LW: 129.0
TW: 130.0

Thanks for getting the thread started, Kelly. We've had internet outages today, so I'm just now able to get online. And as far as my weight--it's not what I'd like, but I ended up with two days this past week (Saturday and yesterday) when I just didn't have the oomph to walk. Saturday, I think I was just experiencing some post-radiation fatigue, but yesterday was a mystery. I woke up with very bad cold symptoms, i.e., sneezing my head off, drippy nose, feeling like I was hit by a mack truck. I would sit for a while and think, "I believe I can get on the treadmill," then I'd stand up and my body would say, "Oh no you don't." The mystery is that I woke up this morning with none of those symptoms. I'm a little tired, but the cold symptoms are just gone. To be safe, I went ahead and tested for Covid, and that was negative, so go figure. A one-day virus of some sort, I guess. And the blisters finally opened and two of the three seem to be healing, but one is very red and painful. I'm seeing my radiogist tomorrow for a skin check-up, so I guess she'll let me know how to handle. This road back to normal feels very long sometimes. But today, we are having higher than normal temps (which are only lasting a day), so I did my outside walk. Toward the end, it was getting a little tough, but I made it.

Not walking for two days reminded me of how few calories I burn if I don't make an effort to be active. Here are my 7-day averages:

Steps = 8,127
Kcals burned = 1,627

Kelly, you're doing great--especially with everything you have on your plate now. I almost wish I could come to Canada and buy your house. Things are getting scary down here, especially for those of us in public service. Hubby works as a Federal contractor, so who knows how long he'll have his job. But I don't think Canada want folks our age! And actually, I'm more concerned about his younger colleagues.

Hubby's back is really giving him fits the past few days, so I need to take over and run a couple of his errands before it gets dark. I will check back tomorrow afternoon to see how everyone is doing and chat a bit.

Happy Thursday Ladies,

It's one of those weeks again where every day is a Monday with work and stress levels. I'm holding as best as I am able. No chef this week, but I am having salad with ham and cheese for lunch. I've had my monthly, now quarterly it seems, dinner with my girlfriend on Tuesday. Shared a salmon plate and a salad and a dessert. We visit for almost three hours and head home. I love that we are able to share everything and we don't feel overstuffed when we're done. Last night was 3 hour tour for hair which included Chinese food, so the sodium swing rate was a 3lb gain overnight. And I'm flushing out the sodium, but I still have leftovers for dinner tonight so keeping the water flowing. The chef will be back on Monday. And Sheesh - Disney is next weekend March 8&9. this weekend hubby has a work thingy on Saturday so I'll be putzing around the house and hopefully figuring out this new Cricut thing we bought at Christmas. I have pt tomorrow morning. Back is holding. I've had to use the lidocaine patch just a couple of times this week so I'm taking care this weekend to not overdo it again. Our weather is insane at the moment. Almost 90 yesterday and today should be 80. Yep, I've got the ac on already. Dang this stinks.

Kelly- great job getting your progress and lots of luck with the sale of your home. I'm sure it's all going to go great. I'm sure it will sell quickly. Stay focused on yourself as well.

Sheesh - so happy you've been able to keep your activities with the visitors. I know how that can normally derail your plans, at least they do to me when our kids come over. Won't change it for the world, but it does change our flow.

Sarah - hoping the doc appointment goes well. I'm sure your energy will be coming back sooner rather than later. You're not one to take it sitting down. Rest when your body tells you to. You just completed a radiation treatment and your body is probably catching up and needs a little break. I'm sure all will be ok in a few days - you're such a strong fighter!!! You've got this!

Hi, Ladies. So glad to check back and see posts from all three of you. I saw the radiologist and a nurse today and both said that although they know these blisters continue to be painful that they are healing as they should. This raw, redness is just part of it, and I'm doing what can be done, i.e., using the prescription creams and sterile gauze to protect them. Knowing that the redder appearance does not mean infection was a big relief. However, today, I'm having a sore type pain around a shoulder blade (and I've experienced this a number of times through the years) that actually is worse than the blisters. The nurse said it's probably caused by the almost unconscious way I am probably protecting my left side. So when I went to the mall to walk today (yes, I made it!), I tried to swing my arms to help work the soreness out. Hubby experiences the same thing sometimes, and his PT told him to put a tennis ball in a stocking and then lean against the walk and move the ball around the sore spot. Kind of self massage, I guess.

Sounds like everyone is making some progress. Have to run now, but when I get a few minutes, I'll chime in on the meditation. And yes, Kelly, I remembered that I had what felt like a cold a few weeks ago, and that one only lasted 2 days and was not quite so severe. So running into an allergen of some type seems like a possibility.

Oh Kelly - I hope you don't end up with a sick household at this crazy time. Good luck!!!

Sarah - Yay for no infection! Boo for the shoulder but the ball trick AND Kelly's suggestion of the pendulum swing truly can help.

I had PT this morning and my normal therapist was out ill, so I had another fill in. She really got into the muscle/tissue. Having hubby put lidocaine patch on it when he comes home. Often, it's tender shortly after but better and more relief the next day. Hoping for those results. No real plans this weekend. Pack for Disney next weekend and refill the shower luggage. I have a several trips coming up and I need everything topped off (hubby is only along for a couple of them)... Off with the kids for a quick mini spring break adventure and then sister trip in April . Looking forward to all of the getaways. The only sad part I'm feeling is that it's already really heating up. We'll be in San Diego for the spring break - so hoping it's not too hot there and the rest are Disneylands. And it just always seems hotter there. So the white legs will be in shorts for sure at Disneyland. I bought a couple of those Sand Cloud ponchos as I'll be sharing a room with my son, DIL & Rhea and then my grandson in May. I'll let you know how they work out after spring break. I have several of their beach towels that I use for everyday and especially for travel as they dry so quickly and I know they're always soft.

OK. Have a great weekend everyone.

Happy Monday ladies! So over the weekend I did a little bit of meal prep. Made 12 beef bulgogi sauces for future use (and a couple to take with me to Cali while my daughter recovers from surgery in May). Used one this weekend for dinner on Saturday and lunch on Sunday. Also made some bacon and sausage for breakfast in the mornings! And had some house stuff and I'm packed for DL. I was a bit sore after, but survived. No PT this week (our schedules couldn't align, but I'll be back once I come back from DL).

Gosh I hope you guys figure out your allergies and no one is any sicker.

Sheesh - I feel like since turning 60 I'm much slower in recovering after all activities.

So, I got a call from the docs office last week ... I'm meeting him on Wednesday. We need to talk medications for my bloodwork and stuff. The meal plans etc is not having the desired effect. Every time I do bloodwork, the numbers continue to rise. A1C is now 6.8 (from 4.6). It's just not going well. So I'm now open to whatever he throws my way. I'm kinda crazy.

The weather was getting very warm here, and thankfully it's back in the high 60's where it should be.
Chef was here today. Balsamic salmon (had that for lunch - delish). Roasted veggie salads with quinoa for the rest of the week.

Hoping all of you have a wonderful week. Check back again soon.

Hi, everyone. So nice to have new posts to read. It's like getting to visit with you guys and it lifts my spirits.

I have been struggling with an increased appetite and decreased energy, which could be a deadly duo. I know the lack of energy is probably post-radiation fatigue and is normal, but I have no idea why I'm hungrier than normal. Maybe some of it is "comfort eating," which is something I need to watch.

The blisters are still there but looking much better. However, they--and the red skin on the left side of the breast--are still painful, and I also have some general soreness and pain. They tell you that many people have few or no symptoms from radiation treatment. What they don't add is that many others do. I'm sure these will just take some time to go away but dealing with burn dressings and fatigue that can just come out nowhere could wear you down if you let them. I'm just determined not to let them!

Regarding sensitive eyes--add me to that list. My doc also recommends preservative-free eye drops when needed, warm compresses, and cleaning my eyes with Johnson's baby shampoo.

Kelly, today is "house goes on the market" day! I remember the photos you shared when it was on the market before, and as I've said before, it's absolutely lovely and I'm sure it will sell quickly. But I can imagine the stress of having to stay ready showings. And you haven't mentioned whether you have found your next home yet. Know that I am sending you "extra energy and good spirits" vibes. Hope that your hubby is feeling better and that his scratchy throat was not a harbinger of the flu. It's really nasty this year.

Sheesh, hope you're finding the meditation helpful. I think I've mentioned that hearing certain kinds of sounds in the distance (or softly, if not in the distance) can really help me relax. I think that's why so many people watched Bob Ross paint. The sounds of the paint brush against the canvas and his soft voice are very soothing. I sometimes tune him in on PBS late at night and just listen with the volume turned very low. Essentially, I think anything that allows us to rest our thoughts for a brief time is good for body and soul.

Lois, it's good to hear that you're feeling well enough to get all that food prep and travel prep done. And I'm glad you are meeting with your doctor. My cholesterol and blood glucose seem to be creeping up, too. Let us know what he recommends. One thing I've noticed is that if I take my blood pressure med and my calcium both at bedtime, my BP is higher the next day than it is when I take the calcium after lunch. My doc said it was okay to take them together, especially if I tend to forget to take meds during the day, but I think for some reason, that is not true for me. Until I noticed this, I was concerned about her wanting to up the lisinopril, but today it was 122/77, which is pretty darned good.

Well, time for me to get a few things done. I'm worried a bit about the scale this week, but I will weigh tomorrow morning and log whatever it is.