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

Sep 28, 2020 12:10AM ChiSandy wrote:

Judy, you will get a divine dispensation (if there's such a thing in Judaism) for getting your mammo & doctors' appts. on Yom Kippur. Remember that "pikuach nefesh"--preservation of life--is a paramount mitzvah. I had my lumpectomy on Yom Kippur--and my "breaking the fast" (as well as my first meal after being NPO since the night before) was a mini-bagel & schmear. (Gotta love Evanston Hosp.).

Warby Parker was originally started by a couple of young enterpreneurs who were fed up with the "Luxottica" (one guy in Italy, not even a publicly-traded co.) monopoly on almost all optical shop chains and eyeglass brands, with prices to match. They began as "disruptors," online-only; sending out up to 5 pr. of frames for customers to try on and return, picking one they liked and sending in their prescriptions. All their glasses were designed and the lenses ground & inserted in the U.S., with all the frames made in China. Eventually, they began opening boutiques, and w/in the past couple of years offering on-site optometrist exams. They also have their own brand of contacts. Their acetate frames are $95, including plain anti-UV single-vision (reading or distance) lenses; there's a $50 upcharge for blue-blocking, $100 extra for Transitions (which actually block more blue light than the blue-blocking coating), and $200 for progressives (digital free-form). So a pair of clear progressives starts at $295, blue-blocking progressives $345, and Transitions progressives $395. Sunglasses start at $95 for nonprescription, $145 for single vision, and are inherently blue-blocking; some frames are as much as $195 with single-vision lenses. My progressive shades are $345.

Their metal frames (which run $145-195 for single-vision) are now made in either Japan or Italy. Once our ophthalmologist sold his practice and optical shop, and then retired, Bob & I both get our glasses at Warby Parker. So does Gordy now (though he goes the online route).

BTW, the founders decided to become "disruptors" in the luggage industry, and started Away luggage.

Sep 28, 2020 01:22AM Betrayal wrote:

What a nice ending for the rescue bird, the bereaved bird and your friend.

Sep 28, 2020 04:42AM ChiSandy wrote:

You too, Cindy & Judy. An easy and contemplative fast for those of us observing Yom Kippur--but do be mindful of your health.

Sep 28, 2020 02:32PM IllinoisLady wrote:

Woke up to rain that had apparently been going on most of the night. Since my ears are not what they use to be I was very much un-aware. It will stay cool today -- mid- 60's. Seems we are going to be there for a few days. It is typical of Fall weather even if I'm not totally ready.

Nothing special planned. Some bills waiting to go out. Otherwise just the regular work.

I'm starting to be able to pet one of the kitties ( outdoor ) in Sandoval. They were the first born of this Spring. The one I'm petting I named ( almost immediately ) Sassy. She/he - more likely a she, was highly curious and un-like the others never automatically ran when I came out to feed. She watched me pet her mother several times and I knew she was ready when she voluntarily brushed against my leg. Semi-feral kitties/cats always have to make the first move and usually only then can you attempt touching/petting. I have petted her now about three of four times. Not too much though. After I ignore her and just act as though nothing happened. It is very satisfying.

I hope you all will be able to enjoy good weather ( not too hot or cold or rainy ) and have a really good day. I hope I can make mine productive.

Sep 28, 2020 08:23PM ChiSandy wrote:

Showers overnight and again just now. Chilly--low 60s--but not as cold as later in the week, where we may struggle to make it as high as the mid-50s. The rain was sorely needed--landscaper turned off the sprinkler timer the last time it rained, and we now have some brown patches on the lawn after 10 dry days in a row. He never showed us how to turn it back on and reset the timer. My zucchini plant finally made one baby squash--hope it matures enough for us to pick before the critters discover it.

Was able to get my flu shot at CVS yesterday--in & out in 10 min. Arm was a bit sore by nightfall but fine now.

Taking a break right now from online Yom Kippur services--afternoon starts back up at 3:15. They're much shorter than in-person, mainly because they had to be pre-recorded, mixed and edited (they started back in Aug.). I couldn't volunteer to take part (blessings, ark-opening, etc,) in the recordings, because at the time I had the big lead patch on my eye, and then even with no patch my R eye was not ready for public viewing. But the services turned out fantastic--including even Jeff Tweedy (leader of Grammy-winning rock band Wilco) and his two sons singing one of the hymns, with wife Susan behind the camera. (Yes, they're temple members--we are so lucky to have them).

It was a bit weird to see the chat scrolling along the side, with greetings & comments by the rabbi & cantor in real time. At one point last night, there were over 300 people logged in, from all over the country. And I discovered this morning my TV has YouTube built in! No way to do live chat on it, of course, but I can always mute the audio on the computer and type while I watch live on TV. I watched archived morning services (slept in because of fasting), but will do the rest live, till the last blast of the Shofar and the subsequent Kiddush (blessing over wine & bread, which I'll have at the ready), Havdalah blessings & celebration. That will still end during daylignt, but we are a Reform congregation after all. (Not doing between-services Bible study on Zoom because I don't want to be visible in my PJs).

Sep 28, 2020 11:30PM - edited Sep 28, 2020 11:38PM by ChiSandy

Mazel tov, Judy! My turn isn't till Dec. (though I do see Dr. Law & get labs drawn next week). But it was a relief to get that flu shot under my (virtual) belt and into my arm. One more reminder scrubbed from my patient portal. Meanwhile, just made an initial appt. for Nov. 14 (not sure if it'll be telephone or in-person) with the N.Shore Lincolnwood primary care doc my gyn recommened.

Chicago just slightly relaxed its COVID restrictions: as of Thurs. 10/1, bars can serve indoors, restaurants & gyms can increase from 25% to 40% (or 50 patrons, whichever is less), and salons can do facials, shaves and other services below the mask line (allowing temporary mask removal). But social distancing and mask requirements will remain in place. Still doesn't make me feel more comfy with dining inside. (I don't get facials anyway). I have a feeling that within a couple of weeks, those relaxations will likely be reconsidered. (Note: this is only for Chicago, not statewide, which in some counties & towns may be stricter).

Well, YouTube services ended with the shofar blast at 4:30. Havdalah isn't till 6:30 (likely sunset). So unlike previous years (especially my time in Seattle, when everyone chowed down in the temple lobby at 4:15), sticking it out with my fast till then. Will have to try to record my Bar Show solo, though--gotta send it in by tomorrow. I hate rehearsing and especially recording when anyone else is in the house. So, gathering up my headphones, iPhone (for recording), iPad (the old one with an audio jack for playback of the orchestral scratch track), sheet music & Scotch tape and heading up to my bedroom closet. (Insert tasteless joke here).

Sep 29, 2020 05:52AM - edited Sep 29, 2020 07:22AM by ChiSandy

Well, just when I thought 2020 couldn't get any worse, about 90 minutes ago my cats came meowing to me in the front room--I got up and smelled the strong odor of skunk! (No, they didn't get sprayed--they're strictly indoor). Odd thing, is I don't smell it outside. I cracked as many windows that have screens as I could, and turned the AC on even though it's in the 50s outside (or so my Apple watch says). I'm smelling it in the front of the house--first floor (up 8 steps from the street) and basement. I called a wildlife removal service, and they said that usually means the skunk sprayed the foundation--but if that were the case, I would be smelling it outside but I'm not. Bob just came home and said it smells "chemical-y" or "rubber-y." Our eyes are beginning to burn slightly (and now my throat a little). I checked the stove (which is in the back), water heater, and boiler downstairs--there doesn't seem to be a gas leak. I searched and searched for holes in the front room walls and basement ceiling and can't seem to find anything but the smell! I am beside myself. The wildlife removal guy said he could have someone here tonight, but that they likely wouldn't be able to do anything tonight if there is no visible critter to be caught--and it would be $225 extra compared to waiting till tomorrow. They will call me in the morning to get some more info and set up a visit tomorrow to spend some time looking (and if they find burrow holes, investigate and set Havaheart traps). I don't know how we can hold out!

Gas company just came out and ruled out a leak, but said they could smell skunk odor on my porch (through their masks), which I couldn't earlier, sans mask. Hoping it was from outside--the AC seemed to be starting to blow it back in. Using air freshener helps a little--maybe some vinegar in the morning.

Sep 29, 2020 12:44PM petite1 wrote:

Good morning, ladies. Nice morning 73 degrees and showers this afternoon. Those shunk stories are interesting. I never had to deal with that. PHEW.

Sep 29, 2020 02:26PM IllinoisLady wrote:

The moment you want to make progress is the moment you become an eternal beginner. The dawn is the beginning of a new day: it symbolizes hope, illumination, and perfection. Every day the dawn plays the role of the beginner. It begins its journey at daybreak and ends its journey in the infinite sun. If you can feel that your whole being—your body, vitality, mind and soul—represents the ever-blossoming dawn, then you will always remain an eternal beginner. -Sri Chimnoy

Sep 29, 2020 06:22PM ChiSandy wrote:

No smell this a.m., thank goodness. Animal removal service called and said that it was almost certainly an "outside spray," most likely the skunk getting spooked by a coyote (there's a colony by the firehouse a few blocks away), and some of the squirt hit the foundation. If it happens again, it would be at night since skunks are nocturnal; the service would come out and look for holes or burrows and set humane traps.

Definitiley sweatshirt weather. If we dine out tonight, layer a down vest over it--Bob likes dining outdoors. Warm enough in the house that I can still hang out in my short-sleeve scrubs. Once restaurants can start having 40% rather than 25% of capacity, I'd (ironically) feel less safe dining indoors.

Recorded last night and e-mailed the tracks to the music director. Not in my best voice, but it IS a comedy number, and my acting was more important than pitch (he has Auto-Tune anyway). Waiting to hear if he wants me to do another pair of recordings an octave down, since there'll be only one other alto (who doesn't have a solo). I suspect he'll want that for the second track, which is ensemble-only. Hoping the basement-rehabbing crew next door can finish in time for me to re-record: the banging and machines are audible even in the closet. (Come to think of it, all that work next door might have dislodged a skunk den).

Sep 29, 2020 10:54PM ChiSandy wrote:

Yup! Hoping that the critter moves on to wherever un-populated place it feels secure. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I did have a "plumbing adventure" today, though--pricy but not serious. We have a combo showerhead--handheld and stationary. I prefer the handheld because I don't always shampoo when I shower--having long hair can make styling to prevent the frizzies a PITA. But Bob, being a six-footer-plus, likes the stationary one because he shampoos oftener. The diverters (both those between the heads and the tub faucet) started leaking and dripping, including along where they're attached to the lines. I got dinged for the visit, the new parts, the trip to buy the new parts, and labor. I could have tried an unlicensed plumber or even a handyman for half the price, but I've used these guys for 20 years (I've watched their kids grow up and join the family business), they arrive quickly, and they guarantee their work. Another licensed service would have been as or more expensive.

Sep 30, 2020 02:33PM IllinoisLady wrote:

Many people believe that humility is the opposite of pride,
when, in fact, it is a point of equilibrium. The opposite of
pride is actually a lack of self-esteem. A humble person
is totally different from a person who cannot recognize
and appreciate himself as part of this worlds marvels.

Rabino Nilton Bonder

Sep 30, 2020 05:37PM IllinoisLady wrote:

((((Puffin)))) I can attest -- watching something is a lot better than getting a dx. you may not like. To use an almost worn out phrase, "been there and done that", both ways this past yr.

Sep 30, 2020 11:00PM MCBaker wrote:

That was an entertaining dumpster fire last night, wasn't it? I watched until 8:45, and realized that it couldn't get any worse, so I went to bed.

I have been watching youtube videos on spinning all day. Hopefully, I can teach myself all winter, so by the time hot weather rolls around next spring and I get Tippy sheared, I will be able to spin, at the very least, a black scarf for myself.

Oct 1, 2020 08:53AM Gleason1 wrote:

I am 66 and diagnosed with lobular breast cancer, ER PR+ Stage III. I had a lumpectomy in August with sentinel nodes biopsy. Unfortunately the nodes were positive and the margins were not clear so in September had a node dissection and re excision. A riral of 10 nodes our of 25 were positive. I start chemotherapy next week. I'm hoping my age and going through this doesn't lead to disability as I already have arthritis in my knees and shoulders. Chemo and neulasta afterwards can cause joint pain.

Has anyone noticed they had more difficulty walking or severe pain from chemo?