Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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It seems we will be living in the land of ice and snow for the next 10 days and with a threat of a new snowstorm predicted for Sunday. None of what we currently have is expected to melt with temps not going out of the 20's most days. The wind chill is pushing us down to subzero temps as well. Not sure when we will get out of the house again. The driveway was not cleared yet and with the ice crust on the top, it will be a challenge to remove.
DH is under the weather with a cold. I have to tell you when he was working, with a cold like this he would have still gone to work and then collapsed on the couch when he came home. Now when he gets a cold, it becomes a major event. Yes, I do feel for him because I have walked in his shoes, the difference being, I stayed home when I was ill. The only time he missed work was when he had poison ivy on his face so badly his eyes looked like slits and he insisted he was driving to work! I told him if he did, I would call the police and report him and I meant it. He would have been a hazard driving since he had no peripheral nor really direct vision with all that swelling. He did stay home that once. When the children were ill, if I could not take off from work, then he would drag them to work with him. He could shorten his day, whereas I did not have that luxury. This is day 4 so he should start to feel better soon and perhaps the fresh air will do him some good. He's not sneezing, just congested.
I finished the drawers and found some items that need to be stored in the attic, and some that need to be rehomed elsewhere or donated. I did find some items I had forgotten about such as several sets of new sheets for DD's room. I don't need them right now, but the next time I change the beds (she has a trundle bed), I will put the one set on. So the upstairs is done for the moment and I forgot I have 2 rooms of doom: her room and the living room since they are temporary repositories of contents from other rooms.
My DB said he would not come until the great thaw and that is looking more like February if I am lucky. Given our current weather and the forecast, it won't be in the next 10 days.
I also had to postpone the visit with my 95 year old ex-boss and both of us were looking forward to reconnecting. He's lead such an interesting life and while I know some parts of it, I'd like to hear about what happened after the hospital where we both work was closed. It was a large municipal hospital that served the cities poor and uninsured. Funny how while doing family research, I have found that several distant relatives died there. It was well-known for the services it could provide for communicable diseases, physical rehab, psychiatric care. and TB wards. It had 2,000 beds, large out-patient service departments, and was serviced by 5 medical schools. I know he stayed on as a city employee while I moved to a community hospital in the suburbs. Now the site is occupied by CHOP and various Penn buildings.
It is now 25 degrees, sunny and throngs of birds have been at the feeder including the cardinals and blue jays today. The woodpecker was there yesterday. DH will have to fill it again today. The deer have meandered through munching on the rhododendron and the evergreen. I need to fence in the poor rhododendron this summer.
I have a huge pile of magazines I have stockpiled and need to leaf through them. I have reduced the number of subscriptions I had, but they still seem to get ahead of me. However, on days like today, these are magazine browsing days because I'm choosing to be indoors to escape the cold.
cindyny, good on for finishing your garage seal project and fixing the shower head.
taco, enjoy your weather. I hope your DD remains warm and safe.
Chris, Tippy continues to impress me with his communication skills. He is so clever and knows what disturbs his environment. I do like how he relies on you to "fix things".
I hope everyone has a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.
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I need to start using the word "flush" and give him a button. I guess I don't live alone, after all. And my housemate has a very sensitive nose. And I won't need to brush the toilet bowl as often, either.
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Chris, I found this on Dr. Google about dog's and their olfactory abilities. They make us look like rank amateurs when it comes to odors.
A dog's sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than a human's, driven by up to 300 million olfactory receptors compared to our 6 million. Dogs possess a dedicated scent-processing region in their brain 40 times larger than humans and a specializedvomeronasal organto detect chemicals. They can detect, identify, and track scents at concentrations as low as parts per trillion.Key Differences in Odor SenseSensitivity & Brain Power:Dogs possess roughly 300 million scent receptors compared to 5–6 million in humans. Their olfactory bulb is significantly larger relative to the rest of the brain, allowing for complex interpretation of scents.Anatomical Advantages:When dogs sniff, air is separated into breathing and smelling pathways. They can pick up scents while exhaling, and Jacobsen's organ (vomeronasal organ) allows them to detect odors, such as pheromones, that are completely odorless to humans.Smell-scape Complexity:While humans might smell a stew, a dog can break down the ingredients (meat, water, carrots, spices) individually.Disease Detection:Dogs can identify diseases in humans(e.g., cancer, low blood sugar) by detecting metabolic changes in breath or bodily fluids, a feat impossible for human smell.
So Tippy is a smart fellow.
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Temperature is dropping fast, tonight. It will be in the 20's in the morning. I had to go out and cover things. I am in Florida. My little cabin in North Carolina will be 10 degrees in the morning. I am glad to be here. I got the results of my mamo and there are 2 spots that look benign. They will probably want to do an ultrasound. I have a doctor appointment at 1:00.
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One of the secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing is what we do for others.
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Petite, hoping for benign on those two spots. Good to get an appointment so quickly.
My laptop says it's 26 degrees but the sun is shining. It should warm up into the 40's. DH went to the gym. I hope he doesn't exacerbate the sciatica. Once he begins PT, he should learn what to do and what not to do.
I have cabin fever from staying home. I plan to go to the gym a little closer to midday. I need exercise. I may stop at a supermarket, too, if we need something. Without doubt, the weather could be worse. It could be gloomy and raining. It's rare that a cold spell lasts as long as this one, which continues through the weekend. Fingers crossed that the furnace keeps working and keeping the house warm.
Hope the day goes well for all of us.
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Hi everyone,
I’m 68, on my 3rd diagnosis in 23 years. 2003, 2018 & 2025. All 3 HR+ HER2- IDC. Slightly different pathology, so primary cancers. Recent cancer in my reconstructed breast and spread to my muscle. Just diagnosed with the PIK3CA mutation. I’m not sure what’s next for me but I foresee a lot of tests.
Wishing the best for everyone,Theresa
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f__kcancer: Welcome to this forum and hope that the tests will determine your treatment plan. Please feel free to reach out to us and to vent here as needed. ((HUGS))
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f__kcancer - a warm welcome although we are sorry you are once again having to get on the hamster wheel known as breast cancer. Feel free to lean on us for support.
Justforher - how are you feeling after the port installation?
Betrayal - yuck! Your weather sounds safe awful. Do you still have power? I heard a bomb cyclone is headed your way this weekend. Stay safe.
petite - fingers crossed the 2 spots on the mammo are benign. Glad you are in Florida but temps in the 20s can certainly cause problems for you. Any issues with frozen pipes?
Carole - holy cow - you are still so cold. Stay safe.
Cindy - perhaps you could send some of the 86 temps to the rest of us?
Had my last visit with the MO yesterday. My WBC is still low and actually dipped a bit but all other bloodwork including neutrophils are (barely) within normal limits. In the absence of any other signs or symptoms she is comfortable discharging me with the caveat that if anything changes significantly with future bloodwork ordered by my PCP I should reach out to the her. The MO is not concerned with my ongoing fatigue as long as I can do all necessary daily living activities. I’ll continue to see the GYN oncologist for the foreseeable future however, he only orders the CA-125 blood test.
DH has an appointment with a nephrologist in two weeks as recent bloodwork at his PCP indicates possible kidney disease. We’ll see.
I’m working on puzzles and a photo book of my trip to Spain to keep busy during the bitter cold. I’m still getting to the gym at least 2x week but I’m also making use of the exercise bike in my basement. The MO told me a small amount of outdoor exercise daily might help my WBC but did acknowledge that current weather conditions of sub-zero temps and ice are less than ideal. Given that in good weather I’m outside most days walking, hiking and biking, I’m a bit skeptical that her advice will make much difference.
I’m also working on which activities and day tours we want to do on our upcoming trip to Vietnam. We are not on an organized tour as our preference is to arrange things on our own to provide maximum flexibility. Most of the time this works well for us.
Waving ‘hi’ to everyone.
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f__cancer, sorry you’re here but we’ve got you. ((HUGS))
Petite, hoping for 2 benign results. Stay warm.
Temps here have dropped, no 86, high today was 63. We took a walk at 2:30 and it was only 57. Normally walking that late in the afternoon is a no no. When I sat in the sun reading a book I felt toasty, just stay out of the shade. Overnight tonight a low of 36.
Carole, I’ve got my fingers crossed too - for the furnace in NY! Nite time temps there are all negative numbers, adding to fear of pipes freezing. I’ve turned the heat up.
Betrayal, a second storm is heading to NY too. The weatherman said there are 3 possibilities: direct hit, glancing blow, or no snow. You can guess which one we’re hoping for! Hope you fare well.
Harley, that’s good news to hear from your MO. Hoping your DH doesn’t have kidney disease. Planning your upcoming excursions while in Vietnam will be enjoyable.I go to the oral surgeon for the implant tomorrow at 1. It’s about an hour away, so I’ll take the Xanax as we leave the house.
I just saw the forecast for the upcoming weekend here in SWFL. Cold rain on Saturday high of 63; Sunday a high of 53. It might break records for the low, projected 29-30, for the past 16 years! I’ll be putting heat on here, ugh, below freezing.
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Cindy - good luck with the implant tomorrow! I had hoped the warmer weather would come our way but instead it appears you are getting some of our cold weather in FL. Fingers crossed for you that the heat stays on in NY and there are no burst pipes. Stay warm.
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Good morning. Spots are benign. Yay. It is cold. It stayed in the 20's all night. My bird of paradise probably won't survive. I know I say that every year, but this year is colder and more prolonged. My NC cabin is also in the 20's. This morning there was only a few degrees different.
f__cancer, welcome. Cyber (((hugs))) to you.
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We turned the heat on about 1AM last night/morning. The house is full of tile and it holds the cold. I think it’s the third time in 10 years that we’ve put heat on. It’s usually because guests are cold, first time for us.
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We had frost on the lawn this morning when I got up about 7 am. It was 29 degrees. The sun is shining and it will warm up but get cold again tonight. I plan to go to the Wednesday senior exercise class at 11:30. It was actually quite pleasant to be outside yesterday during the midday.
Theresa, welcome to our forum. You have had rotten luck. I hope you can beat this most recent bout of bc. We support you.
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I meant to mention that those of Irish descent may wish to read a great book about the US response to the Irish Famine. It is titled: Voyage of Mercy by Stephen Puleo. I purchased it on the clearance table at Penn's book store and it was an interesting read. The US was the only country to respond to the need of the starving Irish starting during the famine (in 1847) and this was a tradition that initiated humanitarian efforts by other countries in later years. This government lead humanitarian effort unfortunately died, after 178 years, in 2025 with a political change. If interested, I would check Thrift Books before purchasing it elsewhere.
I decide to treat myself to some used CD's of musicals I love ad most of the original cast ones are not available new. I bought CATS (saw multiple times at the Forest), South Pacific, Les Miserables (saw in Philadelphia and in London multiple times), The Lion King (saw at the Academy of Music), Man of La Mancha (which I saw live when LaSalle University in Philadelphia still had a summer theater season), Evita (saw her grave and the balcony she spoke from when in Argentina; saw this live at the Forest theater) and Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat ( heard Any Dream will Do on my honeymoon at Durty Nelly's pub sung by a local tenor). I saw Andy Gibb perform in this at the Forest theater in Philly shortly before his death and met him in Doc Watson's Pub after the show. The waitress said he was approachable, so I stopped him and he not only agreed to sign my play book, but he pulled up a chair and talked to us for about 10 minutes. I usually embarrass DH when I do this, but I have to say I have yet to be rebuffed when I do this and have met many actors and performers over the years. He'll have to get over it.
I did purchase Les Miserable the book and plan on reading it. It is quite hefty so I am trying to decide if I should save it for a trip and only have to take one book to last for a few weeks or read it now while I am snowed in?
Today is a hazy day with the sun struggling to shine through gray clouds. It is only 22 degrees with a chill factor in the single digits so I am staying indoors except to act as door man for Regan when she needs to go out. Unlike the 2 Dalmatians that preceded her, she is not a snow dog and hates getting her feet cold. She strays about 2 feet from the back step and doesn't linger.
I seem to be coming down with whatever ailed DH in spite of my being diligent. I plan on taking it easy and doing tasks that don't require much effort since I have no get-up and go.
harley07, we use Viatour for local explorations when we are on vacation and have never been disappointed with the caliber of the guides. Many are history teachers and invested in providing a thorough tour. Several times, because we were interested, the guides extended the tour time to provide a more in depth exploration and dialogue. Not sure if it is available in Vietnam and they are not inexpensive, but we enjoyed them and continue to use them when we are on our own.
cindyny, I have upper molar dental implants and love them. Due to major damage done by a dentist, I had to use a dental bridge which I absolutely hated, and it further damaged the teeth it was attached to, so I would never have another. I do use a night guard, to protect them, because I do grind my teeth. Expensive to have done, but well worth it in the long run. I hope yours goes well.
petite1, great news on the results.
As far as the snow cyclone they are predicting for this area for this weekend, we have had them before. In 1993, we got 39 inches of snow (not drifts) from that storm and lost power for 5 days. Food doesn't go bad because we were never able to get the wood burning fireplace in the family room to produce more than 55 degrees of heat in just that room. We had to replenish the wood like every 2-3 hours, had the tropical fish that survived over night swimming in Tupperware containers on the hearth, and we were huddled in the family room under blankets. We did cook in the fireplace and were also able to use the burners on the stove since it is propane fed. We dug a path for the puppy to use. We lived on our layered clothes until the power was restored by kind power guys from the south. Those in this area were overwhelmed and the guy who lives next to us worked for PECO and was gone for days. Ice pulled lines and trees down so it was a nightmare when you looked outdoors. I am hoping we do not get a repeat of this. We have a generator, but it can't last for more than a few days, if we are careful.
Hoping everyone has a great day, is warm and safe, as well. Waving "hi" to everyone.
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Welcome to our newcomers who would rather not be here. We will be with you, in our thoughts and words and prayers throughout.
I think Tippy is beginning to realize our relationship is based on reciprocity, rather than power. He does have a "flush" button now. We have also been struggling with kibble. He has been refusing a different brand. He finally gave up and ate some last night and more this morning. Complained about a need to go potty, which I ignored. He upchucked, then asked for medicine. I gave him some wet food. I am expecting a bag of another brand tomorrow. Hopefully that will be acceptable.
My knitting project is coming along. I made too many mistakes on the first one (I hadn't knit much at all for twenty years, mostly because of the arthritis), and tore it out. I got a counter chain and markers,
Really nice! I think I might have enough left over to make a muff for my left hand when it is in a cast.
Sorry about the pee story if anyone was offended. My life is terribly boring right now. I guess I ought to be grateful for boring, given what is happening the next state over.
I was lector Sunday at Mass ( I Cor. 1:10-13, 17). I had fun giving it meaning. Our bishop was here, and he is definitely concerned about the abuses of immigrants.
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Welcome Newcomers - I echo Chris that we'll be here for you. Hang tight. It is a little easier after you get a treatment plan.
Great news, Petite and Harley.
Update on the wedding guests. As of Monday, Charlotte guests were home but flights were delayed several hours. Bride and Groom went to Key West so didn't have to worry about getting back to Boston but several of her MIT friends were delayed. The Syracuse folks had driven to Newark and were still stuck in Miami when I talked to my sister on Monday. Given the weather in Syracuse, I don't think they were really unhappy.
Saw my PC today and he says I'm healthy. He's changed practices so the paperwork was a hassle. Now that he's seen me once, he can request my records but he couldn't take them with him. I've followed him from several office locations. Hope this is his last move. This office is significantly closer though.
Stay safe everyone. Weather sounds absolutely awful.
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Implant surgery was faster than I anticipated. It took longer to put in numbing gel and Novocain than the actual drilling & screw. I did take a Xanax before leaving the house, I get so nervous visiting a dentist or surgeon for anything other than a cleaning. Once home I slept for over 2 hours. So far so good.
I hope the snow cyclone dies out before dumping anything anywhere. Our heat is still on, it was 43 when I got up this morning. I’m not used to bundling up but I will be!
Carole, I haven’t seen frost, thankfully. But our banana trees, 2 trees with banana bunches, I’m unsure what this weather will do to them. We’ve already gotten all the avocados out of that tree. I hope the bananas survive.
Teka, I hope your breakfast was perfect! I could go for some French toast, anytime of day.
Betrayal, years ago after seeing plays I purchased some of the sound tracks. Hearing them takes me right back to the play. I’d blast them while cleaning the house (NY). I was younger and more enthused about cleaning. Ha! But so true.
Chris, Tippy was on the mark saying potty. He knew he had to go out, but for another reason. He’s one smart dog.
Taco, it’s on the chilly side in Key West too. But absolutely Miami is better than Syracuse weather. We always say the chill is all relative, depending on where you’re coming from.
I’ve got to pick up a script at Walmart. It was another cluster here with getting meds after the implant. After that I could get in a walk, and/or sit in the sun reading a book.I hope we all have a good day.
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Hello, all. It was 26 degrees this morning. Not much warmer than my NC cabin. Heading to yoga this afternoon. I am leading it today. It has been a while. I am bringing a cheat sheet. LOL
Cindy, I sure hope we don't have snow over the weekend. The cold is bad enough.
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We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.
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DS called this morning to report that his gamer account had been hacked and he lost 8 years of games, money on the account, and future access being now locked out. He thinks either DGS or DGD clicked on something they should not have. I don't now why they had access to begin with, but what do I know? The company is literally telling him "tough luck, nothing we can do," but I do think they have a responsibility to query when an account name and PW has suddenly been changed. He's pushing back, but is very upset. I'm hoping the company can do something to reclaim his account.
I talked to my BFF to see how she is faring in this weather and she admits she has become a hermit after all the shoveling she had to do. I get annoyed that her live-in son does nothing and she makes no demands on him to assist. I don't say anything, but he is much younger, lives there for free and WFH, so he is available.
I have to call the drapery cleaners to confirm that they cannot return the drapes because DB has not yet made it here to paint the dining room. They wanted to impose a storage charge according to what they told DH. I called and the woman and she disputed this given the weather we have had. I told her I would call her ASAP after DB paints the room since I want it done as well. However, if he can't make it up the driveway, nothing much can be done. So I have bought a temporary reprieve and hope we do not get this storm they are predicting for Sunday. We have had little, if any, melt from the last storm and our yard looks like an ice kingdom. Fingers crossed this storm goes out to sea and we get nothing so I can get DB here.
This cold has wiped me out and I have no energy at all, so I am leafing through the pile of magazines I haven't looked at for months, soaking in the tub to ease joint pain and listening to the new (used) CD's I purchased. I finished Les Miserables today and actually started the book which is about 1,100 pages long and that doesn't include the introduction, a brief note by the author and several pages of historical facts to put the life of Victor Hugo and his writings into perspective. It should keep me busy since I have been blowing through my novel pile quickly.
I have been struggling with the Bipap machine, have called trying to reach NP to discuss issues I am having, and am in despair that she doesn't get back, but her MA calls with incomplete solutions. I have read the manual, have issues with the water reservoir going dry halfway through the night, pressures that are so high they break the mask seal blowing it off my face (at 4 Am that does wake you), and other issues. I called again and MA called back to say NP had lowered upper pressure range by 1 notch, big deal. I will see her on 2/17 and will tell her that I am clearly disappointed with the lack of support from this office and her specifically. She offered an earlier appointment but due to cold and unknown snow issues, I did not want to commit.
VVA is supposed to pickup on 2/3 but I will have to cancel because front walkway is a solid sheet of ice and thereby, impassable. I don't want to leave them by garage doors because there is no protection from the weather and they have to be out by 8 AM. I have quite a bit to donate so it will be a large pile. Plus, can't ensure state of the driveway.
It is sunny, temp is 17, but chill factors are still in single digits. We have plenty of food, so other than a run today for cough drops for my sore throat, DH is staying home.
Hope everyone has a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.
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I bought $81.50 worth of groceries yesterday. I made ham and vegetable impossible pies and stewed vegetables today. I have salmon loaf, sauerkraut and pork ribs, beef stroganoff, cheese and veg bake, Spanish rice (with hamburger), rice stir fry with eggs, and spaghetti on the planning board. Will put vegetarian (Catholic style) on one side of the freezer, and regular on the other side. Getting my stock of meals ready for when cooking without my left hand seems impossible. My electric kettle arrives today, and I have everything ready for it. The kitchen looks positively roomy!
No knitting so far today, just cooking. Did too much yesterday, and it is too repetitive to be really good hand exercise. Looking so forward to new teeth. What I have now is so ageing. Cindy I am not looking forward to the implant procedure. Scary.
Hugs to your gamer son, betrayal. I know if that happened to my son, it would be absolutely devastating. But remember the guy who had a million dollars' worth of bitcoin, and he lost the password to his account? No, generally employees of a company do not have access to passwords, because of liability issues.
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A new breed of Republicans has taken over the GOP. It is a new breed which is seeking to sell to Americans a doctrine which is as old as mankind - the doctrine of racial division, the doctrine of racial prejudice, the doctrine of white supremacy.
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I am not a member of the Republican party, but I respect some true conservatives like David Brooks and Max Boots, both opinion writers for major newspapers. They now find themselves without a party. I read David Brooks's farewell column yesterday in the NYT. He's moving on to some other pursuit he didn't reveal.
DH and I drove to the Mississippi Gulf Coast yesterday to the Beau Rivage Casino, just for something different to do. We played video poker for an hour, had lunch in the pleasant cafe, played another hour and then drove home. I broke even and dh lost $16. We're not gamblers. I'm always amused by people who sit down next to me and play the machine like they're running a race, punching buttons with a vengeance. I can't play that fast because my brain just doesn't operate quickly to identify the cards to keep and the cards to discard. There was a time when I would play slot machines, but I hate the new ones. They're a bewildering jungle of flashing lights and jangling noise. The opinion of an older person. LOL.
Today we're not supposed to get higher than the 30's and it's very windy. I have a short grocery list, but I it may have to wait. I'm glad we aren't having to deal with ice and snow. So far.
Spring is on the way.
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Chris, the implant isn’t as scary as my mind made it out to be. Granted I took a Xanax prior to going, I get ridiculously nervous prior to any major dental work. But by Friday I was past feeling uncomfortable from it. I’m taking the antibiotic, rinsing with the prescription mouth wash before bed, and not needing any pain meds. I’ve been chewing food on the other side for so long now, eating hasn’t been a problem. I go back 2/11 for follow-up, and 4/28 for the abutment placement. Then back in NY I’ll see my regular dentist on 5/18 to start whatever process is next for a crown. The whole thing is pretty drawn out over time.
We’re chilly today from rain. I think the house is about 70-71 without the heat being on. Later today winds are supposed to kick up, and temperatures plunge.
Yesterday before the sun set we wrapped the bananas on the tree in clear plastic. Zip tied to the “bunch” and open on the bottom. Today I had to go back out and fix the wrap. First I put on duct tape, but then used a regular desk stapler to staple spots closed. Will they survive? Anyone’s guess.
I steamed all the tile floor yesterday. They needed it. I had been spot cleaning with a wet Swiffer, which really doesn’t get it all. Visually I’m not sure anyone can tell, but I’m glad I did it.
Betrayal, your DS account getting hacked is scary. I hope he gets sone assistance to making it right.
Carole , we’re not gamblers either. I’ll bring what I’m willing to lose for the entertainment. It sounds like you & dh did just fine.
The giant snow storm appears it will miss my area of NY. Severe cold (-21 w windchill) without snow. I recall sometimes it would warm up as it snowed, or before snow, so that’s not happening.
But Petite - they’re talking flurries along the coast of FL! Oh me, oh my, not exactly where I am but not too far north of us. I hope no snow on you
Sandy, not sure of your opinion on the Chicago mayor, but a recent Q&A with him - someone questioned why he’d walk with protestors… his response was phenomenal. Very well spoken. Mind you I only saw a clip on threads, but he was impressive.
Laundry going - Oxy clean trying to whiten the new white washcloths that look yellow already. Not sure if it’s our crappy water here or what. Dishwasher is going too - it wasn’t full but a lot of silverware and small plates.That’s it. I reread and apologize it’s so long. Stay warm & enjoy the day. It’s good reading weather.
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Teka - betrayal has continued Jackie’s tradition of posting a daily quote. Today’s quote was from Jackie Robinson as noted. We are a diverse group of women on this thread so some quotes will resonate and others won’t.
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Teka - today is Jackie Robinson’s birthday which may or may not have been why this particular quote was posted. Since Mr. Robinson died in 1972, his comments were not directed at today’s political climate.
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