Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Last night I had a recurrence of left-sided sciatica which woke me from a sound sleep. I moved from the recliner to the couch, but could not find a comfortable position and believe me, this couch is well-known for being a sleep inducer of the first order. So I tossed and turned until I finally drifted off. When I woke again due to butt and leg pain amping up, I moved back to the recliner but decided it was time for a Norco. It worked and I slept until 7:30. PT added exercises today to provide some back exercises which will hopefully ward off sciatica return. This is the second attack in a week and it is related to my back, not my knee. It is still tender now.
cindyny, I hope you can get your pool filter working soon. We used to have an above ground pool when my children were in junion and high school and they loved it. Didn't mind when they had company but did hate when some mother's took advantage by dropping their child off with no food, no towel and didn't come back for sometimes the entire day (free babysitting). I was having to wash towels every day and the lunch and snack bill was high. Sometimes they arrived unannounced and uninvited, too.
Loved your flowers. I love seeing other's gardens. My peonies are gone and I just love seeing them in bloom.
I think the relationship between a patient and their care provider (PCP, PA, or NP) should be one that includes discussion of findings, possible treatment choices, and then the pros and cons of the treatment that is acceptable to the patient. It takes time to establish this, so both parties have to air their differences. I do not want a dictator doctor not one that I catch in lies (BS and RO so they are no longer my care providers).
I did not always accept what the PCP offered but we discussed what I should expect it I didn't choose her first recommendation. There is always risk involved in any decision, you just have to decide what risk you are willing to accept. Yes, a higher dose of a statin would have lowered my cholesterol, but I had severe muscle pain (known SE) which was intolerable. So I went back to original dose and made a dietary change that worked to lower cholesterol. Same with AI use, until MO and I found one that was acceptable with tolerable SE's.
Fortunately, my DH is an electrical engineer and a computer geek to boot. DS works in IT and DD also has been on a computer since she was 3 years old, so I have lots of computer assistance. Knowing a computer geek is a blessing when it comes to having issues. I can do lots on the computer, but nothing when it comes to fixing one.
petite1, enjoy your visit and I hope you can find a cabin hideaway so you can be a snowbird. It's funny when people ask us why we would go to FL in the summer because it was sooooooo hot. Well, I don't think they realize that while we are further north, the heat and humidity of this area competes with that in FL, so we didn't notice. Access to the beaches on the Gulf was easy and most of the time we had the beach almost to ourselves, and not wall to wall bodies like the beaches in NJ. So nice you are meeting up with an old friend.
Waving "hi" to all I did not mention. Stay safe and cool.
It is hazy sunny with a light breeze abd in the high 70's so cooler than yesterday. I had to walk up and down the hill so I will give my hips a rest before I attempt any outdoor activity. Rain is expected overnight and for most of the weekend. I will work in light rain because it is so refreshing but I think downpours are expected. So porch time for sure.
DH will take DGS to fish again this afternoon. He helped DH by digging out 2 holes for stakes and did a good job. Hope everyone has a great day.
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Cindy - I hope you were able to get the pool fixed and opened. We opened our pool in April so DH had plenty of time to get the water balanced. We didn’t turn on the heater until a few weeks ago. I’m sorry to say I haven’t found time to get in it yet. Hopefully in the next few days.
Betrayal -so sorry to hear about another episode of sciatica. I know how painful it is and can only imagine being jolted awake by the pain.
Finally! The Dexascan order has been put in the system. I’ll call on Monday to schedule. Given how I had to beg for this, one would think I was asking for opioids. Hopefully Medicare will pay as I think that was the NP’s concern. If not, I’ll pay out of pocket but I really want to know how my bones look after stopping anastrozole. No feedback on correcting the documentation errors.
My BS was responsible for ordering mammograms. I fired her at the one year mark. RO retired around that time. I despise that woman. Too bad she didn’t retire a little sooner. My MO went on maternity leave in 2023 and then upon return transferred to a facility 50 miles away. I received the standard letter about if you wish to continue care at the current facility please call to be connected with a local MO. I never did call and stopped anastrozole around that time so I had no need for follow up with a MO because their only responsibility was writing the anastrozole script.
Another good day at the food pantry and we had plenty of food which is a blessing. Tomorrow is a girl’s day. I’m meeting my niece and grand niece for lunch and wedding dress shopping as grand niece is getting married in 2026. This is my brother’s grandaughter and I’m thrilled to tag along. It’s a bit bittersweet as I’m sure my SIL would have so enjoyed this time but she passed from glioblastoma in 2021. DH will be at a protest while I’m having fun. I told him to be careful.
Enjoy the weekend.
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Medicare will pay for Dexascan as long as it is 2 years since your last one or sooner, if medical necessity is documented.
Glad I am not the only one who hated their RO. Mine was a phony who acted so caring, always hugging me, and lied through her teeth about my treatment. Whole radiation experience was the worst of my entire life. The nurse in the department was a Nurse Rachet.
Love the idea of a girl's day out. It sounds like fun and I am sure your niece and grandniece will welcome your presence.
There are so many people out there that rely on food pantries to survive, and I applaud you for volunteering at one. Now that schools are closing for the summer, so many more will need to help to provide lunch for their children. There are all sorts of requests for food donations and others where free lunches can be picked up on a Monday to Friday basis.
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To awaken each morning with a smile brightening my face; to greet the day with reverence for the opportunities it contains; to approach my work with a clean mind; to hold ever before me, even in the doing of little things, the Ultimate Purpose toward which I am working; to meet men and women with laughter on my lips and love in my heart; to be gentle, kind, and courteous through all the hours; to approach the night with weariness that ever woos sleep and the joy that comes from work well done—this is how I desire to waste wisely my days.
Thomas Dekker
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Good morning. Once again I was up so early I decided to work on computer postings (except for quote) later on. It is partly sunny, so sometimes muted sun and then clouds. It is due report says to rain later on. I haven't any place to go so that's okay with me. May have to run to the corner for a loaf of bread.
I hope everyone slept well last night. I have been going to bed a little earlier than I use to which is why I think I am up 'earlier' again. I also take a 5 mg. Melatonin each night and that helps. What I feel I need it for is to help me drift back off quickly after using the bathroom. I get up a couple of times at night. I hope as well that you will all have a nice (not too hot or humid) day. We are at 76 so not bad although there could be some humidity with all the dampness outside — and more to come.
Seems remarkable that we are nearly half way through June already All the nice weather and dressed up trees I waited all winter for will possibly seem like they didn't last long enough so hope we slow a bit. I may have some time to work on my list today although on a 'grayish' day I've been known to be rather lazy and un-inspired. We will see.
Wishing you all a wonderful Saturday.
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Rainy overcast day today so decided to do some genealogy research. Off on a tangent rather than true research, but learned some interesting facts anyhow, just not of much use to me. But a nice diversion but I need to stick to research that has value.
DGS was picked up by DS this morning so I have some laundry to do once he left, sheets and towels and then remade bed returning room to normal. Found a shirt he left so I will wash it later and put it away until we see them again.
Avoiding news today so it has been pleasant day and I have my subscriptions to use for entertainment this evening. Hope everyone had a wonderful day.
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Glad to hear you had a good day — but staying away from the news can almost guarantee that. So here we are. It has been a rather quiet day here for us as well. The TV was turned to programs which will stream episodes as long as we wish to watch — so that was the mainstay today.
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Thanks for the book recommendation, Chris. Couldn't find it in any of our libraries but Kindle had it for $2.99. I think the James River Company did the same kind of exploitation. Haven't spent as much time on my paternal line but my first settler came as an indentured servant to it.
I loved that Pope Leo did counter-programing!
I did go this morning - in fact Ken said he would have gone too if he felt stronger. It gave me much needed energy and I met some nice people. But it was hot! Car thermometer said 95 degrees when I drove home at 9:30 am.
Just got home from Happy Hour at friends in time for Ken to see his Diamondbacks win with a walk-off homer.
My PCP orders my mammograms. In fact, he's the only doc I'm seeing right now (fingers crossed that stays true). I didn't have much contact with RO, thought the MO was inattentive and not a good communicator but loved my BS.
Petite - good for you for thinking about a seasonal place. No time like the present.
My, I'm all over the place in this post. Enjoy the rest of your weekend ladies.
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The pool was fixed easily, after borrowing a giant pair of pliers. We undid the connection, straightened out the filter and reconnected it. Oh so happy! I put the DE in the filter, and put a bag of shock through the skimmer.
Today we went to the protest, guessing 10k+ people attended. It was emotional, a feeling like we just couldn’t sit on the sidelines any more and had to be there.
Horrific news out of Minnesota on assassinating one rep and her husband, and hospitalizing the senator and his wife. Our protest was heavily policed, with drones as well. This was due to the Minnesota events.
My next mission at home was to install a wall mount for our bedroom tv. The new AC split is above the armoire, where the tv used to be. So I ordered one of those wall arms and then attempted to do it tonight. Well, it reminded me of a puzzle. There are different size screws for 4 different type of TV backs - flat, curved, bump.. and you figure out which screws in the package fit your tv. I get it, manufacturer has to cover all kinds of tv’s or it would limit their sales. But wee oh. I finally got it all together but need a stud finder to attach it to the wall. My niece is swinging by with hers tomorrow, so we’ll find the stud. My hurry is to get it mounted so after foot surgery if I want to lay in bed to watch tv, I can. So that’s a job for tomorrow.
That’s about it for me. It was cool out today which was ok - jeans & long sleeves for the protest. I hope I sleep in tomorrow. It sounds like Jackie and I are on the same cycle of falling asleep earlier than our normal, which then gets us awake at an earlier time too. I don’t like it. HAHA2 -
Mixed bag this week. Tuesday’s radio performance went well (it’s archived on WDCB.org) and we had everyone in the studio singing along on our closing song. Driving has been brutal—every conceivable alternate route is under construction simultaneously. Took almost 2 hrs to get down to Glen Ellyn but less than an hour back. Thurs. night it took me over 2 hrs to get to the far south side country club for dinner…but 42 minutes to get home. (Thank you, I-94 express lanes)! Nearly 3 hours down from Lincolnwood to Morris yesterday.
Our set today went swimmingly—and there were plenty of “morning people” by start time (10 am!) to watch two night owls. The stage truly is my happy place. Touched base with my ex-singing partner (who lives in the U.P. now and came down with her DH to do 5 workshops today—no mainstage set—and a UU service tomorrow). She had botched cataract surgery and needs a Rollator to get around because her depth perception is shot, and her DH has to do all the driving. Not exactly a hop-skip-jump from up near Sault-Ste-Marie.
After my current partner’s yodeling workshop at noon (I sat in to demonstrate a harmony yodel) I grabbed lunch and headed back to the hotel for some zzzs. He decided to go to Morris’ No Kings protest, which was short and not well attended (except by some fellow folk fest attendees) as this is definitely Drumpf country. We went to dinner at the new Black Bear Inn near his hotel—and because it was “soft open” weekend, meals were comped. It’s a huge chain, but Morris is their sole IL location. Tomorrow we have 3 workshops (humor songwriting, dulcimer-guitar duetting, and vocal duet tips & tricks). Then home, where for Father’s Day I promised Bob I’d make the end-of-season Copper River salmon I picked up on Thursday.
Ah, Thursday—what a difference a few days makes! Apparently, after I sent my contractor/public adjuster the 58 photos of stuff that needs to be done & redone, that lit a fire under him and the work crew. We met back on Thurs. morning—found 2 more crew members installing the range hood & upper kitchen cabinets. All the carpeting is in, the paint stink is gone, the spackle has been covered and the baseboards were neatened up. Pointed out what needs redoing in the master bedroom closets, window screens needing installation, linoleum in upstairs pass-through rooms replaced with tile or vinyl planking, and the rear outdoor wall will be repaired. It really appears that work will be done by 6/30, so the restoration company can retrieve our stuff from storage and do the pack-in. I want to be there so I can point out which furniture pieces go where and what stuff can be put back in place or discarded. Lots to jettison—but 1-880-GOT-JUNK charges an arm & a leg. So I’ll bag up stuff and hire the scavengers who troll the alley to haul it away to do with as they please. We will need all new window treatments, for which I’ll call in a service to measure & install. Once I get the pack-in date, I can also buy new mattresses (the second bedroom, attic guest room, front room daybed, and an adjustable split-king for our bedroom so Bob’s kicking won’t shake me awake).
The bad news is that not only is State Farm holding firm on not extending our Lincolnwood lease, but $6750 was the insurance discount rate FHS was charging. We’re on the hook for the “rack rate” of $8500 for July. (Bob still thinks we should just offer to buy the place, but the owner is probably glad to have it back on the AirBnB-type temp housing market). But we will definitely be back home in Chicago by 7/31. We’ll need that month to transition including deep-cleaning at both locations. The cats will have some trouble adapting, since they were there only 1-1/2 months from adoption in April to the fire 6/1/24. I’m not looking forward to trying to get BangBang out from under the beds in Lincolnwood. They’re really going to miss this house, with all its hidey-holes, closets, cabinets and the finished basement where we keep 2 litter boxes. (And we’ll miss the hotel-quality showers).
And Gifthealth came through Wednesday afternoon with my Zepbound vials. We’re saving the little foam coolers they come in for ferrying food from our Lincolnwood fridge-freezer back to Chicago. (I reminded the crew chief we need a water line for the kitchen fridge’s ice maker/water dispenser).
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The happiest people I know are people who don’t even think about being happy. They just think about being good neighbors, good people. And then happiness sort of sneaks in the back window while they’re busy doing good.—
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Glad you are back posting and will soon be back home, Sandy.
I don't think there were any protests yesterday. And we are so close to Minnesota. I read that Trump claims no knowledge of the abusive ICE actions. Hans Schultz the sergeant who denied any knowledge in Hogan's Heroes? Except this is the leader of our country? Surrounded by yes-men and beautiful women. This will continue being very interesting. We are living history, gals (and guys).
I saw the ophthalmologist Thursday. My eyes have been stinging and gritty lately, probably due to the air conditions. He put plugs in my tear ducts and told me that the oil ducts at my eyelashes are congested. Recommended "Bruder" brand microwaveable eyemask. I couldn't resist it, ordered it before I left. I will get the recommended eyedrops later. Who knows, maybe I can get this figured out enough to wear contacts again? Overexercised yesterday (gardening), but today I will be cooking, so plenty of exercise planned.
I take quite a lot of gabapentin. My sciatica is mild, but I have discovered that a bit of lidocaine gel stops it in its tracks. I hate my word-finding problems when I am talking— I just freeze up. It is a side-effect. Some people think I have dementia. Ah-well. There are advantages to that. When I am writing I just ask Google.
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I spoke too soon on the pool. I went out this morning to put in the robot vacuum and noticed the water level was down. There is a different leak at a connection from the pool into the pump. I’m just functioning, awake but not awake, so I made sure to turn the pump off before the timer turns it on. I’ll deal with it later on today. I’ll be on my own, my cousin it turns out has pneumonia and has been hospitalized. My partner can assist me but he is not mechanically inclined.
Sandy, it’s great your home will be ready by 6/30. But biting the bullet $$$$ for another month is steep, albeit necessary. Transitioning from one place to another will be stressful on both you & the cats.
Chris, I’m hoping the eye dr meds and his suggestion for the heated mask help you out. I’d be lost without my contact lenses.
Jackie, I’m not sure how long I would have slept today but it was a fire truck blaring its sirens and beeping its horn that woke me. I can’t imagine our road being crowded at 7:40 AM on a Sunday. I went to sleep at 2:30.
This dang pool will drive me to drink. Add in the tv wall mount. My gf said, re tv mount, I’m a glutton for punishment. I said, tiny house and no real options.
Enjoy your Sunday.
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I admire those who joined the protests. I'm very glad to read about big crowds gathering with no violent incidents. There were even protests in blood red Louisiana.
Sandy, great news on the work on your home. It must be very rewarding to be a musician.
Cindy, good luck on plugging leaks in the pool and installing the bedroom tv. We have a tv in our bedroom at home but seldom turn it on except when I'm folding laundry or ironing. The latter is a rarity these days. We had a little tv in the bedroom of the fifth wheel but removed it and use the cavity for storage.
Yesterday at the farmers market was our worst day ever. It was cloudy and cold and people weren't buying bowls. I bought a couple of cucumbers and some little herb plants.
We may dust off the bicycles today and transport them to town to bike on the paved Heartland Trail. I think dh is ready to test out his new knees. We haven't biked in 4 or 5 years because of his knee pain.
Happy Father's Day to your husbands or partners who are fathers.
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Cindy, seems like you are always in the middle of something. Here's a nice thought — you have no time to get old. I don't think you can even consider it right now. I'm sort of teasing you know. But, no matter what, you just go straight for it pretty much and dig right in. I've been amazed over and over.
Chris, I am hoping the eye mask does you a lot of good. Dh used one for awhile but gave it up. Actually, he had I think some multiple issues so often thought his 'cures' didn't work well, but (I'm not a Dr. and could be so wrong) I felt more like he has over-lapping incidents and perhaps was being critical sometimes of the wrong things/cures.
Sandy, I think of you as such a trooper as well. Despite the travel times etc. I'm glad you are finding joy in sharing music with others. It has been a rough year. I'm thrilled to hear that you likely can in fact, return to your home. I guess for me I'd look on it as something of an adventure. Re-adjusting to the newness of it. There will be some issues, but I hope overall it is smooth and quickly offering the old shoe comforts of home with the upgrades of all codes.
DSIL is out on the zero-turn. Dh ordered new belts for it and needed someone to put them on. He wasn't finding anyone so DSIL pulled a Cindy and did it himself. At first he was not fond of the zero-turn, but doesn't like the regular tractors now. We are so fortunate to have him and my daughter living with us and taking care of a lot of the issues that have become cumbersome and sometimes no longer really possible.
I hope you are all going to have a really nice day and Happy Father's to any of the better halfs or sons even.
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Sandy, so glad your photo array spurred some activity from the restoration crew. Stinks that SF will not extend your lease for another month but having that ime to set up your home before you move back in is a boon. The cleaning the restoration company does would never pass the white glove test so hiring a professional crew is warranted. I made the restoration company pay me for the cleaning they were supposed to have done. If I have to sweep and vaccum behind them gives you a clue to their skills at cleaning. Picking new drapes and other decor will be fun. Let's face it after adversity, you will be getting the equivalent of a new home with new decor, etc. A hassle, yes, but a chance to change your surroundings.
cindyny, I hope you can get the pool and the tv mount done to your satisfaction. Trouble always seems to come in pairs. I don't know the size of your tv or the weight but you may want to consider mounting a board (2x4) between 2 studs and then mounting the tv holder to it. It won't be seen and could be painted to match your wall.
Chris, I hear you about the gabapentin fog. I do find myself searching for a word now and then and it is annoying. Eventually I find it, or I move on because it is blocked. I will buy some lidocaine gel to try on my sciatica. Thanks for the suggestion. I hope you can get the eye issue under control soon.
I went to bed in the recliner shortly after 11, woke at 12:30 and was still awake at 3 am (read for mot of that time) when I decided to go back to my bed to see if I can doze off again. Even there, it was well after 3 before I did fall asleep. Leo was so pleased I was back he kept rubbing on me and giving me "butterfly kisses" (his tongue is not rough). When I woke this morning he was sleeping in the curve of my back. I'll move back upstairs now and let the recliner return to being a chair again.
DH left his clean laundy in the hallway and Misty decided to toss out all his socks and sleep in the nest she formed in the clean clothes. It was a funny sight, because normally she sleeps in the narrow scratch box behind the powder room door.
It poured last night after intermiitent showers all day. I thought the rain would help me doze but it was striking the glass in the window so hard, it wasn't soothing. It was making the sound I associate with what happened before the tree strike, so unsettling. It is now very hazy most likely due to a very large wooded tract fire in NJ that hopefully the rain helped quench. They were experiencing difficulty in getting it under control.
Glad to see that most of the planned No Kings rallies were peaceful and that some of you participated.
No true plans for today but do need to run the vacuum so I may get to that. I will clear my belongings out of the family room and back to the bedroom. So glad we hung onto the folding wooden tv tables we've had for eons, they continue to come in handy.
Yesterday had a small fawn running zoomies in the backyard while mom grazed on the grass. It was fun to watch and went on for over 10 minutes as it made bigger and bigger loops through the woods. I guess it had all that pent up energy from being left in one safe spot in the woods. As much as I hate the destruction they impose on my garden, I do love seeing them and could never hurt them. I'll just keep fencing in areas I don't want them to access.
Happy Father's Day. I'll remember mine today and hope others will remember theirs as well.
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Pool - I refilled the water and took another look where the leak was. Now that I was fully awake, it turned out to be the lid on the pump. I took it off and applied more pool goop on the “O” ring, and put it back on. Success. I’ll add it to my resume. HA!
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Patience strengthens the spirit, sweetens the temper, stifles anger, extinguishes envy, subdues pride, bridles the tongue, restrains the hand, and tramples upon temptation.
George Horne
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Good morning. It is raining as we speak. Ick is what I say. Nice that we went to the store yesterday and don't have to grocery shop in the rain. I may run to the bank later. It is a light rain and not a pour-down. Also may not last.
Cindy — I so admire the fact that you wade into almost anything pretty much on your own with maybe a slight push from the Internet. Then again, I also imagine you came from a family tree that did the same.
Betrayal, I wish your rain had been a bit gentler. It does seem scientific that the ions in the air tend to soothe the system when it rains — and that as well as the gentle noises can have a deeply lulling effect making sleep come rather easily. That is the one thing I can 'like' about a 'nice' rain. It is the grayness that is with it that gets me.
I hope you all have a really good day. I think about all of you whether you post or not. So my wishes are for all.
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At PT I use the bike for 8 minutes; today I was able to pedal complete rotations for 3.5 minutes and for the rest of time I just push the pedals back and forth. I do the pushing first to loosen up and then pedal near the end. So slow progress but progress for sure. She measured flexion of knees today and I am much improved on left and right holds steady at 118 degrees. Goal for both is 120 degrees so I will continue to do heel slides at home.
Very gray here with intermittent showers and temps in low 60's but feels like the 50's. It is damp and cold to me. Rain is supposed to persist over the next few days and it looks like sun won't appear until the weekend.
I plan on watering plants today and spending time in Ancestry since I found some newspaper articles on my maternal ggf. I knew of them, I think I have print copies made during research at the Historical Society of PA but now have them tied to the online record. I have been unable to establish his parentage so I may focus on that today. Ancestry has suggested a father and mother but I am one who needs verifiable proof before I will accept their suggestion. Finding the proof is the challenge since records for that time are not readily available and with a common German surname even more of a challenge.
I made new nectar for hummingbird feeder because he/she has been visiting and with the hot weather we had, it turns quickly. He's been visiting a red perennial on the patio that needs to be planted, too.
DD and DSIL brought Mission BBQ for Father's Day dinner yesterday. It was a good meal and they brought banana pudding for dessert which was wonderful. Today is DH's birthday so the meal was a dual purpose celebration.
Waving hello to everyone and wish you a wonderful day.
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Update from Illinois. It has been pouring rain for at least an hour. There are huge puddles everywhere. I had read an inch — and now pretty sure we can get that. Didn't seem possible with the VERY gentle slow rain of the early morning. Sure making up for it now.
I second Betrayal's thoughts — it's 73 here but seems coolish and un-inviting. SIL got the lawn mowed and almost all the weed whacking done yesterday which was good — no weeds now to hold that water from finding a path down the hillside to the ravine and Raccoon Lake just beyond.
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Surgery was completed and I was out the door by 9 AM. We went to CVS to pick up two scripts. Home at 10 I took one hydrocodone and one ondansetron- anti nausea. Exhausted but couldn’t sleep, closed my eyes for a while but waste of time.
Nurse called from surgical center to see how I was doing around 5 PM. I told her I was good, and asked about the anti nausea med. She said some people feel nauseous on hydro. I don’t have to take it, I feel fine on hydro.
I’m in a lovely Velcro shoe, picture coming. And using a walker for 5 days. The shoe I believe stays on for 4 weeks. Follow up is 7/2, and most likely 7/14-16 I’ll see them again to be released.
Just took 1 more hydro. I’m sticking to 1 every 6 hrs, vs what I could take is 2 every 4 hours. I don’t want to jinx myself, but I’ve had bunion surgery 3x. On a pain scale level, this is a cake walk.
Vacuum lines on my carpet are thanks to the robot vacuum. Haha! When we came back home my partner set it off. This is the Shark, it doesn’t map your rooms, so I call this one Willy Nilly.
I’ll report tomorrow if I still think it’s a cake walk. Fingers crossed.
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Cindy - glad to hear all went well with the surgery. I hope the next update is still ‘a cake walk’. Please take care and follow doctor’s orders. I’ll be thinking of you.
Chris, I hope the eye mask is helping. Anything to do with my eyes absolutely drives me crazy. I can stand the pain, irritation or blurry vision.
Betrayal - you have made significant progress in your rehab. You go girl!
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Oops! Hit ‘post comment’ too quickly.
Illinoislady, I really wish you could send me some of your rain. Things are getting very dry here. Rain is forecasted for Tuesday and Wednesday but lately every time rain is forecasted it fizzles out before it gets to our area.
Had a lovely girls day on Saturday. This was the second visit my grandniece had made to the bridal shop. Her goal on Saturday was to buy a dress and she did! She tried on 6 or 7 seven dresses and they were all very pretty but her face really lit up with the 3rd dress. I kept my opinions to myself, but was secretly hoping she would pick dress #3 as it looked perfect on her. She is very petite and was very aware of not getting ‘too much dress’ so that it didn’t overwhelm her. She knew what she wanted and had tried on the dresses, made her decision, picked a veil and we were on our way out of the store in 1 hour, 15 minutes. This girl is efficient. I was honored that she invited me to join.We had a low key Father’s Day with grilled steaks and floating in the pool. This morning we had our ducts cleaned. After refinishing the wood floors and replacing drywall it was sorely needed. Then off to the imaging center for a CT of my neck, abdomen and pelvis since the NP thought she felt an enlarged lymph node in my neck. Pretty sure it was a waste of healthcare resources and insurance dollars.
Mid 80’s and sunny here. After the CT scan I headed out on a bike ride and made it 11.5 miles but then decided to head home before the heat got to me. I was a bit warm - actually I was drenched in sweat, but the ride felt good.
Waving hello to all.
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Joy seems to me a step beyond happiness—happiness is a sort of atmosphere you can live in sometimes when you’re lucky. Joy is a light that fills you with hope and faith and love.
Adela Rogers St. Johns
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Good luck with the healing, Cindy. Hard to imagine you at a standstill. LOL.
On Sunday we were treated with the sight of a mamma bear crossing the highway. A few seconds later two adorable baby bears followed her. Then we nearly had heart failure when a third baby bear appeared, with a car approaching. Baby bear retreated into the woods and we drove on, knowing there was nothing a human could do to assist. Hours later when we returned, there was no sign of bear tragedy so mamma bear must have handled the situation. There are numerous bear sightings this season.
Meanwhile Mary, next door neighbor, is struggling with a furry animal that snipped off the sprouting green beans. I saw it and chased it off on Saturday afternoon as it was starting on the tomato leaves. The consensus is that it's probably a woodchuck. It's as large as a beaver and has thick brown fur. No doubt it lives somewhere close by. Mary bought an alarm mat for the outdoor refrigerator on her deck in preparation for the return of a bear that raided the refrigerator last summer. The mat has triggered the alarm several times and now Mary has concluded that the furry animal scampered across the deck during the night.
Animal excitement and intrigue.
DH and I took a short bicycle ride on Sunday, only 5 miles but it was our first bike outing since his two knee replacements. He did fine and we probably could have gone farther but he didn't pack his bicycle pants with the padding.
Our county had a tornado watch yesterday but we had a little rain and dark skies. The heavier rain went south of us. We were relieved not to get hail since dh's new Ford truck is parked in the open.
I plan to play solo golf today. Dh is going to the gym and running errands.
Happy Tuesday to all.
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Good morning from south central Illinois. Harley, I would love to share my rain with you and any others as well. Not sure if it rained much through the night or not. Our deck doesn't look drenched. The ground outside everywhere though sure does. It is going to rain everyday through Thursday — so maybe three more days. Yikes.
I do generally take a wait and see attitude since we are never sure which part of the weather predictions will actually reach us. I have to say though lately and this Spring they seemed to have gotten rain time and amts. a whole lot closer. I do hope they are a bit off on temps. Due to climb to the 90's later on and if we stay this wet the humidity could be a bit awful.
Cindy, count me in as well hoping things continue to go well with your surgery aftermath. Seems like a long time (month) to have that boot but then likely one of those things that seem highly cumbersome that you get used to putting up with till all of sudden you're at the end. A good end result will have been worth it. Here's hoping.
Harley what fun to go shopping with someone who knew what was needed and much more so in relation to her style and size (petite and didn't pick a dress that overwhelmed) so found a bit of perfection in her choice. This comes from one (me) without an ounce of any of that. I have no style sense in the least and great admiration for those who do. She obviously thinks a lot of you which is a an honor.
Hoping all is well with all the rest here.
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We are going to get a stormy day tomorrow. Gotta "make hay while the sun shines." Will be at church this afternoon helping to get ready for the rummage sale. Unless I get a ride, I won't be able to get over there tomorrow. But I also had a wild time my first hours of "sleep", so will need a nap this morning. Added: No wonder. I forgot my meds last night.
My eyes seem to be getting better. Contemplating contacts, even. I was told to give up on them before dry eyes was even a diagnosis. Will be getting preservative-free drops.
Cindy, I hope your recovery goes quickly. Dreading recovery from thumb surgery, will find out on the 24th.
I have a stinky little boy to bathe this morning, also. May end up with a damp bed.
I suspect I have spies on the ground, which is really crimping my style. But I refuse to let them win.
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I woke up after about 5 hours sleep, I need to use the bathroom 7:30. Got up, had to put the Velcro shoe on, out the door, down the stairs to the walker and then into the bathroom. I had thought I’d go back to bed. But after all of that trouble, I stayed up. I did go back up to the guest room and grabbed a clean robe. I didn’t want to wake him up again as I hobbled back in the bedroom for the robe I had been wearing.
I also switched to Advil. No more hydrocodone for me. The pain level is low, getting out of bed and downstairs I’d say it was sore but not real pain.
I placed a call to surgeons nurse for clarification on using the walker. I wrote down 5 days, but reading the paperwork I’ll be heel walking until I see the dr 7/2. I think the walker is for balance issues while I heel walk.
I’m going to see Dione Warwick with a gf this Friday. Walker and heel walking in my Velcro shoe will add time getting me in there, and out too. The best laid plans… we bought the tickets months ago.
It’s raining here again. On the positive side, it helps me to stay in and do nothing.
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cindyny, do you know anyone who could loan you a wheelchair to get in and out of the concert? You really can't do steps with a walker and heel walking is not the most stable of walking patterns. Not sure of the venue for the concert but if it is an arena, there are always steps. You still amaze me with how much you can do so soon post-op. Advil may work during the day but save your hydrocodone for night if needed.
DD and DSIL surprised us yesterday for DH's birthday. They had treated us to dinner from Mission BBQ on Sunday but then show up yesterday with a cake and DGS and DGD in tow. We had Chik-Fil-A. The cake was from a local bakery called Nothing Bundt Cake and yes, it was a confetti bundt cake with cream cheese icing. It was so moist and the icing was not overly sweet.
They helped DH get the fencing temporarily around the one bed he has been working on for nearly 2 weeks. We weeded before they enclosed it and DSIL, DD and DGS helped mulch it. Then they proceeded to weed the bed where the lilac is and mulched it as well. So it is finished (except for adjusting fencing) and looks lovely. Next on the list is the big bed by the big rock, but we only have 4 bags of mulch left, so Dh will have to buy probably about 8 more. DGS wants to help with that and he also said that my hidden garden area needs to be cleaned up. He plans on coming back after they go to the shore in July. So some progress is being made. I helped with the weeding as best I could using the long handled prong rake. It works well.
Worked on genealogy yesterday and didn't get much reward for my efforts so tried again today and found a lead but after spending a lot of time on it, it to is a dud. I did find a copy of my ggm's second marriage license and was trying to use information on that about her new husband (first had died) and his deceased wife. Can't find the documents I need though to validate the information he provided on the marriage application. I'll keep looking but will take a break to regroup. Sometimes this leads to a different perspecrive for research.
Slept in today and it felt good though I was achy from PT yesterday and then all the yard activity. So a soak in the tub with a good book worked the trick.
harley07, I envy you being able to ride a bike for 11.5 miles. Hope you get good news on the scans.
carole, your DH seems to bounce back quickly from his TKR's and that is to be admired.
Chris, hope the eyes continue to improve. I do believe they have contact lens that have a higher water content now that offsets dry eye. I would explore it if I were you.
Illinoislady, we are finally getting a break from rain today but I haven't listened to see if it is still in the forecast and this is just a pause. We worked during light showers yesterday and everyone was soaked by the time we finished. DGS wanted a shower and change of clothes but DGD just chose to whine about being wet because she didn't feel like changing her clothes. Yes, she had another outfit. Love them, but sometimes I am happy when they go home.
Hope everyone has/had a great day.
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