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

ChiSandy

Mary, I will let my polish chip its way off and then just put on clear Nailtiques (Formula 2, for weak, peeling nails). I let them go "naked" for a day and a half after soaking off the remaining gel, and they kept fraying and splitting. I need to order a new bottle (it was first recommended to me by a manicurist in an old-school Gold Coast salon who did not believe in enhancements--the only ones available back then were acrylics). You put two coats on bare nails; if you then follow it up with nail enamel, you put another on as a topcoat. Apply another coat every 2 days till the whole shebang peels off by itself. Then repeat. They also have formula 1 for maintenance of healthy nails, 2-1/2 for brittle peeling nails, and 3 for brittle cracking nails.

Bob's BFF (who was our Best Man 49 yrs ago) phoned again tonight. He is on furlough from his IRS job and except for extremely rare trips to the grocery & pharmacy has not left his house since St. Pat's Day. He has an ancient laptop (which we gave him years ago) on which he plays solitaire, but no internet--not even cable TV. (He lives in a nice neighborhood in eastern Queens, for heaven's sake, so it's not like he's out in the middle of nowhere like my recording engineer, a farmer in downstate Sparta, IL--and even he has satellite). He used to go to a Starbuck's up the street for its wi-fi, but the IRS understandably had a cow when it found out he was going to use public wi-fi (he has no idea what a VPN is) for government work. So that's why he's furloughed. He's okay, not yet stir-crazy. He occasionally goes for drives to the store or around the neighborhood--he used to commute to lower Manhattan via bus & subway...no mask, no gloves. Bob & I think that when this is all over he will just take his pension & retire.

Our housekeeper is coming over tomorrow so I can slip her paycheck through the door, and we can talk through the glass. She hasn't gotten tested yet because she has no symptoms (and is too honest to lie so she can get a test). Her DH--knock wood--is OK so far. I will put the kitties up against the glass so she can put her hand on the outside while their paws are on the inside.

A Lincoln Park clinic (one of the first to "prescribe" CBD) is now doing antibody testing. $250 a pop, but they take all insurance (inc. Medicare). We're tempted, but lines are long and until we find out that antibodies confer immunity we probably won't take the bait. The only exception is if I am greenlighted to donate plasma in the event I test antibody+. (No minimum requirement for hemoglobin necessary, and letrozole is not a disqualifier since everything in the donated plasma gets filtered out--AFAIK). If it turns out my Dec. "pertussis" was actually CV19, the possibility of helping save a life beyond just social distancing--without personal risk--is truly tempting.

MCBaker

Thanks, Sandy. Highly unlikely you had it in December. That is well before the first recorded case in USA.

I am checking out that nail treatment. May be just what I need, although I do have a bottle of a daily treatment I had only rarely used, pre-C. Bookmarked, and I will use what I have here.

I have decided to stay with Venlafaxine 50mg. Just too much nerve pain and difficulty sleeping when taking 25mg. Well, I tried it, just better to be on a minimal dose.

Although I have a large stack of pieces for masks, I will limit myself to ten in process at a time. I tend to obsess when doing a large batch, and my back knots up until pain is all I feel. Did I say I am having problems with pain? I am just about finished with another 30, and will deliver them sometime today. Once I finish with the stack, I will switch to another method which looks to be faster.

And Tippy still needs a bath. I had a good laugh yesterday. He was stalking me-- https://99paws.com/products/personal-stalker-will-follow-you-funny-labrador-retriever-dog-shirt?variant=23351219617877&currency=USD&utm_source=Google%20Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjw-YT1BRAFEiwAd2WRtsPWBjsYg5kOHVggTRvS23hP7sMqSHbZZd5UJMEUIjRHEeskKNGCdBoCIfYQAvD_BwE He looked at the bathtub, nearly got in, and looked at me. I told him that it was a good idea, and chased him into the living room.

He enjoys taking me for a walk, and bites the leash when I have my own agenda.

carolehalston

We're supposed to have a rainy day. That's fine with me. We need some rain.

I woke up at 6 am, went to the bathroom, and couldn't go back to sleep. So I was up a little earlier than usual. DH and I both have prescriptions at Sam's Club pharmacy so our errand today will be for one of us to go and pick them up. They will bring the prescriptions out to the parking lot if we make arrangements. (He just left to go and get them.)

I am among those people who had a flu like illness at the end of January/beginning of February with two of the Covid symptoms: fever and cough. I went to the doctor and a flu test ruled out the flu. She was concerned about the fever and prescribed an antibiotic. I was sick two weeks and then recovered. During the two weeks I felt really bad but did not have shortness of breath. I used a nebulizer since we own one and have a supply of the medicine.

I may set up the little sewing machine and make some more cloth masks today. I hope people will continue to wear masks as businesses start to open. I don't have elastic but stretchy shoe laces work fairly well. I will see if I can order elastic online.

I used the new Maytag washer again yesterday and am pleased with its performance. So far I am not a disgruntled owner. LOL.

MCBaker

I also used some elastic shoelaces. Convenient when one is just getting started. Elastic online is getting more available. Shop carefully, watch prices per foot, delivery dates, and whether it is acceptable for the purpose.

I woke up at 4:00. My experiment at discontinuing Venlafaxine is not working out real well.

IllinoisLady

Deep in the soul, below pain, below all the distraction of life, is a silence vast and grand—an infinite ocean of calm, which nothing can disturb; nature's own exceeding peace, which "passes understanding. "That which we seek with passionate longing, here and there, upward and outward, we find at last within ourselves. -C.M.C.

IllinoisLady

Carole, we are having our rain which started sometime last night. I do think it was a slow start and it sounds like this will carry through until some time tomorrow. Yikes -- but it is slow pretty much so our ground should get plenty. We were not over-dry yet, but it is spring when it is customary to get rainy days. You know, April showers and providing flower color in May.

We worked in the yard yesterday. We are taking down the dog pen. Haven't used it now for three or more yrs. and it serves as a big leaf catcher while having to get the mower in all the time to mow. I have decided that we are better off to have a full yard and replant more grass with no barriers. Got all the wire down, but posts are still there. Need to get a jack to help with the heavy lifting to taking them out. Be nice to be able to mow rather than trim all the time around the pen and fight the leaves.

Found a baby tick on me after the days work. Well attached. Dh had a time to get it out. Smallest one I've ever found on me. Though it was well attached I don't think it had been there long. Often my tip-off has been itching which I think only starts after they have been attached for a bit. Glad its gone. I will try and find some spray I can use while I'm out in the yard.

I have heard as well that people are finding out they had the covid rather than regular flu too. I do think it was here for awhile before figuring out it was 'different'. I read somewhere there were at least two 'known' cases. My thought has been there is always more of something -- you just have to know where to look and how to identify.

I hope despite weather, we all have a good day and continue to stay healthy. We are getting more cases around here. That is worrisome but I hope that with care we will all be all right.

CindyNY

ChiSandy - I was sick for about a month, mid December into January. At times I'd wake up, feel like hell, felt like crying and just crawl back in bed. I don't think it was COVID, but I'd test if given the opportunity. Same as you, I'd donate plasma if it were the case.

Weather - yesterday I was up and out reading my newspaper before 8. Snoring got me up, boo hiss. But it was in the high 60's. So I went into speed mode to wash face, brush teeth and get out on my bike. I was able to get in 3 loops around the development, and it felt great. Heat rose to 94 and broke a record from 1944. I got in 1 more loop after 8 PM. Calling for 92 today, I'll be biking after 7 PM.

Keywest- it seems you're overly restricted where you live now. Personal decision on your sanity, to look for a small house where you could get outside. My bike rides are my sanity check. We all need something. Your 8 miles is more than my zooming bike ride!

Everyone stay safe and enjoy the day.

CeliaC

Carole - My quilter SIL (4-year BC survivor) sent us two masks she made, using fabric for ties instead of elastic.

Those of you sewing masks for others (MCBaker, Carole), you deserve a pat on the back for pitching in. No sewing machine, so can only contribute via moral support.

Wren44

In the paper today they had an interview with a doctor in California who believes they had a couple of cases in mid Dec. She said if that is true it was already in the community then. So it's not too farfetched to think you may have had an early case.

They are also saying that Covid seems to be causing blood clots which may have been what killed people. Not good news for me. DH had 5 way bypass surgery at age 49 and they hit a clot trying to put his pacemaker in. He had been taking aspirin but cut down when he started to have spontaneous nosebleeds. He still has those so perhaps that wasn't the problem.

I made 2 sets of masks by hand for us. The second set is actually attractive. I decided if they could make dresses for Marie Antoinette by hand I could make a mask. I think I may need to get additional needle threaders. I almost wore mine out.

Yesterday we went to Trader Joe's during senior hours and agreed it felt like an adventure. Who would have ever believed that?

IllinoisLady

Wren, you make me miss Trader Joe's. It is an adventurous store. We had one in Ventura, Ca. when we lived there and I spent a lot of time in that store. I do have the Fearless Flyer sent to me. It keeps me in touch with some of the 'fun' of the store. Sadly, we have to go across the river and into St. Louis, Missouri now to go to a TJ's. We have done it, but it is a rare treat for us. At times I've been tempted to go to the city for the Cosco Warehouse store -- we only have Sam's Club here, but as we age we get more and more timid about driving in city traffic.

Your masks ( as long as we need to wear them ) sound pretty neat. The ones we ordered are still stuck in Texas. I've about given up that we will ever get them. I have no idea what the hold up is about, but think there must be ( not masks necessarily ) a whole lot of people waiting for things right now.

keywestfan

Just when one is being self congratulating for making wise decisions, it all turns. We moved to our Evanston Retirement Community- Independent Living in a lovely lake view apartment 5 years ago from Glencoe which is a small, beautiful suburb 20 minutes away- a hard move because I loved the Village and our house. But loved our retirement place too. It’s been grand, safety and many new friends. But it never occurred to me that this was “congregate living” with many dangers, that we were classified the same as nursing homes. And we have been restricted as they are, allowed only to walk in the small garden. Apparently we will not be able to leave the premises for about 6 months. Last night a case of the virus was confirmed, not in independent living, but in assisted living in a basically locked area of the building. There are no KNOWN cases in Independent Living. DS,Tony, is adamant that we move out and rent a house, preferably back in Glencoe or Wilmette.It would need to be furnished.I’m on the fence. Temptation to go back to former life, to be able to walk down a leafy street, drive a car. I felt envious of Sandy who mentioned going to the dry cleaners. And not having to worry about the virus coming through the building’s ventilation system, if it even does.Although everyone, almost, distances and wears a mask when out of their apartment and much sanitizing going on through the building. But there are no tests, so who knows who has what. I think if a case occurs in Independent Living, we probably will move, though I’ve heard there are few rentals because people from Chicago have fled for a while to the suburbs.

Sandy, I removed gel according to your detailed instructions and was proud of the accomplishment, though I didn’t get all the gel completely off. But I never heard of Nailtiques. I was excited to learn of it, but surprised at the price on Amazon. Did buy 2+, 5 ounces on eBay from seller with 100% recommendation. We’ll see. In a way it’s been fun to mop, vacuum, dye eyebrows, do nails.

Jud

keywestfan

PS. It is Judy, not Jud. They alway cut the “y” off..

petite1

Good morning, ladies. Storm alerts went off a little before 5 this am. I was able to go back to sleep for a couple of hours. We have an adventure today. We are taking the truck in for an oil change. Then we might go for a fast food lunch and eat in the car. The tornado watch ends at 11 and our appointment is 1, so better weather.

carolehalston

We did not have a rainy day, after all. At least the rain was missing. The air was so muggy you could have bottled it for the moisture. It's cool this morning but will get hot during the day, up into the 80's.

I guess we could have expected a nation as divided as this one to be divided on dealing with Coronavirus. There's a lot of denial on the part of those who want to end the "lockdown" and get back to life as usual. It shocks me to hear/read people saying that all this sacrifice is just to protect the old and infirm. Let the young and healthy get on with their lives, is their attitude.

Wishing everyone a good Friday, whatever your circumstances.

IllinoisLady

Most true happiness comes from one's inner life, from the disposition of the mind and soul. Admittedly, a good inner life is difficult to achieve, especially in these trying times. It takes reflection and contemplation and self-discipline. -William L. Shirer

IllinoisLady

Sun today though rain was predicted. Got a lot of rain yesterday, but not as much as we thought either. Guys came out to look at our leaky roof. Didn't have anything good to say. I think they are tired of dealing with it. Our excitement today. The septic man is coming to pump out our tank. Some people do get to work -- and it is essential. Well, they mainly work alone.

Otherwise, all about the same as usual. Have a urology appt. today. Wasn't cancelled so guess that is good. There is virus cases turning up now in Jefferson county ( a lot more ) which is close to us. We in our county have two other counties that jut into ours -- so in one way it is like we are involved when we aren't so much. Still, it is much closer than I like. This illness impacts everywhere given time and circumstance. As you pointed out Carole, some people react much differently ( think a mite on the cavalier side ) and we don't have uniform rules or standards. I do think that likely the medical scientists are working overtime due to the danger involved. Here's hoping they might stumble onto something that would help a lot while we are waiting for a vaccine. Overall though, it is a vaccine that is needed. Then when we get that, there will likely be those who shunned vaccinations before and may not be interested in a corona vaccine either!!

Hope you all have a sunny and not too hot day. We should get up to the 70's -- maybe 72. Stay well.

ChiSandy

Oh, Judy, I'm so sorry the invisible monster is creeping closer and keeping you so cooped up. Hope you can find a satisfactory solution elsewhere in the N. burbs.

The latest news is that the first cases appeared in China & Italy as early as November! I started feeling sick (low fever, sore throat, laryngitis, sinus headache, dry cough) Dec. 6, and had such a violent uncontrollable unproductive cough by Dec. 17 that I actually had a coughing fit while singing on-air on WDCB. I wasn't better till nearly New Year's Eve. The incubation period is 4-14 days. Well, guess where I was Thanksgiving week? London. And our 8-hr flight home was full--not just with Brits & Yanks, but people traveling from elsewhere in Europe and China. Not just that, there was >1hr. in the "cattle chute" arrivals corridor & hall at ORD. I didn't get tested for flu (I'd been vaxed in early Oct., and the symptoms crept up on me over a couple of days, unlike flu which hits like a Mack truck), nor pertussis. My PCP had suggested pertussis back when I was coughing, saying the medical scuttlebutt was that there was a lot of it going around despite having had the TDaP vax earlier--positing that perhaps it's not as effective as the old DPT. By the time I contemplated getting cultured (if there's such a thing for pertussis) and starting a Z-Pack, the cough eased. And now, reports are that by Dec. & Jan. there were thousands of likely COVID cases in NYC, SF, Seattle and Chicago.

I think Bob & I will get antibody-tested next week. (He had some mild "Big D" and transient myalgias a little over a month ago--before those had become recognized as symptoms, but no fever).

Wren44

Sandy, There must be a culture for pertussis. They swabbed me and gave me an N95 mask to wear until I was outside the clinic. It was so hot and uncomfortable that I took it off as soon as I was outside. I really feel for the people who have to wear them all day every day. I think it would be a good idea to be tested for antibodies. It might make the present a little less stressful.

ChiSandy

This is heartening, especially the near-centenarian starting his own literary agency:

Why seniors adapt better to lockdown

Taco1946

Thanks for the article, Sandy. I had heard about it on the news. I feel as if I am "managing well" but don't feel particularly creative or driven. Walked today with a friend who said the same thing = but them maybe it's because I need to file the stuff on my desk rather than research a manuscript or start a publishing company. My book club, which always challenged me to read things I probably wouldn't if I wasn't in it, hasn't met for two months. We usually pick next year's books in May, but I don't think will happen either.

Reader425

I enjoyed the article also. Having had an underlying autoimmune ailment for many years my rhythm had always been to lay low during flare ups and read, rest, contemplate and knit. So during any kind of period when I've been sidelined I've tried to adapt. I've read that really contributes to resilience. This Covid epidemic has provoked more fear though, I have to admit. The numbers are daunting and sad.

Tomorrow is our anniversary so if its nice we'll take a ride (not really looking like it will be nice tomorrow -rain predicted- but we'll see) then stop for takeout from Ruth Chris Steakhouse. Whoot. I was glad they returned that small business money for those aware of the recent bad press.

I miss my book club too for the same reason. The leaders aren't zoomers apparently so no future meeting planned yet.

MCBaker

I really like "If you haven't lived as long as I have you might think this was the worst thing that ever happened. But people who know history know the difference." from your article, Sandy.

With internet and telephone, quarantine is not so difficult. But my 93 year old aunt is perfectly happy with landline and cable TV and radio,

I would be a lot worse off if I didn't have Tippy. If you hadn't seen me say it before, he is an excellent fitness coach. Except this morning I realized that he was a contributing factor in my waking up early. I rolled over with my good ear down, and got in an extra hour-- then the headache woke me up. He was leaping a foot off the floor when I let him out!!

I suggested to our book club that we meet on Zoom, but they nixed it. Not as deep into the 'net as me, I guess. I am afraid that we won't be meeting again. One of our members has a yearly battle with pneumonia, and we are very protective of her.

LaCrosse has no new cases, and everyone recovered. I think easing of "safer at home" should proceed county by county, and gov. Evers is considering that option.

Thinking of resuming my book, but resuming genealogy is a better option, although more expensive.

Looking forward to getting my air conditioner. Arrives on Tuesday.

carolehalston

It's Saturday morning. DH is watching PBS with woodworking shows.

We have a very expensive home job coming up. Taking down a huge oak tree near the house. It is visibly dying and has huge branches that could fall on the house. I'm sure the price for this job will be in the 4 figures but it will have to be done. I hate to lose the tree and the shade it has provided for 20 plus years.

I plan to take a walk for exercise (and pleasure) this morning.

Wishing everyone a good Saturday.

petite1

Good morning. It is a beautiful morning. I think my husband has adapted to staying at home. I can't wait to get out with my lady friends, go junking, estate sales and friendly lunches. So now it's ebay and snacking too much. I guess that is adapting. I sure miss my cleaning lady. LOL

IllinoisLady

There is a rhythm in life, a certain beauty which operates by a variation of lights and shadows, happiness alternating with sorrow, content with discontent, distilling in this process of contrast a sense of satisfaction, of richness that can be captured and pinned down only by those who possess the gift of awareness. -Louis Bromfield

IllinoisLady

I ( but maybe because I've seldom had the pleasure ) have not felt at all deprived at home. I enjoy it. Still, I do go out daily and feed the feral cats ( a solitary activity ) . I still enjoyed your article Sandy and believe it as well. Older people just aren't as intense with "having" to do things. Young people definitely get the vapors if deprived, but we learned long ago it isn't the end of the world -- even when you feel some un-pleasantness. It is like Missouri's ? weather. Give it 5 minutes and it will change.

Rained overnight and we will have more thru the day likely. Won't get too warm today or tomorrow either. Pleasant but it is too wet to do anything in the yard -- so more work to accomplish inside. I did go out and get some spray for myself and my clothes. Dh took another tick ( 4th. one of the season ) off me. The first two were definitely ( though quite small ) of the dog tick variety. The second two we are not sure. They were so small we had to get a magnifying glass and pin nose tweezers to them out. Sure hope they were not deer ticks.

If we do have some dry time I could go out and do some weed removal. They would all come out much easier right now. We will see how it goes.

Hope you all have a good day. Stay well.

ETA: Did finally get the cloth masks we ordered the first of the month. They were held up in Texas ( shipped on the 9th. ) and I finally gave up on ever getting them. Nice to have.

CeliaC

Good Saturday afternoon. Enjoyed Sandy's article as well. Have been keeping busy with all kinds of free CPE offered by the AICPA in re: CARES Act, PPP, Financial Planning, etc. Also, Zoom classes provided by the local Cancer Support Community every day except Sun. Just had a Meditation class at 10 am this morning. If anyone would like to "join" please send me a PM and I can share Zoom Meeting info. Enjoying various "dancing" workouts using YouTube, as well. Just trying to stay active.

About those big companies getting funding - I find this absolutely disgusting. Never eat at Ruth Chris or Steak-n-Shake and never will.

ChiSandy

Can't believe it's already been over a month since the stay-home order. Getting into the rhythm of it--though I still hate doing laundry & taking out trash, especially since apt.-dwellers from outside our neighborhood have been driving down our alley "fly-dumping" their garbage into our city-issued collection bins. They've even begun putting garbage in the blue recycling bins. How do I know this? The other day on my way home I got stuck in my alley behind one jerk in a rusted-out old blue van who was dumping his trash into bins until they were chock-full. (Didn't even have the decency to keep it in bags). I honked at him and rode his bumper till he drove off. Now we will be the ones ticketed and blamed for the rats & the diseases they bring. (Not to mention raccoons & possums). I realize we're all creating more garbage these days, and people who live in older apt. bldgs. w/o incinerators or trash shoots have insufficient garbage space. Not our circus, not our monkeys.

Judy, I took off my nail polish and put on the Nailtiques #2 that arrived today (I'd ordered #2.5, but my nails are too weak to wait). Seems to be helping a bit.

IllinoisLady

Hopes and dreams.

kathindc

Found this to be an eye opener to our current situation. It makes you think.https://extinctionendshere.org