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

Blondie,

Sending you get well wishes....glad that rehab is taking care of you and feeding you too.....all I can say about your injury is OUCH!!!!

Hugs,

Di

Jackie.....GOOD NEWS for you......I was cleaning my spare rooms, which has not been done in over 2 years (2 year "cancer-versary" was Dec 21)....I came across a spare Verilux Happy Light, which I have never used, and has never been out of the packing.....it is YOURS just for the shipping cost, just PM me your address and they will be sent via UPS/Fed ex or mail.....

I have two additional happy lights that are used by my dogs, that my vet recommended 3 or 4 years ago for them, I also have natural spectrum light bulbs and tubes all over my house for the last 14 years and have not needed to replace them (VERILUX.com)

This is what I am sending you (if you want it):

These are pics of my dogs enjoying the lights:

Hugs,

Di

May 2014 in a Chicago speakeasy. First symptoms happened then. Lightheaded.

From his days as an Air Force pilot.

This was about 30 lbs ago. Taken about this time last year. He hasn't ridden his motorcycle in several months.

Sandra,

Great Pics of Mike.....Wasn"t that recluse spider bite getting all the blame for his light headed/anemia instead of MDS?

I got the one side of the mouth...non cold sore last week like we talked about.....I must be anemic....nothing new.

Good morning friends,
I still have 3 pages to read (prolific writers here, as always!) so my comments may seem less relevant.
After my school presentation Thursday, I had a very stressful day at work Friday.  I was already sick...I have been in the house, mainly in bed, since  (sinus, ears, throat).   Am improving and finally slept most of the night.

Jackie, I loved your post about being in the moment.  We miss so much of life when we think back, too far ahead, or entertain negative thoughts. 

Thanks Lucy, Rita, Carole, Jackie & others for your supportive comments about my visit to the 3rd grade.  It was challenging...80 kids in one room, no table for me to put my wonderful samples on...but, as any teacher does, I sprouted wings and pushed on.  Their favorites were the fluorescent minerals and the meteorite collection.  I let them touch a 4.6 billion year old meteorite and they seemed impressed.  After it was over, I thought of all the things I didn't do, but quickly changed my thinking to "whew" I adapted pretty well considering they did not make any plans for my arrival! 

Thank you also for your supportive comments about my DD's separation.  I am no longer fighting it, and am trying to be supportive as much as I can.  If I take the focus off my own feelings, I can better help them move forward.  Your encouragement helps.

I went back to DD's but felt ill so I took the ferry back from CT to LI to sleep in my own bed. 

Sandra, sending hugs, positive thoughts, and prayers your way.  The plan for DH is a long road ahead.  I did not know most of what you explained.  I know you can do this...if you focus on one day at a time.   It sounds like DH will receive the best of care.

Will read and catch up...this is a holiday for me...no work.  Classes start tomorrow. 

Good morning,

Since we are all for the most part well seasoned here -- I came across a small collection of quotes having to do with AGE, ahem.  Well, they were all delightful and so I decided rather than picking out one that said something to me --- maybe I'd end up putting them all in and each of us hopefully will SEE at least one that speaks loud and clear.  I truly liked the first and last one -- but also what Brigitte Bardot said struck a chord. 

I do like the idea that I ripen as the years go by rather than turning stale and moldy.  Honestly though, it seems you can feel old when things aren't working quite right -- especially for me during chemo I felt as though some age had caught up with me -- but once I felt good, "youth" returned and has hung around fairly well ever since. 

I worry only so long as to position myself in a spot where I can move forward generally.  I gave up on saving the world some time back and focus more on saving my sanity.  What little is left anyway.  Other than that I attempt to fill life ,mine and that around me with love, tolerance, good cheer and a little hope.  None cost very much and the more you attempt you give away, the more you seem to have.   A lot of my life had difficulty, and I've chosen to give that up and go for easy now -- that just came from realizing it was a choice I could make. 

So, don't forget who is in charge -- especially when something happens that accidentally makes you FEEL some AGE.  Just go back to where you were in charge and then charge ahead.   Just simplify and keep on, keeping on.

Off to my chores, breakfast and my food class -- I keep having to take the thing --eerrrgggg-- because I lose inspiration for eating right and exercising.  Also, it is nice that for $30.00 I can get free use of the indoor walking track however many times I have time to go during the 6 wk. class -- and free use of the gym equipment on class days.  Seriously thinking of trying the yoga class  as well.  Not only for the stability it could provide, but also I think you can get in tune with some really good breathing practices.  Anything I do has to take into consideration my little job.  I won't let anything interfere with that. 

The sun is out and we will get another warm day before we have to start thinking cooler.  This has been such a blessing after some pretty rugged cold ( all of course further enhanced by that cruel Murphy while our furnace was out ) was taking place.  Its amazing to me to have such swings going on.  I note this a.m. it felt way too warm in the house to suit me and I turned the furnace down a notch.  Sssh, Dh sometimes seems colder than me and doesn't always remember to take note when the coolish air has warmed almost too much.  Good thing he has me to nearly rip the thermostat out of the wall in my haste to turn it down to breathable level in here.  Off and running and I will check in later this afternoon.  See you all then.

Blessings,

Jackie

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1193222780705316&set=vb.199633956730875&type=2&theater

Hi everyone

Good Mon morning. Sorry I haven't been here for awhile, I've been reading and keeping up each day, just haven't had much to say. I have done a lot of "spring cleaning" - cleaning and organizing my room and closet here in Ga, which I haven't done since we moved into this house. All that's left is paperwork- yuck!

A friend from Ft Lauderdale is coming to visit her daughter (who has been one of Nancy's best friends from church since middle school) from Feb 1st- 8th. I have made my reservations to fly home with her on the 8th. We will see each other during that week as well- maybe a movie and lunch. They are about an hour from us, but the Mall of Georgia is right in the middle, so that gives us plenty of options.

I will be heading over to So Carolina at the end of the week to spend some time with Lucia. If you remember, I told you that my son is miserable living there but his wife refused to even entertain the idea of moving. Well, somehow, he got through to her and she is now open to the idea. He is spending every possible minute researching school standings from Jacksonville to West Palm. His hope is to be no more than 3 hours from camp so he can go home every weekend during the summers. He hopes to have several areas chosen by this summer, so they can spend time actually looking at homes over the summer. He says his goal is to be moved by next summer ( a year from now). My DIL's best friend came to visit this weekend, and really supported the idea of them moving closer.

My son also invited me to Lucia's first visit to Disneyworld the weekend after I get home. It will be fun watching her see the "real" characters for the first time.

Sandra- my thoughts and prayers are with you and Mike constantly. I so understand some of what you are going thru. It wasn't only Bob's blood pressure that would drop, it was aLso his sugar levels. One day he got mad at me and stormed out of the house about 10am. He came back about 4 and asked if I wanted to go out to eat that night. We went about 5:30 or so. He seemed okay when we got in the car ( I was driving, thank God), but as we drove along he got loud and seemed drunk, although he hadn't had anything to drink. Then he got really confused, holding his cell phone, telling me he had to call a guy from work, but couldn't remember the guy's name. Problem was, he hadn't worked for years. I mentioned every name I could think of, but none were right. When we got to the restaurant, he wouldn't get out of the car till he made his call. We met our DD and GS there, so I went in and got a table( there was no wait) and ordered him a coke, then went out to get him. By this time, he was calling me "Lady" and I knew we needed to go to the ER. He passed out soon after I started driving, and all I could do was elbow him in the ribs to make him grunt so I knew he was still breathing. Again thankGod my DD was with us- by the time we got to the hospital, she had gotten home aNd spoke to our neighbor who was the head of ER nursing at the hospital I was headed to. As I pulled up, there was a full team waiting for us, they took him immediately, and by the time I got thru security he was conscious, knew his name and who I was, and where he was, but had no idea how he had gotten there. Stupid man- mad at me, so he had gone to our other DD's house and watched TV all day, but ate only an apple all day! He definitely had control of his sugar levels when he chose to, but once he started dialysis, his blood pressure would drop unexpectedly. We had one ambulance ride in Ga after he passed out, and several other close calls.

I remember fighting with him at one point close to the end because he was running a fever and refused to go to the ER. My DS, in SC, kept saying to me, don't ask him, just take him. I asked how I was supposed to get him to the car. Rob said call 911and I said in have tried that before- as long as he is conscious and can answer routine questions, he has the right to refuse to go. Finally, in tears, I went to my neighbor ( the ER guy) and he said not to worry- either the fever would come down, or he would pass out from dehydration or low sugar levels since he wasn't eating or drinking anything, and then we could call for help. I finally got him to go to the ER the next day, and he was admitted. That was the infection that destroyed the atrium valve in his heart and several months later killed him.

So hang in there, Sandra- Mike sounds like he is taking this seriously and doing everything he can to help himself and you. Make sure you take care of yourself. Maybe you could get a friend to visit with Mike while you go for a cup of coffee with someone. I know it is scary to leave him, but you might both feel better after. You are both on my church's prayer chain and in my prayers constantly.

Anne

Oh the pictures and cartoons on the last couple pages were fun to read. I think I've caught up on most of the news. Glad to see Cammi has not forgotten us because we miss her. Also glad Chevy didn't find her in the alley. I'm watching your posts Sandra and hoping each day is OK. The pictures of you in Alaska are gorgeous. Blondie hope you are feeling good today and that a little sunshine has come your way. We had sun for two days and warmer weather here. Now I need to get out and clean the yard of doggie bombs as my grandkids call them.

I've been traveling all over the area the last couple weeks. Drove three hours each way to attend a four hour face paint lesson that was excellent. And I've also driven to see that old boyfriend again - this is getting to be a habit! Frequent phone calls make me feel a little like an infatuated high school girl again. Not bad for an old bag.

Jackie I enjoyed all the quotes about aging. The one about wearing age like a garment well and in style was clever!

Cuddledud sheets? Now that is something new to me, but sounds glorious. They could really make a bedroom attached to that fancy bathroom like Chevy's would make life luxurious. NIght all. Stay as well as you can.

Morning everyone,

It's sort of sunny outside right now ( muted a bit ) but I do think we are getting another little bout of warmth -- then, well not so good.  I'm not in that much of a hurry really, but am wondering a bit how February will be here.  There have been a number of times when we have been outdoors in shirt sleeves, but with the g. warming it is just as likely to have snowstorms I would think.

Back to being able to lose some weight.  I seem to not be so good with that ( I'm such a cheater ) unless I'm going to the NeXt class that is sponsored by our Felician Sisters and the local Rec Center.  I've taken the class now about five times. The good thing is --- every time while the material is presented factually and evidence-based  -- the voice inflection and often some new little found-out tidbits continues to actually keep it interesting. 

No two seconds in our life are ever alike -- every one is new and brings its newness into everything.  So the exact same presentation/lecture/speech always has a reward in it.  Even if just for our hearing it after our seconds too have undergone change.  Good thing eh !!!!  I have been using the same binder and the margin notes are about to totally take over some pages.  I think at some point -- I'll have to get clean filler pages if I continue taking the class.

Onward to a happy day -- a work morning for me that is always pretty good.

See you all later.

Thinking of everyone with positive energy hopes and thoughts.

Blessings,

Jackie

Anne, I think your logic about visiting in nice weather is good.  I normally don't mind winter but this year I am minding it.  I find myself feeling a little down in the dumps and that's unusual.  I'm sure the foot problems have something to do with it since those issues have slowed me down and caused me to be more sedentary. 

We had a beautiful day today, sunny and a high in the low 70's.  I played golf and wore a short-sleeved shirt.  Pants, too!  Adding that for Chevy whose mind is racing.  I had to limp from time to time but I finished the 18 holes.  I didn't play well but that's nothing new.

Tomorrow is supposed to be like today so one more beautiful day to enjoy before rain and cold return. 

Jackie, I admire the way you always seem to be positive in your outlook.  I often think about you in the morning when I'm using my Nutri-Bullet to make a smoothie for breakfast.  I have used that small appliance a lot and it does the job. 

Wren,

I am also VERY VERY scent sensitive......horrible allergies....I avoid all stores that have perfume near an entrance......and on cruise ships I avoid walking anywhere near the duty free shop that sells all the perfumes....aaaack!

Di

Happy Wednesday all

My husband was very sensitive to scents, so I stopped wearing any many, many moons ago. I remember going over to wish my neighbor a Happy Birthday one year. She had gotten a perfume that was advertised to smell different on every person who wore it. She talked me into putting the slightest bit on my wrist to see if the ad was true. I don't remember if it was or not, but as soon as we went to bed that night- hours later- Bobasked why I had perfume on. I had to get out of bed and scrub my wrist before he could sleep. Until then, I had thought his "sensitivity" was more that he didn't want me spending money on luxuries than any thing else- I found out scents were a real issue for him.

We are celebrating GS's 13th birthday tonight with dinner at Chili's. His choice.

Anne

Life is a riddle. We cannot expect to understand life's twists and turns as they occur each day,  and we greatly frustrate ourselves in the futile attempt.  Be content to appreciate that there is an overarching purpose, though that purpose be known only to God, and to history.  Choose service. Choose joy. Accept the unknowing.
Jonathan Lockwook Huie

It's turning cold again here after gorgeous 75-80 degree days over the holiday weekend. Not looking forward to the next few days. It's so much easier to be happy these days when it's nice weather and it doesn't take much overcast weather to reverse the mood.