Best Of

@irishlove I am sorry to hear abbout DS, I hope he was not seriously injured. I gathered that most places below Michigan got quite a bit of freezing rain and that is dangerous for trees power lines and such. If places are not used to this type of weather it is tough. We are still covered in snow, no loss of power or exploding trees happening here.Glad no cancer seen and glad you will take time off.

Nothing on the agenda beyond laundry, sweeping and a quick multifibre mop. Floor looks dusty from shoes having been outside, quick fix for that with a sweep and mop.

Need to check cancer clinic for appointments coming up. I will view treatment differently than I have. Treating neck down makes sense, no mets yet. Brain will be day by day. Necrosis can present with similar symptoms of brain mets. There is no exercise to restore the brain cells that have died but perhaps I need to start more exercise so the cells still alive back there can rewire themselves. I will repeat the positive fact the location of original mets and subsequent necrosis are not in an area that does much like mobility, speech and memory. I also realize that nothing may not be needed for a long time and when the time comes, decide for myself what I am willing to do, not willing to have longterm steroids or surgery again.

I need to get on the treadmill or march on the spot for more exercise, music will boost my overall mood which has been low for most of January. Music and movement will be helpful.

Not sure what to have. I had a bad supper last night. I am not a soup sort of person. I had roast beef and veggie soup but really disliked the liquid. I think if I am to attempt a soup again will rinse out the stuff in it and lose the juice. Mix the other stuff in with some good hash browns eggs etc. I may also thaw some cheese from the freezer. I do it in cold water for maybe a half hour, allows me to use quicker. I am also enjoying peppers and may even get a couple more bananas. I put those in a smoothie with yogurt and fruit punch mio. I have also been known to put lentils in same smoothie. Red peppers seem appealing as well.

Enough about me, need to finish up laundry chores and get started on meal prep. I will post if I have something really good. I want everyone to have a good day and in pockets for all.

@sf-cakes that kind of question is a big part of what caused me to change dentists. My previous dentist, who knew my dx, decided to press me on straightening my teeth (they're not perfectly straight, but they're not bad at all - and I was 60 at the time). At that point, I felt more like a paycheck than a patient, and decided it was time to move on.

@sf-cakes I ask myself those kinds of questions all the time. What will it matter ten years from now? Will it make a difference or will I even be around to notice? My family will and those decisions are easy. I make decisions based on how they affect my family.

@intolight

I'm with you. I try to set things up for the best possible effect on my family. It will be my parting gift.

@sf-cakes Thanks for the grin - I needed it. Fourth day post snow storm and none of the walks are passable and roads have only been plowed to a one car width and are icy, so walking there is a hazard. We live in a housing community and the contractor responsible for clearing ice and snow has been awful.

@threetree

Agree wholeheartedly about medical staff being oblivious to the needs and concerns of the patients. Have experienced that many times since my initial diagnosis. Had outstanding compassion and kindness from my radiologist during my cyberknife treatment. In looking for a saying to include in a thank you note to him, I found the following: "A good doctor fits the patient to the procedure. A great doctor fits the procedure to the patient."

Keep thinking I should make copies and hand one to every doctor I encounter.

Had a chuckle earlier - called a roofing company to inspect my roof (no leaks, thankfully, but it's getting older), and they said it doesn't need to be replaced, no soft spots, still feels really solid. But suggested a silicone membrane type of substance that was guaranteed for ten years, or for twenty years (the heavier-duty stuff).

So, huh, the likelihood that I'll BE here in 10, let alone 20 years...I did start laughing, which I passed off as delight that the whole thing didn't need replacing.

How to even make these types of decisions, with this diagnosis hanging constantly over me? Guess I'll go for the 10 year option, costs less. If my roof starts leaking in 10 years and I'm still here to feel drops of water on my head while sitting on the couch...I promise to start laughing.

Good evening all the lovely folks here. I'm super sleepy, so I'll keep this short.

Everything went fine today. On time, no problems with anesthesia, wonderful care. Dr. mentioned that he took four biopsies, but didn't say where or why. Someone said that's normal, but you know how you jump when someone mentions biopsies. I sure did. He was out the door before I could collect my thoughts and ask why. I did ask if he saw any cancer and he replied no. So I feel pretty confident all is good. He stretched my esophagus. He also wants me to set up appt. with speech pathologist and barium drink. They called from that office and I told them I just got home from the hospital and I need some down time. Whole lot of appt. in the next two weeks.

I hope everyone here is safe, has heat and plenty of food to get by. Our kids in Charlotte are stuck due to ice. DS took a fall on the steps of work. Landlord did nothing to help so he salted. Doesn't look like it did much good as its a thick layer of ice and temp are too low.

In pockets for all my friends and thank you for your continued support.

Laurel

@mara51506 just sending hugs your way.

@irishlove in your pocket for tomorrow

@mara51506 I'm sorry to see that you didn't get the news that you were hoping for. As usual you have the best outlook possible in your situation. You will carry on and live the best life possible and address another surgery if and when in the future. We do our best to live in the present and don't let tomorrow's worries ruin today. Big hugs❣️

OK, so I talked to my RO over the phone. Got some less than the best info. Not cancer but that the cyst and stuff taken out during brain surgery were necrosis. Basically if anything grew, radiation would not help, brain surgery is all that would treat it. I don't love this info but not panicking at this point, I would have to choose if I want a third surgery or not. The most recent surgery was not good for me. Oh well, it is not time to decide, keep having regular MRI scans and if more necrosis shows up, we will see what happens. As said I really am not receptive to having another surgery on my brain so will have to just breathe deep and try not to go beyond info I already have.

@irishlove I will be in your pocket for you endoscopy. It is difficult when appointments are changed to be earlier, especially if you are not a morning person. I am similar.

I did sleep well tonight, no thoughts really bothered me about the brain necrosis. I have mostly decided to let it go and came up with some positives. One is that the stuff is still in the back of my brain which is not responsible for a whole. Never had symptoms of the big necrotic cyst and if anything else comes up, I will be told then. Perhaps if it is months down the line my mental attitude toward another surgery would change. I do know if I did no more laxative from nurse, let my body eliminate waste on its own. I will decide when and if more necrotic junk comes, if there are no symptoms, just leave it alone. I should also not pay attention it now, let it go in the flow of all my cancer troubles of the past and let it go to the future if it is meant to go there. I mean that not every post coming after this one is mentioning necrosis. I need to put a kibosh on it all.

One good thing about the whole hospital appointments is I am in bed more like 10 to 11pm vs the middle of the night and house is much more organized looking. SIL did a solid on that one, DB did most of the driving so they both did a lot for me as well.

Other than that looks like it is going to be sunny, still very cold but that is fine, I will still stay in.

Food will likely be the rest of the garlic bread, eggs and eggs. If I feel like it, will make up some rice to go along with or some ramen. Beans are another order of the day and will continue to buy canned potatoes as part of mealtime. If I have something fantastic I will post it.

I hope everyone has a good day, plopping myself in everyone's pocket as well.