MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited November 2016

    OK-1st, may the odds be ever in your favor! For all of us. No matter the outcome of anything!!!!!!!

    Dianarose, girl, I am praying for your spirit, your health, your mind, your peace, your family. Please know that you are one of my favorites and I am so rooting for you!

    E~I too am jealous of your non-creased, non wattle neck! Hope you found the perfect cover-up.

    I collected giraffes for years. At one point I think I had about 200 of them, but damn-lots of dusting. Someone I knew, knew someone who was ill who loved giraffes so I donated my entire collection. Kept a few favs, but sent them to live elsewhere. I think that picture might be from a preserve in Africa where you can stay and eat with the giraffes-How cool would that be?

    May the Force be with us!




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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited November 2016

    El, I guess you got the giraffes up there, because, necks? Gosh what long throats they have? Do giraffes have troubles like yours? If they even have a thyroid or parathyroid, is it at the top or the bottom?

    Is any body as scared as I was when I woke up today, about the possible outcome of only less than 50% of qualified voters voting?!? I have never been this worried about an outcome...

    Dianarose, keeping you in my thoughts, and hope your blood work straightens itself out, all the way! 100%!!!

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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited November 2016

    Barbe you are gorgeous.

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  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited November 2016

    Just popping in for a minute. Platelets up to 56. Were 34 then 43. So it's slow but it's the right direction. Had two pints of blood for lunch again. Really need to find a new restaurant 😜.

    Love you all and thanks for the prayers. Keep them coming!!!!

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2016

    Thanks Tomboy that made my day!

    Diana rose you are a validation of the power of prayer.

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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited November 2016

    Go, Di !

    Watchin' the results through parted fingers, bloody chewed ones at that.. Canada is sounding good

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited November 2016

    Two-party divisionist politics will always result in a country with about half of the people walking around angry and upset a good portion of the time. Whenever I am in large crowded rooms, or in public forums (like here, for example) I remind myself of that.

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  • Loral
    Loral Member Posts: 932
    edited November 2016

    Elimar....agree!!!!

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  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited November 2016

    Going for echocardiogram this morning because she wants to do Taxol and A/C. I am very nervous because the A/C lowers platelets and red cells.

    Chemo sensitivity tests are not back. Seems like everything takes forever 😜. Hate to do the wrong chemo then have to switch.

    El. Glad you are getting better each time I read your post.

    Again, thanks for all the prayers and keep them coming

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2016

    That test IS taking a long time!!!!

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2016

    Just had to share that I went out for a huge, late lunch - so supper was 2 large cups of Cheetos. I haven't had any in maybe a year, but had a bag hiding on top of the fridge for the last couple of months. Um, um, um... You ladies will certainly understand - not to mention the orange fingers.

    Hope DianaRose is getting some answers and Eli is feeling perkier and found at least a mock turtle.

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited November 2016

    I haven't mentioned our erstwhile favorite snack food in a while, but I gave out the Cheetos mini bags for Halloween, making sure there would be some "overage" for my own snacking desires.

    I pulled the steri-strip off today---yep, it's crooked, just like I suspected. Do you think surgeons give better scars to their "favorites." Mine's pretty crooked. What does that mean, I wonder? I didn't smell alcohol on the surgeons breath. (Believe me, I checked...)

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2016

    Eli - did you say they used only tape & glue & steri strips on the surface? That's what the doc used when they took out my port in July - stitches only on the lower layers. I was really unhappy with what I thought were jagged edges, but it's smoothed down quite a bit. However I didn't follow the "rule" about no surgery in July when the new class of residents is just starting their "practice".

    So the conundrum - do we opt for the first surgery of the day when the docs should be fresh & clear headed? Or do we worry that they were out partying the night before?

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2016

    So sorry to hear about David Cohen's death. Tomboy - didn't you used to have a tag line of his posted - '...there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.'

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  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited November 2016

    Off for blood work and chemo this morning. Not sure which ones I will be getting. I suppose my blood work will determine that. The hardest part is sitting there for five hours

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2016

    How did it go Dianarose??


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  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited November 2016

    platelets up to 65. Need to get to 150 but we are crawling in the right direction. Bilirubin Dow to one 👍 And hemoglobin is at 8.9 . Got all three chemos and no transfusion 😊. Go Monday to check blood and possible transfusion. We are on the right track! Everyone's prayers are working. Thanks 🙏 keep them com

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  • Beatmon
    Beatmon Member Posts: 1,562
    edited November 2016

    Dianarose, I've read so many of your posts since we both started in 2012. Always loved your stories of your pastry. I'm so sorry that you are in this very rough spot right now. It sounds as though things are going in the right direction. Hope you build some mire red blood cells and platelets over the weekend

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  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited November 2016

    Still in my prayers, Diana. So glad things are moving in the right direction!


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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited November 2016
    Dianarose, Glad to hear the platelets are inching up in the right direction. Three chemos? That has got to knock you for a loop! I hope you have a restful weekend planned so you can be ready for whatever on Monday.

    MT, My incision was closed with only surgical glue and steri-strips. It looks puckery in two places to me, but I think it will flatten out over time. Going to massage it and keep it out of the sun to get it as invisible as I can. BTW, I did ask if my surgeon was a Cubs fan...because I had my surgery the first thing the day after they won the World Series. Luckily, he was not. So what does that say then...he was clear-eyed yet still cut a crooked line. Pffft!

    image Not liking this look, but it's only been a week. The crookedness bothers me.

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  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited November 2016

    beatmon- I plan on making some cookies soon now that I can eat them. I can justify the protein in peanut butter blossom cookies 🍪

    Native Me- I always love hearing from you 💕

    El- omg does that lookssore! How can you massage it?? Would hurt like hell. I feel ok tonight but a bit nervous how I will feel tomorrow

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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited November 2016

    The birds they sang

    at the break of day
    Start again
    I heard them say
    Don't dwell on what
    has passed away
    or what is yet to be.
    Ah the wars they will
    be fought again
    The holy dove
    She will be caught again
    bought and sold
    and bought again
    the dove is never free.
    Ring the bells that still can ring
    Forget your perfect offering
    There is a crack in everything
    That's how the light gets in.
    We asked for signs
    the signs were sent:
    the birth betrayed
    the marriage spent
    Yeah the widowhood
    of every government --
    signs for all to see.
    I can't run no more
    with that lawless crowd
    while the killers in high places
    say their prayers out loud.
    But they've summoned, they've summoned up
    a thundercloud
    and they're going to hear from me.
    Ring the bells that still can ring ...
    You can add up the parts
    but you won't have the sum
    You can strike up the march,
    there is no drum
    Every heart, every heart
    to love will come
    but like a refugee.
    Ring the bells that still can ring
    Forget your perfect offering
    There is a crack, a crack in everything
    That's how the light gets in.
    Ring the bells that still can ring
    Forget your perfect offering
    There is a crack, a crack in everything
    That's how the light gets in.
    That's how the light gets in.
    That's how the light gets in.

    Minus, you remembered!

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2016

    Tomboy - so glad I'm not crazy and it was in fact you. Thanks for posting all the lyrics. Always worth reading again. One thing I learned from chemo - and by continually revisiting this song - is that I can't always do a perfect offering anymore. So I learned to quit beating myself up - metaphorically of course - when I fall short of perfection.

    Has anyone else read the Louise Penny series about Inspector Gamache in Quebec? One of the book titles was "How the Light Gets In".

    DianaRose - so glad the numbers are coming up - slowly but surely.

    Eli - did they say you could use Mederma? Or some other scar cream?

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  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited November 2016

    I have an embarrassing situation that maybe someone can help me with. Since losing all the weight I also lost all muscle. No control of my bladder 😬. Got up at 4 to pee and didn't even make it to the bathroom which is a short trip. To make matters worse it is only pee from one kidney as the right side goes in the bag. Any suggestions?

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  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited November 2016

    Elimar--I'm sure the scar will flatten out and fade as it heals.Good plan to keep it out of the sun --I bet a sunscreen stick will be really helpful for that.Not sure what to say about the crookedness, maybe it won't be so crooked when the swelling completely resolves?

    Diana--glad you are feeling up to cooking!For the urine leakage try doing Kegel exercises:

    Pelvic floor muscle training

    Pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises can help strengthen some of the muscles that control the flow of urine. These exercises are used to treat urge or stress incontinence. To do Kegel exercises:

    • Squeeze the same muscles you would use to stop your urine. Your belly and thighs should not move.
    • Hold the squeeze for 3 seconds, then relax for 3 seconds.
    • Start with 3 seconds, then add 1 second each week until you are able to squeeze for 10 seconds.
    • Repeat the exercise 10 to 15 times a session. Do three or more sessions a day.

    Kegel exercises can be done when you are at home or away from home. They can be done at any time of day. No one will be aware that you are doing the exercises. So you can do them often, no matter where you are.

    From <http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/behavioral-methods-for-urinary-incontinence>

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  • Loral
    Loral Member Posts: 932
    edited November 2016

    Goodmorning Diana glad to hear you are feeling better and things are looking good.......

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  • Loral
    Loral Member Posts: 932
    edited November 2016

    Eli- Mederma on the scar worked good for me, it's easy to apply and rub in. I used it on all my scars they flattened and faded...Good Luck!

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited November 2016

    Tomboy, always enjoyed the L. Cohen lyrics, but have to admit that I preferred others singing them.

    Dianarose, Stupid me! I didn't even realize that with that bag on, you still had to pee out normally from the other kidney. I do hear you about the muscle wasting. You can SEE it on other parts of the body, buy then there are the parts you can't see that find a way to let you know that they have wasted too. My bladder took a hit from chemo and rads both and I had a transient "coughing problem" for a short while but it resolved. Give the Kegel exercises a try and I hope they will be of help.

    --------------------------------------------------

    Right now, I am massaging Neosporin over my scar line, but in another day will switch to something else. I've tried Mederma before and it's fine but I don't know that it has superior properties. I'm too lazy and cheap to go out and get that again, so will probably alternate with Vit. E oil, cocoanut oil, baby oil, and a few random lotions. As long as it is moisturized and kept out of the sun, I should be good. Supposed to keep it out of the sun for a year. Never had to worry about that with BC scarring. The massaging should help get the remaining fluid out and flatten it down too. I have already been stretching it like a giraffe because YOU KNOW how our scarred areas tighten up. So, that is no different than our BC scars.

    I looked on the internet and there were some pics of scars like mine after 2 weeks that already looked almost invisible. Well, I know I'm not that precocious to heal in two weeks time, but I'm going to put one more pic on here at that point and we will see how I am doing.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2016

    Dianarose, what about a maxi pad?

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited November 2016

    Barbe, Let me ask you this: Since I was mentioning surgical scarring and the need to stretch to avoid "tightening up..." Your first time around, you had extensive surgery and, since scar tissue is less elastic, you must have noticed a tightening on both sides BUT did your one side get WORSE now because you had radiation? What I am getting at is, how much of the tightening is surgical and how much does the rads add to it? Just wondering. I am still tight in my SNB/armpit region and I still stretch it out every day.

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