Sherry

Sherry L. Christensen is a retired high school teacher. She designed and built this blog site to inform and inspire others in an effort to build a community of solo retirees. You can reach her at livingliferetired16@gmail.com.

Yearly mammogram – gotta love ‘em

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At my yearly or semi-yearly exam last year, my doctor, an internist, recommended a procedure I haven’t had for six years and have come to hate, the yearly mammogram.  The reason for my disdain is the excruciating pain the technicians put you through to get a “good enough” x-ray of your breasts.  I have had three of these vice-like gripping exams and did not want another.  I even asked my doctor if he had ever had one.  He of course answered, “No.”  I told him, “When you go and have one and see what it is like, then I will go and endure another one.”  That was last year.

breast diagnostic center
UC Health in Fort Collins, Photo by slc

Earlier this year, I discovered my oldest sister was diagnosed with early breast cancer due to a 2D mammogram.  Protocol was to have surgery and then chemo and radiation therapy.  Well, since my mother has had advanced breast cancer for over a decade, and now my sister, I felt it might be time to make that dreaded mammogram appointment.  When I called, the soonest I could get in was in three months. My appointment for my mammogram was scheduled for the end of August, two days after my 63rd birthday.

I did a little research and asked around at my Bible study coffee group about the difference between a 2D and a 3D mammogram.  One good friend and expert, former nurse and breast cancer survivor, recommended the 3D exam because it is more thorough so you would not need to go back for a retake if something looks suspicious.  My insurance would totally cover the 2D procedure.  Unfortunately, the 3D procedure costs more as insurance companies are not covering it fully yet.

yearly mammogram
Before mammogram, Photo by slc

So for $115 more out of pocket, I went for the 3D exam for the first time.  Wow, what a difference.  I felt very little pressure from the machine and the six pictures took less than 10 seconds each.  I was In and out of the x-ray room in only a couple of minutes. If I knew how to cartwheel I would have done one down the hall. 

With my family history of breast cancer, I will begin having my yearly 3D mammogram.  I think having it around my birthday each year is a great birthday present.  How about you?  Have you had your yearly mammogram?  You just gotta love ‘em.

By the way, my results were negative.  Woohoo!

(Update: My insurance paid for the 3D exam)

“Women ages 45 to 54 should have a mammogram each year and those 55 years and over should continue getting mammograms every 1 to 2 years. However, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends mammograms for women between the ages of 50 and 74 every two years.”      

 

“You have to be tough to get old”

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tough to get old
Photo by slc

Flora, my beautiful 92-year-old friend, spoke this truth during our recent visit.  Her husband of 36 years just passed away a few weeks before our visit, after a couple months of illness.  Reaching up to put some newly laundered sheets on a closet shelf, he had a heart attack and took his last breath.  Flora said her and her assisted living friends say, “You have to be tough to get old.”

It seems to me there is a lot of truth to their statement.  More illness, aches and pains, surgeries, death of loved ones, and just plain heartache, seem to be on the docket more than we’d like. 

So how do we get “tough” and live a life of hope and anticipation?  The only insight Flora and I have is to keep your focus on God.  He will help if we keep communication (prayer) open. He will “carry you,” “sustain you,” and “rescue you” if you ask him.

Here are some simple ideas to help you “be tough:”

  • Add prayer and reading the Bible to your daily routine
  • Share regular deep conversations with a trusting friend
  • Be in nature as much as possible
  • Listen to uplifting music of your choice loudly and sing along
  • Have a monthly massage
  • Stretch daily
  • Stay as active as possible, even if it hurts sometimes
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help

How do you stay tough?

How Not to Die – the book

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I just had to purchase the New York Times bestseller How Not to Die, Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease by Dr. Michael Greger. After all, it has 20,698 reviews on Amazon. I also ordered the companion cookbook. My dad died of cancer and my mom is currently in hospice with breast cancer. I wanted to learn how I could eat healthier to help ward off cancer and aging.

Amazon.com

Greger’s book is 404 pages long with an additional 158 pages of an appendix, notes and an index. I haven’t read it cover to cover. I use it as resource. For instance, I looked up colon cancer and breast cancer. Chapter 4 is titled, “How Not to Die from Digestive Cancers.” On page 63, I read, “While regular screenings are certainly sensible to detect colorectal cancer, preventing it in the first place is even better.” From my reading, I learned that by adding a small amount of turmeric to my diet it may “decrease the number and size of polyps by more than half in patients with a hereditary form of colorectal cancer.” During my first colonoscopy in my late 40’s, I had two polyps removed. The information in the book on turmeric was therefore pretty valuable to me.

Chapter 11 is dedicated to “How Not to Die from Breast Cancer.” On page 180, I read a quote from the American Institute for Cancer Research, “Diets that revolve around whole plant foods–vegetables, whole grains, fruits and beans–cut the risk of many cancers, and other diseases as well.”

After reading this book, I have added turmeric, flaxseed, chia seeds, almonds and walnuts, dates, almond butter, cinnamon, coconut milk, and nutritional yeast to my diet. I also take a magnesium supplement, a probiotic with a prebiotic fiber blend, and orange flavored fresh catch fish oil daily.

date brownies
Slab of fudgy no-bake brownies, Photo by slc

My favorite recipe from the cookbook so far is the one for fudgy no-bake brownies. I have a sweet tooth and these are so easy to make. Just 1 cup of walnuts, 1-1/3 cups pitted dates, 1/2 cup almond butter, and 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder. Must mix the walnuts and dates in a blender, then add the almond butter and cocoa powder.

date brownies
Blending date brownies, Photo by slc

If you want, you can add 1/2 cup of crushed pecans for a topping. Put the mixture on parchment paper and pop in the frig for at least one hour. They honestly taste like real brownies.

I have also made the skillet sweet potato hash and the yellow rice and black beans with broccoli. Some of the ingredients for the recipes are new to me and it has been fun discovering the new flavors. Bon-appetite!

Take me out to the ballgame

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ballgame
At the old ballgame, Photo by slc

It was opening day weekend, 2015, the last time I attended a Colorado Rockies baseball game. I loved going to Coors Field with my family or friends to see a game, have fresh squeezed lemonade and a hotdog. My daughter and I attended the 1998 MLB All Star Home Run Derby there. What a memorable day that was; watching Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Mark McGuire compete. Last week, I was singing “take me out to the ballgame” by myself at Coors Field and loving every minute.

Do you have something you used to love to do but hesitate to do it because you would have to go alone? Me too. I decided earlier this year I was going to a Rockies game by myself if I had to. So when I was offered free tickets as a volunteer for CASA, I snatched up two for a day game. As gameday approached I became anxious about where the tickets would be located and if anyone would want to go with me. It was going to be a 90+ degree day and I was afraid the seats would be in the scorching sun. I contacted the CASA office and told them if anyone there wanted the tickets they could have them. No one could go so the tickets were still mine.

The day before the game I went to the CASA office to retrieve the tickets and was pleasantly surprised the seats were under the stadium’s awning. I would be in the shade the entire afternoon game! I contacted two of my friends and my daughter and her husband who I thought might be available to attend. No one could go with me. So Thursday morning I went to coffee with some friends and then excitedly headed to Coors Field in Denver by myself.

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What to get mom for Mother’s Day

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What to get mom for Mother's Day
Painting by my daughter years ago, Photo by slc

It’s that time of year and the question comes up again, what do I get mom for Mother’s Day?  Most moms I know, myself included, don’t need anything this Mother’s Day, but she may want to add to her already unique collection of memories you have together. 

When our children were born, most of us collected items for a baby book.  I have my daughter’s hospital bracelet and every card from family and friends who helped welcome her birth.  The memories of that special day were precious and undeniably filled with love, and a little bit of pain.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Memories of firsts are big.  First tooth, first words, first solid food, first crawl, first steps, first day of school, first books, first dance, first swim lesson, first driving lesson, first apartment, first boyfriend, first, and only, wedding, and first grandchild.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Most of my memories I viewed through a camera lens.  I captured memories through countless photos and videos of every vacation, school and sporting event.  You name it, I took a picture or video of it.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Ever use a massage gun?

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If you’re like me, you suffer from a few aches and pains, especially as we get older. Going to my massage therapist or chiropractor was great before I retired as I could afford the much needed therapy. But with a limited retirement income, those regular therapeutic visits have become financially challenging. I saw a television commercial advertising a massage gun. However, I did not purchase one until I tried one out on my shoulder at a friends’ office. The owner of the massager recommended it and I was sold.

Sonic Massage Gun
Sonic Massage Gun, Photo by slc

I purchased the Sonic Deep Tissue, Percussion Muscle Massage Gun from Amazon last July. It came in a sturdy case along with eight massage heads. With several different levels of intensity, you are sure to find relief from strained or stiff muscles as I have. It keeps me virtually pain free in between my periodic massage therapy visits.

This massager currently sells for $119.99 on Amazon.com and I do not make any money off of your purchase. Enjoy!

Five years – taking inventory

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taking inventory

Five years.  Wow.  I can’t believe it has been that long since I launched LivingLifeRetired.com.  So much has happened during my retirement these past five years.  I took a personal inventory and was surprised at the length of the list.  I…

  • Bought a mountain cabin property, tore down the water- and animal-damaged addition by hand, hauled out truckloads of pine cones and needles, cleared out a fallen tree, and had my she shed built.
  • Learned my mom fell at her home, was hospitalized and then she was moved into a nursing home.
  • Experienced some loving and sweet but also tough and heartfelt times with family members
  • Trained and volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children in Larimer County
  • Read a ton of books and wrote a few blog posts
  • Worked part time as a substitute teacher in two school districts
  • Lost my sweet kitty Lily to old age
  • Joined a lovely group of women for a weekly Bible study group at my church
  • Endured an international pandemic
  • Sold my home, bought a home and moved to a town closer to my grandchildren
  • Began attending the sister church to my primary church
  • Reunited with a good friend from Amarillo, Gail, and two high school friends, Mark and Marie, through Facebook
  • Endured a few disputes with neighbors
  • Served as president of an HOA
  • Volunteered at Life Stories (CASA Program) in Weld County

While it is a decent list of accomplishments and growth, it also reveals areas of neglect. In taking an inventory I realized why I struggle to consistently write blog posts for this site.  I have had so much I wanted and needed to write about, but I just didn’t.  More discipline is needed to sit down and write.  In the future I need to put my many projects aside and make writing a bigger priority.  The lawn mowing and room painting can wait one more day.  It’s not easy because as a solo retiree, if I don’t do it, it doesn’t get done.  

Have you taken inventory of your past five years or even one year?  Try it; you might surprise yourself at your list.  I believe it helps to reflect on your past in order to help move forward in the future.  What do you want to do differently or less of?  What do you want to do more of?  Where are your priorities?

Thanks for following along with me these past few years.   I would love to hear from you and do more posts about what you are doing in your retirement. Please email me at LivingLifeRetired16@gmail.com.  I would love to feature your solo retirement.