thread for middle age to older Christian women.

I'm glad the site is sort of up and running. I've not posted a lot because I just haven't had the motivation. Nancy, I'm sorry you're having digestive issues. No fun at all!

I'm sorry I can't remember who said what - there's been a lot of catch-up with the site being down for a while.

I'm trying to get my weight down to 122. It's where I feel best, and I recently climbed to 135 and I just didn't like it. I figured out a plan that works for me: I have a Fitbit that counts my steps and calories. I don't put a lot of faith into the calorie burn number, but I've been recording that number on a spreadsheet. The next day, I subtract 500 calories and make that my intake goal. I rarely burn more that 2,000 calories, per my Fitbit, but I'm a week and a half in and am down 2.2 lbs. I'll take it. It feels do-able to me.

I'm also (sort of) intermittent fasting and have coffee with milk in the morning, but then don't eat until noon. We shall see.

I have my CT and nuclear med bone scans on Monday. Nancy, I'm working on my next blog post, which is titled "Reprieve." I hope I get another 3-month reprieve. If not, I'll have to come up with another idea - haha.

Wishing all my sisters a lovely and peaceful weekend.

Carol

gb, it's at https://my-sunny-side-up.com

I think there is a link in my bio, but I'm never sure if it shows up there.

Carol

Hi ladies.

Jean, you are not alone in still experiencing difficulties with the forum. How are you doing? Your family?

GB, I think of you often when I am watching my birds. Actually they are probably not happy with me because we had lots of rainy days and the feeders are empty now. I was able to buy more feed yesterday so my only excuse is I am inside in my comfy warm house and dreading going outside. I saw a hawk flying low near my house and that will make the birds do a fast exit before you can blink.

Carol, you sound like you are on a good fitness track. I use my Samsung phone and there is a Samsung Health app which I have used the last couple of years. You know how some women like to collect many shoes. Well, I like to collect watches. I know. I sent my sister a picture of 11 watches that I had taken to get batteries recently. She texted and said is that normal? LOL No one has ever accused me of being normal!!! She has no idea that that was certainly not all of them that I own. I like some bling from time to time so like shoes I like to coordinate my watches to my outfit. So I have not come to the point of giving up my watches for a fitbit yet but I do like that you can track your sleep. In my Zoom classes with our health coach during the five week detox she had mentioned the free app Cronometer. You might find that app helpful as well. It can track calories etc. Congrats on your weight loss. Mine is very slow but they always say that is a good thing. I have never officially done intermittent fasting on purpose but I naturally have many hours in between meals usually. I can't do a keto diet because everything I have read says with underactive thyroid (which I have) it is probably not a good mix since Keto affects your metabolism. One of my former principals lost 50 lbs and his cardiologist wanted him on a keto diet after he had a heart attack. He looked terrific when we were having retiree breakfasts before the pandemic hit. I have been praying for GOOD results for your upcoming scans so that your Reprieve blog will be a reality.

Wheatfields, it is good to hear from you. I hope you are doing well. I drank no smoothies with my detox ingredients today and so far I am doing really well. I think I just have to let my system calm down after the flare. Thanks for your prayers and concern. I always pray for you. Faith really needs our prayers. I need to touch base with her again. She has multiple issues plus her DH has some real concerns as well and I know that weighs heavily on her heart. Ade and James are doing fine.

Shannon, how is your Mom? How are you? How are you doing with your radiation treatments? Prayers for both of you.

Hershey, have a great weekend. We got a little snow but nothing that stayed. I have been all pumped up over my photography class so I have a goal to pursue some new things with my camera now.

Chris, how are you feeling on your new treatment? I have been praying hard for you. I can feel your excitement of your upcoming BIG anniversary and I can't wait until you have guests in your new house with all of the bedrooms. That is awesome. How is your daughter doing in her new job? How is Briana adjusting to her new school? How are your eyes doing? My sister is having her first cataract surgery on Monday. It is interesting how different eye surgeons do things differently. She has been using eyedrops before surgery. One of her friends had cataract surgery with my Mom's old eye doctor and he uses a newer technique and she doesn't have to use any eye drops at all.

Well it is later than I thought. I have to get to the kitchen.

Take care dear sisters.

Love,

Nancy

Oh, I forgot. We had to pull the suet nugget feeder down. The squirrels kept pulling it down and dragging it all over the yard. Meanwhile, mice got into the nugget bag and ate the rest of them. We're in the middle of trapping mice now. I think we'll stick to seed for awhile!

Nancy, I appreciate you taking the time to remember everyone who is active and inactive on this thread. You have a real ministry here and I didn't want you to think you weren't appreciated. I sometimes update my prayer list from your posts!

I have a praise...my daughter and her daughter went to church this morning on her own initiative. I wanted to go so badly but I woke up with a lot of nausea and a strange rash so I didn't go. But she is doing well with her job and life. I can't wait to hear how things went. I see the gastereonterologist tomorrow so hopefully I can begin to get some answers.

I am sending prayers that all you sisters enjoy a peaceful and blessed Sabbath. May God be praised.

Chris

GB, I have not had luck with the suet feeders either. I had what appeared to be a gazillion starlings that attacked mine and the was the first and last time I ever put out a suet feeder again!!! Your scenario sounds funny and mine looked like a horror scene from the movie The Birds!!!

Carol, I have not heard of a Fitbit that wasn't on the wrist and I have never heard of under the desk elliptical either. I don't know about my memory. I do take a brain supplement and maybe it is doing the job. Because my Mom died of Alzheimers I am of course concerned about getting that. I wasn't feeling so good going into my mammogram last week either but it turned out fine. I am praying for yours.

Chris, thank you for your kind words. That is so great about your daughter and Briana going to church. I hope they had an uplifting experience. I'm sorry to hear about your nausea and rash. I am praying this will not persist.

I was finally able to get back to church today after missing the last four Sundays due to sickness.

A friend invited me to go to a concert. We missed attending concerts the last two years so I am excited as this feels like one more step towards normalcy. We are seeing an orchestra and I think singers present music from Wes Side Story which is one of my favorite musicals and I love the music.

Have a good night everyone.

Love,

Nancy

Nancy, I have a Fitbit Zip. It hooks to my waistband or sports bra and connects via Bluetooth to my phone. It's not as robust as some of the wristband models, so it's much less expensive. It works very well for me.

Wheatfields---I don't know, but I get what I feel might be arthritis-type pains that I firmly believe is from the medication. I'm on Zoladex + exemestane, but had similar pain with tamoxifen. It got better between stopping tamox and starting Taxol, but came back. This weekend I could barely walk between my ankle hurting, and then my shin hurting. The pain is in a different place nearly everyday. It doesn't respond to painkillers, heat, exercise or anything, and just disappears as soon as the next area starts hurting.The MO told me to start doing yoga--she's not much help with this stuff and her responses to side effects are a little flippant. I told her I don't get on the floor because I can't get up. Her answer was chair yoga. Ok. I'm 43, so it's not age related.

Please let us know what ortho says. I've thought about seeing ortho, but have also considered PT or possibly pain management.

Sunshine, yeah for stable! Great news.

Nancy, so happy you got to church. I miss it and hope I can attend next week. The concert sounds amazing too.

They moved my colonoscopy up to this Thursday so that is both scary and good. Not an emergency (they had a cancellation) but we all are tired of playing around with this thing and want some answers. It is good also because it is not such an early appointment and my daughter is off so we don't have to worry about the granddaughter's schedule. Still trying to find a solution to the $2100.00 copay for my new meds...There are people working on it trying Foundation grant money, etc. If not, we will just pay it.

I was just ready to turn off my computer and I saw some BCO posts come through.

Carol, YEAH for stable. One victory and challenge at a time. Praying for the MRI's coming.

Chris, I am SO glad to hear that they have been able to move up your colonoscopy. I prefer my colonoscopies later in the day so I am glad you are getting that time and your daughter is off. The copay..........oh my. Another prayer for you on this front.

Well I have to do some work outside so I have to really go this time.

Take care everyone.

Love,

Nancy

Thank you all for your input on thumb joints, I'll let you know after next week what the ortho says about it. Carol, I am so happy your scans were stable and Chris that your appointment was rescheduled and your daughter is free. Continued prayers for all of you. Nancy, my friend that is a nurse takes Turneric for arthritis pain but I think I tried it once and it didn't go too well with my digestive system. But yes, I will check with the MO if that would be an option.

Wheatfields

Oh Chris, I am so sorry to read about your fall. I hope you are not in too much pain or discomfort. How disappointing that your colonoscopy is rescheduled, but having it done at the hospital is reassuring and reasonable. Hopefully the eye doctor can replace your glasses quickly and at no cost to you. I pray for your healing and comfort in the midst of this storm.

Chris---sorry about your fall. :-(

Chris, you have been on my heart. This banner is for you. I know you must be dealing with a lot of soreness from your fall. I know having to wait until next month for your colonoscopy has got to be a very hard pill to swallow. I do hope that your gastro doctor will recommend you starting your new treatment asap. I am praying for a miracle for the copay and that you will be able to find some funding. We all love you here and are lifting you up during this difficult time. A couple of years ago when I had just got my new glasses I put them on in the parking lot and I convinced myself that I could drive home in them. When I got to my small garage I ended up hitting the side of the garage and have never had the dent in the garage opening fixed yet. So new glasses do take some getting used to.

I do hope today is a better day for you.

Love,

Nancy

Chris,

I pray that you're feeling better from the fall and received an okay to start the Verzenio.

Also, were able to replace the broken new glasses!