My sister seems to be dying today. We haven't been close in a long time, so late January I got a call from a family member saying that she saw on Facebook that my sister had been in the hospital for the month with terminal cancer.

Earlier today she said goodbye to her husband in person and to me on the phone. We're all keeping vigil with her.

I've taken this opportunity to help her remember stories every day for her autobiography. I've deliberately refrained from talking about the ones that are most painful for me, and reassured her that her regrets worked out OK.

I'm so sorry Moonflower... Loss is part of the ride of life but, it is far from the easiest!... Sending Loving thoughts to you, your sister and your family.

Hugs!

Ashley 💕

My sister died this morning.

@Moonflower
Dear Grace:
I was greatly saddened as I read about your "loss"

                                                    
HUGS, Danielle
              Tight and warm HUGS
                 

Quote from: Moonflower on February 23, 2024, 12:19:52 PMMy sister died this morning.

Quote from: Moonflower on February 22, 2024, 03:11:48 PMMy sister seems to be dying today. We haven't been close in a long time, so late January I got a call from a family member saying that she saw on Facebook that my sister had been in the hospital for the month with terminal cancer.

Earlier today she said goodbye to her husband in person and to me on the phone. We're all keeping vigil with her.

I've taken this opportunity to help her remember stories every day for her autobiography. I've deliberately refrained from talking about the ones that are most painful for me, and reassured her that her regrets worked out OK.

So sorry to hear this. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
 

I am sorry for your loss.  At least you were able to make contact after a long separation.

My Dearest Grace

I sit here at the swimming pool, catching up on your posts, when I read about your sister dying and then the cruellest thing your sister dies.

The tears are pouring down my face as I write this. 

I know what it is like to loose a loved one.

My thoughts, prays and my deepest sympathy are with you on loosing your sister.

Always here for you.
Love and Hugs for you.  Sarah B
 

Hope you are feeling just a little bit better today. There is nothing but time that heals loss.

The fact that you got to reconnect and share stories with her before the end, though, is a blessing.

When time does pass, that will hopefully become a cherished memory.

Love,
Allie

Hi Allie and Grace

What Allie said, is also what I should have said also.

My thoughts are still with you.

Love and Hugs to both
Sarah B

So sorry for your loss. Hugs
Mariah

I am so sorry Grace!... Lotsa loving thoughts going your direction!!!
🙏💕🌻

Thank you for everyone's care, comfort, and condolences. I appreciate you all.

I just put a patch on my sweetheart!

It's a Mylan generic VIVELLE-DOT 0.025mg patch. We had to wait a couple days for our usual pharmacy to find that they couldn't get the Mylan brand. Then we called several pharmacies before we found one that had Mylan in stock. Then it took them all day to fill the order, even though I called them for the status several times.

What a surprise that it's teensy! Previously, her patch was around 2X2".

We hope that the Mylan brand will be skin-friendly so she doesn't break out like she did with a previous brand.

Now we wait for results. This is so exciting!

I apologize for being so late with this, but I was saddened to hear that your sister passed away.

I was using the Mylan patches for several years, and they worked great for me. The only thing I grew weary of was the dark ring which would form around them due to the adhesive. After removing the patch, use a cotton swap to apply a liberal amount of baby oil on the old adhesive. After a few minutes, the adhesive will become much easier to remove.

Results may take a while, but eventually you'll begin to notice a change. I wish both of you all the best.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

Hi Moonflower

Such good news, progress at last after such a long time.  I'm curious as to why a patch vs taking a pill?  I know your sweetheart had trouble last time and I read that you will see how this one goes.

I suppose the small dose is to ensure the body gets use to it.

Come down from the ceiling Moonflower I await with abated breath on what happens next.

I caught up on all your postings did you tell your children and if you did what were their reactions.  If you do not want to say anything about that, then it is all right.

Look after each other and have a nice day.

Love and Hugs
Sarah B

My experience was not good with the Mylan patch. I was on oral tabs for a while but my hormones were roller coastering all day and night. My doctor prescribed the patch and the VA gave me the 2x2 patch. I'm a gold prospector, so I work in the creek in the summer. It gets wet and sweaty and with all the flexing and bending, they wouldn't stay on. Doc kept upping my dosage and soon I was wearing 3 patches at once. The patches had a thick foam backing, so my clothes would catch on them. I tried Tegaderm, but it was thick too. My doctor talked to our pharmacy and they decided the best way to keep them in place was to use an IV hand dressing. It breathes, is waterproof, and is very thin and flexible. It was better the patches still fell off.

I did a Google search and began reading reviews. That company has a lot of bad reviews. People with the same issues. I took this to my doctor and got the Vivelle Mini-dot. As you described it is the size of a quarter and very easy to wear three or four at a time. But my estradiol levels were still too low. My doctor tried to get a different brand but it appears that Mylan is buying out other companies. Can you spell M-O-N-O-P-O-L-Y? She tried to get a higher dose patch, but could not find any, so put me back on oral. Guess what? Hormonal roller coaster again. Hot flashes, night sweats, and irritability. PMS my old friend.

Now I have a new Gynecologist. I explained the issues I have had. She believes that my liver is strong and metabolizes the oral tabs faster than others. She still needs to up my dosage. She is checking with the pharmacy again to a) find a higher dose patch, or b) have me take the oral tabs more often (3x per day or so). I still don't have answers yet.

In over four years and four doctors prescribing, I still have not come close to the estradiol levels they want to see in my lab results. Not even close. I mention this because many people do well with Mylan or other patches. Some do well with the oral tabs. So take this with a grain of salt. Your mileage may vary.

Hugs

{UPDATE:} My doctor just called. She contacted the Women's Health Pharmacist and the name-brand Vivelle Dot is available. She placed the order, so I will be back to 3 patches/day twice per week. Good bye roller coaster!

Quote from: Sarah B on February 29, 2024, 07:22:45 PMSuch good news, progress at last after such a long time. 

Yes! She is so happy! I'm so excited!

QuoteI'm curious as to why a patch vs taking a pill?  I know your sweetheart had trouble last time and I read that you will see how this one goes.

I suppose the small dose is to ensure the body gets use to it.

She didn't want to ask why. Doctors whom we highly regard spoke highly of this endocrinologist, so she put all of her faith in the judgment of this doctor.

QuoteI caught up on all your postings did you tell your children

Not yet...

But she is presenting as herself when we're in the car and when we go into the city now.

Yesterday afternoon we went for a walk along our road. We live in a very conservative area. She presented as herself! I was so surprised. I asked her what if... what if... what if... We decided to play it by ear. Not even one car or pedestrian went by. No one was out in their yard. Sigh of relief and disappointment.

Quote from: LoriDee on February 29, 2024, 09:26:09 PMMy experience was not good with the Mylan patch.

Wow, LoriDee! Sounds like the tabs were too inconsistent, and then you really challenged the patch adhesive! My sweetheart just takes quick showers. No swimming, soaking, or gold prospecting. Maybe that will help it stay stuck and effective. So far, so good.

QuoteIn over four years and four doctors prescribing, I still have not come close to the estradiol levels they want to see in my lab results. Not even close.

I feel so frustrated for you!

QuoteI will be back to 3 patches/day twice per week. Good bye roller coaster!

I hope hope hope it works for you, or at least brings you a step closer to a great solution.

We're telling my kids!!!!!!!!!!!

This morning my youngest met my sweetheart as a woman. This one of my kids was the easiest to tell because when she was working in a mall shoe store, one day she said that her favorite customers were the women who were over 6 feet tall, had deep voices, and big feet. She said that they were so appreciative of her support, they brought her lovely gifts.

This morning, we were surprised when she said that she thought that my spouse might be androgynous. I was sure that she'd say something like, "Duh! I was wondering when you'd tell us." Or "Yeah, so what's your news?"

Then she asked me if that makes me pansexual. I'll have to look that up so I can answer accurately.

It was a great heart-to-heart conversation of love and appreciation all around.

That wiped us out emotionally but we had to tell her siblings before they heard it through the grapevine. Fortunately my sweetheart was prepared with nearly final drafts of letters for each, which she sent. Now we wait for their responses...

Grace!...

That's some very cool feel good stuff right there!!! There will be a lot more of that stuff in the days, months and years to come! 💕🤗💕

Onward!

Ashley 😀🌻💕