My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
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Cookie - What lovely pictures! The deer especially, and all the fall colors. Thanks for posting.
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(LivingIVlife)
Love all the pictures; Theo, fall colors, deer at the lake and especially the TV program on the screen lol.
Mel- thinking of you
Glad to hear from Elderberry.
With the war escalating in the Middle East I pray for a peaceful resolution for all the innocent lives caught in the middle.
Wishing everyone in Mel's living room a good peaceful day.
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Mel, still thinking of you and glad that Theo is a furry ball of comfort, in your pocket.
I don't always have tons of purpose but do my best. Feeling better now that I decided not to bother with bus or paratransit until the street is done. Just taking UBER and going to be a bit cheaper. They can pick me up in back and I don't have deal with construction.
I had my Herceptin but wanted some hashbrowns, walked up to closest store but they do not have any, that is OK, I can either have DB pick one up and drop off or just wait until next week. I must say, I got pretty tired during the walk to the store but I knew I would make it. I picked up garlic pizza bread instead. Planning to have that with one of my bagged salads for lunch and maybe supper, we will see. Took an UBER home from the store. Planning to UBER for MRI and Echo tomorrow.
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seeq Lol love the "girls Happy Hour" how adorable!
Mara In your pocket tomorrow for testing and hope your journey getting there goes smoothly.
Wow fellow Phillies fans, what a game! Let's keep it going!
mel I've been thinking of dodgersgirl also, hope all is ok. Hope our hanging in there also,hugs.
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@mara51506 Hoping your scans give you good news! In your pocket as well as anyone who may need extra support.
Oh gosh those fall pics are lovely. I so miss the smell of fall and the slight chill in the air. When winter would come, I would load up on food for the deer and other wild critters and double up on bird feeders. The red-headed woodpecker would come to the feeder and crack me up the way he would hang on to it to eat some sunflower seeds. One night I walked out onto the front porch to find a flying squirrel hanging onto the feeder. We had to drive over a low water bridge (over the Watauga River) to get to our home and would see all sorts of wild life at the river. DH was coming home one day in his patrol car and had quite an encounter with a beaver. The beaver had felled a small tree and DH got out of the car to move it. That darn beaver came charging at him! He retreated to his car and drove over the tree, carefully avoiding the beaver. I'm sure it broke the tree into smaller pieces and that beaver was quite happy with the help. LOL
No game tonight but here's to tomorrow night Game 3 of NLCS.
Have a good peaceful pain-free evening all.
Laurel
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Beautiful pictures cookie and seeq! There were deer in our yard the other night, a doe and fawns. They have been coming frequently, judging by the highway of tracks by the barn...
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Good Evening Lovlies. I’m just hanging her reading and catching up with you all I’m loving all the pictures!. It’s been a long two days of doctor appts, and treatments, Labs, injections and a visit with the ENT follow up for my ear. All is well and labs normal, I’m stable, and continuing treatment, Onc is happy. The ENT visit was good. hearing is good, ears are clear.
@cookie54 Your pictures are beautiful. I’m so glad you were able to take a couple of days with DH to get away to the mountains and enjoy the fall scenery and breathe that fall air😊. I love this time of year.
@micmel Theo is so cute. He’s a cuddley blessing for you.
@mara51506 . It’s good to hear you are “Ubering” while your street is under construction.
@elderberry Hi girl. I’m happy you popped in.♥️
@bellelove70 Hey there😊. I feel the same way you do about praying for a peaceful resolution in the Middle East so that those innocent lives caught in the middle are safe and not suffering. I felt such heartfelt concern for my Oncologist, Dr. Waintraub, who just returned home from Israel..He told us that his daughter is a nurse in a Jerusalem hospital and her husband is a Dr. in Gaza. He thanked us for our love and said he couldn’t talk about it because he felt overwhelmed with emotion over it. I could see he wanted to cry.. My DH and I are very bonded to him after these years of him treating me from the very beginning of my cancer. I just love Dr. Waintraub🥹🩵💙
@threetree Hi Girl and have a good restful evening. I’m going to bed now , and to everyone else Good night all.🌙💗
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Well, woke up tired from Herceptin as usual but that is OK, did not sleep too badly, this is the last busy day of the week, echo at 1pm and MRI at 3 pm, UBERS again as well today then my busy week of shopping and hospital appointments will be done until next week. I am also contemplating going to my local grocery store after the appointments as I really would like to have the hashbrowns. We will see how I feel after the scans. Would be easy to take a bus from the hospital to one stop and take the bus to the grocery store then take an UBER home, avoids the construction. Cannot wait until my street is done to be able to use paratransit.
Basic chores being done, laundry and the like and deciding what to eat today. I got some salad in a bag again on Tues so I was thinking about the Frasier song and thought I might have some tossed salad and scrambled eggs, we will see. I've been also thinking of tuna casserole but would need to be able to make it a bit at a time, perhaps scoop out what I want and bake it adding plain rippled potato chips, would be an easy supper and inexpensive, could add beans and such as well.
I am in everyone's pocket who needs me and hope everyone has a good day.
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@mara51506 Good morning! Wow, Mara, your energy and determination just amazes me. I would wake up tire too🥰I do hope you get those hash browns today. I know you’ve been craving them. I’ll be in your pocket this week as you deal with all your appointments and scans.
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Thank you Shanagirl, if I run out of energy today, I will check my budget to go tomorrow, need to spend my energy wisely, I am just glad both the MRI and the echo are the same day. As I said, once the construction is done on my street, I will be able to take paratransit and the bus as well and save money til winter as I think UBER is an option then too.
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Saw my MO yesterday for my 3 month visit. All was well as my scans were stable. Questioned her about the recent study about Ibrance being taken for 5 days with 2 days off. She told me that the study evaluated that dosage in patients with more aggressive cancer but that were stage 2 or 3. It was not applied to MBC patients.
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Goldens- Glad you reported your scans were stable!!! I did the 5/2 schedule at one point when I was on Ibrance. We did it due to my continued low ANC count, to see if it would help that. Counts increased slightly, that I remember, and I continued stable for a time while I was on that dosing. I don't think it was harmful to me that we went to that dosing regime. I figure, with us being MBC, what would it hurt to try it to help with counts or side effects.
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@mara51506 You are amazing. Your planning ahead makes so much sense. I hope they get that darn road done as soon as possible.
@goldensrbest Hurray for stable scans. Who was it that use to say "stable Mabel"??
Hello to all. Hope you are having a beautiful, peaceful fall day. It's been a brutal summer here in FL and today's high temp is only 78, low of 50 last night. Just loving it.
Spend most of my time on a recliner chair, but I make myself get up, make the bed and go outside to clean sidewalk (from left over mess due to raccoons and possum food) and feed the cats. We moved the heavy planter with Miss Kim in it, to the backyard to try afternoon sun instead of morning. Miss Kim is a Zone 9 lilac that I've had for 2 years. She doesn't bloom and noticed her leaves were wilting from that morning sun. She's doing so much better, hope for blooms in the springtime.Called GP's office. All calls go to a call center and the messages to the office seem to be wrong, more often then right. Grrr.. Decided best to just say hey have nurse so and so call me, it's complicated. I also called MO's office about this L4 spinal problem. The new MO has not started yet, so I asked about ER. Receptionist said she's gonna have RN call me back. Haven't had a call yet, so we'll see. Very difficult to figure out what's cancer related or MS related. Both feature awful burning pain. Audiologist appt. tomorrow to see if we can get at least one ear open or hearing aide(s).
Thinking of all and missing ladies that usually post. On to Game 3 Phillies at Arizona at 5 p.m. Much better starting time.
Laurel
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goldens Yipee for stable!
irish I loved your story I was literally picturing the duel between DH and beaver, too funny! Glad your enjoying some cooler air down there. I agree I would miss the change of seasons too although I may be envious of you come January lol. Yep calling these offices is definitely not as easy as it used to be. In your pocket for getting an ear open tomorrow. GO PHILS!!!
HI to all hope everyone is having a good day.
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I've been out in my yard chair enjoying fall colors and "shooting" cedar waxwings. A kestrel has been by hungry for wings but they all fly away. Blurry bird is a northern flicker woodpecker. I walked a lot this last week and my legs are sore so I'm resting, spending energy wisely like mara said. Zoom in the ash tree. Can you find the dozens of birds in camo?
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Mkestrel- OMG what beautiful pictures of the birds. My knowledge of bird names is very limited except for maybe blue jays which we have a lot of and humming birds. Lol
On the subject of ibrance dosages I switched to 14 days on and 14 days off because of low counts. When my MO put me on it the pharmacist actually called Pfizer and was told it was common and they saw the outcome the same as the regular dosages. I have scans next month so we will see! Fingers crossed 🤞
Mel- how are you doing? How is your mom?
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Goldens Yay for stable. That’s so great ! I met my supposed new onc today only to be told she is a GI specialist and I have to be re assigned again. Good news is follow up in 6 months and being lowered to 75 mg ibrance. I have to try this before I only take anastrazole alone. I don’t think they really want me to do that. I just aM sick of my mouth hurting.
hope everyone is doing good and I am in pockets for scans and tests. Hugs to all
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My mom is holding her own. She is having severe breathing issues. They told me it won’t be long. But I’m hoping they are wrong. I don’t want her to suffer. Thanks for asking about my mom
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I am loving all the pictures. I've tried learning more about the birds here.
I forgot to say, who made the sunflower artwork? It was amazing!
Glad to hear good results Goldens and Shanagirl.
I had a liver biopsy onpesky today, so just feeling wiped out from the sedation. Hopefully, it will provide good guidance for my next treatment.
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Mel - I think you will find the 75mg dose of Ibrance much more tolerable. I started at 125mg dropped down to 100mg and have been on 75mg for a couple years now. Major complaint was severe fatigue and being on the lower dose has helped in that regard. I do find that my fatigue gets a bit worse when the 3 weeks on is almost over going into the week off. I really have no mouth issues which of course is a big issue for you. I hope you get much relief from your lowered dose.
Love all the photos. Fall has been lovely this year - the colors are amazing.
Holding all of you deep in my heart❤️1 -
Intolight, I love your Princess! WHAT is going on on the TV? (haha – just saw your next comment.)
Cookie54, your pictures calmed my soul this morning!
Seeq – how cool!
War is hell… I feel so insulated sometimes on my peaceful street.
Mel, thinking of you and your mom.
Irishlove, I’m will you regarding fall. San Diego doesn’t have much “fall,” but we still welcome the cooler temperatures when we get them.
I just had this memory of my first cancer. I had found a lump, was going to see my PCP, and then the wildfires broke out and we had friends move in with us for a couple of weeks. That was in October of 2007 and I was diagnosed with Stage II in early November. Then I found my second lump on 2/22/22 (weird) which led to my Stage IV diagnosis just as COVID hit the fan. Which led to which? Haha
Waving hi to everyone. I so wish we could actually BE together. Wouldn’t that be something? I can imagine us someplace where the waitstaff were bringing us food and drinks and wondering who this crazy bunch of ladies were. Why are they laughing, crying, or just sitting there? Can you imagine?
Love to all of you,
Carol
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Bellelove, in your pocket for scans.
Mel, in your pocket about your mouth and glad to hear your mom is holding over.
I survived my busy week, taking it easy. The Echo and MRI day was easy as the person doing the echo put in the iv for contrast and they left it in so the iv could be used for the MRI which shortened the visit. Taking UBERS was pricey but not a problem, next week only requires two trips to find out MRI results to rule out or confirm brain issues that may have impacted balance.
Never did get the hashbrowns and am taking the day off. Laundry soaking now and planning food for the day. Breakfast was exploded 1/4 cup beans, 90 seconds in microwave with silicone lid overtop to avoid mess. I had left over parm and garlic bread I did pick up at the grocery store wednesday after chemo. I plan to make more exploded beans and eggs at dinnertime. I am not sure of the seasonings I want to use, have to chop up left over roman lettuce, poach eggs and add the exploded beans to it all. Should be good.
I hope everyone has a good day and pocket duty for all who need me.
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@cookie54 I forgot to add that DH was driving his patrol car home. That beaver could care less! lol
@mkestrel Oh my gosh I love your photography. Feeding the birds (and squirrels pretending to be birds at the feeder) is my passion. Could spend many hours just looking out the window at the birds. Today we passed a flock of white cranes. They flew off and a minute later junior was looking for his flock. Ahhh, I thought I'd get out of the car and shoo him away from traffic but he turned the corner of a building and found his flock. They hang out at a retention pond by Steak and Shake. DH loves those burgers.
In pockets for liver biopsy, Mel and her Mama, Mara and all that are in need of love, prayers and support.
Saw audiologist today. He said my one ear is coated badly with ear wax and no he does not clean ears. Other ear, which has a clogged up feeling, is actually minor hearing loss. He could find no reason for my complaint, except to say it has to be inner ear, possibly MS related. So no hearing aides needed. Gotta live with the clogged feeling and get a refferal to an Ear doctor for a cleaning. Nothing can be done about tinnitus. Also waiting on call for MRI of lumbar area. Bruce Springsteen said it best "Ohh I'm on fire". Well that's me and not in a good way.
Let's Go Phillies!!!
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irish, I don't know if I mentioned this before, but when my DH went to the doctor for a clogged ear, he saw the PA. She recommended, no, I'm not kidding, stool softener, AKA Colace. She squirted (or maybe used a dropper) some in his ear, waited a bit, then flushed the wax out. Incredible. I ordered an ear flush kit from Amazon and got some liquid Colace. It seems to work for him. I hate that clogged head feeling.
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@sunshine99 Oh my word Colace!!! Ok, I'll give it a try. Getting a referral is very difficult and few appts. We really have a shortage of doctors in this town of almost 100,000. Thank you so much for the info.
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Hello ladies. Shana. Great news on stable. 😊 happy happy. I’m doing ok I guess got my nails done today. Ran a few errands. Then took a short rest. Theo keeps me busy most times. He learned to fetch give paw. Sit and stay were working on catching. He’s so tiny. It’s funny. But oh so agile.
I hope you ladies are doing ok and I’m sending out warm hugs and thoughts to all of you. The foliage is looking beautiful around this time of the month. Loving this fall time. Tomorrow is my daughters birthday 28. We’re celebrating Sunday. Steaks and asparagus and potatoes . A platter with meats and cheese crackers. Salsa tortillas chips ,shrimp cocktail and cake. I’m looking forward to it. Even though they are calling for rain. Most of the weekend. Have a Good Friday night. Go Phillies!!!
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Mel, I didn't realize our daughters were born just days apart. We sent our DD and DSD to a Shania Twain concert last weekend for their birthdays. DD's birthday was this week, and she's been sick all week so no visit this weekend.
It sounds like you'll have quite a spread for birthday dinner and snacks. Yum!
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Checking in to complain about bone and muscle aches post Covid vax. Its been A Week for sure, I got bad scan results on Monday so by Tuesday I was in the radio-onc office and Friday in the planning CT for start next Tuesday of five sessions on my poor pelvis/hip. Xgeva injections have helped alleviate some pain issues but oh god am I wiped out all the time AND Ive really lost my appetite over the last two weeks or so in addition to waking up every hour and a half. This has been three months of sheer utter misery at this point and Im ready to get through this, but oh hey! drug change!
Monday I start a 7 day course of dexamethasone so Im curious to see what happens. The inflammation of the muscles has been the biggest problem more than bone pain, maybe Ill finally feel like eating and have energy again. I miss my friends and doing things that aren't medical related, or even just going to the grocery store.
This really sucks and Im over it.
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Sondra-Really sorry to hear all you've been going through. Hope that the dexamethasone helps with the pain and that you get your appetite back.
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Hi all.
I met my new MO yesterday (Friday). I had my 4-month scans done on the 11th and they flowed to patient portal on the 16th, so I knew the results before my doc appt on the 20th. Scans are stable. I had my questions ready for the new doc. Since I read here, and elsewhere, and am savvy about my healthcare, I think I kind of took charge of the appointment. In hindsight I really did not give my new MO much of a chance to talk, just to answer the questions I posed. I may have to apologize to him later. I am kind of a "take charge" person, and I know doctors' time is limited and I wanted to ask my questions.
I did ask if he would be ok with lowering the dose of Lynparza from 500mg a day to 400mg a day. Protocol is to start the patient out at 600mg a day, which we did with me 2 years ago. We lowered me to 500mg early on, due to side effects. I have been on 500mg since. Since I am stable, and I have a lot of GI issues, I ask if we could lower the dose. I am ok with risking it. We are going to rescan in 3 months versus 4 months.
We are changing my Xgeva injections from 4 months to 3 months (when we scan). He said we can do 3-6 months, but cannot go longer than 6 months between injections.
We are not going to continue doing TM's since we were only doing them every 4 months, at the time of the scans. Mine were never too good of an indicator for me anyway.
Overall, I was happy with my visit.
I post this to give you all updates on me. My family doesn't ask me. You guys care. And, also, so maybe someone can glean something from me to help them in their cancer care.
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