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

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.

William Wordsworth

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.

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.

Barbara Kingsolver

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.

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!

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.

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.

1946taco: so sorry you are going through these tough times. I will be praying for your Dabbie and Ken. And for you as you go through it with them.

Don't worry, guys. I just ordered ketone test strips to make sure I don't let that get too high.

I saw this posted today on NextDoor and thought I would share.

I, too, am thinking about you with supportive thoughts, Taco.

Chris, your post was somewhat baffling. I must have missed something.

Sandy, glad you checked in briefly, and everything is ok with you. Looking forward to more communication when you have time.

Cindy, hope the concert lived up to your expectations.

I began to have problems opening my favorite sites yesterday afternoon, including NYT and BC.org. DH had problems with Libby, his source for downloading ebooks and audio books. This morning I manually turned off the wifi at the modem and re-started it, using the phone app. Hallelujah. Everything is working again. It's weird that my apple phone and my laptop showed that the wifi was on and things weren't working. I definitely don't like being "unplugged." LOL. However, I'm not one of those people constantly checking my phone. I make sure I turn off the sound when I go to exercise class.

No lunch date today. Just exercise class and some household chores and figuring out what's for dinner. I'm conscious of needing to empty out the freezer before we depart for MN on May 21.

Happy Friday.

I think Chris's message was in relation to her using the Atkin's diet. It can cause stress or damage to the kidneys leading to development of kidney stones, plus joint pain and gout. Testing for ketones can help identify potential issues. It's a wise move on her part.

Taco, any new news on Debbie? Bell's palsy is usually due to a viral causation. The inflammation associated with this can attack the facial nerve. I'm not aware of any association with a dental issue. I am so glad that her Bell's palsy dx did lead to them identifying her carotid artery issues. It was a lifesaver in disguise, though a painful and somewhat disfiguring one. However, an occluded carotid artery is life threatening, so a good catch by that physician. I am sorry to hear how taxing this trip will be on Ken physically and mentally. I really can't find the words to offer to comfort you, so I'll offer a ((HUG)).

I talked to my BFF since I will miss her significant birthday in May. DD and DSIL will attend her party in my stead and deliver the presents I have for her. She likes bourbon, Jif peanut butter, and as a gag gift I got her a bottle of Sloe gin. Seems PA doesn't stock the latter in our state liquor stores, so I had to special order it. It arrived on Wednesday and I have a 10 pack of small Seagram's ginger ale cans. This was our drink of choice when we were poor students. The party is about a week before we return home.

Then DSIL tells me that my niece's baby shower is the same weekend! So I would have had back to back parties. It's either feast or famine with social events anymore. She is having a boy and loves Toy Story as her favorite movie. I found some Toy Story bedding (quilt, sheet and crib skirt) that I'll purchase and mail to her. She is the youngest daughter of my closest brother and this is her first baby. The baby is due the end of July. They had 3 daughters, already have one granddaughter and one grandson, so he is a bonus.

I'm still plugging away on the one family history. It was complicated by the fact that I was trying to document with more detail the offspring of my ggm's siblings. She was one of 6 children, of which only 3 (including her), made it to adulthood. She lived to be 95, outliving the other 2 by over a decade. Her brother's children were quite prolific and one of his daughter's birthed 13 children. They all lived to adulthood, married and each had at least 2 children. it took 2 days of data collecting to track each of them and I decided not to pursue beyond the second cousin at that point. My ggm had 2 sons, and one remained a bachelor. Her sister's family was also 2 sons. My gf fathered 9 children and my mother was number 8 of 9, so she had nieces and nephews about her age by the time she was born. Having 13 children reach adulthood is a feat in itself, considering they had no vaccines, rampant communicable diseases, and no antibiotics. Interesting history, now I have to determine how to weave it into the family history.

harley07, I am down to 2 parakeets. The daughter and one parent (also 11 years old) and they are quite vocal. I still have my musical canary, Bumblebee, who has been serenading me a lot lately. Thanks for asking.

Sandy, good to hear from you. I can understand how busy you have been.

It is sunny, headed into the 60's with a warmer weekend predicted, like summer, and a mild breeze. I hope everyone has a wonderful day and waving "hi" to everyone.