Geriatric MM Warriors June 13, 2010

[Diane W.]

Hi everyone!
Kate - My snowshoes are so cool. I went to the trail where I normally walk and used them there. The snow had an ice crust on top and it was pretty easy to navigate. I had to watch my feet to see where to place them, since some places were very uneven. I fell once when I caught the front of my left shoe with the back of my right. It was like a slow motion stumble down to my left knee. It was lucky I had my poles to help me stand up. The trail is 1/2 mile once around and my hip joints were aching at the end.

Kathy - I'm glad you're feeling better! I don't have anyone else to help with my expenses, so every penny is needed. I would love to work close to home, but I really need to make a certain amount. I know what you mean, about a nice tradeoff, but it isn't really something I can do long term. Right now I am subsidizing my unemployment with money from a 401K (killed on taxes & penalty). It will be 2 years of being unemployed come April and 2 months ago my savings were all used up. As you know, this sucks!

Today was the complete opposite of yesterday - cold & very windy. I guess winter is still here.

 

[Diane W.]

Jocelyn - I hope that you left New Zealand by now. Please check in and let us know that you are okay.

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Im here too Diane and worrying about Jocelyn!! OMG, prayers going out that they were not in the earthquake zone and are safe and sound....

 

[Wisteria1956]

The earthquake was in Christchurch and Jocelyn last wrote us from Wellington which is over 6 hrs. away so unless they traveled down along the coast line after she wrote us, she should have been out of danger. I'll be looking forward to hearing that she and Bob are fine. Let's do pray for the poor souls that weren't so lucky. It sounds like a horrible tragedy.

Tom is back to eating pretty much anything he wants now. He's gone to the gym two days over the long weekend, working with very light weights to start and only about 10 minutes of cardio. I guess he'll try to work back up to those 1000 situps someday.He still gets very tired, but we did manage to go out to a movie and dinner this weekend. It had been a very long time!

 

[gettinhealthy]

I'm still here too. Just a quick hello for now.

Sending prayers out to Jocelyn and Bob that they are not anywhere near the earthquake zone.

Lisa, so glad tpo hear Tom is doing better. How are you holding up and feeling?

Been doing some insightful thinking the last few weeks. Coming to some very insightful conclusions. I have noticed I've been very negative lately and not liking it one bit. I am listen to a 10 day seminar online regarding EFT tapping. It has been helpful so far. May have to try to find the tapes/books online

Ol, back to work.


Diane, hope you didn't get snowed in. It was horrible here with tons of accidents and roads getting closed down. We got about a foot in about a 10 hour period!

Sending hugs and prayers to u all!!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kathy: Thanks for asking about me. I'm trying really hard to hold positive thoughts, even if it's only for an hour at a time. I got a Kindle for my birthday and I have found a lot of wonderful escape in some great books the last couple of weeks. Trying to visualize Tom healed, but for some reason I'm kind of lousy at sticking to my good intentions. I'm sorry you've been going through a rough patch too. I wish sometimes we could all just have a cup of coffee and some big hugs in person. John-Paul will be home in 16 days and that is the best possible distraction for us. We're just praying for a clean scan around the middle of March. I don't know if they would call it remission then?? I might need to go to the office tonight. I find when I'm with my clients I don't think about my fears much so it's a good distraction. However, I can't schedule myself too full since I feel like I want to be free to help Tom with his appointments, etc.

I am reading the most riveting book called The Room and I swear I can't put it down. Had to go to the eye doctor today so I started reading and it's one of those stories that make you gasp outloud. Very close to home with the Jaycee Duggard kidnapping story, which was just up the freeway in the foothills from us. The Room is about a boy who has lived with his mom in a shed for all of his 5 years. She was kidnapped and has taught him so much on her own while they have never left this room. I won't give it away, but if you read the reviews you would know that they devise a plan for escape that relies on him to carry it out. Riveting! The story is told in the voice of the little boy. So good!

 

[Wisteria1956]

What's EFT?

 

[gettinhealthy]

What's EFT?

Lisa, EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques. It more or less is saying positive things, while tapping on certain pressure points.
I am finding it is really helping to calm my mind, and is relieving my pain as well. You can use the tapping in all areas of your life. Depression, pain, financial problems, relationships, pretty much everything that affects us.
I am finding I am having much more calm days, not as tired, and not feeling as depressed. The theory is that your emotions play a part in how your body feels. Stress, pain, etc.
Here is a link to more information if anyone is interested. I know quite a few famous people do it, including Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup for the Soul)

http://www.eftuniverse.com/ (the original site of the founder of eft, has ebooks, etc too. really love this one!)
http://www.attract-a-life-of-abundance.com/index.html (also a good site)

I am assuming there is much more on the web about it, but haven't had time to really research it more than this. I am looking for an audio I can use that has calm tones to it to help with the meditation aspect of it. I am hoping to download it onto my ipod, which is always with me, and when I feel pain, stress, whatever, I can do a quick session of tapping.

 

[gettinhealthy]

Lisa,
I am glad you're doing ok. I know a lot of times when there is someone who is ill, the caretaker tends to be overlooked, and sometimes they need some time off just to be by themselves.
I'm glad you're able to find some solace in work. We all need places where we can be separate from our partners. Guess just needing a breather.
That is so good that J-P will be able to come home soon!! Is that spring break? I never did get that stuff straight LOL.
I'll be thinking of you guys when he gets his scan. I always thought 6 months cancer free meant remission. I'm not sure if this is true or not. It could also be to each their own.

I have heard the review for the book you mentioned. I may have to purchase it. I have been thinking of getting a kindle, but still borderline on it. I love to read, but never really have the time. But with the kindle, it would be portable also, and I think easier than a book to take with me.
I was looking on amazon for some of the EFT books, and they have them for the kindle rather cheaply. Something to consider.

Ok, off to do a bit more reading on this new stuff I've found LOL.
I'll be back later or tomorrow. When you want to get together for that coffee, tea, or whatever, just let me know!!

Oh, had a craving today that I gave in to. Rye bread. What the heck is up with that? I ate a slice this morning and it was sooo good!! I've been hungry for it for a week, and today the bakery had just put the loaves out when I stopped. I think that was a sign LOL.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kathy: That tapping sounds like the method used by the author of I Can Make You Thin. We saw him on public television quite some time ago and then again recently on Dr. Oz. I tried it and it works, but then I forgot about it, lol! Sometimes new information and age don't mix.

I LOVE MY KINDLE! I've read 4 books since my birthday. My eyes had begun to lose a bit of sharpness and I found myself not enjoying reading as much. With the Kindle, I can up the font one step and see much easier. I had to go get special reading glasses. I can't use the over the counter ones because my eyes are lasered like bifocals. I have monovision. Terrific until it starts to go then there's a big problemo!

We are having record lows and huge downpours. The snowline is much lower than usual. Just raining so far where I am, but it's really windy and awful. I have to find homes for two new clients, but it's going to have to wait a couple of days. One of them needs horse property. Not a good day to go tromping around fields, that's for sure.

Lots of paperwork to catch up on so I'll try to stay dry. Hope you all have a great day!

 

[Diane W.]

Where is everyone? I hope you're all happy & healthy.

I've discovered how to make the snow stop and the warmer weather to come --- buy snowshoes!! I'm not complaining about the nicer weather, but I can't get over the timing. Geez.

Yesterday I applied to 11 jobs. Hopefully something will come from them. I say that all the time... I'm still keeping a positive outlook.
Unemployment ran out - 93 weeks! I still can't believe I've been out of work for that long.

Lisa - I know Tom's checkup is coming up. What day is it? I'm keeping you both in my prayers.

Kate, Robin, Kathy, Pam, Beverly and everyone else......... hope all is well. Check in and say hi.

It's beautiful today. Definitely going for a nice long walk and meditating on manifesting my perfect new job!

Hope when I check back later there will be a lot to read!
Hugs to all.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Diane: I've been wondering the same thing about everyone. We're having a terrible rain and wind storm today, but at least we had a few days of gorgeous sunshine beforehand. I was able to pull all of the weeds that came up over the end of winter. It's always a chore that first time there's a break in the weather. We live on a nature area so the seeds do really blow into our yard. Lots of payoffs, though. The other day I had a gorgeous male pheasant at my bird feeder for a long time. He was cleaning up the seeds on the ground.

Tom's had a high fever and flu the last couple of days. Really scared me when it first hit because the chemo orientation had told us to be so careful of fevers since he could get a blood infection or other problems. What they didn't tell us was when it wouldn't be a concern so I didn't know if 3 weeks later was something to be worried about. Guess it was just a virus like anyone else could get. His fever is finally down this morning. He had just returned to eating well and going to the gym. He hasn't had a bite of food in over 2 days now. I think he might eat something today. Whew!

His PET scan should be close to the 14th of March. It's not on the schedule yet, which is driving me nuts. I have to wait for the San Francisco doctor to write the orders. Don't know what's taking so long. I've emailed twice so if nothing happens today, I'm going to call. Not looking forward to being on hold forever though.

Diane, I hope you find the right job in this new batch of applications. I'll keep holding lots of positive thoughts for you! I know it's just around the corner.

Missing everyone else...I do check in to see if we have new posts.

 

[Diane W.]

Hi Lisa! I'm sorry Tom wasn't feeling well and happy that he's getting better. I hope you are taking care of yourself too. The spring can't get here fast enough for me. We had a little taste of it, but it quickly left. Today was overcast and very windy. I tried walking, but only lasted about 15 minutes - the wind was a killer.
The appointment setting hold-up must be so frustrating for you both. I hope you get a definite answer soon.

I watched a new show called "Shedding for the Wedding" - couples competing to lose weight and win a dream wedding. It's very similar to the Biggest Loser. I am always yelling at the screen - "Get a good sports bra!!" These girls are running and nearly knocking themselves out. It is a cute show though. It's on the CW channel (not sure what that stands for).

I hope more of our group checks in soon. Miss you.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Tom is better today.

I'm going to try to take a walk with Bonnie during the brief interval in the rain. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny so I'm showing acreage property tomorrow.

Dr. Oz had Dr. Andrew Weil on a couple of days ago speaking about integrative medicine. It was such a promising discussion and I hope we see more and more holistic medicine practitioners available to the population. It's terrible that insurance doesn't pay for prevention in the US. Doctors in France are given bonuses if their patients stay healthy, quit smoking, etc. Anyway, they really promoted the anti-inflammatory diet I was doing 5 years ago. I got too busy with work and began to lose control of making my own food and that's where the trouble began. I'm trying really hard to go back to that way of eating because I feel so much better, I lose weight and I know it works! I'll let you all know if I begin to achieve exciting results again. Another aspect of my former success was a dogged determination to exercise - mostly walking, Diane. It's really effective and safe. I hope you got to walk today!

Miss you, everyone else!

 

[Diane W.]

Hi everyone!
Lisa - Is Dr. Weil promoting anything new? I read a book of his a long time ago. I don't remember the name. I tried his newsletter for a while, but it was kind of expensive. I hope you have success with your eating plan.

I couldn't walk yesterday - too windy again. Today looks like it will be nice.

Nothing else new - just checking in! Hope everyone enjoys the day!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Diane, You could check out the Dr. Oz website for the episode with Dr. Weil. He's training new doctors in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. They talked a lot about stress reduction. 75% of medical visits are stress related! They also talked about diet and supplements. He had 4 other young doctors on with him. One of them talked about how we don't breathe deeply enough. I've been using his 4-count in and 4-count out breathing tip to relax. It really seems to help. I know I'm a shallow breather. Sometimes when I'm trying hard at something, I catch myself holding my breath!

 

[Diane W.]

Hi everyone! Where are you all?

Nothing new with me. The weather today is awful - rainy, windy. Owen has a terrible cold. He left this morning to go to an outdoorsman show with his dad. God forbid he should tell him he's too sick to go. Don't want to disappoint dad! (yes, it annoys me)

I miss you all and worry that a) you're sick, b) you've given up visiting here, c) you have amnesia, d) your evil twin has taken over and you can't get in touch with us.

I hope you all have a great day and that the weather is better where you are than it is here!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Diane, you are very funny.

It's rainy here today, too. We started my rock tumbling project this morning. It takes about 4 - 6 weeks to go through all the steps to the final smooth treasures. I'm tumbling all of the agates I picked up in Oregon over Labor Day week last year. Some are really show stoppers. When I can, I'm going to have a bracelet and maybe a couple of necklaces made. Fun hobby, I hope.

Wrote an offer last night after showing homes in the afternoon so I'm tired. I always run over everything in my head for a few hours in case I missed anything.

Feeling like Spring cleaning, but it's not sunny enough to see the dirt anyway, lol. Maybe we'll give up and watch a movie or go to a movie. Good day for it.

Tom's over his flu, but still tired. He's lost 20 lbs. over this whole ordeal. It takes him back to his presurgery weight when he was working out all the time, but he was stronger then. All in good time, I'm sure. He has still got that hematoma on his groin/upper thigh and now it's red and hot. Doctor is being called tomorrow. I hope it's nothing to worry about.

I hope Owen feels better soon. My kid would go anywhere sick, too. I think it's a boy thing. J-P is working literally night and day on a deadline for a website for a big family-owned cheese company in WI. He has hundreds of pounds of gift cheese so my sis is getting him a fondue pot for his birthday. Great idea! We're going to use some of the cheese at my friend's son's wedding soon. Perks. He gets free Nike's, free snowboards and now cheese. Haha.

Come out, come out, where every you are!

 

[Wisteria1956]

I need my Peeps!

Tom didn't have the flu afterall. He has an infection of the groin hematoma at the surgery drain site. It's very serious. It's about 4 x 6, very red and hot. He had ultrasound and they aspirated 2 huge vials of dark brown infection out of it yesterday. He might need IV antibiotics and there is a chance it won't go away without surgery, which means we would be heading back to San Francisco quickly. There is evidence in the ultrasound that tissue is dying. This is located just over his femoral artery so it's very serious.

Please pray!

 

[Diane W.]

Lisa - My prayers are with you and Tom. I hope that you have someone there who can be with you during Tom's treatments (whatever they may be).
Know that I will be thinking of you and praying for a quick recovery.