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

We had a beautiful warm day but the cold air is moving back in....that's OK - I'm still working and indoors most of the day.  The AC is on and it is cold -- so I wear "fall / spring" clothes all year.

Carole, thinking of you and hoping your surgery is on schedule so your recovery can begin as soon as possible. 

Jackie, I did love your quote about "practicing" a positive view of the world.  So much of what we feel is perception and viewpoint.  There is beauty in each day and we can find it if we choose.

Rita, good to see you....I am still reading back.  As soon as I publish final grades (tomorrow) and send in a few purchase orders, I will be ready to catch up on things I want to do.

I have a new office and it has brought some quiet calm to my day.  A window...fresh air...new furniture...no clutter...(yet)...I still have a work space in my old room where I take care of my preparations and lab supplies and maintenance.  But being able to retreat to a quiet spot has helped greatly to relieve stress and encourage focusing.

I am thinking of those who are dealing with health issues with themselves or with loved ones. 

Morning gals... Carol I was reading back, and trying to find if you talked about what they are going to do with your foot... I knew you were having a lot of problems, but didn't know your diagnosis... or what they will repair it.

It's such a PAIN, when you can't get around like you are used to! I still use a cane sometimes.... like when we go walking around the Colorado Mills shopping center... And THAT is hard, trying to hold my purse, packages, AND a Starbuck's! One time I had to stop in one of the stores and buy an umbrella, because we were 1/2 way around, and my cane, of course, was left in the car. But it worked... and then later put a rubber tip on the bottom. Saw a lot of people using one for a cane, when it was raining outside... Ha!

I even found one of those fancy schmancy ones with feet on the bottom, that stands, AND it has a light! Like I'm going to be out wandering around at night somewhere, or even in my house!

So good-luck, we'll be thinking of you....xoxox

Mommarch, could it be your meds causing that problem? Hope you can weather yet another "storm"....

Visited my friend Carol, who is in a Care Center getting rehab, after her stroke last month... She is a "little" better, but still really struggles to say more than one or two words... Can move her right arm a little more, but can scoot down the hall, using her wheel-chair with her left leg....

We can make her laugh, but I'm just so worried about when they release her, and send her HOME! I know she wants to GO, but she lives alone, and will need a lot of help, just getting around, or communicating when they let her go..... Her Son seems to have things under control, so I sure hope so.... I don't think she could even use the phone..... not yet anyway.

Hi to Joan, Rita, Teka, Wren, Bonnets & YOU little Jackie! And everyone else on the last pages... Ha...! Talk to you later!

Cammilegal

Happy Bithday! Haven't heard from you in a while. Hope everything is ok.

Anne

Happy Birthday Cammie --- I hope it is stupendous.

Just like you.

Blessings

Jackie

Well, it is really pretty ( fairly cool ) out today.  By tomorrow likely will be raining.  I do feel like we are getting weather that is a bit more normal for April.  We get what we get and as long as it is not something really difficult on people ( like tornadoes, or earthquakes or erupting volcano's ) I think I just should be happy.

Chevy -- I have to admit that I have followed Carole's adventures with the bad foot too and have forgotten if the problem is in the front of the foot, the back or the arch area.  I just try too hard I think to keep too many facts in my head I guess -- well, that does sound good even to me.  I'm sure with how active Carole is that all any of us want, is for her to have great success with this foot fix.  No one is anxious for the most part ( especially at our age ) to go get 'cut' on anywhere so I would imagine it was far rougher than she made it sound when she talked about it.   

Mommarch, hope you will try the melatonin Sweet Hope mentioned.  Whatever it takes to try and get us on the best level --- especially when we need  ( no choice ) to take some of the heavy-duty drugs we sometimes need.  Just hoping you soon get it all under control.

Chevy -- how close does your friend live to where your located.  I too hope she is able to go home and BE home after she is done at rehab.  Other than a Dr.'s visit or something like that --- she may be able to do most of what she needs to do at home just by being patient.  Knowing I'm talking about something that I did not have to worry over as I had my Dh at home when I came home from my stroke.  Just feeling like if the rehab can get her going with the skills that will be highly important -- like bathing, teeth, etc. a lot of what she might need to deal with can be handled by taking as much time as she needs to accomplish it. 

I often have never been a truly patient soul, and since Dh was home --- I didn't have to concern myself too much, but I do think if you have some luxury of time, you may be able to find out ( trial and error ) really good ways of doing things for yourself.  Here's hoping !!!

Anyway, I'll be checking in later.....see you then.

Blessings

Jackie

Hi gals! Just got back from my Mother's Day Lunch with DD and Rosie.... It was so fun....! We met at Appleby's, and then I stopped and bought 4 more tomato plants at Home Depot.... Got THEM in the pots, so I should be done planting....

Jackie, she lives far... like 10 miles, but I can still go by once in awhile! She needs a LOT of help.... She can't stand yet, on her own.... not to mention being able to talk on the phone.... All she has going for her, is she can laugh and cry.... and move her left hand and arm, like for the TV remote control.

She probably eats with her left hand, but she is right-handed.... I think she needs help going to the bathroom, to bed, to her wheel-chair.... Her right foot is still in that brace thing, to keep it up... otherwise, it will pull down....

I complained about using the walker, when I broke the top of my leg... the femur neck... My leg just hung there, once I got up. They put a rod, and a few screws, but it took about a YEAR, and I don't usually use a cane, unless we are walking far.... but to not be able to even stand.... much less walk, would really get to you, mentally..... At least they sound like they know what they are doing.... Mike has to have 12 hour care for her at least! Maybe not all night, but I'm not even sure about that.... She can FEEL her leg.... just not move it.... Something about that part of her brain, not being able to signal it.... same with her speech.... she TRYS, but can't get the words out....

I think it's because she laid there for maybe 4-5 hours.... on the ground.... Until her Son was called to find out where she was.... They talk about those "alerts".... those things you wear, but you have to be able to press a button, and she wouldn't have been able to do even that.... Some kinds "sense" something wrong, and will call for help, but I don't know about them.....

My friend Theresa had one, but it was connected to her phone.... And again, you have to be able to push the button, then someone on the phone will ask you if you are alright.... I suppose if you don't answer, they will send emergency help out? But she didn't have the service that would "sense" something wrong, or a "fall"....to automatically send out help.

You just never think about being totally disabled like that.... to not be able to tell someone what you are thinking, much less move.....

How are you Carole? And Cammi? You had a B'Day? Are we still talking about those? But any reason to celebrate, is reason enought! Ha~ !!!

Chevy, if your friend gets intensive rehab from the beginning she may get some of her abilities back, although I think this might depend on her fitness before the stroke and her current age. My 37yr old daughter had a stroke on May 23rd last year. She lost the use of her right hand side and doesn't look like getting 100% use of it back.

Her problem didn't start that day as she had a malignant brain tumour when she was 10 and the surgery for it left her as if she had a stroke down her left hand side. After the treatment for the cancer she was moved to a home for crippled children where she underwent full on physical, occupational and speech therapy. Monday to Friday she spent 6 hrs a day in the gym with her therapists and got the week-ends off for good behaviour, lol. She went from being a rag-doll in a wheelchair to walking (with a slight limp) out of there 8 months later. Mind you, she was left handed before all this and had to learn to use her RHS. which would be difficult at anytime, without her speech being impaired by having her left eye and side of face dropping.

This time her face wasn't affected but she now can't control her right hand or leg and scoots around in her wheelchair using her left leg for getting around. We understand her when she talks but are not sure if strangers can understand her as her speech is a bit slurred and sounds even worse on the phone. Kellie spent 34 weeks in hospital, mostly waiting for a placement in a group home where she gets 24hr care with all facets of food preparation, bathing etc,. We had to do this as I could not physically take care of her any more due to my frailty with bone mets and it was also better to get her establlished before my number came up. Also, our house is what we call a 'high set' here in Australia, which means that all the living area is set on the first floor and underneath is used as the laundry, garage, workshop and storage, gardening junk area. Trying to get her up or down 14 stairs was beyond both my husband and I so, even if we sold this place and went to a 'low set' home it still wouldn't be in her best interests in the long term.

She now lives in a lovely modern home which she shares with three other 'clients' and has settled down to her new life better than I ever expected. The people who run the home have set her up with 2 per week swimming sessions in a heated therapy pool, wheelchair dancing lessons (with the aid of a carer) and a day out shopping or going to the movies or for a drive, along with family and our visits, when she has time that is.

I thought she might get depressed and start having hissy fits once she realised that her new normal is nothing like it was a year ago, but all in all, she has accepted her restricted circumstances with grace. I just hope she continues to progress physically and gets some more of her abilities back.

I hope this gives you a bit of insight into what your friend may have to accept so that she keeps on trying to move one step further on her journey.

best wishes to you and your friend,

Sheila.

Chevy - After my Mother's stroke, both PT and OT people came to her house to evaluate, test and re-train. They were covered under Medicare but I can't remember for how long. Several months I think. They taught the care-giver (s) (mostly my Dad) how to work w/her every day.

Thanks Minus.... When I talk to her Son, I'll see if he is aware of that.... She lives alone... Always has... Volunteers for several places, and her and her fiance' travel around the world....

I honestly don't know what her days are like, in the Care Center.... We only see her about twice a week, for about 1/2 hour... And they are always coming to work with her it seems like.... Just hope she gets the same care from home....

I know she probably gets a lot of visitors, but we have only seen her Grand-daughter and her Son.... I will be so happy when she can talk to me.....

Ah, now I remember.  So glad you are doing pretty good Carole. When I read your dx and how it was done --- I really thought --- well, staying off of it so it could get a good start healing really sounds like the thing to do.  I'm still thinking my Dh had that done one time, but I forgot to ask him.

Hope you stay pain free and enjoy those books.  A nap or so likely might feel half way good too.

Got Dh off this morning -- or I should say -- he did it himself.  He was being picked up by family who were coming from Tennessee and they should get into Sioux Falls, S. Dakota sometime tonight -- after 9 p.m. or so.  I think they have likely run into rain and I'm sitting here waiting for it here.

I'm working tomorrow night and then taking care of a friend's cats while she is gone to FLA. for three days -- Dh will be back right around when I start.  Then later on the last three and a half days of the month I'll go stay with the little lady I sit with.  So, this month will really be busy for me.  Also trying to go to the gym at least once a day.  I walked a mile today and rode a bike for 3 miles and used the elliptical workout machine for just a bit.  Since it is full body work-out I don't spend too much time on it. 

See you all later.

Jackie 

Elevated feet.

My iPad is being weird and wouldn't let me type.

Nice "do" Puffin.

Carole, I had a rollabout for foot surgery. The first time I rented one that had a basket so I could haul inns around. Second time that kind wasn't available so I got a cheap bike basket from Walmart. Thankfully, I won't need them. again and can walk pain free. Heal we'll.

I am concerned about Sandra, she has not posted for along time.

Wed. was a bad day, laid down at 10:30 AM and did not get up until 4:30 PM. Thursday was better.

Last night DH turned the fan on the window air conditioner in our room and I covered my legs with my electric blanket and turned it on. Just a few cramps and then I slept like a baby. Was so glad.

Got my blood work done yesterday at the hospital in Alpine. Dr. Sterns who was the Chair of the Biology dept. when I worked at the Univ. was my lab tech. Boy is he good. Good to see him and have a visit.

Everyone take care, Carole take care of that foot, I think foot problems are the worst.

Hugs

Good morning to everyone. Sun is shining but just heard rumble of distant thunder. Managed to shampoo my hair in sink and take a washcloth bath today.

3 inches rain yesterday and last night. El Niño spring and summer. Dh says humidity is very bad outside.

Very tired of invalid status but grateful nonetheless.

Checking in --- was a long day and evening yesterday and today got a little messy this morning.  Had to throw something extra in -- a trip to a yard sale.  I got a preview and in fact, ( some times my blessings are VERY numerous ) picked out some things and due to the fact that I had worked for the people before -- they would take no money.  Told me to pick out what I wanted and just take it. 

I took some old towels, an old blanket ( these can be used for animals etc. ) and then found many of the towels were in excellent shape so I'm using them myself and will take my older thin ones ( that I didn't dare part with before ) and trade those out.  Also a bed pillow and a couple of spring jackets.  Once I had picked out these things and found out they ALL would be free to me --- I quit "finding" treasures.  I took care of the home owner for two yrs. but she had to go to a nursing home.  I do so appreciate being given these things.

So, I'm very late making an entry.  It has tried to rain today but never quite managed.  I should be glad I guess.  More rain for tomorrow and maybe Monday but not sure on that.  Each day though is supposed to have some sunshine included somewhere in the day.  I just must have missed it today --- I don't think I've seen any yet. 

Enjoying my time alone so far.  I do like some alone time on occasion -- no one to bug me about much of anything.  I do what I want, when I want pretty much.  I'm not big on schedules though when I worked I kept a strict one.  I do work now, but it is different. 

Anyway it has been a good day so far and I'm happy with it all.  I got gas in my car while I was out this morning so nothing to worry my head about there.  My computer seems to be working fine.  I was having some issues ( seemed mainly here on BC. Org ) with how my computer was typing.  It would not print all of the letters in a word or sometimes even space correctly --- and it was really slow going -- typing and correcting ( all those dropped letters ) so I gave it up for a bit.  Apparently it is all repaired now.

I will see you all later. 

Blessings,

Jackie