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

Decided to make a run to IKEA yesterday afternoon to look around and get a Swedish meatball fix. The meatball meal used to be so much better when we first shopped at IKEA, when it was the meatballs, small red potatoes, gravy, lingonberry sauce and a small side salad with gorgonzola salad dressing. After many iterations over the years including a salad or soup bar, it is now meatballs, mashed potatoes, peas, gravy and lingonberry sauce. DH opted for the lemon garlic baked cod, instead of the meatballs, and we had the frozen yogurt cone on our way out.

I was just going to look, but that didn't last long. We walked through the furniture area to see the new stock as well as the artful displays they have now. Our target is usually the marketplace section where they have the kitchen, bedding, lighting, plants and organization stock. I wandered around the kitchen section and found a new cast iron grill pan to replace the one I had tossed. The old one had a nonstick coating and I decided I no longer wanted any nonstick pans, and black plastic kitchen tools given the concerns about their shedding particles. I have many cast iron frying pans from my mother and ones I have bought over the years and prefer them for cooking and baking (yes, I do my pineapple upside down cake in it). I just hadn't seen one that had the grill bumps for meats that was also deep. It is currently in the oven being "seasoned". I also picked up some new cutting boards and tossed my old ones on my return home. They no longer have the colored ones which I preferred, so I used a Sharpie to make them for meats, chicken, and vegetables/etc.

There was a plea on NextDoor from a local charity for pots and pans for those just starting a new life. I found a pot set that has 3 pots and 2 lids for a reasonable price, a mesh strainer, a cutting board, and a 34 piece food storage container set. It has 17 containers with lids and it was on sale. This will be my first charitable contribution for 2026. I can remember what it was like when I got my first apartment and had no money. My roommate and I "borrowed" flatware from the hospital cafeteria to use until we could purchase our own set. We used to laugh about how it was "engraved" with the hospital's initials and make up funny names to explain them. Our decor was all donated and would be what I would describe as early Goodwill or Salvatian Army given they were all things no one else wanted.

I also picked up some storage bags which are just the right size for blankets. A large plastic bin with a lid to replace the hyacinth grass woven basket I used for paper storage in the kitchen area. Misty was using it as a nail sharpener, in spite of the cardboard one right next to it. I need to better organize it since it contains some genealogy research I keep close by, and other resources I like to keep here, instead of in my file cabinet in the basement office. It looks like it will be too large for where I wanted it so I will have to rearrange that shelf on the baker's rack. The smaller one would not hold 8 x 11 papers. I like it has a lid that is wooden and removable. I also found some artificial plants I could use on an old 4 shelf plant stand that was my mother's. The living room doesn't get enough light to keep real ones alive. I bought 2 hanging ones and 2 others. I found what they called metal candle holders on my way to checkout and they just fit the plant pots perfectly, plus the price was right.

I bought a small rug to place at the patio slider opening to catch what's on shoes when people use this access. I need to make it smaller to fit so I have already removed the hems it came with and will reconfigure it, sew it to fit by doubling it to make it a bit thicker. So with nothing on my list when I went there, I did leave with quite a haul.

DS is sending photos of his bathroom replacement on a daily basis. He had to buy the new contents and 2 guys have stripped the old contents. They have already installed the new tub/shower combo, drywalled where needed, and installed the new flooring. They said it would take 7 days to complete. He is pleased with their work and the pace.

Chris, I hope you get some relief for your left hand. Hand pain is so difficult to deal with because of the need to use them for ADL's and creative ventures.

petite1, I hope your new neighbors are pleasant and their houses increase the value of yours. I also hope you can get a solution for your issues at your new cabin. As Gilda Radner, used to say, "It's always something".

Sandy, thanks for sharing your experience with Zepbound. I guess your doctor learned something, too. I hope your show goes well and as they say " break a leg". I admire your singing and musical abilities. I have neither and have always been in envy of those that could.

Taco, enjoy your nice weather. We have had a slew of bad weather with unseasonable temperatures, too much snow this early in the season and too many gray days.

cindyny, you are as busy as ever and seem to be in a real party mode. Lucky you.

Carole, sounds like your weather is improving and loved your feedback on the quote. I find I am using the top one for genealogy and the bottom one for sitting while I do it, so trying to do both, lol.

harley07, I like mystery novels and I think that is one attraction to genealogy, solving of the past. I found that relatives were willing to discuss happy times, but not all of life's challenges and that is all uncovered during my research. Of course, they are no longer here to ask questions of, and even those who are, are reluctant to discuss certain things. It's the mystique.

Waving "hi" to anyone I may have forgotten and hope everyone has a great day. I need to get to laundry, which I skipped yesterday.

Hi, otter here —
I hope y'all don't mind if I sit down here at the end of the table. I promise I won't say much. I've wandered back onto the BCO boards after a long hiatus, trying to get my bearings since an unexpected dx of a new primary last month. It's "just" high-grade DCIS so far, but I've been warned to expect up-staging after surgery.

Anyway, it's nice to see this thread is still here and still active. So much content was lost during the "great migration."

I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.

Abraham Lincoln

We went to the stadium early today and got all our spring training baseball tickets. Prices have gone up, they’re using dynamic pricing so some games cost more than others. We also get the “meal deal” tickets which include a hot dog & a drink; decent savings.

Yesterday I took down all the interior Christmas decorations. The house feels dark now, without the lighted tree in here.

After baseball tickets, we went to World Market. Christmas/Holiday items are 75% off. I grabbed a few Christmas items for next year. SO had a field day with stouts! About 10 bottles of “Lump of Coal” stout, 3 bottles of an ale, and some half priced Biltmore wine.

Sandy, you’ve got another full plate. Enjoy the show! No broken leg wishes from here either.

Chris, biking in 32 degree weather gives me the chills just reading it. Stay warm!

Taco, I too loved the book “My Friends,” laughing and crying too. In fact, I’ve enjoyed every book I’ve read that Bachman has written.

Betrayal, sounds like you had a bigger haul at Ikea than we had at World Market.

Harley, an unplanned purchase of a new washer and dryer right after the holidays is a financial hit. I still wish I kept my first Speed Queen - it had every setting from super low to super high, that I set - no presets. I like the latest Speed Queen but loved the other one. I digress!

Otter, sadly welcome back. Keep us posted on surgery, we’ll be in your pocket.

Carole, I too have an old dryer, maybe 25 years old. But with us being in FL, unused 6 months every year of the past 10 years. May both our dryers continue on! LOL

Total change of subject, our old car since filling it up with gas, periodically smells of gas. It’s a 2009 Chevy Malibu, purchased in 2008, and we’ve just gone over 90k miles. I dread bringing it in for service, seeing dollar signs dancing in my head. I’m calling my cousin, Jack of all trades - currently a contractor, in his youth a mechanic. Fingers crossed!

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

ChiSandy - you’re probably preoccupied with the show… but the Bears won in a very wild game!!

I got a walk in this morning, but I’m still taking shorter ones, working up to my normal. I’m listening to the audiobook “Twice” by Mitch Album, so I’m enjoying that. But as soon as I got home I had to peel my workout clothes off. It was already 79 and humid. We hit 86 today!

After I cooled off it was a day of phone calls. I think I talked with 4 gf’s! I was getting things done while we talked but boy it could take up a chunk of my day. Two of them still work so catching up is on weekends.

I put away our new carryon suitcases; watered some plants in pots; finished up laundry; took down Christmas cards I had taped to a wall - cheap tape left goop on the wall which I still need to address. I dyed my roots tonight, still need a haircut.

I had ordered 2 bunnies with Jelly Belly jelly beans, early Easter gifts, they showed up today and they’re large! I thought they actually had candy, I was worried about a “best used by” date, my bad - no candy.

I put my hand on to show a comparison. LOL The kids will get a kick out of them. Not so sure the parents want another giant stuffy.

That’s about it for me. Tomorrow it should be 82, so I’ll attempt a walk early, once I’m awake and functional. Need to figure out a tape goop removal to clean that wall. It should be a quiet day. Wishing you all a quiet day too!

Petite, I too am sorry for your friends fall. My trainer used to say, as we age most injuries are from falls. Hoping she’s been released to recuperate at home. You’ve had a lot of changes - with the second home, repairs, lots being cleared in FL; all equal stress. Take care of yourself.

Walllycat, I’ve forgotten about your DH getting brain rads. So sorry he & you are going through this. Like Petite, you need to take care of yourself too.

I’d need to look it up but I think vitamin B12 is suggested to be taken to help the body with stress. And getting as much rest or sleep as needed. Easier said than done, I know.

I tried to fix the ice maker today. Thought I figured it out, but no. Tomorrow I’ll turn off the circuit breaker and after removing the bin, take out the actual ice maker. Put the circuit back on, then I’ll let the ice maker sit in the sink to hopefully let anything inside it frozen, melt. I’ll give it a day, or give me a day to ignore it, before putting it back together and hoping for the best.

Weather is turning cooler as the week goes on. We might even get rain on Thursday. We’re in severe drought now so the rain is needed.

Watched football yesterday and today, with plans for tomorrow night too.

Ladies lunch tomorrow for about 8 of us. We used to do it a lot but with the holidays and guests, this is our first gathering. Should be fun.

Busy day so far and it is still early. I made a list of phone calls I needed to make and have been trying to plough through them. I have been trying to schedule an annual appointment with GI since my appointment in May. I have made multiple calls and emails via portal with no luck. Today I get an email from them to call the office to schedule an appointment timed 7:45. At 9:30 I call, get a very helpful rep who has to update my Medigap info, I am on hold multiple times as she has to check things, only to find out at 10 that she has no access to the appointment schedule. I did express my frustration with how this is becoming a game and I don't know the rules. I am concerned about my prescriptions running out and even with their assurances that they will continue to refill them after this time, I am sure I will get a text from CVS telling me otherwise. Although I have only been seeing her for 2 years (after my previous physician retired), I have been with this practice for nearly 30 years and this game playing is stressful. So no appointment and now I am told I will get a call from an administrator about an appointment, meaning I will most likely miss it because I have a life and don't relish being a prisoner to get a return call. Ugh!

Next call was to drapery company to come pickup my drapes, sheers and the valance from the dining room since DB told me he will be here next Monday to paint it. So I will need to box up contents of china closet and move all other room contents to the living room for temporary storage. The table will have to remain because there is no room for it. It will be so nice to once again have organized rooms once he is done painting there and doing the ceiling in the guest room. That will be the final project for the guest room since the closet is now not only organized, but culled.

Once the dining room is done, we can relay the rug there and the living room one, too. While I am unpacking the china closet and its storage base, I will sort through what is stored there and think some of its contents will be donated and others consigned to the attic storage. I have extra china stored in the base as well as displayed in the china closet and the overflow can go to the attic. I have better uses for the space it is currently occupying. So disorder will reign again so order can e restored.

I thought I would get to DD's closet and will still plan on trying to get to it this week. If necessary I will just do one hanging section (3) at a time and the focus on the shelving that separates them. I use this for closet for summer clothes and those that I reserve for travel. So I do switch out summer for winter clothing from my daily closet as the seasons change. It means I will have to try on clothing, so this does slow the process some. I already have one large leaf bag, several boxes and a very large box ready to go to a charity.

petite1, sorry to hear about your friend and wish her a speedy recovery. I hope that whoever moves on either side of you are lovely neighbors. If I lived closer, I would offer to buy you a drink for all you have had to deal with lately. I don't, so I'll just send you a huge (((HUG))).

wallycat, I'd make you the same offer, so will a huge (((HUG))) suffice? I hope things go smoothly for your DH and it takes care of what ails him.

cindyny, your Mr. Handy skills continue to amaze me. I don't like the ice maker on my new refrigerator because it has a tendency to overflow into the back of the drawer where I cannot easily reach them. we don't use much ice this time of year, so I need to dump it more often because the contents resemble an iceberg otherwise.

sandy, hoping the show was a huge hit and your group received a standing ovation. I am sure it was fun and another chance to demonstrate your musical and vocal skills.

After multiple gray, dreary days, we finally got sun and some warming temps for a change. It is supposed to hit the mid 40's today and I hope to get out to the grocery store and to the pharmacy. I need to purchase a beef roast I can cut up to make vegetable soup and pickup a few other items for the pantry. I have a question for the pharmacy regarding a prescription I just finished. When I went to peel the label off the container prior to recycling, I notice it felt quite thick. Lo and behold, there was another label with a persons name and prescription number under mine. What made it distressing was this person lives in the northeast part of Philadelphia, her prescription number is not even close to mine and there was some sort of other label to hide this behind my label. WTH! So I intend to ask why this would happen. It was the correct medication in the container and her prescription was for it as well, so are they recycling meds? Lots of questions with no answers.

I vacuumed primary bedroom this morning and the upstairs hallway. I remembered the bin this morning so I can pack up the fragile Christmas bird ornaments. Called the dentist office to follow-up on bill being submitted to insurance. Added to grocery list so I can make soup, and all before breakfast. Feel like I've already run a marathon and still have more to do.

Hope everyone has a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.

otter - a warm welcome back. When is your surgery date?

Petite - I hope your friend recovers soon. Given all the stress you are under it’s not surprising you aren’t feeling like yourself. Please be good to yourself.

Wally - hugs to you as DH goes through radiation.

Betrayal - wow! You are a busy bee. Think how great it will feel when all the rooms are organized and put back together in their normal order. I can sympathize with your run around with the GI doc. Last month while I was on vacation I had a voice message from my oncologists office that they needed to reschedule my February appointment. I sent a portal message stating it was for the scheduler and gave her my availability. The RN answered and said you are scheduled for the original date. I message again and explain I’m out of the country and their office wants to reschedule. No response. I call when I get home and the call is routed to the general scheduling center for all of Illinois and Wisconsin but they cannot access this doctor’s schedule and I need to call that office directly which is what I was trying to do. Central scheduling sent an urgent message to his office and they called within 20 minutes. This was so inefficient and frustrating. DH said he can no longer call his PCP’s office directly - only portal messages or central scheduling. What are they thinking?

Cindy - I continue to be impressed with your DIY skills. I am a total klutz at fixing anything.

Waving hello to all.

Betrayal, you accomplish as much as two or three women with less drive.

Petite, I hope your friend is recovering from the fall with no permanent injury.

Winter is visiting us again. My laptop says it's 38 degrees outside, and I can see the sun is shining. I decided against playing golf as did the other women in the group. I plan to go to the gym and do grocery shopping afterwards. The Winn Dixie that was our main supermarket for 30 plus years just sold and is being converted into a Rouses Supermarket. Rouses started as a Louisiana supermarket and has expanded into several other southern states. I will miss WD because it was so familiar. I already had the option to shop at two other Rouses with a little extra driving.

Cindy, you could start a Handy Woman business if you were so inclined. DH replaced the icemaker unit in a Kenmore refrigerator about 20 years ago. It was quite a job and involved language, but he succeeded.

It's income tax return time again. For years I went to an accountant but with excellent software, it's easy to do our return myself.

Hi to all.

I got a card yesterday from my cousin. She uses snail-mail and mourns the fact that people don't do this much any longer. A year older than me. Lots of questions. Some she should already know the answers to. Wondering here. So a card is usually begging me to call her. Will do this later today.

Tippy is using his buttons with more purpose now. He asked me what will happen. So I told him I would go to church tonight and maybe take my bike to the store. Nothing tomorrow. He asked me about snow, and I told him the weather prediction. It is warm today, 41, predicted to peak at 46, snow again in a few days. Complains about belly and armpit matts, so I told him that he will be going for haircut in a few days, since he refuses to let me do it.

I have to stock up on pre-prepared meals again. Cooking is good exercise. When I go out walking in the ice and snow, I use my hiking poles. They make things much safer. I'm grateful that the laundry rea in this building is just outside my door, and that wash costs .75 and dry costs 2 X .5.

Petite, I will be praying for your friend and that you might find an answer to your sadness. Otter, prayers also that you get through this re-occurrence without significant problems. Wallycat, prayers also for you and DH.

I just got a book "Waking the Tiger" by P. Levine. Gestalt psychology dealing with trauma. Interesting.

I love our Winn Dixie. Great weekend sales and very good meat too. Rumors abound on if it will stay or go. I’d miss it. None in NY that I know of.

Handy woman - one who is willing to try, with the help of the internet and YouTube. I attempted again today to get the ice maker out, after finding an exact YouTube of my model refrigerator. I need a 1/4 socket wrench - which I have, but it’s in NY. So I need to buy or borrow one. I stuffed the ice bin back in and walked away.

I did put the new hose on, and needed a pair of pliers to tighten it. It’s a cheap hose and it shows. But because I had it on, water running, I washed the car quick.

Carole, the tax reminder is also a reminder my computer was never repaired, just put away as guests arrived. Ugh!

Betrayal, the prescription pill bottle with 2 labels on it had me shaking my head. If they took 2 minutes they could have removed that, and avoided all of this.

Chris, Tippy using his buttons to have full conversations (just about!) makes me smile because it’s so wild. Those buttons were a great investment.

Harley, you were stuck in the loop of medical appointment hell. I received a text from my PCP office this week stating the dr is no longer working on Mondays starting in June, if you have a Monday appointment you need call to reschedule. Why they couldn’t call all those appointments already scheduled… but I digress. When I called, the first thing the recorded AI said was to go to your portal to make or change an appointment. NOT happening, I’m on the phone now.

Otter, re: notes. Dang tooting, if I miss a bunch of posts and don’t take notes, I’m lost on who said what! The Jelly Belly bunnies are very much like Squishmellows; with no real jelly beans. I ordered from “Woot!” and the price was great, so my observation of 16” (x12” or more, BIGGER in person) and having no candy were not observed by me at all. They’re stored on a shelf in the guest bedroom closet. As long as I remember I’ve got them, and get rid of them at Easter, I’m good.

Nice cool day for walking today. I got in about 2.25 miles. Still not as long as my old route but I’ll get there.

Our temps are supposed to be even lower tomorrow. I’ll get another walk in, the book keeps me going, waiting to hear what’s next.

There are some people who have the quality of richness and joy in them and they communicate it to everything they touch. It is first of all a physical quality; then it is a quality of the spirit.

Tom Wolfe

It’s out. There was a big ice blockage where the water comes into the device. No water could get into the hole to make ice, that’s why it was spraying around. I borrowed the 1/4” socket wrench. It’s empty and drying in the sun.

After it’s dry, I’ll reinstall it, and wait at least 24 hours for it to be cold enough to try and make ice. Woo hoo!