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

Wow !! I feel like we are almost having a heat wave. Yesterday morning it was -1 when I started posting and today it is 30. Not kidding myself though — we are having at this late point a rugged winter. The fact is that it has been predicted to be like this for about 6 yrs. in a row and never made it. But, even if late, this yr. we really did get some real winter.

Reminds me of what was said about the desert getting cold like Taco mentioned. I had the mistaken view of California being nicer when I first moved there, but living in coastal areas was always a bit strange. Cool in the a.m.'s because the wind from the ocean was coming inland, and then warm from the middle of the day until late afternoon when it cooled again with the wind heading inland from the ocean once again. Usually in late Jan or early Feb. we might have a couple of weeks of drizzle—usually no real pour-downs, but plenty enough to get you wet and keep you wet all day if you had to be in and out.

It was often never REALLY cold, but too often, never actually warm either. I often changed clothes three times a day just to accommodate the incoming and outgoing winds that made such a feelable change in the temperatures.

Nothing too much planned today. It's one of those whatever I see in front of me and hopefully it will be a part of something on my constant list anyway. I'm going to have to redo my pantry. No one likes to follow the pattern of when I straighten it out. I made it neat and tidy and seems the next person either looking for something or putting something in — just picks out ANY spot where an open place seems to be — and just forget the arrangement pattern that looked so clear and easy to recognize. So once again I am going to have to do this rather major chore soon.

Chris, I am so enjoying the Tippy tales. He sounds like such a neat dog and the button system sounds rewarding for both of you. Makes me wonder how Red might do with buttons. We are still awaiting the hope that he gets somewhat less hormone energetic since we took care of that issue a short while ago.

Our week coming up has two appts — one for me and one where I will have SIN drive us to Marion for Dh. He is going to see the Podiatrist there (you have to actually see the Dr. first) and then after, he will see the aide (very, very competent) who does my toenails. Neither of us has the flexibility anymore of caring for our own feet. We could go closer, but I tried the guy who is only 30 miles away and we clicked not at all — so badly that I chose to go all the way to Marion. Not sure with some of the coming changes if that will continue to work for me. We will see how it goes.

Hope you all have a great Thursday.

Before we drove to the Gulf Coast, dh and I went to Costco to check it out. We were not allowed to walk around the store unaccompanied, but were directed to the Membership desk, where an employee was summoned to take us on a tour. The young man was from CA and said he had opened up the store. I asked if he was from LA and he said yes, but he transferred to Louisiana because his wife was from Louisiana and she was pregnant with their first child. They wanted to be close to her family. He also said his father had had to leave his home in LA from the home was intact.

After the brief tour, we bought a membership and applied for the credit card. Then drove to Biloxi, MS. The casino, Beau Rivage, has a beautiful lobby with fresh flowers everywhere and the usual pricey shops. We located some poker machines. DH handed me a $100 bill. I put it in my purse and took out a $20. And hour or so later I was up $5 and dh was up $60 on his $100 so, being the big gamblers we are, we cashed out, $65 ahead. We headed to our restaurant and were disappointed that it had closed at 2 pm. So we went to a coffee shop and had coffee and dessert food.

We drove home driving along the beach admiring some of the beautiful architecture of old homes that had survived hurricanes and some new homes that were in keeping with the character of the older homes. The view of the beach and gulf was lovely in the late afternoon light. The water is not the vibrant color of the water farther east. The beach was deserted since the weather is not beach friendly.

We arrived home safely before dark and agreed that we had enjoyed the day.

Today I have lunch with two women friends and dh has an appointment.

Happy Thursday to all.

I can't wait — Petite, Ava is indeed a gorgeous little one. I would say one of those so very easy to love and enjoy. More to you in a minute.

Carole you sound like you had such a great time. I found your visit to Costco interesting. Especially your tour guide. Dh and I talked about Costco but not super sure. Since they do have good bulk prices and we do know a family member who goes there — we are considering the possibility of figuring out sharing some of the products and their cost possibly. We don't have great storage here — so going in with someone else would be a real help to us. Also, for some things (small bulk items like Vitamins say) we could order them and pay separate. At one point, and it likely could still be there, I found a list of who actually makes and supplies them with products they have their own name on.

Petite, I'm sorry to hear your "friend" doesn't seem to want to take the message/hint that you are not looking for more than a mild casual friendship. I'm not sure why some people think being forceful to the point of obnoxious is the way to do things. I would have to wonder if he is looking for 'more' for a specific reason and there might even be a time issue in it. Well, I hope your next message does what is needed for YOU.

Sounds like a few of the husbands have some surgeries in the near future. Carole & Taco - I hope both have smooth, uneventful recoveries.

Petite - the guy sounds like a real annoyance. I hope you can put him in his place. Ava is adorable.

Betrayal - the National Archives project seems fascinating and ties in nicely with your interest in genealogy. Great way to give back.

Cindy - the alligator behind your house - a big NO from me. I would totally freak out. Years ago, we were vacationing on Hilton Head Island. My son was a year old and I was biking in the area with him securely in a baby seat on the back of the bike. It was around dusk and I came around a corner in a golf course community and there was a fairly large alligator laying on the sidewalk. I yelled and pedaled off very quickly in the opposite direction fearing for my son’s safety. My DH was biking behind me and assured me the alligator was as startled as I was and quickly ran the other direction.

Jackie - we had very cold weather and a daily dusting of snow for the past few days. Today it was in the 30’s and tomorrow is forecasted in the 40’s however, early next week has forecasted single digit high temps. Brrrr.

Not much new here - I continue volunteering at the food pantry and going to the gym or walking outside. Yesterday we got in a 2 mile walk in 15 degree temps (with a real feel of 4F). As long as I am dressed appropriately the cold temps don’t bother me. Speaking of cold - had one last week but it was just a run of the mill cold and I recovered quickly.

Finished a photo book of our last vacation over the weekend. My personal policy is to make a photo book prior to going on the next vacation, although I don’t always adhere to that policy which is why I am several years behind on a few vacation books. We are supposed to leave on our next vacation in a little over 3 weeks, so I am happy I finished up the November trip.

Happy Friday to all.

Harley, glad you're doing well.

Good morning. It is going to (I think) warm up pretty well today — one report said to 45 degrees, the other said 50. Wow !! It sounds like by tomorrow that will also spark some rain for us. That sure won't be too good with our pretty low (20 degrees or slightly less) nighttime temps. So, who really knows for sure but while I will welcome whatever thawing and melting can get done as we still have plenty of the last snowfall left outside, I am and will remain concerned about the thaw, freeze effect likely to go on.

Not sure the slight amt. of warmth here is going to travel too far. Thinking of those beyond Illinois that I'm sure would welcome some good thawing out. Going to be okay here on Monday, but Tues. have an appt. at Skin Care to check for cancer spots. Must be an aging thing. I never had to have that much attention for it before. Then Wed. a trip to Marion. That is mainly for Dh. He wanted to go with me when I have my VA pedicure, and the tech was fine with it, but he first has to see the Dr. in the Podiatry clinic — and then can be turned over to the tech who has been fantastic with me. I think Dh will like her as well. No reason why we shouldn't both go. Dh was staying here and paying to have it done and having trouble finding people. He has a habit of overlooking GOOD answers — like instead of going with me which he always does and just sitting and waiting — he might as well get the same thing I get — for free at the same time.

So, a couple of bills to catch up with today. I should be able to deal with the day just fine seeing as how we will have a beautiful sun with the warm up. Rain is not due to show up until tomorrow — around the afternoon sometime.

Hope you all have a good day today.

Our weather for the next week is brutal and features snow 2-6 inches for the first storm on Sunday, freezing temperatures, a second snow storm and lots of ice due to temps below freezing for most of the week. Our dog has been missing her walks but seems to be okay with just going out on the long lead where she can explore the back yard.

Today it got up to the high 30's and not the 45 they predicted, so there was some snow melt which will just lead to ice forming on the driveway. It's a good thing I don't get cabin fever. DH does get it so he likes to run errands so I let him. He's at the Acme right now stocking up on desserts plus essentials like bananas, radishes and a cucumber for my salads. He just called to let me know what was available. This should last us for the week.

He fought me tooth and nail about seeing an audiologist about his hearing loss. He got the report and when I reviewed it I saw he had a more significant hearing loss than what he kept telling me the doctor said. I think he had his fingers crossed behind his back when he told me his interpretation. He saw the same doctor I saw for hearing aids (have tinnitus and can't hear in dog whistle range) and had a trial with the hearing aids for weeks. He wasn't wearing them consistently so I told him why it was important to wear them in a number of experiences like walking the dog so he could hear others approaching, etc. He finally admitted that he does need them (hallelujah) and got his permanent ones today. So now I don't get the third degree when we are trying to have a conversation. Most times I had to repeat myself over and over until I would finally just quit.

I am so out of condition. I have been trying to get back to my normal walk pace (was a fast walker) but it has been a real challenge. I can do it in spurts but not sustainable times. I have a treadmill and admire those who can run on it because I can barely walk on it. I was trying to do 10 minutes a day but fell off the wagon so today I put a show on the tv with the intent to walk for 30 minutes. Nope, made 10 minutes and thought I was dying. I am at one of the lower setting as well so it is not the pace, it's being deconditioned. I ended up sitting on the couch to finish the show and Regan inserted herself behind me nearly pushing me off the couch. I will persist and when we are on the cruise will try doing deck walks on at sea days to ensure I can participate in any excursions.

Trying to organize the items I have to donate. They are bagged, boxed some more today and know I need to go through shoes and drawers. Tried to connect with a domestic abuse group that runs a store where those who have been abused get free items. I called, left a message about what I had to donate to see if they would accept everything. They have yet to call back so I will call again. I know they sell items but the money goes to supporting domestic abuse services. I have a few items for DD to look at and if she isn't interested they will get bagged up. I want to get this done before the end of the month and out of here.

petite1, give that guy his walking papers. He's becoming a creep. You deserve better.

Guess that's it for today. Hope everyone stays safe, and warm. Please be careful out there.

Betrayal - I can’t tolerate the treadmill. I don’t know if I walk differently on it but it bothers my knees and I find it incredibly boring. I’m OK on the elliptical and walking outside or on the 1/10 mile track at the gym.

Where are you cruising to? You may have told us but I seem to have forgotten.

DH's arrival time at the surgery center on Monday is—Surprise!—9 am. I was fully expecting 5 or 5:30 am. Driving time is about 20 minutes so that schedule suits me. I will feel bad drinking my coffee since he will be fasting. But if I were the surgery patient, I would insist he drink his coffee.

I'm hoping the weather isn't as bad on Tuesday as the forecast warns it could be. Freezing rain or snow. DH is from Chicago area and thinks we have so much traffic that the highways would still be drivable. All the schools have already announced they will be closed.

I typically walk 30 minutes on a treadmill at the gym, and I walk uphill. The first five minutes I don't push myself and the last five minutes I do a cool down. I try to get my heartbeat into the 130's. I follow the same routine on the upright bike when I use it instead of the treadmill. I don't really like the elliptical and I don't use the recumbent bike. I keep reading that seniors need to do weight exercise at least twice a week. The senior exercise classes include some use of hand weights but it's probably not enough. I'm familiar with the weight machines at the gym and should use them more regularly than I do.

I woke up tired this morning from all the activity in my dreams. It was good to get up, pour a cup of coffee and rest. LOL. It's 63 degrees this morning and cloudy. I may take a walk in the neighborhood a little later.

Betrayal, your trip sounds very interesting. The Amazon River brings to mind the Joseph Conrad novel, Heart of Darkness.

I hope everyone stays warm and is safe during the Arctic freeze.

I’ve been kind of MIA. I’ve gotten walks in all week except today.

A gf mom was hospitalized again after another fall. They discovered she has pneumonia. Gf is hoping a case worker will assist in getting her placed in memory care or similar. Gf & mom have had it rough over the past few months. Not sure if I’ve already said - gf’s sisters would have placed her mom in nursing home back in October/November but gf took her from rehab to live with her. It hasn’t gone well.

Other gf had full hysterectomy for uterine sirus cancer on 1/2; follow-up 1/16 - she had mets in 2 of 3 lymph nodes on one side, 4 clean on other side. Rare, high grade, very aggressive. They’re placing a port on 1/22; chemo stating in early February. She was ER/PR+ and HER2 negative; which seems good. But after a cycle of 6 chemo treatments, 1x every 3 weeks, she’ll still need radiation, and a monthly infusion of amino drug therapy for years.

I’ve tried researching as much as I can on cold capping. She was told she’ll lose all her hair. So cold capping and also a wig for in case. Uterine cancer isn’t in my wheelhouse but I’m trying. She is someone who gets so anxious she has a panic attack with BP through the roof, 911 gets called. So I’m not feeding her everything I find out.

PLUS in between the port placement and starting chemo - us gf’s go back over 50 years, 2 in NY, 2 in FL - we’re trying to get her down to FL for a week. Just 4 girls (haha 65+) running amuck before treatment starts.

Yesterday - cool morning and not a lot out.

I had our AC maintenance yesterday. The tech had me look at the unit because he said it’s getting hit with the sprinkler system water and it’s corroding the motor. Ten year warranty doesn't cover corrosion. UGH. I had to request to the HOA board that sprinkler head be moved. Unknown when that will happen.

I hung up hooks on the back of the guest bathroom door for towels or robes, whatever guests have. I bought metal EZ Anchors because it’s not a solid wood door, more hollow core. Boy what a mess. As I screw in the anchors the stuff of the door crumbles out; you have to back the anchor out, use a razor to cut off the stuff or the anchor won’t set right - flush with the door. Whine whine whine, I got them up. I miss a solid wood door.

Petite, Ava is adorable!
Taco, best of luck with DH recovery. Carole, hope your weather holds out for your dh procedure.
Betrayal, you’re always busy, take it easy on yourself with the treadmill.
Chris, I love Tippy stories and the use of his pressing buttons.

Weather - we should hit 77, not really sunny, but in & out. We’re headed to the casino for a Rockabilly outdoor concert. This is where I tolerate whatever music is playing and then go in to try my hand at the slots. Early return because football games are on today.

I was so far behind, I hope I didn’t miss anyone but know I did. Good health to all and a warm spot to rest!

On the news they announced that Princess Kate had a port during her chemo and used cold caps. It looks like she kept her long hair.

I so enjoyed reading all the posts everyone put in. Know it was all appreciated. I really don't have anything to add much but was thinking back to chemo/hair loss days. I didn't mind so bad since I waited as long as I could to get my head shaved — and it became something I looked forward to. Your hair dies and it is not pleasant to deal with. Felt awful and that was in-between the hair that just fell out.

The upside was when my hair came back in it was all BRAND-NEW hair and would curl easy and was nice. The one thing I totally hated was that it was wintertime and that is not a great time to be bald.

See you all tomorrow.

I decided that icing my head and hands and feet wasn't worth the bother. As soon as my hair started falling out, I went to the barber shop and had my head shaved. Used scarves for the most part. I regret not icing my feet. I have enough neurological issues to deal with. Now I have custom arch supports for pes cavus, more extreme on my left foot, and the discomfort from the neuropathy is much less.