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

Not gonna ask, ducky, why you think 45 is “going after the scumbags" responsible for the opioid crisis when he's done nothing, his SIL (appointed in part to fight it) has done nothing, and the healthcare bill he favors cuts funding for addiction treatment—his A.G. wants to let the Fed. gov't bust people for marijuana possession even if they have a valid state-issued med-mar. permit. But this is the wrong thread for that.

Bob was prescribed Norco for his busted ankle. He won't even fill the 'scrip—Aleve works better.

The major reason drugs are so expensive Stateside is not just R&D and not just that the FDA makes Big Pharma jump through hoops here that they needn't abroad. It's marketing, marketing, marketing. Years ago, you never saw prescription-drug ads anywhere but medical journals, nor prescription-drug commercials anywhere but doctors-only cable channels. Those ubiquitous brand-name Rx-drug commercials cost 3x as much as a regular 20-sec. spot: it takes a full minute for all the disclaimers & warnings. And drug ads in magazines are 3 pages long for the same reason. At least the drug companies can't spend $ taking doctors on vacations for “continuing ed" meetings that push their particular drugs, nor dinners for the same purpose (I've been to many and Bob even lectured on Viagra & Plavix for awhile till he started feeling like he had to shower off after each presentation and quit before the FDA began the—justified, IMHO—crackdown). The few dinners that still do get held are now “no-spouses-allowed.” They don't even give out pens, notepads, briefcases and other tchotchkes any more—for the first time I'm getting more swag from continuing legal ed courses than he did for CME. But he & his office do get crummy sandwiches & cold pizza. Yum.

I've gotten name-brand drugs cheap and OTC in some EU countries. Now, why are generics getting so much more expensive, despite no ads or drug reps? Because they can. (Remember Martin Shkreli, Epi-Pens, MS and Hep-C generics prices skyrocketing as equity capital firms buy some generic mfrs. and others merge and drop out of the market for certain meds like letrozole)? Demand is driving price. If Medicare could negotiate prices, we'd see larger formularies and lower prices.

BTW, the rosuvastatin (generic Crestor) seems to be working well, without raising my blood sugar. My lipid numbers—except an HDL of 85—are way down in the smack-dab-normal range. But I am getting more anemic (despite normal RBC, WBC, B12, D, and iron levels) and my upper back is hurting me—probably not related to the statin but (ominously) perhaps to each other. We'll see what the mammo, chest X-ray, or possible upper GI endoscopy (or full-gut “camera pill") say.

Have you been diagnosed with spinal stenosis? My mom was about to get surgery for it (a very effective procedure) when on the eve of her surgery she developed massive ankle swelling and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure caused by COPD. She was never again a candidate for surgery as she was deemed a poor risk.

If it’s not stenosis, but rather degenerative disk disease, aka spinal arthritis (welcome to the club), core-strengthening exercises (when not actively having a back spasm) can help, as can an OTC “TENS” unit (like the little Aleve or Omron battery-op ones from the drugstore pain-relief aisle). Heat or ice (whichever feels better) works too.

Welcome Pink. Glad you found us. There is indeed life after treatment. Here we sometimes actually do discuss dx. and txs. I think the majority of us here ( except perhaps for a five yr. pill ) are done with active treatments. We have become a cheering team here for each other and appreciate that we have a place to come rant, a place to visit with those who have gained understanding for having been a bit older before getting this dx. We share upsets, remodels, and lots of other bits of information. We generally do not have much for political or religious type conversation as they are fairly personal and seem to be the two things that will cause harsh words and really hurt feelings -- so best we keep to the world full of other things that are interesting, fun, worthwhile.

Definitely each day is precious and rewarding for the gift it is. I hope you will come back often and spend lots of time with us.

Edited: Needed to put the ending on the word understand.

Welcome Pink. Looks like you are in chemo right now. I hope it goes smoothly with few side effects. Come back often.

Pink, I certainl;y wantto give you the; official welcome.....I am the oldest (82), funniest, smartest, prettiest, sexiest one on here......and also a member of the "Mile High Club"....we're a great bunch here....we laugh, cry, vent, listen, but above all "we love".....so you come on in.....pull up a chair, and sit a spell.......come back often....Ya hear.....hugs.

Woke up during the night to lightning and thunder. I can hear it w/o my hearing aids though don't get the full brunt. Wet this morning and the a/c has been kicking on so there is likely lots of humidity out there. I am going over to Dr. B's today to see after the Yorkies ( 2) the one mini schnauzer. Just a couple of times will do. The one Yorkie is going to be 17 really soon and no longer sees too well and so does better when sort of hand fed. I will do that early this evening.

Not sure how much it may or may not rain anymore but thinking it would be easy to get a little more. Carole -- how is it with you??? I think you mentioned Tues. that you had rain there in Minn.

We get nice temps ( though likely humid so ??? ) for two days, then back into low 90's. We may be sort of set for the summer then.

Hope you all have a wonderful day this Father's Day. In honor of my dad -- gone since 1996 -- Dad, I love and miss you. You were a wonderful Dad. Sending lots of love and hugs. Happy Father's Day.

Welcome back Poppy .

I had an interesting day today. Well, I had agreed to stay with my doggie friends while the family had a Dad's day for Dr. B. Jo called me this a.m. to say they were still going but apparently last night's storm dropped some straight line winds in a couple parts of town ( we live 2 miles out in the woods by a lake ) and their area got them. Some whole trees just toppled over while some lost major limbs --- just ripped right off the tree. Their were piles all over the yard. The bad part was no electric power -- so had to keep filling a generator with gasoline to keep the fridge and freezer running.

Our temps were not bad as they have been but nothing to shout about either. Got through the first part of the day --- all sweaty from picking up sticks and twigs in the dog yard ( sort of large ) so decided I'd run home, wash up, grab coffee and come back. Well, I HAD to as my key ( it was quite old ) broke in the door. I was able to get it out, but knew when I got back I would not be able to leave again as it would get dark. Daylight hours and lots of people home I knew things would be all right -- but no way would I have left in-locked doors any other time.

So, I'm exhausted but happy. I have a fresh house key -- so back in business. Hope you all had a fantastic day.

Remember, if all life is sacred, then today is sacred. Ask yourself, What am I doing to feel joy today? A wonderful way to start the day is to bless it:

Blessings on this day, may I make it special in some way.
Blessings on my life, may I treat it with love and care.
Blessings on all people, may I see the goodness in everyone.
Blessings on nature, may I notice its beauty and wonder.
Blessings on the truth, may it be my constant companion.
- Charlotte Davis Kasl

I got the dogs to the vet/groomer, but needed help. I have always been able to handle both of them by myself, but since BC, I can't. Last year our son took them in for shots and grooming, so I didn't think. Both dogs weigh about 65 lbs. Daizie is gentle and walks well on a lead, but Roxanne is still a wild child. She hates the lead and strains until she chokes herself. We've tried training, but it didn't work. She is always in a hurry to explore everything! I was able to get Daizie into the backseat with no problem, but the minute I put the leash on Roxanne she began to pull. I knew I'd be yanked all over the parking lot and possibly hurt my right arm, so I asked my husband to come with me.

He doesn't like his routine interrupted-he's painting furniture in the back yard while the dogs are away-but he came with me this morning. I texted our son and asked if he would help me load them after work. I deliberately chose a vet /groomer near where I worked, so I could drop off on the way in & pick up on the way home. ( It is across the street from the library and the vet I used is a regular patron. He would come to the AV department for audio books every few days. He was also our neighbor for 10 years, so we are on a first name basis.). Anyway, P now works at the library and can meet me at the clinic.

Washed & hung another load of casuals. Will get them down in a few minutes and fluff them in the dryer.

The floors that needed mopping are finished, so I can spend the rest of the day scanning photographs into my computer.

~Wren~

I don't take my dogs out of the yard, so the only time they need a leash is to go to the vet/groomer. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

They are both so funny. Roxanne knows all of the commands and complies happily. She loves to please, but the "big world" is for her to conquer and all obedience disappears once she leaves the yard. We did the obedience training when she was a puppy, teenager & young adult. She is a great watchdog and is good with people. She is a definite man-dog, following husband and son everywhere so she is always available to "help". Her only flaw is the leash-she hates it! Daizie, on the other hand, is just the opposite. She knows the commands as well, and chooses when she will comply. If she thinks there may be a treat or a ride, she will be on task. But she prefers to be left alone. Obedience training was easy with her. She walked on the lead, never tugged, but will not walk outside the yard now. If you hook her up, she will just lay down and refuse to move. I think with her it's age. Both are seniors now - 9 years old.

Poppy, my dh and I are reverse Snow Birds. I grew up in south Louisiana and have lived most of my life there but I hate the summer weather. This summer is our 6th summer to come to northern MN. Today the high is about 63 and it's quite windy. I have been wearing jeans all day. Dinner tonight will be chili made from scratch, starting with dry pinto beans. At home I would never think of cooking chili in June.

Interesting that you need rain in TX. It has been raining a lot in the New Orleans/Baton Rouge area where we live. I get e-mails pertaining to golf at our club and some of the women's golf events have been cancelled because the golf courses are so wet or because it's raining on the golf day.

I talk to my mother nearly every day and she seems to be getting along well. In July I will fly home and spend a couple of weeks going to visit her. I know she gets bored on the days when there is no bingo game. Her main entertainment is playing games like solitaire on her IPad.

On Wed. dh will be driving to Kansas City, Kansas, for a wood turners' convention. The trip is his birthday present. I hope he has a great time. I will be on my own here at the resort until next Monday, when he should return. I won't have a vehicle so I'll have to do some walking and bicycling for exercise instead of going to the gym.

Happy Monday to everyone.

Velvet......my grandson moved from Chicago to Dallax...and he loves Dallas.....might I say he liked Chicago but did not like the winters......he left a very high paying job in Chicago because he wanted to be on his own..was in finance, and hated it after doing it for a few years.......we were all shocked, but he always makes good decisions and we hope this one is good too......he says the people in Dallas are so friendly and was bragging about the wasrm weather when we were still wearing winter coats here......LOL.....his place has a pool so maybe he doesn't mind the heat......YOUTh...isn't it great........have a great day....and just stay cool......

Lovely here today. Humidity wasn't a factor yesterday and shouldn't be today hopefully. I can take heat as there are plenty of ways to cool down, but the humidity gets to me and wears me out and turns me into a very sluggish person. Will be MIA for a bit tomorrow as we are going to Marion so I can pick up my new hearing aids. Despite the fact they are large enough that batteries last 14 to 16 days --- they are still difficult to see when I wear them which is all the time. When I started having hearing deficiencies it was somewhat gradual. I absolutely knew that I wasn't hearing well -- no question, but it was slow enough that I forgot just how loud some sounds were. So coming home after I got the first set of hearing aids I was so startled by the sound of the turn signal when I used it. I thought something was going wrong with my car. It was only what I should have been hearing all along in normal fashion.

I think the carnival will be here in a few days. They set up in a park we have in town. It is not a huge one ( not like the one which is much more wooded and rural out by our house. The park in town has the community swimming pool and a lot of play equipment for youngsters. We use to go to the park all the while I was in grade school for the end of the year picnic. All the mothers brought a dish to share and they got to sit and visit while the kids played. It was great. Of course, there was a huge very tall slide and many of us ( before we learned how to best it ) ended up with bleeding knees from not being able to catch ourselves correctly at the bottom -- and I was included in that --- so we had first aid going on by the moms too.

I hope you all have a wonderful day.

I'm always intrigued when a post is removed. Guess it's my love of mystery!

Hope your trip to Marion is going well, Jackie.

Ducky, we're usually up to date on Texas weather when we're home in LA because a lot of what happens in TX moves east to Louisiana. However, Texas seems to have more violent weather than we do, worse storms. It has extremes of heat and cold, high winds and flooding plus the same threat of hurricanes along the coastline. It's an interesting state with a variety of landscapes and nice people. When dh and I were rv'ing, we covered most of the state including Big Bend National Park down on the Rio Grande river.

Puffin, you must be enjoying this cool sunny weather in Fargo. Have you been using your Segway?

I'm doing laundry today, walking back and forth between our camper home and the laundry room, which has one large washer and one dryer.

Happy Tuesday to everyone.

A HUGE branch just fell of of our front Ash Tree! About 12 inches around at the base.... Not even a dead branch, just fell off for some reason! Went down in the ground about 6 inches, and fell over the fence and over the sidewalk! Thank GOD no-one was walking out there.... A guy came by when DH was sawing it up, and he didn't even say a word....

We will clean up the rest of the sawed off branches in awhile.... Just so hot out there..... I'm organizing my sewing stuff.... putting it all together in one of my Betsy Johnson designer roll-away bags.... Hah! It's so pretty, I have to put it OUT somewhere! I'm always sewing, or mending something around here...

We walked up to Starbucks earlier this morning.... Cooler before 10.....