Checking In

MarcieB

Hi Everyone, I think it is time for a check-in. We are well into summer and the world has been kind of crazy - not so many road trips since gas has gone out of sight. But, I did have a week with my 13 year old granddaughter and loved discovering what a fine young lady she is becoming! She lives in Austin Texas, so I do not get to see her often. Then her mother and sister joined us for another week. We did all kinds of wonderful things including floating down the Huron river on a tube. See...I would NEVER do that on my own, I need grandchildren to encourage me!

In the midst of all this company activity I had my bi-yearly oncology check-up and left feeling on top of the world. It's always good to get those dreaded appointments over with, isn't it? And my doctor is very happy with how I am doing. I love feeling affirmed.

So, now I am hoping everyone else is doing good and having a good summer? I know many of us are recovering from recent procedures. I hope everybody is doing good!

Bug

MarcieB, I'm so glad you had a good visit with your family. Congratulations on having the oncology check-up behind you. Yes, it is good to get those appointments behind us.

I found out about your question via a Digest that I received tonight (June 27). Maybe WN is still chugging along after all. Fingers crossed.

beachbum5817

Marcie, I got a notice from WhatNext that there was a digest in my email for today, June 28. It says it was sent at 3:10 a.am It sounds like you had a great time with your daughter and granddaughters. It is wonderful that your health is well enough that you can do things with them. I will never be the fun grandmother, but I do all that I can to let them know that I love them beyond measure. My recuperation from my hip replacement last Tuesday is coming along. Of course, it isn't as quick as I would like it to be. Everyone told me that it would be easier than getting my knee done, but I don't find it to be that way. I am anxious to see how it is in 6-8 weeks which is the normal recuperation time.

2943

Hi all, getting ready for bi-annual checkin with thoracic oncologist. He does the checking for breast, kidney, and lung. We shall see. Going for mri Friday for back. Tripped on a footstool as I was getting up from exercise for broken back. Went face first into the tv dresser. Last thing I remember was seeing it coming at my face. Broken nose, concussion and more damage to back. I was so excited to be improving and this. Took awhile for all the colors to go away. I am now doing some of pt in a very warm pool and is so nice. Hope all stay safe in the coming weekend. Hugs!

PaulineJ

Glad you're all doing fine.As for me not so much.

MLT

Hi All! I am doing well. Both of my sons are moving closer, so I think times are going to get busier. Have had 2 days with both families here to swim, so much fun playing with grands!
Next scan is in Aug, then will see onc. Always praying that Xtandi is keeping C at No progression.

2943

Will be sending special hugs Pauline!

Bug

beachbum, I didn’t realize you had hip replacement surgery. I’m sending best wishes for continued healing.

2943, oh, my goodness. I’m so sorry to hear about this. Please take care. Best wishes to you for continued healing as well.

PaulineJ, I’m very sorry.

MLT, best of luck with your upcoming scans.

PaulineJ

Bug don't be sorry>I'm struggling to keep my sanity as much as I can when I'm less stress,which is not often anymore.

ON MY LIFE INSURANCE to the social worker that doesn't help much on anything I'm going through.Just easy things like this for her.
I have no one to help my or talk to .

I went down to get my mail and I don't know what to do about this after the multi times I had to send all these things even after you even told me what they wanted.It looks like I'm going to loose my social security altogether also.When this money is only paid once a year for my burial only .I do not touch that money whatsoever sinc 1998.The man downstairs once went to court on this and won the case.He said it was pure hell while he went through this for months.I can't go to court .I 'm in worst shape more so than ever physically ,mentally and emotionally even though I'm struggling to keep my sanitywhen I'm less stress.And this is not often anymore ,because I'm going through multi things daily evern more now than ever.

PaulineJ

I can't go down anymore for my mail ,bause I tend to fall the flight of stairs like Sept 8th and outside Feb 5th.I feel like I'm in prison in a walk -in closet type apt.I'm so frighten to go get mail and to go outside for a few minutes.sob!

PaulineJ

I looks like I have to cancel my life insurance and my kids won't have anything to bury my body if I leave this world in another way than the rapture.And they'll have to throw me away like trash like they the veterans did to my brother.I hate this world !

MarcieB

Beachbum, it sounds like your hip replacement is only one week old? I know you are anxious to feel like your old self (the one who didn't need a hip replacement!), but I feel certain you will be feeling some progress soon. Lots of people in my church have had this done - some even quite young, and they all report being so glad they did it! I hope it does pass quickly.

2934, I cannot believe how crazy things went for you! While exercising to strengthen the back...which you broke...you fall on your face and break your nose? Re-injure your back and get a concussion? That could almost be a cartoon except for the fact that it is NOT funny! Gosh I hope you and beachbum are well on your way to being over this trauma! There are still some sweet-tea summer days left to enjoy.

Pauline, do your children know what is going on with you? I would think it would be in their best interest to find a way to help you preserve your life insurance. And maybe they could help you re-locate to an apt that doesn't have flights of steps? (!) Does your church congregation know your situation? Obviously you need some outside help, there must be someone you can talk to?

Bug

PaulineJ, I was thinking the same thing as MarcieB. There must be some outside program that can help. Can you reach out to your church or a local senior organization or are there governmental programs that provide assistance?

PaulineJ

Marcie ansd Bug,no to both.My daughter is in Florida and my youngest son as been in prison ,plus for a long time.Too much details to write,My son is not a criminal and been trying to get him out for a long time.I have no one to help.My daughter doesn't have room and I can't wear a mask and so much more details.My holdest sons are not there for me.It would be so much easier to talk than to write I'm beyond worn out.Thanks for all your caring though It's so appreciated to know someone cares.

Carool

Was directed to this after reading the latest replies to “Vertigo” (the sensation, not the movie).

Marcie, that’s great news re your onco exam! Yes, it sure is a relief to get those tests and exams over with. And floating downriver in a tube sounds like fun, though I too would be afraid. But, as you said, you had your family to encourage you.

beachbum, I hope you start feeling less pain.

2943, I’m so sorry. I hope you heal well.

MLT, I hope you get an excellent report on your scan and onc appointment.

Pauline, I’m so sorry you have these problems.

I’m okay. Nothing special planned for the summer. Will see friends occasionally. Summer is my least-favorite season, and I look forward to its being over. And it’s expected to be a very hot one.

PaulineJ

My daughter called me this morning .As much as I believe I messed up my kids life she continues telling me she never had a problem with me .And she's the way she is,is because of me .Her friends all seem to have a problem with their mothers or loosing family.It's so nice to hear her believing in me when I don't.That was so kind of her.

Carool

Pauline, I’m glad she called. I hope she can help you, too.

PaulineJ

Carool That's the problem .She has no way of helping me.And I kept telling her I understand .I never wanted to burden my kids.And it hurts to see her feeling like she can't help me.

beachbum5817

PaulineJ, nothing beats the feeling of when our kids say or do something nice that is totally out of the blue. Hearing this made my day.

judithj

MarcieB - You do have the gift of starting threads! Thank you for keeping conversations going.
(Imagine a heart emogie).

ImWorthIt

Marcie- thank you for starting this thread. It's good to have a check in.

Bug- good to see a post from you.

Beachbum-best wishes for speedy recovery for you. The mobility exercises they give you for recovery are key. My mother did them faithfully. She said what helped her more than anything was walking up and down the few steps she has at her house. She has two steps between the main living area in their house and a small den that leads back to their bedroom. She would just step and down. Of course- you have to do what is right for you- but she swears it helped her.

2943- so sorry to hear about your fall and injuries. Best wishes for speedy recovery to you as well

MLT- best wishes for good results on your scans.

Pauline- I hope you find some peace and some help. Maybe your daughter could at least help you do some research to get some more help with your insurance or to make things a little easier on you. I am sorry you still haven't been able to make any more headway with your son. I reached out to you several months ago, if not over a year ago, with some possible resources. I will be happy to see if I can resurrect anything. We all care about you very much. It makes me sad to know someone needs help and is not getting what they need.

Carool- glad to see you too. Glad things are going pretty well for you.

As for me, I had a week long vacation with my parents, husband and youngest niece last week. We went to St. Simons Island, GA for several days and then headed down to St. Augustine, FL for a couple of days. Did lots of sightseeing and touring and learned new stuff. We really enjoyed the sea turtle center at Jekyll Island. It was a nice relaxing vacation- one that leaves you refreshed and feels like you actually had a vacation. We have another trip planned for Disney in September. That one, we will take our time and enjoy, but it definitely won't be the kick back and relax experience we just had.

MarcieB

ImWorthIt, it is so nice to see you here! I was thinking you might have some resources that could help Pauline. I just fear all this wearing her down. I am afraid she may be cutting herself off from people. It is so easy to fall into depression when things get so difficult to manage.

Pauline, please forgive me for speaking of you as if you are not here! I am just worried about you and wanted to express that to ImWorthIt.

My first husband and I did a day or so on Jekyll Isand, but I don't think they had a turtle center then? If they did, we missed it, and I LOVE things like that! What I do remember is a little restaurant on St. Simons Island that had the BEST bread pudding I ever had in my life - hands down!

PaulineJ

MarcieB No problemI like openess and honesty .Thank You for caring!❤️

Carool

Pauline, I’m sorry your daughter can’t help you. As for “burdening” your kids, I have no kids, but I had an elderly father who needed my brother and me, and we were there for him (our mother died at 67). We couldn’t help him financially (he didn’t need that help, fortunately, though he was far from rich). He needed to see us, especially when he had to move to a nursing home for what turned out to be the last six months of his life. My brother and I alternated visiting him so that one of us was there every day.

I’m saying this not to virtue-signal but to say that elderly parents often need their kids’ help, if possible, and the parents should not feel guilty or burdensome. If our country had government help for the old, as do some other countries, life would be easier. But we must deal with what we have here.

ImWorthIt

Marcie, if it was more than 15 years ago that you went to Jekyll then the sea turtle center was not yet in existence. You would likely not recognize the island now. They have built a lot of new hotels and a convention center there. Now, they have not clear cut anything to do that building. Apparently it is a rule that they could not build anywhere that did not have an already existing foundation. Sure, many of the hotels took over several foundations, but nothing new has been clear cut or leveled. With Jekyll being a State Park, it is quite well preserved. Lots of green space and dunes preserved. That's become far too uncommon on the coast of South Carolina and Georgia- even Florida. I loved how much green space and vegetation there was at St Simons/Sea Island and Jekyll.

Pauline, I am happy to provide some possible resources regarding your son. Have you tried the Innocence Project? Or any other organizations that help overturn convictions? I forget where your son is located.

Carool, you are so right that often just knowing that a parent has the help and emotional support of their children can be a huge help. I do agree with you that our country needs a far better safety net of resources for our citizens who truly need the help.

Unfortunately, in many cases the programs we do have seem to get exploited by people who really don't "need" the programs and it ends up hurting those who really do need those resources.