Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Comments
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Sandra,
I'm thinking about you. You have been such a trooper -- going through so much with your diagnosis and tx. Just when it seems that you can draw a breath and slow down Dh ends up with an issue. I am so hoping that it ( though you are well prepared ) turns out to be something that is way easier than not and that you both will be able to snuggle back into a great retirement type life. Your Dh is in all my thoughts and prayers and some for your bravery and love.
Still a really sore back this morning but so great that I work for a Dr. I'm in good hands.
See you all later.
Blessings
Jackie
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Sandra - the very best of wishes for your husband (and you, too, of course). We'll be thinking of both of you. -
Sandra, sending my best wishes for your Mike and you.
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Hello everyone!
We are back from Tennessee and had a great Christmas with my son and his family. It sounds like many of you had good times with family, too. It is not every year that we get the opportunity to celebrate with them on Christmas day so we really appreciate it. Holidays can be lonely times when we're not able to spend them with loved ones.
Tomorrow will be the day to get the tree and Christmas decorations down and to start seriously getting things out to pack for our winter trek to the sunny south! I can't wait to go but dread the packing as I'm not an organized person and don't multi-task worth a darn anymore. I still have my mammo and tests on the 2nd and I'm a bit nervous (as always) about them. If all is well, we will head south on the 3rd.
Sandra, I am so sorry that your hubby is still having problems but I'm glad your daughter was there to help you through the holidays.
Jackie...Take care of that back!
I enjoyed all the holiday pictures and graphics! I am going to attempt to be more technology oriented this next year. I have a lot to learn! :-) My son got me a device that hooks into the cigarette lighter of the car so that I can answer my phone and talk hands free while driving. It involves some programming, etc. and so It is still sitting on the kitchen table! Why am I so leery about attempting this type of thing????? I was really excited about getting it!
Well, we have one last holiday gathering with some golfing friends for dinner tonight so I need to get moving and get ready!
Love the pictures of the dogs, Anne! Our two cats came from a shelter, too! I wouldn't trade them for anything! Enjoy them!
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Blondie, I can't remember a single thing my grandmother gave me. I can remember all the stories she told me about her childhood and growing up on the frontier. She was my special grownup and a treasure.
Sandra, Best wishes for you and your hubby. I think preparing for the worst and being relieved if it isn't is the way to go. Sending healing thoughts for you both. Perhaps he needs another transfusion. Is he telling the doctor how bad he feels?
Ritajean, Have a good trip and enjoy the sunny south.
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My daughter Allison and I took a little trip up the road from San Antonio to Austin, about 70 miles, to see an exhibition called, "The Making of Gone With The Wind" at an exhibit hall of the University of Texas. Mike was too tired to go so we let him watch football for a few hours. It was wonderful! We saw some of the gowns worn by Vivien Leigh including her red ball gown, ecru-colored wedding gown, black mourning dress, green velvet dressing gown, and the famous gown made from Tara's drapery. There was a fascinating one hour film of screen tests of many famous actresses of the times who were vying for Scarlett (including Talulah Bankhead!), Mammy, Prissy and Ashley. There was no question about who would play Rhett Butler so no screen tests were needed. There were story boards, make-up and costume test shots, fabric samples, drawings, lots of photos of location scouting and actors relaxing on the set - totally out of character. There were probably 200 letters by David O Selznik during the 3 years it took to get this project from purchase of the film rights from Margaret Mitchell for $50,000, discussions of the various actors' salaries (most were $75-$300 per week) to the premier in Atlanta in 1939. It was amazing to see the attention to detail paid by all those involved in set design and historical accuracy. Many things like stories of the KKK and some others scenes of slave life in the south were cut out of the film due to protests by Southerners who thought it would harm their reputations. Also didn't know the role of Scarlett was so coveted that thousands of women sent letters begging (and bargaining everything) for a chance to test for it.
What a wonderful experience! I was exhausted way too soon but got to see about 80% of it before I waived the flag of surrender and had to sit down and wait for Allison to get the car. Even though this last surgery was much less invasive then the others, I was still under general anesthesia for 3 hours so it's going to take another week or so to get back to normal since I'm only 9 days post op now. I'm feeling good though. Just don't have my stamina up yet. The surgical bra and abdominal binder help a lot so pain in nearly gone. It was nice to get out of the house, but better to be back in my recliner with the obligatory fuzzy blanket and fuzzy kitty.
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Sandra...thinking of you and yours
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Oh Sandra, the green curtains!!! Sounds like a fun outing. Will it be there awhile?
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Oh Sandra...That sounds like so much fun! I'm glad you could get out and enjoy the experience.
I am putting off "tackling the dismantlement of the tree!" I guess I should just "bite the bullet" and get it done. I will feel so much better when it is all put away!
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Morning everyone
Sandra- what a great adventure to "Gone with the Wind". I would love to see that. Also think it was so good for you to leave all the stress at home and do something so different for a few hours. I know it didn't and doesn't change anything, but you got a little break. Good for you! Meanwhile, praying Mike's diagnosis is easily treated.
I am happy to say both puppies are doing well after a week. Not doing great getting them house trained, but not doing awful either. They are both very smart, and already bring us the water bowl when it is empty. Unfortunately I had to leave them yesterday to come back to Ga.
I have appts with the BS and Onc. in a few weeks. I came back now, hoping to see my son and youngest GC for New Years- not going to happen. My poor son is stuck between two stubborn people - his wife and his sister. Wife won't come here because she doesn't like leaving the dogs overnight, baby has Dr appt New Years Eve (regular checkup) etc., and sister won't leave hubby alone New Years Eve- he has to work New Years Day, and also won't leave dogs overnight. Saddest part is it is my son who has had a really tough time not being with family at all this holiday. His MIL, who he really enjoys was there for a week, but left early Christmas morning. I will probably head over there next week some time for a few days.
Rob is having a really tough time, living so far from family, especially since Lucia was born. He wants desperately to move back to Fl, not only because of family, but he also has awful sinus problems that would be greatly reduced if he moved closer to the ocean, rather than the mountains. The worst part is that there really isn't anything keeping them in SC. He is a teacher, and she works part-time in her own home as a personal trainer. She refuses to even discuss it because she moved constantly as a kid, from country to country and doesn't want her daughter to go thru that- he cannot convince her that one move, before Lucia even starts preschool is not the same as totally uprooting her every few years. My heart breaks for him.
I wish you all a very happy, and most especially, healthy New Year.
Anne
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Minus, hurry! The Gone With The Wind exhibition closes on Jan. 4th. It's well worth the drive from Houston.
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Sandra, Glad you had such a fun time at the Wind exhibit! There was a fun piece on this past Sunday's CBS Morning Show about "Windys" (GWTW obsessed) who travel from all over the country to meet several times a year. It showed them at the exhibit - looked wonderful.Thinking of you and Mike and hoping all goes well.
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I've always liked Gone with the Wind. The first time I saw it was with subtitles when we lived in Germany. The burning of Atlanta was the blinking of an eye!! I kept thinking the movie didn't compare to the book. Then I saw it again in English...so different and so much better
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Sandra, wishing you and Mike a good prognosis. The GWTW exhibit is something DD and I would love to see. Wonder if it will tour
Ohio (Bonnie)
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Teacher, Minus, Anne...I just found a "web exhibition" of Gone With The Wind by the same place that has the in-person exhibition. Didn't even know that existed. Enjoy
http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/web/gonewiththewind/ -
There cannot be a sense of abundance or the experience of prosperity without appreciation. You cannot find beauty unless you appreciate beauty. You cannot find friendship unless you appreciate others. You cannot find love unless you appreciate loving and being loved. If you wish abundance, appreciate life.
William R. Miller -
Teacher,
I read " Gone With the Wind " first and not only the book but the pictures in it just mesmerized me. It was my mother's book, and I was maybe 10 or 12. The actors and actresses were in those pictures so when I went to the movie several years later -- it was almost like running into old friends. I think I was 20 when I got to see the movie at a theater and it was just a total delight. I still have that old book though the cover came off of it. I have hoped to take it and have the cover put back on it, but so far.....out of sight, out of mind.
Long busy day today, but a good one. Had a big amt. of things to do right after morning chores here and when I was done with those I rushed home and picked up Dh and then right back to town and went and picked up my friend and her daughter and we went to the matinee at the theater and saw " Unbroken ". I'm so glad we did as it was a true story but it was difficult to watch some of the things done to our men at the prison camps by the Japanese.
Never thought about it Saturday when my back got so bad -- mainly I was just concerned that I get to work so I could do my job. Duh -- I'm going to a Dr.'s house, so he was able to get me some meds to take care of my back and the right sequence of exercises along with hot and cold therapy. I'm still hobbling a bit but I'm managing without undue pain. In fact, there is just enough there to remind me not to get too flamboyant with anything and to give up lifting weighty things right now. Much to my delight when Dr. and his wife got home they had stopped and brought a take-out Chinese dinner to Dh and myself so I would not have to make anything when I got home. I am so grateful that I work for some really fantastic people. In other words -- I am definitely not treated like the hired help.
Anne,
It is always something, huh !!! It is sad that you son can't move he and his family back there to Florida. You are so right -- one move shouldn't cause that much upset. In fact, it could be an "adventure" to have. I guess I'm the 'odd' person feeling that there is maybe just a little bit more to your DIL's reasoning though I can see why she feels that way.
Sandra,
Don't you know I'll be looking at your web-site in a bit and falling in love all over again I'm sure.
Hope you all had a good day. I'm looking forward to relaxing in a bit -- hoping to not get too 'drowsy' too early. I think today just wore me out a bit. See you all later.
Blessings
Jackie
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Gone With the Winds was my favorite novel during my young, romantic years. In my imagination I always re-wrote the ending.
DH and I went and got new cell phones today and switched from Verizon to AT&T. I had a Samsung Droid which was worth $5 on a trade-in! DH's Apple I-Phone was worth $40. We both got I-Phones this time so I have to acquaint myself with a new phone. I was happy with the Samsung except for the battery which went down very fast. I also was unable to post to bc.org, for some reason. I could send e-mails and post to Facebook. Very strange and I never bothered to go to the Verizon store and see if something could be done.
I got up and weighed this morning and then went to the gym!
It was nice to sleep as late as I pleased this morning and not have any obligations.
Wishing everyone a peaceful evening.
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No news yet on Mike. It will be another week until his Hematologist appointment. His eye that he had cataract surgery on four weeks ago on Dec. 1st has gotten redder. We saw his GP today who said his retina and lens were fine and it didn't look like anything serious but he was concerned that the redness had been fading & now is coming back. I asked Mike to call his Opthamologist but he stubbornly said he'd wait until his appointment...another two weeks. MEN!!! For those of you who had cataract surgery, how long did it take for the redness to go away in the white of your eye?
While we were at the GP's office, Mike got weighed. He is down to 197 from 240 last winter. When he was in the hospital before Christmas he was 201. The GP suggested Boost Plus so we'll see if we can get his weight to stop falling. It was a lovely warm and sunny 65 degree day but Mike insisted on wearing a heavy leather jacket while I was in a simple short sleeved t shirt. I guess that's because he has lost his fat padding and gets colder easier.
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Happy in-between-Christmas-and-New-Years...was just thinking how I am not ready to take down the tree even though nobody is visiting any more and we are not going to be here that many days this week. The house looked so pretty today...I made DH stop what we were doing and go sit in the LR with the lights and music on - had a little glass of Godiva white chocolate and he had Baileys....I enjoyed the moment.
Sandra, what a great description of the exhibit. I just watched the movie recently (it's on a lot lately) and am always surprised that I forget a scene or two.
Jackie, my mom read her old copy of GWTW many times with me at her feet (sometimes tugging at her skirt but she wouldn't take her eyes off the page). When she died, I got her book - not in great shape - but cherished.
Carole, I never read the book...I only know the movie. I am not a great reader - but if a book is well-written and engaging, I can read straight through. I wonder how I'd do with GWTW...Rita, you ARE ready to take down that tree! I completely identify with your resistance to packing and multi-tasking. I find packing very difficult now...I cannot look at a lot of things at once and easily organize as I used to. And forget multi-tasking (which was my MO for years as I raised 6 kids). I have to speak to myself "focus, focus", when I have a task I don't want to tackle. Once you get that phone device set, you will be happy you did. Wishing you safe travels and a wonderful, warm winter!
Anne, it is frustrating to see your son unable to do what he needs to do. Years ago, a woman always followed a man's job. How things have changed....has he looked at job opportunities? Maybe they could vacation there a few weeks to see how nice it is in the winter. Good luck with the pups...sounds like you know what to do.
Jackie, I just read back a bit and loved your Christmas day quote. It is truly universal and so special for us here on this thread. Anyone can plug in the message to her own beliefs and be inspired.
I hope you find relief for the back pain. It is nice to hear how well you were treated while working.I totally enjoyed sleeping in a few days, and lounging.
I have grandkids with birthdays in Dec./Jan. I like to visit as long as I am able and the weather holds.
I have no classes for another few weeks but I do have to show my face at work - if nobody is there, I go home. My department chair is still out, being aggressively treated for his rare leukemia. He gave up the idea of coming back to work this coming semester. Cancer can be so devastating, and cause upheaval with little notice.It has taught me to be grateful every day.
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Wow. GWTW is one of my favorite books. I'd rather read it than watch the movie, although the movie was fabulous. When I was in school, I read GWTW every Christmas break. Must have read it 10 times. Maybe I should re-start the tradition.
Sandra-I'm praying for you and Mike. Feeling under the weather is tough. It's nice that you'll have answers in just a week.
Here's to a much better 2015 for us all. Happy New year
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There cannot be a sense of abundance or the experience of prosperity without appreciation. You cannot find beauty unless you appreciate beauty. You cannot find friendship unless you appreciate others. You cannot find love unless you appreciate loving and being loved. If you wish abundance, appreciate life.
William R. Miller -
I waS dating my husband the first time GWTW was re-released in the late 60's. We absolutely loved it. When I got home I was still gushing about the movie, telling my dad he had to go see it. When I finally stopped to take a breath, he said "honey, you don't have to convince me to go see it- I saw it the first time around in 1939".
It was the first book I read when I stopped working to wait for our first child to arrive.
Jackie- I think some of my DIL's reluctance to move is tied to her need to always have control, which stems from a verbally and physically abusive childhood. Problem is, after 10 years with my son, she still hasn't figured out that he has no problem with her having control 90% of the time. He has a big problem with her treating him like a child- correcting or directing his every move, especially with their daughter, when he is much more child oriented by nature and by training. And then the big decisions, like where to move. He has offered to move anywhere warmer and closer to family- and by closer to family, he will take within 100 miles. Because of where they live, and the fact he directs a summer camp near me, he spends a minimum of 8 weeks away from his daughter each summer. He would be fine in the Orlando area, where he can go home every weekend.
Anyway off to a major grocery shopping at SAMS.
Anne
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Good Morning Ladies and almost a new year starting too.
Wow GWTW has take over as it always had--"Just something I saw in the window:-the green dress. I remember when my DD2 was 7 or 8 and the teacher wanted the kids to tell what their fav. movie was and what it was about--well the teacher told me the kids got up and star wars was the biggy, along with other "cutsy movies" and Leslie got up and talked about GWTW and why she loved it and it's still her favorite movie and we read everything about the making of it over the years too and now Joey loves that movie--It sure wears well. LOL Vivien Leigh was stunning in that movie, but I did love her british accent anyway.
Sandra I'm sorry about u'r DH, did u say this has something to do with his platelets. Tgis is a tough disease he's fighting and I pray they get it all figured out.
Rita I'm sure u'r out the door and have traveled safely.
And Jackie I do hope u'r back is in better shape by now.
Oh Blondie I know what u mean, our nly salvation was layaway this year and we started as soon as the stores started it. And u'r love sso important to u'r babies don't ever worry about that.
Carole u'r still golfing, well Rita will be joining the gold brigade soon. It's been OK weather here, but getting colder but sti no snow.
It's been a little goofy here. both brothers are in hospitals one is in FL, but hopefully he'll be home soon but my other brother is hear and it seems he has lung cancer--Now we have to get all the info on it. He's so damn quiet about it, My sister and I hate that. He doesn't smoke, exercises eats healthy the whole nine yards, but as we know cancer has no real favorites. On thing a lot of his best friends are Drs.so they are really taking good and quick care of him and one of his friends has been with him in the hospital for most of the time. He's the county Coroner so it doesn't sound good---but all the Drs. know each other well. I don't know my sister and I are thinking not good thoughts, he's staying by his GF's home now and we both know he's just not the type to depend on anyone so we'll see.
Been a little busy with work and for a day forgot about it actually, then the calls started coming in. I hope to get out today or tomrrw I need my meds and stapley things and my DD has school later today so probably go tomorrow..
Well I do hope the New Year brings better times for so many and starts well and continues for all of us.
xoxoxoxox
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Oh Cammi, so sorry to hear about your brother having lung cancer. What a vicious disease! And both brothers in the hospital at the same time...oh my, you must have been beside yourself with worry.
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got back my scan results. So happy. No evidence of cancer in either one!!! They still don't know why I'm anemic, but maybe they'll find something in the endoscopy or colonoscopy next week.
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Oh Garden....what GREAT news! I am doing the happy dance for you!
Cami....I'm so sorry to hear about your brother. Hugs!
We are still in Illinois. We leave on the 3rd of Jan. I have my yearly check..mammo, etc. in Peoria on the 2nd which is why we are waiting to go south. As always, I'm nervous but I've been keeping myself busy by packing! Today I packed kitchen things that we're taking. They have dishes and pots and pans in the place where we are renting, but I always take spices, coffee, tea, and other things to get us started for a few days. I also take a crockpot so I can put things in it in the morning and then go have fun! Our one cat eats only prescription canned food so I had to go to the vet and get enough for her for the three months.
Joan...I DID get the tree down and all the Christmas things put away. I was determined that I wasn't going to arrive home to Christmas in April! I guess I just like to procrastinate! I must admit that I got more things done around the house when I was still working. Now I tend to put things off.
Jackie...I've said it before and I'll say it again. This job is a KEEPER! They realize how special you are and they show you! I'm so happy that you are working for them.
Tomorrow night our golf group is going over to the club for dinner and a dance. We will welcome in the New Year there if we can stay awake. It will be easy to get home. It's just across the road!
Happy New Year to all of you!
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GardenGumby, you got the BEST news! Congratulations friend.
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GardenGumby - NED!!! Hooray. Congrats.
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Hubby and I are breathing huge sighs of relief.
Sandra - I sure hope Mike gets good news.
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