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I have no whines. It’s simply so good to be home. Olivia, my little nurse, has kept me company. Lots of chatter, juice boxes, visiting pets (she has two Yorkies) , and her instructions for the real nurses. She will be 7 tomorrow, but acts and looks 3. She is a drug baby that PJ adopted after she was abandoned at birth. He picked her up at the hospital as a foster parent when she was 3 days old. No one ever wanted her and he adopted her when she was 2. She is biracial and has sickle cell anemia with short term memory loss from small strokes and high blood pressure. She’s a beautiful little girl and so much fun to have around. She thought I forgot to come home while I was in the hospital. Today we are going to make plans for her birthday party tomorrow. Three of the granddaughters are going to do the shopping and getting everything ready.s
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Becky, so glad you're home and doing well!

CM - the positive thinking thing takes a whole mindset shift, but once you put it in place, it's awesome stuff. It has taken me some hard nudges to remind myself that I am worthy of good things, and that there ARE good things coming my way, every day - sometimes that "old crap" creeps in and tries to tell me I'm not good enough, I'm not worthy of anything better, no one cares, why bother, etc - and it's very tempting to just curl up in a ball and let it take over, but I have to keep reminding myself how GOOD being positive feels, and get through that stuff to the other side. All the good things you want are on the other side of those depressive thoughts. It's ok to visit those feelings when they come up, but DON'T move in and live there - feel them, move through them and get to the other side. :-)

It sounds hokey and silly, but seriously - morning affirmations. Every day.

I AM.... (what are you? what do you want to be? powerful? happy? positive? energetic?)
I HAVE... (boundless energy? a peaceful soul? all the time in the world? more than enough money today and in the future to cover all my expenses?)
I AM BECOMING... (better by the day? more loving and understanding every day? thinner by the day? healthier by the day?)

It really does help.
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Funny Mammogram story;

Years ago, before mammograms were routine, my mom was told to get one. She had it done, they found a tumor. She had a radical mastectomy.

Her insurance company refused to pay for the mammo. She called the insurance company and asked why.

The young woman on the other end of the phone said "ma'am, if we paid for mammograms, everyone would want to get one".

My mother said "my dear young woman; don't worry, NO ONE is going to be rushing out to get them, once they hear what it entails".
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What a coincidence! Just this morning, I realized that I need to do my mammo. Then, I convinced myself that I don’t have to do it yearly.

I had my very 1st mammo at age 40. The very 1st breast, very 1st squashing. I have a high tolerance for pain. It was painful but bearable. Suddenly, severe pain shot outward from my left breast. I fainted for the 1st time in my life...When I regained consciousness, I was dangling from the machine by my breast. I was facing upward. Needless to say how very painful that must be to have your whole weight held up by that one breast. The tech was behind me trying to hold me up at the same time trying to release me from the clutches of that machine.... My legs couldn’t hold my weight. She had to half carry and drag me to the chair. I wanted so badly to cry like a baby and slink out... She was surprised when I insisted on continuing the mammo. I told her that if I walked out with that memory of it, I would never, ever do a mammo again. I had to do it. And I did.

On the next mammo the following year, I researched on lessening mammo pain. Schedule it not during menstral time, cut back caffeine a week before (😰!!) and most importantly, take painkiller an hour before being squashed. It works for me.

There’s something else. Despite the new digital mammo machine, it is still painful! My previous clinic has a wonderful mammo technician. The pain level is mostly under scale of 5. She believes in MANUALLY adjusting those squashing plates. I’m going to miss her. Our company changed insurance. This clinic is not under that plan. I’m back to those digital machine that supposedly is less painful. Supposedly.
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Well, that does it Bookluvr! And I think you are exactly right not going every year.
You can do a self-exam, and your clinician can examine you.

The good reason that I don't go is that it upsets the medical staff, doctor, and everyone.
The surgeon is upset because I will not make an appointment. The secretary is upset because I won't present myself for a second screening. The doctor is upset because of liability. The Lab is upset because the ultrasound was actually needed along with the mammogram-and I had informed them of this, their answer? We are going to do the test the doctor ordered. I get letters. Then I finally get the last letter, confirming that there is nothing to worry about. This worrisome process takes about 2 months overall.

I worry that they focus so much on the confirmed benign cyst with no changes that they will miss the real deal if that should ever occur. They could read the patient's history?
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Book, I have fainted during a mammogram too
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Send, they don' t read patient's histories, do they? No one noticed on my mom's that she was unable to lay on her back (has slept in a recliner 20 plus years after an accident on the interstate), so they put her in an MRI. She came out SCREAMING and unable to walk or get back in the van. They would not admit her to the hospital, even for observation; instead the DR. got a stool and helped stuff her in the van and they sent her home.
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My cardiologist told me not to schedule a mammogram for at least a year because of my valve surgery. I haven’t had one for awhile. My PCP doesn’t push mammograms. So I’m off the hook for another year. One of my nurses says that many women who have had sternotomies refuse them because of residual long term pain.
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I have to have my mammograms every year cause my Mom had breast cancer and my Father died of pancreatic cancer so it's kind of mandatory for me. This year it really hurt more than usual, plus I'm 5'9" and the technicians are always shorter than me so they are twisting me this way and that trying to get my armpit in the machine. Then the "don't breathe" Funny how when someone says don't breathe you become very aware of how important breathing is.

I had to get a fine needle aspiration done on my thyroid gland once cause they had spotted a shadow there on an x-ray I had. They kept saying don't swallow, don't swallow. The technician was new and was having problems. I don't know about you guys but swallowing is very important too. :P

I fainted once when I was having a pap smear. Oh joy, oh bliss. Finally, my Doctor learned to use smaller instruments with me and my pap smears were not a problem after that. But she has since retired and when I went for my pap this year it was the most painful one yet.

Countrymouse, how did your inner critic get into my head. Maybe it's the time difference. Your inner critic pops over to Canada when you are asleep and enters my head. If I hear you are a waste of space one more time I'm gonna pop our inner critic on it's criticizing head.
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What is it with guy's and colds? Mine acts like he is at death's door. I am surprised he hasn't called his Attorney to update his Will :P My gosh he went to work this morning and survived.

When I have a cold, no one hears about it, it doesn't make front page news.

Yesterday I offered to drive him to urgent care, but he says he is fine. Just a few minutes ago I got so irritated at him that I said "we are going to the ER" as I have had enough of this over thinking of his.   All of the sudden he was feeling much better.

Oh, he's a hypochondriac.
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Freqflyer, I hear ya on that one. I always say they should have all the flags at half mast when my Hubs is sick. :) Maybe a moment of silence too....................LOL
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The U.S.A. flags will join in, half mast it is.
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You can count México in too! He's the world's biggest baby. What ever happened to the proverbial "macho man"?

And he's always wondering "what" he might have. (He's got nothing.) Makes up names of fictitious diseases until I retreat to the bedroom in disgust.

But did he listen to me when I told him he had to go to the ER because I thought he had pneumonia.....OH NO!
He waited until the last gulp of air before giving in. He then spent 30 days in ICU and 5 says on the medical floor before being discharged by ambulance to home. Of course a private nurse was at his beck and call.

He hates seeing me in pain (only a few times, like after surgery) because he doesn't know what to DO. How about getting me a cup of tea, rub my back and sit with me, telling me it will be all better, like I do with YOU.

All I know is that I'd better never be the one who's out for the count.
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I'd have to have an arm hanging by a string or be laying in a pool of blood before my Hubs would be my nurse. Even then he'd probably look at me and say "why are you sitting in a pool of blood?" Sigh..............
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Practicing for my mini-mental exam.
When asked who the President is, do we have to say the president of all the countries?
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Gershun,
The real question should be, whose blood is that?

Hope it is not his.
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PJ is good with surgery/illnesses. He is incredibly healthy. Just goes for his annual check up and his every 6 mos NFL head CT to check for traumatic brain injury syndrome. He had one concussion in 19 years college and pro playing so not high risk.
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Send, your President, and I use that word lightly, has been criticizing our Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau lots lately. Says he is going to start raising the tariff charges for lumber etc. Why has he not been impeached yet? Why? NO REALLY, WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Send, please see what you can do about it. I'll start here in Canada's end. We'll get er done. I hope..............I pray.

Oh yes, no political discussions. Sorry! My Bad!
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Gump is just jealous, Trudeau is a fine looking young man and well respected.
Canada should build it's own wall. Imo. Wishing that I was on the side where you, Cwillie, Cdnreader, and others live.
The twitters are so embarrassing.
Yeah but, this is the whine thread, and if that is your whine, I approve this message.  Lol.
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Does Trudeau wear fake eyebrows?
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Sorry Smeshque, I think grump does for sure. Oops.
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Maybe at the next Summit, they will get their hair done together.
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Gershun,

TMI on the fainting during a pelvic exam 😆

I had to have an internal ultrasound years ago to diagnose an ovarian cyst - dr asked if I wanted it at the hospital since he couldn't have me screaming and upsetting patients in the waiting room 😳

When I had to have an MRI on my neck they said don't swallow for the next 13 minutes ! Wtf - I will never have another one

I get a mammo every so often - mom's had maybe 3 ever

I'm still putting off the colonoscopy - 💩
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Gershun,
This is in response to your post. Not to start a political fight.

Canada imposes a tariff on any US dairy products brought into the country: fluid milk is 241 percent, cheese is 245.5 percent, ice cream is 277 percent, cream is 292.5 percent, and butter is 298.5 percent.

Why hasn't fake eye-brow Trudeau been impeached yet?
Why shouldn't Trump protect US farmers and workers?

Why Trump has not been impeached?  Here are a few reasons.
Jobless rate is at LOWEST in decades. Jobless rates for minorities (Blacks and Hispanics) are at the LOWEST EVER. Trump made progress with the peace negotiation with North Korea, something no other president before him could do. And the Trump haters are furious because the economy is doing so well. Bill Maher said he wanted the economy to crash in order to get rid of Trump. He and people like him can't think past their hatred. They don't care if hardworking people lose their jobs, their homes, their savings, etc. just so they can point a finger and blame Trump. Disgusting.
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Send, one doctor saw something like a lump or whatever on my bone and wanted me to see a bone specialist (in case it's cancer.) When I called the bone doctor's office, the nurse asked me to read the test result and then the referral information. After she heard me out, she said based on that, there's no reason for me to see the specialist. The test result is very minuscule. She doesn't think it's bone cancer. I gladly decided not to go because I prefer to think it's over-reaction ... I forgot to tell her that my oldest sister's granddaughter, age 10, died of bone cancer.
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Kellse, glad that I was not alone to ever faint from mammo. I won't say that I was wimp. Because that sudden sharp pain went from a 6 to 100. It happened so fast, I didn't have time to call out to the tech.
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Gersh, I was always scared of paps. I'm under 5 feet. It never, ever fails. The nurse has all those stuff ready for the doctor. I'm lying on the table waiting for the doctor. It's like 95% of the time, the doctor walks in. Looks at the clamp, me and then tells the nurse to get a smaller one. Uhmmm. Hello?!?! It's not one size fits all!
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Funny about how most men (all my brothers, bro-in-laws, dad) react when they're sick .vs. when we're sick. When I'm sick, my dad still expected me to get up in time to change mom's pamper and do the normal routines. When he was sick, he laid all day on the recliner - fetch me this, fetch me that, woe is me!, etc... and ... He was too sick to get up and help me change bedridden mom's pamper. He's too tired, too sick, etc... I noticed my brothers are the same...

I think, as females, we learned at the start of puberty - meaning the beginning of Menstruation - we learned that we cannot stay home from school, or not participate in PE just because we have painful periods. So, every month, for decades, we learned to deal with pain, grossness (can't stand blood) like a trooper.
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Yeah, okay...................I'm not interested in a political argument. So polar bear, enjoy your President and I'll enjoy my Prime Minister. As far as Trudeau having fake eyebrows.........uh, I don't think you want me to get started on Trump's appearance. Hey, if strange yellow combovers and orange face is your thing, good on ya!
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Ms Madge, You and the Viking are on the same schedule as me for medical testing NEVER sounds good to me.
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Not in a political fight either, but I live about 100 miles from the border. Maine’s economy is boosted by Canada in many, many ways. Every weekend our stores, restaurants and hotel parking lots are filled with cars and buses from New Brunswick and Quebec with Canadians who have come to shop, vacation and visit family. My town has many residents with family across the border. Canadians make up the second largest group of students at the University. Our fall university break is scheduled to coincide with Canadian Thanksgiving. I used to live and work in a hospital much further north about 11 miles from the border. We had Canadian doctors, nurses, and patients. Billing Canadians for their health services was twice as easy as billing for US and payments to the hospital were fast and efficient. The coastal towns rely on Canadian tourism. I love the US. But, I also love Canada and their citizens. And in a non political comment - Trudeau’s cute and looks healthy.
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I'd like to visit Canada someday

Becky, weren't you planning a summer vacation there? Is that in hold now?
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Hi Lois, Anonymous179890 and Everyone...

Lois... my honey is the exact opposite...has to have a floor fan blowing on him all night (on top of the overhead fan) and then complains about being cold...ugh. Have you thought about getting a floor fan and set it on your side of the bed? Might help to keep you comfortable. Just a thought.

Anonymous, I can understand... my honey is like that off and on (when he does not get his way...which sounds like is different than your situation) all day 24 hours a day. Finally told him if he is going to act like a 5 year old will get treated like it and he will also be without my company more often. In your case could your Mom be going through sundowning?


Please, both of you remember you have to put yourself as number one as if you don't take care of yourselves you can't help someone else. (taken me a while to learn that).

Everyone...love to cook (hate the mess). Know what you mean it is time for summer food, though we don't cook out now. I just thawed pork chops for dinner tonight and a roast to put on tommorrow. My honey has never refused anything that I have made in 30 years. Since he was released from rehab he doesn't want anything but fast food. I told him flat we are not going back to that again as I am not gaining back the weight I have lost (still trying to lose more) and he has had his quota until a week from Sat (he is on diabetic high protien, low sodium, low carb diet). He went into temper tantrum and I just walked off. I have told him either eat what I cook or fix his own food...period. Hard line to hoe, but he had me ready for complete collapse before he went into the hospital May 12th (just got out of rehab facility June 14th)...not happening again. So I will cook and enjoy myself doing it, work on my paintings, do what I need to do and spend some time with him and our pups.

Y'all hang in there and have a great weekend!
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