Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life.
“The message of Passover remains as powerful as ever. Freedom is won not on the battlefield but in the classroom and the home. Teach your children the history of freedom if you want them never to lose it.” — Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
Happy Easter and Chag Pesach Sameach to all who celebrate.
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To all who celebrate:
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Lovely daffodil bloom!
I like the orange tulip bloom bottom right.
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Harley- thanks for the tip on how to save my comments. Until recently, I rarely posted so am still figuring it out. And while I envy you your trip to the far east, I do NOT envy your trip home. Airports and airplanes have become one of my least favorite places on earth.
Betrayal - as for pennies, I don’t understand why “they” don’t just get rid of them. Given all the executive orders coming out of D.C. these days, how about one that says all prices of all goods must end in a “0” or a “5”. So no more $10.99 - it’s either $10.95 or $11.00. I realize Walmart will have to change almost every price sticker in their stores, but still. Considering how many places are going cashless these days, the whole problem may solve itself in the not too distant future. I was at a volleyball tournamnet in Spokane this weekend and the entire venue was cashless. And, as it turns out, apparently every 12 and 13 year old girl in the arena had an iPhone and AppleCash.
Cindy - it sounds like you have your work cut out for you when you get back to NY. We also have a second home but the older I get, the more I am starting to wonder about how much longer we can keep them both up. It’s not just the money, tho the expenses just keep getting worse, but just the hassle of running back and forth every week is becoming exhausting.
And my sympathies to Taco’s DD. Despite being married to one, I HATE going to the dentist. I had to have gum surgery several years ago, and when I saw the dentist for a check-up, i told him that he didn’t need to bother to reccommend it again because i would rather let all my teeth fall out than repeat that procedure. I mean, I’m pretty sure I could live for several years on milkshakes and soup.
I hope everyonne has a great week. We are suppose to have nice spring like weather this week, tho i know better than to really count on it. Last Thursday we left Seattle where it was 60 and partly sunny and an hour later were in a blinding snowstorm at the top of Snoqualmie Pass. And there were people skiing. I am not a skier, but I do not get the attraction of careening down frozen water with snow blowing in my face. Give me a beach (preferably on Maui) or a pool (also Maui) anyday!
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Imagine what a harmonious world it could be if every single person, both young and old shared a little of what he is good at doing.
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janiehs, getting rid of pennies still doesn't answer what happens when you add state taxes on purchases, especially when there are such wide disparities in the state taxes across the US. In PA we do not pay taxes on clothing, but in our travels we were charged unbelievable rates of taxes on clothing in other states, as well as any purchase in that state. We also don't pay taxes on necessities in the grocery store, but again that rule is not universal. So in the fall we get lots of shoppers from NY shopping for school clothing.
We can agree to disagree on Maui as well, since I found Maui to be too and humid to be enjoyable. I preferred the other islands. I used to teach my nursing students guided imagery and my "go to" place was Sorrento, Italy, where I could feel the warm, gentle breezes off the bay of Naples, smell the salt air or ripening lemons, see beautiful water and scenery, hear lovely music and enjoy a Campari and orange.
Yesterday was very enjoyable. My DD and DSIL joined us for dinner which was a ham decorated with pineapple slices and maraschino cherries, scalloped potatoes, pineapple casserole and roasted asparagus. It was delicious and of course, we all ate too much. DD had brought a fruit tray and a vegetable tray with dips for us to munch on before dinner. She also brought a chocolate cake shaped like half of a decorated Easter egg that had a peanut butter butter cream icing. It was so good. They gifted me a black calla lily and a box of chocolates for us to share.
It wasn't the nicest of days since it rained early in the morning complete with very dark skies, but as the day progressed it became sunnier, but remained cold. We are going to drop back down into freezing again this week which will damage some of the plants that have started to push up like my hostas and the ferns.
Today is sunny, but still chilly. I am taking the day off after a very busy weekend.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter, has a wonderful day today and waving "hi" to everyone.
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Cindy - what a mess with your pool in NY. At least you have family that can check on it but it’s another thing to add to the ‘to do’ list. I may have previously mentioned that we owned a second home in Wisconsin for about five years in the early 2000’s. It seemed that something was always broken at one house or the other. As our son moved into the early teen years he was reluctant to spend weekends in Wisconsin rather than at home with his friends. So we sold the cabin in the woods. I regret the purchase but not the sale of the cabin. Live and learn, I guess.
Our Easter was very quiet and relaxing - just the two of us. The sun was out for most of the afternoon which was a welcome change so we went out for a walk. Going for a haircut this morning and then planning on the gym this afternoon. My motivation for exercise is severely lacking so I need to work on that.
Wishing everyone a good day!
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A lot has happened. I discovered that Tippy has been peeing on the bedroom carpet. It was really bad, and I called in my cleaning lady. She is coming back today to put an old shower curtain on the floor under the bed.
Tippy and I are having a contest. I bought an inexpensive mesh dog-gate. Every morning I wake up to the gate partially detached. When AC time comes around, I will need to have this resolved. Also need to have the door open during the day to dissipate odors.
With this post impairment stuff, I need to change my eating habits, so I don't gain weight in response to lower activity levels. I need to lose 15 to 20 pounds to get out of the overweight range. Nearly everyone in my family ends up dying from cardiovascular problems. A low-carb diet is beneficial for people with arthritis pain. Saturday, I talked with my sister who is on a no-carb diet. Yesterday, I had a salmon steak with mushrooms and Brussels sprouts for dinner. So I need to get to the library and get the Atkins diet book; expected peak temp for today is 42deg. I downloaded a Kindle book with adaptations of the Atkins diet for seniors.
Eggs and cheese for breakfast.
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I enjoyed visiting Maui quite a few years ago. Our trip package included condo rentals and car rental. It snowed up on the mountain while we were there. We drove up the mountain and enjoyed the sight of the Hawaiians playing in the snow while far down below people were on the beach. Such a contrast in weather conditions. The white snow on the black hardened lava was a dramatic sight. On our way down we stopped at a little restaurant and were served a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I forgot to mention that we were there at Thanksgiving. I remember the farmers' fields being dotted with rocks.
From Maui we went to Kauai. One favorite memory was a plane ride to see rain forests. Kauai was actually our favorite of the two islands we visited. This was before a hurricane did substantial damage to Kauai.
One observation that pleased us was how much the Hawaiians enjoyed their islands. Families would gather on the beach and do cookouts.
Thanks for prodding my memory, Janie.
Our Thanksgiving day was a good day, though not enjoyable in a usual way. We went to my younger sister's home, taking a baked ham and a bowl of potato salad. The other guests were my sister's son and his wife and their two autistic children, aged 7 and 3 or 4. Not sure about the little girl. She talks, loudly, while her brother doesn't speak. They were constantly in motion, probably over stimulated by the circumstances. My sister tried to give them a "normal" children's Easter experience, an Easter egg hunt. She put plastic eggs outside in the grass and gave each child a plastic basket. They each had to be held by the hand, especially Jackson, because they have no concept of danger and will run off. We all went outside to participate.
It's a sad situation, especially because the parents aren't "normal" either. The mother has an incurable stomach illness and is just a step away from needing a feeding tube to survive. She isn't able to digest food. My nephew has always had acute anxiety. Strange as it may seem, I was glad to spend an hour or so with the parents and the children. They are part of the family. I help out by buying a supply of diapers every month. My sister does a lot to help out. She is able to handle Jackson and picks him up from a special school that he recently began to attend. At this school, the autistic children have individual attendants. I'm surprised that one is available in Louisiana, which is generally backward in almost all social services, thanks to right wing politics.
Not a lot of food was eaten. I shared the ham leftovers with my sister and brought home most of the potato salad, which I made mostly for dh and myself. Today is Monday senior exercise. I plan to go. A front came through this weekend and we have a week of nice weather ahead, not hot or humid.
Apologies if I have shared too much realism.
Happy Monday to all. The NYT crossword puzzle is workable on Mondays!
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I love that you ladies share real living. It is comforting to read how you handle life's challenges and frustrations, and makes me feel I am not so alone.
Our Easter was quiet with just the four of us. I finally felt well enough to cook a meal rather than just random food so I made a ham, potatoes and green beans. Simple, but it is all the energy I had as my DH aand DD don't cook much. My DD is a night nurse so we eat early enough so she can have a good meal before she leaves. On her off nights she takes care of her own food. She and my DGD live downstairs. My DH and I are then here for my DGD and my DH gets her up for school and takes her to the bus stop in the morning before my DD gets home as mornings are rough for me. Tomorrow is chemo day so I hope I feel well enough to catch up on some chores today. It is our cycle.
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Intolight - thinking of you tomorrow at chemo. Since yesterday was a busy day with cooking hopefully you can rest up today. (Hugs)
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We had a turkey for Easter. A neighbor gave it to us around Christmas and it’s been in the freezer. I knew I had to cook it before we leave. Grandniece loves turkey so that was that.
We had turkey, dressing, gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, broccoli, mashed potatoes, and Kings Hawaiian rolls. Dessert was a chocolate mousse I made from a box - World Market from Canada and delicious. SO did clean up so it was a good day.
This morning I was up at 6 AM to take guests to the Key West Express for their trip to the keys.
They’re loving it.
We’re expecting rain pretty much all day tomorrow. Which we need.
Hoping you all have a great day!2 -
Life is divided into three terms - that which was, which is, and which will be. Let us learn from the past to profit by the present, and from the present, to live better in the future.
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Cindy, you'll have to go home to NY home to rest from hosting all the guests! LOL. During the summer in MN, neighbor Mary cooks Thanksgiving dinner at least once, maybe twice. She uses the boxed stuffing/dressing but enhances it with extra onion and celery. It's very good. One summer I bought the turkey and got sticker shock paying for it. Turkeys aren't on sale during the summer. The stuffing is my favorite part of a Thanksgiving meal.
The front that came through over the weekend brought us some cool/cold air. It's in the 40's this morning. Dh went off to play golf, all bundled up. It's sunny outside and will gradually warm up to about 70 degrees. DH turned on the heat when he got up.
I did some reading about the diabetes meds that are being taken for weight loss. I'm not obese but am overweight and also borderline diabetic, if there is such a category as borderline. Some doctors say you're either diabetic or not diabetic. I take metformin morning and night. So, I thought, "Hmm. Maybe…" But I definitely don't like the side effects described. I will continue to struggle with weight loss and curbing weight gain on my own. I welcome any comments.
No appointments today. My day is unplanned. Some regular chores. Probably a walk. Answering the daily question, "What's for Dinner?"
Happy Tuesday to everyone.
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We had to drop off the hall runner for appraisal today and it is near a favorite eating place we love. A Taste of Britain, is just as described in the name. It focuses on British food and high teas. DH had the sausage rolls and a salad while I had the high tea. I brought half the tea sandwiches (4) and two of the petit fours home, but ate the scone with clotted cream and strawberry preserves while the scone was warm. DH had the Scottish Highland tea while I opted for PG Tips. We got some scones and clotted cream to bring home and some Flake chocolate bars for DS and his family. DD and DSIL get a gift certificate they can use while they house sit for us.
It was really a nice lunch and we will get the rug appraisal sometime tomorrow. Their was a mix-up in the message when they took them for cleaning, they were to appraise 6, but only did 5. Now I have appraisals for all the rugs for insurance purposes.
After we went to TJMAXX where I have not been for several months. Dh found 2 golf shirts to take on our cruise and I found a skirt that on a tall person would probably be calf length, but since I am sure, it is ankle length and ideal to take on the cruise. I also found 2 tops and a nice pair of dress slacks that I can also take. My long black skirt is now too large so I needed a replacement. I'll try the pants on because they will need to be hemmed, but I can do that on this fabric.
Picked up some other items for the house including reed scent diffusers I like to use in the bedrooms and bathrooms. They always have a variety of scents and are reasonably priced. I had used up my stash, so now it is replenished for a few months.
Still no CT scan results and this is ridiculous considering tomorrow would be 2 weeks since I had it done. I'm thinking of calling to see when to expect the report.
It is sunny and now 50 degrees, but with winds up to 30 mph, it doesn't feel that warm. I'll still take the sun though.
carole, if you are taking Metformin twice a day, this would place you in the "pre-diabetic" or dosage used for the type 2 category, since this is the dosage they prescribe to those being treated for type 2 diabetes. With pre-diabetics, they can be on Metformin once a day, also. It depends on what your blood glucose levels are when fasting as well as the A1C, if it is above 5 or more, as to what they prescribe for Metformin. Do you carb count? You should be having a protein source with every meal and I think you had said you only eat 1 slice of toast for breakfast? Add some yogurt, an egg or string cheese. You exercise so that is a real plus.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day. Waving "hi" to everyone.
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I slept 8.5 hours last night! My normal is 6 hours. Getting up to take them to the boat, and staying up for brunch - which I ate every bite of (brioche French toast and 1 egg over easy), wore me out.
Today we ran some errands after the rain storm had passed. I hung out reading a bit. Easy dinner of leftovers.
My alarm is set for 4:15 AM to take gf and family to the airport. Knock on wood I’ll be back in bed by 5:15 AM.
On the bright side - multiple gf’s sent me videos of snow flurries back in NY. I’ll take the rain here any day over snow!
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When you pick up a novel from the bed side table, you put down your own life at the same time and you become another person for the duration.
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Betrayal, my slice of whole grain toast is spread with peanut butter, which is topped by banana slices or a drizzle of honey or a small amount of jam. My morning beverage is half a carton of chocolate Premium Protein drink. So plenty of protein at breakfast. I started out with 1 metformin for a few years. Upped to 2 metformin. My A1c ranges from 6.2 to 6.4. It has never been recommended that I test my sugar level but I started doing it on my own. I cannot go without eating something every 3 or 4 hours. I carry glucose tablets. One or two will carry me through an empty, weak condition until I can eat something. Thanks for the suggestions. I appreciate your nurse's knowledge.
I think losing 10 to 20 lbs would improve my health but it's not easy to lose weight as one gets older and less active. I seldom eat desserts and am conscious of portion control. I have always had an interest in cooking and food and am informed on a healthy diet. For me, there has to be balance between restraint and enjoyment.
I'll have to exercise some restraint today and tomorrow as I have lunch dates back to back. Today with my exercise friends and tomorrow with long-time golf friends, one of whom lost her husband last year and is struggling to go on with her life. I hope that she can manage her grief as well as Petite has done.
DH is off to golf again today. He is managing to continue playing in spite of his sciatica. Every day that he doesn't play golf or go to the gym, he does a series of exercises that he learned from PT.
Taco, is it possible that your daughter's tooth infection was the problem and she won't need surgery? Wouldn't that be a wonderful turn of events? I looked up Bell's Palsy since I didn't know what it was.
Wishing everyone a good day. We're having a week of perfect weather.
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carole, I was not trying to imply your diet was unhealthy at all. I applaud you for trying to lose weight and I can personally identify with how difficult it is. Your A1C is in the pre-diabetic range (reflects an average daily blood glucose of 131; fasting norm is between 70-90) since the norm is considered less than 5.7. You have always said that you avoid desserts which is applaudable. Using a protein drink is good, too.
The issue with diabetes is carbs. Carbs are regarded as part of a healthy diet, except for those with insulin regulation issues. So bread, honey, jam, salads and their dressings, some vegetables, etc are sources of hidden carbs. Alcohol is an "empty" carb meaning it has low density nutrients, so it has to be taken into consideration when trying to lose weight. Counting carbs is one way of realizing how many you actually consume in a day and where they are found. Eating too few is as troublesome as eating too many.
Today is another sunny day, but the temps have tanked and it was below freezing this morning. Laundry, straightening up, and some ironing is on the agenda for chores. I bought some items at TMAXX that need to be put way upstairs, too. I was tired when I went to bed and as soon as I got in it, I was wide awake. So I read until 3 AM when I finally was able to doze off. I am sure I will run out of steam by this afternoon.
cindyny, glad you were able to catch up on lost sleep. You have so many visitors and that alone would wear me out, especially those early morning treks to the airport. You should win the hostess of the year award.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day and waving "hi" to everyone.
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Just a quick chime-in….you can be diabetic and on metformin. A1c, fasting glucose and a random blood level can all point to the dx. Depending on those numbers, they will "call it" pre or actual diabetes.
Alcohol lowers blood sugar even though "they" count it as a carb, so be careful.
It sounds like you have reactive hypoglycemia, which I also have. My blood sugar will spike but when it returns, rather than slow and steady, it plummets. Makes me get all the low-blood-sugar responses. I also carry food with me. My fasting and A1c are still in pre-diabetes territory, so just life-style stuff for now. I know the older i get, the sooner I'll be on something.
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Hello, everyone. I am feeling much better. I went to the grief group last week, which was my first outing. Easter was hosted by my niece. I had a great time and didn't cough much. I have been eating leftovers ever since. Tuesday, I participated in a card ministry group at church. We send out sympathy cards, get well cards, and praying for you cards. It was nice to be back. I haven't gone to chair yoga or intense yoga. Maybe chair yoga next week. We had a nice rainy day, yesterday and more rain expected today.
Betrayal - the Daffodils are beautiful
Chris - thank you for the potato soup recipe
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I am not a nurse nor do I have diabetes; however, I get diabetes when on steroids. I was very sick with pneumonitis four years ago and was put on steroids and had to monitor my sugar levels. I was given insulin the five days I was in the hospital but was able to manage my levels with diet once I got home. Now that I am on Taxol with steroid pre-meds my sugar levels and weight are rising. I am trying to manage with diet but it is hard since I don't feel well and feel like I need to eat what I can. My doctors have not recommended metformin yet since I am managing. They don't even bring it up. Just curious.
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I’m discombobulated once again, from weird sleep. I was up at 4 AM (after 1.5 hrs of sleep) to pick up neighbors and take them to the airport. I was back home by 5:30 but couldn’t fall asleep. My Fitbit shows I fell asleep again at 6:10. Whole day will be off.
Gf I dropped off at the airport, the flights were overbooked, they’re now flying out at 12:40. We could have slept normal! Ugh.
Another gf, her sister was arriving today. Turns out she missed the flight and is now flying into Miami. I’m getting her ticket to the Santana concert tonight. She won’t be back from getting her sister in time, or just too close to it. My SO reminded me if I’m tired from my morning foray, I can take a nap. Concert here I come!
Our weather has been ok. Next week looks like we could hit 90, way too hot for me. Wishing you all have decent weather and a good day!
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intolight, steroids do raise blood sugar levels and while you are hospitalized they will opt to use insulin to control it. Metformin is usually contraindicated in case they need to do any study requiring a contrast. It is a temporary state while you are on the steroids and should gradually resolve once they are stopped. I don't know enough about Taxol to comment on its impact on weight or blood sugars.
If you are less active, this can contribute to weight gain as well as your dietary choices when you feel "unwell and eat what you can". I can understand picking what appeals to us first as far as food choices, too. See if you can balance proteins with carbs in those choices. Have you tried any of the Premier Protein drinks? Over ice, they can taste like a milkshake, especially the chocolate and strawberry cream which I used when recovering from my hernia surgery and complications. I had no appetite then, but had to eat. Premier has lots of flavors available, but I am partial to those 2, and is cheapest I have found when Sam's Club has it on sale. DSIL orders it for me as needed.
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cindyny, when we first moved to the beach in San Diego we got lots of responses from family and friends about wanting to come visit us. Our DD was still living with us at the time but we only bought a 2-bedroom condo one block from the beach—quite expensive but well worth it. Well, our DD had a baby and never moved out and not surprisingly the friendly visit notes stopped. By then I was dxd with Stage IV cancer and was thankful I did not do a lot of entertaining. Needless to say my entertaining days have stopped although we now own a six-bedroom house in Colorado. We still get a few visits, but those are family and know they need to help in the kitchen. We do offer them a car when they get here as we don't drive much other than to the doctor. Life has a way of dictating out actions.
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betrayal, I believe it is the steroids they give me with my pre-meds that cause the rise in blood sugar, not the Taxol. I do try to eat healthy most of the time and watch my carbs. I have also cut out most of my sugar. My weakness is exercise but I am trying.
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Mama squirrel is on my Japanese Maple eating the seed pods that come out as the leaves unfurl. I can fully see her abdomen so I can gender her as well as see her enlarged nipples meaning she has babies called "kit" or kittens. Her spouse shows up to raid the suet cake daily and also to snack on the seed pods. Fun to watch so close.
intolight, I did a quick search on Taxol since Oncology was not an area I worked in. It raises blood glucose as well. Your doctor will monitor these levels and determine when intervention is needed. AI's also can cause elevated blood sugars, too.
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Cindy - I’m exhausted reading your schedule of visitors and taxi service to and from the airport. I could do that maybe once over a winter but would have a hard time with a steady stream of visitors. As someone else mentioned, you are a wonderful hostess. Enjoy the concert.
Petite - glad to hear you feeling better and able to get out and about.
Betrayal - sorry to hear you lost one of your birds. Do you still have 1 or 2?
I’m dragging a bit this week as I seemed to have either picked up a cold or it’s spring allergies. Either way I’m not sleeping great.
I’m not diabetic but did have my A1C rise from my normal of 5.2 to 5.7 while I was undergoing chemo (Taxol + Carboplatin) two years ago. The MO was monitoring my blood glucose levels, however, my PCP noticed the increase in A1C during my annual visit and bloodwork. The PCP said it was likely due to the steroids I was given as pre-meds prior to Taxol and she wasn’t concerned at that time. Sure enough last years bloodwork indicated my A1C dropped to 5.2 and blood glucose was in the 80’s. Unfortunately, my PCP was on maternity leave last year and the NP covering for her noticed the 5.7 A1C reading from the prior year and diagnosed me with pre-diabetes. 🤷♀️
Waving hi to all.
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Update, gf never got on a flight. I had to go back to the airport and pick them up. Something to do with the dog not being able to go on the flight. Her husband said the size under the middle seat, which is where standby free passengers go, wouldn’t fit the dog. She thinks it’s something of a designation of the plane. Either way, all are back home here. Their one checked luggage is in Chicago. Supposed to be sent back here and they’ll need to pick it up.
I just dug out of my stash of stuff “caffeine” gum. I’ve had it for years now, but it’s still the same stuff - not as “fresh.” Chew it as with regular gum and the caffeine will keep me going for at least 4 hours. I purchased it I think during Covid when we were returning to NY and not stopping much. It will save me from my exhaustion so I can enjoy the concert.
Harley, you mentioned dragging. A few days ago I had a bout of sneezing and snotty nose, I think from allergies. I took nasal spray, Flonase but generic and the next day I was fine. Hoping yours is just allergies and not a cold.
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Betrayal - great quote for today.
Someone (sorry I can't find it now) wondered if Debbie's surgery would be cancelled now that the dentist has taken out the infected tooth. Sadly, answer is no. They found her left carodid artery is accluded when they checked her for the Bell's Palsey. I don't know if the infected tooth may have had something to do with the palsy or not (nurses are welcome to chime in here) but the surgery is definitely necessary and her surgeon seems to think that it should be done in a timely manner. Office even called her on Monday to see where she was with the dentist. I think we're now at the 17th at the earliest. New complication is that our planned dog sitter is now not available after May 1st.
This whole thing has been hard for Ken and I worry about him and the trip. He is definitely failing, both physically and mentally.
So far, I haven't liked 2026 very much.
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