1. < Just Want to Talk
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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 | @fiesty76 | Jul 9, 2020
In reply to @wisco50 "Depending on reasons, dry coughing and sneezing don’t always mean someone is ill...I do both from..." + (show)
@wisco50

Depending on reasons, dry coughing and sneezing don’t always mean someone is ill...I do both from allergies! Daily use of allergy pill, two different nasal sprays, eye drops (itch, red eyes) still don’t stop all my symptoms. Just the way it is. If someone looks at me - yes, I wear a mask when out! I just say, “Allergies!” and hope they understand...I cannot stay inside all the time because I have them. Plus I love to flower garden, so.....

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@wisco50, I agree with what you replied to another post. I also have allergies and am regularly plagued with dry coughs, teary eyes and sneezing. Not contagious just miserable..vbg Also do the same as you for allergy aid. Thought first you were posting a response to something I'd written earlier about a store employee confronting me with wet coughs and sneezes. He was wearing a mask but it scared me silly because he approached suddenly and got too close. In future if I dry cough or sneeze with mask in public, I'll adopt your lead by saying: "Allergies!" Thanks for the idea.

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imallears | @imallears | Jul 9, 2020
In reply to @fiesty76 "@imallears, Yes! I've been doing the child's pose but didn't know what it was called until..." + (show)
@fiesty76

@imallears, Yes! I've been doing the child's pose but didn't know what it was called until just not doing a google search for it and also the Happy Baby. Not sure about the 2nd one may have to ask you offline about part of that one. I agree that movement, getting up from sitting, standing and walks really help me most when my back goes out. If I could just stand still longer, that is often the best but motion is soo important.

I do the same getting up from the floor by rolling over on my side and pushing up with my hands from floor. And again, I do the knee grab to help me out of the bed when in back pain. I don't track distance when walking but doubt I'm making 2 miles most days. Good that you can...and you also mentioned a friend's jogging. Do you also sometimes jog? Impressive. That stopped for me some time ago but happy to hear you may still be able to do that! Laughing at your sweating eyelashes! Maybe that was what kept fogging up my glasses yesterday! Stay well, take care and thanks for back pain suggestions.

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@fiesty76
Hi,
I don’t jog at all. When the weather was cooler I would sort of sprint between mailboxes on my route or sprint or to the gate in my subdivision as it opened. It’s just too hot and muggy now. First day I haven’t walked in weeks. I got up too late which is unusual but that’s okay.
I did the child pose yesterday and it is easy for me...sort of like a resting pose between reps. For the Happy Baby pose picture a baby on the floor with his legs straight up in the air playing with his toes. I lay flat on the floor...no shoes...grab my feet by the toe area and pull my legs straight up so I am in an L shape position. I hold that position, keeping head on floor...do a few scissors and then lower my legs to the floor. But then I do 10 leg raises up and down right after that. First time I tried I kept rolling to the side.
This is not for everyone and I am not advising anyone to try it. It just keeps me limber.

I ordered and received a portable kitchen island yesterday. My son in law had to help me open the box...it was like a jig saw puzzle. I will attempt to put that together today until he gets over here tonight to help me. I’ve put things together before but this may require 2 people.

So Ill walk around my island today if I can get it set up...if not I just walk around the gigantic box it came in that’s in my kitchen along with a whole lot of little boxes. Time to go be a Happy Baby.

FL Mary

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1 reply
Little Sue | @littlesue | Jul 9, 2020
In reply to @wisco50 "Hi Katiejo59 - My back surgery in 11/2011 was a culmination of my problems over years...." + (show)
@wisco50

Hi Katiejo59 - My back surgery in 11/2011 was a culmination of my problems over years. Was an RN in hospital areas that did require physical work (43 years worth). Had bulging discs, ruptured discs, significant spinal stenosis, DDD and yes, spondylolisthesis. Also had synovial cyst at L4-5 which ruptured and bled into spinal cord area, which cause severe acute pain, leading to my decision to have the surgery THEN instead of possibly a few months later. I was 61 at the time. Officially it was removal of the cyst sac and a TLIF (translumbar interbody fixation) at several adjacent levels, L side and R side both, though not exactly same levels. Would have to look it up as memory for all involved levels a bit fuzzy by now. When I started to have more issues in the last two or so years, getting MUCH more severe last year - limping, occ cane use, needed wheelchair in airport, significant pain, I was getting pain management (getting by on 1-2 Vicodin by evening, plus daily dosings of aspirin and ES acetaminophen, ice, heat, stretching. BUT was profoundly impacting my daily life. Hard to go for walks, flower garden, etc. More surgery eventually advised, more fusion levels and I just didn’t want to do it again. So I researched and ended up opting for spinal cord stimulator. I am happy with my decision, it has helped greatly. If I need anything it might be aspirin (daily adult two tabs) which has always helped me more and with less side effects than any other NSAID (tried them all!). I might take 1/2 tab lowest dose Vicodin for neck pain at bedtime occ. Refuse to have more surgery on it for several reasons. As to how to make decision re back surgery vs helping vs being worse off - get several opinions. Remember, surgeons will promote surgery , it’s their job! But a quality surgeon will not push you into it! ALL surgery has risks associated with it, that’s the truth.

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The idea of a spinal cord stimulator was a good decision. Has anyone heard of Vertiflex? A great product for reducing back pain via minimally invasive procedure. It works like a shim; wedge. It is put in between the affected vertebrae to open it and relieve the pressure.

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2 replies
lioness | @lioness | Jul 9, 2020
In reply to @fiesty76 "@lioness and @funcountess, I have a 3-station Panasonic land line phone set which is working well..." + (show)
@fiesty76

@lioness and @funcountess, I have a 3-station Panasonic land line phone set which is working well for me. I especially appreciate being able to increase the volume because of my hearing loss.

However, I may be one of the very last in the country to still be holding onto a very simple flip phone from Consumer Cellular. Don't even know my own number and just use it for car or travel emergencies...vbg

I received a past due pmt from C.C. because I'd changed my credit card and failed to inform the company of the new number. In talking with the service rep, I asked for a recommendation for a verrry simple smart phone and impulsively ordered one she recommended. Now, perhaps, I can join the rest of the world but beyond plugging it in and activating it, I've yet to place my first call. Gotta remember to swipe up on the initial screen and remember to disconnect! Ohh the challenges!!!

My daughter and family will hoot when they find out I'm limping verrry slowly into the 21st century...Texting may continue to be beyond me but at least if I play with it long enough, I may learn how to use some of its features. Now that I've "mastered" activating the new one, think I'll check out utube for some "how to get started" tutorials...for sure I'll need all the help available! lol

Good luck with your new purchase. Hope it works well for you!!

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@fiesty76 That's what I'm getting a c.c it's impossible to order online tried 3 hrs didn't get anywhere so will see what there is @target today ,let you know

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2 replies
lioness | @lioness | Jul 9, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@fiesty76 That's what I'm getting a c.c it's impossible to order online tried 3 hrs didn't..." + (show)
@lioness

@fiesty76 That's what I'm getting a c.c it's impossible to order online tried 3 hrs didn't get anywhere so will see what there is @target today ,let you know

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@fiesty76 Thanks for the poses but I cant get on floor my knees are to bad I do these on the bed its a hard mattress much easier . The child pose forget it ,no way . I think I,ll stick to my Tai Chi and chair exercises with walking . Good for you that at your age you are still flexible .

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lioness | @lioness | Jul 9, 2020
In reply to @littlesue "The idea of a spinal cord stimulator was a good decision. Has anyone heard of Vertiflex?..." + (show)
@littlesue

The idea of a spinal cord stimulator was a good decision. Has anyone heard of Vertiflex? A great product for reducing back pain via minimally invasive procedure. It works like a shim; wedge. It is put in between the affected vertebrae to open it and relieve the pressure.

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@littlesue Never heard of the shim . Thanks for the information and by the way welcome to connect we all share information that helps us .

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Jul 9, 2020

Good morning, walkercizers! Interesting talk about cell phones it does fit in with walking. I always carry mine in. My back pocket for emergencies. It has a pedometer which I really like except that the pedometer always tells me that I haven’t walked far enough! I must admit, even the dog didn’t want to go on a walk yesterday—too hot. Maybe today!

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 9, 2020
In reply to @becsbuddy "Good morning, walkercizers! Interesting talk about cell phones it does fit in with walking. I always..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

Good morning, walkercizers! Interesting talk about cell phones it does fit in with walking. I always carry mine in. My back pocket for emergencies. It has a pedometer which I really like except that the pedometer always tells me that I haven’t walked far enough! I must admit, even the dog didn’t want to go on a walk yesterday—too hot. Maybe today!

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@becsbuddy The other reason cell phones fit with walking is virtual walking buddies. My friend in Illinois has no one to walk with, in a tiny town with little to look at and no alternate routes. So once a week we walk "together" and catch up on our family news. I can also sometimes catch my busy brother between stops in his contracting business and have a quick chat.
Sue

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 9, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "@becsbuddy The other reason cell phones fit with walking is virtual walking buddies. My friend in..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@becsbuddy The other reason cell phones fit with walking is virtual walking buddies. My friend in Illinois has no one to walk with, in a tiny town with little to look at and no alternate routes. So once a week we walk "together" and catch up on our family news. I can also sometimes catch my busy brother between stops in his contracting business and have a quick chat.
Sue

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Great idea for a truly virtual walk and talk, @sueinmn!

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fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Jul 9, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@fiesty76 That's what I'm getting a c.c it's impossible to order online tried 3 hrs didn't..." + (show)
@lioness

@fiesty76 That's what I'm getting a c.c it's impossible to order online tried 3 hrs didn't get anywhere so will see what there is @target today ,let you know

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@lioness, I am sooo excited! Just placed my 1st call to daughter using my C.C. smart phone. You would think I'd invented salt!!! She had jut picked up my 14 yr old g.s. from high school football practice so the Both got tickled and celebrated with me....My little flip phone was also from c.c. but after activating this new one: ZTE: Avid 559, I realized I didn't know my new cell number.

I waited 20 minutes on speaker phone for service rep; then it took him fifteen minutes taking me through a bazillion unnecessary steps to f i n a l l y !! (after telling me in the beginning that he was not allowed to tell me my new number over the phone) to check my last billing statement Because my New # would be the same as my Orig. c.c. flip cell number...I was beyond frustrated with him !!!

Even so, I am really happy to have put one tiny toenail into the the 21st century. LOL I'd gone to Utube last night for a tutorial on "how to get started" with this particular brand and model. 11 short videos with steps and of course most of the latter ones far too complicated for a novice but it was very helpful for the first basics...like how to shut down, etc.

If Target has the c.c. you want, we'll soon be able to "cyber phone one another". Now how much fun would that be???? Good luck and let us know how your Target visit goes.

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