Small Talk: The Prayer Closet

[ginger90]

49 minutes ago, zoomama said:

on  different topic, my middle son had been working with me in the front yard for two days and it looks beautiful!!   we have been planting a little, leveling soil, spraying weed control, then laying weed cloth and finally topping with mulch. we have one island to finish but that is going to require professional intervention. trying to get it all done within the next week so when our landlords come home, they will see it all and think we are taking good care of their property.  even as a renter, i treat it as my own and want it to look like i care for it as an owner would. 

I wish you were MY neighbor!!

[jjane]

Me too!  Our new neighbors throw things out of their vehicles onto the grass when they get home instead of  in the garbage can or bringing them into the house. And don't get me started on the fact that they never cut the grass. The aunt of one of them lived there before and they moved into the house after she died. She was older and disabled so my husband cut her grass and did the weedeating for her. Her family knew this and assumed he would continue to do it for them, but they are a young couple in their twenties, so why should he? He's sixty-eight. Can you say entitled?

Edited May 16, 2017 by jjane
because of missing words and letters. I actually do know how to spell.

[bigskygirl]

Something interesting must have happened when my hubby and I went out to do some errands. We came home to see things knocked over, things from the cabinets above the washing machine and dryer on the floor, and no Tia and Sassy. I came down the hall and heard a scary sounding meow coming from under the bed. I started freaking out thinking something is wrong with Tia since she is about fourteen years old. There were hangers from the closet on the floor and two pieces of cat poop near the bed. I call for my husband because I was afraid to look under the bed. I guess poor Sassy got one of her paws caught on a plastic bag with things in the one cabinet and could not get the bag off. She must have ran around the house trying to get it off and made a mess. Tia is fine, but Sassy is hiding under the bed and would not come out for cat treats.

I did go to the eye doctor and I will be on steroid eye drops for a few weeks to help with the eye dryness and pain. She did suggest I try eye packs to cover my eyes when I sleep due to the air from my CPAP mask to help with the dryness, but the thought of my eyes covered up when sleeping makes me nervous. I guess I could ask the sleep specialist about it when I go in next month for my one year checkup.

And to top off the day, a sheriff deputy from the county to the east of us was shot and killed earlier this morning. They caught the two suspects after a high speed chase and a shootout with one of the suspects. On the way to doing our errands, we were stopped at an intersection and something serious must have been going on since two police officers, a fire truck and other emergency personnel were heading north. I wanted to slap the crap out of some of the drivers because they were trying to beat the emergency vehicles at the intersection. One nitwit driver blocked the fire engine trying to get through. One of my biggest driving pet peeves is drivers who will not yield the right away to emergency vehicles.

How was your day?

[latetotheparty]

1 hour ago, bigskygirl said:

 

I did go to the eye doctor and I will be on steroid eye drops for a few weeks to help with the eye dryness and pain. She did suggest I try eye packs to cover my eyes when I sleep due to the air from my CPAP mask to help with the dryness, but the thought of my eyes covered up when sleeping makes me nervous. I guess I could ask the sleep specialist about it when I go in next month for my one year checkup.

You should see your sleep specialist and have them do a mask fitting. Them ought to be able to adjust it to stop the leaking or set you up with a mask that works better for you. There shouldn't be any charge unless you get new equipment. 

[zoomama]

1 hour ago, latetotheparty said:

You should see your sleep specialist and have them do a mask fitting. Them ought to be able to adjust it to stop the leaking or set you up with a mask that works better for you. There shouldn't be any charge unless you get new equipment. 

this is on my agenda as well. mine leaks and is so uncomfortable. 

[bigskygirl]

My mask has not been leaking too much lately. Last week I put the one part where the mask it hooked on to a little too close to my eyes, and I woke up with pain between my nose and my eyes on both sides ( in otherwords, a little too tight between eyes and nose.)  It also could be the blood pressure med I take before going to bed and the blasted light sensitivity and eye damage flaring up.

[bigskygirl]

Here is a piece of advice: Do not try the new M&M's Caramel candy unless you want to pull out a filling or break your teeth.

[questionfear]

16 hours ago, bigskygirl said:

Here is a piece of advice: Do not try the new M&M's Caramel candy unless you want to pull out a filling or break your teeth.

Hmm. I have a chip on my front tooth that was filled and then partially broke again this weekend. I was waiting until the rest of the artificial filling fell out to call the dentist, maybe I can move things up with these. 

[McManda]

I really like the caramel M&Ms. I thought they were going to be a runny caramel, but they're not. I don't even think the caramel is all  that sticky or chewy. Sorry, @bigskygirl, that they became your teeth's enemy!

Edited May 18, 2017 by McManda

[Love2dance]

@jjane, thinking about you today and hoping it goes well. I'm sending hugs and good thoughts to you.

[Barb23]

6 hours ago, Love2dance said:

@jjane, thinking about you today and hoping it goes well. I'm sending hugs and good thoughts to you.

Me too, you have been on my mind all week.

I had a good appt with my rheumatologist yesterday.  I've been seeing him for over 25 years & is my favorite Dr. I had posted that my PCP thought my dexa scan was ok & that I didn't need any  med.  Well my rheumatologist was shocked she said this cuz it did show bad osteoporosis (like I had thought) & started me on the twice a year shot, Prolia.  I got the first dose yest.  I'm glad it's a shot, one less pill to take in my arsenal.  Has anyone used Prolia or other osteoporosis meds?  We're also going to start tapering down my prednisone to a dose that is comparable to what my body naturally makes thru cortisol. Hopefully my arthritis will agree with lower dosage. Prednisone has been my lifesaver but unfortunately has so many bad side effects, like eating up my bones. The lower dose should also speed up the healing of my leg wounds (immune system related) which is great.  

Sorry, didn't mean to ramble on but so many have posted about bad doctor appts (that you've waited a long time to get)  I thought I'd share my good appt.  Ok, osteoporosis isn't good but at least I'm getting treated for it.  I'm still befuddled why my PCP told me things were OK.  She's always so thorough about things, that's one of the reasons she's my second favorite doctor. I'm really surprised she missed it or would have at least gone over the results with my rheumatologist. 

Well, have a good day & weekend everyone. Happy Preakness for the horse lovers out there.  I live outside of Baltimore.  We also have a Duggar wedding to prepare for, hopefully soon.  I'm hoping they won't fail us &  there will be  a lot to snark on. 

BTW, I'm watching Rachael Ray, even tho she's not one of my favorites, & Chrissy Tiegen made a very refreshing looking fruity cocktail that contained a full bottle of Smirnoff in it. Might have to look up the recipe for that one. 

[Absolom]

38 minutes ago, Barb23 said:

Has anyone used Prolia or other osteoporosis meds?

I've tried most of them and Prolia worked the best for me.  My body didn't respond at all to the pill form.  I'm allowed to do the injections at home myself.  Another thing we found is that I didn't absorb the calcium pills very well, but the chews work great for me. 

[lookeyloo]

re: Prolia, just check out the new info on it I believe on the FDA site.  There is a lot of information on it on the National Osteoporosis Foundation website.  

[Barb23]

18 hours ago, Absolom said:

I've tried most of them and Prolia worked the best for me.  My body didn't respond at all to the pill form.  I'm allowed to do the injections at home myself.  Another thing we found is that I didn't absorb the calcium pills very well, but the chews work great for me. 

 

14 hours ago, lookeyloo said:

re: Prolia, just check out the new info on it I believe on the FDA site.  There is a lot of information on it on the National Osteoporosis Foundation website.  

Thanks for replying.  I'll check out the websites.

[jjane]

Thanks to @Love2Dance and @Barb23 for asking about me. It's great that you had a good appointment @Barb23, not the greatest diagnosis, but it's good that you have a doctor that takes you seriously and cares about your health.

So, I had the biopsy. The first nurse who tried to start my IV hit wasn't that good at it. She moved the needle around a lot and apparently hit something that stopped her, I forget the name. Anyway, she kept trying and it hurt so much I knew I was going to faint. The other lady in the room ran to get someone and everybody came running in because my blood pressure dropped really fast. They gave me a barf bag, wet washcloths with ice in them and she was still trying to get the IV. I told her she needed to stop for a minute and that once I cooled off I would be okay. Its happened a few times before, but not just from an IV insertion. Once I was back to normal someone else numbed my hand and got the IV in smoothly on her first try. Then they came to get me for a procedure.  It turned out they didn't want to do the one where you lie on your stomach and the machine maps out where the doctor needs to go then he takes out the tissue to be checked. I had another mammogram from hell where they squished me to the point of tears and then inserted wires into the breast to show the surgeon where to go. They at least numbed me for the wires part but I wasn't really prepared to see three six wires protruding from my breast. After that adventure I got to wait another two hours for the surgery. The surgery was the best part of my day. They gave me something to relax me in presurgery, then put me under general in the OR. I was out like a light and don't remember anything at all. Hubby got food on the way home and then I went to sleep in my own bed. I won't know the results till next week, but I'm going to stay positive. Sorry for the novel, it was quite a day. I do appreciate that so many of you have been so supportive since my first novel about this. Love and hugs to all.

[zoomama]

omg - that sounds frightening and awful, jjane.

[jjane]

At the time it was, but I'm the daughter and sister of nurses so I'm usually pretty blase' about these things so maybe I should have stopped the nurse who obviously was having a problem and asked for someone else and I might  not have gotten to the point of fainting. As for the mammogram from hell, yeah that was bad. All in all, I have to say my care was excellent and the nurses and techs talking care of me were wonderful, caring people. I'm so grateful to have wonderful insurance through my husband's employer that he is retired from. Also, because he is a 100% disabled veteran, everything not covered by Blue Cross is covered by the VA. I wish everyone in this country was this blessed.

[Love2dance]

1 hour ago, jjane said:

At the time it was, but I'm the daughter and sister of nurses so I'm usually pretty blase' about these things so maybe I should have stopped the nurse who obviously was having a problem and asked for someone else and I might  not have gotten to the point of fainting. As for the mammogram from hell, yeah that was bad. All in all, I have to say my care was excellent and the nurses and techs talking care of me were wonderful, caring people. I'm so grateful to have wonderful insurance through my husband's employer that he is retired from. Also, because he is a 100% disabled veteran, everything not covered by Blue Cross is covered by the VA. I wish everyone in this country was this blessed.

I'm so glad this step is behind you, @jjane. I find your attitude about enduring all that remarkable. You are amazing. I'm glad that your insurance at least, isn't a problem. More hugs and good wishes coming your way.

[Arwen Evenstar]

Been out for awhile.  Hope all my peeps are ok.

Had 3rd treatment the 16.  Was supposed to be the 25th, but since insurance approved the Avastin, I had it early.  Recovering from this bout. Nosebleeds have been an issue.  Going to follow up with doc office today to see if I'm doing enough or if I need to come in.  Better safe than sorry.

Weather has been very bad here today. Flooding, tornadoes....more outlying counties from Houston.

[lookeyloo]

@Arwen Evenstar  and @jjane- sending healing hugs and positive vibes.

[crazycatlady58]

Arwen and jjane. Sending you big cyber  hugs,

[Love2dance]

@Arwen Evenstar thanks for the update. We are pulling for you and hope the nosebleeds subside and that nasty weather improves. Sending hugs!

[zoomama]

glad to see ya, arwen.

[GeeGolly]

@Arwen Evenstar

Turn monitor sideways if frontal hugs are too forward of me. (double LOL)

[jjane]

Hi Guys: to all you lovely people who have sent love, hugs, prayers and good wishes, I have good  news. My doctor called and said everything they took out in the biopsy was benign. I'll see him on the first to talk about follow-up, but for now I can breathe again. I was trying to downplay it for Hubby because he has gone through cancer and was an absolute trooper so I didn't want to be a ninny. This is really the only place I mentioned it because I don't like having the attention on me and it was easier to keep it to the two of us. So, full frontal hugs around and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support.

And @Arwen Evenstar, a big one for you and a fervent wish and prayer that everything turns out for the best where you are concerned. I always look forward to your updates and wish you love, light and peace.

[Sew Sumi]

@jjane Great news! 

@Arwen Evenstar You are in my thoughts. Continuing to send healing vibes. 

[zoomama]

Churchhoney (mind bleep - is that the right name). i have seen you refer to your upbringing in general terms. have you ever shared your story here and if so can you link me to it. i so often wonder, with your knowledge of cultish things, about your background.  and forgive me  if this is inappropriate - no harm meant. 

[Love2dance]

1 hour ago, jjane said:

Hi Guys: to all you lovely people who have sent love, hugs, prayers and good wishes, I have good  news. My doctor called and said everything they took out in the biopsy was benign. I'll see him on the first to talk about follow-up, but for now I can breathe again. I was trying to downplay it for Hubby because he has gone through cancer and was an absolute trooper so I didn't want to be a ninny. This is really the only place I mentioned it because I don't like having the attention on me and it was easier to keep it to the two of us. So, full frontal hugs around and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support.

And @Arwen Evenstar, a big one for you and a fervent wish and prayer that everything turns out for the best where you are concerned. I always look forward to your updates and wish you love, light and peace.

@jjane, that's just the news we were waiting to hear. How wonderful. Enjoy and celebrate.

[crazycatlady58]

Jjane great news , I wish we could have a party  to celebrate .  Champagne  all around ? 

[Jynnan tonnix]

Sooooo! Glad to hear the news, Jjane! Best to you as well, Arwen...you are in my thoughts more than you know.

[jjane]

I'll save the champagne for tomorrow, it's our anniversary. I literally got on here with the news as soon as I told my husband. Now I have to go call my brother with the news because Hubby let the cat out of the bag when they had lunch last week. I wondered why he kept calling to ask how I was feeling.

[lookeyloo]

@jjane - great news! So glad to hear. 

@Arwen Evenstar - I'm going with the hope that we will hear good news from you too as treatment progresses. 

You both have been in my thoughts. 

[Marigold]

@Arwen Evenstar,

I was wondering where you have been...actually came over here to hunt for you! I thought you were busy with work and realized this is too long to be busy with work.  I'm so sorry to hear of the diagnosis and everything you're dealing with. I'm thinking of you and sending you healing thoughts. 

@jjane,

Good news! Excellent! 

Edited May 24, 2017 by Marigold

[Happyfatchick]

@Arwen Evenstar, I think about you all the time. Big fat squishy hugs.  @jjane what a nightmare!!  So so so happy to hear it was good news after all that torture!

We closed on selling last week, and on buying  Mama's house yesterday.  I am amazingly okay with this whole thing.  Plus I did the whole thing without (really) stopping sewing.   I don't recall being so profoundly (continually) exhausted in my life.   I keep thinking if I could NOT sew for a week straight, I could maybe get unpacked.  But no.  Its all right, all good.  Yesterday I found my underwear and this morning I opened a box with 90 million paper napkins.  I packed that box myself, I drew the short straw on the kitchen.  Obviously after it was packed, taped and labeled, someone opened it and put in all those napkins.   What manner of hoarder owns that many napkins?  Even more to the point, what kind of hoarder packs and MOVES all those napkins???   Moving suuuuuuuuucks.  Really. Truly.  Suuuuuuuuuuucks.  Not to make light of real trials - I'm not suffering thru  chemo or having mamos on a regular basis.  I have some perspective.  (But that little beast who lives in my brain and often forces me to speak out in tight situations just poked my left eyeball and said "it still suuuuuucks")

To prove I have correct perspective:  moving sucks way worse than posing for a generational kissy pic at a wedding, and IMO, I'm pretty sure I would have been hurting someone over that little incident.  Im not sure my eyes would ever cease rolling.  @portia you are very brave.  Good sport.  (That little demon in my head just sniggered a little bit).

[Love2dance]

Welcome back @Happyfatchick. Missed you. Moving is the WORST thing you can do voluntarily, IMHO. I promised myself after our last move that I was NEVER going to move again, I hate it so much. (But I probably will have to at some point....two story house.) Anyway, you have my sympathy, even tho it isn't a health issue.

[zoomama]

yesterday i attended my grandson's 5th grade promotion ceremony. today my granddaughter had her kindergarten promotion. that's all the graduatin' going on this year, for us.  it has been a labor of love to get there - 40ish  min drive each way (so 160+ miles over 24 hours), all while being sick.  this time it's kickin my boo-tay. antibiotics, cough meds, steroids, breathing treatments and sleeping sitting up  in a recliner. the worst is being so out of beath much of the time. but i will live and then it will be back to the diet/exercise grind for this old girl. doesn't sound fun.....

[bigskygirl]

3 hours ago, zoomama said:

yesterday i attended my grandson's 5th grade promotion ceremony. today my granddaughter had her kindergarten promotion. that's all the graduatin' going on this year, for us.  it has been a labor of love to get there - 40ish  min drive each way (so 160+ miles over 24 hours), all while being sick.  this time it's kickin my boo-tay. antibiotics, cough meds, steroids, breathing treatments and sleeping sitting up  in a recliner. the worst is being so out of beath much of the time. but i will live and then it will be back to the diet/exercise grind for this old girl. doesn't sound fun.....

I am on steroid eye drops since the last prescription eye drops did not work out too well. My eyes still bother me. I started physical therapy yesterday. My left shoulder and neck areas are weak, so I am on one exercise already in order to build up strength. I also got in a bad habit of sitting too much, so I got a mini lecture from my physical therapist. I am trying to get up and move around and go for walks per exercising. I am in a cranky mood since the pain in my neck, left shoulder and back hurts, and my eye dryness, pain and blurry vision are not getting better. I can only imagine what medical treatment plan will come next for my eyes. I will be on physical therapy for a month.

[Jynnan tonnix]

7 hours ago, Love2dance said:

Welcome back @Happyfatchick. Missed you. Moving is the WORST thing you can do voluntarily, IMHO. I promised myself after our last move that I was NEVER going to move again, I hate it so much. (But I probably will have to at some point....two story house.) Anyway, you have my sympathy, even tho it isn't a health issue.

Ha! I love moving. Well to be fair, when you are a military family a lot of the really heavy stuff if a lot easier, but still...over the past 32 years we went from Connecticut, to Scotland, to Virginia, to Guam, to San Diego, back to Connecticut to Hawaii, to Connecticut again, back to Hawaii, to Georgia, and then finally back to Connecticut where we have now been for a record 4 and a half years ( he finally retired a couple of years ago)...and I find myself feeling as though it's about time to pick up sticks and move again....

[Arwen Evenstar]

On 5/23/2017 at 6:32 PM, jjane said:

Hi Guys: to all you lovely people who have sent love, hugs, prayers and good wishes, I have good  news. My doctor called and said everything they took out in the biopsy was benign. I'll see him on the first to talk about follow-up, but for now I can breathe again. I was trying to downplay it for Hubby because he has gone through cancer and was an absolute trooper so I didn't want to be a ninny. This is really the only place I mentioned it because I don't like having the attention on me and it was easier to keep it to the two of us. So, full frontal hugs around and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support.

And @Arwen Evenstar, a big one for you and a fervent wish and prayer that everything turns out for the best where you are concerned. I always look forward to your updates and wish you love, light and peace.

@jjane, I am rejoicing in your good news!  So happy for you!

[Arwen Evenstar]

Had my follow up PET scan this past Friday. Should get results some time this week.  So nervous.  Hoping after everything I've been through that these treatments have done some good.  Have been knocked down with a sinus infection that made me feel so wretched that i felt worse than if I'd had another chemo.  Almost done with the antibiotics...horrible horse pills.

[crazycatlady58]

Thanks  for letting  everyone  know how you are. Still praying  for you. Sinus  infections are the pits, especially  if you   are already  ill.

[Love2dance]

Thank you @Arwen Evenstar, so sorry you are having to deal with a sinus infection. Wishing you good results on your test, and sending you support and hugs! You are in my thoughts a lot!

[Marigold]

Just came over to say hello and check on everyone.  :) 

[GeeGolly]

Eek. Stupid crazy weather in my neck of the woods.

[Sew Sumi]

@Arwen Evenstar <3 always on my mind. (and yes, you can insert Wilie Nelson here)

Everyone in the storms' paths, stay safe. So cold and boring here. 

[Love2dance]

Wishing everyone in the storms' path a safe evening and day. Hope you can hunker down.

[MunichNark]

4 hours ago, Sew Sumi said:

@Arwen Evenstar <3 always on my mind. (and yes, you can insert Wilie Nelson here)

Everyone in the storms' paths, stay safe. So cold and boring here. 

Cold??? Where are you, can we please trade? We've had nothing but horrible heat for far too long and it's only spring!

[Arwen Evenstar]

Good news! Scan has shown improvement.  One small mass gone, two smaller ones shrunk. Lung metastases are reduced as well, which is excellent news.  Larger masses not shrunk much, but they aren't "lighting up" on the scan with the intensity they were before. Have 3 more treatments so I've got faith the Avastin will strangle and reduce the larger masses.  THANK YOU!, JESUS!!!

[BitterApple]

Great news, Arwen! I'm so happy to hear that! 

[crazycatlady58]

Arwen that is FANTASTIC news. PTL.