Spirited and Lively Older Women Thread

AmyJo I hope the time goes as quickly for you as it truly did for me ... I know, not at the time, but in hindsight it did!

Barbara, you're still in that one year after rads time frame so prob a good idea to see rad onc a while longer. To be honest, that was the first doc I ditched. My surgeon found the necrotic changes after radiation before the rad onc did...he kept saying it would go away...so I dumped him!

HNS I think we're all different with our mammos...I had every 6 mos for 2 yrs post lumpectomy, then every 6 on affected side but annual on other side, now annual for both.  I also get something called a BSGI on the affected side now because of the palpable mass (the necrotic tissue from rads).  I much much much prefer that to an MRI...for me, the MRI was one of the worst experiences ever on many levels, and I had to have a bunch of them!  ugggh....

3jays I can't believe it's been two years - woooo hoooo!!!!  You are definitely someone who has enriched my life in those years, I've loved getting to know you on the various threads where we both post.  Hugs.

Thanks again to all who sent congrats. That wasn't my intention when posting, it was really more to say how I jsut couldn't wait to share with you all because we are such a "one for all and all for one" type bunch. 

Hugs to all.

Barb - thanks for posting all these amazing pictures for Lisa. It is almost like we get to be there with her.

Do we really need a reason to celebrate?  I am ready for a party anytime, it is great just be still be alive!  Hope everyone has a great Easter weekend. 

Barbara, congrats on all your upcoming anniversaries ... I quit smoking shortly after my dx and I know how hard it is, but sooooo worth it   And yes, thanks again for the pics.

AmyJo I agree with you - no reason necessary to party!  For me, it's enough that I don't have to get up with an alarm tomorrow, or Sat, or Sun.  That says parteeee!

Marybe, I hope your surgery goes wonderfully for you.

Happy Easter all.

Marybe, I hear great things about cataract surgery - may yours go well, and your recovery easy.



BarbA, my RO told me that their facility, just this year, started following up for a longer period - and he will see me at 1 1/2 years out, this winter. He spends just a couple of minutes with me. Sorry yours is such a putz. {{ }}



H&S, I've been told every 6 mo. mammo for 2 yrs on the affected side with bilateral 1x/yr; then to 1 yr for both. I see the bs every 6 mo for 2 yrs as well. Right now, my med onc is the one I see most - every 3 months for at least 2 years. You might ask the technician to use the hand gauge squisher rather than the automatic (foot pedal/) one.



Yesterday I heard from our clinic that shingles vaccine had arrived (it goes quickly, and seems to be chronically in short supply in this area), so I zipped down & got my shot. Fortunately their nurse is very skilled. Check one more med thing off the should-do list. As slow as I am, that's an excuse to celebrate.



Lisa's pix are so beautiful. Thank you both so much! Here in the Sierras it's so green it almost hurts your eyes.



3jays, I hope you got some rest.



Have a good day, all.

ducky - good luck.  Just remember to moisturize.  You can't slather on the lotion too often.  Every radiation clinic seems to have their prefered kind.  Aloe Vera worked great for me.  Biggest problem was fatigue but it was manageable.

I am home from cataract surgery and going to take a nap now since I got up so early.  It was a strange experience....all they do is give you something like valium in an IV and some pepcid for potential nausea and then they strap your head down and tape you eye open.  I had to stare at this light and sometimes look left or right and it was really rather psychedelic,,,bright colors and he said look at the marshmallows,(the lights) but I thought they looked like little styrafoam take home food cartons. So I go to his office tomorrow at 10 to have my eye checked and then again on Monday....have 3 different drops to use and a patch to wear when I sleep and I am not supposed to lie flat yet.  One down, one to go.....other eye is next Friday. 

Good luck with the rads, Ducky.

Barb, That pic of Lisa's looks just like a painting....beautiful. 

I thought about you all when I was lying there waiting for them to get going.....it's nice that we go though these things together....not that is it is nice to go through them, but it's nice to know you are not alone. 

glad to hear your home, and all went well, Marybe.. i know lots of ple who could see 20/20 after surgery..fingers crossed!!!     3jays

   I am so glad someone is trying that cake....as I said it really isn't like cake, it's almost like fudge and you have to slice it cool or it cracks up. Ducky,...contacts for a dog?!, Wow.....my last dog, Sydney had to see an eye specialist....he had a detached retina and that was not a cheap deal....he used to delight in crawling under the neighbor's fence and was just totally mystified when he could not get under there because of that cone on his head...he would try every day for about three days and then once it was gone, he just didn't try again so that problem was solved.  He looked so cute when I would take him for walks with that thing bobbling up and down as we walked....I still miss that little guy.  You have not said if yours is still hanging on or not Isabella.  3jays mentioned the Rainbow bridge....are you all familiar with it?....it makes me want to cry every time I watch it.

They did not say anything about blowing my nose, but amazingly enough I have not had to.  I have allergies so go through a lot of kleenex. 

You know, I really dont think I want 20/20 vision, but don't think I would have it anyway since I needed glasses for both distance and close....and since I have to wear some sort of eye covering at work, I would need safety glasses if I did not wear my own.  The lens they are putting in my eyes is for distance so I think I will still need correction for reading.  I am one of these odd people I guess in that I actually like glasses and picking out new frames is always an adventure for me because every designer in the world has a glasses line now.  I buy them 60 days same as cash. 

Have you been doing any better with sleeping, 3jays?   

Marybe...I am so glad your cataract surgery in over, WHAT a going on you are having lately with all your Dr appointments and treatments. Do you get to take it easy after next weeks cataract op, even if only for a few days?? You really need to take care of YOU for the next few weeks.

My Yorkie is hanging on in there, she even rallied a little today, and ate half a meal. She is still in no pain that I can see, but it can't be nice for her having to hold her head down permanently. I have her propped up among a monster 'nest' of towels and dog blankets, so she at least can see what's going on around her. She is very appreciative of what I am doing for her. She was always a little 'stand offish' independant sort of dog, but has started to tap her tail whenever I walk by, and lick my hand when she can get to it....this, of course upsets me, as I know the outcome, and know it won't be long for her. Luckily, I always think, dogs don't have any idea of their impending death, and it never gets any easier when this process starts. As I have 2 more dogs fast coming up to this state I can see a not very nice few weeks on the horizon. My kitchen gets more and more like an old folks home every day....I think with myself as old fogey in chief, hobbling around on my walking stick !!!!

Marybe and 3 jays... don't get me started on Rainbow Bridge ! I USED to give out a printed sheet to people who had just lost a dog, and had come to me for another puppy, or who were customers in the boarding kennels, and had rung to say they had lost their dog. BUT...I ended up in floods of tears explaining to people what Rainbow Bridge was. I'd be busy trying to sell a new puppy to a family, and show them the leaflet, then first one, then another family member would crack up, then I'd get going, then I'd be making strong cups of tea all round ( and I don't drink tea !!) I have stopped handing out the leaflets nowadays, much too upsetting. 

Been to supermarket today to stock up for Easter. Half a dozen chilled complete meals to get me thru' the weekend, and 13 Easter eggs. The list gets longer every year, passing them out to G/children, and their other halves is getting beyond ridiculous. I don't know how to draw the line. Last night G/son...he will be 19 in June, breezes in and says 'I hope you haven't forgotten my Easter Egg' so drawing the line isn't an option this year, anyway. Funny thing is tho' there's never an egg for me, you'd think one of them would bring Grandma a bar of chocolate , but, no, they don't think like that.

We have had another absolutely lovely day warm, sunny and no wind. Rain is forecast for Easter Monday. I shall be cheering, as my garden is so hard. I cannot plant any of the small plants I have lined up to go in, because I cannot follow up and water them each day for the first few days anymore. No way can I drag out the hose pipe, so all the plants are parked up right next to the outside tap, in their seed trays. I can manage to spray them as long as they stay next to the tap. I brought another load in this afternoon from the supermarket. I just cannot resist trays of plants...BUT..I forget I cannot dig them into the garden unless the garden is soft. Its as if I lose my marbles when I see plants !! I did get all the plants I will need to plant up my hanging baskets and troughs. I can manage this job, as I can stand in one place while I do it.

Right . I'm off for a date with a nice long warm shower. I am having another day of hot flashes again, and this will be my 4th shower today. ( thankyou, Arimidex) I keep on slinging Tshirts into the linen basket. Hoping I will get a night without sweats tonight. I never had all this trouble when in the menopause, infact I sailed thru'...hot flashes have been my friends since starting Arimidex. Not all the time tho', usually a bad day every 6-7-8 weeks. Anyone else ?? Of course, my onc tells me she has NEVER heard of anyone else complaining...even tho' hot flashes are one of the se's on the packet insert.

Another piece of stupid medical information I heard today. We are having cuts. Massive cuts. There is no money in the kitty. A 'health official' was on a current affairs programe this morning, being interviewed. He was discussing the cuts. He was saying a lot of operations are totally unnecessary. 'For instance? ' he was asked  'Hip replacements', he said They were now going to TALK to the patients and tell them about alternative treatments for a disintergrating hip joint !!!!!!!!!!! 'WHAT alternative is there to a joint replacement in this situation....what will talking do? asked the interviewer. The official spluttered and said 'well, it will let them see that they can last longer without the operation, by taking it easier.' My mother had to have a hip replacement 20 odd years ago, and she was in agony whilst waiting her turn. ( Then the damned new joint went and came out of its socket 2days after the op !) Hope no-one tries it on with me 'talking' to me and telling me to hang on for my op.I've been 'hanging on' now 19 months!

Isabella.

Marlegal, I am doing mine at Delaware County.  they are the Regional Cancer Center for Fox Chase........Evreything was done there..........I will get 33 with  5 boosts......

I have always loved Fitz....Had many surgeries, and all of my tests done there before my Dr. left there....My huband had his Pancreatic surgery done there too.  Dr. Stephen Weiss did a Whipple, and he was there for almost a month.  Loved the place.  I'm not sure what the problems are at that hospital, but i can honestly say I always got top shelf treatment there, and so did my husband.

Well I'm on another venture, and you inspired me with your thoughts.  I truely hope I am as fortunate as you.........thanks, and hugs.