thread for middle age to older Christian women.

bandwoman1234

Thank you Chris for your compassionate heart. I may have just got my miracle regarding the VA. I have been emailing my VA agent and he said I could do all of this electronically if I sent financial statements etc. I said does that mean you will fill out the forms for me. He said yes. Even though I had printed them all out in January and typed in a good amount of info I was so relieved. He will send it back to me for review so I cannot tell you what a burden lifted this feels like. I will have to wait for some more recent statements to come through and there will be alot of scanning but I am so happy that he can do this for me. It is funny because I didn't feel like jumping into this application and that is not like me at all. Now I see why. I would have done it all for nothing. God is good.

Yes, the nursing home situation is pretty scary. I have felt pretty secure in my home and really hadn't ventured outside too much but the days I walked I went right by that nursing home.

We have our Homeowner's meetings in the basement of this nursing home. They held off on our last one and I am sure will not be having any meetings for a while. I know I don't want to be entering that facility any time soon!

Ade, I need to go back and look at that disinfectant you were talking about. I am running our of my wipes and I ordered an alternative but they aren't supposed to come for a while.

Love

Nancy

zjrosenthal

My magnolia blossoms survived the snow. Another God thing! Love, Jean

Ade

In the middle of a pandemic the Lord still paints the skies! This was tonight's majesty.

Ade

HersheyKiss

Your photo looks like an oil painting, Ade. So gorgeous!

Nancy, I am so happy the VA agent is doing the right thing. God is very good!

Faith, I'm glad your test result came back negative for COVID-19. You are right. It's only a snapshot in time, but reassuring nonetheless.

Praying for safe and healthy days ahead for one and all.

bandwoman1234

Jean, your Magnolia tree is beautiful. I really miss the opportunity to go to our local Arboretum (which is temporarily closed now) and take some pictures of their Magnolias and Redbuds.

Ade, your photo is gorgeous. Continued prayers for a financial break through for James needed meds. How is he doing on the new meds he is taking now? How are you doing?

Hershey, yes, I think he is dealing with some guilt regarding my past application. My trust is not completely there with his ability to understand just what forms are to be sent because my directions and what I had been preparing for seem to be different in what he wanted me to send. Unfortunately I already told him I would work with him again and then afterwards this VA agent in my area responded to my email to him. I have to trust this was God's timing and it will work out somehow. How are you managing working from home? Is it less stressful or more complicated?

Take care dear sisters.

Love,

Nancy

HersheyKiss

Nancy, thank you for asking about my work. I feel much less stress working from home but do miss seeing my friend. She is retiring in May, so we may not see each other before then. We text, email, and talk via Google Meet, but it would be nice to wish her bon voyage in person. We'll see. Maybe everyone gets called back to the office sooner than our supervisor is thinking.

etnasgrl

Hi girls!!!


Chemo # 6 is today, so that means I'm half way done.....YAY!!!!
This past week has been ROUGH. The worst one yet, but that was because I ended up getting a UTI. Who would have thought that a simple UTI would knock me on my butt?!? Goodness, I felt horrible. No fever, thankfully.....but I felt miserable. Exhausted, weak, limbs felt heavy, nauseous, etc. After 2 days on antibiotics, I began to feel human again. Of course, I know that our immune systems are shot while on chemo, but knowing and experiencing are two totally different things! LOL!

Anyway, I am doing much better now and hopefully, my blood work comes back good so I can do treatment #6 and be half way done with this nonsense.
I hope that y'all are doing well. Much love!!

Sunshine99

Etnasgrl, congrats on being halfway done with chemo! Yay!!! And BOOO for the UTI. They're not fun any time. Thankfully, I haven't had one in years. Wishing you blessings and good blood work results today.

(((hugs)))

bandwoman1234

Hershey, I was hoping you were going to say it was less stress when working from home. Hopefully you will be able to catch up with your coworker who is retiring sometime in the near future.

Karen, I hope things went well today. UTI are a real pain and I am glad you are better after antibiotics. I hope your blood work is good and congrats on being half way done after your treatment today.

Carol, how are you doing?

I have some good news. After some pretty crazy last few days of trying to do my VA application a second time around by email it will be submitted tomorrow. Since the VA offices are all closed in Illinois my agent has to send it to someone in Springfield, IL who will have to fax it to Milwaukee. That part makes me a bit concerned because it would be very easy for them to say we didn't get this form that you need. I hope that soon I will feel like this ten ton weight is off my shoulders but I am still in adrenaline mode. I have spent many hours scanning documents and then waiting for emails and then responding. My agent finally called and I was extremely relieved to hear him say he called the VA hotline to be sure we had the correct forms. Whoever he talked to said you also need this other form. So he is doing that form by himself and then will send it to me. Things got a little testy today in email but God gave me the inner strength to hold my tongue ( or words) and made me realize this man needs to be in control and I have to make him think he was right even though he wasn't.

Thank you for all of you who have prayed for me with this situation which feels like it has been going on for a year. Actually it has been longer than that. I would appreciate your prayers that this decision will not drag on for months as my initial application did and that my Mom will finally be approved.

During all of this back and forth today my neighbor came over and said she was doing a grocery run and could she get me anything. So I am set for another week. Thank you Lord for the way your provide.

We have an extended stay at home order until May 30. This will give me more opportunity to continue getting my house in order.

Have a good night dear sisters.

Love,

Nancy

mysunshine48

Stopping by to let everyone know I still pray for you!

Sunshine99

Thank you mysunshine! Love your forum name, by the way! I started another thread somewhere (I don't remember where right now) on how we all chose our forum names. Would love to see your addition there.

I've recently advanced to Stage IV metastatic BC. This has really hit my dad hard. I would appreciate prayers for him, too.

Blessings to all,

Carol (Sunshine99)

Ade

Karen, I pray your UTI is better by now and that your next treatment will be a breeze. I'm sorry you had to go through such a rough one. Once you hit that halfway mark it's just a countdown 'til done! Then you rejoice and we with you!

Thank you mysunshine for dropping by and for the prayers for these precious sisters! Please come back again soon.

Hershey, I hope you can arrange a "safe distancing" meeting with your friend/coworker. It would probably bless you both.

Carol, I am SO sorry about your news! I am blessed to not be that advanced (am well aware I COULD be someday) but am encouraged, as I pray you are, at the ones who ARE in that later stage or nearing it - at how well they are doing for so long. I have a personal friend who was stage IV six years ago with pancreatic cancer - which is SO aggressive and most of the time fatal. They gave her about three months. She had a "Whipple" (sp?) surgery and the Lord HEALED her! She is now pastor of a church. Our Lord is an awesome Healer and we can never underestimate Him. Keep your faith in Him strong and we certainly shall pray.

Nancy, your VA ordeal is looking MUCH more hopeful! Praising the LORD! As for the timelines it DOES seem like forever! We filed James' claim mid September and it was (wrongly) denied. We filed the Higher Level Review on it mid December. March 31st they contacted us to say they were 'correcting an error' (which we took as hopeful) and it may take even longer than the original 4-5 month wait estimate. So we have been at this forever so it seems! I check the VA portal every morning to see if they have made the decision. I guess the GOOD thing is that back pay (IF we would get any) is rated from last August when we filed the "intent to file". Like I said - God teaches PATIENCE the hard way! (Don't ever pray for patience!) :oD

Well we finally have a PTL! The drug company, SIX MONTHS after we applied, has approved James' free injections (though now he has gone without them for too long since the cardiologist no longer has the samples). Hopefully he will get at least HALF a year's worth. Do you think they do these delays on purpose so they don't have to provide very many free meds? Most people would have just given up I think, but we are tenacious - at least I am about my hubby's health! He is doing well on the first new med from the reumatologist. He starts the 2nd next week so IF there are problems we know which one to blame it on. NO FEVERS OR SOAKING SWEATS!!! THANK YOU LORD!!!

Another praise concerning a matter I didn't share prior with this group...James was on a medication to prevent migraines for a long time. I noticed a real personality change where he became Dr. Jeckle or Mr. Hyde and for a long time I had to walk on eggshells to prevent him from going into a rage (TOTALLY NOT him!!!) I thought maybe his concussion caused brain damage or it may be some kind of a stroke. But it was SO depressing... and lonely! He went off of the med for other reasons - and is completely back to his loving, kind self! TEARFUL FERVENT PRAYERS ANSWERED!

We ALL need encouraging here and I just wanted to share these huge blessings with you.

Be blessed, and keep looking up!

Ade

Sunshine99

Ade, thank you for your prayers. Praise the Lord for your answered prayers for you and your husband!

Our faith (my dear husband's and mine) is strong, for which we are very thankful. The hardest thing was telling my dad - I knew he'd be crushed. I cried a bit before we called him, and my husband reminded me to look at the scripture I have taped next to my computer: Philippians 4:6-8. I calmed down and was able to talk to him very matter of factly, giving him all the medical details (he's a physician). I sent him a copy of the the sheet that is next to my computer which also has some quotes from Viktor Frankl and Corrie ten Boom. He said they really helped.

My doctors (I now have 3 oncologists) assure me that bone mets is the "best" kind of mets to have and although this is not curable it is treatable and many of their patients have lived 10-20 years with mets. It's all good news and I have my playlists of songs to remind me that "It is well with my soul". I'll start radiation soon, which should help reduce the pain in my back. God is good, all the time, and this is no exception.

Love and hugs,

Carol

IntoLight

Carol, I am glad that God provided you the strength to tell your dad and your oncologists are positive. My dear dad and mom both died of cancer years before I was diagnosed and I am thankful they did not have to know about mine. I know they would have been devastated even though we are a family of strong faith.

Ade, I am so thankful James is doing better and that he is finally approved. God is good all the time! Small victories rate huge celebrations!

bandwoman1234

Lynn, it is great to hear from you. How are you and your dogs doing? We all appreciate your prayers.

Carol, I will be praying for not only you but your Dad as well. I am glad to hear that your prognosis sounds better than maybe you thought. That has to be good news in this scary journey. My Mom who is still alive at 94 never fully understood my cancer with her dementia so it never affected her like it would have before her slow mental decline. My Dad died of cancer so he never had to deal with my cancer. Let us know when your radiation starts. Keep those playlists going. Those will be a great source of encouragement and uplift during this time.

Ade, that is SUCH great news regarding James approval of the meds and the fact that he is tolerating his new meds AND that his personality is changing back to his other self. That is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! You have shared some of that with us. You must be elated. I am so happy for you. Let's pray that we both get good news from the VA. I don't have a portal to check the status but since our applications are completely for different things I am guessing we don't have a portal or I would have heard about it. I will continue to pray for you and James as I have been.

I have to share a card I made for my Mom last night. This is a pic of my little diva. My Mom loves Cammie so much but the sad part is she can't see her now. I took her to visit early on and it scared Cammie to death and I just told my Mom I won't do that to her anymore.

I just realized I saved it in a different format. Will share on another post.

Love

Nancy

bandwoman1234

I wasn't planning on sharing this so it is in template form. The top part is the back of the card and my signature on all my cards. The inside of course I type my message. My handwriting is just horrible now due to neck surgery ?? so this has been a double blessing being able to type my greeting cards and share my photos and my faith as well.

Take care everyone. Have a great weekend

Love,

Nancy

bandwoman1234

Our neighborhood now has been affected by Covid 19. One of our neighbors died as he was rehabilitating in a nursing home after falling and breaking his hip. He was on life support and died from the virus. This was an out of town nursing home and listed in the paper today this nursing home had only one death as of Friday. The nursing home next to me now has 59 infected and 7 deaths. I would ask for protection for our neighborhood. I know that the virus can last for 3 hrs in the air in a lab setting when tested. That concerns me. Of course that doesn't mean outside it would be the same but it does linger in the air.

On a more cheerful note I had been doing battle with a Mama robin who was trying to use my front porch light to build her nest. This went on for about eight days and ended when she flew in right after I had taken down the nest two times that day. She was NOT happy with me and if I could understand bird language I think she told me off!!! Today I discovered a nest on my back porch light which I don't use as I have lighting built into my patio so I am going to let her keep that one. This should be interesting. I have no idea how she can lay on the top of this light but she was. When she saw me after she flew into the tree she gave me another piece of her mind. LOL I took some pictures of her yesterday and wondered why she was hanging out in that tree for so long. She was probably the Mama. I don't know when she built the nest.

Have a good day dear sisters.

Love,

Nancy

bandwoman1234

Lamentations 3:22-27 The Message (MSG)

22-24 God's loyal love couldn't have run out,
his merciful love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning.
How great your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over).
He's all I've got left.

25-27 God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits,
to the woman who diligently seeks.
It's a good thing to quietly hope,
quietly hope for help from God.
It's a good thing when you're young
to stick it out through the hard times.

IntoLight

Nancy, praying for your safety. This is a bit scary.
We had a hummingbird trying to finish a nest around the sprinkler head on the ceiling above our patio. We had to knock it down although we hated to do it. Fortunately the nest wasn't finished yet.

I have a PET scan tomorrow--it was scheduled suddenly a couple days ago although it is about the right time. I get one every three months. I would appreciate prayers as there are so many factors that make me nervous about having anything done at the hospital also including the fact I showed a slight progression last time.

bandwoman1234

Chris, I will certainly be praying for your Pet scan tomorrow. Praying for a stable scan!!!! Praying for safety as you enter the medical facility and for the anxiety that comes from the new world we are in and of course the anxiety that comes with these scans and the waiting for results. I have a doctor's apt on Friday and my primary doctor wanted me to keep this annual physical so I have an updated mask that my neighbors gave me.

Here is Mama robin (I think) We are the proud parents of two baby blue eggs. I can't see as it is pretty high up but my neighbor came over and I showed her the nest she went up to my patio and took a picture of the eggs. I figured something was there as the Mama has been sitting on the nest. Every time I even try to look out my patio door (with it closed) she sees me and flies. This should be interesting. Isn't she a cutie!!!

IntoLight

Thanks Nancy. I will pray for your visit on Friday

One year, we had a robin build a nest in our fake evergreen tree on the front porch. It had three little blue eggs. I took it to school for show n tell and the kids loved it. My husband wouldn't leave it because he said it was too close to the door and when it hatched it could be full of disease and mites. Hated to remove it but I saw his point. Mama bird left every time we opened the door. She found a different tree on the property (at least I thought it was her.) Determined birds!

Faith-840

Chris, I'm praying that your scan results are good and that there is no indication of any spread of cancer. Also praying for your safety as you go for the scan and a release from all anxiety that comes with these tests.

Nancy, I am also praying that your Dr. appointment goes well on Friday and there will not be anything concerning for you other than the anxiety that goes with any Dr. visit especially now during this pandemic. I also pray for protection around your neighborhood as the virus affects that nursing home.

Ade, I'm happy to read that James health could be improved with this approval of his drug and attitude seems to be a little better now that he's off that migraine drug.

We continue to stay home and are waiting impatiently for DH's prostate surgery as he is still having problems .I continue to struggle with anxiety and stress which I think is now giving me mouth sores and stomach upset. Praying for everyone's needs and an end to this awful pandemic.

Faith (in the future).

bandwoman1234

Thank you Chris. I have been praying for you several times last night and today. I pray that you will be safe while at the facility and that the wait time will not be too anxiety ridden. Of course praying for stable results.

Thank you Faith. I have convinced some of the neighbors that I don't think it is safe to go near that nursing home. There have been paramedics there often these last few days and if they are taking someone to the hospital I don't know how they transport them safely when they are outside. Of course I am praying for those residents and workers there and their families. Such a tough and sad situation.

I am continuing to pray for you and DH as you go through this tough time waiting for his surgery. I am not sure if I heard this or not but I thought as of May 1 elective surgeries would resume. Did you hear that or am I dreaming. This weather doesn't help things on these nonstop rain days.

I am trying to use this time to declutter and find ways of being useful to help pass the time. My neighbor has really been looking out for me. She had her husbands cousin make me a couple of face masks for every day since we are supposed to wear them as of May 1. I have started walking in short spans since I am still in PT but it has been on hold for weeks. My therapist wanted me to walking 10 min short walks since longer was aggravating my leg in the winter. My neighbor drove way out of town to get these masks from this cousin. She was just over and is trying to adjust them. So I am grateful I have these neighbors that are looking at for me.

Take care dear sisters. I am always praying for you.

Love

Nancy

Faith-840

Dear Friends, we need some emergency prayers. DH has a fever of 102. Waiting for Dr. office to call. It could be a UTI or COVID-19. Thank you all.

Faith

IntoLight

Faith, praying right now for DH.

bandwoman1234

Oh Faith,

I am fervently praying!

Ade

Faith, the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man (woman) avails much - so we lift your dear husband up to the Lord right now in faith that the Great Physician. Who created every cell in his body will quickly lower that temp and heal WHATEVER has caused the spike. May He grant you His perfect peace in the eye of this present storm and grant the medical team His divine wisdom to heal through their hands and medications. Please update us asap.

Nancy, I pray for HEALING in your neighborhood and the nursing home near you and that the Lord will STOP any further spread of this virus not only in your area but the world. You are certainly blessed with such caring neighbors. It feels good to resume walking doesn't it. We have finally resumed as well after several years of illness (fevers, migraines) that prevented it. It's just baby steps - not very far, but in time we hope to increase it to the full circle in our rural neighborhood. May your doctor visit go well. Actually I think the hospitals are safer than the grocery or other public places because the sick folks are isolated and the staff drenches all surfaces with disinfectant frequently.

Diva Cammie is GORGEOUS! What a portrait! Your mom should love the card. The robin pic is sweet as well. We had plenty in Ohio but just a few here during migrating season. We battled the swallows determined to nest on our porch and leave long streaks of MESS on the stucco, which can't just be washed off. (

Chris, may God bless your scan results and grant you His peace in waiting and HAVING the scan.

Well we were sadly mislead about the medicine grant. After delaying the application for so many months with James having no medication in the meantime, they DIDN'T give him the free meds like last year. (Our income certainly didn't increase!) Instead they just turned it over to Medicare (which WE could have done except the tier 4 co-payments were too high!) What a let down. They should have told us up front they weren't going to help us instead of our jumping through hoops all these months. And they didn't call to let us know it was held up - or what they need. They wait until we get frustrated waiting, and call them for a status update. I think that is wrong. Now we discover today they need a NEW script from the cardiologist, whose nurse takes DAYS to return a call - if ever. (This was her oversight - again.) Lord, grant us patience - QUICK!

We REALLY REALLY NEED the Va disability increase. No word on any progress yet for the higher level review. These 2 new meds for James were over $500 last month and another charge this month for that same amount - and that is WITH Medicare Part D! We are going under financially if we don't see some assistance pretty soon. (Back to the patience prayer again!) I think this is affecting James with some depression but I am ramping up prayers to the Heavenly Father Who is a worker of miracles and loves His children.

Lord bless and keep you all,

Ade

bandwoman1234

Faith, I hope you can give us an update when you are able. We are all praying.

Ade, I can't even imagine how you are feeling with this news. I would be so upset. Since they need a new script does this mean you can try again or is it just flat out denied. If you got it last year and don't see why you can't get it this year but they didn't ask me!! I always pray for a financial breakthrough and will continue in that vein.

Chris, I am praying that you will have peace in your wait time.

Since the forest preserves that I do the monthy photo contest have been closed they have had a backyard photo contest until tomorrow when their preserve open up. I am excited about that.

Here is a pic I took today. My first posting from my cell as my camera just didn't work where this is located.

This is on top of my back porch light. The Mama I posted earlier. Here are the eggs.

Faith-840

Thank you all so much for your prayers. DH is back home now from the ER. He has a UTI and they started him on an IV antibiotic and told him to take the one his doctor prescribed earlier today until the culture comes back. Thankfully, our son lives close enough so he could take him to the ER and I didn’t have to go near the hospital. God is good! DH was also given the Covid test and is negative so that’s a relief.

It’s so good to know I can come here for prayers and know they will be lifting us up.

Ade, I’m so sorry about the VA denial. There is a charitable foundation called PAN (I think it’s called Patient Access Network) who will help people with medication costs for many different diseases. Their financial requirements are not very strict. I was able to get help with the outrageous copays for Ibrance when I was on it. Lots of doctors offices have people who will help you apply. I think I’ve read that some of the Part D Ins. Co.have helped with it. If you can’t find it on the internet, PM me and I will send it to you.

Chris, I’m praying you get good news from your scan soon.

Nancy, while I’m highly allergic to cats, I think your Cammie is one of the most beautiful ones I’ve ever seen. Love your pic of the robins eggs. They look like Easter eggs.

Thank you all again for your prayers. You are always in mine.

Faith ( in the future).

bandwoman1234

Faith, that is great news about your DH. Not great that he has a UTI but great that he is being treated for that and that he does NOT have Covid 19. I am so glad you didn't have to go to the ER too. I am sure that is a great relief getting this news. Thank you. Cammie thanks you too. LOL (That is my cat. ) The first time I ever saw this breed which is a Ragdoll my Mom and I were going somewhere and there was a pet store near by so we went in just to look. They had Ragdoll kittens and I thought they were the most beautiful kittens I had ever seen. Now I have one similar to those we saw many years ago. She was such a pistol when she was a kitten that I thought O no, she could live to be 20 yrs old. Now that she is 13 I am thinking oh no she could only be with me for a few more years. She has been such a blessing and challenge all rolled into one.

I just got home from the doctor and Mama robin is not on the nest so I sure hope she hasn't abandoned her eggs with all the pedestrians that go by my house. I live on a corner and this nest is at the back of my house so I have alot of people going by with their dogs etc.

I am a bit bummed out with my doctor visit. Because I have not been able to swim for two months because of sickness and the Y being closed my blood pressure is elevated. My kidney function is also elevated and apparently they are connected. I only drink bottled water and because people hoarding bottled water I have had to drink less as my friend and neighbor who buy me groceries have said their is a limit to what you can buy. It could be that my kidney function is from being dehydrated so the Pandemic is taking it's toll on my health at this point. I decided I would tell him ALL of my concerns not hold back. Because of that I will be having my hand x-rayed (still a problem from my fall) and my tailbone x-rayed since having PT of low back. I am to see a specialist for my knew. I think I need to trade in my body for a new one!!!!! I do have to be retested for this kidney function and am supposed to drink lots of water from now until this test. I was thinking this would be my last doctor apt and tests and scans for a while. Oh well. I am glad I have this new primary doctor who is on top of things.

It is a beautiful day here in Illinois after tons of rain. I am grateful to see the sun. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Love,

Nancy