Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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It took longer than it should have, but I made four pleated masks with inside pockets yesterday. Having no elastic, I used white shoe lace cording that has a little stretchiness. Dh and I don't plan to wear a mask for a long period of time. Just for short trips into the supermarket or into Sam's Club to pick up prescriptions. I may make some more with the fabric I have left. But a sister-in-law who is a quilter will be making masks and has already offered to send them to family members so I am relieved of any responsibility in that regard.
We're having another lovely day even if the humidity is a bit high. I went for a 45 minute walk at 10 am and did get quite wet with perspiration. In the subdivision where I walk, I overheard some conversation among several people out in front of their houses. They were obviously medical workers. I was tempted to stop and eavesdrop but decided that would be too rude. I'm sure there are many stories to be told.
So far I am content to be home with dh for company. The list of yard chores is very long. And then there's the house which, unfortunately, doesn't clean itself. And books to read. And tv to watch. Currently we're watching episodes of Killing Eve at night after dinner. It was recommended several years ago and we took a month's free membership of HULU because the first season was available.
Sandy, I hope Bob can stay healthy and not bring illness home to you. What a worry.
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Sandy, Of course you’re worried about Bob and yourself. I’m glad some of your fitful- if any- sleep was because of missing the nightly pills( due to the worries.) A man walked right next to me yesterday in the Mather garden. I yelled at him through my mask that he should distance, but he didn’t get it. I finally moved around him, but not before he sneezed twice right in my direction and took out an icky handkerchief before I could get away. I woke at 3am. convinced I’ve been infected. Your situation with Bob being so dedicated is, of course, more worrisome. We are all, I think, getting stressed and ragged. I think of John Irving and Garp and the Undertoad, the thing that you didn’t worry about, that there is no protection from, that is what gets you. I never worried about getting breast cancer, had ovaries removed at 35, no family history, but... So since we are uber anxious about CO 19 and BC, I sort of really think it will be something else that will take you and Bob away a long time from now. Me, I’ll be 86 on Thursday, so... It will all be revealed.
think it will be somethin
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I don't know about safety of all the masks, but I seen online someone making them from the HEPA vacuum cleaner bags and thought that sounded like a good idea. Or maybe use that as a filter in cloth masks.
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Yes vacuum hepa as filters in cloth masks. However, those are expensive. I will use a pair of coffee filters and a few prayers that my masks' efficacy will never be tested. I went to the grocery store, and a few people refused to look at me. Either didn't want to be reminded, or thought I wasn't feeling well. Oldest maybe 50. Hopefully the example will be the greatest benefit. Seven cases in a mostly rural county, but next to a mostly urban county.
Tippy just scratched my leg and looked at the computer. I turned on his mind-numbing music, and he walked away happy.
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Hepa filters are good filters. I worked in a company around Carpinteria Ca, that made Hepa filters. I do think though that if everyone around you are wearing some sort of mask you likely would have to worry more about hand contact, or getting germs on your clothing or something like that. In a general way we are as much in danger by what comes in contact with our hands. Then we don't realize our hands are contaminated and maybe touch our face. Or touch other things in our environment. The masks are mainly so we don't cough on others around us or they cough on us. I think most masks would prevent these "droplets" from entering our oral/nasal passages under a mask so I'm not sure much of any kind of extra filter there would be needed. I'd be as much, or maybe more concerned to have gloves on the hands. Also, sanitizers for anything we are touching while we are out. Then again, I think anyone who wishes a sturdier mask with more protection in it should have what makes them feel safe.
We will have issues till we find a vaccine. I was thinking/hoping -- that due to the nature of this virus and that we have absolutely nothing for it, and such a late start on trying to control it that many scientists are likely working very hard to find us something. A good vaccine though is the ultimate and that will take quite some time.
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DH went to the store here and said the majority of people had masks. And I've seen people in the neighborhood with them on. I'm going to make some for us.
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I was wearing disposable gloves in the grocery store, but my red mask was a tad bit more obvious.
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My Dh ordered some cloth masks today from Etsy. My BIL said he had some, but when we talked to him he had given them all away to someone else who hasn't any left and is waiting for some he ordered. We will each have two. One to wear and an extra if we need to go out again before we get the 'used' one washed and dried. I'm out of my disposable gloves and need some extra Clorox wipes as well. Kept a lot of this around anyway since we have animals ( cats are notorious for fur balls from licking themselves ) and didn't realize I'd be using much more lately. We may get some extra masks later on. Will have to see how the first ones hold up.
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No masks, no elastic and I don't sew. We decided we could give everyone a laugh by wearing DH's unused CPAC masks. My daughter, who works in a grocery store, said I'd be amazed at what she sees. I'm shopping tomorrow for a friend with COPD. I'm better able to shake anything than she is. Her kids were flying down every few weeks to help her but they're in Colorado and have tighter quarenten (spell check isn't helping me here) than we do. I've also become both fatalistic and grateful about every day. I should have been dead 13 years ago from a intracerebral bleed and have seen each day as a gift since then. DH thought he would be dead before age 60 due to his family history of heart disease and he's still chasing the dog around at 77.
STAY SAFE AS YOU CAN EVERYONE
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Judy, Happy Early Birthday!! That encounter with the other resident sounded scary indeed, but thank goodness you had a mask. What is it with old men (especially preachers) and handkerchiefs, anyway? I'd given some thought to end-of-life decisions ever since getting cancer, but I never knew we might have to plan so soon. (I did finally find a nonsectarian cemetery next to Shalom Memorial Park where we could get a double plot--no issues with dueling religions feuding over each others' consecrated ground).
Bob had a slightly easier day at Little Company today--none of his patients from yesterday needed the ICU. But he did see (from the other side of the glass) another guy go into sudden total heart block--ironically, his lungs had improved. Because of reallocation of resources to COVID, the patient couldn't go to the cath lab for angioplasty & stenting--best they could do was "jump start" his heart and then give him TpA.
And Christ Hospital made the news for the extremely systematic way it's dealing with COVID: 2 whole floors, with negative air pressure to vent contamination up & out through the chimneys--where if the heat didn't kill the viruses the sunlight will. Only the nurses are allowed to attend to the patients--doctors have to watch through the windows or onscreen. And the PPE has gotten better at both hospitals too.
But no more hospital rounds for the next two weeks, whew! Only office, e-visits, Union Health (also mostly phone visits) and lots of NEJM and online CME & study. (Speaking of which, time for me to start watching those CLE videos I bought to complete my biennial 30 hours for retaining my law license--never know when I'll have to use it, especially once--kinahurra--the curve flattens and wills can be witnessed & notarized again.
Tomorrow at 5pm the NYC branch of City Winery will be livestreaming its "Downtown Seder." Went to the one at the Chicago branch a few years ago and it was a hoot.
In my neighborhood, everyone is masking to go out beyond their backyards.
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Trying to figure out what day it is! Monday, I believe.
Not much to share this morning. Thankfully, nothing medical.
Our supply of disposable gloves, wipes, and sanitizer is very limited. I'm thinking more will be available as time goes on. Like many people I have been thinking of terms of "getting through this" in a month or two, but I'm realizing that "this" won't end until there are medical weapons to control the virus. I'm not sure that dh and I will be able to travel to MN to escape the heat this summer.
Hope everyone has some enjoyment in the day.
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Prayer can be an easy substitute for real spirituality. It would be impossible to have spirituality without prayer, of course, but it is certainly possible to pray without having any spirituality at all. How do you know? "Am I becoming kinder?" is a good place to start. -Joan Chittister
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An extra for today because I think we need it:
"Love is the crowning grace of humanity, the holiest right of the soul, the golden link which binds us to duty and truth, the redeeming principle that chiefly reconciles the heart to life and is prophetic of eternal good."
-- Petrarch -
Good morning, ladies. I have made 4 different types of masks, 3 from CDC guidelines, but haven't tried them out in public, yet.
HikingLady, thank you for the tips!
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The sun wants to come out today. Don't know if it will make it. Dh says it will get up to 70. It just might. When I went to town ( bath day for my friend ) it was already in the 50's and I went right before 8: 30 a.m. Sweep and mop day here. Thinking of working tomorrow and next day in the kitchen big walk-in pantry. Don't let that fool you -- when I say walk-in. It is a small walk-in. I have room on one wall for my small up-right freezer only because there is a fuse box on that wall so no shelving like on the opposite side. It is a lifesaver though. I have two roll-carts and I think I will take the small one out of the walk-in pantry and put the bigger one in. It is on wheels ( has my two toaster ovens 1. is a regular over but #2 has a lot more features ) and a couple of other things. It shouldn't be in the kitchen because I can't keep my table close enough to the wall. Dh and I constantly bang into each other. Either one of us has to move out ( rather drastic ) or I change out the carts. I prefer that table ( looks nicer to me too ) farther back in the kitchen so today and tomorrow I'll work on that.
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Good morning ladies,
I know most of you don't know me but I thought I'just pop in to wish u all well and it sounds like you are all taking care of yourselves. This is something so strange no one could expect this quarantine can be so world wide and all we can do is wait and try to do what we can do, like avoid people. I am sending <<<PRAYERS >>> your way and HUGS all around. Stay well and stay home as much as possible.
Luv
Cam
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Cam- A lot of people here will know you, because we are on both forums. And we love to see you where ever your posts.
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Good morning, ladies. My husband went to Publix, yesterday. He said about 70 percent of the shoppers had masks on. Everyone was doing well at social distancing. He couldn't get everything on the list, but did the best he could. All items "treated' before putting away. Unfortunately we awoke to find the paper towels had been shredded by Midnight Louie, the cat. At least it was not the toilet paper!
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Welcome, Cam! So nice to have you pop in. How could I ever forget you? Or Chevy, your comic sidekick. I guess your grandson, Joey, is grown by now. He always seemed such a nice boy.
Jackie, just now on the New Orleans morning news, there was advice for people with pets to make contingency plans in case the owners got ill.
I will go for a walk this morning. I have been walking 45 minutes. Maybe I will push for 5 or 10 minutes longer. I could walk even farther except for not wanting to stress my feet too much.
Yesterday the NYT had a map of the US with data on coronavirus cases all over the country. You could move your computer cursor over the map until the county in your state popped up and there was the number of virus cases. What amazing technology. Such smart people in our country and other countries and yet the whole world is being paralyzed by a virus.
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Simply give others a bit of yourself: a thoughtful act, a helpful
idea, a word of appreciation, a lift over a rough spot, a sense
of understanding, a timely suggestion. You take something out
of your mind, garnished in kindness out of your heart, and put
it into the other person's mind and heart.
Charles H. Burr -
Cami, we are always thrilled if you stop in. Just as Carole said, we all benefited from the fun when you and Chevy kept everyone wondering what the two of you would dream up next to rib each other and entertain us. You are one of those rare jewels and rarer yet since we only hear from you now and then. Goes w/o saying that all of us here wish you and yours safety and health. I'm sure all have great longing for getting through this and getting back to what had become normal for us -- adding on the yrs. NED. Maybe Chevy will turn up here, hope, hope.
Sun out today. Heard that my BIL ( the one who also helps my friend in town -- a whole lot ) is feeling poorly. I have my fingers crossed and re-crossed. He is a chain smoker, with any number of issues, and so with all the pollen out right now in our blooming Spring I'm hoping that is all it is. I've been nervous about the fact that he lives in one of the small towns surrounding ours here -- so we do interact with some different people ( more opportunities for virus ) and I gave the friend the chance to NOT have me come since she is basically house-bound. She has not only myself, but my BIL to worry about. Well, we will see. I'm nervous but what can a person do. I do know I am feeling ( but I always do ) the onslaught of the pollen, molds and other spring-time allergens. Hope that is all that is really going on or BIL.
Carole, I never thought about my animals and what if we got sick. I guess more so since you are advised to basically stay home. Something to consider now.
I hope you are all going to have some sun and maybe you can get out for a walk. Our warmth has returned so it will work well for us.
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Just me.
I just had to pop back in to tell you my little Joey is now 6feet 1in. at 15 yrs. old and so far he is still so sweet and we are still so close, and u know I love that. He doesn't make me feel young tho, just informed.
Glad u are all doing well, especially at this time.
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It hit 80 today at the lake--but all I could do outdoors was take out the recycling & cat litter, plus break down a bunch of shipping boxes now that it was safe to touch them after a few days. Then kick back on the deck for awhile, with a nice glass of...ice water.
Did a Seder "dress rehearsal" (iCal messed up--normally, when it lists a Jewish holiday, it lists the first FULL day of it, even though the holidays start the night before--so when iCal flagged Passover as 4/8, I assumed that tonight at sundown would be first Seder). So we'll do it again tomorrow--have lots of leftovers (except veggies--I made all the asparagus tonight, so will likely make Brussels sprouts, tomato-basil salad or wilted kale). I could serve Indian leftovers from Mon. night (basmati rice for Bob--in Rome they eat rice on Passover; palak paneer--ignoring the fact that it has dairy and we'll be eating roast chicken again). We both admitted that this Passover is special, because this might be our last chance to celebrate it.
Because Bob saw COVID patients (albeit dressed in full PPE, at a distance) over the weekend, his office EKG tech quit. He has very few office patients, and most of his Union Health patients are "seen" virtually. The practice is hemorrhaging money, but he has to keep it alive so his partner (recovering from a lumpectomy) can keep her insurance because she's only 62. His other two nurses have husbands who retired well, and they may be close enough to Medicare age to do a COBRA bridge.
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Good morning, ladies. Beautiful super moon last night.
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Sandy, what a worrisome time for you and Bob. Hoping the best for both of you.
I had a grocery delivery yesterday but I think I will continue to do my own grocery shopping wearing mask and salon gloves.
Another hot day coming up here. I have a tee time at 10 am and plan to walk 9 holes and play golf with another woman who likes to walk. She's only 65 and would walk and play 18 if I were able to do the same. The heat and humidity will probably be limiting factors as well as my age, 77.
DH and I both have prescriptions at Sam's Club pharmacy. I plan to do a quick trip there and pick up some items at the same time.
Yesterday dh began power washing the front walkway, which is stamped concrete like the back patio. I took over for a while and then he finished up. It looks nice.
Today is...Wednesday.
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Once you accept and rejoice in your authenticity, you begin to see things as YOU are. You begin to see the authentic self, the Soul made visible. Godspeed on your journey to wholeness. -SarahBan Breathnach
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Power is out while arborists take down my Ailanthus (big old weed tree) out back—so will try to conserve my battery life on this iPad (my cable modem & wi-if systems are out, as is my VOIP “landline”). Made a pot of K-carafe coffee beforehand, and also ground up beans for drip & espresso—have one burner on simmer in case I need to cook or boil the kettle. (Hopefully, the heat will stay OK so long as the pilot light’s on—the thermostat’s electric too. Water heater is gas, so its pilot is OK). Arborists promised to open garage door manually so Bob can get to work (he has an elderly patient who slipped and fell and is under observation in the outpatient bldg. down at Christ Hospital).Gonna log off and do something Pioneer Woman—like read a book or do a crossword. Over & out.
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Sun out again this a.m. I could get use to this. Hot yesterday here though having the windows open all day kept things all right. Actually right around the temp. we would use if we had the air on. Hoping not to have to use it too soon. Nothing too much on the schedule today. May ( due to current weather ) get out all the room oscillating fans from storage and clean and ready them.
Starting to lose sight of the few houses we can see from outs. Plenty of yard work to do as well. Dh finally got all the leaves ( last yr.'s ) off the lawn so we can think of throwing some seed down in the bare places.
Hope you all have a good day.
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My big plan for today is a trip to Sam's Club during the 7 to 9 time slot for seniors. DH and I both have prescriptions to pick up and I will make some purchases. What is a month without a big Sam's Club bill?
Walking 9 holes yesterday was really dumb. I was wiped out and soaking wet with perspiration. I keep a couple of big towels in the car and covered my car seat but the sweat soaked through anyway. When I got home I changed into dry clothes and sat in my chair for over an hour drinking water to hydrate. It was oppressively humid and warm yesterday. We may get a little relief this weekend. It's supposed to rain and maybe lower the temperature a few degrees.
I am not religious though I consider myself spiritual. This will be a strange Easter for church-going people. I remember those days when I was growing up and always had a pretty Easter dress. Some of the women would wear hats to church. My sister and I would have matching dresses some year. My mother made all our dresses. I still remember a couple of the dresses. One was a pale green organdy.
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Each day is a time of great possibilities. Many experiences are before me that will inspire me on my upward path of growth and discovery. Knowing this, I greet each day with enthusiasm. An enthusiastic attitude is an energizing one. When I am enthusiastic, I tap into an inner wellspring of energy that promotes change in my body and in my life. The positive power that is generated by enthusiasm improves my circulation and helps restore health to my body. It stirs up joy within me and calls it forth into expression. Enthusiasm for life brings out the beauty that I was once unable to see. -unattributed
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