For Older People with Sense

barbe1958

Dragon, I just stopped checking my chest for lumps and bumps. Was WAY too stressful and I kept getting told it was just fat necrosis or normal breast tissue.

Juicing is wonderful in theory, but very expensive and messy in practice.

macatacmv

Hello 

I am feeling so crummy. A friend who saw me on my way home on friday got a recommendation from a onco nurse for a time released probiotc to help with the nausea. She brought it over to me today. It was so kind it made me cry. She also brought the world's best double dark chocolate gelato. 

Kaara

I was juicing daily, then we got a Vita Mix Blender and now I can do smoothies and soups and they are great and even more healthy because you get the fiber as well.  If you don't want the fiber, then just strain them before drinking.  Very healthy, but expensive because of all the fresh veggies you buy and most have to be organic.

maca:  Sorry you're not feeling well. 

chrissyb

Nancy, so sorry you are feeling yuk and hope it passes quickly for you.  I've never heard of a slow release probiotic can you tell me the name of it please?  Sure hope it works and stops the nausea but if it doesn't, remember to tell them at your next treatment so they can give you something.

I juice.......occassionally....lol.......but when I get the chance to get really fresh veg I love doing a green juice that my personal trainer DD drinks everyday.  I wasn't sure to start with but have grown to love it!  and a real good liver cleanse!

Dragon, I wouldn't worry too much as the lump you have found could just be scar tissue..............but I know what you mean.

Elisimo

Chrissy - it was so good to talk to you last night. Sorry my phones kept dieing one by one.  Have you checked into FaceTime yet?  Didn't we do that one time before?  So glad they are doing the one knee sooner and I am praying you have a speedy recovery so you can get the other one done before this year is over.

Nancy - sorry you are feeling yucky.  I know the feeling well and it has been visiting me a lot lately too.  Hopefully we will both be feeling better soon.  DH thinks mine may be due to my treatments but I seriously doubt it since I have had the same thing for 18 months and did not start having so many yucky days until a month or so ago.  I think my immune system is messed up with all my blood counts being so low.  I do know that shot of Ansept (sp?) they gave me Dec made me feel bad for about a week and even though is helped my red blood cell count enough so I could get my Aredia in Jan. I don't think I will get it again.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Leah - Hope you enjoy your retreat,  we all need that sort of thing once in a while. 

chrissyb

Elisimo I loved our chat and about phone going flat?  well, no probs, it happens..........particularly when I'm on the other end of the line.....lol.  It's the weekend here so I have to wait until Monday before I can ring my provider to ask about it..............but I surely will!

3jaysmom

Nancy: im so sorry you're feeling yucky, and i hope they figure out how to "fix it " soon...

   I'm also glad they decided one knee at a time, chrissy.. my mil had two done, one at  a time, and that was hard enough with rehab.. the dr told her she needed one "good bad one" to stand on.. i am glad they moved your surgery date uo.

  marybe called yesterday, her tms were down 750 more.. im soo happy about it, thought id share!!!

  have been out of bed a little this weekend, so decluttering some more. we must be careful; we may have a living room we can live with, if we're not careful lol

   good to see everyone, and leah, so glad you can make the retreat.. we all sure can use one, from time to time, and you deserve it !!!!,,,,,,3jays

dragonflymary

Barbe, I think I'm going to take your advice!  The idea of more doctor visits is yuk.  I am going to juice one meal a day and see if I can get off some of my meds.  Thanks for the reality check!

Mac (Nancy) so sorry you're feeling bad.  They can give you something for nausea, Zofran, that really helped my DH.  He also did use medical marijuana and that helped the best.  He did chemo for months and went through diarrhea with a colostomy.  He's fine now but we had a difficult year.

3 Jays, hope you're feeling better and able to get up.  If you get depressed in bed you can vent on this site.  

Love and prayers to all, 

Dragon 

Kaara

I got a flu bug...cold, sore throat, cough, fever and I got over it in two days!  I give credit to my vitamin and diet program.  Normally it would take at least a week.  I don't care what the conventional doctors say about supplements...they work!  That was a good testimony for me that I didn't have to go and get antibiotics to get rid of it.

Have a great Sunday everyone! 

barbe1958

Just a gentle reminder that those on chemo have to be careful that their "new" diet isn't un-doing what the chemo IS doing!! You can't take any defensive supplements because that counteracts what the chemo is trying to do. Most people think just because something is "natural" that it's okay to take during treatment. It's not. Run any supplements by your onc. My Dad's cancer hospital had posters all over the place showing what certain herbs (St. John's Wort, etc.) interferred with in treatment.

dragonflymary

Barbe, so true.  My onc. had had some bad experiences with Chinese mushrooms.  One is called Cordyceps and can cause liver enzymes to go off the map.  She thought her patient had new liver mets.  Dragon

SoCalLisa

Chrissy, your friend Cheryl joined our lunch bunch today...great to see her again and made us miss you...sigh

chrissyb

Lisa I'm so glad Cheryl was able to join all of you for lunch and when I hear of the get togethers and lunches over there I really miss not being there and seeing everyone!  It seems like ages ago that I was there and I do miss you all so terribly.......I'm just thankful that I can stay in touch through these boards and for the lucky few who gave me their phone numbers via the occasional phone call.  Lisa if you want to text me yours, I'll PM you mine so that can happen.

3jays good to hear you spent a little time out of bed  and hopefully the times will get longer and longer.  What do you mean 'a lounge you can live in'?  When I was there your lounge was just fine.

Barbe I can tell you are feeling a whole lot better as you are writing with your sassy attitude again and it's so good to see it return.

Kaara I haven't had a cold for years now................oh I get a sniffle every now and then but it never developes...........I think the bugs take one look at my system and head for the hill saying 'we ain't going there....uh...uh...no way!'  Keeps me germ free.....just love it!!!........lol

Dragon hope you can put yours fears aside and feel well.

Love n hugs all!    Chrissy

Anonymous

This is what I need, a quiet place to be for a moment.  Spend some time each day playing the words games too, for a break. 

Kaara, good you are over the bug so quickly.  I was goingto use the L-lisine and such for a cough but when GP heaard me cough on Tues, she said I needed antibiotics, almost pneumonia again, of course from all the smoke next door I will never not have chronic something, esp w empysamatic changes on films, but I took the antibiotics this week and now probiotics.

The dog wanted to go out and I thought he just wanted another walk to told him no, so he pooped on floor, second time ever, and I found it.  Some diarrhea, token to Hubby giving him too much sausage left over from breakfast out, I told him only a few nibbles - SO I put a box over the poop and left it for Hubby, it's all his.  Now that is a woman w som esense.  Except maybe if I had taken him out... but he is always wanting to go out, he runs the house like a crazy dog, wanting to go for walks with me, and if he just came in, what can I do, read his mind?  

chrissyb

Hi Essa and welcome.........this is indeed a good place to be to be able to sit back and take a breath. 

Good for for putting a box over the offeniding consequence of your DH actions.......lol......it surely is one way to make a point.

Love n hugs.  Chrissy

macatacmv

Chrissy, the probiotic is called Ultimate Flora Critical Care. It is called a delayed release capsule. I only have to take one a day. I'm giving it a try. I have another day off because it is a holiday tomorrow here in the states, so won't see doc until Wednesday,  on Tuesday I'll talk to the nurse. 

I did get out for a walk with the dog today. It was sunny and I got some fresh air.

hello 3jays.

Kaara glad you're feeling better.

chrissyb

Nancy thanks for that, I see if I can get something like that here.  Glad you managed to get out for a bit of fresh air it always makes you feel good to see the sunshine.  I'm glad you are going to check in with the nurse as soon as possible.

Love n hugs.  Chrissy

Alyson

Morning all, just passing by on my way out to playgroup.

Chrissy have some photos I will post of another beach on the west coast - black sand again but it was a beautiful day unlike when we went to Muriwai.

I would back up what Barbe was saying about supplements and chemo. One of the young onc said that they would rather we ate the vitamins rather than taking them as it can really mess with treatment.

Talking about that I must find something to stave off whatever I am getting, glands are up and feel so tired. Will vist the chemist later.

Have a great day.

duckyb1

Chrissy, I need a knee replacement too, but am very frightened of having it done.....nothing with the pain, surgery, or PT.............its the though of blood clots that scares me.............I have had a blood clot after every baby, and I hear blood clots are one of the SE's of a knee replacement, but I can barely get around.........swelling, stiff, and all the ugly things that come with a knee problem............maybe I can get some encouragement from you once you do yours...............

chrissyb

Ducky I do know that if you tell them you have a clotting problem they will give you meds to keep the blood thin so they don't happen.  My older sister has had both of hesr done already and all went well for her.  I'm happy to keep you up to date with the happenings so to speak so you can feel a bit more calm about the process.    Oh and she didn't get any clots so I'm not expecting any either.  I'm sure if you had it done you would feel like a new woman.   I sure can empathise with the pain and swollen knees.........what knees?....did I say knees?........I mean those blobs that join the top half to the bottom half of my legs..............hahaha..........I haven't anything that looks like a knee since forever and I'm actually looking forward to seeing just what a knee looks like as it been so long I have forgotten.....lol.

I'm taking my comput and mobile internet USB with me so I can let you know as it all unfolds.

Alyson those pics sound great and I can't wait to see them!  What do you mean the weather was dirty when we were are Muriwai?   I though it was great!  I love it when the wind is blowing and the sea is a little wild!  Sound to me like you are doing too much and your system is telling you to stop!  Sure hope its nothing nasty but do take care and rest woman.....rest!  You know what that is?  You stop and put your feet up, read a book, have a nap, watch a movie........you know.....do nothing!.....lol

Have a great day!

Love n hugs.  Chrissy

chrissyb

It just goes to show that age does indeed catch up to everything including our animals. 

I have two cats who were extremely good mousers and a dog who is also very good at catching them and so have never had a mouse problem in my house. 

I went to the kitchen yesterday to put some eggs on to boil and as I walken in the room I see this little grey fury thing scuttle across the back of my sink and down under my freezer!  I couldn't believe my eyes!  It was a mouse! in my house? you have got to be joking or it was one very brave little mouse!

 I don't have any traps as I've never need them so I rang DH to bring some home when he came.  He couldn't believe that none of the animals were aware that it was there as they used to just sit and wait if anything had the misfortune to wander inside............apparently no longer. 

Later, when it was dinner time, I went to the kitchen to start preparation.  DH had gotten home about ten minuted before and I had just finished checking out the two traps that he bought and was mulling over in my mind where I would put them so if the cats and dog went nosing around they wouldn't get either noses or paws caught.  I head something in the sink.................sure enough, here was this little grey mouse frantically trying to jump out of the sink where it had become trapped as the sink is deep. 

I called to DH and laughed that the purchase of the traps was now not needed as the sink had done the deed.  I was just thinking about getting an old cloth so I could catch the little thing and not get bitten when this very large, very fast hand passed me and in the blink of an eye grabbed the mouse in such a way that all that could be seen of it was it's little nose and whiskers.  He took it outside and down the back yard and let it go.  

 Hopefully it learned its lesson and won't reappear in my house and will be smart enough to by pass the two cats (who now do a lot of sleeping as they are 19 and 12 respectively) and a little dog who use to take the mouse prizes from the cats and catch her own (she is 10) and live it's life to become old too.

Love n hugs all!  Chrissy

Kaara

That was one lucky little mouse...I imagine he's telling quite a tale to his buddies right now!

dragonflymary

Oh wow that mouse is one brave guy!  My mice are back and have done a number under the sink with garbage bits all over and little brown seeds of poop!  I used to have a pet rat and have a soft spot for little rodents.  I know that's goofy but rats are really good little pets.  I think that rat actually cured my depression at the time!  He was so happy to see you when you went up to his cage.  Now I have a dog to greet me instead.  A great day and the sun is actually out here in Portland.  Of course it poured rain earlier.  Today we're picking up the grands after school--always an adventure to get them from school to car without losing anything.

Love to all,

Dragon 

chrissyb

Dragon have fun with the grands! ..............lol......I remember picking mine up from school and sitting in the car for ten minutes while they checked their bags to see if anything had been forgotten because the rule was once we leave there's no going back and if it was important well tht's too bad.....lol.......it did teach them to be careful and make sure they were at least a little organised.

My the thread is quiet!  I sure hope everyone is okay and just busy.

Love n hugs all.  Chrissy

QCA

Okay here, Chrissy, but busy.  Today we traveled to see my sister and her husband and took GS, who's 2 1/2 and talked the whole time.  It did my sister good to see him, too, and he was really "on".  Carole was worried that he'd be afraid of her prostheses (both legs) since he's older now, but he was too busy to notice and wouldn't have been afraid anyway, just curious.  Children know when someone loves them, I believe, and had we stayed longer he'd have been her best friend. 

For those who don't know, Carole had bc and had a reaction to chemo.  She was hospitalized and was left off a ventilator by mistake, which resulted in oxygen deprivation to her legs.  I don't often mention her on these boards due to reactions I received when I first came on and was worried about chemo for me in view of what happened to her.   It was a harrowing experience for us all, but a life-changing one for her.  I don't see her nearly as often as I'd like, but with us keeping GS full time and the distance involved we go whenever we can. It was a very good day, today!

Hope all are busy as well!

Kathy

chrissyb

Awe Kathy so sorry to hear about your sister and I can quite understand your trepidation when it came time for your treatment.  You are right about children knowing who love them honestly and little ones your GS's age are as you said not frightened but curious.  They have yet to learn what fear is.

(((((hugs))))) to both you and your sister and I sure hope you can spend even more time together.

Love n hugs.  Chrissy

QCA

Thanks Chrissy!  She's 12 years older than I am and we are the only children, so I too hope we've got many years left! 

Kathy

Kaara

Kathy:  What an awful shame about your sister.  It sounds like she handles her disability very well, all things considered.  You are lucky to still have her...my sister is 12 years younger than me, and she passed away at 55.

 You are right about young children being curious.  I was waiting outside a restaurant with my DGD who was about 3 at the time and a man with no legs came up in a wheelchair.  I could see DGD was staring and before I could divert her attention, she went right up to him and asked "How come you don't have any legs?"  I was so embarrassed, but the man thought it was so funny, and explained that he lost them in the war.  They had quite a nice conversation.  He said he preferred the refreshing honesty of kids rather than the averted looks of others.

dragonflymary

Kathy, so sorry about your sister!  It must be scary starting chemo after something like that.

This just in: 

My SIL sent me a facebook post about curing cancer with alkaline agents, including baking soda. It's supposed to clear it up in about 2 months!  EGAD--is that still out there?  Anyway I replied that I couldn't agree.  Then someone else wrote that she doesn't go to doctors because if they found she had cancer she might believe them and then she would die.  

It's so hard for me to just let this craziness alone--I want to jump in and argue from a medical point of view.  Mission for the day: leave crazy people alone with their odd cures and misconceptions.  There is a microscopic grain of truth in every delusion, and this one is no exception:  cancer IS big business.  But for me, I'm glad that's the case.  When I began in nursing we had no mammograms and no really effective chemo.  Who wants to go back to that?  

I'm grateful for all the treatment and care I received and for this thread--there are so many people here who are living meaningful lives with this disease.  It inspires me much more than some new age lunacy.

Dragon (Lynda) 

Kaara

It's kinda like the study they did on anti depressants, giving half the study the drug and the other half the placebo.  Both groups improved the same!  The placebo proved to be just as effective as the drug.  Go figure.