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

jo6359

nanette- I was very happy when my drains came out. I had surgery then chemo then radiation and continued with herceptin and perjeta. I found radiation to be the least stressful of all the treatments. Good luck

IllinoisLady

In the rush of daily living it's easy to forget all the remarkable people, real or fictional, who have been a part of your life. But if you just imagine they are near for a moment, you will realize that anyone who ever touched your heart is always with you, patiently waiting to emanate warmth and support whenever you remember to think of them. - Barbara Sher

IllinoisLady

Sun is out today though we could see a stray shower pass through. It won't be as hot today but we are still pretty wet around the edges so likely some humidity going on. I think the possible huge thunderstorms didn't quite make it last night. I fell asleep waiting actually. I don't like being away from home during storms, but that is how it goes.

So things will go slow here for a bit but I'm only working five days this time so it won't give me much for loose ends this time. The first stretch of 11 days was a lot and it was hard for my friends too.

Hope you all are going to have a good Thursday.

nanette7fl

IllinoisLady....CONGRATS on having your drains out!! It's a freedom I'm enjoying so much. No more getting hung up on things, no more worrying about ripping those stitches out either.

jo6359.. thank you for the encouragement about radiation treatment.

Yesterday was only my shell fitting, and the breath holding oh and my tattoo placements. The radiation manager eased very nice and explained everything well. I should be hearing from them by next Friday four the fri run. I have to practice holding my breath for 35 seconds even though he said I did really well. I have to roll my head top the right as there is no clearance between my neck and my swollen left pec and he was afraid of burning me in the fold. Seems the TE was placed a little higher on my left.

Anyhow my lymphedema is doing really well. I've learned when we're go ot in this heat I have top keep my arm in a sling top keep my left hand 'up'. I was discharge yesterday from home nursing care so now I can to set up my appt with outpatient therapy for my arm. I'm not sure where I'm going to Gerry my sleeve and gauntlet from.... I have an appt 6/14 with Pink Up The Pace for fitting and my insurance is paying 100% or if I'm getting the stuff from the Rehab.

The weather here had been gastly HOT! The only saving grace is we've had very low humidity. My potted plant garden is doing really well I already have 2 more cubanelle peppers top pick soon. My tomatoes are doing great and ate full of blooms... can't wait to taste a tomato that hasn't been gassed lol. Zucchini and yellow squash have been transplanted by my watermelon on the side if the house and are doing nicely. I have about 100 corn seeds in the hothouse tray sprouting them for DH to transplant in the big garden. Today I'm going top yeti and do a little house cleaning... dinner work I won't be over shopping it...lymphedema is constantly on my mind!!

I pray you all are well and staying safe.

pingpong1953

Speaking of tornadoes, I once worked at a company in Cleveland (a manufacturing plant) that used the cafeteria as a mustering site. You know, the room with an entire wall of windows. We never had a tornado warning while I worked there, but if we had I probably would have taken my chances with the ladies' room.

nanette7fl

pingpong. I agree makes np sense at all! Big wide open room with windows. I was a Dorm parent at a local deaf & blind school and all the other buildings put the students into the bathrooms...not for my dorm. 2 story and the wanted me to have them in the 1st floor hall by the wall at 1 end was the fire door & then the exit area door the other end opened up into the dining room with French doors. The laundry room was right there protected on 3 sides but NOOOO the hallway was safer for tornados..... yeah right

carolehalston

My plan for the morning is to re-pot some flower plants to beautify our deck.  I'll post some pictures.  

This afternoon dh and I are signed up for Couples Golf and dinner afterward at a restaurant.  DH has an awful cough that makes me fear he has bronchitis again.  So far I'm not having the same upper respiratory problems that he has had since we left Louisiana.  

Our weather got hot enough yesterday afternoon that I turned on the a/c to cool off the interior of our 5th wheel camper summer home.  At bedtime I turned off the a/c and opened up.  The difference between MN heat and LA heat is that you can expect some relief in MN but not in LA.

The tornado damage is awful.  I'm afraid that "tornado alley" is going to get larger as the earth gradually warms and there is more moisture in the air to fuel violent weather.  

IllinoisLady

No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars,
or sailed to an uncharted land,
or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.
- Helen Keller

Seek To Understand, Rather Than To Fear.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

IllinoisLady

Hmm, we are ( or so it sounds like ) going to have a week of dry weather -- the first in some time if that is the case. I sure hope so. It is not only the rain but the extended grayness that comes along as a guest. I do not bloom when I it is gray. So, Carole, you may be right about the number of tornados if we don't pay attention and do what we can to offset climates changing -- which tends to change a bit anyhow.

Sure hope you don't have to deal with summer bronchitis. I think I'd encourage a check-up just so as to get an early foot-hold and maybe minimize the issue if it is there. Also, maybe you would continue to avoid it. Fingers crossed.

So far I'm keeping up pretty good with my dog-sitting duties though slower here to do things. Only keeping up mainly with the have-to's no matter what. Does mean that I'm keeping up for now with computer things.

Hope you are all going to have decent weather and a great start to the week-end.

IllinoisLady

Emotions give life texture and depth, but there's an art to managing our moods. Once we cultivate inner balance we can immerse ourselves fully in every experience without fear of going overboard. When we're conversant with our emotions, we learn to nurture positive feelings and defuse disturbing ones. -Joan Duncan Oliver

IllinoisLady

Pretty today and not too hot. I may be able to get some weeding done. I haven't had a lot of time lately, but actually -- it is a lot easier if the weeds are a wee bit taller when I start. I hope for a bit of breeze later, but we will not get past mid 80's so it won't be too hot.

Hope you are all going to have a really good Saturday.

Wren44

We're supposed to have a 4 day stretch of daytime 70's and cooler nights. Great news!

nanette7fl

Do you weeds are easier to pull up if the soil is wet? I read an article about it years ago and I did find it a lot easier so I'd go out after it rained and it was so much less work.

The weather here is partly cloudy and 90° very hot. DD is pressure washing out house in her bathing suit lol My potted garden is doing well. I just picked my 1st 2 cubanelle peppers and I have about 6-7 more green peppers coming along and my tomatoes are getting small tomatoes on them. My chocolate mint however isn't doing well but my peppermint is doing great...its a volunteer from last year . My Chinese garlic has been getting weekly haircuts along with my parsley and purple basil.

MCBaker

And here I was, wishing I lived further south so I could garden more stuff. Short of weed-killer, I don't think I could do anything to get my chocolate mint to do anything other than spread like a weed. Powerful stuff, too!

carolehalston

I got around to re-potting flower plants into larger pots today.  Also some herbs.  I also did three loads of laundry.  So it was a fairly productive, though not busy, day.  The weather was cool, 60's, and sunny but a north wind made my jeans and long-sleeved shirt feel good.  I can do without those 90's that I would be experiencing at home in south Louisiana.

There was some mention on the national news tonight of a new medicine for breast cancer.  That's always welcome news but I didn't get many details.

IllinoisLady

Here is good news to those to whom enthusiasm does not come naturally: It can be cultivated.
At first, you must consciously put your eyes, your voice, your spirit--in a word, yourself--into your appreciation of people and events and things. Do this around your home, at your work, and in your social contacts, and you will be surprised at how quickly it will become second nature. You will find yourself living in a more gracious and enthusiastic world, for your enthusiasm will be reflected back to you from the people to whom you give it. -David Dunn

IllinoisLady

I heard the cancer ( not any more detail much though ) news too. I think the reference was that it could extend life for Stage IV people, but since it was one of those passing through moments I didn't get it all. I'll have to hope to hear more or look for references later.

As far as weeds here, I have a spot alongside my house. It is covered with heavy black plastic underneath and small rocks on top. Through the yrs. some soil as found its way into the rocks -- so weeds come up there. They are not too hard to take out though I admit some wetness ( a bit of rain ) makes it even easier. I've come to realize too, having the patience to let them get a little taller ( so you have plenty to hold onto ) also makes a difference. Since they are easy I've given over more time to other yard chores so it has gotten a bit over-abundant in the growth there.

I have four more days/nights of taking care of my little friends at the Dr.'s house. Next job will be a week at the end of the month. This 'summer' has started out well for me in getting some work so to give me a bank account cushion.

I hope you are all going to have a really nice Sunday.

carolehalston

Jackie, your dog-sitting for the dr. seems like a win/win/win for you and him and his pets.  He couldn't find a more trustworthy person than you and you enjoy helping out and earning some income.  All pets should be so lucky.

DH's awful cough hasn't improved.  He's going to an outpatient clinic today.  I hope he can get some meds to cure what I think is another bout of bronchitis.

This afternoon we're going to Bemidji to pick up a new gas grill that dh purchased online at Menard's, which is similar to Home Depot and Lowe's.  The 2nd hand grill that I bought three years ago still lights up but the bottom is about to rust through.  I think dh will be more interested in manning the grill with a new one.  This one was a good price.

I use the outdoor grill as an oven in addition to the usual grilling of steaks and pork chops, etc.  

IllinoisLady

I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be honorable, to be compassionate. It is, after all, to matter: to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all. - Leo Rosten

Di2012

Hi....all!

Carole, I see you are in my husband's "home country ".....for the summer....both of my brother in laws graduated from Bemiji high school...the brothers and my husband are to be selling 120 acres, which was part of the homestead where they grew up and helped farm.

Carole enjoy your summer home.

( It is BRUTAL in the winter....-40 degrees, with blowing snow!)

Di

nanette7fl

Mary I'm finding chocolate mint hates being in a pot!! But my little area where I have my plants on the side of the house doesn't have a place for my to put it in the ground. A few years back I had orange mint and planted it out front and it took off for 2 years and I had loads of orange tea after dinner.

Carol...can I borrow some of your energy lol since my drains are out I'm trying to do more without over doing it because PS warned me about possiblity of a seroma?? coming up if my body doesn't absorb the fluids back well in my breast area.

OMG I have to tell you all something and please if you feel like laughing go ahead I wont be offended. I was bagging up hamburger meat into a 1 gallon zip lock and I leaned onto the counter and stood yelling well damn I can't press the air out of this bag because I DON'T HAVE BOOBS ANYMORE!! My husband and daughters boyfriend both stopped and stared at me the DH started to laugh. "If all the things to miss... now you miss your boobs??" YES!! You don't realize what you use your different body parts for until there not there anymore.

We had some laughs about that for about 15 minutes ... and then I had to apologize to Kalib he's only 26 and I think I shocked him silly... his face was blood red and the more we laughed the less red his face got.

Anyhow happy early Tuesday everyone

pingpong1953

I can visualize this so clearly - thanks for the morning laugh!

carolehalston

Dh had a good experience at the outpatient clinic in Park Rapids.  He was impressed with the staff's efficiency.  The dr. was an older man, probably semi-retired.  He prescribed an antibiotic and an inhaler.  If dh isn't better in a week, he will go back for a chest x-ray.  All fingers and toes crossed that the meds will cure the coughing.  I am SO tired of cough, cough, cough.  And he is, too!

Weather looks iffy.  I am signed up for women's golf at 11:30.

The new grill we picked up at Menard's came in a box.  Dh will probably put it together today.

Funny story about using boobs to squeeze air out of the freezer bag!  

jo6359

nanette- your story is easy to visualize. I think we have to laugh at some of the things that happened to us during this journey.

Carole- so glad to hear your husband is happy with his Outpatient Center and is finally getting some treatment.

IllinoisLady

Possession of material riches, without inner peace, is like dying of thirst while bathing in a lake. If material poverty is to be avoided, spiritual poverty is to be abhorred. For it is spiritual poverty, not material lack, that lies at the core of all human suffering. -Paramahansa Yogananda

IllinoisLady

Isn't it a laugh a day keeps the Dr. away -- well, unless you wonder if you have bronchitis. That is sooo funny. I hate to say -- I was never the 'best' endowed and seems like rather than a help to me, boobs just got in the way of things I was doing. Maybe that why it seemed so funny too me. We already had a minor 'rain' this morning and likely more to come. In fact, it sounds like we might have it off and on until the coming weeks. Sigh !! Well, the few days we have had cooler temps. have been nice and other than maybe some humidity I don't think the temps. will go up. I'm looking on the bright side I hope of having to deal with the possibility of a lot more gray then I wish to see and feel.

I hope you all have a really good day.

ETA: I do know that its an apple a day to cut down on seeing the Dr.

Puffin2014

I've always used my stomach to squeeze the air out of the ziplock bags against the edge of the countertop.

Wren44

Maybe she's a lot shorter than you?

IllinoisLady

In no way can we so effectively hasten the dawning of the inner consciousness of another, as by showing forth the divinity within ourselves simply by the way we live. By example and not by precept. By living not by preaching. By doing not professing. -Ralph Waldo Trine

IllinoisLady

A sunny morning here, but not sure that we won't get some clouds as it is due to rain again in this evening. And scattered rains all the way through Monday. At least one or two more might be night time rain. We have gotten a lot of those in the past few yrs. while when I first moved back home in 97' it was it seemed, afternoon rain squalls that didn't last all that long, but were refreshing.

Otherwise, tonight is my last work night. I will do laundry and run the dishwasher and empty the trash compacter -- nothing earth-shaking but nothing I'd be happy about if it were left. They have always told me to leave it, but I can't. I know how generous they are going to be and were I to leave these things I think I'd have to put all the mirrors at my house out of sight. I wasn't raised to expect other adults to wait on me when I am the one making the messes and using things. They make sure everything is perfect for me when I get there and I feel it is only fair that I return the favor.

Hope you are all going to have a gorgeous day.