Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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I will be praying for you, Wren.
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Wren, hoping that chemo SE are minimal and it works. ((HUGS)).
Today was St. Thomas and we had a tour that took us to various highlights of the island and ended with a tram ride to the top of the mountain overlooking the harbor. Visually it was beautiful, it was incredibly hot though. Thevtradewinds did help, but my shirt was soaked by the time we returned to the ship. I will post pictures from Puerto Rico and St. Thomas.
Chris, hope you can get new orthotics and your cast removed soon. Will you be having hand PT once it is removed?
Tonight was a wear orange night. Normally this is not a color I wear, but I had bought a tee that has a quilt like patch sewn on it that has an orange headed and tailed bird as part of it. I also brought an orange scarf I had been gifted on an earlier cruise. I tied it to the strap of my purse.
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St. Thomas photos
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wren - sorry to hear you were so cold during chemo. Was this a SE of the drugs? Are you going on a trip soon? Wishing you the best.
Betrayal - beautiful pictures.
Sandy - Oy! Hang in there.
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@wren44 I hope you have warmed up and are feeling better. My tumor markers are growing so I am trying to schedule my next scan to try to see what is going on. If progression means I need a change, I fear I may be out of oral medicine options and will need to switch to chemo. I am resisting but we shall see.
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Sandy, yes still, your plate is over flowing! Sad to hear of your son’s marriage breakup. The things going on with ICE make me cringe, and I’m no where near it. I can’t imagine seeing it first hand, and worrying for your helpers. Fingers crossed for a smooth move back in.
Wren, prayers for your chemo treatments. Bring a blanket, there is nothing worse than having to stay there and freezing.
Betrayal - loved the pictures!I had a lot of errands to get done today. I went to a local candy store for Halloween candy pops - ghost, skull, pumpkin - for goodie bags I make up for grandniece & grandnephew. I usually sent a card & Venmo to nephew because he’s been away at college, but he graduated in May and at the last minute I realized he needed a goodie bag too. Then Aldi’s and $ store for odds and ends. Lastly a stop at gf house to drop off Christmas gifts. I know that part sounds ridiculous, but we leave Wednesday.
I was able to see her husband for the first time since seeing him intubated in the hospital. He looks good - he’s lost 27 pounds, and has a nicely trimmed beard. He says it’s because the food tasted horrible at both hospitals, and he couldn’t shave while hospitalized. He’s scheduled back to PT for the knee on Monday. He was sipping on a coffee and said it’s his first of the day. He said he’d have had 3 by now but it doesn’t taste the same now. We guessed tastebuds are off from all the medications. What a relief to see him doing well. It was really touch and go.
I really haven’t started packing to leave. But tonight I had a book and thought I should pack a few. A few books ended up 10-12! Then I looked at a pile of shirts and shorts, put them where they need to be to get put in my suitcase. It’s a start! I have a list too, haha, which should/will help.
We had rain just about all day long, and it stayed in the low 50’s. Tomorrow there is a wind advisory all day. I’m hoping it’s not too bad so the kids can get out to trick or treat.
It’s after midnight so I can say Happy Halloween! 🎃Lastly- GO JAYS!
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Yes. I have already had several sessions of OT. I have some exercises for my left hand. Will see an OT in the city to have the custom splint made. Then OT at the local hospital 1 1/2 mile away. A nice bike-ride away.
Cindy, glad your friend made it through this medical crisis so well.
Wren, can you bring a heating-pad with you for your next chemo?
Into light, any reasonable measures necessary to maintain life. IV chemo is not being on a ventilator. Live well, and live long.
Betrayal, your pictures are delightful!!
Sandy, I am happy to see your journey away from home is at an end.
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Back in my 20's—a lonnng time ago—I spent several months in St. Thomas and worked at several jobs there. It looked much the same but I'm sure it's not the same. Especially in prices and real estate.
Cindy, I continue to admire how busy you are and how much you accomplish in a day.
It was cold in our bedroom toward morning thanks to an open window. I pulled up a fleece blanket and slept late. DH was up at 6 am and off to play golf not long after I got up. I am skipping golf and going to the senior exercise class at the gym.
This weekend we "fall back" on the clock.
Happy Halloween.
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No lasting side effects from chemo 2. We leave next Tuesday for Bangkok arriving Thursday (plane leaves Wednesday at 12:10 am). Then Friday we fly to Laos. I’m feeling fine. Real worry is luggage weight. My personal item weighs more than my suitcase with my liquids bag and medical supplies. And we’re only allowed 7 kilos or 15 lbs
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Thank you all for tips. I will be going back to NC next week and will talk with neighbors.
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Wren, glad chemo is going easy on you (and remember that if cold you can always add extra layers but if hot there's ony so much you can do). Sending healing thoughts that treatments are effective and easily tolerable.
Betrayal, living vicariously through your photos! Enjoy!
We are fully moved back in! Bob had to handle the Trick or Treaters—despite ICE threats, there were so many that he ran out of candy in only an hour. I stayed behind supervising the cleanout and then collecting everything of ours left behind (so we wouldn't get hit with disposal fees) and cramming it all into my car—where it remains because when I returned home, the heavens had begun to open up and bring Halloween to an early end. Dreading venturing out to the car and not only schlepping the stuff up the deck stairs and inside but trying to find where to put it—my helper took an initial load before knocking off for the weekend and I'm beside myself going through all the boxes (boxes of our own, not the restoration company's, making).
Cats took everything in stride—a neighbor up in Skokie and her grandson were able to get them out of the safe room & into their carriers. (BangBang puked a little bit but it didn't ruin the carrier). We set up a safe room here, where they stayed for 24 hours before figuring out how to pry open a round doorknob (little Roxy is scary-smart) and start exploring the house to reacquaint themselves with all their favorite spots. They've adjusted better than we have: with all the boxes (and a lot of the things I need still packed away) it feels like we're camping out here.
ICE & CBP have invaded the more affluent neighborhoods & near suburbs, terrorizing schools and quiet streets. They tear-gassed a kids' Halloween parade in Old Irving Park on Thursday!
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Sandy - happy to hear you are finally back home. Give yourself some grace - you and Bob have had a roller coaster 18 months. Roxy is scary smart but I’m glad to hear they are adjusting. ICE/CBP are in the far out suburbs as well as in DS’s Chicago neighborhood. It’s truly frightening. That’s all I’ll say for now as I don’t want to cross a line here.
Cindy - safe travels to FL
Chris - good luck with the new orthotics
Wren - enjoy the trip to Laos. It’s wonderful that you are able to go in spite of the chemo. Look forward to hearing all about it.
Intolight - I’m sorry to hear your tumor markers are increasing. Sending you virtual (((hugs))).
Teka - thanks for the laugh.
Betrayal - are you still cruising? Or on the way home?
Tomorrow is DH’s 70th birthday. His only wish is to go to a nearby sports bar to watch the Packers game. Because it is on at the same time as the Bears game we can’t see the Packers game at home.
Wishing all a good Sunday.
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Yup, three custom orthotics, plus the fourth waiting in the wings. I betcha Sandy could make up a song for that.
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Last excursion was glass bottom boat ride on Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. Saw very few fish since it was low tide and the fish escape to the ocean. You'd think theyvwould tell you this. I didvsee some, a conch and lots of coral. It was still pleasant to be on thecwatervsince it was very hot. Had a lobster roll lunch at the Lobster Shack which was quite good.
We fly home from Ft. Lauderdale tomorrow afternoon. Said our goodbyes to favorite cabin stewards, wait staff and vendors on the ship.
Overall it has been a great cruise and we are sorry to see it end. Returning home means reconnecting to pets which iscwelcome, but not house routine.
Sandy, glad you are finally home.
Chris., glad to hear about orthotics.
Tea, loved the cartoon.
harley07, hope your DS remains safe. Scary times indeed.
Waving "hi" to everyone.
Last photos:
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Chris, "Waiting in the Wing-Tips?" "You're My Sole and My Instep-ration?"
Well, when it rais, it pours. Bob went to work today (covering for his colleague who with 6 kids is always on vacation to Disney World). He came home, I was tired from sorting through stuff and cat care. I fell asleep in front of the TV about 6pm; he awakened me at 6:45 from the little brewpub/bakery next to Walgreen's up the street—he asked me what I wanted him to bring home and I told him.
Not half an hour later the phone rang—his name on the caller ID. But it wasn't him—it was a neighbor in front of whose house he'd fallen. He was bleeding pretty badly. so I ran out (in my PJs & a hoodie) and the neighbors were walking him toward me.. I called 911. He'd been pulling his house keys out of his pocket but the car key fob fell out. When he bent down to pick it up, his legs got weak and he face-planted. He insisted he was okay (he is stubbornly stoic), but his nose was streaming blood, he had abrasions all over his cheekbone and a growing "goose egg" on his upper forehead. The paramedics & I convinced him to go to the ER to rule out fractures, a concussion or a brain bleed. I followed about 10 minutes behind (had to make sure the cats hadn't escaped. When I got to the hospital. they were backed up outrageously—even though I arrived after they did, they still hadn't assigned him a room. It looked a lot worse than it was: nose laceration didn't need suturing, abrasions & contusions weren't bleeding, and imaging was normal. He was cleared to drive to work tomorrow (covering for that colleague) and panicked at the suggestion that if he didn't have a colleague to cover him, had he taken tomorrow off he would (at 76) be forced into retirement. And with all the non-covered fire-aftermath expenses and having to help Gordy through the split, cashflow would be threatened. Besides, he loves his job.
Speaking of Gordy, we co-signed his lease on a below-market rate 1 BR in a midrise luxury remtal apt. in a new building that ocupies what had been the parking lot of a moribund hospital. Unassisted, he could afford only a studio—and a 41-rear old with a dog and a large collection of music & books would look in a studio like Andre the Giant in a Smart Car.
No fractures or sutures necessary. X-ray Negative for everything but cervical spine OA (he knew that). And CT scan negative for concussion. I will stop tempting God by saying "well, it could be worse…"
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Sandy, yikes on Bob's fall but good news that he's basically ok. I admire his work ethic.
Betrayal, glad you enjoyed the cruise. You're a good traveler.
Wren, I look forward to a report on your trip. Maybe some photos.
A nice fall day here. This weather we're having now is some of our best.
Happy Sunday to all.
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At the airport and arrived early for our 3 pm flight. Just learned flight is now delayed until 4:30. DD and DSIL were to pick us up. Called them to let them know of delay. Been up since 6 am so a long day and now even longer.
Sandy, so sorry to read about DH's fall. Glad he is okay except for face plant scrapes. Hope his recovery is speedy. Time for some arnica for any bruising. Glad you were able to help DS find suitable housing. That's a load off your mind. How long does Bob intend to practice?
My DSIL is going to Disney World with her DD and DGD.. The latter cried when she found out she was going. They fly tomorrow morning.
DH had a burger earlier and while I was to get meal on plane, it's been a long time since breakfast and I can't wait until after 4:30.
Hope everyone has a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.
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Sandy, what would cause his legs to become weak when he bent over? Sounds like a balance issue.
Yestermorning, I discovered that my gabapentin was missing, and panicked. Tried to make a request on the pharmacy's computer, but there was a problem. What? I distinctly remember picking up a prescription early last week. There were a lot of possibilities, since I am lax about such things. Called the police. He visited with papers, His eyes opened wide when I told him how much I take. We discussed my laxity. I had just taken a look at med safes at Amazon. And the emergency key i leave with a neighbor who I don't completely trust.
Called the pharmacy, and there was something wrong with the computer. Went over, picked up the prescription, and realized that what I got early last week was my three-month refill of others.
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We are experiencing difficulty in getting out of Fl. Our flight has been rescheduled 4 times. We were to leave at 3 and the latest posted time is 6:08pm. I do understand it is because of flight controller issues, but we have been up since 6 am and are tired. I do not mean to insult any FL residents, but I have no desire to remain here. I don't even want to visit it anymore.
Now we will not get home until after 8 and that's if we have a flight. I would rather rent a car and drive home than spend one night here.
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I’ve enjoyed catching up ( again) on all the posts. Betrayal I hope you are home soon safely. Ugh. Petite you’ve sparked my desire to find a home away from home so my last time has been googling places here on the island. Hahahahah. I need to win the lottery for some. They are fabulous. I’m fighting off a dang cold bug but my coughing is subsiding now that I’m on anastrozole and off Letrozole so one win for sure. Nov 26 I go to the OR for a D&C to get that endometrial biopsy done.
sad Blue Jays lost but it was an excellent World Series by both teams. Hope everyone had a spooky Halloween.
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Teka - good cartoon.
Sandy - you guys just can't catch a break. Living in a senior community, I can tell you that a lot of parents help out adult kids. But then our parents did too. Ken's mom and my folks paid for our post graduate degrees. We were eligible for subsidized housing at the time. You might actually recognize that high-rise just west of Pres/St. Lukes.
The ICE raids are really scary. I keep wondering when they will hit our neighborhood. Lots of non-English speaking folks working for seniors here. Just in the last year we've had Spanish speaking painters, housekeepers, and landscapers. They work hard. I've never seem one looking for a handout. I hope your son stays safe, Harley.
Betrayal - what an awful way to end a lovely vacation. Hope you did get home. I suspect you are itching to get back into your garden.
Wren44- sound like a wonderful trip. Hope you continue to feel well.
Cindy - I think you're the last to head south. Travel safely.
Life in the desert continues to be uneventful. The Niners had a wonderful Halloween party and I'm back to golf. New appliances were delivered last week and we are trying to figure out how to use them. No instruction book. I'm supposed to go on line but when I did they wanted to charge me to talk to a technician. One would think that anyone working there in customer service could tell us how to set the timer!
I'm really having fun with my "write a book" gift. Each week I get a question about our lives. I can also choose from a variety of other questions if the one asked doesn't appeal. So far I've written about our fathers, our mothers, and special trips. In the end, they will somehow weave them together and we'll get a book.
Holding all of you close who have procedures this week.
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Forgot to say - we both got Covid and flu at the same time both this year and last with no problems except a slightly sore arm. Ken's was worse since he had both in the same arm and I split them.
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Taco, you must mean the vaccines, not the diseases (the latter would have been brutal)! Our parents didn't have to pay for our educations: we went to CUNY which was tuition-free (we got NYS Regents scholarships of $450 to pay for books) and commuted from home; Bob's grad school paid HIM a teaching/research stipend and he borrowed only a token amount for med school; for the first two years of law school I took out modest student loans and used a small inheritance to pay for the third year. His folks did help us out when his salary as a 1st yr resident (and mine as a rookie IL Asst AG) wasn't enough to meet our rent & expenses—which in the late '70s in Chicago were 3x what they were in Seattle; the situation is now reversed, which is why I'm glad we weren't tempted to move back to Seattle after Chicago's Blizzard of '79.
Speaking of Rush/Pres/St. Luke's (now just "Rush," where the exteriors of "Chicago Med" are shot—as well as the first year of "ER"), that high rise was one of the places we considered renting when we moved here to start Bob's residency at UIC a short walk just down the street. (We ended up on the far N.Side because that's where we stayed in a cheap motel when we first landed, and our breakfast waitress pulled out a copy of The Reader and circled listings she thought we'd like and could afford; though since Bob didn't drive, either I drove him or he took a bus to the CTA "L" train). And Gordy was born at Rush. We've come full circle: Bob's current workplace, Union Health, is a block either way from UIC and Rush's Orthopedic clinic.
Bob's glasses were damaged (frames lost a screw, one lens badly scratched); but he discovered he reads and drives fine without them! My guess is that it's because the prescription dates back to 2022. We both have appointments at Warby Parler tomorrow; but since it takes 12-14 days for glasses to come in, I'm taking his tomorrow to a little optical shop in West Ridge, which can fix the frame and grind a new blank in 1-2 days (perhaps even the same day) to tide him over. I lent him my old pair of lighted drugstore readers in the meantime.
Still have mountains of stuff to retrieve from boxes and find where to put them. Might donate duplicates and offer some to Gordy for his new place. He suspects that his wife is pessimistic about his earning potential (as a teacher she makes half again what he does as an online fraud mitigator and unemployed actor) and thinks it's unfair for him to be eligible to inherit part of her dad's estate. Little does she know he stands to inherit 5x that much from us (Bob's dad, quite thrifty to put it mildly—half Swiss & half Scots—left us quite a bit, we have large retirement accounts and Bob's a savvy investor). And she has to share her inheritance with two sisters…whereas Gordy's an only child (of an only child of an only child). Her loss (though she'll probably never know).
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Betrayal, hope you made it home safe & sound and got some time to decompress before unpacking. But for the weather hiccups necessitating detours and your homeward-bound flight delay, sounds (and looks!) like it was a great vacation.
Found an old pair of Bob's glasses (aviators). Maybe they can tide him over. Those lighted drugstore readers (+2.50) are for reading menus in dimly lit restaurants.
My helper came over early this morning (he has a key) and did a marvelous job tidying up!
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We finally arrived in Philadelphia from Ft. Lauderdale at 10:30 pm. So much for the 3:02 flight which had been already pushed back once prior to our cruise. The 3:02 flight was rescheduled 8 times while we were waiting to depart. We finally left around 8 pm. AA did not offer any excuse or explanation for the delay. Felt bad for those who missed connecting flights. We do realize the difficulty the air controllers are experiencing and we're not sure if this was part of the issue. We got our luggage and arrived home around 11:30. Regan was happy to see us, Leo spent the entire night giving me his cat butterfly kisses on any skin surface he could find and Misty has not let me out of her sight today. Bumblebee was singing up a storm and the 3 parakeets also chimed in. Need to check their seed levels.
I did some wash and decided to iron items washed before the trip and today's wash. I am done now and quite tired.
I got to bed around 1:30 last night and woke at 7:30 this morning. I lost 5 lbs. on the cruise. All that walking helped. DH goes overboard on the cruise especially with the "Have it All"package, so he gained more than I lost. I usually just stick to wine, but I was gifted a bottle of champagne which we drank with dinner in the Pinnacle Grill. I like Cosmos as well and had a few of those,too. All in all the cruise was lovely.
I do wonder what became of the passenger who suffered a medical event which resulted in his removal to a Panamanian ambulance at the first lock in the Panama Canal. It did not look good from what we observed. I felt for his wife having to deal with it alone. Though being in Panama was for the best. I do hope he recovered .
Did some light housekeeping though not much was needed. DSIL loves to clean so house was in great shape thanks to him.
Sandy, hope the glasses will work as a temporary solution for Bob.
I have hearing test and appointmentvwith ENT after tomorrow. Derm skin exam on Thursday and plastic surgeon who is going to repair my torn pierced earlobes rescheduled my appointment for 2 weeks from now.
Was craving a good Italian hoagie from our local specialty deli, so DH hot one for dinner.
Hope everyone had a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.
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I’m so far behind it isn’t funny.
Sandy, great you’re home. Horrible that Bob fell, fortunately no breaks. Glad Gordy is situated in a 1 bedroom apartment.Betrayal, welcome back. I too loved the pictures.
Chris, I’m glad you received the orthotics, and your meds weren’t stolen.
I’ll summarize quickly (HAHA!) because I want to go to bed. Saturday I had done minimal packing, because I was stuck in computer hell trying to put Norton Deluxe on my laptop. It was taking hours and not happening.
Then I received a call, my niece & daughter were out to dinner - niece was having chest pains, ended up calling 911. I made it to the restaurant; EMS said they’re taking her to the hospital; me & grandniece beat her to the hospital; multiple tests, not a cardiac event.Then we were able to see her bloodwork in the patient portal - multiple abnormal readings. PA came back and said it could be her pancreas. A CT with contrast was done, it came back normal. She was discharged.
Mind you it was before 7pm when I got her call; it was “fall back” a hour with the time change; I think I went to sleep 5am… but maybe it was 4am. Sunday was a blur - more computer calls with Norton support; grandniece came down here, I cooked dinner for us all.
Today I got more packing done. Niece went to “walk in” cardiologist for follow-up as directed by ER, now called ED. She’s getting some further testing based on family history. I picked up grandniece from school. I had to go to Macy’s to pick up a gift for my niece that I forgot all about - they text & emailed. I made a French toast Soufflé last night for tonight; and whipped up a chocolate mousse I had brought back from World Market. (used up a dozen eggs, all old bread products, and lots of milk HA!).
Today (Monday) I sent all my nieces info to my stepson, gastroenterologist in NC. Always says as he hasn’t examined her…short story he thinks pancreatitis. She called her gastro; can’t get in until February; see a PA; nurse asked why she wants to see him - told her blood results; she’ll speak with the dr and call her back. We’re hoping he’ll see her sooner than later.SO just booked hotels for the trip down to FL, finished up at 1:30AM. We were unsure if we’d need to postpone the trip. I did tell my gn that if something needs to be done, I’d fly back up.
Norton is on my computer. Windows 11 is downloading … should have done it awhile back when I think Carole mentioned it.
Tomorrow more packing. Voting! And I have an eye dr appointment to get new contacts at 3:15. I’ll fill up my gas tank too. CALGON take me away!
Apologies to all I didn’t mention, I took no notes and I wrote WAY too much, I couldn’t page back to look.
Remember VOTE VOTE VOTE - let our voices be heard.1 -
Cindy, WOW on the happenings in your world. Hope your niece gets properly diagnosed and everything else works out. Your family and friends are fortunate to have you on their team.
Betrayal, glad you finally made it home and are getting back to normal life.
I hope to get in a walk this am, get my Covid shot afterwards, and attend chair yoga this afternoon.
My annual appointment with my kidney specialist went well yesterday. My blood work was good for my age. The only downside was learning that she plans to discontinue her practice in our area, which requires some travel. I like seeing her every year but will have to decide whether to see her replacement or drive an hour plus.
Our wonderful weather continues. It was cold enough this morning that dh turned on the furnace for the first time this season.
Happy Tuesday.
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Yup. Got the cast cut off yesterday. Then went down to the OT department and had a lightweight splint made. Had a late lunch, then showed up for podiatry early, but they called me in early. I have to wait a week for new orthotics. In the meantime she put some padding down by the tarsal metatarsal joint of the little toe. I looked that up. Parallel to a certain thumb joint.
Went home, A friend and I thought there was a meeting at church but not. My Visible told me to take it easy today. Doh!! I got through it without getting super tired. Still doing space bar with forefinger.
This is my last week with bike. Won't be getting it out unless in an emergency after this week, temps below freezing every night. 😪 Doctor and I discussed left thumb. Still don't know for sure. Wearing a splint on that hand all the time, too.
Glad for the negotiations on SNAP, but I could have squeaked by on Advantage Plan groceries and pantry.
Busy writing again, massive Bible study project. So glad for the cross-referencing and footnotes of Catholic Bible. We don't use a Concordance.
Meds safe expected today. I won't be keeping it in such an obvious place. So dumb!!
Cindy, will be adding your niece to my list of prayers, as well as wren and intolight.
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