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

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Comments

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,223
    edited May 2015

    Welcome NorthernCanuck. You have found a great group of supportive ladies. Visit us often!

  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited May 2015

    So this thread is for WHAT? 40 to 60 year olds???? But I want to STAY! Do they have a thread for older than old? Nope, they don't..... So I have to stay..... Hah!


    Canuck, you are just a kid.... So Welcome...... Yes, we are nice! Just hope you stick around....


    Nope! We're not old.... we are just getting older, like everyone else is.... Never grow up though... Always stay happy, and feeling young.... some days you will not feel so hot.... other days are just great.... We take them all!


    When I look at things that happen to my friends, it scares the living day-lights out of me.... but then I think, "but I still have today"..... and hopefully tomorrow! So be happy, thank God for just giving us another day.....
  • mommarch
    mommarch Member Posts: 584
    edited May 2015

    Morning,

    It has been rough since last Sat. By Monday evening I could barely walk, soles of feet were so sore, no blisters or peeling, very red and heals somewhat swollen. I called Dr. and they told me not to take my final dose for day fourteen and ordered some pain pills. I have not been on any med since Tuesday. Feet still sore but not as bad. My face, scalp and neck feels like it is sunburned and itches. Bottom lip is sore and swollen. I see my ONC next week on Thurs. I would guess he will reduce the dose or something. Very fatigued, take a nap almost every afternoon.

    Thanks for letting me gripe. Have a good day

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 6,887
    edited May 2015

    Mommarch, never apologize for sharing what is happening with you.  Please!  We're concerned and want you to check in.  The SEs sound miserable.  I'm sure your MO is familiar with the reaction and will know how to adjust the chemo.  Thoughts and prayers that you'll improve.

  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited May 2015

    Each day we can wake up and choose to see life as a gift and to be
    fully present in that day.  We cannot always control the outcome,
    but we can control our reactions.  Each day we can bring all we have
    to that day, choosing to live it fully, seeing it as a great gift.
     
    John Izzo

  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited May 2015

    WELCOME to Northern Canuck -- hope I spelled that correctly as I didn't want to have to stop and return to the previous page.  As we always say, we are so sorry for the reason, but so very glad you found us here and we very much hope you will keep returning -- often.  We really don't have any hard and fast rules here --- we try if possible to stay away from subjects that tend to cause a lot of commotion -- like politics, but otherwise we are pretty open about the rest.    As Carole mentioned -- we do tend to talk weather a whole lot of the time --- I am always interested myself.  The gals here are from all parts of the U.S. and so on any given day there can be enormous differences in weather patterns.  I want to know that everyone is ok and there haven't been major weather upsets for sure.  Many of us right now are in "tornado" seasons since it is Spring time in a whole lot of the U.S.

    Mommarch, I am so sorry to hear of all your side effects.  Hopefully you will get a good dosage adjustment and be able to get your se's under good control.  They sound pretty un-pleasant to me so I'm very glad you are noticing some relief.  Lots of relief prayers for you and as Carole mentioned -- this is your place to vent, stomp your feet if you can ( I don't think you feel like that right now ) and let off all the steam you can -- because WE all care and want to ask through love and pray that things get going in a better direction for you. 

    Blessings

    Jackie

  • Wren44
    Wren44 Member Posts: 8,585
    edited May 2015

    Welcome Northern Canuck. We were close to that area when we drove from Texas to Anchorage, AK a million years ago. Very pleasant area. I remember a frantic search of Edmonton trying to find kitty litter on a day when almost everything was closed. We did finally find some.

    Mommarch, Stating facts is not griping. But you're free to gripe if you want. All emotions ok here. I hope they are able to make you more comfortable; it doesn't sound like fun at all. Hugs.

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 6,887
    edited May 2015
  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited May 2015

    What? Jilly! You've GOT to be kidding! You mean the weather talk is off limits? I have been off limits ever since I was a teen-ager.... Ha! We somehow talk about everything here, but that's okay... We don't just always have to talk about BC.... Although we are here for you, when something is going on.... like with Mommarch....

    Okay Mommarch, what was it again you are taking? And it's that stuff making all this stuff wrong with you? You are having a really bad reaction to that, and I would REALLY ask the Doc what is going on.... Or I will! I know what it's like to be that un-comfortable with your own skin, etc.!

    Maybe if one med won't work, or you are having an allergic reaction to it, they can try something else! Make sure you write down what is going on with you.... all of your symptoms..... Also.... try typing those symptoms in with the name of your med.... I do that a LOT.... and sometimes I can feel a little ahead of the game.... or know what to ask my Doctor.....

    Sometimes our Doc's don't know everything like we want them to.... And we are all different.... what works with one, maybe could cause a bad reaction in someone else. I would not be happy until you find out what is wrong, and can get help for it....

    I've had such bad reactions to stuff I've been given, that I've had to get shots, and take Prednisone to get over the treatment.

    Also the Tamoxifen! Didn't work for me.... but fine with other women.... Just help them figure out what is going on with you.....

  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited May 2015

    Carole, beauty of a flower garden.  It looks like lilies but whatever they are --- very, very pretty.

    See you all in the morning.

    Jackie

  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited May 2015

    All mistakes are lessons to be learned and challenges to overcome, and they come in the form of objects, events and people.

    Riska Jane.

    ( little note ) the above author I ? think loves quotes too and puts them under her name.  Because I believe the above quote to be correct, I wanted to use it today.  I do think the "negative" often is the very thing that inspires huge growth in and for us.  Maybe not the most pleasant of things, but when you think about it --- you learn most when you have to suffer a little and really work for it.  You would not learn near so much if all came easy and effortless -- if there were no worry, hardship, heartbreak or big upsets.  It is often hard to be grateful for the things that go wrong in life -- but they are ultimately the very things that make things so right later on. 

    Jackie

  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited May 2015

    Sunny and warming up today -- but next week, ugg !!!!  Sounds like lots of rain in the forecast.  Carole and Chevy -- opps, weather again.  Well, most of the week -- from Tues. afternoon to some time Fri. or Sat. -- not sure of the exact timetable as yet --- I will be staying over at the Dr.'s house.  This is good for me as it is time to do some major things here at home for my 'crew' of animals.  Means major purchases for fleas and ticks etc.  You might know, huh !!!!  Just when I could have something to "stash" away in a sock or coffee can or whatever --- big expenses are set to need to take place.  I think that is my life story -----  so I will just have to be thrilled that I GET opportunities to offset those bigger expenses and not have to take weeks and weeks to catch up and be back on track. 

    On a really nice note.  Dr. an Jo went to the orchard before going out to dinner last night and gave me two quarts of fresh berries to bring home with me that they got while at the orchard.    Wow !!!!  I absolutely love the flavor of the home/orchard grown berries.  Because of different climates in other states --- we can ( if we want to pay for them ) have strawberries here all yr. round.  That is great and on occasion I have done it, but there is a HUGE difference in the home grown berries that don't have to be picked, stored, shipped etc.  The flavor is so much richer and pervasive.  Nothing truly compares to something locally grown and picked right when it should be.  Yum !!!! Psst, don't tell them, but I'd almost go over and stay at their house just for that.

    I'll be coming back later after I do my rounds and checking in.....see you then.

    Blessings

    Jackie

  • Anneb1149
    Anneb1149 Member Posts: 960
    edited May 2015

    Morning all,

    Welcome NorthernCanuck- you have found a great group here. We will be here for you, whatever you need. We don't judge here, but we have been known to offer advice and opinions- always gently.

    Carole- love the flowers- I am not into gardening at all but they sure are pretty.

    Mommarch {{{gentle hugs}}} Hope Dr has a plan to reduce SE's

    I have been home in Fl for a week. Nothing exciting but I have spent time with grandkids. I picked my 6yr old up from school Tues- his sister was on a field trip to a Marlins game aNd wasn't getting home till dinner time. We went to the grocery store, bought stuff for dinner, then came home and made dinner together. He had so much fun and everyone loved the casserole. Part of the prep included crushing Ritz crackers. He really enjoyed that.

    My youngest son stopped by the same day and invited me to lunch on Fri. He wanted me to meet him at his place to show me how far they have gotten with decorating their new place. I texted him about 11:30 to see if he was ready. He texted back that he was out running errands and would call when he got home. I texted to ask if I had time to get my nails done. I waited about 15 min for a reply, then went to the nail place. Halfway thru the nail process, he texts that yes, I have time to domy nails, and that he is at a car place getting some work done on his fiancée' scar. I told him to call me when done. Meanwhile, since I hadn't gotten up till after 10, all I had all day was a glass of OJ. I got home from the nail place and waited....and waited...and waited. I snuck and ate a couple of cookies. Finally, when my DD. Got home from work, I gave in and ordered pizza. I texted Tim about 8:30 and told him I thought it was a little late for lunch, so I had gotten the pizza. He texted back he was so sorry - he had completely forgot and went home and took a nap! Guess I know where I fall in his list of priorities ! Seriously, he really was sorry and embarrassed.

    Other than that, just enjoying being home for a while

    Have a great weekend

    Anne


  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 6,887
    edited May 2015

    Anne, what a story about lunch and your son!  How can a person forget inviting his mother to lunch?  Or inviting any other person?  Baffling.  But I guess lunch or any meal, for that matter, is not something I forget! 

    This morning dh and I drove to my mother's house and had breakfast with her and my sister and BIL.  My sister cooked a big meal with smoked sausage, Grand biscuits, grits and eggs.  I love biscuits and the Grand biscuits are good.  I buttered one and made myself a sausage and grape jelly sandwich.  Yum.  Yum.

    Jackie, how do you keep yourself occupied staying for days at your elderly patient's house?  Do you read?  Watch tv?  I'm assuming you're there mostly to make sure someone is around in case she falls or needs help.  Do they have pets in the house?  Glad this extra income is there to be earned just when you need it. 

    Dh left about an hour ago to go and play golf.  So I have another stretch of peaceful hours with no responsibilities to speak of.  I'm walking today with a minimum of soreness in the surgery foot.  I think healing is progressing.

    Hugs to all.  Hope you have a good Saturday.

  • Anneb1149
    Anneb1149 Member Posts: 960
    edited May 2015

    Carole

    There is, unfortunately, much more to the story. Tim has been out of work for almost 2months due to a back injury. When frustrated, Tim gets depressed and it sometimes results in angry outbursts. Apparently, something happened yesterday that he is really upset about. I am guessing that he was not cleared to go back to work yet. That is probably why he didn't show for lunch. His fiancée called me about 10 this morning hysterically crying that Tim had screamed at her for a while, then told her he was leaving her and moving back home with me. After making sure he did nothing but yell ( as a child he used to destroy his room during a temper fit), I tried to calm her down. Half joking, I asked if he had taken his dog or any clothes. When she said no I said that was proof he just needed some time. Less than 15 min later, he came back grabbed some clothes and said he would be back for the dog tomorrow.

    I texted him asking if he wanted to do lunch today. Nissa had asked me not to tell him she had called me. His response was that he had a bunch of things to take care of today. Then I asked what "their" plans were for dinner tonite. He said Nissa was out with her sister but he would check with her and get back to me. Haven't heard from him since.

    He tends to tell people what he thinks they want to hear if he thinks the truth will upset them. In other words he lies. So right now I have no idea where he is or where things stand between him and Nissa.

    Never a dull moment in my life. Will keep you updated

    Anne

  • mommarch
    mommarch Member Posts: 584
    edited May 2015

    We had a Texas Terd Floater this afternoon in the Davis Mt.'s.

    My feet are much better. My nose is still sore and my face and scalp itch. Chevy the med is Xeloda

    oral chemo drug. Will see ONC on Thurs. Tomorrow DGD and I are going to drive to Fort Hancock and pick up her brother so he can stay for a couple of weeks. Will be nice to have them both here.

    I had better get started on dinner. Hugs

  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 2,913
    edited May 2015

    Things are better here. I talked to Mike about asking his oncologist for an anti-depression drug and although it made him mad, he didn't object. He's been trying to be more positive in the last two days which I appreciate. Last week I actually yelled at him after one of his negative comments and had a scratchy throat afterwards. Not proud of that. Allison is away for the weekend. I suggested dinner last night for the two of us at our neighborhood Mexican restaurant and he agreed. Conversation was nice. I asked him to come with me to do a few errands this morning and he agreed. Things went well and we had no problems although he did get tired after about an hour. We had to buy a new dishwasher and found good deals at Home Depot. After he has the bone marrow stem cell transplant, all his dishes have to be sanitized. Our old dishwasher is nearly 20 years old and barely works anymore, so we needed a new one. Then we went over to a furniture store to have him give his approval to a recliner I found for him. It's a soft leather and will be easy to keep clean. Fabric upholstery harbors too much dust, which he can't be around after he comes home from the hospital. He liked it so that was purchased. Now all I have to buy for his "clean room" is a new double bed mattress & box springs. Along with the new linens, they will stay sealed in plastic until Mike needs the clean room.

    Rain, rain, rain...we've never had such a wet Spring in San Antonio. It's rained at least a little bit on 40 of the last 53 days!

    I concur with everything said about enjoying life. Mike was never sick in his whole life but at 67 got a fatal diagnosis. You can never tell what will happen. Live NOW while you can. So glad we went to Alaska last year. He's not well enough now.

  • Wren44
    Wren44 Member Posts: 8,585
    edited May 2015

    Sandra, Good to hear that he's making an effort and agreed to the anti-D's. Together time will be good for both of you. The clean room has been a lot of work. Glad it's almost finished. Do take some time for you. Beauty shop, massage, flowers, whatever is a treat.

  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited May 2015

    Oh it has been such a nice day here.  It is a shame rain is coming but we are still working on Spring.  We just got back from Wal-Marts.  I had some things ( small ) that I knew I'd like to have for when I go stay in town.   I need to go out a couple more times but will stay in town here for that.  Dh was with me and we have a couple of favorite stores over in Salem --- and you might know they were both closed apparently for a long week-end. Ok anyway as the Wal-Mart in Salem is a Super Wal-Mart. 

    I remain very ambivalent about the store.  It irritates me greatly that they tend to, sometimes slowly, undercut other stores enough to run them out of business, yet there are good prices on a lot of things there --- especially the grocery store.  They have already managed to rid our town of a couple of businesses, so first of next yr. when the Super Wal-Mart is built here --- I'll be ok with it.  At least I won't have to make a 30 mile round trip for groceries as often.  I generally am careful about purchases there since Wal-Mart has contracts with big name companies --- who often make a 'cheaper' item for Wal-Mart for sale -- with stamped in parts. 

    Glad to hear your feet are better Mommarch and hope the rest soon follows right along.  What a bummer.  Hope you'll soon know what adjustment it will take so that you won't have to go through that again.

    Carole, when I go stay at my patient's house there are tons of things to see too.  I can watch t.v. and I will also take care of Sasha and Sadie, the two little Yorkies that live there.  I do laundry and cook, and they have a really long driveway which I walk down so that I can get the mail.  I often have to go more than once if the mail-man is late.  That plus ( it's a big house  with 7 bdrms, 4baths and 1 half bath, a living room, 2 offices, 1 music room, dining room, eat in kitchen, screened in porch, summer kitchen, family rm. and laundry rm. ) so whenever I'm there I tend to do a whole lot of walking.  I normally lose weight every time I stay there.  I do take books to read though the music room has a library on one side, and puzzle books so I can do that.  I do laundry while I'm there as well as clean up any messes we may make.  It sounds like you would have a whole lot of time on your hands but so far I've stayed pretty well occupied.   It is a very nice house and believe it or not, though it sounds large it is really homey and has a wonderful flow to it.  At first I was almost intimidated -- but after a small bit of time I realized that the house is not ostentatious or overdone ( though I admit it is large ) but is just a house full of love.  I feel perfectly comfortable there. 

    Anne, you are so right -- a thrill a minute sometimes, eh !!!!  I hope things calm down for Tim and that he is able at some point to see 'reason' and move on from that vantage point and make the best of his situation.  Hopefully that might mean not giving up on his girl-friend if she doesn't want to give up on him.  I think he is lucky to have someone who ( at least at this point ) seems to want to support him and continue in the relationship.  What would we do without the SPICE of  a little stress to keep us going. 

    Hi to everyone else today.  Sometimes I forget to say -- Blondie, Cammie, Mimi, Joan, and anyone else who for any reason doesn't get to come here on a daily basis like I do, that you are always crossing my mind and it is always with great hope that you are having a good day and a peaceful time of things.  Just busy loving life.

    See you all later.

    Jackie

     


     

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,223
    edited May 2015

    Hello gals!

    Mommarch...so sorry to hear about your side effects. I bet they can adapt the meds to work for you so you don't have all these problems. My onc told me that there is a standard dosage for everyone and that is where they usually start, but there is a leeway on both sides to up the meds if needed or to decrease them and still obtain the same results. Sending hugs your way!

    Sandra, so glad to hear that Mike is being so agreeable That makes it so much better for you. Sending hugs your way also.

    Anne, how hot was it in Florida when you were down there? Weather bug on my phone said that Cape Coral was 94 degrees today. That's getting pretty hot for even me and I love the heat! :-)

    What a beautiful day here! (See Chevy...I just had to get in the Illinois weather report! )

    We joined another couple on the golf course and I had my best game ever for me. For once everything seemed to just come together. That makes it alot more fun than usual. I started golf late in life and never learned properly so I'm usually just an average to low average golfer but I just love being out on the course!

    Jackie...it sounds like you have a great job and that your employers are wonderful and thoughtful people! I'm glad they found you!!!!

    Carole, I love the flowers. I am a real flower person and yours are so bright and colorful! My iris are in bloom and I have put out more pots than I intended! I have my golf bag filled with wavy petunias. At one time I could post pictures on here but it's been so long since I've attempted that I haven't clue how to do it anymore.

    I'm tired from all that fresh air today and my cats are begging for attention so I think I need to get out of here and spoil them a little before I collapse in my chair with a good book.

    Hugs to everyone!

    Rita

  • bonnets
    bonnets Member Posts: 769
    edited May 2015

    Sandra, Just red your post. So glad things are going better with MIke. You are certainly right about doing things while you can. We travel

    A lot as it is something we both enjoy. MY DH has had Prostate cancer, Open heart and melanoma. Then I got breast cancer. Lost a daughter to it also. Sure puts life in perspective. While we can we are doing what we enjoy. We don't smoke, drink or gamble, We travel! At our age and with all my hubby has been thru medically, a dozen other things, we are blessed to be able to! Got to be thankful for every day we have.

  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited May 2015

    Mommarch......Is a turd-floater the same as a frog-strangler??? Hah! I'll bet they are the same!!!

    We had one hedoublell of a storm yesterday afternoon!!! I mean the wind blew, it rained, then came the hail! I ran out there with a hoodie on, and got my tomatoes covered back up with plastic buckets, and saved them from the hail.... the flowers took a beating, but it could have been worse, I know....

    I'ts BEEN raining off and on here for a week, but this area has been lucky, until yesterday...! Looks like the sun might be coming up this morning!

    Ah Geez Anne.... sounds like something any one of "these kids" would do! He SHOULD have been embarrassed! We just count on little things like that, and when they disappoint us, it just hurts.... sorry.

    But I'll bet the pizza was good, right?

    Next time tell him he can come over, but I'm not sure if you'll be home... but bring your own lunch just in case... Ha!

    Oh wait.... just sorry about your Mr. Tim.... sounds like our one Daughter when SHE would get mad... All hell breaks loose, and that STILL tends to happen.... And they act like they don't care! And when things blow over, they act like nothing ever happened!

    That MIGHT be what our Daughter is going through now, with HER oldest Son! He is just like her, with that explosive personality... They can be the SWEETEST person, but when something goes haywire, they let loose! I hope they can straighten it out, but things don't look good right now...

    Both think they are right.... all the time... Not bad when they are kids, but then they grow up, and think they have the right to lambast the people closest to them with both barrels! Glad I don't have to live around it.

    I can't/won't take sides... I love them both, but it hurts when you get in the middle of it.

    Sandra, glad Mike has settled down... You just HAVE to do that sometimes! I did.... TWICE! And yes, after I had my screaming, yelling fit, I sat down and sobbed! But THEN they feel sort of remorseful, and will soften up a bit!

    But I never screamed or yelled in our earlier years... although I should have. My folks ALWAYS were screaming and yelling at each other, and I hated it.... so I would never say a word...

    So I'm glad you did! I know that feeling when you think.... "I just can't take this anymore, and you have stomped on me until I can't take it anymore, and here GOES............" So good for you.... !

    Jackie, your "job" sounds just perfect! And so does their life, having you with them.... I wish my friend Carol could have someone like you stay with her...

    Heard this morning that they will keep her until Friday... they keep putting it off, thankfully!!! Her stroke has left her STILL not moving her right leg, and barely her arm, and she still doesn't have her speech..... She can say a couple words... but it's like this vibrant woman who I grew up with has lost her whole life.... Don't know if she will ever come out of it.... Her Son Mike says, "a little improvement" every day.... but she laid there for at least 5 hours before her Son was called to go check on her when she missed her fiance's dinner!

    Yes.... Every day, is a gift to us.... Just Thank God we wake up to another one... even if it IS raining.... Ha!

    Rita, congratulations on your golf game! image That feels sooooooo good to even HIT that ball straight... I did it once, and quit. Left it all up to my Grandsons....!

    Morning bonnets.... Yes! No matter how things are, we ARE blessed!

  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited May 2015

    One of the worst features about worrying is that it destroys our ability to concentrate.  When we worry, our minds jump here and there and everywhere, and we lose all power of decision.  However, when we force ourselves to face the worst and accept it mentally, we then eliminate all these vague imaginings and put ourselves in a position in which we are able to concentrate on our problem.  -Willis H. Carrier

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 6,887
    edited May 2015

    Jackie, your employers must have a housekeeper to clean a house that big.  Seven bedrooms and four baths! 

    Sandra, great news that Mike is making an effort to be less negative.  His own negativity probably makes him feel even worse about himself.  You can imagine how much he hates being dependent.

    Rita, congratulations on the good round of golf!  It feels so good to play well.  I'm not missing my golf because it has already gotten really hot and humid and I was not playing well.  I don't mind taking a break.  I do miss going to the gym and getting some exercise. 

    Hello to all those who aren't checking in.  Jackie named some of you.  I hope you are doing well.

    Wishing everyone a good Sunday.

  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited May 2015

    Good Morning and hope you are all having it be ok.  So many storms in so many places.  We will have ( weather report said ) some rain today and it will continue through most of the next week.  I think Chevy is getting rid of hers and sending it here.  Sigh !!!  Rain in ( can be ) so beneficial and later on in the yr.  mid to late summer we are always wishing we could get some -- but the Springtime storms  are sometimes too long to suit me.  Also, it seems like there has been much more flooding ( not so much as yet here in Illinois ) in other areas.  Okla, Tx, Kansas -- so am hoping that it settles soon and people can relax.

    Chevy, I too wish I could help your friend.  I was so fortunate during and after my stroke -- being able if you can, to stop it in it's tracks is a big key to the recovery afterward.  My Dr. kept saying I would walk out of the hospital and  ( they actually make you ride in a wheel-chair )  I could have done just that.  Still a bit shaky and weak, but I left there with faculties that I knew would return given some practice time and therapy.  It is one of the sad and scary things about strokes.......the parts you might lose of yourself have so much to do with your ability to function -- how to call for help if you can't speak.  How to do argue the point if someone is cheating you in some way -- make out your bills or even be aware of when they are due.  Get around in your own home etc.  I'm glad they are extending her time at the hospital, but while I believe in feeling as positive as you can, from the description Chevy, I can't say I'd be holding out nearly as much hope as I normally give things.  We really don't know why or who will get these life challenges and sometimes have to just accept our own helplessness  ( much like the challenged must do ) and live with it.

     

    I skipped another line to put this in as I really do want to say that I feel blessed and am so grateful for my life.  Oh, I have a good share of things go wrong, general upsets, lots of work, etc. but I am extremely fortunate.  The lady I worked with before I was where I am now, was fairly difficult, but I was there for two yrs.  The one before that one, who I helped for I think 6 or so yrs. was well, something else.  I went to her house 7 days a week.  It was small but due to all the animals ( that did un-mentionable things where they shouldn't ) it had to be cleaned well at least once a day and I always hoped to get done  before one of the animals re-did something somewhere.  I also did some shopping, took this lady to appts. when she didn't want to drive.  Cleaned her garage and car.  Took her to the hospital and sat for hours if she needed admittance and went to see her often while she was there.  If it was a holiday I always brought a plate of food with me and sometimes extra for her for afterwards.  I did her laundry a good part of the time.  For my  365 days a yr. rain or shine, someone's birthday at home, anniversary, or anything else I was given the magnificent sum of $40.00 per week.  When I got irritated enough ( long story ) to raise the price to $60.00 she got mad enough to keep finding ways and things to criticize until I got smart and quit. 

    Just all to say that had I not dealt with some of the people I did before I came into my present position I'm not sure that I would cherish it as much as is deserved.  My trials by fire beforehand, though at the time there didn't seem to be anything else for me, did prepare me to value the love and acceptance I have felt and so enjoyed, and whatever I have been given -- I try in some way to give back.  Not because it is expected of me by them --- I just expect it of myself.  They are very un-selfish, loving people who do what they can, when they can, for who they can.  They don't LOOK ( I don't think anyway ) necessarily for things, but they don't back off when it comes to them.  They participate in life with a fair amt. of energy and they too are grateful for their life and show it by loving and caring for others. 

    So I do give a prayer of thanks and gratefulness every day for a life not without struggles which we all have, but for those things which have mainly ceased as a struggle and are now a pleasure and reward.   You can have a turn around in life -- and I am oh so grateful for mine.  It is what I'd most like to see happen for everyone --- for their worst grief to someone end up their greatest blessing.  I am thankful to be alive and doing what I can to bring sunshine where I go, hoping it will assist other people feel the positive aspects that life can send -- we are here for a short while.  I hope it is wonderful for everyone.

    Blessings

    Jackie


     

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,223
    edited May 2015

    Oh bonnets....you are so right. We just need to do things that we enjoy! I'm so glad that you and your hubby enjoy traveling. There are so many interesting places to go ini America and such wonderful sights to see! We travel to FL for the 3 winter months and to TN to see my kids but that is about the extent of our travels anymore. I would love to see New England in the Fall when the folliage is so beautiful...maybe one of these days.

    mommarch...hope you are having a good day today and that the side effects as disappearing! Thinking of you, as always and sending loving and healing vibes your way!

    Chevy, I understand how upsetting it can be to see a friend slide downhill. We have a dear friend who is in the mid stages of dementia. Some days he seems just fine but yesterday we golfed with he and his wife and he was a mess. We had to tell him which golf ball was his and when to hit. He tried to tee off from the wrong tees and was really disoriented. I had a good cry when we got home. This man was such a dynamic person...a first-rate realtor who never missed a beat. The bouts of confusion are becoming more and more frequent even though he is taking meds for the problem. It just breaks your heart to see him like this. It's even worse to know that there is nothing you can do to make it better except to be there as a friend for him and the family.

    So how many books have you read now Carol? You should have just written a new one while you've been recovering! I would have bought it!!!!

    Wishing everyone a good holiday weekend. It looks like it is about ready to storm here and our forecast for tomorrow isn't too good either. I imagine a few plans might be changed from outside events to inside events! We don't have anything special planned for tomorrow so it's just going to be a day for rest and relaxation around here.

    Hugs to all of you!

  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited May 2015

    Carole, there is a housekeeper at the big house.  An every Fri. thing.  The lady of the house is very neat and any messes that may happen ate not there long.  As it is a rather large place ( hallways are all white tile that are very wide and open without anything in them ) it is easy to reach down and pick up a blade of grass the dogs accidentally brought in or a small chunk of dirt that dislodged from your shoe.  Dishes go into the dishwasher promptly after use and  though there are plenty -- art resting on shelves is somewhat sparse so you don't feel overwhelmed by "things" all the time.  It is pleasing to the eye. 

    The house was designed by Dr. B's daughter who is an architect and it just all flows easily together with more storage than you can imagine.  All of the furnishings for it were picked out according to what best fit the space at the time and they seem to be a perfect blend.  The one whole side of the house has huge almost floor to ceiling windows and doors -- the doors being all window as well.  It looks out into a park like area ( no one there really has fences ) of huge yard.  The house was completed in 2000. 

    Couple times a yr. a small crew comes for spring cleaning type work and the windows.  Ah -- I think, what would it be like if I could look forward to a house-keeper or someone to spring clean early in the yr. and once again a bit before Thanksgiving.  !!!!!!  Nirvana -- but I'm ok doing it for myself in my little 1500 sq. footer.  Our major thing here is the two acre yard and all the nut trees  in among the 70 or 75 trees or more that surround our house. 

    See you all later --- I'm off to give my dog a bath in the bathroom tub. 

    Jackie

  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited May 2015

    I know you guys understand.... It's just hard for me to see her like that, and try and be happy around her, and make her laugh! The first time we went I left and cried all the way home... I don't now..... but it even gets to my Husband.... We just don't know what to say....to each other.... I have no answers, and he can't help either....

    Jackie, I remember those years you worked for "Her".... She was a selfless old woman, and did not appreciate you at all... You tried so hard to clean up all her messes for her and she didn't even thank you.... I'm SO thankful you have a caring family to work for...

    All those times you ran for coffee for her! ..

    Ah geez, we are under more tornado warnings again.... Rain, a little hail, but nothing as bad as yesterday....

    image

    THIS is Memorial Day..... !

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,223
    edited May 2015

    Oh Chevy, what a graphic reminder of what Memorial Day really means! So touching yet so true!

    We have tornado warnings here tonight for a few hours. One minute the sun is shining and the next minute the wind is blowing and the clouds are rolling. I hope they just continue to roll on by!

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