybe some sun this afternoon. It would help for yard work.
I hope you are all going to have a really good Monday.
0 -
Love is the ultimate meaning of everything around us.
Love is not a mere sentiment.
Love is the ultimate truth at the heart of creation.
- Rabindranath Tagore0 -
Summer was back yesterday and I made the mistake of playing golf in the heat and humidity. I got soaking wet with perspiration and didn't have enough energy to finish the round. I rode out the last few holes. But I had energy enough to treat myself to a huge hamburger for lunch, also sweet potato fries.
I have to catch up on some laundry and household chores this morning before going to visit my mother at the nursing home.
By tomorrow or Thursday, we're supposed to get more fall weather. Can't wait!
0 -
Only had very muted sun in the late afternoon yesterday. So, no outside work. I have to get Dh ( before Friday ) to get my mower fixed. It needs ( I have no idea what its called ) the little rubber thingy you push that brings gas to it so you can start the mower. I could get the leaves on the ground ( not very many ) mulched so easy -- if I had that mower. He says he has some of those rubber replacements -- ah, well, ok dearie, we should get this done then.
Not bright out today but 5 day shows most days starting out a bit on the darker, cloudy side. Hope we get more of yesterday's sun today. I have tons of things I need to catch up with, but I could vary routines with the outdoor work too. Dh ( we think having his surgery on Friday ) won't be able to do much for awhile. So I'll be back to double duty here which is okay, but I'm hoping to get a bit of a head-start. I can get a little help from my cousins with the yard -- but because the walking and other aspects would be good for me -- I'd like to get that going early and keep as much cleared and ready for the cousins as I can.
Hope you are all going to have a really nice day.
0 -
Send some of that energy to me, Jackie!
0 -
In your occupations, try to possess your soul in peace. It is not a good plan to be in haste to perform any action that it may be sooner over. On the contrary, you should accustom yourself to do whatever you have to do with tranquility, in order that you may retain the possession of yourself and of settled peace. -Jeanne Guyon
0 -
Sunny and 60 degrees today. It will work for me. I'm trying to get as much done as I can for a variety of reasons, but its all good. So today should be a great day. Yesterday was not bad. Looking a bit ahead to all the things that begin in Nov. too. Getting x-mas cards ready to go and fitting visits in to people I enjoy spending time with as well as hoping to finish up the yard by that time. We are having some pretty chilly nights now so that will accelerate what the trees have to drop. It is work, work, work, but that is okay. I keep telling myself that bodies were meant to move -- to express their energy. Not sure I'm making myself feel a whole lot better, but it is giving me a chuckle and helping inspire me to accept the idea that there will be so much to keep me busy.
I hope you are all going to have a really nice day.
0 -
51 & cloudy now in SW MA, but rain forecast in a couple of hrs., with possible snow showers & high 30s an hour north in southern VT where we’d planned to go leaf-peeping (maybe about 1/4-1/3 peak color down here, same latitude as Chicago). So we’ll wait till tomorrow for that, and go down to Lenox or Stockbridge for indoor (museum) sightseeing today.
Back acting up again—using my CBD balm and lidocaine roll-on, as well as my PT exercises. Still no recreational MJ here even though it’s legal in MA—taking awhile for dispensaries to set up reg. sales. The resort gift shop sells CBD stuff cheaper than back home, as well as pocket tins labeled “Medical Marijuana” for carrying MMJ. (Big Boomer and slightly older guest demographic here—many have ailments that qualify here and are also MA residents)
0 -
I cancelled on Wednesday golf, thinking it would be Cart Path Only. Got a lot done today. Drove my Prius to the Toyota dealer and had it serviced. Stopped at Sam's Club on the way home to make some purchases and also had the 2nd Shingles shot and the flu shot. DH took the Prius to a drive through car wash and vacuumed the interior floor mats. Now I'm doing a couple of loads of laundry, including some of my mother's new outfits. She has been holding them aside instead of sending them to the nursing home laundry, which is rough on clothes.
It's more comfortable outside today as a front starts to move through and bring cooler, dryer air. Yay!
We saw some pretty leaf color in northern MN before we left a couple of weeks ago.
0 -
Going to VT tomorrow for more promising leaf-peeping. This is from most of the way up (2 mi. from the summit) Mt. Greylock yesterday:
Recreational weed is legal in VT now as well as in MA—but amazingly, there’s still nowhere to buy it in either state except with an MMJ card. (From that state). Only way to get and possess rec. weed legally in either state is for someone to gift you some (or pass a joint around, indoors and not in public—unlike Canada where folks are toking like crazy right on the street starting today. Canada did it right—dispensaries got their rec. permits and set up sales systems to be ready on the day the new law took effect. Been legal in VT since 2016 and in MA since Jan. 1, 2018. State estimated that the shops would be good to go July 1.....(crickets)...
0 -
The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am,
then I can change.
- Carl Rogers0 -
Sunny today ( oh so nice ) but going to stay in the 60's and will do that for several more days. I think our 'heat' has come and gone. Not sure we had any Indian Summer this year much. Something could still show, but I have doubts. So onward and upward. I'm working on making progress. My job due to start in couple of days had to cancel as a family member is ill and not expected to be here long. That helps me at this time with things here and seeing Dh through his back surgery on Friday. Had been trying to decide how to best work in my job. Sometimes the universe just sort of steps in so the path is more straight-forward.
Going to do Thanksgiving here. Mainly for the friend who lives in town and has no where to go. I really thought I wouldn't ( not sure of a work schedule in advance ) but it can be worked out. I will be doing some work, but can do a bit of advanced cooking a day or two before and my little job then will finish on the 24th. So, I can make it go right.
Hope you are all going to have a big yellow sun to enjoy outside today. It is so pretty outside -- and the sun does make the cooler temps easy to tolerate w/o needing too many heavy clothes.
0 -
Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow,
it only saps today of its joy.
- Leo Buscaglia0 -
Pretty picture Sandy -- hope there are more.
0 -
Will post more after I get to the Albany airport. Alas, even less color in VT—winds & rain blew most of the bright leaves away over the past two weeks. Brown from bare trees and green from evergreens is about it. But it was a lovely drive to the lookout station atop Hogback Mt. Here’s one of Mt. Monadnock, NH (clear across the state and then some):
And here’s what’s left of the season’s first snow:
More posts later here or in the Drinking thread. Gotta shower, do hair, finish packing & head out first
0 -
So pretty, well except for that snow but delightful once out of the shade. Thanks Sandy.
0 -
Listening is the oldest and perhaps the most powerful tool of healing.
It is often through the quality of our listening and not the wisdom of
our words that we are able to effect the most profound changes in
the people around us. When we listen, we offer with our attention
an opportunity for wholeness. Our listening creates sanctuary for
the homeless parts within the other person. That which has been denied,
unloved, devalued by themselves and others. That which is hidden.
In this culture the soul and the heart too often go homeless.
Listening creates a holy silence. When you listen generously to people,
they can hear the truth in themselves, often for the first time. And in
the silence of listening, you can know yourself in everyone. Eventually
you may be able to hear, in everyone and beyond everyone,
the unseen singing softly to itself and to you.
Rachel Naomi Remen0 -
Dh seems to have come through his surgery fine. He was/is required to lay flat ( not even a pillow ) for 24 hours --- so should be able to bring him home somewhere around 2 p.m. today. He does have orders to do a lot of walking afterward. I will be glad to get him back home -- just because. I was not able to see the Dr. after the operation, but once back in his room, he was asking for water because he was sooooo dry. That is understandable, but couldn't have anything until they got his temp so that there wouldn't be an effect on it. All he while I was there they had issues getting the thermometer to register. Finally he got his water ---- and coffee which he REALLY needed to.
Later on, they brought in a tray of food. That was interesting -- eating fish and French fries and slaw laying totally flat on your back. He was such a "hungry" sport he got it down along with some jello and sherbet. Of course, that made me feel like he was doing pretty well. He did finally wear out from it all and since it was getting dark and a break in the rain I came on home.
Going to be from all appearances sunny today -- good and hope it stays that way. I have a lot of food fixed that we can nibble our way through. All the working, running, and trying to keep up with things has helped me drop below 190 which seemed to be a bit on the impossible side. Well, not if you don't have time to eat, or at least eat much. So, maybe I'll be able to continue being careful.
Hope you are all going to have a great Saturday.
0 -
Jackie, glad your dh is back home after his surgery. Hope it was successful. After we get older, no surgery is minor. Or maybe that's true for any age.
It's foggy outside this morning. Just heard on the news that nobody won the mega lottery. So the buying frenzy will continue.
My plan is to go to the gym this morning and work up a sweat. This afternoon I will go to the nursing home.
A front is on the way, so the weather forecasters say. Tomorrow is supposed to be a wonderful day for great weather, which means low humidity and cool. I may force myself to go outside and do some weed control on the flower beds.
Happy Saturday to all.
0 -
Glad jour DH's surgery was successful and he's doing well, Jackie. Very chilly here now (rained a bit yesterday, flurried overnight but not here by the lake). I can see the clouds rolling in--we're supposed to go down to 30 tonight with possibly more snow flurries or even wet flakes.
NWS and NOAA predict the northern part of IL (as far south as just s. of Chicago) should have a slightly warmer winter, but from the south 'burbs on down, plus the mid-Atlantic, mid-South and deep South it's expected to be wetter than normal. Bracing for a snowier winter this time--hope it's not another Snowmageddon like 2015 & 16.
Front moving through is making the hardware in my ulna ache, but schlepping luggage yesterday had to be partly to blame. Bob turned 69 yesterday, so we went out to Chicago Cut (city's top-rated steakhouse) for dinner. The kids got my leftover prime rib (I deliberately ate less so they could have it) and our leftover sides, but the birthday boy brought home half his filet mignon. Saving it for him to eat for dinner--I'll find something else.
Unless there's a cancellation, no back PT till Nov--they're that booked up. (Therapist was sick a week ago Fri.; but she did have a cancellation...Monday, when we were in MA).
0 -
Happy Birthday to Bob yesterday. The steaks sounded pretty darn good. Your a typical Mom -- 'saving' for the kids in the family. Hoping your back holds okay till you can get into your therapy.
Going to get pretty chilly here tonight too. I think the outdoor kitties might come inside which they often do during the colder nights. Good to have the fellow home. He is now having some issues eating -- from the tube down the throat, but did fine with the McDonalds Strawberry Shake I went and got for him. We will keep trying. I have a fresh batch of steel-cut oatmeal ready so he might be able to have some for tomorrow's breakfast.
0 -
Intubation and its aftermath are frustrating. Not only does it make the throat & trachea sore, it also can make one very hoarse.
0 -
The problem, often not discovered until late in life, is that when you look for things in life like love, meaning, motivation, it implies they are sitting behind a tree or under a rock. The most successful people in life recognize, that in life they create their own love, they manufacture their own meaning, they generate their own motivation. For me, I am driven by two main philosophies: know more today about the world than I knew yesterday, and lessen the suffering of others. You'd be surprised how far that gets you.
Neil deGrasse Tyson0 -
Glorious sunny day outside, as was yesterday. 27 degrees last night though. The outdoorsy kits did come inside. They have done it this way ( because we encouraged it ) since they took up living here full time when their owners next door moved and left them behind. The leaves will be soon falling like rain from the trees if our nights are going to continue to be so cold.
My cousin will come over and help me deal with the yard. Her Dh ( Viet Nam Vet ) is having some pretty fancy work done on his one good eye to try and maintain what site they are able for him. We ( cousin and myself ) are hoping after a couple more visits to the city ( St. Louis across the river from us ) her Dh will be through the worst. He will though still have to use caution for awhile and will be getting some other type of glasses -- not sure when that will come, but may be fitted this time. I'm not sure just how long Dh ( mine ) will be laid up, but likely through most of the leaf removal. I'd just as soon he be over-cautious for the most part. I have been doing double-duty a lot of the time anyway due to his previous work schedules -- so, it won't hurt if he plays the slacker now for sure.
Good breakfast success the a.m. I got a couple of cups of coffee down Dh, and then a bowl of steel-cut oatmeal with plenty of milk skipping the walnuts I usually drop in as I thought they might be hard for him to handle. He did great. In fact, he went back to bed and will likely doze. I'm off to feed the feral cats in a bit and then figure out what to fix for lunch.
Hope your Sunday is as pretty where you are as it is here.
0 -
Our Sunday is very beautiful. The back door is open, admitting cool dry air.
I woke up this morning thinking about the clutter on my kitchen counters. So I spent some time this morning, re--arranging coffee makers and appliances, etc. I like the improvement. Little by little I need to tackle the whole rest of the house with empty card-board boxes handy.
Jacky, I remember you tackled your house a couple of years ago and eliminated a lot of clutter.
Happy Sunday to all.
0 -
I am new here. Biopsy early this month confirmed C. I will have an MRI on Wednesday, then meet with the team on Thursday to decide what we are going to do, and when to do it.
I need to take a break from information gathering. Went to Mass this morning, then ate brunch at local restaurant, by the time I finished that and read the newspaper, the vape shop was open, bought another bottle of CBD. This time I diluted it with Veg glycerin and PG in hopes I could get it to last longer. He gave me their discount for vets (PTSD can also mean present traumatic stress disorder)..
Now I need to get to work with my quilting project, and take a few walks. I didn't do much yesterday, other than research and recreational reading.
0 -
MCBaker, Welcome to the club nobody wants to join. I think taking a break is a good thing to do. Once you know the extent of your problem and have a plan in place, you can just research what applies to you. I looked at the CBD oil yesterday because of back pain. Geez, it is sure expensive. I guess it would be worth it if it worked for me. Please feel free to share your quilting project on the art thread. I have done it in the past, but have taken up painting now.
0 -
It is expensive, but for what you want it for, a bottle should last two months. And it works for me. I can show pictures of some of my past projects. But right now I am nearly finished putting together the blocks of my latest project. Mind you, I am the junior member of the quilting club.
0 -
MCBaker, welcome to the sorority nobody wants to pledge. If it's any consolation, if biopsy & further imaging confirms it's pure DCIS, you will not be given chemo--regardless of grade and hormone-receptor-negative status. About half of all DCIS is ER/PR-, and more often than not HER2+, so the latter test isn't even performed on it most of the time. But because it is histologically incapable of breaking out of the ducts--much less metastasizing--unless it later mutates into IDC--it is considered slow-growing. Because it is ER/PR-, you also won't get endocrine ("hormone") therapy. Usually with DCIS the choice is whether to do lumpectomy + radiation (if the tumor is small relative to the size of the breast, not multifocal, and in only one breast) or mastectomy (unilateral unless genetic testing indicates you have a mutation, in which case you'd be advised to have a prophylactic bilateral). If mastectomy, with ER/PR- DCIS that's it as far as treatment goes--just periodic surveillance (exams & imaging). "One & done," as my pal with a diagnosis similar to yours (except for "atypia" found in the other "healthy" breast) says. According to her surgical oncologist (she was not assigned a medical or radiation oncologist), she can put breast cancer in her rear-view mirror.
As far as CBD goes, that's all you're limited to--WI doesn't even have a true medical-marijuana program, just a law allowing possession of CBD oil derived from marijuana IF one has a doctor's note attesting that the patient has a qualifying condition and the seller has a state license. But that licensing program has yet to be set up, and the CBD oil--whether made from pot or agricultural hemp--cannot have even a measurable trace amount of THC. (This is regardless of the Federal exemption granted by the Farm Act to hemp-produced oils with less than 0.3% THC). PTSD can result from any traumatic stress--not just combat or violent physical injury.
States such as IL with a formal medical-marijuana program issue the patient a medical cannabis ID card (after physician certification and processing of the patient's application, which currently takes 4-6 months due to a massive paperwork backlog due to increased demand and shortage of personnel); and the patient can purchase only from the state-licensed dispensary they designate at the time of application. BUT patients with a cannabis ID can buy, and licensed dispensaries can sell, any form of cannabis whatsoever, regardless of THC content and from what it's derived (ag. hemp., cannabis sativa or indica). But IL allows possession & sale of ag (aka "Industrial:" grown for manufacture of fiber products such as sisal or cloth) hemp-derived CBD products so long as they contain less than 0.3% THC--and it can be sold by doctors, vape shops, health food stores, etc. (In MA, even the "general store" at the resort across from where I stayed sells "Hemp Bombs" brand CBD products).
0
