Stunning in September

[CarolynF]

Hi ladies..and Gord.

MKay: You do have a wonderful DH..My mother responded very well to my brother's caring for her when she was having tough days. Men are more on a even keel sometimes with older women. Yes, ditto cyber hugs and prayers from me, too.

Sandy: KState beat U Mass, but Snyder was not pleased. I think he thought they would tromp them and they didn't..Hey, its another team..not like the olden days.
My friends were at that game. I'm glad KU won..but it would have been more fun if they had a bit of competition.

Some doctors don't get it or won't read the results correctly on the thyroid thing. It's very scarey sometimes that they don't understand. I'll be anxious to see how Cindy does with her new thyroid doctor. I need to send my dd somewhere else, too.

[sjl330]

Who is Beth seeing for her thyroid?

[TuscanGirl]

Morning!
How is everyone today?
I hope you all got to sleep in like I did!

I finally got the house cleaned yesterday - nervous energy can be a great thing!

DH was tired of me being so tense about my mom and sent me to the movies yesterday afternoon. I saw The 500 Days of Summer. It was really good!

I'm going to talk to the Assisted Care Director tomorrow and listen to what she thinks we should do.

Sigh.

[sjl330]

That was probably a very good thing to do MK. Relaxation and working around the house. I know your mom never really leaves your thoughts but at least it's a reprieve for a bit. Your DH sounds like a very smart man. How old is your mom? And how long has she been dealing with this?

I slept in til 8 but wish it would've been longer. DH is still in there. His back is a bit better. I hope we can at least leave the house today. I'm going a bit stir crazy. I might go ahead and get my run/walk in today. There's a local woman around here who started running at age 80!!! She's now 93 and just won gold in the senior Olympics!! She's my hero, lol. Her DD was interviewed also and said she does run her mom to the Drs. but it's sports medicine drs. not heart drs. etc. She lives pretty close to my dad so if I see her out walking/running sometime I'm going to stop and tell her what an inspiration she is.

[CarolynF]

Hi everyone,

I don't know who Beth is seeing, but I do think she needs more meds than she is getting now. He prescribes only Synthroid and she has 1/2 of a thyroid..So, hopefully, Cindy can pave the way with the doctor in Gladstone.

Sandy: Glad your dh's back is a little better........That is amazing about that lady runner.. Wowo.

Oh...Mary Kay..It's good that you are talking with the Assisted Care lady, however, they might recommend more "care"..like a nursing home for AD patients, I'm afraid. My minlaw's Assisted Living wasn't licensed to care for people with dementia or other more
serious diseases (like Betty's), so she had to move. It is a sad day when that happens.

We got two DVDs to watch..The Leatherheads..(cute movie) and Seven Pounds, which will be our treat tonight. Gary is running around doing errands and other things this morning. He is working on the bricks under the deck..So, I guess I'll have to cook a decent meal tonight..LOLOL..

Hey, started my new thyroid meds (3 grains of Westhroid) and I started losing a little weight......I'm not holding my breath, but the scale was at 152.0 this morning..This would be a minor miracle..

Hi Buffy, how is your family doing?????????

Well, I'm heading to McDonalds for an iced coffee, then back to the laundry, ironing, etc.

[TuscanGirl]

Wow Sandy - that's so cool!!!!
I can't run now!

You should definitely get out of the house today! I took the dog on a much longer walk than he wanted, but I needed it!

My mom is 79 - so she could do this for a long time.
She's been dealing with it since she moved into Assisted Living - so about 3 years, though it's getting progressively worse.

[CarolynF]

What's happening today??? We have a little rain. I baked a bunch of carby cookies and some SF brownies for the beginning of Bible Study. Tossed the leftovers in the freezer and will take them to the church picnic on Sunday..

I was shocked to be down to 151 today..This could be a fluke or my new meds kicking in..We'll see by Friday.

Cindy: Did you get an appointment??

MKay:How's your mom??? Hope the appointment went well..

Hi Sandy and Miss Buffy..

[sjl330]

Well DH definitely has gastritis. They took a biopsy to check further. And to check for H-pylori. He also has a candida infection around his esophagus! Maybe caused from antibiotics at some point. We'll know all the results in about a week. Meantime, he's to keep taking the Nexium and a scrip for Diflucan for 10 days. His back is still hurting too. We're supposed to have dinner theater tonight but he's staying home. So I'm looking for a date! Lol.

[TuscanGirl]

Carolyn - congrats!!
Sandy - Oh no!

Mom's story is too long - but they say she can't stay alone in Assisted Living - so I'm finding someone to come in every night ($13.75 an hour ) and see what we can do about the weekends.

I'm trying to get her into a secure living place, but right now they don't have any openings.
It's been a tough day.

[CarolynF]

Sandy: I wish I lived closer, I'd be your date. Gosh, poor Dh..Gastritis is not fun..Okay, if the Nexium doesn't seem to work, you can try another drug..I liked Protonix the best of all those drugs. Is he eating lots of yogurt now?

Mary Kay, I was afraid of that. Yup, it's not cheap having someone stay with your mom, etc. When my mom was sick, there were no openings in our town, but my brother stayed home with her anyway. Have you thought of going to another town?? It's not as convenient for you, but it probably won't matter to her, as long as it's good. You have such a busy schedule with DS17 still at home, it can become very difficult to find someone to care for her. Prayers that something will open up for her..

[TuscanGirl]

Thanks Carolyn - DH and I talked about that last night.
I'll look in one about 40 minutes away today.

[sjl330]

Oh MK, I'm so sorry. I pray you find a nice place for your mom. Do they at least have waiting lists for the places that are full? It's just so sad for everyone involved isn't it? And frustrating too of course. Hang on girl! Did you ever get to read that book Designated Daughter? I wish I had read that book a long time ago.

The play was good, the food was yummy and a good time was had by all. It was Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping. I think I liked the first one better but this one was still good.

I need to get refocused on eating right again today. It sure seems like I say that a lot! Lol.

[CarolynF]

Hi everyone..

Gosh, I tried to get to town and there is water over the road everywhere.. So, I'm going to sew 2 valances for my bathrooms.. It is still raining like crazy and I am hoping we don't have another flood, like we did 2 years ago in the summer where houses were lost. We are on a hill, so we have no fear of that..Thank God.

Hugs to Mary Kay..When you visit places, you get a real feeling of what's going on. Betty wanted to be in our town, where the nursing home wasn't so great, but she wanted us closer. I do think that quality is the key..the food, the staff, etc..and they all vary. It's not easy, but Alzheimer's doesn't give you many options, I'm afraid.

I was at 152 this morning..but if I can hold that for a while and go down slowly, I'll be happy. I don't think I have bad effects from upping my thyroid meds either..which is good.

Hope you are all keeping dry.

[CindyCRNA]

Sorry for the incommunicado from me. I have typing furiously on the thyroid thread. Remember how I said my docs nurse said he looked at my labs and said he was going to leave them alone? My FT3 was barely at the bottom of the normal range. Well, i saw him at the hospital and asked how it was going. I said I was under medicated. I backed it up with symptoms: Continued hair loss (but it was getting better), continued lethargy (but it was better). When i was able to give him symptoms, coupled with marginal labs (and speaking to him, not his nurse) he upped my Synthroid and put me on Cytomel 12.5 mg, twice a day. So I am going to keep going to him as long as he is open to aggressive treatment. But Sandy, this doc in Gladstone sounds great also. He does hair analysis, adrenal support. He is a DO but I don't know if he is an endo. He will be my ace in the hole if this peters out.

[TuscanGirl]

Sandy - I did put her on the waiting list for the one here in town - it cost $1500 to do so!

Carolyn - congrats on the loss! I've lost 2 lbs overnight on the forget to eat because you're stressed diet!

Cindy - I hope they get your meds figured out!

[sjl330]

Wow MK! I think the one here makes you put a large retainer on it to hold it too. Will that go towards her 1st month's fees at least? Please don't forget to take care of yourself. Are you getting your walks in? I know how you love them and they're even more important now for some stress relief. Not near enough relief I'm sure but every little bit has to help.

Cindy, good for you! I have an appt. in Nov. for my yearly and I'm going to really go over everything again then. We'll see how that goes.

Carolyn, we're expecting your rain here soon. I hope no floods for any of us though please.

[TuscanGirl]

Sandy - no it doesn't go toward anything but holding your spot!
If you decide not to move in you do get it back though.
Wonder how quickly they'll cash my check!

I had a massage today, but didn't get my walk in this morning.
I was also going to go to the gym, but got up and got right on the computer, so that went out the window.

[sjl330]

I'm afraid with the baby boomers all reaching "that age" it's only going to get worse, not better. I told my DH a long time ago we should invest in some type of housing for the elderly. He said, we'll be the elderly! Duh, I knew that but figured we might as well profit from it in some way, lol. We didn't do it though.
I'm glad you got a massage. That's always nice.

[TuscanGirl]

OK.
I'm better.

I worked really hard today and found 2 places about 50 minutes away that sound wonderful.
One is just for Alzheimer/Dementia patients and the other does regular and A/D Assisted Living.

I have a meeting with both of them next Tuesday.
AND they both have a spot open.

Of course I'd have to bring my mom over too, but hopefully I could also do that next week.
I feel like I've run a marathon.
I'm tired!

[sjl330]

That's great news!!! Good for you!! You can give yourself a big pat on the back now. And sit down and take a deep breath and RELAX for a little while. Maybe enjoy a glass of wine. You deserve it today for sure.

[CindyCRNA]

MK, we are getting closer each day to assisted living with my BF's mom. She has caretakers come in 2 times a day but she almost is getting to the point of 24 hour care. She doesn't wonder off but try's to turn the stove on to cook. I told my BF he should just shut off the gas to the stove but it is only a matter of time. She stills asks my BF how his wife is (she died 4 years ago). They never told her that her daughter-in-law was killed a month ago. No need.

Sandy, I'm encouraged that Dr M will listen. We'll see how he is when my labs come back.

Carolyn, you need to quit posting over on the recipe thread. Your making me hungry!!

[CarolynF]

Hi...

Yeah, Mary Kay...50 minutes is not that bad, really. When Betty was in, we didn't go everyday..a couple times a week..If they are happy there, they barely want you there, which is a good thing. Sounds like a great plan. You know..see what you think next Tuesday and maybe pick the best one for her. If they are both the same, then you give
her a choice. Single rooms are the bestest, if you can swing it and if they have them available..

Sandy: The rain let up for the minute and I could get to knitting class and exercising, etc..But we are supposed to get more rain the rest of the week..Neither of us need floods, do we???

Cindy: Yipeee....That is terrific your doctor listened to you.. I think the Lev/Cytomel combo would be acceptable, too. So, you are on 25 cm Cytomel, split and how much T4? I'm on 3 grains, which is 114 T4 and 27 T3..So far, so good. My doctor said to watch for heart palpitations..Now, how do I know if I'm having them? Is that the pulse??

Hi Buffy..whereever you are..

[Buffy45]

Hello dear friendsl.

On a road trip, so only have very limited access to computer but got on tonight.

Sorry MK for all the problems with your Mom, such a sad time for all of you.

Carolyn, that is great that your meds are kicking in.

Yes, i agree my TSH was way too high, surprised too since I go to an endocrinologist and he let it go at that. i see him again in Oct. and will address it then. But, I never know anymore if when I feel bad it is PMS, thyroid, diabetes, old age, you know.

Not sure when I will get back on but wanted to say hi to everyone and will catch up when I get back.

Be good everyone, hugs all around!!!

[TuscanGirl]

Morning!

It's certainly a brighter morning here today than it was yesterday!
Though I'm still tired because DS17 got home last night at 9:30 after his soccer game and wondered if I could get his uniform washed before yearbook pictures today!

Of course.

He's my baby, so always, of course!

Anyway, today I have a PEO organizational meeting from 10:00-12:00, a HS Catholic Identity meeting from 3:00-4:00 and a Parish Council meeting from 7-8:30.
At least now I feel like I have the mental strength to go!

Sandy - instead of a glass of wine I watched brain-cell killing TV. It was great!

Cindy - Yikes! The stove stuff is scary! Good luck. Getting them out of their homes for the first time is one of the hardest parts!
I'm glad you feel good about your meds, finally!

Carolyn - thanks for all your encouragement!
I figure I won't go more than once a week. DH goes through there on his way to and from St Louis, so he thinks he could stop too.

As long as we keep in touch by phone, we'll be OK.

Are you sending rain this way? No no no no

Buffy - Hi! Why do you seem to have more fun (and take more trips) than the rest of us combined? Where are you now?

[CarolynF]

Hi everyone..

I'm hoping my meds are kicking in, but I do have to watch my intake..darn it..I was back to 153 today..So, I'm being good now.

Buffy: Have fun, be safe wherever you are.. Endos don't necessarily know about the thyroid or T3, etc.. But, I will be anxious to see what your dr. says in October.

Sandy: It's cloudy here....how's your weather? Now, what time do you take your second dose of thyroid meds??? I've been shooting for 3 ish..

MKay: Gosh, you do have a busy life with all the kids, dh, mom, etc. They call our generation "the sandwich generation"..Old parents on the top..We are the bologna in the middle, and children on the bottom. It sounds like things are promising with the 2 new places. Anxious to hear what you think when you visit them.

Cindy: Have you got your new drugs yet??

[sjl330]

I take my thyroid first thing in the a.m. and right before bed.

I think I'm in the club sandwich generation, lol. I feel like I've been at least partially in charge of parents, me and DH, the kids and the grandkids. After I quit working full time I became the running them to events person for the grandkids. I loved every minute of it though and really miss that time I got to spend with those older grandkids. I don't see the younger ones near as much as I did the older ones. Probably b/c their mom doesn't work outside the home except for nannying which she always took the kids with her. My loss.

It's sunny here now. It was cloudy. But it's very pleasant.

I started my Bible study today. It's a study of salvation history called Journey Through the Bible by Jeff Cavins and Sarah Christmyer.

[CarolynF]

Sandy: You are the club sandwich generation..LOL..Who is the bacon? Your bible study sounds great..Is it at your local church? We are doing the other half of Luke..It's a community ladies' study..Ladies from several different churches attend.

Gary's car is in the shop..New distributor needed..cough, cough.. We should have traded it in as a clunker.

[sjl330]

Yes, the Bible study is held at our church but is an inter-parish study. There were people from several different parishes there. We all start out in one big group and then divide into smaller discussion groups. We're also studying the book of James and The Passion of Christ when we're done with the journey one. It goes throughout the whole school year with time off when the kids are out of school. I've already told my dad not to make any appts. for Thurs. mornings, lol.

[CarolynF]

Sounds like a good one..We take off snowdays, and school vacations, too..

[CindyCRNA]

Originally Posted by CarolynF

Cindy: Have you got your new drugs yet??

Yes, just today. My Cytomel is compounded into a 12.5mg capsules to take twice a day.