What an 80 year old woman can do

Liz Valencia
Ballet Folklorico Dancer

I had agreed to go to Costco with my new friend, a retired nun, teacher and seamstress. She's a very talented woman. She had a stroke last year so she tires out easily. That makes us compatible shopping partners!

It wasn't too long that we were in Costco when I began to run out of energy. I find that happens more when I have increased pain. I didn't have too much pain before we started, but things got so much worse. That's been happening more this last year or so! I was so glad she understood that I couldn't continue shopping.

I don't have a membership with Costco. It would really save money. I was so happy with what I found and the money I saved.

On the way home we saw a yard sale and stopped. The woman had an Osterizer.  I had been wanting one. I'd like to get a juicer some day too. But, for right now, I can make smoothies in this one. I got it for $8.

We were only gone four hours, but I was exhausted when we got back. So I went to lie down in bed for a while. It's more restful and refreshing than the couch.

Then I remembered the neighbor across the street, Her name is Liz. She is 80 years old and had her hip replaced in January. She danced Ballet Folklorico, a style of Mexican dancing up until then. Very ambitious and active woman.

Yesterday, I had promised Liz to go walking with her, but at the time I was too exhausted from having my osteoporosis IV injection then, so I didn't go.

Since I had my second wind, I just had to keep my promise today. It was cold out. I asked Liz to turn around and go back when I began to feel more pain and loss of energy. She went back home with me, then went off on her own to finish her lengthy walk. Then, I absolutely had to lay down and have been resting for hours since then. I wish I had her health and energy. Plus, her positive attitude. It's so incredible to think this woman is 80 years old!

Note from the future, 2016:  It was just a few months after this that I was diagnosed with Leukemia. No wonder I had so much pain and was so exhausted.

A Day in the Life of Stomach Pain

9:30 am wake with pain beneath ribcage extending from RUQ to central (below the sternum)

Absolutely no appetite. Feeling almost nauseous.

11:30 Pain has resolved enough to attempt eating. Still no real appetite

Noon ate one bowl of oatmeal, with raisins, cranberries and soymilk,

Photo by Elizabeth Munroz
Art Glass Monterey Bay Aquarium Gift Shop

12:15 intense pain central, beneath sternum, between breasts. So intense I feel weak, while attempting to move my purse and notebook from one room to another. I sit down to wait for pain to go away.

12:40 I am on the phone, lying down on bed. Chest pain continues. Suddenly heart pounds real fast and hard. I finish phone call. After I get up I feel light headed and dizzy. I decided to take one puff of nitrospray.

1:00 pm Pain continues and now has moved into my back, deep beneath the scapula. I am now taking two Tylenol plus one Famotadine.

2:15 pain is somewhat relieved but still remains. I have some burping.
Called Doctor's office. Asked for Donnatal in pill form. She is ordering.

2:45 Feel slightly hungry, ate some fresh pineapple

3:00 pm pain has moved into back, like bra line pain (not wearing one)

3:50 pain is finally resolved. Feel normal hunger. Eat a couple of crackers with tea. Take one Donnatal.

The rest of the evening have no pain or nausea. Eat normal meal of beef stew with noodles and asparagus.

Later have peanut butter and jelly on oat toast with cup of tea.

At bedtime, I take Famotadine, Atavan, 2 Tylenol, 1 Melatonin

Wednesday, ‎May ‎15, ‎2002, ‏‎11:43:04 AM

Awaken without nausea or pain. Have no appetite and slight headache.