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

IllinoisLady

Jesus said: "When you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.
And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you."
- Luke 14:13-14

IllinoisLady

Good Morning -- and another holiday pretty much under our belts.  Of course, I worked --- but later as I was catching up a bit here on the computer and later watching t.v. I heard lots of "home" fireworks going on around here.  Lots of bangs and booms.  I don't know how many actual youngsters see fireworks at home.  Most of the neighborhood and even family 4th.'s I've attended were mainly it seemed for a slight very few youngsters and as much or more for the adults.  Anyway --- I heard most of it even if I didn't see it. 

Teacher, great to see you back.  Was wondering about you.  Now and then, when someone hasn't come for a bit I started thinking pm ---- but then wonder if I'll seem intrusive for doing it.  I think some of our members have moved on to other areas.  Hope it wasn't anything I did or said.  I'll have to find Cammie and ask her, eh !!!!!  Maybe Chevy too !!!!! 

Too cute about the Old Ladies Lunch.  Mature Women sounds much nicer huh !!!  Maybe Sr. Garden Party.  Glad it was so much fun and lots of laughs.  Laughing and enjoyment is good medical karma for us -- so the more you have, the better.  That will help you too with getting rid of that binder permanently soon, I hope. 

Didn't Texas end up with a little too much rain.  Well, that is the way it has been most everywhere that was getting some I think.  We still have a lot of muddy fields here ( likely some ruined crops ) and there is more rain predicted.  Seems like every yr. lately is a big surprise. 

Hope you are all going to have a great Sunday.

Blessings

Jackie

mommarch

It is Xeloda, 3000 mgs a day for 14 days then off 7

bonnets

Sun's out today, yay!

Had a lot of bangs and booms in the neighborhood, since NY recently made them legal. Our trees have gotten so big , cudn't see much though.Think we might go to the big street fair in a neighboring town, but may not, as being we went to church it's kiinda late and will b crowded since it rained yesterday.

I'm a Red Hatter. Have a pretty large group I belong to. A bunch of crazy old ladies, who have lunch once a month , have fun and don't care what people think. Im thinking of starting my own group, keeping it smaller.

carolehalston

Newlydx15, anyone is welcome here.  Be sure to look around on bc.org for groups of women who are going through the same stage as you.  When I was first dx'ed back in 2009, I opted for a BMX (bilateral) with immediate reconstruction.  I was in a state of panic at the time with lots of anxiety and many questions about what lay before me.  I found a discussion forum with a few women, all younger than I, who had also opted for the same surgery and reconstruction.

I "talked" to them daily and shared what was happening with me.  It was a wonderful sisterhood and a great source of strength in dealing with each hour and day.  I have since become friends with one of the women who lives in Thunder Bay, Canada.  We've gotten together with her and her husband four different years and plan to see them again this summer.  So there are some bright spots in the whole nightmare.

Interestingly, I am the only one of the group who stuck with bc.org.  The others apparently preferred not to join discussion groups about life after surgery and treatment.  Their way of getting on with their lives was discontinuing the communication.

On other subjects, it's Sunday and the weekenders and holiday'ers are probably cleaning up their campers and getting ready to head home.  I am looking forward to having the campground to ourselves.  Tomorrow we plan to look at a couple of 2nd hand boats with motors that we saw on Craigslist. 

Hope everyone is having a good Sunday.

IllinoisLady

Carole, just looking at what you wrote --- and thinking I may have missed something along the way.  Are you by any chance planning on leaving your motor home in the campground yr. round.  Not sure what makes me think that --- probably the idea of buying your own boat.  That would be sort of a fun thing though -- if not cost prohibitive. 

I think a lot of people do leave BC. Org though many stay too.  I looked on them as a life-saver for me.  Otherwise, since I really didn't know many people at the time with breast cancer ( found out there are a few around here, but didn't know it back in 2007 ) I had no one to REALLY talk too that had already had or was currently undergoing the experience.  It is a frightening and confusing dx. and talking to others was  such a comfort -- even when I wasn't saying much myself -- to share in their chatter ( and the group I got into were all pretty much newbies ) tended to keep me a bit more grounded.  I actually felt immense reassurance about the fact that there were so many others.  Up till dx. I just really didn't know anyone -- so it seemed as though  on the one hand --- I was fighting alone.  It was a huge eye-opener  to see the "numbers" of others. 

I had joined in with a bunch of gals from Illinois and they are the ones who got me started leaving daily quotes --- and I still leave the quotes on that blog  -- just share them now here too as well.  Anyway --- the reason why I stay is that I've grown use to the friendship and value that as much as any of my face to face friends here.  Also, I do think for those going through anything -- if a quote ( something that resonates with them ) can help them start their day on a little higher note -- then I'm paying back and doing something good.

Bonnets -- I like the idea of smaller groups.  That too is in part of why I'm here -- although my age has something to do with it too.  This group has not expanded much and frankly --- I can keep up a little better.  It is for some reason -- a little hard for me to follow a lot of what is said --- so if I'm not dealing with too many then better for me.  You can get a bit closer when their are a few less personalities I think.    Have more one on one type conversations with almost everyone at some point. 

We are getting ready to clean our VCR/DVD player.  We have had it a long time --- and I think for the most part it is likely dusty or something as we haven't used it that much for all the time we have had it.  Every movie we have played lately has skipped ( after a little interference and pause ) and we have lost part of the movie -- though once it does the skip it plays fine afterwards.  So, we think there is something ( a chunk of dust ) that interferes at whatever point and once we clear it -- we go back to a good disc again and watch the rest of the movie in peace.  Dh's brother said -- oh, it's going bad and you need to buy a new one.  I rejected that idea ( though we would if we had too ) since we have not used it that much.  BIL ( like the whole family that side ) seems to love electronic gadgets and pretends to know a lot about them -- and to some degree that is so, but I'm not over we have used it so little yet --- so visited a couple of local stores and got some ideas and suggestions ( second opinion ) and will try some cleaning cycles first. 

We have had to close our windows and doors this afternoon as the a/c came on -- but we have gone without the a/c a few times all day or most of it lately.  Surprising since we have had the humidity from the rains. 

Jackie

carolehalston

Jackie, it's true that we plan to leave the camper here in this very spot.  For the past three years we towed the camper here and then towed it home and that was all the use the camper had.  If we find we're unable to continue coming here for the summers, we'll put the camper up for sale.  

If we buy a boat, we can either tow it home to LA and use it there or we could store it in this area for a fee.  Not sure what the cost would be.

I just went outside and it's still humid and warm so the a/c will probably stay on tonight.  Rain is forecast for tomorrow and then the weather should improve. 

I'm hoping to get more exercise in the form of activity this next week.   

ritajean

Termite....You always amaze me. You always have a nice comment for everyone! I read the posts and then can't remember what was on the previous page when I am posting! :-)

Carole, your boat parade sounds like fun! We love to boat but the Illinois weather has not cooperated with our boating schedule and we have only been out a couple of times. Hopefully we will get out on the lake on Friday to take my 11 year old grandson tubing before he goes back. The whole family was here for the 4th of July but we did a family golfing tournament instead of boating. The holiday brings out lots of "crazy speed-demon" boaters in our area so we try to stay away from the water then.

Welcome newly DX.....anyone is always welcome to join this thread. Like Jackies, said, "Just jump right in and tell us about yourself."

Blondie....won't be long now until you're headed for FL. Have a ball!!!!

Carole....You gals need to take pictures of your get-together and post them for all of us to see! It is always so much fun to actually meet somebody from the threads. It's amazing how you just pick right up on conversations like you've known each other for years!

Hugs to everyone! I'm headed for bed. This Grandma is pretty tired but she's still having fun!

carolehalston

Rita, I'll have dh take a picture of Puffin and me.  Puffin, let's remind each other on Thurs. of the lunch date on  Friday.  I don't think I'll forget but stranger things have happened!  At home we have a calendar tacked to a little cork board in the kitchen and we write all our apptments and planned events on it. 

The high today is supposed to be 70 degrees!!!  Yay!  There was rain around the area last night but we didn't get much.  I think the hazy smoke from Canada is still a factor. 

Hoping that everyone has a good Monday.

IllinoisLady

Remember, we all
stumble, every one of us.
That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand.
- Emily Kimbrough

IllinoisLady

Good morning everyone.  Cloudy here ( maybe it will stay that way ) and there could be rain though it sounded like there was a chance it would not reach all the way here.  If not today, then late tonight and tomorrow it will arrive.  It will bring slightly cooler and hopefully ( at least for a while ) a bit less humidity.

Rita -- I'm so glad you said what you did.  I try not to say it too often ( as in you are what you eat or in this case maybe what you think ) this little thing about not remembering well either what was said or who said it.

So --- that said *******do forgive me anyone if I fail to mention or speak of things you have shared -- it is not really chemo brain.  I rather think it is more the culmination of having medical issues ( 3 times ) where I had transitory amnesia.  Somehow, even though I read things  --- I have to work hard to recall them in a way that I can pick up on the nuances of all that was said and often as Rita mentioned --- if it is on the page before --- I often end up not saying anything at all.  I know there are things I could do -- copy the post or write and answer below it --- I think ??? all entries go to the end -- so I think would actually get to the next page but I don't seem to think of that when I need it.  So, just know I really don't mean to slight anyone in any way --- but am not trying to ignore any situation --- I just may feel incompetent about saying something. 

Wow -- not sure I explained that well. 

Otherwise today will have us catching up on some odds and ends.  I adore living in my very small town, but it is so easy to put some things off -- like needed supplies.  Knowing I'm going into town every day without fail sort plays into it too --- but sometimes, I'd rather come home instead of so much morning running around.  Today I'll have to run around.  I've let us run out of several things -- but also have to make a trip to the bank.  Will go to the local movie rental place as well.  We thought something was up with our DVD player -- so were out yesterday looking for solutions.  Thought we might even have to buy another one.  Seems every movie we have rented lately has 'messed' up at some point in the movie.  So --- we got some opinions and came home with a special cleaner that cleans the whole area where the dvd disc sits as well as Dh took the machine apart and thoroughly cleaned it inside.  Put one of the rental movies in and it --- behaved as usual -- skipping a whole part of the movie.  Later, we took one of our personal DVD's and played it --- no skip.  It was perfect ---- so it is after all the rental outfit. 

We will go and have a discussion with them.  I guess the only way to get a good movie from them is to get the movies as they are just coming out.  Apparently the older ones ( and they do rent them at a good price ) are subject to having issues so I'm sure it will come out to --- rent at your risk or if you don't mind missing some of the movie. 

I hope you are all going to have a really good day.  See you all when I check in later.

Blessings

Jackie

Puffin2014

OK, Carole, I'll send a reminder post Thursday afternoon. If I'm driving for an hour I want to make sure you're going to be there!

carolehalston

Good morning to all.  It was 54 degrees outside and in the camper when we got up at 8 am this morning.  Here I sit in long pants and a sweatshirt!  DH asked if I had turned on the heat and I said, "No.  Not in July!"  The sun is out and it will warm up.

We had a good day yesterday driving and looking at two boats.  But we're still not boat owners.  DH liked one of the boats but the motor was 75 hp, too much motor for a small lake when you don't plan to do any water skiing.  Luckily the owner turned down our offer.

Puffin, we had lunch at Vergus, a small village not far from Detroit Lakes, at Billy's Bar & Grill, which is famous for its hamburgers.  I had a California burger and it was very good. 

We're planning to play golf today at a small golf course about a mile from here.  They have a two for one greens fee bargain on Tuesdays. 

Happy Tuesday.

IllinoisLady

"Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us."

-- Samuel Smiles

IllinoisLady

Good afternoon -- I'm late here today.  Got up late and it was a work day, so only downloaded all my mail and had to leave.  Hope you are all having a good day.  We are cloudy here with little showers -- almost heavy mist type, and that will stay with us I think.   I think more of the same tomorrow -- but maybe heavier.  We watched that movie Gone Girl last night and it was longer than we thought it would be.  Sort of a psychological thriller. 

Carole, I'm surprised that you are nearly having winter today.  Glad you had some "warm" clothing with you, but then it is Minnesota.  Still, seems a mite on the chilly side anywhere in July.  We probably won't get to the gym today.....lots of things to do and then will go to a wake tonight.  The lady I stayed with for two yrs. ( moved to another position when she was placed in a nursing home facility ) passed away early in the morning on the 4th. of July.    I'm glad she does not have to be where she was ( I'm not much for nursing homes overall ) but sorry that she is gone.  Her daughter called me right away so I wouldn't read it in the paper and I think there was a lot of illness going on so it is a good thing. 

Hope you are all good to have a good day today.  See you all later.

Blessings

Jackie

Puffin2014

Carole, got you beat. I woke up to 42 degrees here in Fargo this morning! Warmed up into the 70's by afternoon and turned out to be a lovely day.

bonnets

We had weather that was lovely , in the 70"s with low humidity, for the last few days. GONE, today in the 80's with 90+% humdity. From one extreme to the other. Have our little portable A/C unit running. Our bedroom is fairly big, so we have T.V. and our recliners in it. We basically live there most of the time, so the portable A/c is enough for us.Supposed to get the rain from the midwest tomorrow and Thursday.

blondiex46

What jackie said we accept all

Rita tomorrow

I am withnu jackie i am so impressed with  whoever takes notes n responds individually,  so plz accept my apology for not talking directly to all of u..but i am going to fla, lolololol coudnt help myself, lol

Wren44

Blondie, Have a GREAT time!

blondiex46

Thx wren

carolehalston

I'm wearing the long pants and sweat shirt again this morning! No complaints. Yesterday was as gorgeous as a day can be. In the afternoon we drove to a lumber business a few miles away at Two Inlets and ordered lumber for a deck. It should be delivered today. After we have some breakfast, we're planning to take the bicycles to the little town of Dorset and bicycle another stretch of paved bike path.

I'm hoping by tomorrow that our membership keys will give us access to the Anytime Fitness gym in Park Rapids. It will be 30 days since I paid for a membership to an AF gym in Louisiana. I have been missing our exercise at the gym. I don't actually "enjoy" the workouts but always feel good afterwards. You have to be a member of an Anytime Fitness gym for 30 days before you can access a different AF gym.

Puffin, you probably have weather similar to ours here in northern MN.

Blondie, I'm looking forward to your FL trip!

Hi to everyone else not mentioned.

IllinoisLady

Laugh when you can,
apologize when you should,
and let go of what you can't change.
Life's too short to be anything... but happy.

- Anonymous

IllinoisLady

Good Morning,

It's raining ( very light right now ) and I think will drizzle most of the day with maybe one or two heavy downpours --- always hard to say.  We don't get excited too much by what the weather-people say --- seems like it can be nearly opposite of what they do tell you --- so we try to just take it with a grain of salt.  Oops, as we speak -- the drizzle turned into heavy  -- fairly consistent though -- rain which will likely back off in a bit and go back to drizzle. 

Have the funeral to go to today --- so do hope it is not toooo awful later on. 

Nothing much planned for the day.  I think this is the start of a few wet days in a row now so --- nothing too much will go on.  Give me time maybe to plan out an attack for some things I want to change around here. 

Blondie --- I hope you have a totally awe-inspiring and fantastic time in Florida. 

By the way --- all my talk of winter yesterday --- we won't get out of the 60's here today due to the rain.  Not sure about the humidity -- there could be a little but I don't think it would be too apparent to us as long as the sun it gone and the rain and wet persist.  Glad for those temps.  It will keep us a lot more comfy.  Carole -- I instantly felt what you said about not enjoying the work-out, but feeling great afterwards.  Most of the time my feet are dragging a little on the way to the Rec Center gym, but once I'm there ( I'm actually thinking about how to get done a little faster ) and get a pace going --- I'm pretty much ok with it all.  I have been actually fairly consistent  for the better part of a yr. so wish I did have a little more enthusiasm than I do.  Ambivalent I guess --- I don't want to be a fanatic about it so it is probably me -- just to find a cruising altitude.

See you all later.

Blessings

Jackie

carolehalston

Today is as dreary as yesterday was beautiful. Life in MN! DH is outside in the drizzling rain building our deck. I'm thinking a hot shower will feel great.

We were fortunate to get in our bike ride this morning with only a few raindrops. Once we loaded up the bikes and started home, it started raining lightly, but enough that we would have gotten wet.

Off to take that hot shower....

termite

Good Morning to all,

It is early for me to be on today but I had an MRI on my knee this morning at 6am and back home so I have time before going to work.

Rita, I sometimes write down a note to myself if I want to write something to someone and am not sure if I will remember it from one page to another.

Puffin and Carole, Have a great time together. Show pictures of the two of you.

Blondie, have a great time on your trip and be safe

Carole, glad you and your dh were able to get your bike ride in before the rain.

I had a cake decorating class last night. We learned how to make daisies, mums, and carnations. Next week we have to decorate a cake with items we have learned to make in the last 4 weeks. I tried putting pictures on here for a cake from our last class and for a hat I crocheted but could not get it to work. Have to get ready for work now.

Hope everyone has a great day!

carolehalston

Termite, are the pictures in a document file on your laptop? I don't seem to have any trouble posting pictures. I click the photo rectangle and then click Browse. Select the photo and then click Insert. I can do this posting on my laptop or my I-Phone.

I'm looking forward to meeting Puffin in person tomorrow at Shorty's in Detroit Lakes. And, yes, we'll post a picture.

DH started building the deck yesterday and should finish it today.

Happy Thursday to all of us.

IllinoisLady

"People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone."
Audrey Hepburn

IllinoisLady

Can't stay too long, but wanted to say good morning.  I keep my pictures in Picasa ( Chevy taught me how to store and use pics from there ) and though it feels complicated, it's not really. 

Rain today -- we had some serious pour-down's yesterday.  Went to a funeral -- the lady I stayed with before my present one.  Sad as always, but it was time I think.  So much wrong -- and she was 89 as well.  It was quite cool during the day -- stayed in the 60's which in a way was nice.  We finally closed our door -- too much cool air getting in.  Will warm today though -- maybe a shower or two --- though it sounds like it could stay farther south from us. 

Anyway, I will be back later.  Glad that deck is almost done Carole.  Nice to get home working properly and being really comfortable.  I really like your idea of leaving your camper in place.  Nice to have a 'true' second home away from home.  See you all  later.

Blessings

Jackie

Puffin2014

Looking forward to lunch with Carole and her hubby tomorrow, have my camera ready. That's such a nice bike trail, an old railroad bed, no hills.

I had a friend over for lunch yesterday and took her shopping afterwards (she doesn't drive). She recently moved from her apartment into one room in an assisted care facility and needed a small desk to put her computer on. We found the perfect desk at our first stop at Office Max. It'll be delivered this afternoon, she's so excited. Once her computer and desk are set up she'll be able to get the rest of her room shaped up.

Lew left for the Peace Gardens this morning with a friend for a 3 day ham radio convention. Time for me to clean the house and it'll stay clean!

Teacher64

No cold temps for me in summer. This weekend it's predicted we will have the first 100 degree day. I don't need 100s but no 40s.

Yesterday on way home from working out, it stormed so much the wipers couldn't keep the windshield clear. We've had over a year's worth so far. I'm glad it's warming up in time for us to go on vacation!

Headed out in a few minutes to pick up a friend visiting family. Kathy was my contact person during treatment and I'm so glad she's here. We and another friend are hosting a bridesmaids' luncheon tomorrow and are going to do all the set up today. As we've experienced what the mother of the bride has done since last September, I'm glad I just had a rehearsal dinner to do. From the groom's side it is so much easier. Weddings are such a production now. My hairdresser of 25 years + now does hair and make up for weddings and Is booked into next year already. Thankfully she's kept a few of her original clients. I sometimes get a text and she will ask if I can change day or time because a bride has had a meltdown and must redo engagement /wedding photos because of some reason or another.