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

carolehalston

No coronovirus cases reported in Louisiana yet but there have been few tests done. I'm concerned about the danger of being exposed because I feel vulnerable to lung illness after my serious bout of pneumonia last January. My illness this January had symptoms of fever and dry coughing. Nobody was talking about coronovirus then.

We don't mingle with large crowds because we don't like crowds.

I had a very nice birthday yesterday. Now it's history. Birthday number 77. That birthday cakes looks delicious, Jackie.

IllinoisLady

What riches are ours in the world of nature, from the majesty of the distant peak to the fragile beauty of a tiny flower, and all without cost to us, the beholders! No person is poor who has watched a sunrise or who keeps a mountain in his or her heart. -Esther Baldwin York

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature, and God.Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles. -Anne Frank

IllinoisLady

I hope I'm not over-concerned about the virus, but I do feel some nervousness. I'm 74 and Dh is 80 and so we are hoping to be 'safe' for the most part. We are not in any circle that travels, and we seem to have had decent tolerance for most of the issues of past yrs. though I know the COVID 19 doesn't respond to past vaccines. A few yrs. ( hate to own up to that ) I've forgotten to get my vaccine injection, but stayed well. I think it likely had more to do with living in a small area, but the fact is I was fortunate. One should always get the vaccine if they can. I've not forgotten the last three or so yrs. so for anything else I'm covered. Also a heavy-duty pneumonia shot this yr. as well.

We have ( according to the virus map ) 7 cases now in Illinois. Had one fairly close to us, but I haven't heard anything else as yet. I think the rest are likely closer to Chi-town than here. I do wonder since testing is sort of un-available and somewhat discouraged apparently ( not to get into the political area too much ) how many people may be carriers of this virus and no one knows it. I would not be any more or less worried if I knew the number -- but trying to think in terms of staying as safe as we feel we are now -- partly for the fact that like most of you -- there are family members all over the U.S. and my concern is for them too.

Nothing planned to today. It is overcast with rain expected. There were big droplets earlier today, but nothing much developed. Sure looks iffy at the moment. At least out temps. won't drop much. So, looking forward to seeing stronger Spring indications soon.

Have a marvelous Monday.

Wren44

More testing might reveal that the virus is widespread and most people don't even know they have it. When most of these early cases are in a highly vulnerable group, it looks a lot more serious than it may be. The cases here were in an acute nursing facility. All the people there had some condition that made them need that care. I'm being cautious, but definitely not panicked. We don't go much of anywhere either. I have to make myself go shopping. Someone should tell the people recommending having a months worth of medication on hand that Medicare doesn't allow that. And telling the homeless to go home is pretty pointless.

We're having 2 1/2 days of sun which is what we need after all that rain. When it's pretty seldom, we really appreciate it. It's cold but hardly any breeze, so not so bad.

ChiSandy

Bob came home at 4 am after having seen 65 patients at 3 hospitals. Asked him if any showed symptoms, and he shrugged. He said that at 70 it's a crapshoot what'll happen if he gets exposed--and he has no underlying health issues. (I wonder if enough of my Aug. Prolia shot is still in my system to immunosuppress me). I have spring allergies--what with wind kicking up, trees beginning to bud, crocuses popping up, my eyes are beginning to get itchy; with these cockamamie temperature swings (67 yesterday, 50s today, cold enough for "wintry mix" on Wed., warm again Thurs., then back down below 40 all day Fri. and snow showers Sat.) my nose runs like a faucet every time I come back inside from outdoors. I suspect those of us with allergies will be treated as pariahs. I stopped taking the Nasonex spray I restarted on Sat., as steroids are immunosuppressive. I'm washing my hands so often that I'm going through hand lotion like crazy to keep them from cracking.

petite1

CindyNY. Thank you. Closing is supposed to be 4/8. Crossing my fingers that it goes.

Carole, Happy Birthday. Mine was yesterday.

carolehalston

I read an article about coronovirus this morning on Facebook. Article was printed in a Seattle newspaper and provided clear information. I may have already mentioned on this thread that I had two of the symptoms in late January when I went to my dr. because I had a dry cough and was running a fever. She asked me if I had shortness of breath and I did not. I was having fatigue. It took me two weeks to recover.

Like other older people, I am concerned about being exposed to the virus. Sandy, I hope Bob can stay healthy and I hope he doesn't bring coronavirus home to you. DH and I haven't travelled outside the US since our trip to Aus/NZ a few years ago. We always avoid big crowds.

I said no to golf today and I am skipping the pickle ball session, too. It's good to have a leisurely morning. I do plan to go to the gym and do some cardio and attend the chair yoga class at 1 pm.

IllinoisLady

Contentment comes as the infallible result of great acceptances, great humilities--of not trying to make ourselves this or that, but of surrendering ourselves to the fullness of life--of letting life flow through us. -David Grayson

Wren44

They've decided that being in a high risk category is an excuse for not showing up for jury duty. I'm glad because all the jurors are in a huge room with folding chairs - about as close as in church. No distancing possible there.

IllinoisLady

keywestfan

Everyone in the retirement community we live in in Evanston, II is alarmed by the Coronavirus, except for one marvelous 97 year old who does the treadmill at 3.5 for 45 minutes each day. She’s cavalier about it all. I am a little too. Apart from age I‘m immunocompromised because of having had my spleen removed in 1999. I want to live for many more years, but think death from the virus would probably be preferable to many other ways of dying, though one would not want to infect anyone else. A group of us- about 15- meet for coffee every morning at 7:30 and everyone was adamant that they would not go to CVS because of germs and so are having meds delivered. They also agreed that they would not go to movies. Everyone knows they are vulnerable. However, DH and I walked to Evanston movie theatre today to see the new Annette Bening flick. There were no more than 5 others there and the lobby was virtually empty. I walk the stairs instead of taking the escalator and did put a thick layer of Kleenex between me and the bannister.

Also, take peer led classes from Northwestern University. Yesterday they cancelled all sessions until March 30, but rumors are that everything will be closed down until the fall

ChiSandy

Still planning to attend the concert at Dominican U. on Sat., but it's looking increasingly likely that it'll be cancelled. Judy, that's one heckuva walk (if your retirement community is as far NW as I think it is) to the theaters at Church St. I'm not having meds delivered, as I have enough of a supply--though when I ordered groceries (cat food, arugula & Bob's hard seltzer--they were out of everything else) online from Whole Foods and the deliveryman asked me for I.D. (really???), he took it to photograph it for WF and then had me sign the screen with my finger attesting I'm >21. I immediately went to the bathroom and washed not just my hands but my driver's license. I'm washing my hands at least 10x a day. (Going through hand cream too, to keep my skin from cracking).

My PCP, who is 70, messaged me "business as usual, just be careful."

petite1

Good morning, ladies. Today is prep day for my colonoscopy, so staying close to the toilet.

keywestfan

Sandy, I think, though I’m one of these people with no sense of direction who’s always disoriented, that you must think that I live at the Presbyterian Homes which is NW. But we live at the Mather on the 10th floor with a perfect lake view,east of the Merion. Gil can walk easily to his office at Northwestern and the movies take us 15 minutes.

Enjoy the concert. Apart from her gorgeous voice, she herself is gorgeous

carolehalston

My cleaning angel is coming today.

We now have six presumptive cases of corona virus in Louisiana. Five are in New Orleans. One is in St. Tammany Parish, my parish. The danger is becoming real.

Wren44

Has anyone else noticed the element of waiting like when a hurricane or big snowstorm is predicted? How bad will it be? Do I have enough supplies? That element of suspense is familiar.

My Fred Meyer had a sign at the customer service desk that said they were out of hand sanitizer, masks, thermometers, flu medicine, rice and beans. They made sense until rice and beans (written together, not separate). I'm sure that might make sense in Texas, but here? I had thought of getting some more rice but hadn't really looked for it (after a recent remodel, everything you need is a puzzle).

ChiSandy

Ah, thanks, Judy. Bob & I are thinking of the Merion if & when the house becomes too much to handle (the Breakers & Admiral are too far from the L). That'll probably happen when our housekeeper retires to AL. When, we don't know--and would rather not think about it. We love Edgewater.

Rice & beans are big in LA too. But they're also staples that keep indefinitely. We have some instant rice and a ton of spaghetti, plus lots of canned tuna, salmon & sardines (so I won't have to carb-load when the freezer goes empty). We have at least 3 wks.' worth of frozen wild salmon filets, steak, pork and chicken thighs too--plus no-nos like fries, hash browns, meatballs, BBQ-sauced ribs, pizza and a few frozen dinners. Hoping that by the time we may have to stay home we'll have been able to plant some tomatoes & basic veggies. (We grow our own basil, thyme & scallions indoors). We don't chemically treat our lawn, so dandelion greens are also a possibility.

IllinoisLady

Integrity is not a conditional word. It doesn't blow in the wind or change with the weather. It is your inner image of yourself, and if you look in there and see a person who won't cheat, then you know you never will. - John MacDonald

IllinoisLady

I have not been able to confirm the one case that was thought to be near us ( 50 miles to the northwest of us ) and am thinking it might have turned out to be a false alarm. Payday I will get more tuna fish ( something we love here ) and more rice ( also loved ) and extra spaghetti. We have packets of cod and salmon in the freezer and I think I will get some canned chicken as well. So far most of the cases have been about four hours from here, but I'm not kidding myself. It sounds like it will get LOTS worse before it gets better. Our nursing home here is taking measures. Not sure about visitors ( I'm not currently visiting anyone ) but the Bounce Back Therapy center attached to the nursing home is saying day people ( former bounce back patients from the designated wing ) can't come inti the Therapy area anymore until the danger of infection is past.

We are in scary times.

Taco1946

The "active adult" residential development where I live in the Phoenix, AZ area just closed down all indoor club activities and recreational facilities until May lst.

As chair of the board of our local food bank, I can tell you that we are seriously concerned about getting supplies. Prices of many staples, including rice, have doubled. We believe that the need for food will increase as grocery stores run low or price gouge. At the same time our donations and food drives will drop off. Not a pretty picture for folks living on the edge. Phoenix has already been reporting that many of our homeless are seniors.

Be safe out there, everyone.

IllinoisLady

Some times I think all we can do is hope for each other. There are many people living at the edge. Hoping for you Taco and others knowing we are just at the beginning right now.

ChiSandy

We were worried a few days ago that, due to the market tanking, we might outlive our money. Now, with the likelihood that hospital resources will be limited and we oldsters fall victim to triage, that might be moot. Bob & I are re-doing our wills (removing guardianship for Gordy) and considering making him a joint tenant with right of survivorship on everything (and give him our passwords). He and Leslie are mature and conscientious and wouldn't drain our accounts while we're still alive. He & I have a couple of small joint checking accounts anyway. Also time to re-do our advance directives & health care proxies.

CindyNY

Here in SWFL the 1st death from COVID-19 was at a hospital 4-5 miles from us. Today we had guests come down for a spring training game to see the Twins. As we drive to the stadium we were explaining how the line of traffic backs up to get in. But wait, we were zipping right along. Yup, you know it, it was cancelled!

With no game to see, we took our guests to Six Mile Slough to hike and see some wildlife. On the way home from there we made a quick stop into BJ's for milk. The men ran in, us ladies stayed in the car chatting. It took them a while to get out of the store, apparently panic shopping was taking place - a lot of people with carts full of supplies, as well as lots of toilet paper. We don't understand the toilet paper hoarding. Although, I've told my neighbors if we get quarantined they'll have to throw TP into my garage & run. I'll then close the garage door to access their donations.

I know it's serious stuff, but a lot is out of our control. Wash your hands, disinfect things that get touched, and try to avoid large crowds.

I'm not sure if this is any help - 45 years ago I worked in a nursing home, dietetic assistant (translate: kid who served food & did dishes after cleaning tables & buffing floors). We used a spray bottle of bleach & water to wipe down tables etc... And the nuns who ran the place had us hand wash (wore rubber gloves) the dishes with bleach, especially if somone had the flu, to stop the spread of germs. If you use bleach on dishes make sure to rinse in hot water until they're not slippery anymore - that's how we could tell the bleach was off.

Good night ladies, hope you all have a great Friday!

ChiSandy

We've got 30 rolls of TP and lots of paper towels (including those trifold hand-towels). We paid $6 for a gallon of bleach and were lucky to find it. Everyone (in person or online) is sold out of anything that can clean surfaces. We may have to load up a spray bottle with Everclear or Polish over-proof vodka (both 96% alcohol) and enough water to dilute it to 60% alcohol, should it come to that. Every time I get a Brazilian Blowout they give me free full-size bottles of BB's brand of shampoo & conditioner and I have three sets of each (I prefer a different brand and so I've built up a shampoo stash), so we may have to repurpose those as soap & moisture lotion.

A friend who is moving to SC is holding a combination farewell party & gig with his band in a S.W. Side pizzeria/tavern tomorrow night. It's not a very big place, as I recall from the time I played there a couple of years ago. Two mutual friends (one of whom is 70 and a prostate cancer survivor with 2 heart stents) are aghast that I'm considering skipping it. Bob thinks I should go, but if when I walk in it's too crowded, say my (contactless) goodbyes, turn around & go home. The guy is considering livestreaming it on Facebook (as is our temple for its services going forward).

Went out to dinner last night, but wasn't afraid. I've been washing my hands so often that the non-chip manicure I got yesterday was already peeling off by this morning. Went back to the salon for a soak-off/re-do (with a better base coat) today, and the place was deserted--two other seniors and one's nurse. All we could talk about was the virus and the botched Federal response. Then went to Plum Market to stock up on salad stuff & frozen veggies & fruits--but the only cleaning & paper products they had were that eco-Seventh Generation & Mrs. Meyer's stuff.

One thing of which we have plenty is wine. There may be serious drinking ahead.

carolehalston

It's very foggy this morning. I set my clock alarm so I would get up by 7 am. I plan to play golf and our tee times are 9:10 and 9:20.

I know a lot of people are complaining that the corona virus measures being taken are extreme but I think it's wise to look at other countries and try to cope with an inevitable spread of the virus. Our best hope is not to overwhelm the medical facilities so that people seriously ill with health problems other than the corona virus can get care in hospitals.

I took an exercise walk yesterday and worked in the yard a couple of hours. The yard can definitely use some attention.

IllinoisLady

As I experience it, appreciation of beauty is access to
the soul. With beauty in our lives, we walk and carry
ourselves more lightly and with a different look in our
eyes. To look into the eyes of someone beholding beauty
is to look through the windows of the soul. Any time we...
catch a glimpse of soul, beauty is there; any time we catch
our breath and feel "How beautiful!," the soul is present.

Jean Shinoda Bolen

IllinoisLady

This is really horrible and I continue hope that many people will be able to avoid the illness. Someone has to be available to perhaps deliver ( carefully ) supplies to someone housebound due to the virus. This response to this ( mainly seemingly withholding testing ) is one of the worst parts. We have to know what is going on and where the illness is so we can help each other and ourselves properly. I'm glad a lot of venues are closing because we really don't know where or who may have it and as Carole so rightly said -- we need to be able to take care of those who NEED hospital stays due to other medical issues so not overwhelming the facilities is a big key.

Yesterday we had a lot of rain and it wasn't too nice a day, but woke up to sun and the orange glow in the East was beauty to behold. I hope you will all have some sun and hopefully inspiration.

petite1

Good morning, ladies. I had the colonoscopy and all is well. I will be 77 by the time the next one comes around and probably won't worry about that.

I went to the DG and there was a run on toilet paper and cleaning supplies. There are not any confirmed cases near me, yet. Strange times we are living in.

CeliaC

Picked up supplies yesterday and today to tide us over should we need to shelter in place. I am 65 & DH is 72 so we are "at risk." Went to several stores today for food items - what an adventure in craziness! Whole Foods & Trader Joe's were wiped out of almost every type of frozen veg & meat. Of course, disinfectant wipes/supplies are wiped out everywhere. Luckily, I buy TP & Paper Towels in bulk, so no worries there. Schools, colleges/universities, libraries, etc. all closing down for 2-3 weeks. Yikes! All I can think of is the song "It's the End of the World as We Know It". Everyone stay safe!

IllinoisLady

Found late tonight that St. Louis County straight across from us to the west and in Missouri has tested ( I think the number was 94 and had 4 cases. So, it is getting closer. The city of St. Louis is about 75 miles west of us. I worried about the Belleville case that sounded closer at 50 miles, but never could find out it is was a certified case or not. The test kits used were not ? CDC approved although the lab that was used was ???? and that is in reference to the St. Louis cases.

I just feel though it is now getting a lot closer for the most part than it has seemed. I say this because people from here do go to work across the river and into the city -- so, that makes it close for me. I continue to hope we all make it through okay, but you do have to worry. We don't have close neighbors, but like anyone you have to go to the store and other places. I may postpone my next hair trim -- will have to think about that when the time comes. I also have some medical appts as well. That is sometimes a almost a part of our social life during certain portions of the year.