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

IllinoisLady

I'm ready for the furnace man should he arrive. We had rain last night and some this morning already so I don't think it will get too cold, but I'm never at the best when it is dreary out. The thought of the furnace ( hopefully soon in ) does though create a bit of happiness. It is okay for a couple of days but we will go into a temperature down-turn likely on Wednesday. By then, though sun so things will get right.

Bills to pay and starting the first of the month I will go down to working only four days a week. It is good for me. It has been a bit of a challenge keeping up ( and I've not done well at all with it ) while I've worked 7 days a week. You do what you have to and catch up when you can -- sounds like what happens all the time to most, doesn't it!!! It will be nice though to have days where I can work w/o much interruption. So, I'm looking forward to that.

I hope you are all going to have a great Monday-start to the week.

sandra4611

Hi friends,

Just skimmed the last four pages and was glad to read that you are ok, Bonnets. Everyone seems to have had a good Thanksgiving. I was able to get Mike out of the hospital for a few hours on Thanksgiving, although he didn't eat much and slept mostly. Still, it was good to be with friends we've celebrated Thanksgiving with for 26 years.

Mike is still in the hospital but there is hope that he will be released in a few days. I don't want to count on it though since disappointments are hard to deal with after so long. The last five weeks have been incredibly stressful and I nearly lost him three times. He still needs to have his gall bladder out but his doctors say they would like him to recover a bit more before undergoing general anesthesia. In the meantime, he still has the tube that drains his gall bladder. Maybe he'll be able to get rid of it by Christmas. Surely he'll be strong enough by then. He has been getting nutrition via IV but the docs started weaning him off of it several days ago. Tomorrow may be the last TPN infusion. He has to prove that he can eat enough calories to maintain his weight without causing gastrointestional problems. He has been working on increasing his strength and balance but still has a way to go. Just last Thursday he couldn't make it all the way from the car to the door to our house even though I was holding him. He went down but it was more of a controlled "sit" in the grass rather than another fall. I couldn't get him up so I ran across the street to get my neighbor to help. After everything he's been through, I think he is doing pretty well otherwise. Fingers crossed that I get to bring him home by the weekend.

ChiSandy

Sandra, sending healing and strengthening thoughts Mike’s way.

It’s been raining cats & dogs here all day, intensifying by evening. (One of those downpours when I wish I had a little bottle of shampoo in my purse so I can multitask). Of course, I had to drive to dress rehearsal at the Bar Assn. and then to move to the theater. Took me over an hour to get to the south Loop when it’s usually a little more than half an hour’s drive. Fortunately, have no more stuff to schlep, so can take the L the rest of the run. (A bit longer walk from the Harrison St. stop to the theater than the Jackson St. stop to the Bar Assn., but no worries about driving in snow or sleet, or after the cast parties). Friday night, I’ll ride home with Bob, who’s driving to the show from work—we’re joining friends afterward for a late tapas dinner next door at Mercat a la Planxa, Iron Chef Jose Garces’ restaurant. Sat. night I might stay at the Hilton—getting an HHonors rate that includes parking—to make hauling stuff home after Sun.’s closing matinee easier.

Seedsally

Hello everybody! So glad to hear about Mikes progress Sandra. And ChiSandy your life sounds so exciting and busy! Happy post-Thanksgiving to all of you.

I am going to be getting a new little great granddaughter in a few days. She will be number 8.

I finally feel like I can move on a little since my EX is over. My next step is nipple tattooes. My PS office has someone on staff that does really good. I am hoping for the best but prepared for less than that. I find myself very tired all the time and really want to retire from work but can't do it really since we actually own the business. But I am reducing my hours. I am trying to get them down to about 5 hours a day and 4 days a week.

Well good morning to all and thanks to you all for being here. I plan to stay around this site as long as I'm physically and mentally able because I feel like BCO and all of you helped me keep my sanity through it all. Thanks!!!

IllinoisLady

It is those who have a deep and real inner life who are best able to deal with the irritating details of outer life. -Evelyn Underhill

IllinoisLady

Good morning all,

The furnace man is here and our furnace is in the back of his truck. Hopefully, we will see some good progress going on --- sure hope so. Our weather won't be the worst, but starting tomorrow, a downturn will won't improve as much as I'd like it to. The I-heaters we have been using have done all right, but in the farther parts of the house has been a little wanting. As well, it will be nice to have consistent heat coming thru all the registers in the house. Now if I can just train Dh to turn it down at night once in operation and not demand excessive heat thru the day.

SeedSally, I'm glad you found us here and stayed too. Being here and experiencing so much with others I feel has helped me put up with so many of my frustrations which became a lot smaller when I saw what others were given to try and walk through. I think we are all each other's blessing and so I keep trying to be worthy.

Getting a new little grand-daughter is fantastic. Good for you backing off work as much as you can. More time to enjoy those grannies, huh !!!!

Sandra -- you and Mike have been through so much together and I know have been quite an inspiration. I hope that in the coming weeks things will get much easier for you.

Sandy, you are always on the go doing interesting things and having a life variety that always seems if challenging at times, very enjoyable too. I hope we all keep up the good work -- whatever it is for each of us.

DaraB

Popped back in to see how everyone is doing. Thinking thoughts of strength and support for you and Mike.

Sandy, "Break a Leg!" Hope you have a great time!

MinusTwo

Sandra - so glad to hear from you. Thanks for the update and I will hope you get to bring him home over the weekend. Will you be able to get a home health care nurse to come by each day? You and Mike are always in my thoughts.

bonnets

Sandy, so glad you and Mike were able to spend some time together , outside of the hospital. You both are amazing!

Puffin2014

Hi everyone, good to read and catch up with everyone. Sending good thoughts for Mike's continued improvement. I'm headed to Orlando, FL tomorrow with Lew's son's family, granddaughter is dancing at Disney this week. Very excited!

MomMom

Hello everyone

Sandra, want you to know that you and Mike are in my prayers. You are an amazingly strong woman. Your love and care for Mike is so strong and evident in all you say and do. You are both fortunate to have each other. May Mike continue to improve and enjoy the holidays. What a blessing that he could be home for Thanksgiving. Take good care of yourself too.

(((((Huge hugs))))

Paula

MomMom

Dear Puffin,

Want to mention how brave I think you are too. You had such a devastating loss of your dear Lew, yet you have gone on with determination and joy in your heart. Blessings to you,

Paula

IllinoisLady

The task is to recognize that you are uniquely special, have something to give, some talent no one else shares in quite the same way. This gift needs to blossom so we can appreciate and enjoy the benefits of it and acknowledge you for it. You owe this to yourself and to all of us to honor your gifts, for only when you share your unique joy with the world does the entire world benefit. Every advance humankind has known has come because of someone's effort. Don't let shyness rob you and the world of the power and the passion that lies within you. No one can be all that you will be except you yourself. Follow your passion.

Joel Garfinkle

IllinoisLady

Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.
Joshua J. Marine

carolehalston

Post-holiday greetings to everyone. I just caught up on reading posts.

DH and I went on a "field trip" with our YMCA today. A group of 30 some people, most retired, went to the New Orleans Fairgrounds. The fee included bus transportation, admission to the clubhouse, and lunch. I love the horse races and enjoyed the outing except for the bus ride home. The driver seemed to get confused about the destination and took a wrong route that added extra time to the trip. BUT we did finally return to the YMCA and made our short trip home. We live only about 5 to 8 minutes away.

In just a short time, we will be celebrating Christmas. We may even bring the Christmas tree down from the attic this year. DH suggested it. Maybe decorating a tree will ignite a little holiday spirit. Maybe... But I doubt it! I am always glad when Thanksgiving and Christmas are over.

bonnets

Carole, You sound like me any more. Without much family around I can't get enthused any more. WOnder why I decorate. Our church group, many have moved south. Have to push myself. Went to my brothers in Birmingham for Thanksgiving.

IllinoisLady

Coming to appreciate your worth can, in some cases, dramatically improve your circumstances by changing the choices you make and the actions you take.And as you begin to treat yourself with more respect, other people begin to do the same, since we subconsciously "train" others how to treat us through messages we send through body language, tone of voice, and other subtle cues and behaviors. Discovering your innate worth and living from that place allows you to make more constructive choices--to choose the higher roads of life.

Dan Millman

IllinoisLady

Brrr, this morning here. Don't know how cold it is but it is our first hard frost. As I find something to enjoy in each season, I find the "look" outside interesting and makes me very happy that the furnace man got our furnace in and working. There are a lot of "details" -- like calking on the roof around the new 'vent' and other items, but the important item --- having and being able to use the heat is the biggie. All else pales a fair amt. We don't have the a/c condenser either, but will get that --- probably in Spring now.

It will be a nice day -- albeit a quite chilly one. I'm hoping for no breeze/wind. That will make things quite tolerable. Got my new glasses yesterday and the day before that I found out that I have a UTI. I was quite worried, in fact, I should admit a bit terrified so glad to find out it was not nearly as dire as my imagination was making it out to be. So, I'll have to remember -- how many times I cautioned others not to jump to conclusions --- I am allowed to TAKE my own good advice --- and not think bad/negative thoughts.

Hope you all have a good day and bundle up if you go out of doors.

Goincrzy8

IllinoisLady will life always be like that? Every ache, pain causes us to think uh oh? I have a friend 10 yrs out NED and she said she never puts BC on her paper work as history cause she never thinks about it anymore...Till she talked to me and her hip has been bothering her. She has RA, but now I guess I scared her.

carolehalston

I got up this morning and the thought of a day of more rushing from here to there didn't appeal at all. So I cancelled on playing golf at 9 am, stayed home and quietly caught up on some chores like folding laundry and going through a pile of mail. Soon I'll get dressed and drive the 20 miles to the nursing home and spend 2 or 3 hours with my mother. I needed some leisure and "me" time.

Today is a fairly nice day, with a high in the mid or upper 60's. Tomorrow and Sunday will not be as nice with the chance of rain increasing.

Jackie, I'm glad you have your furnace installed. A UTI is no fun but certainly a lot better than what you may have imagined.

A happy Friday to all.

IllinoisLady

Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands.But like seafarers on the desert waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny.

Carl Schurz

IllinoisLady

Brrr, outside, but inside, nice and toasty. Have to go this morning and finish my eye exam at Walmart. I needed to do it on Dh's day off so I could be driven around afterward. Some times you get a nice surprise. I've avoided doing certain things at Walmart's just because I'm skeptical of some of the quality of things there. I felt like I didn't have ( my old glasses were falling apart too often ) a lot of choice so decided to try it. The eye exam is reasonable --- compared to other offices where I checked --- as much as $40 or a bit more, less. I also feel like I got a very good exam and did need a stronger prescription which is working out fine for me so no complaints there. Also --- un-like the V.A. ( another reason for my reluctance to go the nearly free route ) lots of frames to look at for something you feel is right for you. V.A. has few and the ones I saw a while ago would not have worked at all well for me.

I'm not vain ( well I've never thought so anyway ) but then due to that --- I prefer to use frames that I feel are a little flattering to a degree. I know people don't look twice at me because I'm gorgeous, but at the same time I want to try and prevent them from looking at me because I'm just a bit ridiculous. So, I like to keep curl in my hair and glasses that seem more compliment than distraction.

Interesting forecast here for later on. In a few days we will start what could be almost a week's worth of rain. We don't normally get rain or even much possibility of it this late in the yr. I was convinced long time ago that man made climate change was real --- so I guess we will see things like this. Makes me feel we might really be in for a really cold winter.

Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday.

bonnets

Illinois Lady, I cud have written your post on eye exam and glasses at Wally Mart! Went there last week for the first time. My glasses are falling apart. had reservations, but found a pretty frame and had a good exam with a very nice doctor. I wore contacts years ago, but dry eye made me go to glasses, which are more flattering, as they hide wrinkles! Yup I like to look nice and keep the hair in order too!

Tried to order a few more things today from catalogs and both items were already out! Ordered more this year, rather than shopping, but may have to give in and hit the stores. Only have a few things, the rest of the grands like the checks or gift cards. My son and my brother are both mailing, usually gift cards from Taste of Chicago. AM thinking about starting Christmas cards today! Hohoho, hard to get in the spirit anymore.

termite

Sandra, you and Mike are in my thoughts and prayers.

Weather here is cool in the morning and then it has been nice during the day and cools off quickly in the evening.

Went for my yearly mammogram this morning. The nurse did all the pictures on both breast and when I thought we were done she said she needed two more. One on each side, She showed me where on my left side there was a grouping of white so she wanted a larger view so the dr. could see more.( the drs. have been watching this side because there have been some spots but were never getting any bigger or different shape) Now I have until Tuesday to worry about this when I see the oncoloby dr. Hopefully, I am worrying about nothing.

DH brought in our Christmas decorations so I put them up even though it doesn't seem like Christmas. It is warm and we will not be celebrating it with our sons or grandkids. This will be the first Christmas without our sons in 41 years and without grandchildren in 12 years. I should have moved to where we talked about retiring long ago and then most of the kids might still be around here.. One of our sons will be coming down in January or February to visit. I am looking forward to that. We will spend Christmas with his mother this year.

I hope everyone is safe and enjoying a great weekend

Anneb1149

Hello all,

Just stopping by to catch up. Happy Birthday to those I missed, . Glad to hear your medical issues were not as bad as they could have been, Jean. Always glad to hear good news, Sandra.

Nothing much new here. I have been at my DS's since the Sat before Thanksgiving. We drove over to my DD's for Thanksgiving, but I came back here for another week. I am having a ball with my son's little girls. Lucia is always telling me she is three now and "can do it" herself. She comes home from school singing songs and is amazed that I know them. She and her Mom knock heads constantly, and in my opinion, 90% is so unnecessary. She gives Lu choices that Mom already knows what Lu is going to say, and knows that we are doing whatever, regardless of "Lu's choice". She is constantly telling her that they are doing something in five minutes. Then, 30 minutes later says, "remember only 5 minutes" then another half hour goes by and she says "2 more minutes" So Lu doesnt pay any attention when she is told to do something, or when Mom is really serious, Lu throws a fit. The baby, 5 1/2 months is incredible sweet. She smiles and giggles a lot, and also babbles, and loves when I try to imitate her sounds. When I got here,she was having awful screaming fits several times a day, mostly in the evening. And she had to be held for her to fall and stay asleep. Mom took her to the Dr and they put her on baby Zantac. What a change! and Mom decided to start putting her in her crib for a morning and afternoon nap. First day she screamed for about an hour, and slept 15-20 min. Second day, she screamed for 20 minutes and slept for an hour. Last few days, she has fussed a little when she first goes in the crib, but sleeps for 2-3 hrs and is a much happier baby.

I leave here tomorrow to go to my DD's in Atlanta. She is having her third and we hope final skin cancer removed from her face this week. I have several checkups scheduled there as well. I will be there for about 10 days, then back to Fl for Christmas. I am very much like you, Carole. Since the kids are spread out so far, and don't all get together for the holidays, it just is a whole lot of fuss for nothing. Before Nancy moved to Georgia, everyone except Rob, and especially all the grandchildren were at my house. Now my younger son might stop by, and my youngest daughteris there some years, not other years. I spend a lot of time (and money) picking gifts for the grandchildren, and hate that I don't get to see them open the gifts.

I have lost my kindle somewhere in the house here, and even though I have the Kindle app on my iPad, I feel lost without it. I will have to have my son turn all the sofas over- I am sure it is here somewhere.

Hopefully, When I don't have two incredibly sweet little girls taking all my time and attention, I will be back on a more regular schedule, checking in more often. But I will miss these two sweeties.

IllinoisLady

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

-- Marcel Proust

IllinoisLady

Termite, here's hoping, but I think you will be fine. We are better off if things are checked out -- then just "left". I think some of the best Dr.'s or Oncologists ( at least I hope ) will and do take the notion 'better to be safe then sorry' to heart. Even if it causes some apprehension. My imagination with the UTI was in high gear --- so much so that I actually found it hard to be relieved on finding something so highly and quickly treatable. So, I have something to work towards --- trying to approach issues and problems calmly w/o arranging strange scenario's in advance.

Anne, always on the go. You are not going to age much because age has to chase after you and wear itself out before it has a chance to be effective. I think I'd like to do some of that too.

It rained here last night --- doesn't look like a hard one, and maybe we will get a bit more through the day. Not too excited about it, but thinking on the cooler yet temps. coming in a few days -- like mid-week. Time to get the much heavier coats out and be ready. We were do to have several days with the possibility of rain and now wondering how that is going to turn out with the really cool temps. We may have to watch out for ahem, icy patches here and there. I hope not, but whatever comes we will have to deal with it.

Today starts my new work schedule so a day off. Since it falls in-between --- I'll work the next four days to then get my three days off in a row. It feels great but will have maybe some moments of confusion since the only time mainly that I've had ANY time off at all was when I simply could not get an apt. to fit into hours I had off -- or like going all the way to Marion V.A. which is a 150 mile round trip and no matter how we have tried to work it, it just tends to use up most of a day. So, I'll have time to do things without stopping much. It will be a really good thing.

Hope you are all going to have a super Sunday.

Seedsally

Good morning everyone. Just stopping by to say hello and catch up on all the posts. I check in everyday to see how you are all doing.

I am well and 3 weeks and 2 days post EX. The new squishies feel almost like they belong where they are and I am pleased.

I am not prepared for the holidays this year. It seems like there is nothing you can get anyone that they don't already have or would want except cash. So that's what we do for the grandkids. And that seems like a hollow gift sometimes. But the grands like it cause they use it for gas money to go more. The great grands like the boxes and paper more than the gifts LOL.

This year I don't think we plan on going much or having visitors except for our two closest friends that we will share a late night coffee and cake with.

He has been battling kidney cancer that metastasized to his lungs and brain for a total of 6 1/2 years now since the first tumor and kidney were removed. He had treatment (no surgery) for 2 brain tumors and 2 lung tumors during this time. We both see the same oncologist. I am thankful he is alert and still runs a farming business. Even with all this he has a very gifted and intelligent mind and is mostly able to get out and do things well. His chemo pill makes him very tired. I consider him a walking miracle. His wife is a wonderful person but has a lot on her shoulders. My DH and I love to be with them as much as we can.

So this year I am going to concentrate on thankfulness for the lives and loves in my life over the holidays.

IllinoisLady

There must be a place where hopes and dreams are nurtured,
and that place is only within ourselves.A place to clean the
grime of life, a place that waits for us to stay and look inside
that we might see the truth.

Cliff Robertson

IllinoisLady

Came to my in-box late, but very good. Not sure I would remember to put it in tomorrow --- so you all get two today.

"Silence brings peacefulness through which I hear my wisest voice. It helps me remember I am more than my analytical left brain and the doing nature of my conscious mind. I remember that I don't have to DO anything at all to experience Peace, Love, Joy and Freedom. I can simply be still and know that I am already those things."

- Valerie Sheppard