Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Comments
-
Welcome, Becca. I just returned from visiting my brother and his wife in OK. They live near Tulsa in Locust Grove. Or actually outside Locust Grove in the country. They're surrounded by neighbors with acreage. It's very pretty country with some large lakes. Good luck to you as you deal with bc, as we all have had to do.
Puffin, that trip sounds great. I wish we could go with you!
Hello to everyone.
-
Live in the moment is so true. It's all we really have, but sometimes hard to do.
I'm so glad to be done with rads and saw RO a few days ago. He wants me to see a medical oncologist for drugs that I'm not looking forward to hearing about. I already have anxiety and bipolar disorder and I understand some give you mood swings and irritability. But, I'll find out next week.
Just checking in.
Hugs,
Linda
-
Puffin, that sounds like the first leg of the cruise I took in December. We couldn't afford the time off to do the full circle, so we picked it up in Rome, then on to Naples, Sicily, Sardinia, Mallorca, Valencia and came ashore in Barcelona for the flights home. We couldn't take the extension to Barcelons either because Bob needed to cover Christmas weekend for his colleagues. We were so envious of those on the ship who were able to make the full Barcelona-to-Barcelona circle. Are you going on the Viking Star? Great ship, roomy cabins (all veranda) and gracious service--it was their first Mediterranean sailing (it's only been afloat since last June, doing the Baltic over the summer and early fall)--so there were a few dining room glitches but the food was very good. We enjoyed our shore excursions and the guest lecturers onboard.
Linda, so glad you got to ring that bell! Don't be afraid of the aromatase inhibitors--they don't conflict with antidepressants. And the women in my support group said they had no problems with their Zometa infusions. Your MO is the person to ask about vitamins, minerals and supplements.
I'm dealing with LE, but it's more frustrating and annoying than it is difficult. I guess it's trying to wrap my head around the stuff I must be careful to avoid doing, as well as making time during my day to do what I need to manage it that's bothersome. Today I started biweekly stress-reduction classes: an hour each of Qi Gong and guided meditation. It did help.
I feel so wistful reading about grandkids. I don't have any yet, and my son thus far has evinced no interest in having a relationship, much less reproducing or adopting. So my fur kids are my surrogate grandkids
-
Above all, let us never forget that an act of goodness is in itself an act of happiness. It is the flower of a long inner life of joy and contentment; it tells of peaceful hours and days on the sunniest heights of our soul.
Maurice Maeterlinck
-
Gloomy here today ( no sun at all they say ) but it is warming up -- forget which day they said, it likely will get up to 70. This is much more like Februarys used to be when we moved here. Not consistently warm, but often having GREAT previews of Spring and helping you get over the wintertime blahs. All will help to melt away the last bits of clinging snow -- most of which got pushed off into piles here and there and they take a lot longer. Well, of course, for a couple of days the biggest recipe will be mud ---- BUT, we are on the way.
Likely for us to easily see some more snow and just who knows what gives with the global upsets we have now -- but I will admit, I'm getting itchy for the green of Spring, the Jonquils and Tulips and the other early bloomers. Bring it on.
Nothing big today but just starting the process of getting organized for being away a week at my employers house while they are gone to Puerto Rico. Dh is working back in Mt. Vernon, about 21 miles south of us. Not real far, but they opened up a new hometown Sears store there and Dh can get a lot more time. Of course, it is good that they close always at 7 p.m. ( although Dh didn't work here save for four or five hours and never night hrs. ) so he won't have late times, but it will impact to a degree my being gone from our house. I think I will have to maybe run to our house late afternoon on Dh's work days and let the dogs out etc. We will see as we have never had it be an issue before. I'm sure it will work out, but a bit on the sticky side.
That will not start until the 23rd. I'm thinking about whether or not I want to bring my computer with me. It is a desktop. I'm thinking on it. There is a computer there that I could use -- basically everything there pretty much is at my disposal, but I really don't think I'd want to learn an Apple ( supposing I could get it down in such a short time ) and I really don't want what I do ON someone's else computer. Not that I do anything wrong --- I have had my own computer now since the beginning of my using them, and I'd like NOT to feel that I'm getting so intersperse with others. They have their sites, and huge amts. of information, and I mine. I just feel the need to keep it all -- theirs and mine -- separate.
Anyway, will be popping back in later I'm sure. See you then.
Jackie
-
Jackie, Apples are very easy to learn if you decide to go that route. I've used both interchangeably for years.
We have primroses and crocus blooming and big buds on the daffodils. Looks like spring here (including the endless rain).
-
Sandy, we're cruising with Oceania on the Nautica.
-
I took some pictures of our large tulip magnolia tree that's in full bloom. It's beautiful. Today is a glorious spring-like day. I would have played golf but a down pour on Mon. saturated the courses again and it was cart path only. Too hard on my bad foot. I'm hoping to play golf on Friday.
I'm about to start on a new needle work project, hand applique. I could use a zig zag stitch on the sewing machine but I'm not in a hurry to finish the project. I bought fabric today for the background of place mats for our camper. I have some MN fabric with loons and other scenery. I plan to make cut outs from the MN fabric and applique the cut outs onto the background fabric. I did some research on technique on the internet.
Jackie, I hope you can manage to check in during the week you're with your patient.
I need to fill the window bird feeder and stick it back onto the living room window. I took it down when we were going to be away for the weekend. I wouldn't put it past a squirrel to chew it up. They're very destructive as well as clever.
Greetings to everyone. Hope you're enjoying your Wed.
-
OKbecca, you are most welcome to join us whenever you can...daily, monthly...we don't judge but we might worry about you a little if it's been too long. This is a good place to vent. I've done that myself a lot lately. We are allowed to throw pity parties here, brag or complain about our kids & grandkids, make everyone jealous with our travels, share fun experiences, hobbies, photos...there are no rules. (Except no politics or religion.) So stop in for a virtual cup of coffee or tea with us anytime you are "in the neighborhood."
-
Can you see the holiness in those things you take for granted--a paved road or a washing machine? If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.
Rabbi Harold Kushner -
Sandra, so good to see you here --- though knowing you really have had some recent difficult times. I feel blessed to be a part of your life and hope to continue holding you up, and any others when they need it knowing that I'll be accorded the same if and when needed. So, you have been thought about often and always prayers for whatever you are going through --- even if some good times for you to have extra comfort and enjoyment of them.
A little sun today and some much warmer temps. We are getting Spring teasing. Ok with me.
I heard from Joan and she is fine. A little behind on reading and response here but wonderful to know she is ok and thinking of us here and hoping to soon get right back on the page with us.
Blessings
Jackie
-
okbecca, welcome to the thread.
February is now more bearable with Husband bringing home small daffodils.
-
Okbecca, welcome to this chat group. The ladies here are great
Sandra and Mike, Sending prayers and hugs
Linda, that's a lovely bracelet. Keep your chin up and don't let work get you down
Puffin, beautiful puzzle. Your trip sounds great
It is getting close for all my yearly appt. and the 6 month ct scan on my lungs. Its good I have this move to keep my mind off of that. We have picked out the couch, loveseat and recliner style now just the fabric remains. I am torn between two different colors but basically the same designs. The solid color would be the couch, loveseat and recliner. The pattern would be for the throw pillows.The first one is Sing Turquoise the second is Avis Aqua. Sorry I could not make them smaller. Not sure if I would want another chair in the pattern material or in a complimentary green color. Any ideas would be great.
Sorry this is so long. Hope everyone is having a good day!
-
Termite, Both are good choices. I think the aqua on the bottom might show dirt sooner. I would lean toward matching a green for for the chair. Perhaps someone could photo shop the pattern on a chair so you can see how it would work. I think the pattern would be ok on a small chair, but a bit much on a large one. There - you have my opinion. Never took decorating classes or anything similar, so don't take my word.
-
They’re saying 60 degrees for tomorrow, but very windy (and possibly rainy). My R hand has been driving me nuts all day--very sore on the back when I flex my wrist (the skin feels extremely sensitive), and at the base of my palm between the thumb and lifeline, it’s sore but not to the touch. My LE therapist thinks I might have been gripping the exercise bands too tightly and irritated tendons--and she also told me to stop using a laptop on my lap, move it to a table, take off my bracelet when typing (the charms and chain leave marks despite the bracelet having more than an inch of slack) and try not to be online so much. Can’t help it--I'm a natural multitasker and it drives me crazy for my hands not to have something useful to do. My cording has gotten worse too. And this is mild lymphedema!
At least I got a compliment from my dermatologist this morning. The seborrheic psoriasis that caused me to make the appointment isn’t flaring up; the moles I was worried about are harmless and one of them’s just a “seborrheic keratosis.” She is concerned, though, about the redness of the skin on the irradiated part of my breast and the fibrosis over the seroma (my LE therapist laughed and said “she should have seen it a month ago”) and prescribed a steroid ointment to ease it. But when I asked her what I should be doing about anti-aging skin care beyond cleansing, moisturizer and sunscreen, she remarked that my complexion looks great and that I should just keep on doing what I have been doing. (She did recommend ROC’s sensitive-skin retinol line, but that I should NOT exfoliate, at least not on my face). Delighted that she didn’t mention Botox or fillers.
-
ChiSandy, what a nice compliment about your skin! Sorry you're having so much discomfort with the LE.
Termite, I like the print. The design and the colors. I think it would perk up a room.
-
ChiSandy - you said: "pain at the base of my palm between the thumb and lifeline". You might consider the possibility of Trigger Thumb. That's exactly where I hurt. I've been getting sporadic cortisone shots since I'm not ready to address even the easy surgery that my orthopedic hand specialist is recommending.
-
Minus, I had trigger thumb in my L (non-LE) hand in 2004 and again in 2010. Symptoms were different--no pain, just popping-locking of the distal thumb joint. First time, I had a cortisone shot (the hand plastic surgeon suggested I try that rather than the infinitely more expensive surgery). When the soreness from the shot wore off, I was fine for six full years, almost to the day. But in 2010, I awoke one morning to find that my thumb had locked so hard I needed to use my right hand to unlock it. Unfortunately, I was about to leave on a tour that included playing 17 nursing-home shows in 5 days, followed by a folk music conference. So the surgeon gave me another shot--warning that it could thin the tendon too much if it stayed in too long--and the day after I returned from my tour, he flushed out the remaining cortisone and did the tendon-release surgery. But this time I’m not getting locking, and the soreness spread across my palm later this evening. The LE therapist thinks it’s probably tendinitis or even arthritis (I’ve been on letrozole a month & a half, and maybe the effects of estrogen withdrawal are kicking in) and wants me wearing a thumb splint at night if it helps. She also had me discontinue the rubber band resistance exercises until it clears up.
-
Our God is not made of stone. His heart is the most sensitive and tender of all. No act goes unnoticed, no matter how insignificant or small. A cup of cold water is enough to put tears in the eyes of God. Like the proud mother who is thrilled to receive a wilted bouquet of dandelions from her child, so God celebrates our expressions of gratitude. -Richard Foster
-
A wonderful day here today. It's sunny and the temp. is in the 70's. Perfect temperature. I don't like warmer (or hotter) than 70's.
I finally got back out on the golf course today and enjoyed the round. Also enjoyed having lunch afterwards with five of the other six women. DH is out playing now so I'm having a quiet afternoon. There are things that I could do but I might just be lazy.
Happy Friday to all.
-
Well, we had a little excitement just past noon. Good news is that it's in the low 60s here by the lake. Bad news is that we've been getting wind gusts...in the low 60s too (MPH). About 12:30 we lost power...not just our block but most of the N. Side to a couple of miles west. Heard a crash in front and there on the grassy “parkway" between the street & sidewalk lay about a third of our big-leaf maple tree. Fortunately, nobody was parked there! My housekeeper (because I’m not supposed to lift stuff) wrestled with the garage door and managed to get my car out and parked outside so in case my cell phones ran out of juice (our landline is hooked to a battery-op modem from the cable company) I could charge them--my car doesn't power the ports unless the engine is running, and you don't want to do that in a closed garage. Bob made a room res at the Oak Lawn Hilton in case the power didn't come back, but we have a fridge repair guy coming tomorrow--there was a slow leak around where the icemaker/water dispenser is set into the door, though it's dry now (just like when your toothache goes away when you walk into the dentist's office or your car stops making that unnerving noise just before you drive into the repair shop). Power finally came back about 2:30. Sky is really cloudy, though--saw ominous-looking cumulonimbus rolling in. Hope we don't get tornadoes.
-
My Mom and brother lived in Oak Lawn , before moving here , NEW YORK STATE!. Hope the weather calms down there. Had a fridge door repair a few weeks ago and the durn repair policy didn't cover it. Cost enough for the repair, next one we get a new fridge! Guess the warranty extension thing has to be an electrical problem for coverage.
-
Good afternoon,
It has been pretty gusty/windy too here in Illinois. Nice and warm though and a fair amt. of sun. I don't think I'm going to work tonight as I haven't gotten a call. In a way nice, but I was hoping to listen to how the S. Carolina caucus comes out tomorrow night. Otherwise, just relaxing this afternoon. I'm getting good at that.
Dh is enjoying getting more work now that he has been hired on at the new Sears hometown store in Mt. Vernon. Just wasn't getting enough work at the hometown store here. I think the new store will use him quite a bit as he is pretty experienced. He has about 13 or so yrs. in all-together. I'm not liking the fact that he is now having the 43 mile round trip again. That is not near what some people drive, but our vehicles are old and so are we so I really did appreciate Dh just working here in town. Well, I think I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed on that.
Aside from the wind I'm sure enjoying our taste of Spring. Sure hope we don't hear anything like you did ChiSandy. We are surrounded by trees here and though I've learned a degree of comfort, a lot of wind is always scary. We also have a high water table and though most trees seem ok, I think some with roots not down too far on occasion just loosen in the wet ground and go over.
Laughed about the description of what happens when you need something fixed. Murphy's Law to a tee.
Hope you all have a great afternoon.
Jackie
-
Bonnets, our fridge is long out of warranty (2011) but is a top-of-the-line LG French-door one that would cost much, much more to replace than repair. (Probably just a worn gasket or seal that needs replacing, but not a DIY job).
So windy out there now that I can hardly tell whether that freight-train rumble is the CTA elevated train (“the L”) a block away or a gale. Wanted to go out and take advantage of the warm weather and rack up some Fitbit steps, but that doesn’t look like a good idea. No grilling tonight either--would never be able to get the grill to light, and the food might blow away when the lid is up (if it doesn’t get blown out of my hands first)!
-
Finally, getting caught up. It's been a long time. Heart issues and a broken foot that needed surgery and pins really got to me. Having to roll around for months took me down. I just got released and am on two feet again. I still limp but will get stronger now.
I loved the puzzles. I do a small one on line every day. The hats were beautiful. I make hats for a group, Pass the Hat. They all go to cancer patients. I haven't tried coloring but was just given a book and pencils, so will give it a go.
-
Teacher, it is so good to see you. I am sorry to hear about the heart issues and your foot. It sounds like you are looking forward to mending truly well and that you have some strong drive going in order to help/make it happen. You know everyone here will be pulling for that too. Will be looking forward to keeping up with your progress.
Blessings,
Jackie
-
Welcome back, Teacher! Glad you're walking again.
-
Teacher, welcome back. Glad to hear you are up and about again.
Wren44, thanks for you input about the material. I am not good at making up my mind unless I can see the finished project somehow. I am not good at decorating a room so I do not enjoy this part of the move at all. I saw a picture of a room similar so now will have to decide which color I want.
The winds were so strong here yesterday but it was a nice temperature out. Today is a little windy but beautiful out. We have a party to go to this afternoon for my aunt which is 94. It seems strange on a Saturday afternoon since so many people still work but it should be fun to see everyone.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
-
Teacher, welcome back to the thread.
Termite, lovely colors, and would choose the darker Sing Turquoise!!
Still windy in the North Country. -
You are goodness and mercy, and compassion and understanding. You are peace and joy and light. You are forgiveness and patience, strength and courage, a helper in time of need, a comforter in time of sorrow, a leader in time of injury, a teacher in times of confusion.
You are the deepest wisdom and the highest truth; the greatest peace and the grandest love. You are these things. And in moments of your life you have known yourself as these things. Choose now to know yourself as these things always.
Neale Donald Walsh
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team