thread for middle age to older Christian women.

Thank you!

Dear sisters,

I have been MIA for a little bit. My hip injection did not work because it is not arthritis that was causing my leg pain but an encapsulated nerve in my lower back causing pain trailing down the side of my leg. I have gotten so much worse starting on Friday. I had terrible pain when sitting which I have never had before. I spend quite a bit of time icing which helps. I saw my pcp on Thursday as a follow up to my long illness and three trips to urgent care. Since I totally lost my sense of smell I think he believes it "may" have been Covid. He wanted me to do PT and said I need back stretching exercises. Since I have been down that road before I said I can do that at home. I didn't want to get into all of that before my big vacation which now may be more difficult that I had imagined. I have been so involved doing my neck exercises that my daily routine which included back stretches kind of got lost in the shuffle. The five weeks I spent sick and laying in my recliner I am sure was not helpful either. My stretching has been helpful and I can walk a little better. Now if I can get this pain while sitting to leave I will be very happy. I leave on my trip a month from tomorrow. I had done so much research on Bryce Canyon itself and would quite often look at their weather compared to ours here. They are cooler during the day and cold in early morning and at night. What I hadn't done was compare the weather at Salt Lake City airport and Fillmore UT where I will spend two nights adjusting to the high elevation. Oh my goodness. Salt Lake City had some 100's and Fillmore was right up there too. I am dressing very warmly for the flight. LOL It is going to be quite a rude awakening when I step off the plane.

I know I probably sound like a five year old contemplating what Kindergarten will be like. LOL

Teka, I hope you didn't get all the flooding we got but I know the east coast is getting hammered with rain. Our 4th fireworks were canceled. I live near a river and our "commons" area which is a big empty space looks like a pond as the rive flows in that area. Thankfully not into our homes.

Hershey, I hope your blood work gets back in line where your doctor want it to be. I remember having to repeat some blood work and then one doctor told me to super hydrate and that seemed to fix my kidney readings. I hope yours will be an easy fix like mine was. I pray that Pastor John will do well on his newer chemo and that radiation will go well for him. It is amazing that he is still preaching. Many praying for him I am sure is lifting him up.

Wheatfields, I pray you have a wonderful time with your sister. I imagine your weather may be really hot depending on where you are. I pray she is settling in more to her facility and that you will have a good visit.

Chris, I pray that those wildfires stay far away from you. Just the smoke would be difficult. I am glad your doctor thinks things are going well. I know it has not been easy but here you are all of these years since your diagnosis. Ten years out. That is a miracle. Regarding the 764 that is not the same as the 67. To fully understand if you do a search you will see. This young person I have watched doing normal things and I am so glad to see that. It will be one day at a time for her for a very long time.

Take care everyone.

Love,

Nancy

Chris, praying your chemo goes well. So glad to hear your port worked well this time. Having a hamburger sounds great. Do you know I haven't had a real hamburger in a real bun since 2012 when I found out I was gluten intolerant. I do eat turkey burgers without a bun quite often and I haven't had real hamburger in probably 5 or 6 yrs. It sounds divine to me. Thank you for your prayers. I think my pain is in my low back and the pain travels down the side of my leg clear to my calf. I do think my stretching has made a difference. Thank you for your prayers. You have mine!!!

Love,

Nancy

Hi Cheryl,

I just finished with my zoom Bible Study. Please feel free to call me Nancy. We have another thing in common. I had fusion in my neck in 2001. I was diagnosed with cervical dystonia last Oct. so I really do understand having pain coming back after a surgery that you thought fixed things. I am sorry that your hip is acting up again. I do have arthritis in my hip I just found out not too long ago and had a hip injection just a couple weeks ago and that didn't help. My doctor said it was something I had never heard of….I think he said an encapsulated nerve but not sciatica. Frankly I am quite confused. I will be 75 in August and am going on a solo vacation of a lifetime in a month and I am expecting a miracle to do this photography trip. Most people go to Bryce Canyon National Park for hiking and photography but I will be doing mainly photography. I am a retired band director who got into photography as a silver lining to my breast cancer in 2014. It sounds like we have both had our fair share of surgeries.

I remember feeling like you did when I first joined this thread. We had many Stage 4 people back then and I felt like my journey was probably a piece of cake compared to those but in reality every cancer journey is frightening no matter what stage you are in. There is no shame or judgement in saying your are fearful. I have certainly mentioned many things on this thread that was a big concern and fear. I haven't flown in an airplane for 55 yrs and I am still petrified at the thought of manuevering through O'Hare airport in Chicago. I did swallow my pride and opted for the wheelchair assistance recently. That has given me great peace of mind. People that fly all the time don't realize how intimidating it can be when TSA wasn't even a thing when I flew when I was in college. Buffalo Grove is a norther suburb and Naperville is considered a far western suburb. Actually Buffalo Grove is about a 50 min drive.

I have an Android phone and you can change the settings so that it is not predictive text or whatever they call it. I am on our HOA board and we share our business email as a board and our email used to have predictive text and it used to drive me crazy. Now it just has AI suggestions which I actually like much better.

That must have been really hard to lose your Mom at 12 yrs old. I can't even imagine that. You are a survivor from everything you have told us already so I have no doubt that you will get through radiation and look back and wonder why you were so fearful. It is NORMAL to have these fears with our treatments. So you were a chemist. I have met many women on BCO but I have never met a chemist. That is very interesting. I was sick for almost five weeks with possible Covid recently and at one point when one of the antibiotics was not effective they put me on a steroid pack. I could sure use one of those now!!!! I don't tolerate anti-inflammatory meds so that makes things difficult.

I do a lot of sitting on ice packs!!

Will you start radiation on Monday. Have you had a mapping session yet where they mark on your body where they will position the radiation machine? Just let us know exactly when you start and we will be praying for you.

Have a good night.

Love,

Nancy

Teka, glad your DH and friend were safely rescued.

Today I am on dog duty. My DD and DGD decided to go to the water park and Princess has her mobile groomer appointment which makes her nervous. When she hears the truck pull up so goes and hides so I have her sitting next to me with a leash on. She is confused. My DGD has her annual horse camp next week and school for her starts August 1 (they are on a modified school schedule) so this is her last day to go that is not on a weekend as DD works most of the other days. At least this gives me a purpose! I am feeling okay chemo side effect wise today and should tomorrow too. I am having lunch with my PhD friend tomorrow which is always good. She and I are on opposite sides of the political spectrum so we avoid those conversations, but are great friends. I helped her get through statistics and she helped me with the practical side of things as she was a school superintendant at the time. Funny thing she never finished her dissertation, but we are still great friends.

Cherly I pray things will go smoothly today and that God will send you peace when you need it most.

Blessings, Chris

I have a hard time getting a picture of Princess after a groom. She is too stressed. Here is the best so far.

Hi Nancy,

You are SO brave taking a solo trip! I, for one, don’t like to fly. I get motion sickness and take off and landing are the worst. I’m not too bad when the plane levels out, but I still don’t like it. We went to Hawaii the spring before 911. I think we had a lay over in St Louis. The flight over wasn’t too bad because it was a large plane-the type with 3 rows. Coming back was awful because it was a smaller plane.: I have a tendency to get claustrophobic and I was ready to scream by the time we got home. Just didn’t want to be cooped up any longer. Our whole family including my daughter’s in laws flew to CA 2 years ago. My son sat beside me and helped keep me calm. He has a such a great sense of humor and teases me something terrible. I call him a turd. That’s my term of endearment for him. 😁 Eva at 5 did a lot better than I did. I hope you feel a lot better by the time for your trip and have a wonderful tone. I’ve l never heard of an encapsulated nerve either, but it sounds painful. Instead of sitting on ice packs I live on my heating pad. Good for you for opting for the wheelchair assistance. We weren’t sure my husband would, but he did for the CA trip and was glad he did. Our daughter went on an Honor Flight with him and he opted for the wheelchair for that flight and even for the times they were off the buses at the monuments. He can occasionally swallow his pride.

My brother and I were both in band in elementary through high school. My daughter took that a step further and was in band at Miami University of Ohio. They got to be in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade which was a huge thrill for them. They actually led Santa, but from what I heard they weren’tshown on tv. My husband and I went to NY to see them. Quite an experience but one I wouldn’t do again. My son in law was a band geek also so their 2 girls are being raised with a love of music.

I graduated college in 1974 and at my first job I was the first woman to work in the lab. I remember the HR person telling me I would have to work twice as hard to prove myself. The guys in the lab were all great, though, and my boss was the one who gave me the nickname little c. I worked there for 7.5 years until we moved out here. When I left there were as many women as men chemists. They didn’t have a women’s bathroom in the lab so I’d have to walk over to the office building for that.

My appointment with the surgeon went well. She said everything has healed great so now I’m just waiting for them to call to schedule the radiation. This was one of my “hit the brick wall days” though so I’m extra worn out. We’re going to need to mow again but I think we’ll wait until Friday so I can just be a slug tomorrow other than laundry day.

I caught Covid from my granddaughter last year. I’d had all the shots, but still felt terrible for about 10 days. If I felt that bad with shots I can’t imagine what it would be like without them. I can’t imagine being as sick as bad and as long as you were either.

Chris,

Princess looks so sweet. Our girls get groomed at Petsmart by a wonderful groomer we’ve had for years. Echo, our Shepherd mix has the most awful cries and I swear you can hear her in the parking lot. Apparently she calms down once Tansi is back there with her. Tansi, our Golden, on the other hand, practically pushes her way back to the groomers.

My daughter was on the Equestrian Team in college and we went to all her shows. Unfortunately she no longer has the time to ride.

I’ll be praying you continue to feel ok. How often is the chemo? Mum only had cobalt treatments with her cancer so I don’t know much about it other than the fact that I didn’t want it.

hersheykiss,

Thank you for the encouragement.

teka,

Thank you, too, for the welcome.

You’re all in my prayers. I’m going to crash now for the rest of the night. 😊🙏

Hi dear sisters,

I am going to have to be brief tonight. If you know anything about basketball there is something called the hard court press. That is what phase I am in regarding my planning for this trip. I swear one would think I was taking a 12 mos tour around the world. I am buying things that I wll probably never use again but who knows.

Hershey, I actually tried that position before you talked about and it was helpful. I have been spending the most time icing so that makes it a bit difficult but I am doing as many back exercises as I have been given in the past. Did you ever have to have back surgery? Having this happen when you were working I am sure was not easy. I have the luxury of being retired but the unfortunate situation of needing to be much better by Aug. 8 when I fly. I don't tolerate anti-inflammory meds but I do tolerate Tumeric in small doses so I think that is helping a bit plus Tylenol.

Chris, Princess is such a cutie. She reminds me of the dog that lives next door. She loves me even being a cat person and I love her. I hope you are feeling well as I know the next few days may not be the case.

Cheryl, I will have to respond to your details at another time. I did see your post today and we will be praying for your start of radiation on Tuesday. Get your rest and hopefully you will feel much better tomorrow.

Wheatfields, I am not sure which part of AZ you are in but I bet it is HOT!!! I hope you are finding your sister perhaps a bit more mellow that your previous visits. I pray you have a wonderful visit with her and your BIL.

Take care everyone. Keep cool. This weather just keeps going on from one hot spell to another.

Love,

Nancy

Cheryl, thanks for the update on your radiation date. I will make a special note for prayer for you.

This morning I passed out on my way back from the bathroom, hit my head, and thought I sprained my ankle. Turns out I broke my fibula. So I am in a walking cast until I can get an orthopedic doctor appointment. I went to urgent care because I know they can do x-rays there and thought it was just a sprain. It hurts when I move it but otherwise it is tolerable. The problem is moving it! The doctor said to use the walker but it hurts too much right now, so I am using a wheelchair mostly. Hopefully by tomorrow I can start using it more.

Hi Cheryl, thank you so much for your prayers. We will all be praying for you as you begin your radiation.

Get some good rest tonight.

Love,

Nancy

Oh Chris, I'm so sorry to read about your fall and broken bone. I agree with Nancy that using a wheelchair is wise while waiting to see the specialist. I pray an appointment is available for you very soon.

Nancy, I had an MRI but the surgeon did not recommend surgery. Instead I saw a PT for a few months. She taught me several stretches and exercises as well as a pelvis mobilization technique that I still perform.

Cheryl, the 14th is just around the corner. These next few days will fly by, and things settle down once you begin your sessions. You are in my prayers for smooth sailing ahead.

Wheatfields, I hope your trip to Arizona is going well. Temperatures must be sweltering in Phoenix. Praying you are spending plenty of time in air-conditioned comfort.

So glad you were able to get the appt with the orthopedist so soon and that the pain level has improved. Will be praying for that and the PET scan appt. Is there such a thing as a slow anytime? 🙄

I was actually able to mow my half of the back (my husband does the level part with the tractor) and the front. This is only the 2nd time since my surgery that I’ve been able to do both. I also managed a small load of laundry. I figure the exhaustion will hit again tomorrow but helps knowing that big job was done before radiation starts.

Lots of prayers coming for all.

Cheryl, a very warm welcome here and we will be praying for you as you begin radiation. I had radiation while in surgery and so don't have the experience that others do with it spread out. But I do know He will lead you every step of the way with his hand.

Nancy, I'm sorry to hear of the new pain and butterflies about flying. I will be praying for you to find relief and have a peace of heart and mind. I have flown often and probably should be worried because of my hearing loss, I don't hear many of the announcements they make. I would love to be there and guide you through the airport.

Chris, I'm sorry to hear that you fell and broke your fibula. I'll be praying for pain relief and minimal side effects with the infusion.

Hershey I'm glad to hear about Pastor John continuing to do well and still preaching. Continuing to pray for you too.

Teka, such a beautiful picture but thankful your husband and friend were rescued and okay.

I just returned from AZ (Sun City), and yes it is very hot, if I thought it was hot here in the 90's it was between 106 and 114 every day and to me it's amazing how the nights only cool down to the upper 80's. We left this morning for the airport at 4:45 and turned the air on right away. They don't have the humidity that we do which helps, it's more like opening your oven after baking. My sister was doing pretty well physically but has declined further in memory. She is quite confused at times but over all more content there than she used to be. I'm so glad I went but it is heartbreaking to leave, a part of me wants to be there and "fix" every confusing situation for her.

Love and prayer,

Wheatfields

Chris, I am praying for you as you have your ortho apt today. I pray that it will be the easiest solution for you!!!! I know that nothing about this is easy as it has been a constant challenge for you……….one after another………..after another. We'll all be axnious to hear how it went. Hang in there. Lord, give Chris the strength she needs for this challenge. Amen

Wheatfields, I am glad you made it back home safely. I can appreciate your feelings as I imagine they are similar to when I would leave after visiting my Mom. It is a gruelingly slow grieving process. I don't know how else to describe it. I am sorry you have to go through this.

I don't have fear of flying in a plane. It is manuevering O'Hare airport with all my luggage and not knowing where to go. Of course TSA was not a thing back when I flew in the 70's. I was laughing to a friend that I recently got lost in a Kohl's parking lot because my mind was somewhere else. I said can you imagine me driving on unknown roads in Utah without my GPS. LOL I don't if I have mentioned this but I have swallowed my pride and reached out to get the wheelchair assistance with United at the airport. That took so much pressure off. Now trying to pack ALL the clothes and things I bought for this trip. My house looks like an apparel store. With all the new things I am buying for this trip. LOL

Cheryl, praying for you as you begin radiation. I think once you get the first couple of treatments over with you will realize that it is a breeze. It is more towards the end that I remember the fatigue setting in. I have fibromyalgia also which involves a lot of fatigue for me in general. I remember asking my radiation oncologist if I would be able to drive with the fatigue. I was most certainly able to drive. The fear of the unknown is very real. Just keep quoting your favorite Bible verse on fear. " I can do all things through Christ who strenthens me." He is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." etc.

Hershey, I hope your repeat bloodwork will come back to normal. Are you feeling okay?

Teka, how is your weather in the North country. My email friend who lives in Syracuse talks about the heat wave. Our weather has certainly been crazy. We had parts of Naperville flooded over the 4th weekend and it looks like Missouri is suffering from floods yet other places are in a terrible drought. If only we could share the rain with the states desperatly needing it.

I had my first myotherapy session this morning with my therapist I have known over the many years I saw her. She really knows the muscles and how they work. Her philosophpy is not well known in this area and I hope she never retires but she certainly could if she wanted to. The trigger point therapy followed by stretching kept me going all my years of teaching here and I have great confidence that she will be able to help me. I am expected to do a lot of her exercises each day and thankfully one of the main ones I had been doing already so I was at least on the right track. I started watering for a friend who is in Door County Wis. with many family members on vacation now. I garden but my friend REALLY gardens and has a huge lot with every inch of it with flowers or starts of others. It has been very hot here so today being day three was a little earlier. My schedule with my myotherapist means I have to get up very early so this is a big change for me. Once I get my groceries today I will be ready for a nap. My HOA responsibilities are quite a lot this year. We have an issue that involves someone reaching out to a lawyer that contacted us on a Sunday. Really? Some of us feel like there is something fishy in this new buyer possible transaction but we are waiting to discuss in our upcoming meeting. It just never seems to get easier. I will say that will all the rain our lawns look good and since I am in charge of the landscaping that is a huge relief since my decisions make a big impact on the appearance of our lawns.

Have a good day dear sisters.

Love,

Nancy

Thanks so much for the encouragement. Think I’ve been feeling a little anxious over the last few days because I’ve been unmotivated, irritable and impatient especially with the dogs. I do love that Bible verse and have used it often over the years in situations much more drastic than radiation so will definitely be using it tomorrow. I’ve just been reminding myself that I’m in God’s hands and I accept His will. I think I just want to get started and get it over with.

The heat has been awful here and we haven’t been able to do much outside so I’ve been doing a lot of jigsaw puzzles. My husband has actually gotten into working on them with me so it really takes my mind off things.

Good luck with your packing and organizing. It’s always such a chore getting ready for a trip but never feels like it since you’re looking forward to what’s to come. I had to look up my other apt since I’d never heard the term before. I have had the trigger points and massage so I’ll be praying it works for you. I don’t have any real reason for the fatigue so feel bad complaining about it. I’ve been praying that you’ll manage the airport and the flight with ease. I was at O’Hare one time years ago for a work trip. I can’t remember now for sure but I think someone met me so I wasn’t trying to find my way by myself.

My daughter in law just called me with my20 month old granddaughter to wish me luck. They are both such pick me ups!

Will be praying for all! 🙏