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

Hope tour DD is okay. We need rain but not storms like you have been experiencing. Rain we have gotten has not been much help and we do need a gully washer to make up for deficit.

It is almost 100 degrees today and humid as usual. DB reported he lost 4 lb. yesterday and it was cooler than today. He is working on finishing painting and might finish tomorrow. We still have some other work for him including replacing the spigots that are in the laundry room that feed the washer. They were original to house and whoever installed them did not do a great job. So time to replace before we have an issue. We also have new organizers for garden tools, household cleaning tools, etc for garage but I have no idea where they are right now. I also want him to make a new lid for the wicker laundry basket in the laundry one. Over the years the wicker one has been broken and is falling apart. So I'll give him the measurements and what I want is one that is flat with another circle underneath to keep it in place. I can attach a handle or knob to lift the lid.

DD is here with her puppy, and my DS's beagle/dachsund mix. The latter doesn't like Regan so we have to keep them separate.

DH just went to pickup dinner so will sign off. Hope everyone has a good day.

we fostered baby bottle kittens and did the color coding collars. They were so small we had to use ribbons.

Jackie - glad your DD was ok. That could have had a tragic outcome. Smart thinking to stay home and away from flooded roads today. I hope tonight is a quieter night for you.

Puffin - in home care sounds like a great idea. I, too, think staying in your own home is a good idea. Hopefully a home health aide is a possibility as well.

Betrayal - I’m surprised your DB only lost 4 pounds. The heat and humidity in our area (Chicago) has been awful. My outdoor activities are limited to floating in the pool. DH is continuing to take his every other day 3 mile walk or 8 mile bike ride by going out early in the morning. Alternate days he goes to the gym. I really wish he would skip the outside workouts until the weather cools off. I worry about him in the heat.

Minus - glad to hear your power is finally restored. The week without power sounds like torture.

Carole - if you could send cool weather my way it would be greatly appreciated. 😀

No storms tonight after three consecutive nights of thunderstorms. Last night the sirens were going off so we decamped to the basement for about an hour while watching the weather reports. We were lucky that we avoided the tornadoes and any wind damage. Those south of us weren’t so fortunate. I was very concerned that the storm would hit Chicago about the time DS got off of work and he uses public transit. An EF-1 tornado hit Chicago about seven miles south of his apartment and even closer to his job. Fortunately he was home when the storm hit. About the only good thing from the rain is that my grass is a lovely shade of green.

Take care everyone!

Glad your daughter is basically ok, Jackie. Thanks for the name explanation.

We spent a good part of the day yesterday in the St. Joseph Hospital ER in Park Rapids. DH has suddenly developed shortness of breath and elevated BP. Since his cardiologist and other doctors are in Louisiana, we knew that the first step of being referred to a specialist is through an ER. He was triaged and called back to a cubicle in the ER after about an hour's wait. We learned that three ambulances had arrived at the ER, causing our wait.

He had an EKG, blood drawn for testing, a chest x-ray. Finally a chest scan that revealed the problem. A small blood clot in one lung which could account for the symptoms. He has a prescription for Eloquist (sp) that should dissolve the clot.

In a weird way, we were relieved to have an answer. He and I both assumed that the shortness of breath was a heart disease issue that would involve a lot of testing. We left the ER feeling grateful for the care he received and apologetic that we hadn't expected a lot from a small town hospital ER. He has a follow up appointment with a doctor at the hospital.

Today he is playing his usual Wednesday golf. I will go to the gym as I usually do on his golf days.

DH was never a cigarette smoker. He smoked a pipe during some of his younger years but quit that many years ago when I quit smoking cigarettes. I was mostly a "social" smoker and had no problem quitting.

It concerns me that he is a "bleeder" thanks to taking Plavix and the Eloquist is a blood thinner of a different type.

Carole, good thing you headed to the ER. My partner takes Eliquis for a DVT he had in his leg. Glad they set your DH up for the follow-up too.

It’s 84 already, another heat advisory until 6 pm I think. We never have gotten this long of a heat wave, nor the horrible storms. Partner has a dental appointment, I’ve got an errand for a friend - collecting rent from her tenant, but not until 4:30. Hope the rains hold off until I’m done.

Enjoy the day!

I went to a luncheon with my LIFT group (social group for widows and widowers), then got caught in a terrible down pour on the parkway. It is still storming this afternoon. I was hoping to take a senior nap, but too noisy. Midnight Louie hates storms, but seems to be getting use to them. When he was a kitten he would get behind my back if I was sitting. Sometimes he tries to do that now, but he is too big

When the rain lets up, I have an errand to run and need to do a load of hand washing.

Hope all is well with each of you.

Wow - that tilt-a-whirl is really something. Great pic.

Petite, so glad you are getting the help you need. Maybe KeyWestern will chime in on some things to do/see.

Not sure I'm going to make my surgery date. Am having lots of problems with my primary and getting a clearance. Not that I'm not fine - they just keep screwing up on the paperwork. I'm going to have to sit at the lab tomorrow until I get in because they didn't write the order when they did the one for the chest X-ray.

Hot, hot, hot here but no rain.

Be safe everyone.

Wow, I was lucky in that for both surgeries the surgeons made the arrangements for PAT where clearance was done including lab work, cardiology clearance was done separate but saw physician for pre-op clearance. You are more patient than me because I would be in the PCP's office getting what I needed rather than waiting for them to get to it. I know with my Ortho surgeon, her dance card is filled months out. In June when I saw her she was booking for November but I opted to delay until next April. Hope you can get your surgery done as planned though.

DB here to finish painting and then we can work on reorganization and purging. I have far too many flower pots so will just keep those I really like and donate the others. Some I will fill with my glut of house plants including bird's nests and Jade plants which my green thumb has resulted in far too many. I also split my African violets and some of those need to be rehomed. Small project for me to do. Have far too many Christmas cacti, too.

PT yesterday was challenging with increase in reps so woke at 3:30 AM with severe knee pain. I had taken a Norco at bedtime because I forgot to take it pre-appointment. Once it wore off, it was painful so I had to ice it for some relief and took 2 Tylenol. Finally dozed off around 5 AM. Still sore but am able to walk on it. Will ice throughout day. Temps in 70's but still very humid.

Hope everyone has a good day.

A little recap here from the short note this morning. It was a good day, if somewhat difficult. No time for breakfast, and only one cup of morning coffee. Had to get all the animals fed including Lil' Red and then we jumped in the car and sped over to Aly's.

Got to the V.A. mite late, but when we got to the Pacemaker/ICD lab they were backed up and didn't know when they could get me. We, then took the elevator back down two floors and dropped my hearing aids at the Audiology office for repair. Back up to ICD lab and I was in shortly. From there I saw my Cardiologist NP who has worked with two other Dr's adjusting my medications level so that I hopefully get as much as I can handle, but not so much that it throws my blood pressure down the tubes. For now — we think maybe we have it. It is a royal pain in one way, but I signed onto the NP's program (she is specializing in cardiology meds for people like me) because I hoped to reach a point where I felt a bit more like I used to at one time and we all feel like we are pretty close.

After that it was on to Echo Lab. I was not allowed to know how I did, but the tech was kind enough to tell me it was better than the last one I had. So, I'm tickled about that. Just between you, me, and the fence post I'm great at bravado, but sometimes worry if I'm not feeling great — that I'm actually slipping and maybe won't be able to make the slip back up. Having a stressful beginning to your morning is good for those kinds of feelings, so a real boost for me to hear my test was better.

Home and two cups of coffee. I needed my caffeine fix for sure. So today will end up a no med day. I don't like for it to happen but back on track tomorrow.

Almost jealous Betrayal — those words, re-organization and purging. I'm still in the midst. The back of my car is loaded with books as yet. With the massive downpour we had and Kate and the lightning, we didn't get down to the bookstore. I envision standing back and looking at the handiwork (even though a lot of the work is from DB and feeling such satisfaction that this page too has been turned. Now once the knee gets totally strengthened and working smoothly, you'll be on the way.

Cindy, good for you and the heat. We got lucky today as well. I didn't notice any humidity and it didn't ever get above 78. When I got out of the car to pick up Lil' Red I was amazed. I was tempted to stay outside, but needed a spell in the recliner with my eyes closed. Hope you are able to find some good tree people who are really reasonable. It is daunting sometimes, but if done well, you can go through storms and end up with a nearly clean yard afterwards. I was amazed with what little during our recent storms ended up in the yard. Our tree service didn't seem quite as good after the Father/Owner passed away and the son took over, but Mr. Burr insisted on lots of training for his crew and kept all the latest equipment. They just weren't as neat as Mr. Burr.

Hoping all had a good day.

got a hand splint to wear at night so hand doesn't curl into a ball. now working on swollen leg from blood clot.

started on medicine for 3 months

Good afternoon. On late today with another busy morning. It is however, save for my friend Ray's little miniature Poodle Kiko, an almost normal morning again. Time for coffee, breakfast, medications etc. Not sure how long we will have Kiko with us, but I do have Ray's permission to take her with us when we take Lil' Red to the groomer's Monday so Kiko will end up a 'new' gal too. She really does need it. She is a bit of a ragamuffin right now.

Petite, sounds like you will have a fun weekend. Having a bit of family (even though one is a friend of your niece) will likely be a good change of pace for you. Do you have any special plans or is it whatever comes our way sort of situation?

Puffin, hope that hand split helps a whole lot. Your foot looks VERY swelled. I can see why it is going to take so long. It looks rather un-comfortable. I hope it is not as much as it looks for sure. You have many challenges, and you are not backing away at all. I so admire you. It is time like these that I always wish I lived next door.

Hope everyone is doing well today. 78 degrees here so maybe another fairly cool day. Not much air movement that I can see.

Puffin, try to get that foot above heart level. If you can, add pillows to your recliner foot support. Make sure your protein intake is high even if it means drinking a protein shake. My feet looked like that after my abdominal surgery and I sympathize because it was so uncomfortable. Protect it because it can be easily damaged as well. Hope it resolves quickly.

petite1: enjoy your visitors.

Illinoislady, you had a very busy day.

Betrayal, a personal attack could be handled in any of the ways you mentioned. A lot depends on if you want to confront the individual or see if the monitors can intervene. Best of luck.

We had another great weather day! Last night I was planning out my day - tape the bathroom window to be painted, rest, paint, rest and second coat. Then I remembered I had my cardiologist appointment today at one.

So I broke it into tape, go through my email and do all my NYT games; then dr, then paint. I got the job done. The trim is about 5” wide, old home size. The curtain got washed and rehung, after I cleaned the mini blinds. Done done done.

If we were to have this kind of weather for a long stretch I might be enticed to tear up our bedroom. But we leave next weekend for Cape Cod and temps are going back up. Excuses!

Puffin, take Betrayal's suggestion and elevate the leg. Your poor foot looks so swollen, it has to hurt.
Petite, enjoy your visit.
Jackie, I’m glad your weather is cooler too.

Oh, second tree guys estimate was almost $400 more than the first. I thanked them and let them know I was going with another company. Called the other company and they’re getting back to me with a date. We’re not in a hurry.

Have a great night!

Puffin, I'm also thinking of you and hoping your issues with swelling get better.

Harley, like you, your DH is inspiring! I am very impressed with his exercise routine! I started exercising again and it feels great, but I too go out early in the morning. Kelce and I go out and walk twice before 7 AM daily. It is now our routine. I call her my personal trainer!

Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous with low humidity and what a difference low humidity makes! I was able to complete a lot of outdoor chores and actually enjoyed doing them.

More testing Thursday, with doctor visit the following week, but then a few weeks in between before my MO appointment. I had a dental appointment this past week and had an older man as the hygienist. I think he was a temp filling in for one of the hygienists, but he was very good. I wondered from his conversation, if he was a retired dentist. I am always very thankful to hear the words "see you in six months!"

Very glad we didn't plan a visit to see our DS and family this month. Philadelphia airport has been a mess even before yesterday's technology outages.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Just received my new Real ID driver's license in the mail today. Going for renewal right after visiting my hair dresser is absolutely the way to go! Second time I did that, and second time I don't hate my photo. I actually like my photo this time as it looks more like me because I no longer have bangs!

The beautiful day is now over-cast, but still a nice summer day. Going back outside, my "personal trainer" is telling me it is time to go for another walk! I have definitely added to my daily steps since we got her three months ago. Can't imagine life without her!

Enjoy the weekend everyone!