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

You always hear people say, "You never know what can happen" but you don't really understand until you have a tragedy like expectantly losing a love one. So sorry Cammi and Termite. I know it's a part of life's circle, but sometimes it's so damn unfair.

Yes Judy,

Age is just a number and where would we be without those numbers rolling in every year.  Not quite as soon as you, but I will be 70 this yr. also.  I found out on my last GYN exam that I don't really need them anymore.  Hmm, the stuff must be really old eh !!! mummified or something. 

To be honest, I've never felt my age very much.  I noticed it pretty well during chemo tx. but other than that ( actually I felt a lot older ) I don't get too excited ( maybe that part isn't working either ) about it.  I think as well, the younger we were when we 'experienced' much older people -- as back then in some areas there was no make-up, no regular trips to get hair and nails done, we saw those ladies especially, as pretty old.  Now, many that I know go on a regular basis to be dolled up and they don't seem old even when you know  they are well past you. 

Lastly, I've never been this ago so till I got here I didn't know what it was going to feel like and to my surprise, it doesn't feel much different than most of my 10 yr. segments of time. 

If all else fails, when people find out that were 70 -- they might finally cut us some slack.  Had to be something good about it -- right ???

Jackie

Here's a photo of Lew and me at Friday's wedding.

Sandra that must have scared you big time to have code blue called out. Hope by now the fever is down and the reason identified and treated. I'm hoping Mike looks as healthy in a year as Robin Roberts does now.

Chevy - you surely got a page from my teenage diary telling about Chantilly and White Shoulders. I hadn't thought of those scents for years. My brother saved all his money and got grandma Evening in Paris for Christmas one year. Seemed like he saved for months to get a tiny very vivid blue vial of the stuff.

The first piece of furniture I ever bought was a stereo console much like the one in the picture above, but no TV. I really thought I was important. Oh there was a lot to learn back then about what is really important.

The weather and flu are crazy here too. Snow today, 45 degrees tomorrow. Grandkids have had the flu and are now recovering. But I have not seen them for a while in order to stay clear of that virus. I am really concerned about the measles outbreak west of us. It is a miserable virus. Sure hope it is contained soon.

The work on my basement should be done by next Monday. That flood sure did damage, but things look good now that it is all repaired. Hope the upcoming week is good for everyone.

Hi all, Am enjoying reading back a few days...as always!  Entertaining, nostalgic, happy and sad...what an amazing group of ladies.  Some of you are enduring so much and yet you take time to be "present' in the little things and memories in life.

Jackie, your quote a few pages back about taking time for the inner self - to rest and be in touch with nature - really is important.  I can't say how many times I've done that - rest and take in the world and its beauty - and felt "guilty" like I had to get back to cleaning the basement or something....being close to nature truly nourishes the soul.
As a kid growing up in a post-war new suburb, everything seemed to be paved.  I used to long for green and high points so I could have a long view.  We had a mini farm at the end of our street behind a French Restaurant - but the best place was the woods near my house and a little creek, just a few feet off the main road.  I'd go there just to get lost in the quiet beauty. 

Sandra, hugs and prayers for you...you have been through so much.  How quickly life can change.  I hope Mike can get out of there soon and gain his strength and health enough for the procedure ahead.  Meanwhile, how are you feeling?  You must  be exhausted.

Cammi, oh, how sad for you...and not fair that it was so sudden...so hard to accept.  I hope you can focus on good memories and happy times.

Puffin, great photo!  You look so pretty.

Di, I am with you - allergic to all wool and NO woolen blankets for me!  I hope you feel better very soon.

Sandra, MBean, I am a '66 girls too...My brother played folk guitar and played Kingston Trio songs at home-grown hootenanys.  He and the girls in their crowd were goodie two shoes and I was the b-a-d girl who like Bandstand and oldies and rock and liked to sneak out with my friends and get into trouble. We cut school and took the bus/train to NYC for the day - we got free tickets at Rockefeller Center to be in the audience at live tapings of game shows.  (I know, Chevy, you'd be shocked)
 I resented the folk music and that brother's goody-ness...but I do remember all those songs and they really were great.  Remember Tom Dooley, and Where have all the Flowers Gone? along with "The MTA" ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTeeTyGsFBg

My oldest brother was cool...he taught me how to play piano when I was 5 and he would sing Elvis songs into the vacuum cleaner pipes. And he took me driving when I was 12.   I need to see him...we are not getting younger. And middle folksy brother and I turned out to be very close over the years! 

PS - that "hi fi" cabinet - my DH built one in shop class and we had it in our first home for years.  Maybe I can find a photo.  We used it for a buffet, mostly. 

We are awaiting the "monster storm" developing for the NE. I am in the 20" + snow zone on the map.  We are prepared - have to go to work tomorrow and am hoping night classes will be canceled. 
Be safe and stay warm...

Oh, and if I had that recipe for peach fluff, I wouldn't have had kale, spinach and mushrooms for breakfast!

OMG Joan,

I have to say you had an excellent breakfast -- all those items scrambled into some eggs would have been extremely fantastic.  We have such a time with our eating.  Over the years ( though for a fair amt. of time we didn't have great avenues to find it all out until the Internet )  no matter how much we ate fresh from the summer gardens, it always held true --- the forbidden and more un-affordable sweets of almost any kind, as well as things starting to come heavily processed in some way, in boxes -- always had such a wonderful taste.  I'm sure to a degree ( probably more for me not being much of a cook in the beginning )  we become addicted somewhat to the taste, as well as ease of the quick cook food that is packaged in colorful boxes.  Who'd have thought a box of Mac & Cheese would have a come hither look almost, eh !!!!

While I listened to a lot of really old music at times, I was an American Bandstand type all the way.  Such variety in artists though there were some one-hit wonders  -- like the man who sang " The Cheater ".  He and his band.  Can't recall his name just now -- can you wait till tomorrow -- it might have come to me by then.

Of course, it is not possible but don't you sometimes wonder -- knowing what you know now -- how it might be if you could go back to earlier times and have a do-over.  I envision that I would like pretty much all the same things --- I think I would try to REALLY live in the moments and savor them as more than the stepping-stones of my future.  We are likely for the most part though , I would think, all the same way.  Nothing most of the time was wrong with our todays -- but the eagerness for what the next morning would bring usually diminished any problems or disappointments. 

So, I am grateful every day for the time I get to try and live life with appreciation.  Every morning when I wake up and my chest is moving in and out I see it as opportunity.  Most of my days have a sameness about them, but I see people whom I can smile at, and give a cheery hi to.  I visit with my feral cat crowd that is quite large right now at one spot.  I keep losing count --- somewhere between 12 to maybe 15 or 16 even.  They will thin a lot in Spring as females go through the first "heat".  Seems like I'm going to Wal-Mart so often to replenish the food supply just lately.  Lots of people to smile to there.

Sun for awhile here but Joan --  wow.  The East coast to the North is going to get such a storm.  I listened to the news ( Al Roker on Today ) and it just took my breath away almost at what is coming.  I wish they were wrong, but I don't think they are.  It just sounds like a very horrible storm.  I know it is not the first time --- but one thing about being here -- you make friends with so many from all over -- and you hate to hear about the in-conveniences and hope that it is not much more.  I can scarcely imagine 3 feet of snow at one time and drifts much higher.  It just all sounds so un-safe and dangerous.  My thoughts and prayers will be with everyone and lots of hope that they are able to get through.  We did see as well -- many empty store shelves as people gear up with food supplies.  Hope they have lots of fresh water too. 

I hope your night classes are cancelled as well.  It is by far enough to have to go out during the day -- which I likely wouldn't attempt either as I'm something of a wimp I think for anything that sounds so extreme. 

Take care all and know that I'm thinking of each of you. 

Hugs "Blondie" and "Sandra & Mike ", and " Di ", and anyone else who is going thru or trying to get thru something. 

"Cammie" for you and your family.

See you all later.  I'll be here off and on.

Blessings,

Jackie

Sandra n mike thinking of u all the time

Puff love the pix

Hate folk music, motown all the way

Thank am still in rehab cause ins have to leave here n go to another 1. Happened jan 10th. No weight bearing 4 6 weeks, so leaving here on sunday i think. The left ankle is sprained not able to heal cause am hopping on it. Surgeon tomorrow,  but who knows doesn't look like we will b getting alot of snow.

Am being taken care of well, n waited on if i le4 them, thank u 4 u r prayers, bbl

Quiet here!
Jackie, I did make those healthy vegetables in an egg-white omelette.  I am always experimenting.  I cooked the vegetables first, then stirred the eggs in a pan to half-cook them.  I poured them into a deep dish, added the vegetables, some mounds of goat cheese and topped with some parmesan  grated with gluten-free crumbs.  I also stirred in a few tablespoons of pancake batter - amazingly it sank to the bottom and made a thin crust. (baked for 30 minutes)... I surprised myself.  I cut it into wedges and take it to work every day.

I worked Monday but left at 1 PM - easy trip home on slick roads.  Night classes canceled and no work for two more days.  I am completely relaxed...we fed the birds some extra seed...they were packing it in before the storm.  I cooked a big pot of chili and watched tennis and reality TV.  Maybe I'll sort through some photos today and do some mending.

Jackie, I don't remember the song you mentioned - did you google?  I am a huge oldies fan and love most pop music.  My mom also played Broadway, big bands and classical so I was exposed to a lot of things I still love.  I'm with Blondie - I don't love folk but can appreciated the times.

(((Blondie))), my friend, that is one  heck of a slow recovery ahead of you.  One step at a time....I guess you get to stay put while the roads are being cleared.  I hope you are not in too much discomfort.

(((Sandra, thinking of you & Mike))).  I hope today is a good day for you both.
I found out on FB that my DD from Boston is in San Antonio and missing the storm...I guess she will be "stuck" there until flights can get into the northeast - but San Antonio is a wonderful place to spend extra time.  Her husband still lives with them; and he is more than capable of holding down the fort with the girls. 

OK ... when I went to bed, it was blowing snow, but there were a few inches ... when I awoke at 5 AM my deck was filled with snow and drifts up to the door handles.  It's still snowing and blowing...they are downsizing the storm on the news, but I'd wait until it's over.

There is something greater and purer than what the mouth utters.  Silence illuminates our souls, whispers to our heart, and brings them together.

Khalil Gibran

Sunny morning here after a bit of snow dusting yesterday.  Warming and we are rapidly turning to mud -- SIGH !!!!!  Have to rush out to work but I did look up that name Joan and the song " The Cheater " was done by  Bob Cuban and the In Men.  It was his one and only hit -- a fairly big one, but nothing came after no matter how hard he tried so in awhile it became a thing where he was playing one nighters in clubs.  He was really talented, but some things are not meant to be I guess. 

Off to work, but I'll be back later. 

Thinking of you all and especially those on the East coast. 

Blessings,

Jackie

Good info, Chevy. I have a wallet with credit card and license slots that block scanning. (Got it from QVC) I can't imagine how that must have been for you-I think we all carry our "lives" in our purses. I did have Amazon call me last month-seems someone was trying to use my card to pay for their car insurance. They declined the charge and sent me a new card. Funny thing is that it is one card I never carry with, and I only use it for my .99 kindle books. Don't know how that happened.

That's GREAT news Sandra! I'm just HAPPY for you guys!

Beans! So do you have an Amazon card? It must have happened "on-line" right? Was it something within Amazon? It had to be, if you don't carry that card??

I'm always wondering about on-line purchases... When I order it's usually through Pay-Pal, and in turn out of my checking account... Same as using my Debit card to buy things online.... But you always wonder about how safe it really is!

I don't keep as much in my checking anymore... My SS check and Pension goes into my checking, so I'm always checking, and moving it over to my savings. But I don't carry my Debit card with me, unless I am going to use it... And we don't have any credit cards.... I don't carry a check-book either, because one time I had my purse snatched right off my shoulder walking to my car at a shopping center. A truck pulled up, and the guy reached out, and grabbed my shoulder strap, and just drove off!!!

I was hanging on, and screaming, and trying to run along with the truck, but he got it anyway!.... Another gal saw this.... followed him.... got the License plate, and they later got him, but of course no purse... nothing.

I had to go down & try and identify pictures in a book... And I didn't think I could...because I only saw the back of his raggedy old head... But I picked one out, and said this looks like the back of his head... And it was HIM! He had been arrested 6 other times for "theft" but this time it was "robbery" because I hurt my shoulder/arm, trying to hang onto my purse, while his truck was pulling me along. It was so long ago... It was in 1999, and I remember because my Dad had just died, and I always carried his little black comb in my purse... just to have something of his with me... I had combed his hair in the hospital his last night .... And I lost that comb.....

I didn't have to go to trial.... They said I didn't need to... I was just so afraid that when he got out, he would come after me, because he HAD all of my information from my purse!

I don't know what happened with that case..... It's like the purse didn't matter as much .... not even the $12.... or all my information, and license.... It was that comb.

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/132729103.html

It is a nice morning here -- mainly as the sun is shining.  Di, hope you check in -- and that the flu hasn't gotten you down.  Chevy, that is such a touching story and I bet everyone here can relate in some way to something that has been "lost" in some way that is for us an immense treasure.  My Mom passed away in 1998 and I still look for the guest book that people sign when they go to the wake.  I don't know why something ( a little odd ) should matter so much to me.  Maybe because it is a written record of all the people who cared about her. 

Mom  was so much to others and so very much to me and yet every time I peek into a closet or box I haven't looked into for a long time --- I feel an urge to concentrate on discovering that book.  I have been tortured for 17 yrs. about where that book ended up.  Maybe I'll never know.  Sigh !!  So, I do know exactly what it feels like not to have a comb.  That was such a horrible way to lose it too. 

People ( like the guy who took your purse ) don't realize what they actually take from us. 

I don't carry credit cards or even a debit card.  I've really thought about getting one as many times I come up a bit short of cash and no way to get more till the bank is open.  In part, I worry about forgetting ( if I use it ) to make the deduction from my check-book.  Rare, but I've forgotten to do that a time or two without a debit card.  Little slips of paper can  disappear  ( thinking of dh's many oops ) and so all this time I've avoided this possible life complication for myself.  I also seldom purchase things on line.  Dh is good at it, but I'm so un-techy that I don't feel at ease about it.  Well, I have been late to the self discovery of everything new -- even the computer.  We didn't have one till we moved back home here which is in fact going on 18 yrs. now.  I spent my first 5 or so yrs. using it waiting for it to actually explode I think.  Electronic things -- especially the ones that need a satellite in the sky -- will I think always remain a mystery to me.  I have though gotten almost toooo comfy with my computer. 

I hope you are all going to have a good day.  I will be here off and on as I will be stuck in the house with some projects that just can't wait any longer. 

Blessings

Jackie 

Hugs to Blondie, Sandra & Mike. 

I went to the cemetery today to take pictures, and got locked in the mausoleum! I had locked the door behind me, figuring I didn't want anyone coming in behind me who didn't have their own key. When I was ready to leave, I couldn't get the key to unlock any of the 3 doors, and then my key got stuck in the last door and I couldn't get it out. I had my phone with, and surprise, it was even charged. I called the cemetery office and got the answering machine and left a message to have someone come and let me out. After 10" I managed to get the door open, then couldn't get it to lock behind me so I called the office and left another message that I'd gotten out but they still needed to send someone to lock up the building. So, I learned 2 things: always make sure I have a charged cell phone with me in the mausoleum, and don't bother locking the door when I go in, that was too scary not to be able to get out.