Best Of
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Sf-cakes, thank you. That’s kind of what I got from Dr. Google. I’ll be curious to see what my oncologist friend has to say. I’ll definitely ask my MO when I see her in a couple of weeks.
Once again, I’m thankful to live near the coast in San Diego. Grey skies? No problem. We live in an old house with neither heat nor AC. We use space heaters when we need them, and the heat is never that bad. We have an insulated attic and trees in the front and back yards that shade the house. Our neighbors do run their AC a lot and I understand their utility bills can get expensive.
Intolight, I’m sorry you’re still not feeling well. The slow cooker is a good idea. I go through phases where I use mine a lot and then not at all. Same thing with the air-fryer. Something will sound really good to me, and then it’s disappointing. Oh well…
I’m sorry I’m not mentioning everyone. I do read and appreciate all the posts. I’m writing this on Word so that I can scroll through the posts and respond to them.
Am working on my next blog, titled, “Shucky Darn.” I enjoy working it and reworking it and reworking it again.
I’m avoiding political posts, but mara, I did enjoy yours. Many years ago, I found a sign and I put it into the back window of my car. It read, “RE-ELECT NO ONE!” I got a lot of thumbs up on that one.
Love to all,
Carol
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@tougholdcrow Wow it warms my heart that you took the time to do read about so many people here. This is truly an amazing group which makes each loss tragic to all here. Blessed to know everyone here!
cookie54
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@tougholdcrow What a beautiful piece of writing, and you totally understand. This site is a place for us to be heard when much of the world really doesn't want to listen. Where else can we leave snippets of our first and last struggles? Our families are too close and weary quickly. But the people here truly care and want to be a positive spot in our negative world.
Re: Bone Mets Thread
Hello everyone. I am starting my third month on exemestane after we found a mutation from a blood biopsy. First dose didn’t go so well, but I started taking my antihistamine an hour before dinner and then took my pill in the middle of a fairly large meal, and it is going better. I really hate getting used to a new med, but this one is pretty bearable. I imagine a scan in a month or so will tell the tale.
Staying positive is a challenge for me too. I have gotten into watching soap operas and fun shows like Gilmore Girls. My husband.is partially retired, so when we are in the city, we go to movies or eat out at our favorite places - and we visit family who live there - Minneapolis. At night we get into serial dramas on streaming services. I try not to read anything medical at night.
in the winter, we have been spending the cold months in Florida. That has helped so far. I love the cancer center down there. They are so upbeat.
I follow politics pretty closely, but lately that has been anxiety provoking. I want to get back to more walking. My husband keeps reminding me to keep my posture straight. Some days feel defeating and some days I feel pretty good!
My appetite has been not great, but I seem to always love the sweets. A good casserole always looks good to me too. A hunk of meat or fish just turn me away.
Sending hugs to those awaiting scans or results. It is a day by day process, this walk we walk, isn’t it? I get in bed at night, snuggle into my pillow, smile and think that I am healed. Thinking positive! If I feel troubled, I pray for my loved ones and the problems they face. It is the best I can do. Bless each one of you. Our challenges are only different than the challenges of others. I am so glad we have each other to talk to.
gigil
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
tougholdcrow - what an insightful post. Thank you for your time and words.🥰
Our dear Bella turned 14 yesterday. We are in awe because we had 2 of her half-sisters along with her for a while. Both half sisters were taken by hemangiosarcoma (the most common cancer in goldens) one just before turning ten the other just after turning ten. Obviously Ms Bella has different genes for which we are extremely grateful. She is a smaller size golden and has a puppy face so everyone is shocked at her age. She is such a diva - she must have a fresh bowl of water whenever she wants a drink🤣
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
I've spent the last few months reading everyone's stories here, from their first posts to sometimes their last, sometimes their disappearance, sometimes their ongoing lives. I'm a writer (as we all are here), so I'm truly engaged in reading these stories, especially as my own fate is unfolding. Sometimes these stories are comforting, sometimes hair-raising. All are memorable. I was deeply touched by those we've lost here, a woman whose little dog chased butterflies in her garden, a singer who wrote for a French opera magazine, a wit who rewrote the words to Huey Lewis's "I Want a New Drug," and so many many more. Their lives are remembered here. Mothers and grandmothers and men and single women and lesbians and worried husbands and army veterans and teachers and businesspeople. Young and old. Rich and poor. People from all over the world talking to one another not just about breast cancer research but about their suddenly altered lives. I was amazed to find that some 115 people posting here right now have survived past 5 years, about half of those over 7, a good number over 10. Many people I read about lost their lives after a mighty struggle of 5, 8, 10, 12 years. The numbers here are far better than the reported statistics. And many were lost, cut down, facing much pain and heart-ache, some writing about their final moments here. I have to think that the community you have created here has helped people immensely, whether psychologically or physically or both.
tougholdcrow
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
We don't use our AC here in CO although we have it. The high today was 84—currently 79—and it will drop to 55 tonight so plenty cool to open windows. It reached 80 in the house but that is tolerable. We get a breeze most of the time. I love the summers here but not so much the winters. It is a trade-off. I Still don't feel well but I popped some meatballs in the slow cooker and will just do rice so it won't heat the house. Top with a salad and we are good. I feed a family of four and dinner is my contribution to the family. Still, I am looking for easy slow cooker recipes so I don't have to stand for long. I am trying to prep ahead and freeze so my DH can handle more of the cooking since I am slowly losing it. I have to capitalize on days I feel decent.
Hoping all you in the heat can stay cool. Heat is the enemy when you don't feel well.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Good morning, all.
What crazy weather almost everywhere. We're fine here in San Diego, especially near the coast where we live.
I'm adjusting to the new medication (Afinitor) and am using the dexamethasone to prevent mouth sores. Got the results from the 3rd Guardant360 test yesterday. I don't see much different from the last one. I did note that the Tumor Mutational Burden went from around 63 in 2023 to about 130. I think that means there are more targets to hit, but I'm not sure. My next MO appointment is in two weeks. Biopsy of the omentum is on 8/14.
I did reach out to an oncologist friend and sent him a copy of my latest PET scan and the Guardant360 test. It will be interesting to see what he has to say. If you happened to read my most recent blog post, he's the MO we were having dinner with when he talked about the future of AI (as opposed to AIs.)
Am looking over our trust and see that I need to update it. I need to change some of the people listed as contacts, etc., and specify one person in particular that I do NOT want to have any decision-making authority for me. I did get a medic alert bracelet that says, "DNR, NO CPR" along with DH's phone number.
I'll hanging out in the corner with my Kindle and my iPhone if anyone needs me. 😍
Love to all,
Carol
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Seconding three tree on the heat wave. I’m among the many in Seattle without air conditioning and the fan barely cuts it. I instantly remembered what “close” feels like. I’m working hard to stay hydrated.
wren44