WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR APRIL 2019

barbiecat

Margaret, Your letter is very clear and to the point. Thanks for sharing it with us.

On the days that I dance (Thursday and Friday) Jake plans and fixes lunch. He knows that I don't care so much what we eat, but just that I don't have to plan or prepare. Today his choice was to drive me to class, then do the week's grocery shopping, and pick me up after class and go out to lunch at a restaurant where we have a gift certificate. It was perfect. I had a grilled chicken salad with a bit of blue cheese dressing on the side. He had crab louie. They looked very similar and beautiful.

Carol, Congrats to your grandson. That is an awesome accomplishment.

Barbie from NW WA

janetr7476

Here they are, oldest daughter and my granddaughter, on the way to Wicked in NYC .



OK, I promise, no more pictures.

Janetr OKC

Poerava14

Happy Passover, peaceful Good Friday and Happy Easter to all who celebrate. Welcome to all the newbies.

I have roots and religion on my mind as a result of making contact with a cousin I didn't know I had. Thank you, Ancestry.com. This second cousin and I are related via my paternal grandmother, who was sister to her paternal grandfather. She has a book all about our family roots going back to 1700's. Unfortunately, it's out of print, but she generously texted me 30 relevant pages. I have a book that picks up with my Sephardi ancestors who traveled to Curacao, St. Thomas and then established the first synagogue in Panama. Suddenly, I have a huge family! She lives in Philadelphia, and through Ancestry and other sources, continues to add to the family tree. I have to sit down and plot it all, then begin to share with my siblings and their kids.

Other than that, DH and I are preparing for a road trip: Las Vegas for 3 nights, then to Mesa Verde National Park for 2 nights. It's a beautiful time of year to traverse through the desert and the southern Rockies. I've never seen Hoover Dam, so that's one thing on the list for us to do. Other than that, I'm happy hanging by a pool with an audiobook or just people-watching. Las Vegas is just sooooo "unique". And Mesa Verde's ancient pueblos will make for a fascinating contrast. Our little trips provide me with a respite from day-to-day caregiving duties. DH enjoys the car ride, watching the clouds, and dining out. He might wake up confused as to where we are, but eventually I can get him re-centered. Our cat will be boarded at the PetSmart Pets Hotel, where he has stayed numerous times. If they gave points like the Hilton chain, he'd be Platinum level.

Hugs to you all. Take care. We can do this.

Rori
Colorado Foothills

grandmallie

Wow what a day today was.. crazy as all get out at work.. and there will be a new way of punching in on Monday we were on 90 day probation and then all was supposed to go according to what we had vacation wise and all. But ohhh no.. I got not 1 hr nothing as part time I got 1 week and 3 personal days, full times got 2 weeks and 3 personal days...they were given 1 week... needles to say we are all ticked off..
To top things off my DFIL will be put on hospice starting monday.. he is in decline ,We want him comfortable...all this I'm planning as Tom is in Florida,his older brother in Florida too.. I am his medical POA so I can make decisions..and I think its time.. ugh I'm just wiped out!!

GRITSandSLUTSandWINOS

I'm still alive, 4 months later ...

janetr7476

GRITSandSLUTSandWINOS wrote: »

I'm still alive, 4 months later ...

So VERY glad to see your beautiful face. You have been on my mind ALOT lately. Biggest big hug

Janetr OKC

exermom

Did an hour on the rowing machine today. The plan for tomorrow is to do an advanced strength training DVD.

My neighbor is supposed to stop by here later today. They’re thinking of putting in a pool and would like to see ours.

Ginger – (((HUGS))). I know how tough this is, but you’ll come thru

We just found out that United Airlines in its infinite wisdom changed Jess’ flight. It now leaves St. Kitts and hour earlier and gets into Charlotte an hour earlier (tomorrow). I don’t think Jess got any sort of email about this change since I’m sure she would have said something

Lectored at the church last night. When I got there I found that it was a bi-lingual mass. I really don’t like bi-lingual masses, mainly because I don’t know what they’re saying part of the time. So I just left early.

Meg – I’m so sorry about your knee. Congrats on getting that charm!

Irish Terry – happy birthday! Do you have any special plans for the day other than going out Sunday?

Debbie – welcome. I, too, struggle with binging, but I find that when I do, I try to binge on healthy food. Well…a binge is a binge. But it doesn’t seem to be so bad when you binge on things like carrots. Actually, after a while that's something you'd prefer to have.

Lenora – I was just thinking about you the other day and wondering how things are going. Please let us know.

Michele in NC

pipcd34

stats for the day:

bike ride hm 2 gym- 7.20min, 13.1amph, 130mhr, 1.60mi= 69c
TREADMILL jog- 4.10min, 8.20min mi, 7-8sp, 127ahr, 157mhr, .5mi= 65c
LATERAL MACHINE- 20min, lvl9, 10W, 65arpm, 146mhr, 130ahr, 2.06mi= 188c
bike ride gym 2 dome- 5.07min, 131mhr, 17.3amph 1.47mi= 58c
bike ride puy 2 sumn station- 15.21min, 11.8amph, 149mhr,3.01mi= 172c
jog sta 2 wrk- 5.04min, 10.31min mi, 148mhr, .52mi= 71c
jog wrk 2 sta- 4.05min, 8.54min mi, 151mhr, .45mi= 74c
bike ride dome 2 hm- 18.36min, 8.5amph,148mhr, 2.62mi= 191c

total cal 892

GRITSandSLUTSandWINOS

Rolled down 7 steps to concrete carport - it won - 2 subdural hematomas, 4 nights 5 days in the hospital - came home go 'in home' PT and OT. On a walker that was hard to maneuver around the house; but, did it.

ginnytez

Catching up with everyone's posts--seems like you all have more interesting lives than I do! Has been a very long, busy week. Conference out of town for two days, work the other three. Food pantry, church service, and choir practice Thursday, church service tonight. Feels good to finally be sitting with feet up and reading posts.

I have logged every day and gotten over 10,000 steps every day for the past three and half weeks. That makes such a difference for me. Besides my body feeling better, I can eat more! I don't eat all of my exercise calories, but a decent chunk of them.

Son is coming tomorrow for Easter--will go back home Sunday (he lives about an hour away). He is going to give me more exercises to do with my hand weights.

GRITSandSLUTSandWINOS

until I hit the step stool and fell .over it. Did not actually face plant because my hands were on the front of the walker, but I had a huge bruise across the top of my arm about the size of my hand and one on my breast about the size of something huge all the way down to my nipple. The taking a shower by myself and got shampoo in my eyes, turn around to get it out of my eyes and fell out of the shower and hit the tiles hard enough to break one. Sort of looks like maybe I won that one. After the fall, I decided to go to a cane. Never could get used to the metal one, stooped over and could not be adjusted. And an HS brought me two that her Dad had made from trees on their property. I took 2 of the 4 she brought to my 50th-year reunion. I now wish I had taken all 4 of them. Then I could have one in each corner of the house. So I can't go down the steps by myself. Well, then the dog was trying to get into bed, I stood up and she almost tripped me, either I would step on her or hit the mantle, so I side-stepped her and landed on my laptop. Had to get a new one. My Tech-2-Us had saved my pictures and documents. For the first time since I had it, my cellphone asked questions I never give to anyone; by the time I opened it - it had been wiped cleans. Had to take it to Verizon so they could do diagnosis - everything fine; but, I had to type in all my contacts again. But, now I'm healing.

Machka9

For interest's sake ...

https://awol.junkee.com/this-fascinating-map-shows-us-australias-climate-twins/30294






"These fascinating comparison maps were created by matching the cities’ monthly temperature highs and lows as well as the Koppen Classifications, the most widely-accepted measure of climate. A criticism of the comparison is that it hasn’t taken precipitation into account. Still, it’s super great."


I've often said that the climate around here is a lot like the Pacific Northwest.


Machka in Oz

grogers511

📙Accountability post for Friday, April 19th
✔1. Carbs 50g max with no more than 25g per meal. (89g)
✔️2. Fiber 25g. (33g)
✔️3. Track in MFP. Complete the entry daily.
✖️4. Exercise - log 30 Fitbit minutes (27 Active minutes).
✖️5. No eating after 9pm.
✖️6. In bed by midnight.

• Overall Feeling: Overwhelmed. So much I need to do.
• Exercise: Didn't do any intentional exercise, but I was active and moving today and managed 27 active Fitbit minutes. I'm happy about that. From Jan 1st up to April 4th when I started this accountability post - I only had 6 days where I hit 30 active minutes - and 73 days with ZERO minutes. Since starting accountability - I've recorded 30+ minutes for 11 of the 16 days.
• Eating deadline. Nope.
• Bedtime-Sleep Hygiene. Earlier but not before midnight.
• Bright Spot today: Watching baby goats - Mavis and Charlotte playing in the yard. So stinking cute.
• Today I’m grateful for:
1. My sister. She’s cleaning the lake house while she’s there.
2. This day. Beautiful, cool and breezy.
3. Air purifier machines. They make a difference.
4. Thick cotton bath rugs. They can be washed and dried. No rubber backing to get destroyed.
5. TV Ears. They allow me to relax and watch a program while Dan watches his ball game. (One living area open to the other.)

-- Ginger in Texas

hjgf27272

(I'm kind of new, just finding this post)
Hi! I'm Brittany, 29
First day 4/1
SW:225
CW:218
GW:180
April Goals:
be more positive

margaretturk

Lenora I too have missed you. Good to hear from you. Sorry about your falls.
Haven't heard much from Mary lately.
Still up because had one of my two hour naps on sofa while watching T.V.

Sang for Good Friday. We sang the best we could given that we did not have much time to practice. Choir was wonderful to me. Admit when I came it was like when I sub and as children come in they all ask where their teacher is. I say I will tell the when we have morning meeting. I said I will say when we all gather. I told then how I felt their prayers as I left and son is beginning to come out of the worst.

I did not specifically tell the specifics of his illness. It is too hard to go into all the details.

I know he is starting to come back to reality because he asks about his car and his cell phone. We are waiting for him to show he wants us to visit. The first few visits can be quite awful. The best way I can describe it is think what is like when you had trouble with your teenage child now multiply that by 10 and that is what he is like to deal with. Often in this stage we just upset him more so we visit him when he is calmer. We do ask him if he wants us to bring him food through the nurse. I have also started sending him a get well card a day. The important thing is we hear he is starting to have more calm period and as I said asking about things outside of the hospital.

Because he signed the waiver this time. I did ask if I can be at his discharge meeting. What I mean by a waiver a patient has to sign a waiver so we can know about their medical condition. Often when he goes through this We can know nothing. Hence in the beginning when I knew he had not signed the waiver. I called the nurse and said I know you can tell me nothing I need to tell you he had a horrific experience with the police and if they show up on your unit to try and have him somewhere else or be prepared his symptoms will be far worse.

Yes I constantly take care of myself like I am training for a marathon. Everyday I do something for myself . Today I sang in the choir, took a walk in the park on a spectacular day, and bought myself some flowers that reminded me of my mother.

I do this even when son is doing well because I never know when he will relapse. This is why when I ever hear one of you going through a particularly difficult time with a loved one I always encourage you to do something to take care of you. Yes I know it is not always easy to do in the throes of a crisis. I just know from too much experience how crucial it is to give you the strength to be there for your loved one and to keep up your own health.

Tomorrow I will take a walk with a friend.

Margaret

spikeyhair

LENORA nice to hear from you but sorry about your falls
MARGARET you are so strong and caring
Doing my 3rd 5K Parkrun this morning (more like walk, run pant pant, walk run etc)

Kate UK

Machka9

Part of our yard ... yeah, we're on a bit of a slope.

And that bit of sidewalk with the stairs going down to the van are hazardous. I'd like to do something with railings and lights, but I'm not sure what. It would have to be relatively simple and not too expensive.



Machka in Oz

Machka9

Yesterday we managed a 5 km walk.

Today we got out for a 20 km bicycle ride ... despite the fact that my nose was running and I was coughing on exertion.

Distance: 20.17km
Elevation: 89m
Moving Time: 1:15:26
Elapsed Time:1:20:28
Speed: Avg: 16.0km/h | Max: 27.4km/h


Now I'm drinking orange juice and trying to relax.

Machka in Oz

Machka9

Steps to a Healthier Brain

https://synapse.org.au/information-services/steps-to-a-healthier-brain-fact-sheet.aspx

This is a list of headings (the article goes into details):

• Exercise and challenge your brain
• Nourish your brain with a healthy diet
• Enjoy physical activity
• Make "safety first" a priority
• Manage anxiety, stress & depression
• Relax and sleep well
• Check your blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol.
• Avoid alcohol & other drugs if possible

Machka in Oz

grandmallie

Morning ladies~
I slept ok ,but alot on my mind..first and formost DFIL. I know his time is near. and I want him as comfortable as possible and know that hospice is the right move.. im sure he will pull through the next couple days so that will be put in place.. and we are all just fit to be tied about work.. He is genuinely sweet and very good to us,but he promised one thing and says another..so I know the area I need to focus on to work in, with the elderly and or hospice.. I strongly feel this... so that is what I will be looking to pursue..

Machka9

Review ... (Distances include cycling + walking + a bit of rowing)
Mar-15 … 489.8 km (304.3 miles) = 38 hours 4 min
Apr-15 … 491.94 km (305.6 miles) = 43 hours 6 min
May-15 … 361.81 km (224.8 miles) = 35 hours 50 min
Jun-15 … 569.53 km (353.9 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
Jul-15 … 230.7 km (143.35 miles) = 32 hours 45 min
Aug-15 … 211.3 km (131.3 miles) = 28 hours 8 min
Sep-15 … 306.7 km (190.6 miles) = 35 hour 2 min
Oct-15 … 441.82 km (274.5 miles) = 47 hours 43 min
Nov-15 … 660.21 km (410.23 miles) = 60 hours 41 min
Dec-15 … 499.91 km (282.8 miles) = 54 hours 56 min
Jan-16 … 864.79 km (537.35 miles) = 65 hours 36 min
Feb-16 … 470.53 km (292.4 miles) = 40 hours 39 min
Mar-16 … 917.73 km (570.2 miles) = 66 hours 13 min
Apr-16 … 417.83 km (259.6 miles) = 40 hours 23 min
May-16 … 267.09 km (165.9 miles) = 36 hours 10 min
Jun-16 … 552.1 km (343 miles) = 54 hours 48 min
Jul-16 … 709 km (440.5 miles) = 60 hours 41 minutes
Aug-16 … 775.9 km (482.1 miles) = 54 hours 52 minutes
Sep-16 … 371.3 km (230.7 miles) = 32 hours 20 min
Oct-16 … 649 km (403.3 miles) = 49 hours 46 min
Nov-16 … 403 km (250.4 miles) = 52 hours 16 min
Dec-16 … 511.05 km (317.55 miles) = 52 hours 2 min
Jan-17 … 741.9 km (461.0 miles) = 70 hours 3 min
Feb-17 … 600.5 km (373.1 miles) = 57 hours 30 min
Mar-17 … 1113.2 km (691.7 miles) = 78 hours 25 min
Apr-17 … 1181.9 km (734.4 miles) = 76 hours 45 min
May-17 … 426.6 km (265.1 miles) = 39 hours 21 min
Jun-17 … 575.7 km (357.7 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
Jul-17 … 714 km (443.7 miles) = 52 hours 23 min
Aug-17 … 475.8 km (295.6 miles) = 38 hours 41 min
Sep-17 … 455.5 km (283 miles) = 41 hours 25 min
Oct-17 … 647.1 km (402.1 miles) = 57 hours 19 min
Nov-17 … 427.0 km (265.3 miles) = 50 hours 4 min
Dec-17 … 553.5 km (343.9 miles) = 52 hours 12 min
Jan-18 … 590.2 km (366.7 miles) = 57 hours 49 min
Feb-18 … 826.9 km (513.8 miles) = 57 hours 35 min
Mar-18 … 582.01 km (361.6 miles) = 50 hours 11 min
Apr-18 … 176.23 km (109.5 miles) = 29 hours 47 min
May -18 … 167.6 km (104.1 miles) = 29 hours 08 min
June-18 … 349.9 km (217.4 miles) = 36 hours 58 minutes
July-18 ... 324.2 km (201.5 miles) = 24 hours 26 minutes
Aug-18 ... 210.1 km (130.6 miles) = 25 hours 59 minutes
Sep-18 ... 261.7 km (162.6 miles) = 25 hours 11 minutes
Oct-18 ... 230.8 km (143.4 miles) = 30 hours 15 minutes
Nov-18 ... 216.8 km (134.7 miles) = 30 hours 3 minutes
Dec-18 ... 285.2 km (177.2 miles) = 37 hours 49 minutes
Jan-19 ... 241.6 km (150.1 miles) = 27 hours 2 minutes
Feb-19 ... 175.5 km (109 miles) = 19 hours 8 minutes
Mar-19 ... 170.3 km (105.8 miles) = 28 hours 21 minutes

Goal: More than March.

Monday, 1 April 2019 … 5.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 1.7 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs
Tuesday, 2 April 2019 … 5.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 1.0 km rowing + 6 flights of stairs
Wednesday, 3 April 2019 … 1.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 16 flights of stairs
Thursday, 4 April 2019 … 2.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 3.2 km rowing + 14 flights of stairs
Friday, 5 April 2019 … 1.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 17 flights of stairs
Saturday, 6 April 2019 … 0.0 km walking + 16.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs
Sunday, 7 April 2019 … 3.9 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 3.6 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs + weights

Monday, 8 April 2019 … 5.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs
Tuesday, 9 April 2019 … 6.1 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 6 flights of stairs
Wednesday, 10 April 2019 … 4.0 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 2.5 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs
Thursday, 11 April 2019 … 1.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 14 flights of stairs
Friday, 12 April 2019 … 4.0 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs
Saturday, 13 April 2019 … 0.0 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 4.7 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs
Sunday, 14 April 2019 … 0.0 km walking + 21.1 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs

Monday, 15 April 2019 … 6.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 7 flights of stairs
Tuesday, 16 April 2019 … 6.9 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 3 flights of stairs
Wednesday, 17 April 2019 … 2.4 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 5 flights of stairs
Thursday, 18 April 2019 … 0.0 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs
Friday, 19 April 2019 … 4.9 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs
Saturday, 20 April 2019 … 0.0 km walking + 20.2 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs


2019 Monthly April
Walking Distance (km): 63.4
Walking Time (min): 798.3
Cycling Distance (km): 57.3
Cycling Time (min): 216.0
Flights Stairs Climbed Number: 104.0
Flights Stairs Climbed Time (min): 83.2
Rowing Distance (km): 16.7
Rowing Time (min): 104.4
Other Distance: 0.0
Other Time: 10.0

Totals
Total Distance (km): 137.4
Total Distance (miles): 85.4
Total Time (min): 1211.9
Total Time (hr): 20:11:51

LisaInAR

Morning, afternoon and evening, all,

Lenora, I have no words... I'm sorry you've had such a tough time!

Machka, sorry you're not feeling so well.

Margaret, your letter was amazing and calm, probably more than I could do or be in the circumstances. I'm glad your son signed the waiver so you can at least find out how he's doing.

Allie, could you look into getting into being a home health aide? I know these companies are always looking for people, but it does seem to be your calling, to help others.

Home again, home again, jiggety-jig. I'm still struggling with the minor health issues that have been plaguing me, and a conversation with my husband pointed out that my carb cravings of late have me eating much more gluten-heavy products than I have over the last year. Looked up celiac disease--not that I necessarily think I have it, only about 1% of people do--but I do have quite a few of the symptoms, including really annoying mouth ulcers, which I've been dealing with for months. Thinking it may be more gluten sensitivity. Oddly enough, a surgery can often spark the sensitivity. And the treatment for both celiac and sensitivity is... don't eat gluten.

So... come to find out that my year and a half of focusing on protein was, effectively, a gluten-free diet, and may well be why I felt so good physically, as well as losing the weight. It could also be a trigger for gluten sensitivity, as by not eating it for a long space of time, when I started eating it again, my body had a really bad reaction. So... it's worth a shot, removing gluten from my diet for a bit and seeing if my issues subside.

Luckily, coffee does not have gluten. I think I'll have another cup!

Love y'all,
Lisa in AR

grandmallie

Lisa~ yes I probably could but dont really want to do the physical end of it if you know what I mean. I printed out and signed the hospice papers that they need to start the process and will leave it up for the social worker to start the process rolling.. there are alot of things they have the information for that I dont.. I feel it is time.. I want whatever time he has left to be comfortable and peaceful..Doug and Iris are his POA , I have signed paper as medical POA , they are down in Florida and could basically care less about him.. Tom and I have been the ones there for him...I feel as I have been there day in and day out that now is the time..
taking my DGD to my friends house for the afternoon , will be a nice respite , then back to feed DFIL dinner.. last night I just knew... he was even having a hard time getting mashed potatoe's down..
well going to finish my tea, and then go down... wish me luck

klanders30

lenora healing thoughts coming your way
Margaret wise words and actions. Glad that your son is stabilizing
Machka I’m gonna read that article, great information

Lisa if coffee had gluten—I’d be sunk! Sounds like it’s worth a try to eliminate gluten and see how you feel

Well I’m off to my dc adventure with DD. Taking the bus this am and looking forward to a lot of walking, sightseeing and hugging my kid. Going to be quite warm there, I’m breaking out the shorts and sandals.

NYKAREN

wizzywig

Leonora you sound as if you have been put through it, take care and sending healing thoughts your way.

Allie thinking of you, I hope your DFIL gets settled into the hospice, at least you will know that he will have the best of care.

The weather is lovely here, not sure how long it will last, but enjoying it whilst it is here. Going to take Leah out for a quick walk around the block. We'll take her for her proper walk later this afternoon when it's a bit cooler.

Love to all
Viv UK

KetoneKaren

grandmallie

I just spoke to Tom ,he is upset ,not with me but because of all that is going on,he is scared to lose his dad ,he doesnt understand why they aren't doing more for him and doesnt understand hospice care..so he is a mess..
If I didnt do what I have been doing ,or taking the actions I have who knows where we would be...

1948Peachy

Allie ~ So sorry for the sad time you and Tom are going through. Prayers for you both as this process goes forth.

Lenora ~ Glad to see you posting.

Lisa ~ Sounds like you need to stay on the high protein low carb diet.

Margaret ~ Hugs for you and your son. Is your husband helping you go through this?

Went to my after surgery PT yesterday. They were surprised and pleased at my progress...two days after total knee replacement. No walker and did well with the bending measurements. The pain block wore off during the night on Thursday and I had to take a pain pill. Slept a lot yesterday and last night. Extra strength Tylenol is a blessing.

Carol in GA

barbiecat

My daily step count average is at over 14,000 so far this month,.

Obsessed is the word the very lazy use to describe those who are dedicated.

margaretturk

Carol,

Husband helps in the best way he can. He still in some ways does not understand this illness. He is one if he reads a book about it he thinks he knows what should be done. The hardest part was he did not understand why I would buy our son a home to live in. He was not supportive of that and I found that added to the stress to the process. He did not understand how sober housing and other remedial care housing was making it more difficult for our son to stay stable. He had been stable for 7 months. Before the home he was stable four months at best.

I will work to see he feels safe in his home again after what happened to him there. If he feels he cannot live there the police win. Then will rob him of his home. Again that is why even despite what happened I am proud of him for fighting back. He was defending his home. He did get the charges for resisting arrest dropped. This is thanks to many people working behind the scenes. I think my witnessing what happened also played a part.

DH also helps by making dinner. He goes down to visit our son. I could not help our son financially in the way he needs it without how well husband has done with our finances. So yes I very much appreciate the help he does give. He has had his own struggle with cancer during our son's struggle. Again that is why I say if you find yourself in a care giving role it is more difficult to offer the help you would like to give if you are struggling with your own health issues.

That is what I love so much about this site. We not only share our struggles but our success stories of what we are doing to keep ourselves well.

Margaret