Let’s Go Walking! Join me for a virtual walking support group

Posted by Becky, Volunteer Mentor @becsbuddy, Feb 19, 2020

Many of you living with cancer or an autoimmune disease, like me, deal with daily fatigue. You know that exercise is so important to your health, but it’s so hard. There’s always an excuse: it’s too cold or hot, it’s going to rain or it’s raining, or it’s snowy and icy, or I just don’t want to. I, too, have all these excuses, but I have a new rescue dog who wants to go out and who doesn’t care about my excuses! And I’ve got traction devices for my boots.Now I just need a walking group who will keep me accountable. People who say, ‘let’s go for a walk.'

And I thought: What about my virtual friends on MayoClinicConnect?

Mayo Clinic has an easy 12-week walking program to get us started! Here’s the link:
- Get walking with this 12-week walking schedule https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/get-walking-with-this-12-week-walking-schedule/

So let’s form a virtual walking group. We can agree to walk every day and encourage each other through Connect. We can walk outdoors, in a mall, or in the red center, or in the hallways of our apartment building.

Who’s in? Who’s going to join me?

Come on, Let’s Go Walking!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

@fiesty76

@becsbuddy and @contentandwell, I’m not sure the best thread to use to post this…just want to talk, caregivers? Friction between my stage 4 cancer friend’s hubby and daughter continued to escalate with the d. attempting to take over all of friend’s financial and health decisions through legal and medical poa’s. Friend finally issued ultimatum for d. to return to out-of-state home.

It has been a mixed blessing having the d. here to take over the mom’s care…while overly aggressive with medical and home health, it was a relief for me to know my friend was getting needed med. attn. Also d. provided daily healthy meals which was a wonderful comfort.

The d. is emotionally disturbed and needs prof. help and medication. Her erratic mood swings and verbal attacks on both friends became untenable. The d. left after I insisted that friend issue a date and time ultimatum deadline. D., 2 grands and 2 dogs left Sunday.
Yesterday, friends called to say hubby is having progressively painful back problems but doesn’t want to seek immediate med. care. Wanted the name of my kidney specialist. He’s had kidney stone surgery in the past and had told me 2-3 weeks ago that he’d “twisted his back” but nothing since.

Discussion about the need for referral to specialists and being told that friend’s pcp had turned down hubby as “new patient” a couple of yrs ago, had me urging to seek emergency visit to hospital branch where diagnosis and immediate treatment plus referral if needed was refused.

He agreed to check pcp for appt today but wants to “put off” any treatment for another week because of scheduled treatments this week for wife. With my severely compromised lungs, I cannot spend the night with wife if he requires surgery but suggested hiring a home sitter who could also make meals through current home health group if needed.

Guess I am just needing to “vent”. There are no magic bullets but am feeling that elderly hubby is unequipped to handle all that will be required of him now. Also feeling stressed because I no longer feel safe making face-to-face contact with them because of weekly cancer treatments, home health workers, and their exposure to others. Thanks for listening. Let’s hope I can persuade him to seek immediate help today. Don’t know if anything could burst like appendix but need to get through to him that he needs to be in top form for ongoing care of his beloved. A prayer for us would be appreciated.

@contentandwell, Yes, my neighbor was wearing her Apple watch when she had a terrible fall in her garage. Thank goodness, her adult son saw her and called 911. The watch did not send the help signal. Perhaps, the watch wasn’t programmed correctly? This happened after the stay-at-home-order and she hasn’t yet taken it back to the store?

@cindiwass…Wearing your cell phone around neck is another enterprising idea to use as an alternate way to summon help. One advantage of the Alert 1 system is that it is waterproof so can be worn while bathing.
I have owned my home in TX for many years and have great neighbors who have lived at our end of the street for decades as well. I share the same concern you have about making a move to Boulder/Denver area because my family moved there from IL this past August. My sil loves the challenge of trying new career options and another move for them would complicate things for me as well.

@lilypaws, Unfortunately, like your dear husband, there are many who don’t understand the value of wearing masks. Seems like there was an earlier thread about how to explain good reasons for wearing masks, especially in hospitals or crowded areas?

@lioness, I got so excited by a Bonnie Bell ad stating that “starter plants” could be ordered and shipped directly to homes. However, their costs were far higher than I want to pay at this time. Home Depot has advertised home deliveries as well but not sure about the inclusion of plants and the min. order is rather steep. That may be my best option though.

@jeanette527, Great idea! “I also have my advance directive on the spare end table by the bed.” I’ve been wondering how to alert EMS to my DNR and advance directive if summoned. I’ll put mine on a credenza in entry that fronts the front door. Thank you!
Also liked your idea for putting your cell phone in the waterproof packet while working outside. Such creative people gather here! Smiles

Oh, Wow! @robbie, this photo is gorgeous!

@becsbuddy, Becky, I need to post this all over my house!!! Thank you!

@gingerw, I’m agreeing with @contentand well 200%. Congrats on all you do and manage. Sigh…how I would love to be growing some of your blackberries. Just received a Mrs. Smiths cobbler in grocery delivery yesterday…maybe ¼ left after first 30 minutes??? Vbg

@funcountess, I’m with you on the hardscaping. I had patterned concrete installed in front yard with several flower beds and only a curving bed of New England asters and 2 trees remaining. It has been worth every penny spent. Another great boon for me was installing irrigation sytem for both front and back. It can be set for individ beds or to automatic for running all stations.
https://birdslife.co.uk/why-wont-birds-come-to-my-feeder/
@zeiracorp, Thank you for the link to this excellent hummingbird site! https://birdslife.co.uk/why-wont-birds-come-to-my-feeder/
Great new suggestions..set out more feeders/both sun & shade; perhaps the best is that nectar can be refrig’d for up to 2 weeks…what a time saver! Will add red streamers to tree for enticement. Also didn’t know that those pesky males were arriving first and “guarding” their territory..lol

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Hi @fiesty76, I suggest you post your concerns about your friend in the Caregivers group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/caregivers/

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@fiesty76 When I started vegies or flowers I bought started pots and potting soil did my own put them where they got light when they had 4 leaves on them you can transplant them . Sorry this is posted in the wrong group but thought I would answer her here .

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@feisty76 At the risk of sounding like I am on my soapbox again, if you are looking for plants, search your LOCAL greenhouse/garden center options, and call to see who will do either delivery or phone order/curbside pickup. We have several here offering the service, and the little guys have suffered much more from Covid-19 than the big box stores.
Sue

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@fiesty76

@becsbuddy and @contentandwell, I’m not sure the best thread to use to post this…just want to talk, caregivers? Friction between my stage 4 cancer friend’s hubby and daughter continued to escalate with the d. attempting to take over all of friend’s financial and health decisions through legal and medical poa’s. Friend finally issued ultimatum for d. to return to out-of-state home.

It has been a mixed blessing having the d. here to take over the mom’s care…while overly aggressive with medical and home health, it was a relief for me to know my friend was getting needed med. attn. Also d. provided daily healthy meals which was a wonderful comfort.

The d. is emotionally disturbed and needs prof. help and medication. Her erratic mood swings and verbal attacks on both friends became untenable. The d. left after I insisted that friend issue a date and time ultimatum deadline. D., 2 grands and 2 dogs left Sunday.
Yesterday, friends called to say hubby is having progressively painful back problems but doesn’t want to seek immediate med. care. Wanted the name of my kidney specialist. He’s had kidney stone surgery in the past and had told me 2-3 weeks ago that he’d “twisted his back” but nothing since.

Discussion about the need for referral to specialists and being told that friend’s pcp had turned down hubby as “new patient” a couple of yrs ago, had me urging to seek emergency visit to hospital branch where diagnosis and immediate treatment plus referral if needed was refused.

He agreed to check pcp for appt today but wants to “put off” any treatment for another week because of scheduled treatments this week for wife. With my severely compromised lungs, I cannot spend the night with wife if he requires surgery but suggested hiring a home sitter who could also make meals through current home health group if needed.

Guess I am just needing to “vent”. There are no magic bullets but am feeling that elderly hubby is unequipped to handle all that will be required of him now. Also feeling stressed because I no longer feel safe making face-to-face contact with them because of weekly cancer treatments, home health workers, and their exposure to others. Thanks for listening. Let’s hope I can persuade him to seek immediate help today. Don’t know if anything could burst like appendix but need to get through to him that he needs to be in top form for ongoing care of his beloved. A prayer for us would be appreciated.

@contentandwell, Yes, my neighbor was wearing her Apple watch when she had a terrible fall in her garage. Thank goodness, her adult son saw her and called 911. The watch did not send the help signal. Perhaps, the watch wasn’t programmed correctly? This happened after the stay-at-home-order and she hasn’t yet taken it back to the store?

@cindiwass…Wearing your cell phone around neck is another enterprising idea to use as an alternate way to summon help. One advantage of the Alert 1 system is that it is waterproof so can be worn while bathing.
I have owned my home in TX for many years and have great neighbors who have lived at our end of the street for decades as well. I share the same concern you have about making a move to Boulder/Denver area because my family moved there from IL this past August. My sil loves the challenge of trying new career options and another move for them would complicate things for me as well.

@lilypaws, Unfortunately, like your dear husband, there are many who don’t understand the value of wearing masks. Seems like there was an earlier thread about how to explain good reasons for wearing masks, especially in hospitals or crowded areas?

@lioness, I got so excited by a Bonnie Bell ad stating that “starter plants” could be ordered and shipped directly to homes. However, their costs were far higher than I want to pay at this time. Home Depot has advertised home deliveries as well but not sure about the inclusion of plants and the min. order is rather steep. That may be my best option though.

@jeanette527, Great idea! “I also have my advance directive on the spare end table by the bed.” I’ve been wondering how to alert EMS to my DNR and advance directive if summoned. I’ll put mine on a credenza in entry that fronts the front door. Thank you!
Also liked your idea for putting your cell phone in the waterproof packet while working outside. Such creative people gather here! Smiles

Oh, Wow! @robbie, this photo is gorgeous!

@becsbuddy, Becky, I need to post this all over my house!!! Thank you!

@gingerw, I’m agreeing with @contentand well 200%. Congrats on all you do and manage. Sigh…how I would love to be growing some of your blackberries. Just received a Mrs. Smiths cobbler in grocery delivery yesterday…maybe ¼ left after first 30 minutes??? Vbg

@funcountess, I’m with you on the hardscaping. I had patterned concrete installed in front yard with several flower beds and only a curving bed of New England asters and 2 trees remaining. It has been worth every penny spent. Another great boon for me was installing irrigation sytem for both front and back. It can be set for individ beds or to automatic for running all stations.
https://birdslife.co.uk/why-wont-birds-come-to-my-feeder/
@zeiracorp, Thank you for the link to this excellent hummingbird site! https://birdslife.co.uk/why-wont-birds-come-to-my-feeder/
Great new suggestions..set out more feeders/both sun & shade; perhaps the best is that nectar can be refrig’d for up to 2 weeks…what a time saver! Will add red streamers to tree for enticement. Also didn’t know that those pesky males were arriving first and “guarding” their territory..lol

Jump to this post

We mentioned advance directives. I just had a brainstorm and made a little card saying where it is and put it in the lock box with the keys so ENTs can find it.

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I live in a "yong" senior community and the pandemic has been challenging. But I've gone on walks starting from where a relative lives, in a pretty upper middle class area. We've also started our walks from the church we began attending a couple of yrs. ago and it somehow,in a limited way, feels like we're @ church.(Well, we kinda are). Some people that live here have gotten together on lawns to the back of the community(using distancing, of course) and here in south-central Pa. it has been very pretty, even cooler than usual.I've explored streaming all kinds of music which has been fun. Kathryn McDonough

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@jeanette527

We mentioned advance directives. I just had a brainstorm and made a little card saying where it is and put it in the lock box with the keys so ENTs can find it.

Jump to this post

@fiesty76 Good idea . I have a suitcase for me to get if we have any disaters out here it has mine in it my son has my poa and Dr .

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@katiejo59

I live in a "yong" senior community and the pandemic has been challenging. But I've gone on walks starting from where a relative lives, in a pretty upper middle class area. We've also started our walks from the church we began attending a couple of yrs. ago and it somehow,in a limited way, feels like we're @ church.(Well, we kinda are). Some people that live here have gotten together on lawns to the back of the community(using distancing, of course) and here in south-central Pa. it has been very pretty, even cooler than usual.I've explored streaming all kinds of music which has been fun. Kathryn McDonough

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@katiejo59 Welcome to connect where we are a caring group try to help with what we can . We arent Dr.s so cant give med. advice . What part of Pa do you live in is it by Penn State? I lived near the Pittsburg area but am now in Calif. where my son is. Enjoy the community . I live in a senior building but am older 78 we have activities here by the residents and other amenaties .

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Welcome to our group @katiejo59 ! We’re following Mayo Clinic’s walking plan and I think we’re on week #10. We take the whole group along when we go walking. If you’re not into walking, there are a lot of programs on YouTube for us seniors. So get moving! I did 2miles yesterday and , then went straight to bed for a nap! 😅

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I think I wore myself out yesterday I think I did 2 miles of 25 I think it is not 30 so resting today and will do more tomorrow .

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@lioness

I think I wore myself out yesterday I think I did 2 miles of 25 I think it is not 30 so resting today and will do more tomorrow .

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@lioness Wow that's a long way. Glad you are resting today. Take care and start back at less miles. Jeanie

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