For Older People with Sense

Kaara

barbe:  Yep...I think the pacemaker is the answer...it's been mentioned for me as well.  In the long run it is probably better than medication to control the heartbeat and doesn't have the SE's.

lulubee

Barbe -- bless your heart. So much to deal with at once.  I'm praying your doctors have spot-on wisdom and that you emerge with a happy ticker in time for Valentine's.

dragonflymary

Isabella, sorry--your hard times don't crack me up, it's the way you say things.  It's delightful.  Barbe love and prayers to you.

Seeing the PS today to evaluate new surgery.  So far so good.  I'm so glad the holidays went well and are over.  Christmas always seems like a time bomb to me--the whole family in the same room with some drinks on board.  I now have an iPhone and I think DH is jealous of it.  I just can't put it down.  I guess the novelty wears off but so far haven't even begun to realize its potential.  My granddaughter takes it all for granted but for our generation it's a real miracle.

Love and peace to all of us.  We all earned it.

Dragon 

duckyb1

Isabella...............................I am the grandmother of 18................29 years old, down to 11................I am shocked that you grandaughter at the age of "3", got an Ipad for xmas............I can't say I blame you for wanting to speak up, but I do understand your not saying anything...................

I have 1 son out of my 6 children, whose kids got every new gadget that came down the pike.............at 6 my grandaughter had her own.........Razer Cell phone, I Pod, and a Digital Camera........................I was appalled when I saw the stuff................However I did say something..............I asked "is all that stuff really necessary"...............wouldn't it do her better to "read a book", instead of texting, and having those "ear plugs" stuck in her head around the clock...............but this is the same daughter-in-law who when you corrected her kids for doing something she would tell my son, and then he would corner me and say "Mom I don't need you correcting my kids"..........................I said "well if your not gonna do it someone has to".............................

This is also the same DIL who walked out on my son and her kids on Xmas Night...........2008, and has come and gone, and he is still trying to save the marriage...................finally he is filing for "divorce from her"..............he has 3 of the 4 kids, but she is going to walk away with a bundle............Pa. is a no-fault divorce state, so she gets 50% or more of what he has...

I got off on the beaten track here................my point is I have seen an example of kids getting all the newest, and parent's thinking they "have to do this", when all they are doing is making  a big problem for themselves down the road...............

You have a right to open your mouth.............I always said "well if they listen fine", and "if they; don't, guess what, I tried,  but it is harder with a "son, then a daughter".................my daughters always asked for, and took advice.........................2 other sons always did too, but the 1, just did his own thing............and after 21 years, is heading to divorce, unless she decides to come back again....................and he will take her back..........pathetic.........

chrissyb

Well, I'm just back from the doc and my plan to go home tomorrow is no more......dang it!  He has ordered a bone scan 'just to make sure nothing is creeping up on us'.  Us!!!  you mean me!  All because I said I have some lower back issues........I need to learn to keep my mouth shut.  The only good thing, is that I have managed to snag an appointment first thing in the morning to have it done and then I'll get the results on Friday about lunch time.  I am assuming that the problems are to do with arthritis and nothing else but I guess I shouldn't grumble about his diligence.  I shall let you all know the outcome.

Love n hugs all.  Chrissy

Leah_S

Chrissy, I'm in the same situation as you. I have a bone scan in the morning. I've been having pain in my hips, more in the right than the left. I've had similar pain for many years and I think it's bursitis but it's been getting worse lately. Onc says probably bursitis or arthritis but wants to be sure. So I'll get the glow-in-the-dark injection at 10:00 then I get to wait 2 hours then get the scan. I think I'll have a late breakfast in the cafeteria while I wait.

We'll be glowing together.

Leah

chrissyb

Leah, LOL.   I do the exact same thing!  get the glow in the dark and then head for the cafeteria to drown my sorrows in  food and coffee!  My appointment is for 8.20am so hopefully it will all be done by 11.30.  Oh yes, we will certainly 'glow together'!.....lol

Love n hugs.  Chrissy

lassie11

What a remarkable website where women from two different countries can compare notes on the same medical test on the same day.  I wish you both worry free results.

lulubee

All the best to both of you!  I wish you lovely thoughts and irrational peace.  And beautiful bones.

barbe1958

I LOVE watching my bones appear!!! I find it fascinating. Once I got to see my spine from INSIDE my body as I watched my own angiogram!!!! It all just blows my mind.

I plan to get a bone scan every year until I die. To me, it's the fastest way to see if anything is moving in....

dragonflymary

Chrissy and Leah good luck to you.  Thinking about you here in Oregon!  Dragon

QCA

Remember, Chrissy and Leah, we're all with you tomorrow, just basking in the glow and hoping for great results!

Kathy

Gingerbrew

Leah my hips were hurting a lot until my Onc put me on a break from Anastrozole. The pain went away in a few days.  I never had hip pain before.    I hope your test is unremarkable and all is well. 

You too Chrissie, no news.   

Barbe, aren't scans a danger for us? My RadOnc doesn't like them.

Hugs Ginger

BarbaraA

Sending good wishes to Leah and Chrissy on the scans today!

Isabella4

Leah and chrissy, thinking of you both today as you glo together ! Hoping for good results for you both. I am thouroughly S-I-C-K of doctors appointments and scabby results !

This morning I go and get a ' do come and see me for a check-up for your teeth' from my dentist. 

WHY can't we all be 21 again ?????

Isabella.

barbe1958

Isabella, when is your surgery date? Surely you know by now??

Gingerbrew, I don't get constant CTs and never had a PET. The only contrast dye I get is in the bone scan. I'd rather get treated right away if it shows up in my bones before they start breaking. 

Isabella4

barbe...no date yet.

The neurosurgeon is waiting on the go-ahead from the cardiologist. The cardiologist is willing to give the go ahead...BUT... he wants me off all heart meds for 2-3 weeks before doing the op.

The cardiologist says I MUST stay on my beta blockers...so I am letting them send one another a flurry of stupid posturing letters to see who is the biggest and the bestest...and in the meantime I sit here waiting for the fall out. Neurosurgeon says, and I saw him 2 weeks ago, it could be done 'within 2 months '

You have a date for your op. haven't you? so has chrissy...but this IS UK...I often wonder how many actually GET to the top of the list, before whatever illness they have overwhelms them.

 I was looking at the AFib ablation ops....some patients are treated pretty quickly, some are still waiting over 2 years since being told they needed the op, so it seems to be the norm in all specialities over here.

Isabella.

dragonflymary

Isabella, do stay on the beta blockers.  Also you can cut saturated fats and stay as relaxed as possible.  What kind of dogs are "tearaways?"

Isabella4

Dragon...the number 1 tearaway is a very small Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She was soooo tiny I just daren't sell her, she was like a piece of very fragile china when she was younger ! She should weigh in at 15lbs, but she's lucky if she's 8lbs. She is perfect but shrunk !! She is so very pretty...but..I hide her away when people come to buy puppies because the puppies they have come to look at look enormous against her, and they think the puppies are miles too big !! I call her Mouse, and she's just a pest, very rarely sits for long, always chasing thru' the house, arguing with dogs 3 times her size for possession of toys. Mouse is about 5 now.

Number 2 tearaway is Ella Fitzgerald...a black and tan sausage dog....just full of hell fire, never grown up, and likes to be boss, and 2" from my feet all the time. She's a don't-quite--trust-her -with-the -other-dogs- type of dog! She will pick an argument with her shadow if she's that way out ! She HAS to be near me, she's sat here now on a cushion at my feet, and if I just get up and go for a drink she's with me. She must be about 9-10 now but still 'puppyish' She STILL digs holes in the garden, no idea why she does this, but all the sausages are this way given !!! Her and Mouse are a double act of escapology and trouble....and will boss the other dogs around if I don't stop them.

Isabella. 

chabba

Isabella - Dachshunds were bred to dig!  That's the reason for the broad front paws and muscular shoulders and the narrow rear with smaller kicking feet.  They follow the badgers down the hole when they hunt.

Dilly

Chrissy and Leah, have been thinking of you both glowing... and hope your docs get right back to you with news of "normal aging process", or something easy like that... Sorry you're achey enough to have to mention it to the docs and hoping you feel better today.  Just getting home always makes me feel better.

Today I felt like the queen of time management - managed to see the gyn at 10, onc at 10:45, and rad onc at 11:30!  Three docs pretty much on time; I was in and out of town in 4 hours!!! - Town is an hour away (each way), and the gyn is in a different group on the other side of town!  I feel so lucky, maybe I should go buy a lottery ticket. 

All clear, and I don't see the RO for a year - (UC Davis likes ROs to do long-term followup)... I still see the med onc every three months, but she did mention that I'll be moving to 6-month checkups soon.  I'm ok with that and I like her a lot.  Best news was she went to bat right away when I showed her my Medicare denial letter - for routine blood work she does each 6 months -- she took offense at Medicare and even though the front desk gals had said I must start with the group that drew blood (my PCP), the onc said baloney, that the two med groups work together all the time, and she would get the appeal process going.  So that's a big load off my mind. 

People can gripe about US healthcare and compare it poorly to UK, but at least we get to see our docs & get our surgeries in a fairly timely manner. DH and I always paid privately for our insurance, and it's sure not cheap though.  In the long run, especially with my cancer tx, I know it more than paid for itself.    I sometimes read the London Telegraph, or the Sydney Herald just to see a different point of view from the US media machine...

Isabella, I surely hope your docs get you squared away soon, and properly!!

I love dachsunds, but they do like to dig... have you tried a sandbox, a place you can let or encourage them to dig?  If you lived in the US, I'd be begging DH for one of your spaniel puppies - they are just special...

Barbe, please stay well so you can get your surgery next month.  

3jays, am thinking of you, hoping new doc sorts you out.

Marybe if you read this, please know you're always in my 'best wishes' thoughtbox.

BarbA, it's Wednesday, and one day closer to the weekend.  You are one tough woman - sticking it out when you want to just tell 'em to stick it.  I hope a dream job falls in your lap.

I lost a cousin last week - she was a few years older than me, and I will miss her.  Too far to go to the service...  My BFF's DH just got dx with multiple myeloma.

The best words in a novel I just read:  "Fear is its own disease." 

chrissyb

Well girls, I back from the running around and seeing docs etc and the news is not what I hoped for..........as they say, NED has left the building!!!...................but I hope to get him back soon.  I have to see the BS tomorrow to get his verdict but reading the report myself leaves no doubt.  Not in the paces I would have tought though................head of the right humerus, top of the right femur, T5 and sternum...... seems it couldn't make up it mind and tried lots of places.   It will be off the Femara and onto the Aromasin for me and I'm hoping that the SE's are as kind to me as the ones I've had, or not had, from Femara.   Thankfully, it's small in each place so I'm not letting go of the string that tied me to NED as I hope to reel him in once again.

These last two days are not ones that I really want to remember.  Yesterday was awful as well.  DD2 rang and we were chatting and she blurts out that she has a positive melanoma! and once she let the word out of her mouth I could hear the panic in her voice so I told her to get her a$$ and her path report over to her sisters so I could check them both out.  I am pleased to say, that it has been found very early and had not gone deeper that the skin itself and there is no lymphovascular involvement so once fully excised, she should have no problems but she will need check ups every 4 months for awhile.  She has an appointment for the excision next Monday.  Her percentage rate for a problem return is between 1 and 3% so that is a good thing.

I am feeling exhausted but need to wait up until DD1 gets home from work so she can hear all the news.  I'm afraid when it comes to my BC she does not handle it well at all.  I fully expect her to have had a melt down at work as she rang me and insisted on the salient points, luckily the girls she works with are all great and will cover for her.

Leah, I sure hope yours is a whole lot better than mine!

Isabella I adore those little Spaniels!  They are just the sweetest but can be very mischievious!  I have always tried to pick the smallest of a litter, for some reason, they usually end up the most robust.  You little Mouse sounds truly adorable!

Love n hugs all.  Chrissy

Alyson

Chrissy, sending lots of big hugs and hoping the Aromasin works -  are they thinking about chemo or is that totally out? Hopefully the stable boy will return quickly.

chrissyb

Alyson, I spoke to the doc yesterday about what treatment should it be a progression and he said Aromasin.  I think he wants to keep the chemo til much later if possible and that's just fine with me!  I didn't do well with chemo first time around so if it can be delayed for a while.............well, what can I say....  Anyway, I shall get his verdict tomorrow morning when I see him again to go over the report...officially....lol

BarbaraA

Oh Chrissy, I am so sorry to hear about your progression. Here's hoping he next AI will kick it to the curb! And you poor DD! Oh how terrible to have that fear. Keep after her to be vigilant!

Saying prayers for Leah's results.

Leah_S

Chrissy, this is definitely NOT what you wanted to hear! I'm so sorry about this. I hope the Aromasin gives you a good long run - first stop the stable, then we'll ride to Reggie's place and then a nice long stay with NED. How's that for an itinerary?

I'll get my answers at the beginning of next week. I couldn't believe what happened when I went for my scan yesterday. I got there about 10 minutes early and gave the receptionist my paperwork. She said, "I'll tell them you're here" and 2 minutes later I was already called in and given the injection! I then went to the cafeteria to give myself time to glow, came back after 2 hours and was taken in IMMEDIATELY. I'm not sure if I'm over the shock of that yet.

Leah

Gingerbrew

Chrissie, I like Leah's itinerary for you! I am sorry you have some progression.

I go for my mammo in the morning. I get immediate read and info so I am very grateful for that. Then I see the Onco and she will likely put me back on Arimidex generic again. I want to try again but I am feeling so good intellectually, my brain is working, I am coherent! I was so foggy on Arimidex. 

Barbe I think I understand what you are saying. I had asked my Rad Onc how I would know if I had mets and he said it would be a strong pain, unusual in its intensity. I didn't know bones breaking was a possiblity, I understand your concern.  I hope you have no signs of anything new. 

BarbA my husband uses a Canon and likes it. I like it on Auto so I don't know the difference myself. Perhaps if you go to an old time Photograpy store you can spend some time with the cameras and make a more  informed decision.  

Isabella I just love that you have many little companions in your kitchen. Right now our huge big poodle puppy and tiny mixed dog have huge fights. It is all posturing but they sound deadly.  The little one makes the most noise and sounds quite ferocious.

 Hugs Ginger

barbe1958

Chrissy, your two days DID suck!!! Here's to two better ones coming up!!

Ginger, I went to the Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, Montana and the first thing they said is "let your camera do what it does best. Keep is on auto focus!!" We are good at composition, the camera can't obviously, so our job is to compose. So auto is correct!! AF - auto focus.

Now, there is a little dial you can turn to help your camera focus best. It has pictures on it like a flower (close-up), moutains (distance), a lady (portrait) etc. You set it on what you are about to shoot and the camera will make the important decisions on focus for you. Even if you forget to turn the dial, it will still do a good job, but it does enhance it when you remember. Have fun!!

Dilly

Aww Chrissy - I like Leah's itinerary for you.  Off to the stable, then a long time with NED. Here's to better days, and an easy time with the new AI.  Really glad you were there to read your DDs path report - and like Barb says, keep after her to be vigilant. How scarey.

Leah I hope you have a lovely weekend, and plenty to keep you busy until your results are in.

Ginger, good luck today, and here's hoping the return to Arimidex is an easy trip.  

SoCalLisa

As Barb says. Most of the time I let the camera lens work itself..you can actually hear it trying

to get the best focus on where you are pointing...so give it a little time...this is especially true

of flowers..I like to stand back and use the zoom to zero in on the flower..but I wait until I know the camera likes it...