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

IllinoisLady

Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present
experience. It isn't more complicated than that. It is opening to
or receiving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as
it is, without either clinging to it or rejecting it.

Sylvia Boorstein

IllinoisLady

Having our second likely mid-60's day today. Rain will come of this which will be the thing that starts us back into far cooler temps. Going to enjoy while it lasts. Ah, these tastes of spring this time of yr. are so very fleeting, but always produce lots of hope and anticipation for what is coming later on. Not all the brown leaves are off the trees ( happens every yr. ) despite the harsh winds and other elements like rain and snow that can shake them loose. I thinking more of those tinny little nubs that will push those leaves off as the new ones start to spring out. Ah -- I'll be so ready for the spring time. Winter always seems to last so long while summer goes so fast.

Anyway, we did get a chance to start some of the leaf clearing processes. I really wanted to see how the new mower would be and it is fantastic. It no longer has the little rubber piece that you needed to push to draw gas into the carburetor -- you just tug on the starter line and it springs into life. So, I'm not likely to mind ( as I did the last few yrs. ) getting out the mower to touch up and get around the areas, the big lawn tractor won't go. We have a couple or ( they are fairly small ) areas now where trees have come down and they get lots of sun so they get nearly weedy by mowing time. A quick trip with the push mower keeps the area much nicer while waiting for the slower grass to get tall enough to mow with the big tractor.

Hope it is nice for everyone.

Wren44

It snowed all night along with very gusty winds. My appointment was cancelled by the provider this morning. I'm glad I don't have to wait at the bus stop but am disappointed that I won't get to the art store either. It's blowing hard enough that I can't tell if it's snowing or just blowing off roofs. I'm hoping that it will be easier to get off the walks if it's dry enough to blow. They say the high will be 33 (26 now). I know this doesn't seem like anything to people in the NE, but we don't get snow every year - more like once in 3 years, and we're not well prepared. The wind reminds me of Okla.

ChiSandy

50s & windy here in Vegas, with rain (again) moving in. We have a dinner reservation at the top of the Stratosphere early this evening, but yesterday’s munchies (and last night’s post-show cheeseburger and the three bacon-cheese fries I ate from our shared order at Shake Shack—hey, it was open at 11:30pm—are playing havoc with my appetite, to put it delicately). We return tomorrow night to freezing rain. Ugh

IllinoisLady

By slowing down and relishing the unfolding of every experience, you aren't choosing to be less accomplished or productive than others. You're choosing to be accomplished and productive in ways they may not even understand. You're choosing to change what's within your own heart and mind, thereby becoming a part of the solution rather than a part of the problem. By no longer rushing through, you're choosing to stop focusing so much of your energy on the wanting and yearning, the wishing it was done, the frustration with what hasn't happened yet; and to make, instead, the most of every experience as it unfolds at its own pace.

Nea Justice

IllinoisLady

No sun this morning but it will not be too cold ( 40's ) so I can be okay. We could have a stray shower at some time. Just not sure of much with our crazy weather. Plenty to do to stay busy here and some bills to get paid. Had hoped for a little more yard work but just as we got home from town some rain drops ( not lasting ) turned up. Since it was late in the afternoon and dim I just decided to let it go -- even if the rain drops ceased which they did. It has still been awfully nice to since what Spring is going to look like in a couple of months and according to the groundhog Phil should be right on time.

Hope you all have a terrific Tuesday.

ChiSandy

Definitely having a terrific Tuesday: due to an ice storm cancelling all flights into Chicago, we’re in Vegas an extra night (able to hold over in our suite). It is about to start raining, though, which will continue all day. Not exactly stroll-along-the-Strip weather, but it beats snow, ice, and the deep-freeze. Booked the same flight for tomorrow evening, hoping Bob & I will be TSAPre (we were on the way here, but the boarding passes we got for today’s flight lacked the magic words). Usually, on senior fares we get TSAPre status. Guess it’s a crapshoot. Couldn’t apply for permanent status during the shutdown; and though I’d applied for GlobalEntry (which includes TSAPre) before the shutdown, the anticipated intake interviews were all suspended. Instead, I’ve bee granted “conditionally-accepted” status but will have to wait till my return from Israel: the procedure now is at my first US port of entry (JFK) to skip the regular passport control line and go to the GlobalEntry window for a perfunctory interview and a stamp on my passport. Not sure if that’ll let me do TSAPre for the last leg home, as since it’s in another terminal I’ll have to go through security again. (This time, though, I have a longer layover at JFK than I did last year on my return trip from Rome).

IllinoisLady

When you live in the present moment, time stands still. Accept your circumstances and live them. If there is an experience ahead of you, have it! But if worries stand in your way, put them off until tomorrow. Give yourself a day off from worry. You deserve it. Some people live with a low-grade anxiety tugging at their spirit all day long. They go to sleep with it, wake up with it, carry it around at home, in town, to church, and with friends. Here's a remedy: Take the present moment and find something to laugh at. People who laugh, last. -Barbara Johnson

Wren44

Nice and sunny here. It's 25F but expected to hit 33. I'm going to get out in it because they're predicting a major storm on Friday. We shall see. There's still time for it to veer some other direction.

IllinoisLady

It started raining las night and so far it has rained all day off and on. Just about the time we thought we might run into town ( dh just has such issues with not going some where during the day at least once ) it would come on enough rain once more to dissuade from going out. So -- it is nearly 4 p.m. and we have given up. In truth -- I actually gave up hours ago. Never seemed to be quite enough break in the rain to come close to getting to town and back without at some point getting soaked.

Hoping for better tomorrow which mainly means no rain so we can get our town chores done. Also hoping no trees upend themselves from too much water.

Hope your storm does miss you Wren. Sometimes I'm amused that being retired I can now plan to avoid different weather when just a short time ago I would have had to get out and get to work no matter what. Too rainy for the feral cats so didn't have to go out for that either.

BreastCancerGrandma

Afternoon everyone! I am a resident of North Las Vegas, Nevada. I retired from a regular job (9-5) but still help others in charities and non profit clubs, groups,etc. My last part time counseling position was at the local VA Hospital. I am so proud of our veterans both old and young. Most are working on getting better or staying better. I worked mostly with families who moved into the area over the last few years. They have either youngsters or babies or are expecting soonest. What a rewarding thing to do to help them plan how to move forward in their lives. I lost my brother Bob in April of 2018. He was a veteran and died of Alzheimer's disease. I went through all the paperwork that Uncle Sam can throw at you and then shipped his ashes to his daughter in Texas for the funeral in the Fort Sam's National Military Cemetery. What an awful state of affairs. Then my son age 54 went through a very nasty divorce and had to sell his home. My hubby and I asked him to move in with us because I did not want him living in his car since he had no funds and no home. It was wonderful living with him since I had not seen him for 17 years. He had been in the Air Force and the Navy. Both totaled 12 years. He was my only son and I was so pleased he got to know me (his mom) again. My new hubby and I had been married 31 years to date and had not heard from him for a very long time. Then he was diagnosed with a heart condition, & diabetes related to his military services and spinal tumors related to an injury in the military. Yep! He died in my arms in my kitchen May 27th, 2018! Again, I filled out all Uncle Sam's paperwork and finally this past September 2018 his ashes were buried in the Riverside National Military Cemetery in California. Since I had been diagnosed in 2011 with breast cancer and had 3 surgeries in 2011 by a wonderful British doctor that practices in Las Vegas and England I asked my hubby if my son could help me by moving in. We were all so happy until he passed away from a massive heart attack cause by a hole in the back of his heart. My breast cancer symptoms had stopped and my doctor put me on mammograms 3X a year to track my progress. So far so good. My cancer seems to have gone into a remission since 2011 but the rest of my family is dying around me! I am so glad to find a forum that I can chat with others. I know that life goes on before and after any illness and hope that I can sustain myself enough to see 100. I am 78 now! That is my goal with love of my hubby and prayer with Gods help. Please write back and God bless you all! BreastCancerGrandma!

IllinoisLady

WELCOME BreastCancerGrandma.

I'm so glad you found us here. You likely noticed that we talk about many things here and once in awhile even the disease process that brought us all here. Most of us ( like you ) have gotten through treatments and reached the stage where ( in my case ) yearly testing is all that is required. It is good to be here and so we use the time here to stay in touch with each other and wish each other good news after our tests are done.

It sure sounds like you got a pretty high dose of losses last yr. ( 2018 ) and some very important family members. I am so sorry to hear that. I always feel relieved that someone has been able to have any pain and heavy illness taken off through their ending but it is loss none-the-less for those who remain behind. Ambivalent times for sure. I hope time will do its healing work knowing that it takes however long it takes. In time the memories that make us smile and feel joy return and it is something to look forward to as we get used to days without the physical nearness of those we loved so much.

At any rate we are a small group here but we so enjoy each other. I come daily to leave a quote that I hope will be uplifting and inspire, or maybe at least be a little thought provoking. It is something I started doing a short while after I came to BC. Org in the late part of 2007 and have kept it up. I now put the quote in several different parts of the blog but started out in only one spot.

As an aside, all of my care came through the V.A. Like many, with retirement our insurance status changed to really unaffordable and with issues looming ( though we weren't sure just what was wrong ) I scrambled to find Ins. for us. It wasn't possible and just as wit's end was about to get the best of me I remembered that I could apply to the V.A. They took over my care and did an excellent job of it.

There is definitely life to be lived and I think we are all ( I'm sure many on other parts of the blog too ) grateful to have come through and be able to resume life looking forward to the beauty and benefits of being alive and for the most part well and happy.

Do come and I hope it is often. It can be quiet here so don't give up. People will come and join in to give you a welcome.

Moderators

Welcome, BreastCancerGrandma! Thank you so much for joining us here, and for sharing your story! We hope you find this to be a supportive place!

The Mods

Wren44

Welcome Breast Cancer Grandma! This is a lovely group of people who share their lives, both ups and downs. We're almost twins. I'm 78 and had 3 surgeries in 2012. Everything is ok now as far as I know. I'm sorry to hear about your brother and your son. Those are really difficult and deep losses. I'm glad you have a supportive hubby. My yearly mammogram is in a few weeks and I'm always a little anxious even though I'm not expecting any bad news. They sent me the same form they always send which shows I have no risk factors for breast cancer besides having already had it.

jo6359

welcome breast cancer Grandma. Sorry you had to experience so many deeply personal losses recently.

Beaverntx

Welcome, BreastCancerGrandma, from another 78 year old. My BC diagnosis was in 2018. I'm sending you the same wish I made for myself: May 2019 be a much better year.

Feel free to vent, share, etc. here.

IllinoisLady

The most difficult thing is the decision to act,
the rest is merely tenacity.
The fears are paper tigers.
You can do anything you decide to do.
You can act to change and control your life;
and the procedure, the process is its own reward.
- Amelia Earhart

HikingLady

Hello, fellow travelers through unexpected challenges! I'm 61, and in 2018 I had my 2nd breast cancer, as you can see on my DX and TX summary.

I retired in June of 2017 after being a high school teacher for 38 years. I had a few months to enjoy a lot of volunteering and other activities, when I then had to have quite an extensive rebuilding of my foot. (Five fusions, to solve extreme arthritis pain in midfoot) No weight-bearing was permitted for four months. Then came breast cancer in April, and after all of the treatment challenges of the rest of the year, there were recently a couple more final hoops to jump through. Six weeks ago, I had hardware removal from my foot, and Jan 2 I had my final "swap" surgery to take out tissue expanders and place the permanent implants. Like Beaverntx, I am hoping for a much better 2019!

It feels challenging to catch my breath after all of this trauma. I intend to resume life with hope and courage, and rebuild my physical and emotional strength. I'm glad to be surviving, glad I was treated, and glad to have found this nice forum.

Wren44

Welcome Hiking Lady. I'm sure the foot problem was extra frustrating because you certainly weren't able to hike for a long time. I hope you've turned the corner and it's all downhill from here. Love your pic of Mt. Hood as avatar.

IllinoisLady

Let me add my welcome as well Hiking Lady. Golly, seems like so many retire only to become 'health' busy. Hmm, who'd have time to work ? Sounds like the worst is in the rear view mirror and hopefully this yr. you'll only get stronger and more energetic and be able to do mainly just the things that make life rewarding to you. I hope you will come often.

ChiSandy

Welcome, HikingLady! Sorry you've had to go through not just a second breast cancer (with chemo this time) and mastectomies, but also that foot surgery and enforced non-weightbearing. I was driven nearly up the wall when in 1997 I had to go through 10 wks. of non-weightbearing after a tibial plateau fracture & repair--I can't imagine four months of being restricted to either crutches, knee scooter or a "hopalong" walker. Hoping you can hit the trails again (esp. Mt. Hood) soon! We actually have a lithograph of Mt. Hood hanging on our stairway wall--though after 7 yrs. in Seattle Rainier was our "hometown peak." Of course, 40+ yrs. in super-flat Chicago have me craving hills & mountains like nobody's business--gotta get my "mountain fix" at least once a year, be they Cascades, Rockies, Blue Ridge/Smokies or even Catskills. Next trips are next month to NOLA (which makes Chicago's streets seem like rugged terrain), and then Amsterdam/Jerusalem/Tel Aviv in April. (At least Jerusalem has hills, albeit low ones).

jo6359

Welcome Hiking Lady- 2018 was a really rough year for you. Hopefully you can just focus on the present and the future and not have to look back.

Chisandy- I'm jealous. Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Amsterdam were some of my favorite cities to visit. I spent so much time walking, running and hiking throughout Israel and Holland. Enjoy.

Beaverntx

Welcome from me too hiking lady! So far 2019 has been a better year, with 1 year mammo/ultrasound showing only benign post surgical changes. May the same be true for you!

IllinoisLady

When we are aware that each moment of each day, each gesture and step we take, is truly mystical and full of wonder, we will live our lives with greater thought and care. We will also have greater respect and appreciation for the lives of others.

Daisaku Ikeda

IllinoisLady

There has been sun all day today, but he temps -- last time I was out around 11 a.m. were quite cold. It was 18 but a very cold wind along with it making it feel awful. We may get some sleet tomorrow Dh said. I have ignored reading up on the weather. Doesn't sound too nice. I am going to run all my bills around this afternoon and then hopefully miss having to be out much tomorrow.

Anyway, hope you are all having a good day.

Puffin2014

I'm so tired of all this snow, my snow removal company has run out of room to put it and will come next week and haul some of it away. Got close to 12" in this last blizzard, unbelievable drifts. Tomorrow morning I'm flying out for 10 days in McAllen, Texas to do some birding so I'll miss the next storm coming through on Tuesday.

My oncologist called today with the results of my Breast Cancer Index. My risk for re-occurence in the next 5 years is 5.2% (5 is considered the point it becomes high risk). However, the test also showed that staying on my arimidex would not significantly change that percentage number. I'll see what my oncologist is thinking at my next appointment, but in my mind why stay on it and risk further osteoporosis if it isn't going to affect my cancer risk.

Wren44

Puffin, Enjoy your birding. It should be quite nice there.

They're predicting snow here and everyone is expecting they'll never be able to get anywhere again. It snowed for a couple of hours this afternoon and was only enough to make the sidewalk slick. A friend posted a photo of the grocery store with a big blank area. Only in Seattle would people panic buy kale.

ChiSandy

ROTFL! When I moved from Brooklyn to Seattle in 1971 the day after our wedding, everyone congratulated us on never having to see snow again unless we wanted to ski on it in the mountains, then when we'd get tired of it turn around and head back to the city. I got used to the rain pretty easily, especially after going back to NYC our first Christmas vacation and getting snowed in at our best man's house in Queens on New Year's Eve. A month later, back in Seattle, I awoke the morning after my 21st birthday and pulled open our front door, only to find 2 feet of snow in front of it. In the 7 years we lived there, it snowed enough to stick in the city only 3 more times--no deeper than a couple of inches. People who calmly drove on compact snow & ice over the passes to ski went skidding & slamming into each other in the city.

We lived in Seattle when Starbucks was relatively new, and still sold only coffee beans, teas, bulk chocolate, spices and brewing equipment. (1971-8 B.C., "Before Cappuccino"). And nobody knew about kale, quinoa, or kombucha. (We had to drive to Portland to get real boiled bagels). Most restaurants didn't serve diet soda (and we couldn't buy it at the Puyallup Fair, either).

IllinoisLady

All that we are is the result of what we have thought.
If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him.
If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him,
like a shadow that never leaves him.
– The Buddha

IllinoisLady

Puffin I'm sure glad you are going to be able to get away for awhile. Hoping you have really great weather in Texas. You'll have two BIG reasons to love being there. I agree with you about the Arimidex -- unless your oncologist ( I'm not aware of any ) could get you some other reason for staying with the med. I'd be likely to do away with it. I stopped mine after 4 yrs. and 10 months. A couple of months early since I had highly un-wanted se's from the generic Arimidex.

Your snow story was funny Sandy. That delightful 21st. birthday present at your front door. Actually, I like snow but I'm VERY particular about it and so don't get what I enjoy very often. Also usually doesn't show up at the time I like either. I truly enjoyed our yrs. in southern California ( Ventura/Santa Barbara ) but towards but after 25 yrs. of good weather I found that I missed definite seasons. Of course, I will admit I had become blissfully unaware of the good reasons why I enjoyed NOT having them in the first place. Like the snows at odd or bad times and the sometimes frigid cold and some of the treacherous driving. Leaves to be raked and done away with by mulching, burning or whatever.

Still, I am fine with being back home. Kicks too from the Starbucks and diet soda. I never visited ( had ) a Starbucks until my daughter had me come ( after all cancer txs. done ) to her house ( back to California for first time since we moved back home in 1997 ) in 2008. Not sure how I managed to skip the Starbucks experience that long. It was wonderful. We only got a semi-local Starbucks here a couple of yrs. ago. About 20 miles from us but when I go to Mt. Vernon I sometimes get one. I don't do diet sodas. I try to stay away from soda, especially the dark colored ones, and though it cost more ( for a lot less soda ) look for soda that is sweetened with table sugar. I can use Splenda, but most other types of diet sugars make me feel awful with weird feelings all along my esophagus and stomach cramps. I/we usually don't drink soda unless we are having a semi-monthly or monthly pizza so the added price of getting soda with table sugar works out okay. It would be a real problem if we were big consumers.

Sun is back out today but it won't be warm today either. Will have about a week where it gets up a little, but nothing exciting. Maybe some sleet and snow coming in a few days. Hoping for things to change to the better with a slight veering -- but I'd like to think no one has to get that sort of weather. We will be fine though.

Hope you all have a really good day.