Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

Brrr, it is as I heard for many, many years, colder than a witches' tit outside.  The sun was shining when I got up this morning but that is truly deceptive -- and I found that out the minute I stepped outside.  I think it will warm thru the day.  Not nearly as much as I like, but it can't stay like this.  Can it????

Chevy, that soup looks so good.  I have based my decision of whether or not to buy something on just the same thing you have.  Funny about how we do some things.  When I go to a restaurant ( even if someone tells me how good something is ) I almost always buy something I've already had and know I love.  I have been 'duped' a little by waiters or waitresses who think because something is chosen a lot it must be really good, or they have tried it themselves -- and way too often I am not thrilled -- maybe ok, but not truly highly satisfied with the choice.  Do we really have to DISCOVER it on our own?  I'm not sure, but while I also tend to be more inclined to stick with what I know in the grocery stores, on occasion I will see someone 'pick' something I've looked at and have the same impression.  It must be ok if they are taking it. 

At least at home, we can 'doctor' it up a little bit, but food in a restaurant is pretty much what you see is what you get.  My tastes have changed through the years and oddly enough, after chemo ( been a while since those days ) I really found a great fondness for fresh vegetables that I never really had before.  Raw veggies were suddenly fairly tasty without some of the "dressings" that were required before.  I think in that case -- so many 'taste' cells went down the tubes and once renewed they worked well and flavors were great -- even the things that had seemed a bit on the highly bland side -- like cauliflower.  Celery became rather sweet and more desirable.  I do think our "tastes" change about every 7 yrs.   I don't recall but I think somewhere along the 'chemo' way I was told that my destroyed cells would take about 7 yrs. to fully come back -- so maybe that is what gave me my ability to have a more 'inspired' taste for things.

Anyhow, I will be running around a bit, but back later on.  Hope you are all having an un-gray, bright and pretty sunny Saturday.  Hi to all.  Thinking of you Sandra.

Blessings,

Jackie

Oh Sandra,  I was so shocked to learn of Mike's diagnosis. My nephew was a donor last summer and was thrilled to do it.  Praying for a perfect donor to be found soon! 

Keep warm.......extremely cold here today, but should get to freezing tomorrow.   Wow.

Ohio

I Am One With Spirit and All Creation -
I give thanks for the unity of all creation
and for everything that has brought me to this moment.
I release my entire being to the gentle nurture of Spirit.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Gray day here this morning.  Slept late.  Dh made chili after he got up.  We'll take it out to my mother's house for Sunday dinner.  Dh like to cook one-pot meals.  I'm happy to vacate the kitchen and let him go!

Yesterday I baked a chocolate angel food cake for dessert today.  I sampled it and it's very good.  Wish I could share it with all of you!

Hugs for Sandra and Mike and Blondie.

So sorry to learn of another life lost to this disease.   Sort of reminds that we are not in charge of the outcome of anything and just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and doing the best we can. 

Our rain has begun -- haven't seen sleet, but that may come during the cool down a bit later.  Still going to work as far as I know  but it is still early enough to do a call-off should it work out that way.  It is gray out and no matter what else happens that is not giving me a fine hour. 

See you all later -- and enjoy that lovely 59 mommarch.

Jackie

Scared me to hear the words Blondie and sad news in the same sentence. Fortunately it's not breast cancer related but she fell and is in the hospital with a broken ankle I believe.

I know.... I posted on the Hermit's..... She has been having so many problems anyway, and now THIS! Thanks Teka! I'll keep looking on the Hermit's to see how she is doing.

Oh I am so sorry to hear about Blondie's mishap. I need to check out the Hermits Club thread.

Thinking about you....Sandra and Mike! (())

I wish I could bundle up some of this wonderful weather and send it to you gals in the north and northeast. We boated on the Canals today and the temp was 80. Then we cooked out burgers and sat on the lanai with friends of ours from Bloomington who are also wintering in the general area.

Yesterday I was really excited. I went to the library and discovered that for $15 I could purchase a library card for 3 months. What a bargain for somebody who loves to read. We have full access to the movies and all things in the library. The Cape Coral library is gorgeous and I left with 6 books! Tomorow Dave is going fishing at Captiva with a friend and I have the day to get things caught up around here and to sit by the pool and read. I'm going to fix us chicken and noodles in the crockpot for dinner. I have never done this with the gluten free noodles so hope it turns out well.

We joined the country club which also had a seasonal rate so Wednesday we're playing golf. I am hoping that we meet some nice people there. We have unlimited golf so I imagine that we will spend alot of time on the course.

I still haven't heard anything about my tests. It has been 9 days so I'm hoping that is good news. I will feel better when I actually know.

Well, I am going to grab one of those new books and dig in! In the meantime, you gals in the cooler climates, stay warm and travel safely if you get sleet or snow and have to get!

Joan.. The grand daughters sound so cute.. and tea parties are so much fun.😃. I'm sure they really do wish you could live with them.. Especially with the separation happening... Maybe they will actually feel a bit happier after it does happen, and they see that life will still go on happily for them...Your grand-daughter is going to feel so proud when you are at her class teaching !!

Rita, so glad that your weather is great and you and dh are enjoying your summer (whoops!  winter) getaway in FL.  How nice that you have unlimited golf.  I haven't played in a couple of weeks. 

Really sorry to hear about Blondie's accident.  Hugs to her.

Joan, I know you will do great teaching your class.  It's wonderful that you enjoy your grandchildren so much.  Wonderful for them as well as you.  Sad that parents get divorced but it seems so common.

Thinking of Mike and Sandra.

Hi to everyone and happy Monday.

Nothing going on weather-wise here right now.  The dreaded "ice" didn't come yesterday -- but the temps are down and so what isn't frozen right now will be this afternoon they say.  Of course, we are all a wee bit jealous, Rita -- but, you do learn to put your best foot forward and plow through whatever Mother Nature tends to let befall. 

That is exciting that you get to ( for what seems quite fair pricing ) partake of the amenities of a full time Fla. resident.  You know, it actually makes sense since there are Snow Birds there so much -- but not actually something I'd have easily thought of beforehand.  Sounds like you are going to definitely have the best of all worlds pretty much no matter where you happen to be.  Right now -- the most impressive for most of us south and east of you is the gorgeous, scrumptious weather.

Joan I was just thinking about you and wondering how you were.  I too, hope your family adjusts with the separation that is going to take place.  I think maybe it is causing some un-ease that may end up being all right once they see that they really can be successful about it.   It is not easy and is another commitment -- just like marriage, to do your level best to make things go right -- for everyone.  As you do have very valid reasons to continue with the path you are on -- I'd likely give them a chance to get into handling life with how it will be for them -- just as they are.  They might surprise themselves.  So hard to say -- but there are I think high numbers of 'separated' or 'divorced' families who learn to traverse the distances ok.  Hoping for you that it goes all right.

Teaching the rock class sounds like a something that will satisfy you ( once the format is fixed ) and be great for the youngsters.  For some reason my sensation is that you will make something somewhat 'mundane' come alive for the kids just as rocks and minerals are. 

Blondie -- can you feel the hugs !!!!!

Thinking of each and everyone of you today.....

Blessings

Jackie

Still no word on Blondie surgery!

The STFU (Shut the F*** UP) thread has information if wish to reach out to Blondie.

Luvmaui, dh and I went to Barnesville two summers ago to the Potato Festival.  We spend the summer near Park Rapids.

The greatest thing a man can do in this world is to make the most
possible out of the stuff that has been given him. This is success, and there
is no other.  ~~~~~~ Orison Swett Marden

Things are becoming more "real." We spent half a day at the hospital today, visiting the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and meeting some of the staff, asking a thousand questions there, then had a long appointment in the Interventional Radiology Clinic. We met the doc who will place Mike's special port next week, learned how it all works, signed all the consent forms, had a medical exam, got a boat load of lab tests scheduled for Thursday and picked up all the forms for a Living Will, Medical Power of Attorney, and Advance Directive. I've had those since my brain stem stroke 2 years ago but Mike was never sick or hospitalized until just before Christmas, so he does not have what he needs.

We learned that he should be in the hospital for at least 30 days after the transplant until he shows signs that his body is beginning to accept the donation, then will have 100 days of virtual isolation at home except for daily, then bi-weekly hospital visits. He can't have animals around him, no plants or flowers, no dust, no dirt, no chance of mold, can't be outside if a neighbor is mowing his grass, can't go in our swimming pool or hot tub, must be covered completely when outside of the house to protect against UV rays that can trigger rejection (!! who knew??) and a hundred other restrictions.

I'm reading Robin Robert's book and am struck by the fact that she was diagnosed in April, found a match two weeks later, but didn't have her transplant until late in September. The docs told us there is no time to waste and this should be done within three months. Puzzled.