Best Of
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Spent the morning working on some new genealogical leads. Yesterday my cousin called to thank me for the card I wrote to him after I found out both of his sisters died in 2025. I was researching the one after her Christmas card was returned to me, and discovered her sister's obituary which listed her as deceased. No one thought to let me know the cousin I had kept in loose touch with had died in February. Her older sister died in December 2025 and I had not heard from her in many years. We spent nearly an hour on the phone and initially, he was very choked up about his sisters deaths as was I. Then we got talking about family memories we shared, given he was the oldest of my cousins, and the sister I was closest to was the youngest. So I explored the leads he provided and spent the day chasing bright, shiny objects. Still, sometimes they reveal new leads, so I don't always consider them a waste of time.
After I quit, I took a quick shower and DH and I went through his dresser drawers culling, discarding and donating excess clothing items. The man has a fixation with socks (I will not list all the categories he has) and we just bought 2-8 packs which he really did not need. He ended up with a drawer he can use for summer shorts, organized socks in just one drawer and his over the door shoe hanger which he uses for yardwork socks (don't ask) is now half empty. We went through outdoor shorts and tee shirts he uses for yard work, summer pj's, and the summer dress shorts mentioned above and rehomed to a drawer. We still have dress summer shirts to sort through, but that was enough for today. He is also donating all the extra plastic hangers we have left over.
The plumber was supposed to come today. He called yesterday and asked if he could some later in the day providing a tentative time. He texted later to let me know the one job was running over, and did I still want him to come? Of course, it was okay for me and he showed after 5 PM. He used his industrial snake and was able to unblock the toilet! Yeah! So now the primary bathroom is available again. His rate was a bit more than I expected, but I willing paid it to have a functional toilet and he cleaned up after himself. He was highly rated on Nextdoor by other users and I have to agree with how professional he was, he was also personable, and had to walk up my driveway (carrying the heavy snake) because I had warned him one section was still icy. He thanked me for the warning and decided not to try to drive his pickup up. He asked if the sink and tub were draining and I told him there was not issue with them. I did give him a thumbs up on Nextdoor as well.
DH has a large box of donation items almost ready to go. He has some socks to wash and then they can go in the box as well. I have a large bag of items from the linen closet that can go as well. I still have the closet in my DD's old room to go through. I think I'll call the Vietnam Vets when we are done because they will pickup at the house. The linen closet looks so good.
I now need to run the vacuum and dust in the rooms we have worked in because they have been somewhat neglected. The guest room was piled in clothes on the bed while the closet was being repaired and then organized. DH had used DD's room as a satellite storage, too. I'll start in the guest room, and once I am done in DD's room, will do that one, too. DH can dust and vacuum his room. We'll start to put the Christmas decorations away after the 6th.
It has been bitter cold, so I have been more or less hibernating. I do have 2 doctor's appointments this week, so I am hoping for some warmer days. It's been gray as well and that's a downer.
I hope everyone had a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.
betrayal
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
OK, steps on the litter area, not getting the floor done until tomorrow, tried out the little litter bags, they are OK but not much different than the litter genie bags, be just as easy to cut a shorter bag. The little garbage can does not fit white garbage bags but I can scoop into those and put the smaller bagged stuff in the little garbage and it closes well, still scooping the yucky stuff out, once done that put a ton of new litter in but not yet.
Going to run garden trowel at bottom, put litter box in big garbage bag and dump litter out back, wipe out box then add the new litter.
Your girl is plum tired from all the work do. ne today with litter and new box, like the little bags from Boxie cat, enough to tie them off and stick them in the litter genie bag, got the kitchen garbage pail, it is pretty, that can hold extra boxie. Last step for tonight is simply get my garbage outside in a container hopefully or put in the rubbermaid container but goal is too keep that kind of garbage outside so take a quick break and finish the sweep of the living room up, grab my can, put some sneaks on and move stuff around some, goal being garbage can in corner, clearly marked as my place. I will be taking a quick break, finish some wash up with rinse and spin and final dry. Humidifier and air purifier setting up sometime tomorrow. Need to spend remaining energy wisely.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@xsuzx Oh that’s sounds great! And it will go fast. I went 10 days and it went so fast. I actually have a follow-up with Rad Onc tomorrow morning at 11:30.
Have a great evening girl sending you peaceful vibes tonight 😊🩵🌷
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@shanagirl Thank you for such a complete list of everyone active on this thread. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and sincerity as you go through your own struggles.
I always had a cat starting in our first home as a married couple wherever we lived. I had both inside only and in and out cats depending on where we lived. Here we have many cayotes so an outside cat is not an option. Our last precious tortoishell cat had to be euthanized because she was suffering, and was throwing up everyday no matter what we tried, and had multiple issues. After that, I said enough. I can barely take care of myself let alone take proper care of a cat, so Mara, I applaud your efforts. I do miss them.
Re: Use of Signatera testing in stable disease
Hi gals, very interesting to read about the correlation of signatera and pet scans . I’ve had mild progressions for the last year, and the signatera has varied between positive and low positive, along with the scans. My last signatera was negative and my treatment so far, radiation and CMF +K for skin Mets has shown a positive resolve, so will see what the next signatera test on Monday January 5th shows. Scans next month too. I love having the different tools to work with, and the scans plus MOs and you all to discuss it with. Wishing everyone a very happy new year !
Re: Use of Signatera testing in stable disease
Update on my situation since I last posted here….
I did have the Signatera test done in August 2025. Results Negative. The next scan was in November— and showed stable disease. My MO usually orders Signatera testing every 6 months. I travel to my cancer center, so I try to coordinate things for fewer trips. So… I am doing Signatera again in March 2026, along with the next scans. That will be 7 months from Signatera #1 and #2. I will see how to coordinate it from there.
The results just show "Negative", no other information.
Re: how about drinking?
Beautiful Mirianda. A friend in Denver also went and shared similar pics but didn't see that row of trees. I love that ❤️
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Good afternoon all, slept pretty late but was in bed late, not sure why but will force an early bedtime tonight and tomorrow night for sure. Stop eating by 6pm so better make sure it is a good size dinner.
Nothing on the agenda, got plenty of laundry to do which is always good, floors, sweep and a vacuum. Mop at later date I suppose, need to get cat food for my SIL to give cats while in hospital and that is about it. I told her not to worry about any organization yet because my mind could change on a dime.
Probably air fry a couple of hashbrowns, set timer to 4 mins check the crisp and flip again. My thought is to have hashbrowns, a hot dog cut up and air fried at same time and either an egg or lentils added in, not sure yet. I do have the option of using the air fryer at same time as small griddle since both together use max of 1300 W. That may be helpful to do up an egg and some hash browns and eat up. Later, crispy beans or lentils added in crumbled up chips and use up some queso of my own. Debating a shop from Walmart before surgery, make sure enough eggs and frozen macaroni and beef are in the fridge, meat pies are good too. Will not cost too much. I have a while yet, but think some may be a good idea. I will see what I think.
Anyway, I hope all have a good day. I am in pockets for us all, hopes for good holidays whether with people or spoiling ourselves as well. Not sure what I will have Christmas Eve or Christmas but I will figure it all out.
Re: how about drinking?
Turkey noodle soup from New Year's Day roasted turkey. Too some to a friend last night who had a fall yesterday. She's okay but sore and bruised
