Depression is a medical condition that many people have to deal with. This is a place to talk with others with this same condition.
Hi
Indeed it is good to talk to others when we have problems with depression.
Kelly
What happened to the "history" of replies in this topic? Did the whole site get reset?
I've suffered from depression and PTSD for years now. I've had great discussions about it in this topic, but it looks like they're all gone.
Hi Dahlia308
Always here to listen
Kelly
Yes, Dahlia, the site had a major malfunction, and everything was lost. All fiscussions, registrations, etc. had to be started all over again.
Hi all,
I've been diagnosed with a major depression and PTSD stemming from my mom dying when I was three years old. Now I have abandonment issues. Whenever someone dies or moves away, I suffer terrible grief. We've recently lost one of our beloved pets to kidney failure and next Saturday is the first anniversary of my brother's death. My son is looking for a job away from here (will be interviewing for a job in Virginia in a few weeks). All in all, I feel very empty and alone.
I live with a wonderful man who puts up with my depression but can't help me. He's nine years older than I am and I know that, one day, he'll be "leaving" me, too. Because of all of this I have no confidence in myself and don't know where to get it.
I volunteer for hospice and the American Red Cross, but volunteering is giving to other people, not other people giving to me.
Anyway, thanks for listening and responding, if you do.
Nancy
Nancy...have you tried support groups in your area or a counselor who can give to you? Do you see a doctor who can give suggestions for you?
Jane
Jane, I see a therapist once a week, but she doesn't do much for me. Maybe I need to push to talk about the difficult subjects that bother me. I'm also on two different antidepressants, which don't seem to do much good. The feeling of aloneness isn't something you can medicate away.
I'm thinking about joining a local church to meet more people. But I don't want to get into a position where the churchgoers will expect another volunteer. That's how I've always gotten people to like me - by volunteering.
Nancy
Nancy - it's good that you speak openly about your depression, and that you're dealing with it. The fact that you volunteer is a good thing, and also that the person you live with is supportive, and genuinely cares about you. I hope today, Mother's Day, is a pleasant one for you, and that you will spend some time with your son. :)
Nancy...if the weekly therapist isn't helping you talk about the difficult things that bother you, I certainly think you should push. You're there, after all, to get help, and if you're not, something needs to change.
Our daughter has PTDS starting from physical abuse . Her husband tried to kill her & he would have succeeded but her neighbor heard her screams & came in the back door . Then her youngest son died 2-1/2 years ago & she had a nervous break down . Her moods flip from okay to barely rational . She has since remarried & her new husband is her rock ! When she is not rational I don't know how to answer her emails . I have told her this . I'm going through a health issue now & I haven't told her for fear it will send her into another depression .
If I may jump in as I haven't posted in here for some years, and I vowed I would never post in here again but....I suffer clinical depression, ( past experiences ) anxiety, ( my present illness ) and now terrible stress which is starting to eat away with me......The stress in my life I cant get away from, shan't go into the details but....this is not helping, infact it is making my illness of Primary Progressive MS ( diagnosed last April ) a whole lot worse, something we should be avoiding for our own benefit...I can deal with my illness, that isn't going to go away, just get worse....but the stress is going to be the one thing, that if I don't get that under control, will be the final doing of me....it badly affects my MS....I know deep breathing and meditation both work, so I am going to have to rely on that, for the time being.....
alpiner: I feel so bad for your daughter. She has suffered through some terrible things in her lifetime, and I can see why she has PTSD. It is so difficult for us to see our adult children suffer like that. Our youngest daughter has led an unhappy and chaotic life, due to the poor choices she has made, and continues to make. My hope is to see her find some happiness and security, before I am gone. Until then, it's a constant worry - always waiting for "the other shoe to drop".
Vanilla-Jackie: Auto-immune illnesses are stressful and unpredictable. They take a major toll on your body, and on your relationships. Our oldest daughter (not the onmentioned above). Has the illness called Graves Disease. It is a thyroid disorder. It comes on slowly over the years, and does a cruel number on your personality and your looks. When finally diagnosed, she weighed 95 pounds, and her eyes were protruding from the sockets, and her BP was up in the 200 range! She has had good treatment the past few years, and has improved, but will never be the same as she was before. Her marriage broke up when she was at her lowest point, and she now lives alone with her 24 year old autistic daughter. Not a great life now, but she has a good attitude, and is grateful for all the happy years she had before Grave's changed everything.
Marilyne, yes there is nothing worse than a disease that slowly eats away at your life, or what our life once existed of........I am not familiar with Graves disease, guess any more than I was with MS, until it became MY reality....Marylyne it cant be easy for you as a mother watching your daughters personality changing, nor her appearance changing...nor easy on daughter caring for her autistic daughter. Yes attitude certainly plays a good part, as I have found on my MS forum but, even those many members have their downer days, where they cant take any more, yes MS is very very unpredictable...
When I told my 46 year old daughter of my Illness, she left a very nasty recorded telephone message calling me a selfish c***t because I have, or will be passing my illness onto her, my 27 year old grandson and now my great grandchild who was born last Nov, yet no one has had the decency to tell me even what sex the baby is....I have purposely moved far away, just to get on with the rest of my life....
Nancy, yes a church to join seems a very good Idea, you should not put yourself under pressure to volunteer for something you don't want to volunteer for....try to stay in control...
A lot of our friends have not found the regenerated S&F and many have turned to facebook and the other social-media junk.
My doctor asked why all of a sudden I showed signs of depression.
At my age (95) with multiple vision, hearing and dental problems I feel I have a right for a little depression, particularly when doctors say come back next year. Then there is the problem of wiping my own butt AND along comes Donald Trump to ruin my election year.
I put that in to make some of you feel better about your problems.
Then the kicker, I just received word that my employer is kicking old retirees off their health plan. Illinois has not funded our pension plan and now they are not funding education.
I feel great when I can interact with nice people.
I always wished and prayed to get away from my previous address and location as I wasn't happy there, so God gave me Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, that got me away....lesson learnt....so " be careful what you wish for...."
My depression stems from the days I used to walk three dogs from my old address, not any more...what I would give to have that old life back...my normal walking and my dogs....
Ray. Some of us have wondered where you where. Glad to see you post today. You are right. it is all Facebook. Texting now. Even the EMailing have mostly gone. All do quick one liners on their Phones.
You have handled you health problems over the years with very little complaining. I suppose they are right. Cost to live a long life. Just hope you are not to uncomfortable in your. Try to find one of the other forums in here with some cheer. We are all tired of all the mess with the Politics these days. You are right. Here in Illinois things are a mess. Dont need the Presidential one adding to it.
I have been depressed for a long time. :'( The depression got worse after my youngest child died. He had multiple health problems. He added to his problems by smoking. Because he was classified as disabled, his life was hard. He lived with us and helped out by paying rent. Before his first stroke he did most of the cooking and cleaning which he loved doing. He liked to be useful. After the second stroke he got very depressed. :'(
For my depression and anxiety I am on meds. I hate that I have to take as many pills as I do have to take. But, they do help me. :hugs:
GinnyAnn, I hope that you can overcome your depression. I usually have an episode or two in the winter months when the sun is scarce and we have lots of rain. One of the reasons I walk outside daily and work in my yard when able is that I have learned that bright sunny days helps me avoid depression--or at least the sunny days cheer me up. I think you have a nice patio/porch on your house. If it gets some sun during the day, maybe you could go out there and read or just enjoy the sunshine. It might help.
I was so sorry when you lost your son although I know he'd been very sick. I think losing a child whether an infant or a grown young man like your Doug must be very difficult. Big hugs to you and Ray.
Sue (from Bosom Buddies)
Ginny Ann, I take meds for depression and anxiety. I don't know what I'd do without them. It's getting to the time when my seasonal affective disorder will start kicking up. I hate cold, dark days of winter. :'( We have a light box which we use in the morning, but it's not enough. Only the sun will do.
I also have PTSD from losing my mom at the age of three. I have fear and abandonment issues also. No pills for that. Only therapy, which works only fairly well. I guess once our personalities are formed, there's nothing that can change them. I just have to understand why I react the way I do.
Hugs,
Nancy
Dahlia, I'm sorry about your depression, too. I know how tough it can be in the winter when SAD kicks in. Are you able to walk outside? I find that very helpful especially in the darker days of winter. I am a widow/retired school teacher, so I'm able to walk daily unless we are having a thunder storm. This helps me a lot.
Sue
Sue, my neighbor and I walk in our neighborhood three times a week, weather permitting. As it gets colder, we just bundle up more. We'll stop walking outdoors when the weather is really cold and windy or when there's ice on the streets. Then we'll go to the local senior center and walk indoors. But that's not the same. No sun.
The walking does help a lot. When I don't get outside, I can really feel it. Today I didn't walk, but I got outside to feed my birds and squirrels. That little bit helped. But not for long.
Nancy
I also take meds for my anxiety and depression: Lyrica (sp) Started it for the anxiety and then doc added it for the depression. Lately I have been in a down cycle :( Need to get myself out more. The holidays are hard. With Ray being an only child and me just 1 brother not many places to go to celebrate. We used to go to my brother's place, but with my sister in laws family there, it turns out not enough room for Ray and me. :'(
I am also on many other meds :(
We may go to a service group's Thanksgiving. This is a rough time for me and Ray.
Sue you are right, I do need to get outside and walk more.
Dahlia, I'm glad you are finding some opportunities to walk outside with your friend. :thumbup:! That is my best practice to avoid a set back with dark skies and gloomy weather.
GinnyAnn, you don't even have to walk very far to get a lift from the sunshine. I hope you'll have plenty of it before winter sets in. I hope you and Ray do decide to go to the service group's Thanksgiving celebration. Big Hugs to both of you.
Sue
Ginny Ann, I find most holidays stressful. My partner has three sons, two of whom live out west and one who lives an hour away but is involved in his family and grandchildren. We never get an invitation to their house for any holiday.
My son and DIL are raising four children and that's a handful. They never have picnics, only birthday parties for the kids. I fould out last weekend that they're not having Thanksgiving at their house this year - they're going to my DIL's brother's home. So Gene and I will be having Thanksgiving dinner in a local restaurant. I was actually relieved to hear that because Gene hates going out anywhere and it's a big deal to get him to go out for Thanksgiving.
As for Christmas, it's easy. I'm Jewish and my son, DIL and grandchildren celebrate one night of Chanukah with me. Then they celebrate Christmas on their own.
Sue, I also bought myself a light box a few years ago. I turn it on in the morning when I'm working at my computer. It helps a bit. I should use it more often.
Fondly,
Nancy
Nancy, I'm glad the light box helps a bit. My grandmother used to tell us "Every little bit helps". Of course she was talking about our chores, but I've found that it does help to have friends and family who do a "little bit" to cheer us up.
Sue
I'm finally seeing someone about my depression on losing Doug. Depression is hard to realize you are suffering from it. It comes on at a time when you are down and then keeps you down. She, my doc, helped me with my meds, then sent me to a talk doc. They can't write prescriptions. I like my talk doc. Even when Doug was alive, I have a hard time around the holidays.
GinnyAnn, this is great news. I am so glad you have found someone to talk to about your depression. And thank goodness for you regular doctor who helped with the meds and referred you to a talk doc. I know having someone who treats depression will be a big help to you. The treatment may be slow, but it does help. When I was depressed when Bob was away on an aircraft carrier 2 years, the pediatrician at Balboa Naval Hospital arranged for me to talk to a psychiatrist weekly--and it really helped me. I was able to tell him things I couldn't talk about with my neighbors.
Big Hugs to you this morning,
Sue
Good morning, Nancy. I hope you're having a sunny day today--to me that really helps. It sounds as if your Thanksgiving plans for a dinner out with Gene will be a really good solution for the two of you. I'm having dinner with my son, his wife and her parents who live near by. My job is to bring a salad--and they've requested the pineapple jello I made last year with crushed pineapple and cream cheese. I think we'll be having ham which my son will cook--but I'll get to take some left overs home and that makes me happy, too!
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Chanukah, too!
Sue
Sue, Thanksgiving was okay. The restaurant we picked didn't have great food, but it was turkey, etc. I had worked at a blood drive the day before Thanksgiving and the staff was giving pies to all donors. When it was over, there were pies left, so I was given one. It was the highlight of our Thanksgiving celebration!
I looked at the December calendar and Chanukah begins on Christmas eve this year. Not sure what we'll do. Maybe celebrate both together.
Ginny, I go to a social worker weekly and we talk about everything. I keep thinking I should be cured by now (I've been seeing her for years) but I guess the stuff that makes me anxious and depressed isn't going to go away (PTSD). It's mostly what happened in my childhood and my personality was formed by it. No changing that now. Just have to learn to deal with it.
I'm going to a psychiatrist Friday who sent a swab of my mouth to a lab for testing. She said the test will tell if the medicine I take for depression is working for me or if I need a different med. I hope the results point to a drug that will really help me, not just keep me slightly less depressed. I've developed tremors in my hands and my social worker looked up the drugs I was taking and found that tremors were side effects. More reason to switch.
Have a good day!
Nancy
Hi Nancy. It sounds as if your psychiatrist is trying to find a solution for you. I hope the results help her find a better solution than the one you're using now. Tremors can be very frustrating and I hope that new drugs can eliminate that side effect which must be very frustrating. Thoughts and prayers are coming your way from me here in Alabama.
Sue
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all here. I hope the new year brings joy to those of us who are suffering.
Sue, the test my psychiatrist ordered came back that I'm okay to take all drugs. That wasn't much of a help because the ones I'm on aren't working for some reason. I'm beginning to think my depression comes from my situation and it should ease up after the holidays. Usually Chanukah comes before Christmas so I have something to concentrate on. This year Chanukah starts tonight, Christmas eve. But at least it's here.
And the shortest day of the year is over and the days are getting longer again. Even though I use my light box, I miss the daylight.
Hugs,
Nancy
Hi, Nancy. I'm glad to see you back. You sound a bit cheerier and hope your Chanukah celebration helps--do you also observe Christmas Eve?
You're right about the shortest day of the year--it is depressing when it gets dark so early, but soon we'll be having longer daylight hours--and that always helps me. I try to take a long walk outside every day and that helps, too.
I hope Chanukah and Christmas if you celebrate it also bring cheer to you. Keep in touch here--I like hearing from you.
Sue
Hi Sue. I don't celebrate Christmas or Christmas eve. That's what makes it so tough. Everyone is sharing their plans for the holiday and asking what I'm going to be doing. It's so hard saying "nothing, because I don't celebrate Christmas." People look at me as though I've grown a tail.
I did celebrate Chanukah with my son, DIL and grandchildren last Thursday night. I read the story of how Chanukah came to be, we lit the candles in the menorah, ate latkes (potato pancakes) and played dreidel (a game with a spinning top). It made me finally feel better to have something to share with others.
I'm glad all the holidays are over now. And we're back to dull normal. Our decorations are down and put away. Now the talk is of spring. I can get into that!
Happy New Year to all!
Nancy
Hi Nancy. I understand about not celebrating Christmas. I DO celebrate, but this year has been tough for me. I'm not able to drive yet due to my fall, so wasn't able to shop for gifts--ended up giving my sons/their wives/and my grandsons checks--which they appreciated, but I like to give a gift, too. My son who lives here came over at 8:30 on Christmas Eve morning to take me to his in-laws home for brunch. He made his oatmeal/blueberry casserole, I took a bowl of fresh fruit, and his mother-in-law made an egg casserole. We have a tradition of making orange juice with champagne--I forget the name--for Christmas Eve morning, also. We enjoyed the meal and drinks and after cleaning up the breakfast, exchanged gifts. We sat in the living room with and chatted. The in-laws grandson who is stationed at Ft. Benning, GA, and his wife came by about noon, so we enjoyed seeing them, too. My son's father-in-law is in his late 80's and has not been well recently, but enjoyed the company.
I still have my nativity scenes out and need to put them away. I've been called this evening to sub at a bridge game tomorrow afternoon. Since I'm not yet able to drive, one of the other players will come by and pick me up. My regular Thursday bridge club will meet at 12:30 on Thursday. One of the members will stop by and take me to the game. I am fortunate to have friends who want to help.
I think if it makes you uncomfortable to tell people that you don't celebrate Christmas, maybe you could mention celebrating Chanukah. I have spent a lot of years teaching children (and adults) in Sunday School. With the children, I often explained about Chanukah and took ingredients to make potato pancakes with the classes. They thought it was great--and they learned something besides how to make potato pancakes!
Good for you for having your decorations down. I didn't put up a Christmas tree this year, but did put out nativity scenes and a neighbor brought me a small table top tree. I need to pack up the nativity scenes and return the neighbor's tree.
I'm anxious for spring, too, but January, February, and March are usually pretty chilly for Central Alabama. We start to see Spring in early April if we're lucky.
Happy New Year right back at you!
Sue
These are fun to watch. Will calm people down. http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/craft/547673/glitter-jars-how-to-calm-down-jar
Alas and alack--we are forced to give up housekeeping
and move to assisted living. El Crappo, but if you live
long enough the time will come. Depressing, but that
too will pass.
Ray...
Yes, if we're lucky, that time will come for all of us. I hope the transition is a good one for you.
jane
I hate to think the day will come. So far most of my family have made it up to late 80, 90s and managed to stay in own home. I have lived alone now since 1966. would be hard living close to people. Just have to try and stay active. Not think about it.
Cost about $3500 around here in the Assistant living. some are nice but still not enough privacy for me. Type that have full apartment with a kitchen etc. could be O.K. Could not use a dining room type. Never be a joiner of clubs etc.
MaryZ. Sounds like your place pretty private.
I have been disabled all my life and in December 2013, finally after a number of years, reached the head of the list for an independent one bedroom in a disabled building. This is one of seven buildings owned by a private firm.
There are other private apartment buildings, rental rooms and private home rooms available as well as state, federal and city availabilities. They range from very lux to deplorable and these apartments here are nice, spacious and with five rooms, three walkins, per apartment and a common room, two elevators, two sets of stairs, laundry room and wall trash receptacle on each floor.
There is a larger kitchen and common room on the first floor, 24/7 security and maintenance with self locking doors and fobs rather than keys. All the outside doors stay locked, you use your fob or call security on the intercom in the vestibule. I admit I am paying a reduced price, but I love it here! I checked around the area, read reams of instructions and put myself on the list three years before I became eligible, and two years after that, an apartment opened up. This is one decision that requires a lot of education, and time spent narrowing down what you want versus what's readily available.
Often many signs of depression are caused by physical deficiencies. SAD is often caused by a lack of vitamin A,D or K and a doctor's test is needed. You may also have thyroid issues. I often have backwards effects with medication so I'm not a good candidate there. Sleeping pills leave me wired and hospital anesthesia wears off quickly for me so I'm very careful there. The last operation I had, they needed to stop three times and put me back under.
So sometimes there are either underlying medical issues or medication upsets to understand.
Sounds like a nice place. When do you move in. You get help doing that?
The one you leave should be left nice and clean after the Bed Bug problem
They should always have placed available for people with disabilities. sound like the gov. do pretty good up in Alaska with Apartment for Seniors. Not many in my town and most are pretty much for Afro Americans. They really build nice ones for them. All subsidized housing.
Problem is now lots of Mexican people here and they are wanting Fed. housing. They will not put them in the same buildings. They built a nice one about 3 years ago suppose to be Housing for everyone. Did not have to be senior. Did not work. So much trouble in them. It is pretty much that way all over the US it seems.
Even the University family housing try to keep the US and Asian separated.
The dream is a long way away yet. thinking that the Races can all live together.
We now have 3 high schools that are private. $12000 a year but people will pay it.
Jeanne I moved in here in December 2013. This is the place I described. State and federal housing for seniors has both single rooms and dorm like housing. This building is owned by a private corporation and has a few extra amenities. They have seven buildings here and more in Anchorage, another Alaskan city. There are buildings for dementia, regular senior housing, boys or girls with emotional issues, disabled seniors, independent living, assisted living, and hospice. I live in the one for disable seniors, independent living.
I haven't been in the state or federal buildings but there are not to my knowledge any racial separations. Here we have White, Black, Asian and Native folks and the only issues that seems to really rile folks up is gossip. We have had a couple incidences of small theft from public rooms but soon a note will go out reminding folks that there are cameras in all public areas and the ones who took the items are reminded they are known and given a period to return the items or they will be kicked out and publicly acknowledged. The stolen items soon appear back where they belong.
I'm 72 years old and torn between wanting to stay in my house or moving to an assisted living community once my partner is gone. He's 81 years old and not in good shape. I also have a little dog who's nine years old. Until both of them are gone I'm staying right here. But I need help both inside and outside. If I move to senior housing or assisted living, I wouldn't have to worry about the outside.
But I guess I have time to think about this. Good luck with the move, Ray.
Nancy
There are places that allow a pet. This company's pet policy is one animal, 2o lbs or less. They also have a private dog park attached to the building.
Dehlia. At the age of 72 if not disabled you should not go into Senior Housing Assistant living. I have had friends that did. Got out as they said it aged them fast.
The Senior housing for seniors that are Apartment they are O.K. At least then you get all the Maintenance done. That is the only problem I have still living in house. Getting good help. Have a yard man for 15 years but he not 85. Don't know how long he wll keep doing it. I am o.k with service on furnace and such. it is the small stuff. Also I need a house cleaner now. Floors, windows to much for me. My laundry goes out to be done. Big help. I love cooking so O.K there.
Tomorrow is moving day to an assisted living home. Small
quarters but my 95-year body is wearing out. Probably the
last move before the big sleep.
I can't help being depressed as I will lose much control of my life as
my sight and hearing is leaving me out of touch with life.
Ray. We hope that you will soon be settled and accept that you now need to be in a place that is more secure for you. We who have been so independent all our lives don't like to see things change. You will adjust I am sure. Try to meet a few people there. Find things to do. Get some exercise. good sleep and the less pills that you can get by on. It looks like they are giving them out much to often in Nursing homes.
We will all be looking forward to keep hearing from you. Always have a computer at you disposal. Your son will be around you to keep check.
Ray, I had a bad fall in April and when I'd had treatment in 3 different hospitals and was finally discharged, my son who lives near me didn't think I could be alone in my home for a while. He arranged for me to go to an assisted living facility near my home. I stayed there a month and it was a good move on his part. The residents were mostly women, but there were men there, too. They had a nurse available daily to dispense our meds and a laundry service, plus a hair dresser who also cut men's hair. The chef was a young man and the meals that were prepared were not gourmet, but pretty good. I think and Hope that the assisted living you are moving to will be a good choice for you. I can understand your recent depression, and I think you'll make friends at your new home. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the new experience will be a good one for you!
Good luck and take your computer with you. I'm sure your new home will have a hook up!
SCF Sue
Ha, I would not have considered going without my laptop. Miss my
desk top though.
My medication is directed by law here. At least that is what I am told.
I used to be almost pain free, but here it creeps in since I only get pain
pills 3 times a day and at their convienence--8 a.m. 2 and 8 p.m. and
I have to ASK for my across the counter meds I meds I may need and
want. The doctor is doctoring over the phone with the nurse.
I have really lost control of my life.
Ray. Maybe that is for the better. Them giving you just the Meds the Dr. Recomends and at set times. To many people are taking to many drug along with what they get over the counter. I know people taking 10 types a day. Can't possibly be good for a stomach and lots of these drugs don't mix. Just stick with their plan for awhile and see how it works for you. A good diet is what is the best.
Ray....my advice is opposite of Jeanne's. If the pain isn't being kept at bay, I'd be calling my doctor myself...and letting him/her know that! The nurse may not be relaying your pain and that they're keeping your meds from you when you need them. Their schedule be damned! You're paying good money for care...and it's not meeting your pain needs.
That could be right Jane if the doctors are not the ones Ray has had over the past years. He knows his body and what helps him. If like around here now. Hard to get a direct call in to talk to a doctor. All are with the big Medical Centres. Mine for the past 40 years have now given up their Practices or Died and so having a hard time finding a new one to replace that you can just talk with.
He probably won't get the doctor, but he can talk to the doctor's nurse and she'll talk to doc. That's how it works here, anyway. Nobody should be in pain because of somebody else's schedule or convenience.
Ray, when I was staying in an assisted living following a long hospital stay after a bad fall, a nurse was on duty 24 hours. Most meds were distributed following breakfast if they were only once a day meds. However, if they were required more than once a day, the nurse tracked us down and saw to it that we got them on schedule. I think you need to call your doctor and if he's not available, insist that his nurse have him call you ASAP. If this place where you are living is not co-operating about the pain meds, your doctor needs to know.
SCFSue
Ray, I'm sorry to hear that you don't like your new place. The pain med problem could be a miscommunication between the doctor and the staff. I hope so. Is there any other place you can move to if your problems are not resolved? I know moving isn't easy in your 90s, but it is your life. :tickedoff:
Spring has finally arrived here in upstate New York and I spent my first full day outside today. I got a senior high school student to clean out all my gardens so everything looks lovely. My maple tree in front got a "haircut" yesterday and it's looking clean and ready to leaf out. I managed to get my new lawn mower started and tried it out on some high grass.
If I could only figure out how to get some good sleep, I'd be in good shape. I take Trazodone before bed, but my anxiety keeps me awake. I'm on Hydroxyzine for the anxiety, but it doesn't work very well. Talk about having too many drugs!
I hope everyone is well.
Nancy
Hi Dahlia (Nancy), I'm glad to see your post and it sounds like you're getting outside now that Spring has showed up in your neighborhood. Being outside really helps stem depression for me. The sunshine is a great healer. Do you have a quiet routine before bedtime? Reading is what I enjoy when I get into bed each evening and I avoid scary mysteries at night as they can keep me awake.
Ray, I agree with Nancy about talking to your doctor about how often he/she wants you to ask for your pain meds. Or perhaps, your doctor might prescribe a more effective pain Medicine. Do you have a patient advocacy program near you? That could help, too.
Good evening, all.
Sue
Hi Sue,
Yes, I do feel better when I'm in the sunshine. I mowed my lawn again a few days ago and felt pretty good. But when I'm in the house thinking of all the things I need to do, I just get bogged down in depression. And that's after taking my meds. I guess they're still not working. I'm going to call my doctor tomorrow and ask to try a different drug. Maybe after everything is said and done, there are no drugs out there that can help me.
Nancy
Nancy, I'm glad the sunshine helps. Is your weather nice enough to get out and walk every day or do you have lots of days without much sunshine? I hope your doctor has a good suggestion for you--and if drugs don't help, perhaps walking outside will help some. I always feel better if I can get outside, even for just a little bit.
Keep in touch here. I like to hear how you are doing. I care a lot!
Sue
Hi Sue,
Thanks for thinking of me. I'm doing much better because spring is here and my partner is doing better. I've hired a high school senior to mow my lawn for me - it got to be too much. I planted two tomato plants and haven't had to water them because we've had enough rain. Tomorrow I'm going to put some nails in the frame of my front porch so I can hang my orchid and another plant I have. Hopefully, they'll enjoy being outside as much as I do.
My partner is active on ancestry.com and doing solitaire challenges. He doesn't talk so much anymore about the "good, old days", which only made him depressed. We saw his cardiologist last week and were told that his heart is better than it was four years ago when his pacemaker was put in. Now if only he could lose some weight, he'd feel so much better.
How have you been? Plans for the spring and summer?
Nancy
Hi Nancy, I'm glad to hear from you. Since we last chatted here I've had a pace maker inserted. I've been having what was thought to be seizures since a fall last April a year ago. After a number of them recently was finally diagnosed with a heart problem and had a pace maker installed. I am still feeling a bit weak, but have started doing a bit of yard work and am glad to get outside in the sunshine. I'm still not driving due to nerve damage in my back, but I have joined a local volunteer organization, Village Friends, for an annual fee and am able to call them each week for rides to the grocery, haircut appointments, and whatever else I need. My bridge buddies pick me up for bridge games, so I am getting out of the house a couple of days a week and that is a real treat.
I'm glad to hear your partner is enjoying time on ancestry.com and solitaire challenges. It's wonderful that his heart is better with the pacemaker. That gives me hope that mine will improve my over all health. I've been losing weight, but so far my GP and heart surgeon both think that's OK if it doesn't continue to drop. I have check ups with both in the next 2 weeks.
We've had some good rain, too. I need to get to my Ace Hardware store to get some tomato plants ASAP as they should have already been planted. I have a small garden area in my back yard where I usually plant a few tomatoes, some peppers, and a small row of green beans. I just haven't done it yet and hope to do that soon. These plants will continue to bear here until the end of October, so I need to get a move on.
I hope to hear from you again soon.
Sue
Hi Sue,
I've spent the past month "playing" with depression medications. I've developed a tremor in my hands and my counselor thought it might be due to the medication I was taking (Cymbalta). My insurance company won't approve an MRI or CT scan to rule out Parkinson's Disease, so I'm on my own. I found a month's supply of another drug I took last year and decided to switch back to it. I was feeling pretty good, but the tremor didn't go away. When I asked my doctor for a new prescription for it, it got lost in the shuffle and I found myself back on the Cymbalta for two weeks - and thoroughly depressed. The new prescription was filled and I'm just getting back to normal. I've decided the tremor is of the "essential tremor" sort. Nothing can be done about it. Luckily, it affects my left hand more than my right. I'm right-handed.
I'm sorry to hear about your heart problems, but if your pacemaker works as well as my partner's, you'll be in good shape. It's good to hear that you found a local group to drive you around. Will your back get better or is the nerve damage permanent? I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis years ago and now have low back pain. But that's as far as it's gotten and I hope I'm one of the lucky ones who isn't bothered by it further.
My tomato plants are still living! (That's all I planted.) I water them every other day and one of them even has a few blossoms. It seems that we're getting rain daily which helps with the watering. It's been very hot and humid here the past few days and I hope they survive the hot weather. July and August do tend to be hot and humid so I'll have to be careful to water my plants daily. Such work for a few tomatoes!!
Take care.
Nancy
Hi Nancy, I am so glad to hear from you, but sorry about the depression and the tremor. My depression is pretty much limited to the dark days of late fall and winter, but I know how awful it can be. Working outside even for a short time helps me. I'm glad the new meds have helped and you're getting back to normal except for the tremor.
My tomato plants are trying to live and might get a tomato or two by October! I planted bush beans about 3 weeks ago and the plants are tall, but need to leaf out more. I'm hoping for some beans in late August or September. We've had a lot of rain and I think these beans need some sunshine and soil that is not soaked. This is a very unusual summer for central Alabama. We are usually in drought by this time but here it is July and we're still having rain every week, sometimes 2 or 3 times.
I'm glad the new prescription helped with the depression--and also hope that you can get outside in the sunshine as often as possible. I've found that helps me when depressed.
How is your partner feeling? I think the last time I heard from you he was not doing well.
Write again soon,
Sue
Depression creates a rough go because it can't be seen. I've been fighting it for years. It is hot and humid here so I have been staying inside with the AC going.
Hi GinnyAnn. I think I've mentioned this to you before, but I also have occasional bouts of depression--most often in winter when the weather is dark and dreary. During the spring, summer, and fall with sunny days, I am OK. Some people get special lamps to use inside when they're not getting enough sunshine. You might look it up online and see if something like that might help.
Hugs!
Sue
Hi Sue & Ginny Ann,
The weather here in upstate New York has been hot and humid for weeks now. We turn our AC on in the morning and it stays on until my partner goes to bed. Kind of like the winter, except it's too hot and humid to go outside.
My new med, Trintellix, is still working. I'm taking 30 mg of Cymbalta with it just for a kicker. On a scale of 1 to 10, my depression is about at a four. I have a bit more energy in the morning, but it's all gone by afternoon. That may be the fibromyalgia talking. I also get up two to three times a night to go to the bathroom, so I'm not getting lots of sound sleep. I also use a CPAP machine which sometimes wakes me up. So, I take afternoon naps every day. My partner tells me my fatigue is because I'm "old". Could be.
My tomato plants are still alive and have blossoms everywhere. We have one plant of cherry tomatoes and one plant of regular tomatoes. I don't need to water them as much because we get a thunderstorm usually every other day. I don't know what I'm going to do with all of the tomatoes when they're full grown. Start coming up with recipes for salsa, spaghetti sauce, etc.
Nancy
Hi Nancy, I'm glad to see you here today--I've missed your posts. I'm sorry about you having to get up at night for the bathroom. That really does a number on your sleep habits. I try to stay up until 11:30 at least and make a couple of trips to empty my bladder between 9:00 and 11:30 p.m. I can usually sleep then until 7:30 or 8:00 a.m. I also restrict fluids after 8:00 p.m. This also helps with the middle of the night potty stops. I'm also glad to hear your new meds are helping.
Take care and let us know how many tomatoes you get and what you'll do with them!
Sue
P.S.
My garden is slowly plodding along. I have some blooms on my bush beans and might get some by the end of September or mid-October. I was late in getting anything planted. I have 2 tomato plants in that bed that are not giving any evidence of blooms. I was just too late in getting to the garden center and getting veggie plants. The flowers I bought at the same place (zinnias) are doing well now.
Deilia. Now I was taking a mild BP that had Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 in it. It had me getting up a few times also. Went a lot during the day. I do drink a lot of water. Was getting a little dizzy getting up in the morning. Doctor . Took me off it the other day to see what happens for a week. Watch that I don't retain water and feet swell. So far O.K. This 90 deg weather not helping otherwise. Been 7 weeks with hardly a break.
Hi Jeanne & Sue,
Seems like I've settled into a routine of doing just what needs to be done. The meds I'm taking are not helping as much as I had hoped. My fibromyalgia doesn't allow me to do much more than I'm able, which isn't much. I feed my birds and squirrels every day and water my tomatoes when they need it. This summer has been a rainy one and they're doing very well. I counted six strands of cherry tomatoes ready to ripen. The tomatoes on the other plant aren't doing as well. We have three tomatoes growing on it, but they're no bigger than a cherry tomato.
My partner is going to have his pacemaker replaced Friday. The battery is running low. It will be a half day procedure. His old one lasted four years. He has diabetes, atrial fibrillation and is fifty pounds overweight. His blood pressure is regulated by medication. He gets out of breath easily and can't walk very far. And he's nine years older than I am. That puts a big limit on what I can do. If I want to do something, I have to do it alone.
I'm still going to the bathroom quite a bit. Did I tell you I had a stimulator implanted last October to help regulate my urinating. It doesn't seem to be helping much. The last two nights I've had to get up twice in the night, which isn't too bad. During the day, I go more just to make sure I'm not caught somewhere without a bathroom nearby. I try to stop drinking liquids after 6:00 p.m. And am in bed by 9:00 p.m.
Jeanne, you must live in the south - we've had 90 degree weather mixed with 80 degree weather. We have an air conditioner in our den and it's on most of the time.
I've rambled on long enough. Looking forward to hearing back from you.
Nancy
Hi Nancy and Jeanne--and whoever else might be looking in. I'm feeling happy this morning as I've just been to the beauty shop for a greatly needed haircut. That just gave me a big lift--I hate to have messy hair. I keep my hair pretty short in the late spring through summer and it had become pretty shaggy as I had too much going on last week. I'll let it start growing longer by the end of October and just get a bit trimmed off each month until the end of March or early April, depending on the weather.
Nancy, I'd like to know why your partner is having to replace his pace maker replaced in 4 years. I just had one (my first) put in about a month ago and was told it should last for 7-9 years. I'm 80 now so I'd be in my early 90's then if I last that long. Other than the gimpy leg and the pace maker, I'm in really good health for my age. I am keeping my fingers crossed for your partner and his upcoming surgery.
Tomorrow is my twice monthly bridge day. We are meeting at "Chicken Salad Chick" for lunch and will play bridge there after we eat. The hostess lives up at the lake year round now and that's a 25 mile drive for most of us, so she frequently has us meet at this restaurant for a no-host lunch. I enjoy the chicken salad and also home made pimento cheese, so will get a small scoop of the chicken salad and a half sandwich of pimento cheese. I'll decide on dessert when I see what they have tomorrow.
Nancy, we've had a lot of rain, so I haven't watered my bush beans or tomatoes very often. The beans are doing OK despite me being late to get them planted. The tomatoes "MIGHT" get a couple of tomatoes by late September or October!
I hope to hear from you again soon.
Sue
Hi Sue,
I'm just getting back onto Seniors & Friends after my computer crashed on me last week. For a while, I couldn't figure out my ID and password to get on. But I'm back. It's been quite a week. Luckily, I had done a backup of my data that morning, so the only thing I lost was my second email program along with old email messages and contacts. I also use Yahoo and none of that was lost, so I still have most of my contacts. I guess as I go along, I'll figure out what other things I lost.
The medication I'm taking isn't doing what I expected. I'm not enjoying life any more than I did before I started taking it. My life isn't anything to cheer about so I guess that's why I'm still slightly depressed. My son and his family, who have been in the area for the past twelve years, may be moving to Virginia. That will leave me with no family near me. I don't like that at all. I had hoped he and his family would stick around and see me into my older years.
My partner is having a birthday next week and will turn 82. Although he's in okay shape, I dread the day when he won't be around. I don't know why his first pacemaker didn't last seven years, but the new one went in well and is guaranteed for seven years. He just got his driver's license which is good for eight more years. Maybe someone is trying to tell me something. Like he's going to be around for a while.
My daughter wants me to come to Arkansas for Christmas and I have a paid ticket that I need to use by March, 2018, but I'm afraid to leave Gene and my dog alone for a week. Besides, I've become afraid to fly. I guess that sums up my life these days - afraid.
My two tomato plants are giving us scads of tomatoes. I've been giving them away as fast as the turn red. I don't think I'll plant anything next year. I like being able to eat what I grow, but this is ridiculous. :tickedoff:
My book club met last Saturday and I didn't like the book we chose. So I didn't finish it. But I do love to read. I'm currently reading Debbie Macomber's Rose Harbor series. It has five books in it and I'm on book four. I'm also reading "A Man Called Ove", but am not sure if I'm going to finish it. It's a strange book about a strange old man.
I guess that's it from upstate New York. Talk at ya again soon.
Nancy
Hi Nancy. I'm so glad to hear from you. I haven't been on the computer much recently because of meetings, doctor appointments, and bridge clubs so I haven't been checking all my forums.
I have a pacemaker now and the doctors tell me it should last 7 or 8 years. So far it's working well for me. I'm walking outside daily for at least 25-30 minutes and taking care of my house, although I do have a cleaning crew that comes in every 2 weeks to change my sheets and do heavy cleaning. I try to keep things picked up and neat most of the time. I'll be close to 90 when I am to get the new pace maker. I was 80 in March.
My book club is connected with Auburn University and meets on the second Monday of each month. We'll meet next week to get our book list for the upcoming year. We read "A Man Called Ove" this past year. Some of it was not great, but I managed to read it all and finally enjoyed it. I like Debbie Macomber books, too, but they are never chosen for book club selections. I went to one of the committee meetings when I first moved here, but they took so long and disagreed so much, I just left the meeting. For the most part, the books are pretty interesting and make for good discussions. We only meet for one hour once a month, Sept-July, so it's not difficult to get to the meeting and I mostly enjoy the discussions even if I didn't enjoy the book.
I've walked down to the nearby shopping center for a haircut this morning and then back up one of the hills to the library to choose books to take home. After the library and a load of books, I had to walk up hill so sat down on a corner to rest. A man stopped to ask if I were OK. Of course I told him yes and that I was just resting, but it was nice of him to ask. Alabamians are generally polite and helpful, especially to those they consider "senior citizens". I don't like to think of myself as "senior" but I guess I'm getting there!
I hope your fall season brings lots of sunny days. That usually helps me out of depression. The days I hate are the ones in late December and January when it is rainy and cloudy a lot. If the sun is out and I can get outside, I feel a lot better.
Thanks for being my friend.
Sue
I kept going to the ER for pain relief and just kept finding Myself back with no help.
One morning they had difficulty waking me, Nurse was there all excited. I had to call 911 as she did nothing. ER said see your doctor and they were going to send me back. I said the wrong thing., "I won't go back, I'll kill myself first. Wound up in the looney bin for 2 weeks.
Got a letter giving me 14 days to move out. My son locate a much nicer place with better
medical care. At 96, there is no hope for betting better. All residents a just waiting for the boneyard. I am looking forward to my 97th birthday in May.
I stay happy with Dove chocolate, think I will have another happy pill.
Ray. Glad to see your Post. Forgive me saying it but for some reason I thought you had died. So happy now to hear you are living in a place you care for. I know your son looks out for you. Looking forward to your 97 Birthday. Means you are still enjoying your days. Just stick getting your Dr. Checkups not be like the ones sitting around thinking about its time to just go. That is what is wrong with a lot of these places.
Good morning, Ray. I'm glad you're hanging in there! And that you've found a better place to live. I'm not able to drive now as I fell off a ladder and injured my back 2 years ago, but I am able to walk in my neighborhood and cook for myself as well as do my laundry. I know that someday I'll have to move into a facility, but I'm trying to avoid it.
Your son sounds like a real help and having Dove chocolate around is a really great idea!
Sue
Ray, I'm glad your son found you a better place to live. It's so important to be happy with where you are. Especially at our age.
My partner just came home from a 9-day stay at the hospital. I called an ambulance because he couldn't get out of bed due to bad back pain. While he was there, they found that he is losing blood somewhere in his body. He needed four units of blood. A stool sample showed no blood, yet his stools are very black. His doctor will be scheduling a colonoscopy soon.
I'm doing better. A doctor prescribed Wellbutrin in addition to the Trintellix and Abilify I'm taking. That combination has done the trick. I'm feeling more energetic and less depressed.
Hi Sue and Jeanne. Good hearing from you.
Nancy
Good morning, Nancy. I'm glad to see your post, but so sorry to hear about your partner's problems. I hope the colonoscopy reveals the problem and he gets much needed treatment. It's very tough to have a partner ill--my husband just wouldn't go to the doctor for annual check ups (our family doctor was his close friend, too--so he sent test packets home with me for Bob to use--which he didn't and finally became very ill, had to have emergency surgery, and start chemo therapy. He managed to live another 3 years, but the cancer returned and he died at age 44). Men just don't seem to want to admit to illness, IMO!
I'm glad you're feeling better and that the new meds are helping you. Hopefully spring weather will also bring you joy--just being outside in nice weather always helps me.
Thoughts and prayers for you and your partner, especially for the colonoscopy.
Sue
Sue. I didn't realize that your husband passed at age 44. I thought he had retired from the Service. Now if still in I thought as officers they had to have medicals all up todate. specially if they flew planes.
So you have been on your own for almost as many years as I have. Your boys must have still been at home.
Jeanne, he had been retired for almost 20 years when he died. We had bought a farm in Alabama and I continued to teach school--and he kept himself busy with volunteer work at the library and our church as well as a part time position at our bank. He retired from the navy in 1978--I think that's the year, but it might have been '79. His father died after he did and I became the care taker of his mother. She had moved to an assisted living, but after Bob died I had to move her to a full time care facility not far from our farm. She was 89 when she died.
Now I'm on my own, except my sons, especially Tim who lives near me, check on me at least once a week and sometimes more. Jon and family live in the New Orleans area and Bill and his family live in Illinois, near St. Louis, Missouri. Jon and Bill call me on the phone and Tim comes by on Monday (he just left) to check on me. He'll be back on Thursday to take me to lunch and grocery shopping. Jon's wife, Stacie, is coming on Friday to take me to Savannah for Easter weekend. Bill is coming for a week end in May when his U. is out until Summer School starts. My kids are VERY good to me!
Sue
Sue. I wonder if you have some of your facts mixed up. I also think you've said your memory fails you at times. You wrote that Bob died at 44 and had been retired almost 20 years when he died. That would put him about 24 when he retired. Is that right?
You're fortunate that your sons check on you regularly. I feel very fortunate to have Tom living with me and being such a great help.
Mary Ann
You're right, Mary Ann. He retired in 1978 and died in 2002. He was born in 1936, so he must have been 66--I keep remembering him as a very vigorous 44! So until 2000 when he had his first bout of cancer and then the recurrence, he was in pretty good health. My long term memory is great--especially childhood, college, early years of marriage, raising our sons. However, I don't remember appointments, bridge dates, etc., unless I (or son Tim) writes them on my calendar--which I do remember to check every day. I had a bad fall from the roof of my house 3 years ago and my memory has gone down hill ever since! Bob and I graduated from college in June, 1958 and were married the next day.
Getting older is the PITS! I'm 81 now and expect to live into my late 90's due to my family's longevity.
Sue
Sue, I remember your telling of a fall but I didn't remember what kind of a fall. You're right, getting older is the PITS. I am 93 and have more ailments than I've ever had in my life and they all started around 80. Physically I am in relatively good health and no one would suspect I have the ailments I do, but I manage to tell people about them anyway! Ha!
I knew your arithmetic was wrong and knew also that if I didn't mention it, someone else would have. I'm happy your three sons keep such good track of you even if a couple are not close by. My nephew, Tom, now lives with me as I know I can't live alone any more. If it were not for him, I'd be in a retirement home at best, maybe not even alive.
I hope you do live to your late 90s and without any more setbacks. (Must be our West Virginia heritage.)
Mary Ann
( He managed to live another 3 years, but the cancer returned and he died at age 44).
Yes Sue. I went back to check also as I thought hard to retire 20 years prior. But not all understood. But he must have retired at 54 and then worked part time as such and then passed in 8002. I just thought that he had just been gone 16 years. Isn't it funny how we can remember everything from back year. Its almost like after we retire our memories stored until about 70 and then we just don't file as much up there after that.
We joke now about forgetting where we left keys. What we had for lunch. What we wore already this week.. Things that are not really to important and . Now with me books and films are bad. I can see or read one and withing a short time forget who wrote it. Minute after I get into either the film or the book it comes back to me. Number I am good on. Can be 14 long like my Library card or other things like bank account etc. But my 4 little password I have to look up. I just don't worry about it.
Hope you have fun in Savanna. Nice weather. You will get lots of walking in.
Good morning, Every Buddy. I am dressed, packed, and ready to go. Stacie called a bit ago. She and Alex are on the road and are predicting another 3 hours before they get here, but I think it will be later than that. I won't be home until late Monday afternoon or perhaps Tuesday. Alex needs to be back at Birmingham Southern U. on Monday to check into the dorm. It's nice and sunny here today and a bit of rain is predicted in Savannah this morning, but expected to be sunny all weekend.
Have a nice weekend--and I hope you have nice weather with no late snow storms if you live up North!
Sue
PLEASE READ:
Message from Oldiesmann
HERE (https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/site-announcements/fyi-server-move-553/msg135117/#msg135117)
Spot marking X
Food for thought;
"Next month, the World Journal of Psychiatry will publish “Antidepressant Foods: An Evidence-based Nutrient Profiling System for Depression,†by Dr. Drew Ramsey, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, and Dr. Laura LaChance of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. It includes a nutrient-profile scale, which identifies the most nutrient-dense foods in relation to “the prevention and treatment of depressive disorders.†The paper names 12 nutrients key to managing depression and anxiety: folate (vitamin B9), iron, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, potassium, selenium, thiamine (vitamin B1), vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C and zinc. The foods richest in these include bivalves such as clams, mussels and oysters; leafy greens such as kale and spinach; wild salmon; organ meats; nuts; beans and seeds."
https://www.wsj.com/articles/feed-your-head-foods-that-target-depression-and-anxiety-1532629120?mod=djmc_pkt_email_092617&tier_1=21603911&tier_2=dcm&tier_3=21603911&tier_4=0&tier_5=4508749
Thanks, Angelface. That should be helpful to people.
I take most of those nutrients in pill form. I still need my anti-depressants to keep me calm and neutral. Maybe if I ate the foods mentioned, it would help me more. Thanks for the information.
Nancy
Good morning, Nancy. I am glad that you are doing OK and that the anti-depressants are helping. It's good to see your post here this morning.
Sue
Doesn't this Covid Virus and it's associated "regulations" depress anyone? It does me, along with some other current events.
RAMMEl/Rick - Yes, the non-stop talk about vaccine, and watching the endless parade of bare arms getting a shot, on TV news, does result in a feeling of doom and helplessness. Translate that into depression!
The majority of people have no problems or reactions to the various Covid vaccines, but there are a few of us, who have had bad, long lasting reactions. I got my first vaccine in mid-February, (Moderna) and had a reaction that lasted for three weeks. I won't bore you with details, but will say that it was bad, and I finally saw an allergist. It was determined to be an ingredient in the vaccine that caused my bad reaction. He told me not to get the second shot, but to wait a few months, and then get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which does not contain that particular ingredient.
In the meantime there were a few problems with J&J, and it was pulled off the market for a while. Eventually it was reinstated as safe, so I finally had my shot of that vaccine, on Aug 20, one week ago today. I feel okay, and only had a few minor, common reactions. So I feel like I am finally protected, even though I had to wait a full six months between shots!
If this J&J requires a booster - not sure if I will get it or not?
In January of 2020 we all (here) had something that lasted 5 weeks. Heavy and persistent coughing and feeling low. Emergency Room sent me home twice and said nothing wrong - take some Claritin (Sp). They were only testing for Flu then. Since then a couple of doctors said we probably had Covid in the early stages.
No way do I want to go thru that again so am getting all shots offered.
Son needs the puter now so I'm gone for a while.
My best friend my age (here) had a terrible cough for weeks, did everything but nothing helped. Finally she passed out in her bathroom, hit her face on a drawer handle as she went down & guess almost instantly awake enough to know she was bleeding so called her son. Off to the hospital where they ran the COVID test & she tested positive. That was the ONLY symptom she had & recovered fast. The son she called (and his wife) had tested positive a short time before, after they returned from a vacation somewhere.... so they had no problem sharing any other germs! Friend got the one shot but declined to get the 2nd one, thought between having it & one shot she was safe! 2 of my kids got the J & J, daughter had a reaction for a few hours but not son.
Good friend, retired doctor, was given a "terminal illness diagnosis" when Covid was just starting & now his doctors think he had COVID & not the terminal whatever. He & his wife do or did a lot of traveling.
To be honest, I am so tired of the constant news, repeats of what we should do, it is too depressing to listen to the news. The world news is depressing without COVID and all of it out of MY control. Getting old is depressing enough, not as strong as I used to be & nearly everyone I grew up with is dead. First time I've stopped by in here so will go back & see what y'all have been talking about before.
Remember that giving yourself a bribe/treat whatever you want to call it, does keep the spirits up. Last week I bought myself a box of ice cream "Drumstix", ate the whole box already & loved every munch! I don't remember EVER indulging so much but it helps!
No one has been here for three years, so I'm surprised anyone found my post.
"Drumstix" -- I remember them and liked them quite a bit. But now I look for the "no sugar added" stuff. Klondike Bars have some. Edy's makes a "Tripple Chocolate" that is NSA (No sugar added) that is GOOD.
Beside the Covid problem I am now trying to deal with my wife's problem. She's still in a Nursing Home. When I return from a visit I need more and more time to regain some normalcy. Very depressing to even see people I don't know there.
The heat and humidity this summer is not helping. Seems with age comes lack of tolerance.
Rick - It does sound like you and your family likely had Covid, in January of 2020. They think now, that lots of people had it at that time, but nobody knew what it was. So sorry to learn that your wife is in a nursing home. I know how hard it is to visit a loved one, in one of those hositals. You do leave feeling very depressed and hopeless. I hope she is getting better and that she will soon be back home with you.
Shirley - My junk food addiction in recent months is Cool-Whip. I started putting it on fresh berries, and then "graduated" to putting it on Jello. Then I discovered how much better a bowl of ice cream tastes with Cool Whip on top! Also a piece of cake with a huge spoonful on top, is better than frosting! I know from reading the label, that Cool-Whip is nothing but Vegetable oils, chemicals, sugar and the dreaded HFCS. (high fructose corn syrup.). I don't care - at my age I'm entitled to indulge in something totally, without any redeeming qualities! HA HA :yes:
And, Marilyne, that's how I'm keeping a smile on, just eat anything that is good we wouldn't have eaten years ago (because we wanted to live to this ripe old age). I have a cake recipe that calls for Cool Whip in the icing... wonderful & if I can find it I will share. My recipe box has become a total mess with favorites pulled out & not put back in proper tabs. I am BAD. I remember the cake has mandarin oranges & icing has pineapple & Cool Whip. SO good.
Rick, I've only visited two family members in a nursing home and was shocked at my reaction & nightmares after. Some of the caregivers were actually hateful to their patients. There was no way we could take care of our father, that's why my sister gave up & put him in there. He had refused to do much of anything for himself after Mom died but it took him 5 years to join her. Slowly his muscles shrivled up (atrophy) so he couldn't do anything for himself & needed full bed care. We have a niece that is a doctor of geratic pharmacy so paid her flight home to check what meds they had him on, we all realized he would "zone out" after a few minutes of conversation. Her conclusion was, "he is getting the same meds she/they recommend for all their patients in the 3 homes she supervised, so they don't hate waking up so bad every morning." His mind stayed alert to the end and finally strokes took him at 95, his last 7 months in that home. Some things can't be helped but I do know how it drains the ones that love them. Dad did recognize me to the end, so I visited as often as I could (250 mile one way).
When my sister-in-law had to be locked up because of Alzheimers it was more than my brother could stand. Their kids insisted because he was in the hospital 3 times the year before she went in. During her bad times she tried to run away to go home, day & night, but all of a sudden she would be her old self, totally lucid to talk to.
So, my friend, whatever happened that made your wife need that special care, be kind to yourself and do what helps to make the days more bearable, for your family's and your sake. I sincerely do sympathize not tolerating sugar, I know lots of substitutes but harder to find, right? I'm not as much a chocolate lover but would really struggle to do without my potatoes & bread (and know that all turns to sugar in the body).
Guess the bottom line is we don't get thru this life without ups & downs, it helps to know others have the same heart aches. Misery loves company? I don't think so, more like, "I do know what you are dealing with and know you are doing the best you can".....
For some odd reason...when I go to Bosum Buddies...medical....the page is blank...all post blank ???
Bosom Buddies heading is not even showing up on the list in Forum.
I had no problem getting Bosom Buddies just now .
Still unable to sign in or read bosom Buddies...blank page..CC
Darlene...I can't figure out why you can't see any of the posts. I'll post it to Michael and hope he can help you.
jane
Is there a place to "Ignore" certain Topics --- that may have been set in error?
Rick there is under your profile settings a listing for ignore boards.
Quote from: patricia19 on September 05, 2021, 02:03:16 PMRick there is under your profile settings a listing for ignore boards.
Could this be Darlene's problem ?
I don't know, Rick. I sent her the directions to get to Ignore Boards and asked her to check.
Thanks for the suggestion.
jane
Still Blank......
CC, Do the other discussions work OK?
By the way, Your post in BB does show up. An interesting problem
Tell us again which Browser you are using and if you can, what Version of that Browser - (at the top Click HELP then ABOUT )
CC...did you try the other links I sent you to see if one of those would work?
Also, did you try to close everything, shut down your computer or device and wait a few minutes and start it back up again?