Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Comments
-
CBD I haven’t tried. But I know friend’s use it in many forms (gummies, creams, even some smokers), some for pain but most for sleep. Someone in the group I think may be able to chime in on use for pain.
Speaking of sleep, I got 6 hours 40 minutes per my Fitbit. It felt heavenly. I didn’t take a nap yesterday on purpose. Although watching a show together around 5pm I could feel my eyes near close, he’d say something and my eyes would fly open. It was a long day!
I had a call this morning from my MO to move my appointment. This is the second move. It was scheduled for 5/16, now I’m out to July 14.
Earlier in the week it was the Thorasic surgeons office calling to move an appointment. His office only moved it to the following week, from a Friday to a Monday. I find this happens frequently when I’ve booked appts out 6 months to a year. I’m just rolling with it.
It’s 77 with full sun, going up to 91. I could have walked if I really wanted to, but it’s a “feels like” 80. Excuses excuses.
Hope you all have a great Friday!
1 -
The wise person in the storm prays God, not for safety from danger, but for deliverance from fear. It is the storm within which endangers us, not the storm without.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
0 -
Awoke to a thunderstorm last night. Wow!! I had avoided looking at any of the 'weather' but the temp. so was surprised. It is also poring this morning. Can't say we needed it, but you get what you are sent. It's Friday and we had nothing planned so it will be all right. I'm just not a fan of the gray. Thankfully with our trees starting to fill out even through the gray I can look at Spring green rather than bare tree trunks. It does help a little.
Orknitter, I think Chi Sandy has used a lot of CBD and is very knowledgeable about using it. If I recall she talked about a couple of different kinds (one having slightly different ingredients or at least levels of those ingredients). I think she is in the process of moving out of a long rental situation. There was a fire in her home and it required (fire not that bad) major renovations of wiring and other code measures before it could be approved livable again. Hope you can hang on till she can get back here.
Cindy, that lack of sleep, hmmm. Hope you are right and yours is just the absence all of a sudden of NyQuil. I sometimes notice even needing melatonin for sleep and its natural — so having something artificial to the body even more noticeable.
I hope if you are having rain that you don't really have to go out. Also that you're okay with the gray that comes along. Hopefully it will lighten up a bit as the day moves on. It's early yet.
1 -
Had first post-op visit today with Ortho surgeon. Knee on x-ray looks good and I was able to walk short distances using cane rather than rollator. Had transport take me to x-ray and then to surgeon's office though because they were not walkable distances for me yet. I return in a month. She ordered cortisone cream fo rash and asked I give her feedback if it works or not. Not sure what is causing it but it is so itchy and is worse at night. It's not on the incision but on the surrounding tissues, today it is red and appears to be spreading. Trying not to scratch it. Return visit on 6/10 at her office nearby and I might be able to drive by then. Told me I could drive once I stop norco but know I will need it to participate in PT.
Got PT appointment for next Thursday.
Sleep last night with 2 Norco at bedtime wasn't as good as the PA expected. Went to bed at 11:30 but took Norco at 11. Woke at 1 AM, then again at 3:30 and took an additional Norco because thigh was throbbing. Woke at 5 but did go back to sleep until 7am. So I am exhausted.
It is sunny, in the 70's and very pleasant out. We stopped at Chipotle for lunch and our favorite backery for some treats.
Am pleased with progress just wish I could sleep better at night. cindy, glad you got s good night's sleep.
Watching a TV show where actor mispronounces Lancaster. I know there are places with the same name where it is pronounced Lan caster, but our county is pronounced LanK aster.
Hope everyone has a great day.
2 -
We are not rich by what we possess but rather by what we can do without.
Immanuel Kant
1 -
Good morning. Betrayal, I am sorry to hear that sleep still seems elusive. Let's hope maybe tonight will be the start of something good. The rash is interesting. I presume to a degree something of an age issue is at work. I seem to recall when younger and having something done and the healing and recovery simple and quick. Age seems to bring on odd occurrences that need some sort of different/special interventions and handling. It's not a great thought but seems it has happened to you now more than once. I sure hope the cortisone cream works and that you are soon sleeping better w/o an itch to remind you of what has been done.
Sure looks like rain will be showing up later. We did end up with some sun yesterday so guess I'll try to find tolerance for today's shade of outdoor gray. I am still so enjoying the Spring green outdoors and all those beautiful new leaves on the trees. Rain does tamp down the pollens from all the budding out of the leaves that cover everything in sight.
Cindy, Sandy, Chris, and all others as well, I hope your Saturday is a delight.
1 -
I had a fabulous Friday. Today so far is slow. I thought I had booked at 10 am appointment to see the guys in the cast for costumes. Well turns out the place doesn’t open until11. So another hour to wait. Ack. Maybe my guys will be late. Haha two are here. Good thing I know the code.
3 -
Thanks for the wishes about sleep. Still elusive but not napping today so I can sleep tonight. DH forgot to get cortisone at store yesterday (had 2 items to get and refuses to write things down) so I got the yogurt but not the cortisone. So he picked up a tube today and it is working on calming the itch.
Today was a day of sun showers with some downright downpours followed by bright sunlight. Temps in the low 70's.
DGS came to stay and helped DH lay the rugs I had cleaned in the bedrooms. So I will check out position when I next venture upstairs. Nice to have them out of the living room. DGS will go home tomorrow but he's also here to pick up my FIL's old golf clubs. He wants to join the golf club at school and will use these clubs to practice. DH used to play golf but never kept score so that tells you what his handicap was. He used the clubs but hasn't touched them in probably 8 years so time for them to be passed on to someone who will use them. They are good clubs and he has all the other tools and a very good golf bag.
Knee is hurting right now so I need to move to relieve the tension and to get a pain pill. Haven't had one since this morning. Need more at night than during the day.
Hope everyone had a good day.
2 -
This is what Alex made for me in his ceramics class. It's a tea pot.
2 -
Betrayal, that tea pot is so cute! Very creative. I’ve been sleeping normal again, so no complaints. Hoping you can get a good nights sleep too.
Jackie, we’d take your rain here in SWFL! We’re in drought status, can’t remember the last rain of any significance. Various levels of fire danger throughout the state. The plants at my house get water via the sprinkler system, which takes water from a retention pond - which I call the fake lake. It’s super low as well.
Canary, I’ve been at places before they open, thinking the earlier I’m there the sooner I’m out. Jokes on me. Glad you knew the code!
We went as a group, 12 of us, to a production of The Little Mermaid - which 2 children from the neighborhood were in. Totally surprised the kids, it made them very happy so many of us showed up. It was a good time for us too.
Afterwards we went out to dinner to a place called Two Meatballs in the Kitchen. The food was great. Spectacular rolls too! And of course we all got dessert. To say I’m stuffed is an understatement.
We ran into Publix to grab 2 boxes of baking soda for the fridge & freezer. I cleaned the shelves in the fridge yesterday and knew I needed to replace the boxes. Check that off my “to do” list.
Temp was 91 again today. Ugh! We’ve got 1 week before we go. It will go fast so I’ll keep doing smaller things so it won’t be overwhelming near the end.
Hope you all have a great weekend.
1 -
I have several friends who use CBD, usually for sleep. I have a bottle of gummies but haven't used them - I'm a recovering alcoholic so have been reluctant but others have been happy with their decision to try them.
My bronchitis is better but Ken sure is suffering. What nasty coughs we both have had!
Mutz got a new present - a set of stairs to help him onto the couch or bed. He's gotten heavier and we have gotten older! Good purchase. He's mastered them but don't think he would ever succeed with Chris's buttons.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend ladies.
Taco
2 -
About a month ago, Tippy was refusing to jump up on the bed, and the rocking chair. I put the footstool in the bedroom, because he had no problems using that to get on the rocker. I started him on Bufferin, and he was again jumping up on the bed. He likes to nap on the futon with me reading or whatever, but I need the footstool to widen it around my legs and him. I moved the footstool back into the living room yesterday, and we are happy. He is going to stay on the Bufferin, although with warmer weather arthur is not going to bother him as much.
After nearly a week wearing thumb-splints, I have shed them. Fewer problems, but that area at the base of my left thumb is changing shape. Used it too many times to break falls over the years.
They are predicting a rough Monday for us.
I am stepping down on the trazodone again. I know that the withdrawal will cause less sleep, but it is necessary, because of reduced cognitive functioning during the day. It is only for a few days, then I will have to step down again. I have tried the hemp-derived CBD and THC. I didn't think the CBD helped me, and the THC dreams disturbed me.
So nice to start working on my control issues. Just relaxing into the humdrum of life. Went on a long bike-ride with Tippy yesterday.
2 -
Next step in treatment starts tomorrow, when I will have the tattoos and positioning for radiation. 6-7 weeks of daily radiation treatment 5x a week. Goal is to shrink the tumor, but unlikely to eliminate it. Is a grind, with the drive about 2 hours out of my day, but I am taking a leave from work until mid July. Fingers crossed.
5 -
A man ninety years old was asked to what he attributed his longevity.“I reckon,” he said, with a twinkle in his eye, “it’s because most nights I went to bed and slept when I should have sat up and worried.
Dorothea Kent
1 -
Good morning. Cloudy again, but I hope as in previous' icky gray ' the sun might pop out pretty good later. I haven't checked the 'weather' for rain today. The ground is quite full of the moisture from the last recent rain. Otherwise, I'm looking for an ok day.
Good for you Cindy. Getting your "good" sleep back. Now for Betrayal. Mine is back as well. Last night was great so come 5 a.m. this morning I was refreshingly awake but stayed in bed for a few minutes longer till I knew the coffee would be perked.
Taco I was glad to hear the bronchitis sounds like it may be well on the way out for you. Sure hope your Ken's soon follows suit. It is that rotten cough that wears you down so easily. I never minded so much bronchitis when I had it save for the cough. Otherwise, it seemed only like a slightly worse cold. That cough makes you feel like you were in a boxing match and lost big time.
Chris, I gave one of my dog's aspirin for a while. Till I got to the Vet. and she gave me something (I don't recall what it was) but better tasting. The fact was it was hip displacement so eventually nothing worked well. You are a good mother to Tippy. I'm glad he seems the better for your intervention. I'm sure he is glad too. Good for you weaning off some of your meds. You have some sturdy will power. Humdrum can be fantastic. I think that is in part being in touch with yourself and feeling ok about how things are because you accept them and don't fight against something all the time. I'm practicing some of that myself.
Owensgrandma here's to Monday and a good start in regaining some control. I did 7 wks. of rads a long time ago. Your drive time will be way longer than the rads sessions. Still, it is what it takes to get things well in control. As always, once you are near the end it won't seem as long as it does before you even start.
Hope everyone has a really nice Sunday.
1 -
Taco, that cold I had is turning into a cough. Not so bad for me but partner, he can wake me from a dead sleep with his cough. I’m glad you’re feeling better and hoping Ken isn’t far behind. My niece with the same cold as us had immediate breathing problem; dx bronchitis. She’s doing better but needed prednisone. I’d just like to be able to walk around without a tissue in my pocket.
I didn’t sleep long again last night, partner coughing. Not much I could do but get up. If it were snoring I’d shake him. But being up early I got in a 2 mile walk. It was 74 when I left, and at halfway point I questioned why I was out there, but finished fine.
Chris, I wore the braces/splints on both hands for a while. I ended up with surgery on one thumb and the other just stopped bothering me enough to put the brace away. Wishing you luck lowering your meds. I get a kick out of Tippy, glad he’s back to jumping up onto the bed & rocker.
Owensgrandma, 2 hours is a long drive. Maybe you could listen to an audio book, or a podcast on the way. Jackie is right, the rads themselves won’t take that long. Good luck tomorrow, may it be an easy tattoo and positioning set up. ((HUGS))
Jackie, we still need your rain. We might hit 90 today, but no rain showing up on the app. Local tv meteorologist said maybe 30% chance one day during the week but also said it would be hit or miss, and not enough to water your lawn. Rainy season will hit after I’m gone.I ran to Walmart to pick up a prescription and ended up grabbing yogurt, q-tips, peroxide, and a drink coozie. Odds and ends that I’ll leave as stock here. Drink coozie is a Fort Myers one I’ll take home.
Today we’ll get the air filters to the HVAC unit changed. Easy job and better not to wait until the day we leave. I’m trying not to put off stuff until the end. Except dying my roots! Haha I am putting that off so they won’t be startling white as we travel, and I can be home in NY for a while before having to do them again. Silly, I know, but what can I say.1 -
Chris. Good for you for weaning off of Trazodone. I know I will need to do so at some point as I feel groggy when I wake in the morning. I have insominia big time and had used Ambien. It was really tough to wean off of that but I’m so happy I did. As you mentioned, the sleep aids can cause cognitive issues especially as we age.
Betrayal, the tea pot is adorable.
Cindy, I hope you and partner can kick those coughs to the curb soon. Coughing really disrupts sleep just when you need it most.
Owensgrandma, a 2 hour drive for radiation sounds very taxing. Please be good to yourself and allow yourself some grace.
We are down to the last details on our house. We hope that tomorrow is the last day for the contractors. They need to paint the kitchen, install the toe kicks under the cabinets, finish the shoe molding and touch up the cabinet dings. Once they are gone, we will be wiping down all the cabinets inside and out, washing all of our dishes and putting things back in the cabinets. The new refrigerator was delivered on Friday. It is heavenly to have a real refrigerator and not rely on our Coleman coolers with ice.
Yesterday we drove to Wisconsin for a memorial service for a college friend who passed from ALS. His wife just passed a few years ago from ovarian cancer. They sure got the short end of the stick. Both took care of their health and worked hard and had no time in retirement to enjoy life. I feel sorry for their two adult daughters who have spent most of their adult life dealing with their parents illnesses. The celebration was held at a restaurant and many of our college friends (who we still see a few times per year) were there. It was a beautiful day so we sat outside and visited - just what our friend would have enjoyed. Another reminder to enjoy life while we can.
Wishing everyone a good week.
2 -
It was nice to have DGS overnight. He is a snake charmer like his DF was and is. He wanted sushi and suggested Indian food for takeout dinner. We picked out what we wanted and then he mentions that the sushi place is several stores down so could he order from there? This was after consulting all the takeout menus. There was a method to his madness. He's 14 so a bottomless pit.
Sleep still disturbed so rather than fight it, I just stay up reading or watching boring TV until I finally doze off. Last night pain was in left hip bursitis which makes sitting or lying painful. Fitbut says 3 hours 52 minutes of sleep. Used ice pack on knee pain and that helped.
Hate coughing and had that on our cruise as it made it's way around our dinner table. So I feel for you cindyny. Taco and your significant others. Hope it doesn't last too much longer.
Chris, glad you are slowly weaning off Trazodone. Tippy responding to aspirin for his joint pain and being able to get back on the stool and bed is wonderful.
Harley07, so glad you will be reclaiming your house in a few days.
Owensgrandma, sorry your commute for radiation is so far. I also was a 7 week person and loved how they would discourage missing an appointment and then canceling when the machine needed an update. Had to reschedule but the time slot assigned was full and I was the only one who had to go back to work. So of course I missed a meeting which was an interview of a new employee. Did not ever tell work my dx so used doctor's appointment as reason.
Today is sunny, in the 60's with high breezes. Nice day Sunday.
Misty loves to rub on Regan and Regan is known to pick her head. Not sure if this short video will work but hope it does. Wasn't able to attach it but will try again.
Hope everyone has a great day.
1 -
Owen’s grandma best wishes tomorrow.
betrayal that teapot is adorable!
I finished phase one on my pavers. Tomorrow I get sand and do some repairs. Then chilling out in the sun.1 -
Waving hi to Canary.🙋
0 -
I just had a crazy glue mess. HAHA I shouldn’t be allowed near it. I couldn’t get any glue out of the tube, so took it to the garage to get pliers..thinking it was a new tube.
Long story short - it must have been opened already. It squirted onto the pliers, my hands, down my knee and my shin, onto the top of my brand new slippers and I believe on the garage floor too, because it’s on the bottom on my slippers too.
A fool and her using crazy glue after midnight. UGH.
I tossed pliers into soapy dish water, used a nail file on my hands where it dried, cursed at messing up my new slippers, and will check the garage floor tomorrow in daylight. My knee and shin were covered in Palmers cocoa butter and the hardened glue just peeled off.Harley, glad you’re back in your house and things are moving ahead. Sorry for the loss of your friend
Betrayal, oh I hope you can nap. With less than 3 hours I’m a zombie.
Canary you’re not missing a beat on projects. Keep on keeping on!
2 -
Cindy - I feel bad about the crazy glue, but on the other hand I can’t stop laughing. Thanks for the chuckle.
Canarycat - I’m impressed with your work on the pavers. If you are ever in the Chicago area, please let me know as I have a rather large paver patio and it could use some help. 😀
1 -
If I keep my eyes open, I see bugs and snakes and intricate tiny flowers and cool rocks and nice smiles and beautiful architecture and gentle kindness. If I keep my heart young notice great places to play, nice sunsets, cool hideouts, neat ice formations, and strange and unusual birds and animals. Life is never ordinary. We can make it seem ordinary by closing our eyes and hearts to its wonder, but that's not life's fault. I prefer to notice the little things and then leave them be--never trying to take them with me or preserve them--because that's what life's supposed to be, and that's what makes me happy and keeps away disappointment.
0 -
Good morning. Some days it is so much fun to read the entries. Cindy. You are a hoot. You know, it sounds so much like home. Always amazing how EASY to see after the fact, rather than before. I have avoided Crazy Glue and a few other 'like' things just because I know myself fairly well, at least well enough to know me and disaster will be such fast friends if I ever dared.
Seems like all will turn out okay after all.
Nothing major today. I'm awaiting (and hoping) for full sun today. Later in the week cooling and then some rain. Maybe 80 today. We are taking Lil' Red over to visit my friend Jo. We can put him out in the yard to play with her dogs since he will be his usual excitable self—which he would be even if Jo didn't have her own dogs. She has two Yorkies and a Schnauzer. All a lot older than Lil' Red. I'm happy to be able to visit again and catch up on news. It's been quite a while.
Hope all have a good day and certainly hope everyone had a good night's sleep last night.
2 -
cindyny, thanks for the laugh. I do not have any luck with crazy glue so don't buy it anymore. I'll stick with Duco cement glue to fix items.
According to Fitbit I did get 6 hours last night though I did wake several times. Once to get the ice pack, hit the bathroom and to take more pain meds. Leo woke me several times as well. He wants to sleep on my lap but I have to convince him he can't lay on my left leg. Pain was related to shin splints and hip bursitis. Was able to fall back to sleep but stil woke at 7 am. Hope tonight is better.
Sunny, 68 degrees with a light breeze. Nice day so I will open patio door and air out the house.
Misty went to vet today for annual visit. She weighs 8.2 lb. and has dropped 0.6 lb since her last visit. Vet not concerned but I will keep an eye on her. She's not a fan of wet food but loves her dry food and we keep her bowl near full most of the day. She's a grazer like Leo and he's about 9 lb. Petite kitty with large hairy feet.
Made PT appointments for next few weeks but unable to get tims I wanted for several days. DH will have to drive for some of them until I can resume driving.
canarycat, good job on working on pavers. I built a paver fire pit area 7 feet by 7 feet and know how much work is entailed. The base is the most important part.
harley07, condolences on the loss of a friend. ALS is such a horrible disease.
Hope everyone has a great day.
2 -
Glue - tonight, about 18 hours after the glue incident as I’m calling it, my right ankle had an itch. You know it…it was a chink of dried crazy glue! I looked at my slipper closely and saw the shiny dried drop of glue. Never ending!
My funny story today is my white roots. Remember I’ve been putting off doing my roots, blah blah blah. Today we met friends for lunch on the river. I kept my hair down, curled & styled it. As we left the restaurant our friends wanted to get a group picture. Ok - I used her phone and got us all in it. She later sent me the photo. It was windy and I ended up with no “face framing” hair, but it was all blown off my face entirely- showing a good 1/2” of bright white roots! Sideburn area especially bright white. SO I sent the picture to my 21 yr old nephew and asked could he photoshop my white roots out. Thank god for kids into tech. He returned the picture without white roots! And I forwarded that back to my gf. Can’t fix the crazy glue incident, but my photo has been fixed.
Owensgrandma, just thinking about you, hoping your rads positioning and tattoos went ok today.
Jackie, lil Red probably slept good tonight after a day of doggie play.Betrayal, 6 hours of sleep is pretty good, especially having gotten up 3 times.
If I have the energy tomorrow we’ll wash the carpet we keep in the garage tv sitting area, and while we’re at it wash the car that stays down here. OK I’ll dye my roots too. Boy pictures don’t lie, unless you photoshop them. HA!
2 -
In my work, when I am able to make a difference to someone, catch a glimpse of a person's soul, or hear a dream and sense how profound the human psyche is, I feel privileged to be in this moment. And when I narrowly escape being in an accident or have some sense of a close call, I literally and physically appreciate being alive and unharmed in this moment. When I feel this gratitude-for-being, it is like singing a thank-you and hearing a response in which divinity is present.
Jean Shinoda Bolen
"Grace, Gratitude, and the Sacred Experience"
0 -
Ah Cindy — the delights of your explanations.
Well now, Lil' Red actually seems a mite more decent around here. We may have to arrange more play dates for him. I am thinking on some possibilities for him as he begins to approach his first yr. of life. Like a small outdoor pen. I think it would be a bit good for all of us. Also, more walks for training purposes. He does not walk well on lead as yet.
Woke up to lightning and thunder last night. Don't know what time as I didn't look at the clock. I had to go to the bathroom, or I likely wouldn't have awakened anyway. Didn't want to get too awake. It was only damp this morning, but more storm has developed. In fact, out power has blinked off twice. Strong enough that I had to reset stove and microwave clocks. Had some wind and hail as well. All seems fine now, although it is still raining. Computer was off twice as well.
Good thing we chose Monday for our visit to Jo's — today would not have been so great with the rain. I have only the usual catch-up things to do today. A couple of bills have come in and I do need to go to the bank as well. I may wait till I'm sure the rain is done for today or just go tomorrow.
Cindy, you have a great nephew. I know so little about how to GET the most out of my computer. The older I get it seems the less I can do as well. I was so busy trying to learn the more everyday regular things like email and using a blog that picture cropping and other things had to go by the wayside. So, sadly, I never really explored it.
Hope everyone had a decent sleep night. Hope Carol is enjoying her cruise. I'll be glad to hear how it all went when she gets home.
Hope you all have a good day.
1 -
Good morning, Ladies. I just looked at my May calendar and only one doctor appointment. Yay. It is the eye doctor which has been rescheduled 3 times. Their building was flooded in Helene and had to be repaired. They just got their certificate of occupancy. The county has been overwhelmed. Hoping this hurricane season won't be bad. The season predictions are not good, but I can hope.
Cindy, I can not even look at crazy glue without getting it on me.
Canarycat, I started Al after radiation. The worst side effect, for me, was facial hair. It hasn't gone away.
2 -
petite1, I also have facial hair due to AI's and hate it.
cindyny, you keep me in stitches with your humorous takes on crazy glue and white hair. I opted to not spend a fortune on keeping my hair frosted. When Covid came I let it grow out to Nature's form of frosted with some brown throughout the silver it turned. I also evolved from a shoulder length bob to a ponytail style which is wash and wear. I get it trimmed on occasion but haven't had to buy any gels, hair spray or other hair products since I have barely used what I had. It's funny that now that I do nothing for styling, it has decided to show off some of the natural wave I have.
Sleep last night was not bad according to Fitbit which says six hours but I can tell you I was awakened several times with nature calls, itching which required use of ice pack, need for pain med and Leo laying on my left leg. He only weighs about 9 lb. but he insists on laying on left thigh which sets off spasms. So we were at war several times during the night. I'd push him off and as soon as I dozed off, he'd return and wake me.
Rash has evolved to being the size and shape of the bandage that covered incision post-op. It is pebbly when you look at or feel it. It is now touching the incision. I try not to scratch but it is driving me crazy. Using cortisone cream but it doesn't seem to be helping much.
Sunny day with temps in low 70's. Slight breeze so I will open the patio doors. Regan and Misty like to lay by the doors in the sunlight and jockey for best position.
Lil' Red is getting big and now is the time to teach leash walking. Use small training treats to get his attention (we used small chunks of hot dogs) and reward him when he responds correctly. You should teach him to sit whenever you stop walking. It takes time and patience but its a safety measure for you because no matter their size, when they pull, they can catch you off balance. There are lots of Youtube videos to watch if you want to basic training with him. Good luck. Sounds like you both had a good visit yesterday.
Have a slow leak in a water pipe in the basement so the plumbers will come tomorrow to replace the corroded valves and the pipe. Do not want any more issues with leaks and mold development.
Hope everyone has a great day.
2
