Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Comments
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Ah Jackie.... I got tears in my eyes with your poem.... It was always my Mom's favorite... I carry it in my wallet, because she had it in hers....
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My goal for 2015 was to lose just 10 pounds. Only 15 to go.
Ate salad for dinner! Mostly croutons & tomatoes. Really just one big, round crouton covered with tomato sauce. And cheese.FINE, it was a pizza. I ate a pizza.
How to prepare Tofu:
1. Throw it in the trash.
2. Grill some Meat.
I just did a week's worth of cardio after walking into a spider web.
I don't mean to brag but......I finished my 14-day diet in 3 hours and 20 minutes.
A recent study has found that women who carry a little extra weight live longer than men who mention it.
Kids today don't know how easy they have it. When I was young, I had to walk 9 feet through shag carpet to change the TV channel.
Senility has been a smooth transition for me.
Remember back when we were kids and every time it was below zero out they closed school?
Me neither.
I may not be that funny or athletic or good looking or smart or talented....I forgot where I was going with this.
I love being over 50. I learn something new every day.......and forget 5 others.
A thief broke into my house last night......He started searching for money so I woke up and searched with him.
My dentist told me I need a crown. I was like: I KNOW!, Right?
I think I'll just put an "Out of Order" sticker on my forehead and call it a day.
PS: Sunday, March 13, 2016 was the beginning of Daylight Savings Time. If you have not already done so, set your bathroom scale back 10 pounds right now.. -
Chevy -- that piece was my Mom's favorite too.
By the way --- I love what you just entered -- that may become MY favorite.
Jackie
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Puffin and Sandra, praying for you both. Somehow thru these things we find inner strength we never knew we had.
Chevy, didn't know you were a comedian. Enjoyed your post.
Today was lovely here, about 68 and a good deal of sunshine. The forsythia and the magnolias are coming out, and the irises are about 3 inches tall. Pretty good for March around here. The last snow missed us, we didn't miss it!
Jean
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Thanks Chevy for the chuckles. Needed that today.
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Chevy, thanks for the laughs, this is my favorite today "I think I'll just put an "Out of Order" sticker on my forehead and call it a day."
Rita, it's nice to be back.
Sandra - I'm adding my hugs and prayers for you and your family. To be dealing with a DH transplant and your son's mental illness (close or far away) is a lot for you to handle. We are all here for you. I hope that your son will find and accept treatment to get out of his situation - sounds like he's at bottom or close to it. It's good your daughters are able to help you. Take a few minutes and do something you love for 10 min. a day at least. Dance, color, create something fun. Pamper yourself for 5 min. You deserve it.
I feel most comfortable in this forum, so I'll admit that I have bipolar disorder. It's not fun, but I've been on a combination of medicines for 20 years and managing fairly well, even with the bc dx. BUT, when I took the Ananestrazole or however you spell it, it messed me up physically, mentally and emotionally, I had insomnia, diarrhea, couldn't eat and then I had a manic episode (the first in over 20 years). I stopped the meds, but my MO told me she'd like me to try another one because with Her+, if I get a different cancer, it'll be incurable. I was too shocked to ask questions. All I could tell her was I do not want another manic episode, and can't live with that. She said she didn't want to disrupt my mental disorder either or my quality of life.
She said she'd like me to try another med and see if it will work, to say we tried. It's a 20% chance of recurrence without the drug and a 5% change if I take it. I'm going to get more information from my psychiatrist (who said no, don't take it) and the pharmacist, but I don't know any drug names yet.
Have any of you had any experience with this? I'd really be grateful for information.
Ritajean - hope you have a wonderful Easter with your family.
ChiSandy - have a safe trip and enjoy your trayf meal (LOL). Hope you have a great time and take some pics to share. Again, be safe and please don't go anywhere alone if you can avoid it.
It's getting late here, so I'm going to journal about some things and then go to bed.
Linda
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Earlier in the week the stress manifested itself as a large "rock" in my chest. This morning my upper back was uncomfortable too, I was cold but at the same time was sweating (diaphoretic.) Probably understandable but just in case, I went to my doctor's office. The EKG was fine, my heart sounded fine, but my temp was too low and the sweating was quite obvious. She wanted to call an ambulance to take me to the ER "just in case" but I said absolutely not. She agreed it could be from stress so I knew I was fine. The last thing my poor daughters need to hear is that their mother is in the hospital too. It's much better now. A friend showed up at my house with a bouquet and we shared a pot of tea. I realized my chest didn't hurt for some of the time she was here.
Ryan was transferred to Chicago Behavorial Hospital in Des Plaines, IL this afternoon. It's a psychiatric hospital specializing in addiction treatment. Allison was able to see him for 10 minutes tonight to take him clean clothes and let him know he is not alone. She said his hands were shaking. (Alcohol withdrawal?) He is scared to death. I don't know how long he will be there. We won't know until Monday if the airline will let him on a flight again. The people who can make the decision were off for the long Easter holiday.
Mike is worse. He looked awful today and seemed to be in a stupor. Everything hurt. His nurse convinced him to take a narcotic pain drug even though he said he wasn't in pain - it was just uncomfortable. I spoke to him hours later and he said he felt better. He said he didn't know how much pain he was in until the drug kicked in and the pain was gone.
Time to try to get some sleep. Tomorrow will surely be another long day.
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Morning gals! Linda... Are those your ear-rings you wore in High-School? Ha! I saw a funny cartoon, of a gal saying "I'd like for you all to know I can wear the same ear-rings I wore in High School!"
My Oncologist also wanted me to try another drug... I stopped Tamoxifen, because of different SE's... SOME have no problem, but I did.
She said something about Femara, but I didn't want to take the chance of another "life-changing" SE...
Jackie, tell her what you take... or took.... See Linda, we are all different. I wouldn't worry too much about those statistics your Doc told you... She shouldn't try and scare you into taking anything either...
We are all so different... SOME can take this, but other's can't... And no-one can say we will ever get cancer again.... Sure, me MIGHT, but we MIGHT fall and break our damn neck in the mean time!
We just don't know, and they can't prove that taking one thing over another will "help" us.
I took Tamoxifen for 1 1/2 years... Lost my hearing... But I was just one of those oddities that this happened to, because of a certain gene, at MY age, and I had a "small infarct"...(stroke) near my 8th cranial nerve, and it affected my hearing. I could hear, and woke up one morning and my ears were "plugged up"...
Finally found out what happened... but too late. Only happens occasionally... they say. But "stroke" was listed as one of the side effects. There ARE tests to see if you have this certain gene... but they don't give it, unless asked.
I quit taking the drug, took lots of vitamins, and didn't see any difference, and I am over 6 years without any cancer. So we just cross our fingers, and live every day as if there are no tomorrows, but we pray for a million more "tomorrow's".
Sandra, it IS your nerves...! Same thing with me one time, and all this going on with my Dad! Too much stress, mixed with caffeine will make your heart go crazy.
It will really get to you....
And yes, when my Dad couldn't drink, he had the shakes. It would be nice if they could keep him there for a longer period than just a few days. He is safe there, and cannot get alcohol. He needs more help than just a few days, or even weeks.
They can control his withdrawal symptoms... Of course he is scared.... right now his worst fear, is not knowing how he can get that next drink...
He is not safe to himself or others right now... If they can work with him, and have him go to group therapy, and get sober for longer than a few days, he COULD learn to understand how much it is hurting him. HIM, and YOU guys, and his SISTERS. He does need psychiatric help.... and now would be his best chance to get it....
I remember one time, coming home from my job, and finding my Dad sitting on the couch, crying, with a shot-gun across his lap. He was going to kill himself. Well, he was working at it pretty hard.... always drunk, fighting, and making everyone around him miserable.
He left, I called Mom home from work, and she came home, went and got Grandma, and they found him at his girl-friend's house, telling her good-by.
Well of course he didn't kill himself, and all the women were all so relieved, (sounds like a book...) and he minded himself for awhile, and then right back to what he was doing in the first place.....
I think your biggest problem right now, is Mike, and what is going on with him... Maybe not even talk about your Son to him, unless you say everything is good... Man, I don't know what else to say......
I just hope when I talk to you like this, you will know that I really care, and have been in or seen others in that situation.... Your Son will hold onto you, because he knows you will help him, and do whatever you can to give him what he needs... or thinks he needs.... I think if he were able to stay where he is, would be the best and safest thing he could be doing. At least for right now...
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Chevy, I have missed you. It really hit me as I read your words. It's like you are sitting across from me at the kitchen table, giving me a dose of common sense. Thank you for being you.
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Oh Sandra.... THANK you little honey... Yep, we're just gals talking over coffee... How you doing this morning?
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See, it's so important that you take care of yourself... I got so afraid of what my heart was doing at one time... I was close to passing out several times! Had to wear a Holter Monitor... then an Event monitor....! My heart finally settled down, when I settled down! Just want you to take "time-out" for yourself... Your heart can't take things like your brain can.... It starts to "break".... And you have to take care of it... AND Mike! xoxo
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Just a sweet little song Orlando Daughter sent me one time...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXUCJuiIyho&feature=youtu.be -
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Let every creature have your love. Love, with its fruits of
meekness, patience, and humility, is all that we can wish for
ourselves and our fellow creatures. For this is to live in God,
united with him, both for time and eternity.To desire to
communicate good to everyone, in the degree that we can and
to which each person is capable of receiving from us, is
a divine temper, for thus God stands unchangeably
disposed towards the whole creation.
William Law -
Have to listen to the second one, but oh what a neat LAVA song. We all missed Chevy, Sandra and now she REALLY knows we need her. Like Chevy, I do feel that as long as Ryan is in the hospital he is fairly safe and can come down a lot easier from the manic state he was in. My son is bi-polar so I'm aware of self medicating with drugs or alcohol. I had to just hand it to God because I became so ineffective at doing anything. We like to feel in charge but I'm not sure we EVER actually are that much. Just feels like it maybe when we are doing things.
Of course, the truth is that bi-polar-manic-depressives are not in great shape and likely would never have the cognition that they are deeply in 'troubles' of some sort most of the time. Especially if you can't help them to see how important medications can be to relieve them of burdens so they can attempt to be somewhat successful in getting along in life. I hope that you are on the way to things starting to come together here.
Linda, I can see you have a rather lg. dilemma as well. The medications issues for you too. Sometimes we just never know, but many people have been successful with the 5 yr. cancer drugs. I took Anastrozole which is the generic for Arimidex. I had no problems with the Arimidex, but when it went generic and I started taking the Anastrozole I had three months of misery. Hurt all over and just felt un-well. Just as I was ready to ask my Dr. to try something else it stopped being problematic. Doesn't sound though like you could wait for 3 months of any of these drugs to "settle" out for you.
Some days there isn't a good answer for things.
I'm off to feed cats, wash my car, pick up a gal and go to lunch then back here to work until it is time for me to go to work tonight -- so I'll catch you all a little later.
Blessings,
Jackie
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Lew's funeral was yesterday, I lost count how many floral arrangements there were - 7 Peace Lilies alone. No way do I have room in my little house for all the flowers so sent bouquets home with any family who would take them, and I still have 10 left here in my house.
Ed and Dad just headed for home, I have 2 more Peace Lilies to give away, going to visit my friend who lives in assisted living this afternoon, she says there is a common living area by her room where I can put them.
So many people came they had to open up the back wall of the chapel and have people standing in the vestibule for the service. The minister did a wonderful job, not too "preachy" and not long winded. He allowed time for people to come up and tell stories . I knew if I didn't get up right away I wouldn't be able to. I kept telling myself all day "I am strong, I can do this", and I did. I consciously drew in energy from everybody I hugged. Had a few teary episodes throughout the day, but avoided the total meltdown. I was so afraid I'd totally lose it and go into the ugly cry like I've done at home when I'm alone. Also knew it would be so much harder for his kids and grandkids if I was bawling my eyes out. But that takes a lot of energy and by the time I got home last night I was totally drained.
This morning we took Lew's oldest son's family to the cemetery to see the columbarium where Lew's ashes will be placed when the plaque arrives in a couple months. He'll be on the southeast corner and the morning sun just makes that whole side sparkle.
Then I'm going to start going through the huge stack of cards from yesterday, and I suppose start writing thank you cards.Chevy: your comic post made me laugh out loud! I needed that, thank you.
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(((((Puffin ))))))
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Sandra, I hope it helps to know that your son is in a safe place for a little while. You need to be able to concentrate on Mike. I think men will say they're a little uncomfortable until their pain reaches the screaming point. I'm glad he finally agreed to take something. Will they do another transplant soon if this doesn't take hold?
Puffin, Difficult day. Try not to isolate at home. It's hard, but people want to offer support. I'm glad you have Easter plans. Hugs.
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Hugs for you, Puffin. Let's get together this summer.
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Sounds like a good plan Carole.
I just spent 3 hours OPENING the cards. Can't imagine how long it's going to take to write the thank you's. He got 18 flower bouquets and over $1000 in the cards.
I'm taking tomorrow off, friends are picking me up and taking me to Easter dinner to their cousins' lake cabin (I know her, have been there for 4th of July brunches). I need to get out of this house and see some new faces.
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Chevy, thanks for your words about us all being different about medicine and that my MO should not have scared me that way. I am researching drug names and side effects, but if I couldn't take the Anastrozole for more than 1 week, I'm not sure I can take anything else. One the other hand, for me, more information is sometimes worse. DH and friends say try to take the pill. I understand where they're coming from, but they don't know what those days were like to me ... it was like I was going out of my mind.
Keeping my bipolar disorder under control is more important to me. It does scare me a little about getting another cancer, but Jackie's right, I could fall in the shower and hit my head or get hit by a car (G-d forbid). Living in fear won't do either.
Chevy, I didn't have pierced ears in high school, but I like the joke. Maybe socks would fit me. Those are 1 pair of breast cancer earrings I made and wear. When I was diagnosed and waiting for treatments, I designed a breast cancer jewelry collection ... made a donation from sales here because of this forum. I hope to make more donations in the future.
Sandra, I'm glad you went to the Dr. and got checked out. Stress can do horrid things. Please take time for you. You need to take care of Mike. I hope your son gets into another rehab place and gets counseling and meds for bipolar disorder. I hated being manic and for me, the meds help me be "normal."
Chevy and Sandra, if you don't mind me asking, are you guys in the Chicago area? Maybe us Chicagoland area peeps can meet up face to face once for ice cream and chitchat. ChiSandy - that goes for you too.
Puffin - hugs to you for your bravery and courage from friends and family for the funeral. Sounds like Lew was a terrific guy. Take your time with the thank you cards; people will understand. Remember the love they shared with you.
I hope everyone has a great Easter, enjoying food and family.
We're going to see the new Batman movie - it's the Jewish thing to do. I'm not cooking and looking forward to popcorn.
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*Good Morning*
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Look to this day!
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the truths and realities of your existence:
The bliss of growth
The glory of action
The splendor of achievement,
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision,
But today well lived makes every yesterday
a dream of happiness
And tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day!
Such is the salutation of the dawn.
from the Sanskrit -
Good Easter Sunday morning,
It will be a good day here. Going to my cousin's house to eat later. Just me and Dh here and likely I would do little otherwise. It is not that I don't appreciate Easter Sunday -- it is just that every day I've given on this Earth is a reason to celebrate and try and be grateful for life and the chance to try and make some type of good difference in this world. I never do anything big, but I don't believe you have too. Your contribution to the world will be just as big as anyone's because all the little things you do all your life come up to as high a pile as the person who makes one or two big splashes.
Sort of not in the quantity, but in the caring, love, desire, and attention given to the aspects of your life which create in some way a better world --- like the daisies I see in some of the yards around here. Those people, even if I don't know them spent time making something for me to enjoy. We all get the opportunity to create something of value, something to be appreciated by others and hopefully uplifting to many. So, no matter what I do usually my days are more fantastic than not.
We have a nice sun this morning but sounds like rain could be on order for this afternoon. Oh my !!!! Not the biggest fan of rain, but at least we are in Spring and it 'seems' right now like March will go out like a lamb. Don't know about those April showers either. Weather patterns have gone to being so unpredictable.
Puffin, good for you to take a day off. Like being diagnosed with a dread disease, we can't ever prepare for losing a loved one --- and no matter how many times you may have seen it through others or felt it yourself, you can't prepare because it is not something we ever allow in our vision. So, each day is a new experience in how to get by ( my first three months of loss when I looked back was a total blur of just existing ) and keep going until you are REALLY in charge again.
Linda, your on the right track -- investigating medications and options without rushing into anything. You tried the Anastrozole and it didn't pan out. The thing with the "generics" though it may not hold true for all of them, is that often it is not the drug itself, but what is used in it to bind and deliver it into our systems. That is I think why I had the three months from hell when I switched from Arimidex to Anastrozole. I got fortunate and it all settled down but I can relate to being miserable on a daily basis and wondering just how long I could keep it up. In the end, in general, we all know ourselves far better than anyone else.
Blessings,
Jackie
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Blessings,
Jackie
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Here is a picture of my beautiful little Alexandria Rose. It was a dream delivery. She had an epidural, they started inducing about 8, she was born at 10:13am, after 3 pushes. I forgot just how tiny 6lbs11oz can be. Everyone, of course, says she looks just like mom, dad, Victoria or Kayden. I don't see anything yet although she does haVe Jamie's chin.
She was finally dischaRged at 5pm yesterday after being told she would of be discharged early. Jamie is on her way here - driving herself. I am thrilled they aRe coming over, but would have appreciAted her letting me pick her up. It's only about 15-20 min, and while their is no highway driving, most of the ride is on busy roads. But Jamie is fiercely independent.
Wrote a long post yesterday and it disappeared.
Happy Easter to all who celebrate, a calm, peaceful Sun to those who don't.
{{{{hugs}}}} to Puffin aNd Sandra
So glad you're back Chevy, we all missed your humor and good advice.
Anne
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hi Chevy, this is for you when all that snow melts away. This would be perfect in your backyard or by your blue Buddha!
Miss you on IT.
Anne, beautiful baby. Have fun with her
(Yes, I'm old enough to be here).
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Anne, What a precious angel. I'll bet you can't wait to hold her.
Smaarty, You're giving me ideas for the ratty bike in my garage. I'm afraid to ride it - I seem to have forgotten how. I know just the right spot for it in the yard. Too many people I know have told me about being hit by cars lately. Only one was badly hurt; the other two were just shaken up.
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