The Hermit Club

Good morning, Hermies! Jazzy, I iced the knee down real good so now it's jus a bit tender on the kneecap. I discovered a pretty large bruise on the right elbow, but inside, don't know how that happened. Anyway, the good news is that I'm coming out of my chemo funk and feeling a bit better each day. DH and I had a talk about getting another car so I can start driving again. It would be a stretch, financially, especially after all the medical bills, but he's willing to see if we can swing it. For the first time in a very long time, I'm feeling like I'd like to get out of the house, maybe have lunch with a friend once in a while, if I still have any. I know, it's a strange feeling.

Today I have an appointment to have an ultrasound on a lump. The BMX I had in May left so much skin it made me wonder if my surgeon didn't believe me when I said I was never going to have reconstruction. It basically looks like my DDDs were just deflated. Anyway, my MO examined them last time I was in and there's a spot where there's a hard lump. Probably just either scar tissue or maybe a seroma, but he wants to be sure my tumor was on the other side, but there were precancerous cells in this side, and he told me that if I hadn't had it removed, it would almost certain have needed to be fairly soon. So ultrasound this afternoon.

Then we'll go vote.

Bippy, the mastectomy, while not a walk in the park, was not as bad as shoulder surgery, and far less recovery. I did have to sleep in the recliner for a couple of weeks, but that was not a stretch for me, as you might well imagine. The recliner and I are pretty much one by now. You've been through chemo, that's really the worst part. Hoping it's all uphill now, for both of us.

We won't be doing anything fancy for Thanksgiving, probably just the three of us again. When I get on my laptop later I'll post a picture of what we used to do, you'll get a kick out of it. Let me see if I have a pic of last year's table.

And the pie I always make for holidays:

Yes, homemade crust, too, the flakiest pie crust in the world (of course I'm prejudiced! I've been making it for more than 40 years!), though I'm not sure I'm up to the task this year.

Lurking really, had anxiety attack today, didnt go to the shore couldnt get out of bed,had aitivan, still in bed,  can't go vote, feel bad but can't. 

HUGS 

Hi hermits- home from work and may go do the bike or may at the gym tonight or go in the morning to ride before we lift weights. I am interested to hear the results tonight of this election both locally and nationally. They put the pot vote on the ballot this year too. They might as well legalize it, everyone here is high anyways.....

Blondie- hugs, I am sorry about the anxiety attack. I have had those too, they are just awful. I am sorry you missed your trip to the shore too. I think voting was the last thing you needed to do today. I hope you feel better tomorrow. Hugs from the desert.

Mags- your table and pie are lovely. I am glad your knee is better and hope the lump is nothing. I have had lumps that are fluid/seroma and scar tissue especially around the incision areas. I am glad they are checking it out. Let us know what that think is going on as you would like to?

The car sounds like a good move. Having independence to get out for little things will make you feel better. Driving gives you a feeling of normalcy. 

Bippy- I ate frozen dinners and deli food during treatment and for the longest time afterwards. Easy food you can get and keep down is important. I hope whatever you found tastes okay and settles okay too.

Onco, Cami, Lili, Sally, and everyone else here, wishing you a peaceful night.

Well, I don't have any real answers on the lump – actually, there are two. After the technician did the u/s, the radiologist came in and did it again. She says it isn't a seroma, and she is concerned enough to order a biopsy of the two lumps. It's scheduled for November 20. It was pretty clear on the u/s, you can see the layers of tissue, kind of gray & white striations, and then there are these big black holes. I'm no doctor, but to be honest, it didn't look any different to me than the tumor they found in April. But I'm not going to get ahead of myself. I'll see the MO next week for follow up and it'll be interesting to hear what he thinks. 

After the u/s, my cousin had an appointment to see my ob/gyn friend for some problems she's been having, ongoing, worsening, and apparently she's let it go for too long and may need surgery.

When it rains...

Back at ya Foots

sorry Mags, you are right when it rains it poirs

Thanks Jazzy needed to hear that, hopefully next week!!

Cami- good to hear from you. Jazzy has less energy now after two hard days at work, but she has today off for some self care. 

I love the story about your dad holding Joey and telling him about the big hands and feet and growing into them like a puppy. How sweet is that? Your parents sounded like such neat people. It is good to remember those who are not on this earth with us, but always around us.

I sometimes lurk in the few threads I follow and only post on one each day, two at the most. 

Hope you enjoy the shower. I have laundry to do today at some point too!

With all the trips we do to the doctor(s), I just thought this was funny.

Good morning, Hermies!

Jazzy, keep posting about your busy schedule ... Your activities motivate me ... But be sure to rest! ... I am a champion rester! ...I can rest for hours.  

As promised, a picture of our last normal Thanksgiving celebration. I think there were about 22 of us, or so. The gentleman in the front right was my cousin's dad who passed away a couple of years ago at age 98. My cousin is the dark red-haired lady on the left halfway down, DH is right behind her. The rest are sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, another cousin, her stepson, and some family friends. We used to do this at Thanksgiving and Christmas every year, and I did most of the cooking. I think the most we had was 30 people, all sitting. This was our old house, where the living room & dining room flowed together. It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun. 

Looking back, I'm reminded of an anecdote told at my mom's funeral, about the woman's gravestone that read, "I told you I was tired!" I'm tired just looking at this.

Hi hermits- my day of self care is just divine. Did some exercise with the personal trainer, stopped at the health food store on the way to the spa for some good eats and some additional supplies for the fridge. Then some soaking and a facial. My face is happy, as is my body and soul. Now I am home relaxing for the rest of the day. My mini-retreat from the world today.

Mags- wow, that is a lot of people to cook for. The most I have ever cooked for was 4-5, which is the zone I will be in this year. I hope you, DH and the cousin can keep it simple and just enjoy a quite day with some food you enjoy. 

Sally- thanks for telling me I have such good energy. I always was a high energy person, but the appendix rupture and bc in 2012 knocked me flat for awhile. Many months of not being able to do much of anything, except some part time work for awhile. This personal training I am doing has made the biggest difference in my energy. Not that you have to work with a trainer to get there, but she has made me realize exercising some every day makes a huge difference for me on so many levels. So keep talking those walks, 20 minutes is good!

Onco- you are right, after bc, every lump is worrisome.

Time to go watch a movie. Hope everyone has a good rest of the day.....

We're going to *Hug then Hug some more*.

I've decided to have a pumpkin pie and a chocolate pie for Thanksgiving dinner.

I miss the Family gatherings with a crowded table at Thanksgiving and X-mas, but have fond memories!