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

IllinoisLady

Lisa, I can smell the salt and seaweed almost with that picture. Makes me a little wistful for that big beautiful Pacific ocean. We lived only about a mile away from the ocean and on a tiny bit of a hill -- so I could sometimes ( on a really clear day ) see the ocean and felt sometimes I was smelling the smells as well. Noting replaced standing at the edge and waiting for the waves to come in though. While I am glad to be back home ( only some rivers around here and we are not too close to any ( about 75 miles to the west of us in St. Louis ) but I think I will always miss the ocean a bit. My Dad loved it for the same reason I did --- we both found it highly soothing.

Carole, I use knitted dish cloths all the time. I love them. Some of mine have gotten quite tattered. Maybe I will have to check with you later ( pm ) after you get back from MN. It will be fun to share MN with you again as we all have had the pleasure not for some time. I think it may be a 'good' summer to be somewhere cooler but who knows for sure. We haven't gotten what was expected for several yrs. now. This past winter though --- for the first time in a long time I let my hair grow out because something just stirred up my sense that the cold predicted for three yrs. running would finally arrive and it did.

Hope you all have a fantastic day.

I'm going over to spend some time with my little buddies at the Dr's. house. The daughter there won 4 tickets to a Cardinals game -- so they are going to be gone a good part of today. See ya'll later.

ChiSandy

Killing time in the hotel lobby after a mandatory noon checkout. Burning through the data on my cellphone because I have to tether it to my iPad for the latter to get an internet connection today—having checked out I no longer have access to the guest wi-fi and the public networks, though Settings says I'm connected, aren't giving me the Wi-Fi-fi icon in the upper left corner of the screen and pages won't load. Beginning to regret not having spent the extra $100 for the cellular version (but I didn't want to have yet another cellular bill to pay).

Bob is in class till 3:30 and our flight doesn't board till 6:45. Not hungry for lunch, as I had breakfast (cold leftovers in the room) only 2-1/2 hrs. ago. Too chilly out to take a walk; exhausted all affordable (and portable) shopping possibilities in the two adjacent malls (Copley & Pru). My L foot and R hip (especially the latter) hurt too much to handle the steep staircases on the double-decker hop-on/off bus tours, and I took the Duck tour yesterday. Nowhere to watch TV, unless I want three different ESPNs in the hotel's restaurant—a sports bar. Wish this place (Marriott) were more elegant, but it is what it is and this is where Bob's course is held.

Tomorrow, I hit the ground running with various errands & appointments, as well as attempting to practice & rehearse to the extent my L wrist (and remedies) will allow. I have told nobody outside the family about my wrist and now three-month inability to play guitar, because my doctors (sports ortho & hand surgeon) said I would be fine by now. The cortisone shot helped only a little—and at that, only after the two-week “cortisone flare” (stiffness, swelling, bruising, pain, tenderness) subsided. I might have to face the fact that my professional music career may be ending, even as my voice is peaking.

Wren44

Sandy, That would be such a bummer! Hope it comes round.

carolehalston

Sandy, you're too young to call it quits. Hang in there.

IllinoisLady

You are made in the image of God. You are a co-creator with the creator. Pause then and give thanks for the miracle of selfhood.
Give thanks for yourself, for your health and strength and energy. Ponder the miracle of your body, which, without your conscious thought, controls heartbeat and respiration, digests food, compounds chemicals, renews cells, combats disease, heals wounds, and maintains equilibrium among its huge and intricate array of separate parts. -Wilferd A. Peterson

IllinoisLady

Pretty day here today. Not as sunny, but we do have it off and on. A couple of little rains -- not long lasting. It has kept us fairly nice and not too hot either. Next couple of days I will have a few things to do. Dh has a Dr's visit tomorrow and I have one on Friday. It is just those yearly check-ups, with any follow-ups. I always have follow up of Mammograms but Dh should be okay I think. Hopefully things will come out just fine for both of us.

I'm going to do some digging in the yard in a couple of spots. My cousin needs to thin out a bunch of her ground cover which I have admired for a long time so I have a couple of places in this yard that can really use it. I have troubles with Dh getting 'quick' with the lawn tractor mowing -- but I think I can keep him away from this stuff better. It is a deep green color and I think will be easier for him to spot before he is right where it is. Also, the tractor doesn't fit as well in the front yard as it does the wider side yard and front yard beyond the sidewalk. So am hoping to be able to keep it going just fine. Next year it will really fill it much better -- so I'll be doing some digging in a few spots. Hope I'm up to that. Been a while since I used a shoved for turning over a planting area. Doesn't need to be wide, but about 6 to 8 ft. long.

Hope you are all having a nice day. Sandy, hope you have positive results with all your appts. today. Wishing you well.

carolehalston

We had/are having a hot day but the humidity is fairly low. I played 18 holes of golf and didn't get wet with perspiration. This afternoon I finished sewing four placemats and packed up my Sears mini machine into its little plastic case. I'm thinking I will take it north with me, along with my embroidery supplies and crochet needles and pattern books.

Before I pack up the placemats for transporting them north, I want to take photos. I found clear plastic envelopes at Hobby Lobby to keep the placemats clean while displaying them.

After eating out for two nights in a row, I'm cooking dinner tonight.

My sister will be coming to spend the night on Saturday. I need to do some cleaning between now and then. I will be cooking a main course for the Mother's Day noon meal at my sister's house--chicken and dumplings. Since it's not a big pot food that can be done ahead of time, I'll have to make it in two stages. I'll cook the chicken and make the broth on Saturday. Make the dough and roll out the dumplings, which are like thin noodles. On Sunday I'll add the dumplings to the chicken and broth. To complicate things, I have to drive to the nursing home, 30 minutes, and pick up my mother Sunday morning. It will be wonderful to have my sister along to help with the transfer from wheelchair to car.

Happy Wednesday to everyone.

Wren44

Carole, Be sure to post photos of your placemats here.

IllinoisLady

Yes, yes -- we all want to see Carole. Maybe you could do one of the wash cloths as well. I've seen them done about three different ways. Love the chicken and noodles. My Mom used to make that often for Sunday afternoon lunch/dinners. She cooked it all the same day though. Lots of work that way. When she rolled out her noodles ( well coated with flour ) she had newspapers spread out and she let the noodles dry out on our large kitchen counter. By the time she was ready to cook, they were dry enough to put into the boiling chicken broth to cook. They tended to thicken the broth just enough ( she had the touch ) and once the noodles were cooked she put the chicken that had been pulled off the bones back in and brought this big pan to the table. A couple of my friends would often find their way over when they knew what we were having. Guess it wasn't made much if ever at their house. I love chicken and noodles to this day and I still make it now and then myself.

Wren44

We had a big oval formica table. Mom would make the noodles and leave them to dry on it while we went to church. By the time we were home, they were dry enough to cook. Yum, they were good.

I make chicken and dumplings, but the dumplings are more of a biscuit dough and I just drop them into the boiling broth.

ChiSandy

Storms--including dime-size hail--overnight, this a.m., and again at evening rush hour. Fortunately, I got my mani-pedi (requiring I wear flip-flops) in between--no puddles. And I managed to pick up my favorite designer prescription sunglasses--had the neighborhood optical shop replace the lens with the changed prescription, at much less than the cost of a new pair of Rx shades (even from Zennis--they get you on the progressive sun lenses). I've had those frames for five years--and three different prescriptions. Did order a pair each of purple and red ones from Zenni today (to replace the ones I had to give away). Each pair--frames, progressives, AR and blue-blocking coating--was $67, less than the cost of replacing one progressive AR (non- blue-blocker) lens at the local optical shop. It was worth replacing a lens in designer frames (for which I'd spent a fortune) from LensCrafters. Saved one favorite pair of Warby Parkers, because Warby won't replace progressive lenses for prescription changes, only single-vision ones--and they're not making that frame in that color any more. Zenni, of course, won't replace lenses at all--probably because their frames are so cheap. Might also replace the lens in my rimless (the ones in my avatar), for onstage or formal wear. Trying to convince Bob to get a backup pair from Zenni--he has lost and even stepped on previous glasses which cost him an arm & a leg. He refuses to wear sunglasses or photochromic lenses, which worries me because he's so nearsighted and has very light gray-hazel eyes (which make him susceptible to ocular melanoma or retinal damage). He won't even use the pair of polarized over-shades the ophthalmologist gave him, for driving in sunlight. Come to think of it, I can't remember him ever wearing sunglasses in all the 49 years I've known him.

Will work out a set list for Friday night that won't stress my left wrist--I have to play for only an hour anyway.

Wren44

I cannot imagine not wearing sunglasses. Part of my commute home is right into the sun. You come down a big hill and cannot see a thing. It's a wonder people aren't killed there, but I guess the pedestrians know they can't be seen and are extra careful. I have worn sunglasses with another pair over them since I don't need a prescription to drive.

Maybe if you told him how sexy you think they look? He might give them a try.

SoCalLisa

can't live in San Diego without sunglasses 😎

IllinoisLady

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy: they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

– Marcel Proust

carolehalston

We went to the gym this morning. After our separate breakfasts (we each make our own), dh went off to a dermatologist appointment and I cleaned up the kitchen, which had been left in something of a mess last night.

After a shower, I will be off to the nursing home. My mother isn't complaining but I sense that she is going downhill in her health. Her ankles are swelling very large. Her two ailments, heart failure and renal failure, are in conflict as far as treatment. The dr. doesn't dare give her too much medication to get rid of the excess fluid. I am once again trying to prepare myself for losing her in the natural progression of things. This may well be her last Mother's Day with us. I want her to live only as long as she can enjoy some quality of life.

After Sunday, I will be focusing on getting ready to head north.

Happy Thursday to all. I hope some of the absentee folks in our circle will check in and let us know how they're doing.

IllinoisLady

What a beauty of a morning here and I dearly hope all of you are having one just as nice if not nicer. A little breeze, a little sun and happy birds outside the window. A loaf and a jug -- who could ask for more.

Carole, you are being so pragmatic, but you are most definitely right. Mother Nature in her own way ( through medical maladies ) tends to help the older folk prepare for an exit they could be quite all right about, and if we are lucky, we ( no matter how difficult because it always is ) can see as well, just like you, that if the quality of life has severely dwindled no one can feel comfort. You are a fantastic daughter though I imagine all of the family feels much the same. I do hope this is a GREAT Mother's Day for all.

Also hope lots of people stop in today. You are all missed and cared about whether here or elsewhere. Since I leave a quote --- I just don't miss and due to that it is not a star on my page that I'm here all the time.

IllinoisLady

"A diamond is merely a lump of coal that did well under pressure."

-- Author Unknown

IllinoisLady

Getting a taste of real summer here today. Will get to 90 -- in fact, our temps will be higher for several days. We are supposed to have a good breeze going to we maybe just fine anyway. Hope so. Washed my car yesterday ( among a host of other chores ) and it looks great. This time ( I didn't do it last time ) I completely emptied it out, vac'ed thoroughly, washed the upholstery, and did only a couple of windows that had doggie nose prints from their trip to the doggie beauty salon for their summer cuts. The rest of the windows looked clean though their could be a little dust on the inside. I mainly wanted to get to the things I didn't do last time.

We have shade in the yard now so that helped. Last time I washed it was too sunny which did cause me to skip some things.

Hope you are all going to have a really nice day. If your outside -- hope you are hearing lots of happy birds. I hearing lots of them.

ChiSandy

Winter is back here in the north—heading up to Madison, WI today where it's only 40F and may not make it to 50.

carolehalston

Summer weather here today. A breeze felt good as I played 18 holes of golf. I was feeling in need of a shower by the time we finished but stayed for lunch anyway. Not a whole lot of energy or incentive to accomplish anything but I am doing laundry.

Tomorrow will be a busy day, cleaning up some before my sister comes to spend the night and also doing some cooking for the Mother's Day noon dinner at my sister's house.

Happy Friday.

IllinoisLady

Good news from my little corner. Had my check-up ( yearly ) today and it all checks out fine. I was worried mainly about my sugar levels but it was just the same as last year. Didn't mention I was going today because I felt like I might jinx myself ( hmmm ?? ) but I don't know why I felt that way. Hope that means I'm sort of normal for the most part. Anyway, seems like I'm good for another yr. though I will have to have my mammogram in June to be all done. I got a Prevelar ( sp ) shot for pneumonia. There is some other injection which I have had twice --- but thinking this one will be for life. Anyway, I do seem to be all set. Sure glad all I have to worry about at the moment is being overwt. I think the Dr. might have had some suggestions for me there --- likely I should have asked her but I was so thrilled about the rest of my report.

Sorry to hear about your winter weather Sandy. Maybe they will be wrong and it will be a bit better than the predictions. Hope so.

IllinoisLady

In every adversity there lies the
seed of an equivalent advantage.
In every defeat is a lesson showing
you how to win the victory next time.

Robert Collier

ChiSandy

Prevnar 13 only needs to be given once, but Pneumovax requires a booster every 5 yrs. or so.

Still very chilly. It got all the way up to 44 in Madison last night. The drive home was white-knuckle all the way south down I-90/39 to nearly the IL state line. 90 in IL was a snap both ways--all construction was finished, weather decent, and the speed limit higher than previously. (Used to be 65, now 70, but traffic was doing mostly 80). But the portion in WI was brutal--construction with changing lane patterns but speed limit not reduced from 70. Not so bad driving up, but by the time I headed home it was pouring. That stretch of road has very, very little lighting (none at all except for major interchanges). I was doing maybe 60, tops, because hydroplaning can happen above 55; but people were zooming past me at 70 or even 80 and obscuring my vision with road spray. And I had to keep turning off my high beams to keep from blinding them as they passed me. Today it hasn't made 50 here, and we had a couple of intense thunderstorms.

The gig wasn't as tough as I thought it might be. My surgeon & PCP both said I should avail myself of my emergency Medrol dosepak, taking all 6 first-day tablets before lunch. The surgeon said he'd prefer I not play till he sees me this Wed., but if I must, to ice and elevate afterward. So instead of playing in-the-round with the other act on the bill (a duo who recently moved from MA to NH), I went on first so I could do the icing & elevating while watching them. Wore the brace all the way up to Madison, then ran hot water over my wrist to loosen it up before going on, followed by a good slather of arnica gel. Put together a set list that didn't require any barre chords, and saved the toughest song (sliding chords up the neck to the 14th fret) for last. Hadn't planned to play it, but I figured if I was going to have to ice afterward, I should really have something to ice about. My singing partner is very understanding--says he'll configure our June gigs around my vocals & dulcimer; and he's sending me a book of jazz chords that can be fingered without barring or wrist contortions so I can begin practicing for my friend's son's wedding processional (assuming the surgeon says it'll be okay to play). I will ask him about ultrasound/infrared heat, as well as PT/OT before having to resort to another shot or heaven forbid, surgery (probably arthroscopic, to shave down the bone spurs on the end of the ulna so it doesn't irritate the tendon). He prefers to do his hand surgeries using only local or regional anesthetic (no sedation) so that patients can go back to work the same day if they have to.

Gordy's taking me to dim sum brunch tomorrow, since Bob'll be working. (Chicago's "Chinatown North" is only a couple of miles south of us). And Monday I go back to "walking the talk:" I sang last night about low-carb dieting, "Dead Animals & Leaves" (which I had written after losing 40 lbs. on Atkins). I'd gained 15 lbs. since my diagnosis, and 10 lbs. since my last show at that venue, so push has to come to shove...pushing the shopping cart through the produce and meat sections and shoving myself away from the table.

Wren44

My book club met today and our discussion after the book centered around our arrangements for our old age. Where we're thinking about moving, must be on one floor, etc. All of us are thinking we will sell our houses to pay for the new arrangement, wherever it is. Seattle is getting so expensive. My property taxes are $580 a month, which is about what our mortgage was when we bought the house. Adding to my resolve, it took an hour to drive the 7.9 miles home. Good grief!

IllinoisLady

A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it. Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give. unattributed

IllinoisLady

IllinoisLady

Whatever our individual troubles and challenges may be, it's important to pause every now and then to appreciate all that we have, on every level. We need to literally "count our blessings," give thanks for them, allow ourselves to enjoy them, and relish the experience of prosperity we already have. -Shakti Gawain

IllinoisLady

Finally turned on our air conditioner. It has been a bit on the harsh side as of late. Due to cool a bit, but we felt since we had a lot of catch up work for inside today ( lots of outdoor yesterday ) that we would do better with the air on. If it gets nice enough we can always shut it off. It is early this yr. to have it on. I recall previous yrs. where we could wait till last week of July --- so we are quite early. Well, I will blame it partly on the global warming knowing that some yrs. are different just because but this seems to be a continuing trend.

I do have a couple more items in the yard to try and catch up. It will be nice to know that we can come into a 'cool' house after being outside in the 90 degree heat. We keep it around 78. A bit warm when I'm scurrying around here with projects but not bad at all when you are taking a break or after work is done. The new furnace comes on much quicker than the old ( just barely limping along ) one so though it seems to run more -- it actually runs for quite a shorter period of time as it doesn't have so much to catch up with when it does.

I hope you are all going to have a really good Monday.

Chevy should show us all pictures of her yard. She is making it fantastic as usual.

ChiSandy

Warmed up today--but the price for that was thunderstorms (and a fierce cool wind off the lake dropping the temps down into the high 50s between them). Unrelenting rain--my lawn is like a sopping sponge.

carolehalston

Summer has arrived. Temperatures in the 90's.