Monday...here we go again!
Hello, OFF family!
Here I sit at 2:30 am again...wide awake…and yes, my medication is the cause and I will break down and take a very light sleeping pill…maybe. I see my family doctor next week and my Oncologist the following week…maybe I will finally accept some pain meds. But enough whining from me.
We had a busy weekend…Dan & Derek were both here for dinner Thursday evening so we had a big chat (Kathy was working and Amy was in Toronto for work) so it was just us and the boys. I sent pot roast and sautéed onions and peppers home with the boys…I really enjoyed their wit and their company.
Friday evening, a wedding…the daughter of a friend…it was different but quite nice but, after the ceremony at 5 pm and then the dinner and all the speeches didn’t end til 11 pm and I was wiped out by then so off we went home- I told JB that we must be getting old…home before midnight…lol. Then Sunday late morning, a birthday garden party for one of my seven sisters-in–law....that lasted til 4 pm, then we headed to Derek’s house that he and JB have been renovating the last two months. I was so impressed at the difference now…..new roof, new front deck, new appliances, paint, ceiling fans, furniture, the new leveled and sodded lawn, new driveway and sidewalks….WOW!
I hadn’t been inside before today as the old concrete steps to the doors were broken and sunk and the steps were too high for me but they have replaced them with such a beautiful wooden deck, 5 feet by 18 feet, complete with sturdy railing and even safety bars to grab (great for me!). Even the building inspectors were impressed and apparently the neighbours have been dropping by to commend the guys for the great improvements on the property. Derek was proud and he has five university students already renting and they move in September first. Dan had come by as well to see and was also quite impressed.
On the way home, we stopped at Red Lobster but the parking lot was so full and there was a line-up so we just went home instead and watched a movie while I heated homemade tomato soup and veggies and fruit from our garden.
We have a great crop of tomatoes so I am making and freezing soup and sauces…I also plan to get peaches so that I can make peach-amoretto jam and give that as Christmas gifts. (yes, already planning).
I’ve been thinking a lot about plastic surgery to get rid of all the excess skin I carry around my hips…it’s very noticeable when I sit down….I look like a beanbag chair then. But I am 64, going on 65 and I know this is a brutal surgery…you get cut all the way around and I’m still recovering from my cancer surgery and treatments and still on the cancer meds and though I’d LIKE to look more normal, I’m such a weenie and wonder if I can handle yet another surgery now and the long-term recovery. It’s not the money as I inherited more than enough from Mom, it’s a matter of courage and common sense. It might still be far too soon for me.
I am waiting still for the results from the blood work from the GENETIC STUDY to see if my cancer is indeed genetically-connected. If so, I have to have another surgery - removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes as Ovarian cancer is closely connected to breast cancer and by the time you see the symptoms, the cancer is already well-established and the recovery rates are VERY poor. Since I no longer use my tubes and ovaries, especially since my cancer meds kill the sources of estrogen that feeds the cancer, it will not be a difficult decision and apparently, they can do that surgery lapriscopicly. So that is another consideration to factor into my decisions about plastics. However, no rush and I will see how things flow first *s*
I start the week off with lunch with an old friend and Tuesday is my sorority’s Beginning Day dinner party….oh the life of this social butterfly! Thank goodness I have the rest of the week to recover!
Sending loving healing energy and prayers to all who struggle and prayers for safety to those exposed to the rough weather ahead…please be safe!
Nancy B
You and I are a like in so many ways. My sister and my son-in-law both load me down with fresh vegetables and I have had tons of tomatoes to which I have made homemade soup that I have canned and I have canned tons and tons of tomato sauce, rotel, and just whole tomatoes. Last week, I had so many and have so many jars lining my pantry that I started freezing the tomatoes just diced up. Next, it will be pumpkins.
I am also like you with all the skin. I have got to have the surgery to remove the skin around my arms, thighs, and hips: I really need a whole body lift. My insurance will pay a substantial amount but I am such a weenie. When I had WLS, I ended up on a ventilator because my lungs are so scared from the ****idio, so now I am afraid to be put to sleep. When they did my revision and put the stomach tube in, they barely put me to sleep and I still had to go on a ventilator. I am so afraid that a surgery to remove the hanging skin would require me to be knocked out for way too long and way too deep that they would have no choice but to leave the breathing tube in and hook me up to the vent. They are not only scary but painful, so I am putting this off for that reason.
I imagine you have your own reasons for not wanting to go under.
I left my ironing board up and this morning, after the girls (four female cats that I rescued) had their morning treat, the two youngest of the four are on the ironing board: one is trying to sleep and the other is agressively bathing her. The two older girls are on my coffee table snuggled up to each other and next to my feet. After they all fall sleep, they keep their ears perked up because they know my schedule. I sit for a while, do some yoga for a while, and then head for the shower where all four girls sit on the tub usually taking turns peeking in either the back or front of the shower curtain. I don't understand their fascination for my shower but after I am out and DH goes in, they do the same to him. When I put on makeup, two sit on the sink and watch and when DH does his morning face rituals, two will watch him. Then, we usually meet in the bedroom where we put our clothes on and all four sit on the bed watching. By the time we head out of the door, they have all snuggled back in the bedroom on the made bed and are out to the world. I know they don't sleep all day, but when we get home, they will come running from the bedroom as if they have slept all day long. I know they don't sleep all day because when I leave the living room is picked up but when I come home, they have all of their toys plus a few of the kids' toys in the living room and along the hallway from the toy room.
well I need to get DH breakfast ready so I hope you all have a great day.
Good morning Nancy, Jeannie and everyone.....
Nancy and Jeannie.....you are two very busy ladies. All that canning, freezing etc. sounds so wonderful!! I wish I could afford plastics. I too would do a tummy tuck and definitely add a FACE-LIFT!!
Went to a summer party with some friends yesterday. It was fun. I am ready to stay home for a few days now!
Wishing you all a beautiful day!!! Prayers for many in need.
Love and hugs to all....connie d
I started a reply and it disappeared.
I have been tired all the time, so I need to get my iron checked soon. I'm scheduled to see my hemagologist next month, so I have to get the blood work done soon anyway.
Today, I'm taking some fresh yogurt I made yesterday over to my sister's. Mom's in town, so she'll get to try it. I also have to get over to the lab for that bloodwork. Then, I have to head over to the agency.
Must get going.
Hugs,
Trish
Albert Schweitzer
Wow such busy ladies! Been busy getting my son Michael set up in his new apartment this weekend. He transferred to Sac State and school starts today. I spent all day yesterday cooking and shopping to keep him in food and groceries for 2 weeks. After that he'll be on his own and I'm sure I'll get a phone call for more stuff!! I feel so lost without him already! He's has such a gentle soul. He gave me a big hug and wanted to make sure I'd be ok and how was I going handle him being gone!! I told him please don't worry about me, this is your time to grow and have fun, don't forget to study hard. He has grown up in a blink of an eye.
Any way, moving on I have a question for you. Hope this isn't to much information but I'm having trouble going to the bathroom. 3 days out of surgery I had a day long bowel movement but since then I can't seem to go. I started a fiber supplement yesterday but nothing. I've just started pureed foods and I'm going to try refried beans today, last night I had 1 Tbsp of sweet potato. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. It's hard to get fiber in at this stage. Feel very blessed no complications so far (knock on wood).
Hope you all have a great day,
Debbie
"Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I'M POSSIBLE!!!"
"No one said it was going to be easy, but it will definitely be worth it"
Hi there. I know how hard it is to let our babies fly out of the nest. I have three all grown and on their own, and living far from here.
Concerning the bowel issues, when I had trouble, I spoke with my surgeon first, and he suggested a stool softener, like Colace, or something like that. It's best to ask your surgeon first before doing anything on your own. You're still healing.
Hugs,
Trish
Albert Schweitzer
There isn't much going in so not much to come out. Are you getting in plenty of water? You may laugh but the one thing that works for me is green beans from a can. I don't know why but they just do. Sorry I don't have any great advice. Call your surgeons office if you are concerned. Hopefully they will have some good answers for you. Good Luck!!
Your son sounds sweet. I pray all goes well for him and you too!
HUGS....connie d
Ask your surgeon's office first, but mine had me use Benefiber ... add it to anything, it's tasteless, so you can add it to coffee or soup or anything. Plus, I agree with the rest: drink your water. You will find that makes a big difference. You could also drink prune juice (I know, yuck). The applesauce is a good trick too if you allowed to have it at your stage ... you could mix the benefiber in that and prune juice and that would do it.
