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

Puffin, what a great decorated bra. You did a wonderful job. I know how relaxing crafting is because I make jewelry.

Had to go to surgeon today (1 week early) because of redness and puffiness. She put me on an antibiotic and said to keep applying the moist heat and a little ice is OK too. I'm very uncomfortable today. She replaced bandages and took some fluid out. I'm grateful she was able to fit me into her schedule.

Working from home again today and am listening to Louise Hay's CD on cancer. It has a beautiful meditation and great music. But, I can't close my eyes because I'm working.

Part of what she says makes sense, the our thoughts and feelings create dis-ease and cancer is from resentment and guilt. I'll tell you, I'm having a hard time with my brother-in-law, the ingrate that he is. He's not paying his end and is not keeping up with the chores I'm giving him. I want him out. My husband says he'll talk to him this weekend, but he's giving him another 30 days. I said he needs to know he has x time to be here and to make other arrangements. It's hard to be so angry and pray for him and release my BIL at the same time.

I asked the doc about when we think radiation will start because I can do 2 craft shows in Nov.; one on Nov. 7 and on on the 15th, which fits my clients more, but is a further away. She said she thought it would be good for me to do the 1 where I'll get the most return. One can never tell with shows, can't predict sales or the amount of traffic. I'll need to ask a friend to help me load and unload, so the decision may be hers on when she can help me. The 15th, my dh can help, but he really hates it and it's the day before his birthday.

I'll leave you with 1 positive thought from Louise Hay "Live totally in the now. Your future is bright and secure."

Linda

Linda, I love craft shows!!! In fact, we're heading back to the Spooon River Drive tomorrow. That is just one town after another on the Spoon River that is competely filled with craft booths, flea markets, and wnderful foods. I buy alot of Chriwtmas presents on the "drive" because there are so many different things that you'd never find anywhere else. As for me,I am just not a creative person so I really admire those who are. We always go to Gordyville the weekend before Thanksgiving to a giant craft show up there that is put on by the local bank.

Hey Puffing...pretty neat bra that you designed!!! That sounds like a fun way to earn some money fo the cause.

This Cub fan can hardly wait for the game tonight. I hope I am as excited when the game is over as I am now....especially since I live with a Cardinal fan! Go Cubbies!!

I probably won't be back on until Tuesday as my kids are arriving shortly for the weekend and we are going to Indiana for the Covered Bridge Festival on Monday!

Carole, I'm surprised he gave you both shots. My doctor's office said I had to wait 30 days in between my flu shot and my pneumonia vaccine so I got the flu shot and will go in the end of Oct for my pneumonia vaccine.

Mornin all

Puffin- that bra was adorable- what a creative way to have fun and do something good at the same time! Like Rita, I am not at all creative except for going thru a phase of making T-shirts with pictures of my grandchildren. My doctor also told me I had to wait at least a month between vaccines.

Linda- I have a little bit of a different idea on choosing which craft fair to go to. If the money earned is not that different, or can't really been foreseen (and even if it can) pick the one you enjoy most. You are heading into a rough time, so do something good for you.

BobKat- good for you being ready to get back out there. Your body will let you know how much activity it can handle, and I say - go for it!

It's another gloomy day here in Atlanta. We had some beautiful weather for a couple of days, but now's it is back to gray and dreary, although I can see the sun trying to peek thru. My SIL went out and got drunk last night and my DD. got so mad, she was packing a suitcase when he got home, and there was a letter on my dresser the morning signed by her, giving me permission to get medical help for the boys, and permission to sign any school forms, etc. I don't think she would have really gone, but she had to wake him up. Going out to drink is, thankfully, rare, but getting drunk is a pretty frequent occurance. Bad part is that she, herself drinks a bottle of wine every night, but she doesn't seem affected by it where his behavior is very obvious. Needless to say, the tension here at the moment is kind of thick.

Rita- enjoy the time wIth your family

Anne

Gratefulness brings joy to my life.  How could I feel joy in what I take for granted?  So I stop taking for granted, and there is not end to the surprises I find.  A grateful attitude is a creative one, because, in the final analysis, opportunity is the gift within the gift of every moment-- the opportunity to see and hear and smell and touch and taste with pleasure.
 
David Steindl-Rast

Carole, that sounds like a fun booth, and what a unique way to raise donations.

97 degrees yesterday, down to 53 now. Yucky day here today, wind howled all night long and will continue blowing all day today with gusts up to 60 mph, and now it started raining. Definitely won't be taking any cemetery photos today.

At least it isn't snow. Today's my birthday (64), and I do remember birthdays with snow. We're going out to eat with friends for dinner tonight.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. It turns problems into gifts, failures into successes, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. It can turn an existence into a real life, and disconnected situations into important and beneficial lessons. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. Gratitude makes things right.
  Melody Beattie

Hi all,

My boss is letting me work from home again (thank G-d) and I'm taking a minute to check in with you all.

Last week I had to go to the Dr. because of redness and sensitivity, she put me on antibiotics, drained the blood and cleaned and dressed the scars. It's a bit more comfortable. And, yesterday I went through the exercised in the breast cancer book. Yay! Since she said we could start radiation later; I think it'll be OK.

Do you guys see any problem with starting radiation later?

Ritajean: I went to a craft show this weekend; my first attending in a while. I had some pains in my right hip, not sure what that's about.

My brother-in-law went to the hospital for pancreatitis. Isn't it nice of all of us in IL to pay for his medical expenses? Yep, pisses me off, he gets free health care from the state and we're paying for it. Plus, he's staying with us and making our lives miserable, mooching is the right term. I just called him and suggested he see a counselor/Dr. for depression. I hope he does. He's such a non-functional boy and at 47, he needs to grow up and be responsible for something. I'm going to stop ranting now so I don't get aggravated. And it's nice he's not around, so I thank G-d for that.

My friend is able to help me for both craft shows, so I'm going for it! I'm pricing some new items I created and will also bring my Survivor breast cancer jewelry (my new collection) there.

Carole: the making a sailboat sounds fun - hope it went well.

Jackie, thanks for the post on gratitude. I needed to read that today.

Puffin - Happy Birthday! wish this cake was chocolate for you. Have a great dinner out.

Hope everyone feels good, smiles and gets hugs.

Linda

Linda,

Been reading your posts about your BIL,and it reminds me of my stepson! SS keeps equipment and much more for his landscape maint. business on our property. He started with his truck and trailer , as a temporary thing, during his divorce, 10 years ago.he has added a ton of just plain junk and becomes angry when we have asked him to get rid of what he doesn't use.He seems to think he is entitled to keep it here, rent free. When we remind him it is our property, he is in a snit and hasn't spoken to his father , except a few words in 3 years. Now I keep reminding my DH to get after his son, he tells him, nothing happens. But that is on both parts. Behaviors that are allowed are enabled and will continue! DH never follows thru with consequences. I have a feeling that may be the case with your BIL. Who allows him to stay on his terms , not yours? That is just my observation, being in the same boat. Frustrating , I know. Jean

Jean,

You know sometimes you just want to say --- what, you too?????  In relation to people who think since its family that entitles them somehow to take advantage.  It is likely that almost all of us at some time or other has done a similar thing --- the difference is most people recognize that they perhaps have maybe either extended a privilege over-long, or took to long to repay a loan or whatever the case may have been --- and with that gift of sight usually decide that they will forever guard against allowing themselves to get into the same kind of situation ever again if at all possible. 

There isn't a magic wand for the malady so I guess some will be cursed with more or less abuse for some time.  I just try to hope I'm never, ever in the situation again where I'm the one abusing rather than the abused.  It is a great good deal of frustration. 

Linda, I think you have the right attitude.  Say what you can, when you can --- but enjoy the peace and quiet that has come ( if indeed in a strange way ) as a gift.  An advantage for now. 

Hope that antibiotic gets you rolling along.  Don't know whether I said anything but I didn't have  too hard a time with my rads.  I had 7 full weeks, with the whole last week being concentrated ( word for that, but I've forgotten it ) in one area. When you do your rads ( they were oh so boring ) use lots of the lotion they give you.  That keeps your skin moist and it should hold up ok that way.  My Dr. just had me get clear Aloe Vera from Wal-Mart, but  there are a number of them.  I think some people used Emu Oil ( that sounded somewhat exotic to me ) and some I think used Aquaphor which also can be found at Walmart's but it is rather greasy. 

Your Dr. should give full instructions, but do make sure to find out whether you need to have the area completely clear of any lotions etc. before you do your rads.  They happen really quickly  --- especially after they get you all lined up.  In fact, for things to go quicker, at the office I used they had good sized towels which I just wrapped around myself --- easier than putting on the shirt gown, and up on the table for a little over 5 minutes, then down, back into my clothes and done for the day.  The Rads Dr. will talk to you at least once a week ( if it is still done the same way and it likely is ) but otherwise, it is pretty much quick and painless.   If you think you may get tired ( I did a couple of times ) I would take a small walk and it seemed to keep me from any fatigue after the first time.  I bet you'll do fine.

Jackie

Happy Birthday, Puffin!!!!! Hope you had an enjoyable day! (and thanks for the Vit K info!)

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes, (and the lovely cakes too). What a difference a year makes. A year ago I was bald and doing my radiation treatments and needed a cane to walk.

I had a wonderful day despite the wet, cold, windy weather. We picked up a platter of cheese cake slices of various flavors to take for tonight's dessert. Good thing I'd made reservations for dinner - Taylor Swift was having a concert in town tonight, and the restaurant was filled with people eating before they went to the concert.

Lots to do today.  My friend took a little time out and so I'm watching her house and cats -- some outdoor, some indoor.  Too much to do this morning to get on here, but at last, here I am. 

Termite -- hope all goes well with your house offer.  It can take a bit to work out but alls well that ends well.

Carole -- great surprise to see your niece.  I know what you mean about the wt. issues.  I've done better since my sinus issues.  Just haven't had my sometimes raging appetite and it does help.  I do know that if done correctly protein tends to make you feel satisfied ( full ) a lot longer and I think foods that pack abit of fiber also tend to help.  Most eating programs I've tried mainly did leave me hungry so I did much better with my NEXT program where we learned so much about food and exercise used together.   That is where I learned to get plenty of protein and fiber to stave off most of my hunger.  For me it seems to hit know and then for no good reason and then ( especially if I give in ) goes away again.  Does help me to be busy and most of the time I am --- it seems like if I don't have so much to do --- my mind starts to drift into food and feelings of needing some.  Vicious circle now and then.

I did the South Beach diet plan -- not because it was any easier than Wt. Watchers, but  because it sounded like it would be easier to do after you had lost some wt.  It was --- because I mainly broke my sugar and salt addictions.  Although I like sweets now, I still don't care much for regular table sugar.  Have used Splenda for so long, table sugar just has an off taste to me.  I use a little salt but I often forget to use any and food tastes just as good to me.

I also think one of the keys to wt. loss could be --- eating a little all the time so that your virtually NEVER hungry.  I never tried it that way as it always sounded to me like your whole day would be consumed to nibbling almost.  Anyway, I hope you can find the trick for you.

See you all later.

Blessings

Jackie

We never have more than we can bear.  The present hour we are always able to endure.  As is our day, so is our strength.  If the trials of many years were gathered into one, they would overwhelm us. . . but all is so wisely measured to our strength that the bruised reed is never broken.  -H. E. Manning

Hi guys, been offline at night because I'm back to work and it's very tiring.

Jean, I don't think I can take it if my BIL is here for more than 1 yr. I want him out in Jan. somehow. DH says no way. But, I got into it with BIL 2 days ago just when he got back from hospital. He has 2 nightlights and 1 is a deoderizer and I unplugged it. Why does a 47 yr old need 2 night lights? Told him I'm paying the electric bill and I told him about it before. He comes back with $60 and I say what about the garage - that's $125 - he says he doesn't have it. I tell him to get it. He says, "what, do I get a loan from employer?" I said "I don't care" - this is during my favorite show NCIS and I say I don't want to talk about it now. He sasses back, "me neither." He doesn't argue with his wife, who is making his life miserable, but he sasses me who is giving him free rent? That pissed me off plus the fact that I've been supporting his ass from afar for 13 years because he won't get a FT job. DH stopped it and said, "enough, Linda's in pain and watching her show. Cut it out" Then DH says, you really talked to him with disgust, but I couldn't let you get too upset over it, but I think it was good, think he knows the "niceness" is over. I doubt that ... he's just doing enough to get by which is how he gives and it makes me sick. Sponge.

Later that night he goes back to hospital because he's in pain and comes back when I've leaving for work 6am. When he got home, he drank 1/2 gal of milk and had cereal, not good things for stomach or pancreas - everything they say not to do.

Then yesterday, it's like "how am I feeling?" (I have ice on) and it looks like he's done a few things around here, but he says he has to pay his attorney. He's probably got money hidden in his mattress. He can pay attorney who is doing nothing, but can't pay us $ he promised. I'm so done. Can't go into legal issues.

Jackie, thanks for the Anne Frank reading. I've been trying to walk around building at work and look at beautiful grounds and say the serenity prayer.

Emma, I live about 45+ min from Oswego. Sorry to hear about your fever and cough. I have chronic bronchitis and COPD and sadly, I still smoke. Things are a little rough right now to quit. Trying to cut down.

Sandra, I'm jealous that you're in FL, (it's 48 degrees here) and the picture is giving me my aha moment and beauty for this morning. I hope you have a wonderful time.

Tomorrow I see the surgeon., so we'll see what the next phase is. I got my bandages wet in the shower so had to do a new one and a tape job. I better not quit my day job to do that, it didn't turn out so hot.

Time to leave - I wish you all blessings and a wonderful day.