Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Had a storm last night. Brought out temps. down quite a bit -- by at least 20 degrees. So, sunny today but much cooler. It was 80 yesterday. I was able to get a lot done, and hopefully be able to continue today. I haven't been able to devote this much attention to spring cleaning ( working a lot most of the time ) for years. Feels good to be a lot more through. I would so tons more, but right now there are no outlets for the things I would donate. At least as far as I know. Everything is locked down.
I did ( wasn't able to actually verify it ) hear yesterday that one of our ( state nursing facility ) live-in nursing centers has 16 cases of the virus. Wow !! Best of my knowledge most of those people can't leave, but still it worrisome a lot. The staff do come and go. I had hoped to be able to become aware -- just to know that the precautions I'm taking are likely paying off. It does not so make a difference otherwise, but does help me keep ALL the rules of needed behaviors uppermost at all times.
Sounds like your weather was not at all nice Carole. Glad you made it all right, but I too hope you don't take on too much when the humidity is strong. We haven't had much humidity. Not sure just when we will have to think about turning on our air but I always hope it is later rather than sooner. Even on budget billing our propane pymts. were high this yr. We have kept up, but I'm hoping they don't go higher. We use one of the cheaper ( they have been in the community a long time ) companies so at least we have that. Some of our friends and a couple of relatives supplement ( they have different suppliers ) their propane with wood burning stoves. It helps them, but it creates a lot of dirt inside the house.
Hope you all have a good Thursday.
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Good morning, ladies. After my walk today, I think I will do my toe nails and eyebrows. I trimmed my husband's hair yesterday. Heading out for the walk. It is cloudy, so it should be comfortable to walk.
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Last night's sleep was not restful. We had storms pass through. The power went off and the new house generator kicked on. The unit is located outside our master bath and bedroom and is noisy. But it did its job and allowed the a/c to cycle normally.
It's a bit cooler this morning. I have the option to play golf with a rented cart but I am choosing to take a walk in the neighborhood instead and do some yard work. I'm hoping the rain forecast for this weekend will wash away a lot of the pollen. A couple of rainy days would be welcome.
DH will play golf today. He played Wednesday after a layoff of more than a month because of an injury. He shot a 77 and was quite elated over his play. I am glad for him. Shooting your age is a big thing for amateur golfers and he's 80, so he beat his age by 3 strokes. Today could be a whole different story. You never know which golfer will show up when you go out and play.
I made contact with a washing machine repairman yesterday. We either have to have our machine repaired or buy a new one. I was all set to go for the second option. Then I started reading reviews of machines to purchase. And reviews of the machine we own. I ended up undecided on the issue of repair or buy new. This repairman swayed me in the repair direction. We will see how this saga plays out.
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We all have the potential to know balance. Simply to desire balance is to begin to know. We can start with stopping, taking a few deep breaths, and letting the nervous energy drain out of us. We can let our minds become quiet, and we can make a commitment to ourselves to seek the peacefulness of balance wherever we are. We can open our hearts and minds to peacefulness. We can let peacefulness enter through the bottoms of our feet and flow up through our bodies with our breath and aliveness. We can breathe in peacefulness and breathe out agitation. -Anne Wilson Schaef
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Sun this morning but temps that will be cooler than I like. In the 60's. Hopefully we won't have anything for wind and that will make it a lot more palatable and easier to do work outside though I am engrossed in getting things organized inside. Not sure but I may think on some storage for things to go to Goodwill and will ask the lady at the bookstore if she has a way to deal with donations there.
Have a BIL ( I'm so hoping it is allergy issues ) who has had a sore throat for three or four days. Worrisome as he is the major go-between for our lady friend in town. I did his work while I was there yesterday so he could stay home and rest, but it is on my mind. He is a heavy smoker ( for yrs. and yrs. ) as well, so it really could be allergies. One of those things that a few months ago would not have gotten any reaction out of me at all.
The masks we ordered should be arriving tomorrow ( fingers crossed ) as it would be nice not to have to wait till Monday. We have not had to go out much and we are likely ( fingers crossed hard again ) okay, but I think those that use masks are beginning to look at those who don't like they are dangerous people. Our family ( like everyone's ) has different circles for different reasons. BIL'S are taking things a bit on the lighter side as they are Reps. and feel like some of the virus issues are hyped. I just want them to be safe and I am being selfish in wanting Dh and I and others we interact with to be safe too. SIGH !!
My sinuses are ( so usual for this time of yr. ) front and center right now. Sneezing, running nose, and sniffing up Flonase almost daily. I hope we all get thru the pollen counts okay.
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There are no small acts of kindness.
Every compassionate act makes large the world.
- Mary Anne Radmacher
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A beautiful Saturday here in south Louisiana. We turned off the a/c last night and slept with several windows open and the ceiling fan in the bedroom on low setting.
When I walked yesterday I had conversations with two neighbors I have not seen in probably a year., maybe more. We kept our distance apart and it was nice talking to them. The walk was very pleasant, too, since the temperature was in the low 70's and it was quite breezy. I had to keep a hand on my visor during gusts.
Today I hope to prune another azalea bed. Maybe the remaining two beds. That's probably an ambitious goal.
This will be the first Easter in my memory that my family won't have a gathering for a big meal. Now that my mother has died, such gatherings with all my siblings and spouses won't be happening anyway. As much as I miss her, I'm so glad she isn't experiencing this present time of necessary isolation.
A golfing friend of mine knows of two people who were infected with coronavirus and died. One is a man at her gym whom she liked a lot because he had such a good personality. He was 77. The other is a woman in Morgan City, where my friend is from originally. This woman and her husband tested positive. She was 84. The husband has survived so far.
I hear that the people in an adjacent parish/county are not taking the distancing advice seriously. Whole families are shopping in Walmart. I was told that our local Target appears to be business as usual with people not wearing masks and the store quite full of shoppers. I'm not a regular Target shopper so I haven't seen the situation for myself.
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Good morning. ladies. It is a nice pretty morning. My husband will be doing a supply run this afternoon. I will start the cleaning. I think it will work better for me to split it into 2 days. I will be so glad when my wonderful cleaning lady comes back.
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Sun today but going to be a quiet day for us. For the first time in forever I am going to make chicken and home-made noodles for Easter. I've been wanting them and since we really can't do anything together much as a family I decided it was time to go way off script. My friend that I help in town loves the dish so I'll make enough to make sure she gets a meal or two as well.
We have a new memory center here and my BIL was moved there yesterday. We helped the other brother do the needed shopping as the family has to provide a bed, tv, night stand, personal items etc. I don't know how long he will be there. It seems though that it could be many months. It is sad to see this downfall in someone who was quite smart. He designed the lenses for the Hubbell telescope so was a fairly brilliant engineer. Now he can't subtract 80 from 100. So fingers crossed for him. My BIL's constantly annoyed me due to our politics being different, but I hate to see such negative events happen to people no matter our differences.
Our yard is in fair shape now although I have to get a heavy start quite soon on the fast growing weedy materials ( some of it looks nice but a weed is a weed ) that sprout out of my few small ( well until you start to weed ) flower/plant beds. Dh did manage to disturb ( mow over ) a couple of places, but I think I can train what is there to re-cover the areas. He just can't keep that lawn tractor controlled. He sees something green and thinks he has to run over it. It's okay -- I can't use the tractor ( I keep my hand gasoline mower handy ) so I can only complain a little.
Hope you all have a great Saturday. Stay safe and well. Waving to Joan, Puffin, Chevy, Anne and anyone else who hasn't posted lately.
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ChiSandy, you are hilarious! I wish we were neighbors, just so we could stand on the sidewalk (with masks on, of course) and talk to each other.
Illinois Lady, LOVE the cat picture.
I know about the SurePost thing, I ordered a CASE of canned food a long time ago (last year, maybe). Delivery said it was left in the mailbox. I don't have a mailbox, but I do have a mail slot. It's the larger "catalog" size, but a entire case of canned food would most certainly NOT fit through the slot. I finally sent an email complaint to the post office when I received 4 pieces of mail intended for my neighbor. When our previous letter carrier retired, we all cried (well, almost)! She never messed up, knew the names of all of our dogs and always said hello when we saw her on the street. Post Office responded (wow) to my email and apologized and said that we did not have a regular carrier for our route. I guess that explains it.
Be safe, ladies!
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DC now requires shoppers at grocery stores must wear masks. Major chains are limiting the number of customers allowed in the store at any given moment and aisles have been marked one way. Haven’t been to the store in over three weeks. It was a zoo then. Just pulled out a backup carton of milk from the freezer and have enough food in it to last awhile. DDs are local so they are aware of the area’s situation. They don’t want me outside because I have two strikes against me besides age. I have cut the grass, sat on my porch and used the drop box at the post office where I can just toss my mail in the open chute. They are constantly checking in on me in case I need anything. DS and his family live in Japan in the northern part of the mainland. So far, COVID-19 has not hit where they live. So far life has been normal for them.
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I delivered 33 masks to the collection center, walked there. I have been yearning to make Cuban Pork, with tomato sauce, raisins, a bit of wine, cumin, olives and pimentos, and onion. So since I was reasonably close to the grocery store, I went over there. Was not difficult to keep six feet away from everyone, of course, I had my hiking pole with me. The clerk had a plexiglass screen. M<ore to report, but mass at my parish has just begun.
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It is supposed to be 95 here tomorrow. Hotter than I care to think about! Today I made my Nanny's peanut butter fudge. It tastes good but nothing like hers! I also made a French toast souffle for tomorrows breakfast.
Wishing you all a safe and happy Easter.
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Our wonderful weather has gone. This morning I can feel the humidity and it looks gloomy outside. We're bracing for stormy weather with wind and possibility of tornadoes. Lightning, hail. All possible.
Interesting that so many of the victims of Coronavirus shown on tv are obese. I watched an interesting documentary yesterday afternoon on fat in the human body. It was on Nova on PBS. Interesting but not conclusive. Some people seem programmed by their dna to be obese.
I have nothing planned for today. Hoping we don't have to retreat to the hall bathroom, which has no windows.
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coronavirus death~diabetes~obesity
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There cannot be a sense of abundance or the experience of prosperity without appreciation. You cannot find beauty unless you appreciate beauty. You cannot find friendship unless you appreciate others. You cannot find love unless you appreciate loving and being loved. If you wish abundance, appreciate life. -William R. Miller
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Interesting observation about size and the virus. I do know ( my Aunt was one of them ) that a few people can be way overwt. and though not issue free be fairly healthy. I think overwt. runs in our family. Everyone of my Aunts a couple quite young, as well as my Mom in later yrs. were overwt. My one Aunt though was a nurse, worked hard at work. Kept her home and property clean and super tidy, ate too much of course, but a lot of that was fresh veggies and other 'healthy' food. Drank plenty of water and always a good night's sleep. She passed on at 92 due to complications from a broken hip. I do believe people like that are likely the exceptions. Many others I've known had many issues and some an early passing from illness or complications from diseases like diabetes. I do think life is riskier when you weigh too much. A little more is okay -- a lot more brings on the risks.
Having morning coffee when the rains came. Not sure what the rest of the day will be like. It rained fairly well though not the super pour-downs we had a couple weeks ago. It already looks much drier out.
No big plans for the day. May go over to the Memory Center and take BIL his birthday card. Elsewise -- just keeping to the general routine -- minus a walk if the weather doesn't improve much. Hope you all have tolerable weather. This is the time of yr. when storms ( tornados ) are far more likely to rear up.
Have a good if quiet Easter. We are learning new ways now.
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For anyone who needs it - Here are easy no-sew mask instructions. Using fabric dinner napkins for mine. Please note the hints about cutting old nylons to use for "ear elastics. Be safe!
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Good morning, ladies. I am going to make ham, green beans and macaroni & cheese. It seems strange not to be with family or family here. We will call the family and catch up this evening.
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Sounds good to me petite. I have my chicken boiling and my home-made noodles finishing their dry time. LeSure baby gr. peas on the side with buttered rolls. Not at all traditional but with only the two of us -- we are looking forward. A little fun below.
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"Diabesity" also runs in my family--my mom "broke the chain" of obesity when she developed diverticulosis and her doc told her "stop eating crap." So she did and went from a fireplug shape to an adorable petite clotheshorse. My sis is on Weight Watchers, because her hip dysplasia (one leg too long) was getting super-painful. She's making great progress. I am thankful that I am normal-weight now--I have much more stamina and no joint pain. (I can also belt louder when I sing, and don't need a "boom" mic stand to keep my guitar from banging into the stand due to a bulging belly).
I had better take that chicken carcass and make it into soup for the two leftover matzo balls from Seder!
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IllinoisLady, I love that picture and feel the same way. LOL
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My maternal grandmother and my mother were overweight and eventually obese in their older years. My paternal grandmother was skin and bones thin. In her active, healthy years she worked constantly in her house and yard. A speck of dirt didn't have a chance in her house. She died of ovarian cancer and was probably the donor of the mutated cancer gene that was passed on to one of her daughters and both of that daughter's daughters. I was tested and do not have the gene but not having it didn't protect me from bc.
It's sunny out this morning. Today is walk day. That's about the extent of my plans other than daily chores.
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The most important human endeavor is striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depends on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to our lives. ~ Albert Einstein
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Sunny and windy here. Not much going on. Our big outing will consist in taking Bill to the doggie beauty shop for bath and cut. Went to my friends this morning so she could have her bath day. Fed the kitties, and did some kitty things so my BIL could stay home and get some work done at his house. I also took my friend a bowl of chicken and noodles. She loves the stuff and I knew she would be happy.
My wt. is still fine so far despite doing way too many of the things I shouldn't - and not getting enough veggies down me. I'm not gaining and that is good -- but not losing much either. That is lack of those veggies. I have always struggled with eating enough vegetables. I like what I like and don't get the variety I should. I'm hooked on the starchier ones.
Hope you all have a good day.
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Very hot here today, it's still 79 this late. They've said our "low" will be 78 overnight. We leave in May so normally it isn't this hot. We've been told this is summer weather. Too hot!
We drove to an island not far from here and hiked a trail. The main building, gift shop, and all rentals are closed. But oh so thankful the trails can be used! We went about 4.5 miles in 83 degree weather that had real feel of 94. Drank lots of cold water, and sweat quite a bit too. Tomorrow will be a rest day.
We plan on going back again. Walking or biking our development is great, knowing if we were in NY this option is limited. But getting out in nature to walk, hike a trail, is good for the soul.
Have a great week ladies. Hunker down when necessary.
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Hi ladies I exercised inside today to a 30 minute Leslie Sansone DVD on this blustery, rainy but warm day in DC. I feel better when I move and like I accomplished something. I also sorted paperwork, read the Bible and did some thinking and praying. I get out of sorts when I dont take that time.
Well tomorrow there may be snow flurries in the outer suburbs in the am and temp will drop to the 50s. What a wierd and wild April. Stay well all!
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Well, Bob insists on going back to Little Company of Mary hospital (the hellhole that serves the nearby ghetto) this weekend, and will almost certainly see COVID patients again. I blew my stack when he told me. I asked him why, and he said it's his turn (the younger doc who does interventionals for him covered this past weekend and they trade call). I asked if they're his established patients, and he replied that they're "new consults." I just about lost it--sure, he has a duty to his own patients, but to strangers, that other cardiologists won't endanger themselves and their own families to treat? Well, it turns out that his practice is tanking--every cent he pulls in from Union Health gets plowed back into overhead, to pay utilities, rent & his (now-skeleton) staff. He says that without the consults, he can't even take the 1/3 salary draw. I say he should retire before he kills the both of us.
Now, even with the stock market dive, we have enough money to retire on and eventually leave to Gordy. Bob's partner's boyfriend is a retinologist who has a decent income and also quite a nest egg--he can certainly cover her insurance premiums. Bob's office manager is married to the doctor who owns one of the offices--and who himself has retired. His EKG tech quit because she didn't want to endanger her family.
We took marriage vows to each other. He did not take any vows to other doctors' patients, other doctors or his employees. His remaining staff are almost retirement age themselves--and their husbands have retired. Why am I less important than they?
"In sickness and in health" does not include recklessly making each other sick. Am I right? I would put my foot down, but how? I have no leverage. Especially since the more he works, the higher the likelihood he could catch this so I would be a monster if I were to assert my rights lest he fall ill himself. He is 70. I am 69 with asthma and hypertension (albeit well-controlled)--that's three risk factors. (Dunno how my AI affects my immune system, nor whether having had radiation and 4 nodes removed 4+ years ago are further risks). Because of my risk factors, my own PCP is advising me not to shop, perform or teach at any festivals or venues until there's a vaccine or cure. How fair is it for me to socially-isolate, only to have the virus potentially brought home to me? Neither of us would be able to truly isolate (assuming we don't need to be hospitalized) and we couldn't take care of each other or the pets--never mind have anyone willing or able to do so at any price.
He even admitted he lied to me about the last time: he DOES go into the patient rooms (albeit, he claims, with full PPE and 6' away--but how can I even believe him now)? It's the ICU rooms that are sealed off--but even so, nurses with inadequate PPE roam those halls.
This is a nightmare. Oh, sure, we own our home, have Medicare & supplements and can afford to eat. They say money can't buy happiness--now I know it can't protect us either.
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Sandy,
Of course, you’re furious and hurt. Like the unknown South Side patients in that dangerous hospital are more important than deeply known you and Bob himself. And that is hurtful and most- a master of an understatement- inconsiderate.
When I, as a widow, met Gil in 2000, he was a professor of paleontology at U of Iowa for 35 years. But, more important, he was a top paleontologist, so much so, that when he moved here when we married, he was immediately offered teaching positions at U of Chicago and Northwestern. He told me he had 5 scientific publications he had to finish and submit. It would take him two years and then we would play and travel. It’s 20/years later. And now he’s working on 3 additional ones at 85.
I think, what this is with Bob, maybe not so much that he’ll just be without movies, concerts ...if he retires, but that it’s a question of his identity, of who he is as a doctor, as a scientist.And that it’s almost impossible for scientists to stop working. Sort of a trauma- like who am I now? The empty nest stuff magnified to the nth, along with some feelings of invulnerability- you carrying them for both of you.
It’s not like you and Bob could take a cruise now and talk about all this or even go to a dinner at the Palm, but he has to stop the endangering and exposing the two of you to the massacre and he has to mourn what he is losing by stopping his life’s work and purpose. And he has to face the mourning, do it and come up with another way to spend this new phase of life.
Marriage and it’s intricacies- Life and it’s attendant woes- all of it to be grateful for, just not willful exposure to death..
Judy
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The principles you live by create the world you live in; if you change the principles you live by, you will change your world. -Blaine Lee
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