The Hermit Club

Ducky- I like Mags suggestion of hot and sour soup.

Good Morning Herms

Oh ducky u all have this stupid thing too--Joey started ours and we were all sick for Christmas, but I didn't have the cold-virus thing yet I had something else, then I did get it and this cough is horrible--I think I broke a rib LOL--bu seriously I have to hold my hernia when I cough it's so deep and it's nt from my chest, it's from my drippy head but boy it jst takes u out. And my kids still have the cough but not as bad--I've been taking Delsyum for 12 hr??? but Lily's homemade syrup sounds good. The cough is so bad I end up dry heaving r throwing up after a bit. Yesterday I slept all night and most o the day til almost 3PM and went back to sleep around 10PM--it knocks the hell out of u. See Chicago wasn't the right place to come I guess.

Jazzy I'm glad u still brought the New Year in with healthy things--we count on u Jazzy to travel ad do things some of us can't r don't do.

Teka I've got good Holiday coffee to drink, but I can still sleep

Our lunch is cancelled goofy weather and we're all wimps for driving--so I'm not going anywhere.

OK I hope all have some good health and loads of happiness and throw in some prosperity too. That helps.

Good morning hermits- I slept in today until 8 a.m. today which felt really good! It is rare for me to be able to sleep past 6 a.m., alarm or not. What a lovely gift of sleep!

I had a nice outing with my friend yesterday to lunch, then a trip to the local art museum. We saw two exhibit, a lovely one from Paris from the Ecole de Beaux Arts which schooled many famous artists from the 15th century onward. Outstanding paintings, sculptures, and sketches. There were people sitting in there doing their own sketches too, which I have never seen here before, but did in the museums in Paris when I went once upon a time.

The exhibit I was really wanting to see was the one about Vivian Vance, the actress famous for her role as Ethel on I Love Lucy. But I learned she was so much more than that, she had a stage career in NY and LA and was also in the Vaudeville too (as was her tv husband, Fred). She lived here in ABQ, and also helped to start up the ABQ Little Theater which continues to exist to today. They showed her in some plays done here in town back in the 1930s, which was very cool. She did something very few women did during that time- acting, traveling, lived in different places, etc. She paved the way for many women in the entertainment industry.

It turns out that when she screened for I Love Lucy, it was Desi Arnez that spotted her talent and thought she would be perfect for the role of Ethel. Lucille Ball did not really like her at first (perhaps a bit jealous of all her great acting experience?), but they became fast friends and Lucy had her in the shows that followed on into the 1970s. I used to watch all these shows when I was younger, as I always loved watching those two together. Girlfriend power.

Anyways, it was a small and sweet exhibit and glad I got to see it. Here is a photo of her from the 1930's, which I think is just so lovely!

Hi all, the flu does not sound fun. Prayers for speedy recovery... drink, drink, drink... (non-alcoholic.)

Lily, Kimchi is a Korean dish made with cabbage, garlic, ginger, salt, and usually a seafood. recipes vary. It's usually sour. Seems similar to Mags' recommendation - different culture, though. Your cough syrup sounds awesome. do you have a recipe? know proportions? Cami and Ducky need some... Get well soon both of you, Cami & Ducky!

Ducky, are you recovering? Did you have to fly sick? (great pic with the pilot - you are so cute) That's the worst. I am driving to Philly Sunday - do you need any errands run? We could drop stuff off supplies for you on Monday morning before heading home... SERIOUSLY, if you need a grocery run... just PM me if you would like something dropped off.

Cami, (do you prefer Camille?) LOVE that you smell nice my daughter did too last night - not a migraine inducing smell, just a fresh clean spirit lifting scent... That's the best. Even better than the smell of the top of my children's heads - which always uplifts me... I agree that prosperity makes life easier, but even those with wealth get sick. I would pick health over wealth. Just musing. Enquiring minds would like to know - did you find the shoe? Maybe it's not important since you are probably wearing fuzzy slippers and hunkering down until the awful virus runs its course. Be well.

Does anyone here use Nioxin shampoo? Considering looking for it. Are there several versions? The trial drug that I take has begun to attack my hair... just thinning and bald spots. My daughter Kate (19) and I went out to buy a wig on Tuesday. Having her with me was fun. They did not have my ideal wig - black hair with grey highlights... Haven't worn the wig since purchasing. I have a great collection of baseball caps. Not wearing much on my head - hot flashes are making me melt these days. Not sure why? They had been mild for about 6 months. Will want to cover up on trip to Philly for Kate.

Jazzy, I love to hear your adventures - not getting out much these days. We leave home tomorrow, driving my daughter to Philly - school is there and she's headed from there to Florida with her crew team for winter training. By the end of the training trip, they'll all have the flu... My goal is to make it to Philly and back without catching any diseases (have Neutropenia)! I will be carrying lots of Purell. You should too, Jazzy. Lots of sick people in that hospital! I like your description of viruses morphing. Lily's cockroach analogy is a bit disturbing, though. Love the beach picture. The beach is my "happy place". I need a warm beach these days. I thought about walking on the beach on NY's day, but it was cold here and too much effort.

Mags, I think that I could eat hot and sour soup - in your humble opinion, does it really help? I feel that the flu is inevitable this year. Apologies - I am a bit behind - love your husband's gift. I have never seen one with a cup holder! (Or a light.) How does the massage work? Not sure how I would feel about that. Does it play music as well? He is a thoughtful man. Praying for you regarding rads (solution) and PET (result). Please know you are being uplifted.

Onco, do you make kimchi daily? Isn't it a lot of work? My husband has been cooking for me recently... He has become very talented. I need some new recipes for him to try...

Maiden, Love the idea of lunch with a 15 year old son! Your son must be a talker. My Nick would have sat there in silence. I would have asked a lot of questions, and he would have offered a lot of single word answers. He's 20 now and I get full sentences Just being together is so important though. My husband would have done the movie - Isn't it like the 3rd in a series? Was it good? They grow up so quickly - can you remember him at 5, holding your hand? Do you still get hugs? My guy does this silly limp hug now... I think that his girlfriend must get real hugs. Her brother (17) gave me a real hug on NY's day, though. Wishing you more happy bonding with your son! Congrats on finishing chemo and hoping you are SE free on Herceptin.

Sally, hi... 12 grapes at midnight? hmmm... wonder if one could get luck from strawberries? Or dark chocolate? This year I didn't even watch the ball drop. Maybe if I had been planning a special snack at midnight, I would have stayed awake!

Bippy, I hope that you find the perfect foobs for you! I have 3 sets now. Hoping to order a new pair this week...(new year of insurance) It's nice to have options Wearing foam right now - so not huggable but good for exercise. I had my BMX 10 months ago and still not ready for reconstruction... I am leaning toward never. Hope your recovery continues smoothly. I believe that I started having weird nerve sensations at about this time in my recovery - seems like you will not be developing those! Yay!

Blondie, if you are reading this before Monday, PM me if you need me to drop off any food or drinks. As I mentioned above, I am driving to Philly for 24 hours Sunday into Monday. I know that you have family - do the twins live with you? I would like to be able to do something for you.

To all Hermies,I really appreciate coming here and reading your stories and knowing that you care so much for each other. I will be praying for all of you - health and happiness in 2015. I like that I don't have to gather the energy to go out to lunch or clean my house to get together with you! Of course, It would be nice to meet you all in person! I was thinking if I won the HGTV Dream House on Martha's Vineyard, I would have you all come visit. It looks like someone could sleep in the master closet as well as in the "dressing room". They make such fine blow-up mattresses these days. Hanging in PJ's... LOVE the outdoor shower - my parents rented a house one winter when I was in high school that had one - sun on your back as you shower in a gentle cool breeze. Almost as good a "happy place" as the beach. That doghouse while quite cute would just scare my dog. I grew up on Cape Cod, but have never been to Martha's Vineyard (My parents took us to Nantucket.). I know where to catch the ferry I am sure that it must be lovely. So, expect an invitation if I win...

Enjoy the weekend - stay in if it's nasty. Wish I could Hugs for all.

For the cat people-watch this video, it is amazing!

Cat Inspiration

Ladies thanks or the concern, and the advice.

Daisy.....you are truly a thoughtful person....I have been living on chicken soup..gonna grow feathers...the worst of this is the cough.....even when the fever, chills, aches leave....the cough stays.....I said I sound like a female Seal in labor........

I found out some good information today....my grandsons wife (the one we went to see in Chicago) is a Sales Rep for a major Pharma Co....this is part of what happened........

It seems they went through all the possible strains of flu before deciding which would be included in the 2014/2015 Injections......there was a strain callled Switzerland A......it was not very previlent back last Feb. when the World Health Org.and the CDC were putting all the stains together.........

So..in the Northern hemisphere the Switzerland A did not appear that it would be a probem, however in the Southern hemisphere it was going to be so they got the vaccine which included the Switzerland Type A strain..........the Switzerland A mutated later in the year, which they then found out could affect the Northern Hemisphere and when it did it was too late to include it......apparently manufacturering had already begun at Big Pharma...............

Thus people who did get the vaccine are getting the Flu Type A because the Switzerland strain was not included in the United States...and "VOILA" we got it...........along with many around the country..........

Hope that makes sense........by the way.......she got sick yesterday..........and I repeat we all got the flu shot.........too bad they din't get it right............

I was fine on the way out...that is when the picture was taken......it was last Saturday......felt good until Tuesday night when I began to cough...my SIL already was feeling bad early Monday......by Wednesday when we were headed home I felt lousy.........by Wednesday Night I did not know whch part of my body hurt the most.........all NY's dayI sat and felt worse.............Friday was slightl better........today did a couple thing.

The cough is no better....makes the throat and chest hurt like hell and the coughihng really wears you down........and the Asthma which I have does not help...............Oh well shit happens.

Just wish they would have included the A Switzerland strain in our North America vaccine.............boo hoo

OMG what a recipe. Sounds so different to me, but good.

Oh Jazzy I like how u jumped on that for the Hamptons, I think we should all go with Daisy. And Daisy Cami is absolutely fine with me--this is the only place I'm called cami, I'm so used to it now it sounds right. LOL

Ducky yep this cough is crazy, my DD will go to th Dr. Monday she always ends up with pneumonia or bronchitis and she already sounds like it. This is lasting longer than I thought, oh well.

Oh oh Jazzy that was interesting about Vivien Vance, I always liked her and she'd always say she was from NM, even on the show---another thing her contract called for her weight had to be at least 10 lbs. heavier than Lucille Ball During the I love Lucy years. And we all know Fred and Ethel couldn't stand each other off the stage, but u never saw it. U find the most special places to go--I know there are plenty in Chicago, but I never have the energy to go there--it's not that far even---LOL--Like a 1/2 hr ride. Oh chit when I was younger I worked Downtown and after a couple of years I had enough actually and did go to some of the places in the city.

OK it's really kind of warm out now but it's supposed to get super cold in the next couple of days--we'll see where it comes from and where it goes.--TEKA u'r going to get something with this crazy weather.

Ducky interesting about this strain of flu, we never read of these type of things.

Joey will be in my room soon and we have our nitely time together, u know how I love that and now my hair has gotten so long (for me) he loves to stroke it which feels so good and it's still so soft after all it's newer than his hair hahaha--Do u gals notice after u'r hair comes in after a while it feels like silk, I'm sure it won't last but it feels so soft. See good things happen too.

Happy sunday hermits- went to have breakfast with a friend I have not seen since around Labor Day. With that last meal, my holiday outings are done!

Cami- funny, I don't remember Vivian Vance ever saying she was from ABQ on the show, but then again, as a kid under 10 watching those re-runs in the 1960's, I probably had no idea where that was anyways! Could have been a foreign country to me at that point.I had this thought that Vivian was much older than Lucille, but upon researching that, they said that she was only two years older. They just chose to dress Vance in frumpier clothing, and let Lucille Ball be the little sex pot. Funny how a little exhibit like that can make you look deeper into the stories behind a person or that show in particular! They had the I Love Lucy Xmas special on tv (and in color) over the holidays, which got me primed for that exhibit!

I would imagine getting out to much of anything in the middle of winter in IL would not be something most people would want to do. Going to the "big city" requires a lot of effort, period. I am fortunate to live in a small city with lots of nice culture within a short drive.

Weather is warming up today. Highs the 40s. Whoot whoot.

Hey everybody hope u r better, the flu sucks, it has hit so many people,  Including kids. thank u 4 caring i need nothing, the twins r ok.

Sorry i haven't been on in a while but I have been sick with a bad cold since after Christmas.

Cami........guess we got out of Chicago at the right time..........heard they are expecting snow......my grandson starts schooling tonight............he is going for his Master's at Northwestern University...........snowy weather.....just what he needs.......right........ugh.......stay safe...............

We are getting a dusting tomorrow, but very cold, windy weather............oh I hate winter.................

Hi hermits- back from the MO's office and things went relatively well. I met with the CNP this visit, and had a good talk with her. We discussed my recent bone density test, and said I am not happy about what is happening on the AIs. She wants to investigate whether they can get my insurance to pay for Prolia shots now to see if this may help me for the duration of the time I am on the AIs (another three years or so). She said they use Prolia pretty successfully with cancer treatment (including monthly shots for people with bone cancer) and the side effects are minimal. But she said the challenge is getting them to pay for it at this time vs. if I get closer to full blown osteoporosis. And perhaps we can appeal it too, I have had to go that route on these genetics tests (believe it or not, a year later, I am still trying to get the last round of genetics tests paid for from Feb 2014!)

I had labs done today but she said the lab is not up yet with the move to the new building, so they will call if there is anything of concern. She said they do the usual CBC panel and of course, looking at the liver enzymes. Will let you know if anything comes up there.

She also told me "so you have not been in here for a year?" I said that was true, that the last time I saw the MO, he said get a bone density test end of the year and come back next January. She said she was surprised as the protocol for anyone with bc is six months for the five years after. I said I knew that, I was surprised too (but also did not tell her that it was not the first time someone short cutted the process on me). I knew I would see my PCP this summer and know she runs a lot of the same labs and everything was fine there, but as we know, we just feel better being checked on a bit more often. She is wanting me to get an apt for the summer in another six months, but the July calendar was not open yet, so I will just make note to call them in a few months for that. I will say I am glad to be back on the six month follow up.

My next visits will be to get the mammo/ultrasound and then see the BS end of the month. January is just going to be one kind of fun month (NOT!)

Mommy- I hope your cold is getting better. So many sick with colds, the flu, etc. right now. I was supposed to meet someone for a biz lunch and she cancelled as she said she has strep (yikes!) Feel better soon! Hoping Princess is comforting you.

Hope everyone else here stays safe in the snow that is coming east now. Our snow is gone but it is still cold out west.

Onco- yes, I am doing a lot of weight bearing exercise. Walking as part of the cardio, but also lifting weights 3-4X a week. My personal trainer told me she has seen people with osteopenia improve it with weight bearing exercise.

I got a note from my PCP who said I should be doing it daily so perhaps I will be doing a bit of weight lifting at the gym and here at home too.

Appreciate your insights!