My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
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Forgot to mention, again about the food I know. I did try baking up some cottage cheese, just a small spoonful. Spread thin on baking pan, sprayed with cooking oil. Carefully added some shred cheese on top with garlic and sour cream and onion seasoning. Put into Preheated oven at 375 and left for 20 mins. When it came out and cooled, it was fairly solid, not as crispy as the regular shred cheese made the same way but still good, made the cottage cheese more palatable to me and I appreciate the protein.
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Mara~I really wish I had your way of being able to throw things together. Like you do, it makes me think. Hmmmm what could I make??
today sucked. I missed my mom badly. She’s been gone 7 months now. Seems long but my heart still hurts. I just don’t feel the same in life anymore without her. Even though I didn’t see her everyday. We were so close. I loved her and the childhood she gave me. I just want her back.
a good thing was my dd moved into her own apartment this week. I’m thrilled for her. We’ve given her alot of help. Things are coming together she ordered this really nice couch , when it arrived , it looked like someone kicked it and rubbed dirt and grease all over it. She was so upset it was a thousand dollar couch.
that’s just one area that was ruined. They expected her to keep this couch. I told her no way are you keeping this couch. How appalling some companies are. She refused it and got a refund. Amazes me how the delivery men thought this was acceptable! Some good devils lettuce they’ve been smoking. Holy moly. But slowly she’s settling in. I’m so happy for her.
hope everyone sleeps well. Love to all. In all pockets for ladies and a DH who hasn’t felt well for while now. Hope he’s better soon!4 -
Good evening to everyone. I have’nt read along yet so I’m not going to respond to anyone yet. I went yesterday for my one month follow-up and the Xgeva & Fasoldex injections. All went well and I was able to discuss my concerns about my MBC and STAGE IV and the 2021 diagnosis in my right breast LCIS. I go for mammograms every 6 mths and ultrasound. I told my Onc I really hate having to go continue to worry about LCIS turning into something more and possibly having a. Prophalactic Mastectomy of that remaining breast. My onc didn’t recommend it because I’m doing so well on my treatment with no evidence of active disease an another surgery would interfere with my current treatment. I have to make. That 2+ hours trip and traffic to go up to North Jersey for a diagnostic Mammogram next week. Today I was just laying low with the injection SE’s and haven’t read along but will try to check in tomorrow with you all. Good night.🌙 In going to sleep now😴 🩵
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Hello all. Watching Phillies. They are finally on a winning streak again. It's one of the few times I'm so distracted that MBC is not swirling in my brain constantly. Waiting for the Eagles games to start.
The nurse from the MO office cancelled DH's visit. She said they have too many patients that are on chemo to take a chance, so he's still coughing his head off and sounds congested to me. What can I do?. I have neuro appt. at 7 a.m. tomorrow and then GP appt. at 1:30. I did not want to schedule so early and 2 appts. in one day, but I had to accept a cancellation for neuro. Otherwise next neuro appt. is NOV. Talk about managed care skimping on costs and care…
In pockets for all your needs.
Laurel
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Mel, glad your daughter did not keep the couch, if she had, that stain would have upset her all the time. Even if it were a cheap couch, it would still have needed refund. Glad she got that.
Irish, I am sorry about DH app't being cancelled. My next MO app't is over the phone which is different. In both your pockets.
Mel, most of the ideas I get are from youtube or facebook on the page Cheap Meal Ideas. I do like to have variable things to eat as well, some are good, some are not the best. Thinking I will put some cottage cheese and couple of eggs, lentils and bit of milk and put them in the magic bullet and then spray the muffin tin to make little omelets out of them, likely heat them up at 375. Failing that, could add that mix to one of the frozen pastas I have. Yesterday, ate both Great Value breakfast bowls, one was mexican vibe, cheese, few beans and eggs with pieces of potato. Seccond one was a poutine taste, had potato pieces, cheese curds, eggs and peppers. Only added salt to both which was nice. My last thought for a meal, take one of the tortilla wraps, put on a sprayed pan after spreading garlic spread, put the cottage cheese and shred cheese with lentils, bake at 375 for 15 or 20 mins and then wrapping into a burrito type thing. I will see. I ordered some chocolate boost from Amazon, I don't enjoy drinking white milk but I use that in tons of things. I am also going to drink a quarter cup at a time. The boost adds a lot of nutrition too.
I am awaiting Amazon deliveries, hopefully the new portable washer/spinner and some snack foods as well. Planning to stay home for all deliveries even if DB calls and wants to go out but I am hoping that it would all be here before then. I will see.
Hoping everyone has a great day, in pockets for everyone who needs me as well.
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@irishlove Is a virtual urgent care appointment in your system an option for your DH? It would at least get things rolling for them to get him the extra help he needs without having to go in. I have started there and found it really helps. I keep it in the same health system (For me it is UCHealth) so they can quickly refer me to my MO or PCP and they can read the portal. Just a thought.
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Good morning, I hope everyone is doing well today. Pretty gloomy looking so far but supposed to be partly sunny today, getting to be less humid over the weekend for a bit as well which is good.
I got the new washer out of the box and broke down the box, it was huge. Will put it in the laundry in the tub today. Edit, asked DB if we could take the two broken washers to the dump. No need to keep unncessary stuff. Just to have, need to get it to the hallway which will not be any problem. Told DB, one is around 20 lbs other is only around 10lbs, free up some room in my room. I need to stop hanging on to things I cannot use.
Foodwise, simple is the name of the game this morning, pot pies and lentils, later in the day having egg related stuff, possibly doing a cottage cheese bottom, shredded cheese on that with a dollop of garlic spread and beefless ground. Preheat oven 375, heat for 15 to 20 mins. Egg is done next, I would probably microwave that and just scoop everything together on a plate, add seasoning and a mix of the mayo and sour cream.
Going out early this afternoon with DB, unsure where but will buy a little something. We will see, he texted yesterday, will be nice to see him.
I do hope everyone has a good day and of course in pockets for anyone who needs me.
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Just got back from going out with DB, was able to take my broken portable washer spinner and broken smaller washer to the enviro dump so those things are off my list of things to do. I huffed and puffed getting it out to the hallway but DB and SIL stuck them in the back of their van, drove across the city, dumped the stuff and then went to Walmart, got some treats like reese peanut butter cups, a pizza which I am going to cook up tonight. Put some cottage cheese on one of the pieces which will be good to bake up, not sure yet. Still need to put the new washer/spin dryer into the tub and leave Panda spinner in there.
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Mara Glad you got to see your DB and sil today. Hope it was a nice day out and yum I am a big Reese's gal also! Almost time for the reese pumpkins…delish. Have fun with your new washer, I hope it does a good job. Glad the old one is already disposed of. Enjoy the pizza.
Irish Yes the Phils are back to winning again, fingers crossed. Eagles pre-season game tonight , although they're usually kinda boring. Hope you and your DH are having a decent day today.
Shanagirl Ugh yep the traffic going north towards NY can be awful. The ride is certainly longer than the mammo! Well at least the weather looks great for next week so hopefully it won't be too bad.
Boy the winds here have been crazy all day and the rain has finally arrived now. Laying low tonight we will probably take a ride to Maryland tomorrow to check on boat. They are having crazy high tides and lots of flooding. Hopefully all is well.
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Hi everyone. DH has finally turned the corner. It's been 3 weeks. His cough subsided for the most part and he's not so winded and gray looking. His O2 level is in low 90's, so improved. Thank you everyone for your support with a stubborn man.
I had a 7 a.m. appt. with neuro. I don't get up till noon. Then a 1:30 appt. with GP. Neuro looked at my MRI scan and felt my problems are not MS. Hmmm, MO looked at scan and felt my problems were not cancer. So after 10 rounds of radiation completed just 2 1/2 months ago, I'm right back where I started from with terrible lower back pain, over hips and genitalia area and femurs. I have decreased strength in legs and a whole lot of burning and off balance. MRI of brain scheduled for Aug. 23. Home health coming tomorrow to evaluate Phys. Therapy and other needs. I'm wondering if a brace may help, or cortisone injections. Guess we'll discuss it tomorrow. GI issues cleared up since lowering Ibrance dosage from 100 to 75. Hurray for that win. The air temp feels like 105 here, over in Orlando 115. It's so brutal I can't go out, especially with MS. My legs just melt under me and I get confused. Also noticed my tremors have increased substantially.
We put a stool in the kitchen so I can sit on it to do a little cooking. Today was crock pot bbq sweet baby ray's sauce, chicken. DD made perioges and we had a nice meal. Too hot to heat up whole kitchen. In pocket's for all and all your needs and thank you for you love and support.
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Irish, glad to hear DH is feeling better and O2 is much better for him. In your pocket for possible PT or the cortisone shots, both would help. The heat certainly does not help either. I am glad that your appetite is returned on the lower dose drug and your supper sounds delicious. I love perogies and the BBQ chicken sounds good too.
Cookie, yes it was a nice visit. We really just did the dump and Walmart and a long drive. I love just riding in the van and the Walmart gave me the pizza. Today I will play what goes on the pizza next, thinking I will add some cottage cheese and regular cheese and melt it in the oven Eggs will be later.
I am going to continue to break down boxes and put them in blue bag then work on organizing garbage as well, boring but necessary. Need to put new washer in tub, no new set up needed either which is good. May still use the Panda spinner as it is easier to balance and do short cycles in washer to allow soak as well and give a break between. SIL thinks blankets should be done at the laundromat but I am skeptical of have to cart them over even with paratransit, think I will do them here with only washing a bit of a bigger blanket at a time. I will see what I want to do. For now, cat is insisting that I give him my lap so I must end the note.
Hoping everyone has a good day and in pockets for everyone who needs me.
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@irishlove I'm relieved for you and DH that he is moving forward. That coughing is exhausting especially if it’s dry and Barky with that virus…. The only thing that seems to help coughing for me is Robotussin DM expectorant cough suppressant, and better nighttime for bed. It loosens everything and takes that dang tickle out of my throat.
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HI sweet ladies. Hope you all are keeping cool and painfree. Mara I love pizza with just about anything on it, except snails. Don't like snails on my pizza or in my flower garden. lol. Shanagirl, thanks for the heads up on cough syrup. GP recommended Desym (Sp?) but we didn't feel it made a difference.
The RN home care nurse was 4 hours late. I felt really bad for her as she had a "difficult" case. I told her she could cancel but she insisted on keeping the appt. Going to start P.T. at home to get these legs strengthened. I don't know how to work thru the pain, but I guess I'll just figure it out. No sightings of Booty but another black and white persian was just turned in today at the local Humane Society. I'll head up Monday to check.
Cute bird story for you. I was watching the bird feeder when this strange bird came up and couldn't plant the landing right. He was hanging on for dear life and I notice he had a long beak. He gave up and went into the crepe myrtle tree. Aha, his Mama was waiting for him and she flew down to the feeder to show the juvenile woodpecker how to maneuver bird feeders. I laughed so hard. He came back and managed a few seeds. Hilarious to see him hanging on to the feeder.
In pockets for all your needs.
Laurel
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That bird story is very sweet and funny, that would have been a lot of fun to see. I would not like snails in my garden if I had one, escargot might be something to consider though. Love that stuff.
I am testing heavy stains in my smallest washer to see if it works as well to get nastiness out of socks. I wore socks and got lazy about putting shoes on when checking mail and the bottoms were black almost. Doing 10 mins agitation, soak for 30 mins and will agitate again. Will see how that does. Also loading the portable washer/spin dryer with about 1/2 the amount of stuff as well. It really speeds the agitation and I think it is better for it, I will see.
I am thinking I will finish the pizza this morning and save the lentils, sliced tomatoes beefless ground, cottage cheese spread and shredded cheese at dinner. Not sure what to have for lunch.
Hope everyone has a good day and in pockets for anyone who needs me.
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What a cute bird story, would love to have seen that! I was out in the garden this morning listening to the quail. The doves were chasing the kestrel around.
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@irishlove, great bird story!
Our local Raven pair (Edgar & Elvira) must have shown their young where to get a quick meal because a group of 3 have been flying around our cabin, squawking and briefly landing next to the bird bath feeder on our deck railing. They’re fun to watch and play much more than the adults do.5 -
Good morning lovely Ladies of Mel's Livingroom🥰
No news to for me today. I’ve been a little lazy about following along everyone’s latest struggles and good news. Just skimming and checking randomly individuals that catch my eyes like @irishlove and some of you other lovelies🩵. Weekend. Was uneventful for me. Today I have my 6 month follow up with GP and tomorrow I go for my Surveillance ultrasound Mammogram for 2020 diagnosis of LCIS in my remaining breast. 🙄Ihate this appointment. It’s such an intrusion on my sense of security and my time. A 21/2 hour drive up Paramus NJ at the Breast Center….. I really hate going for all these appointments for tests.
Love to you all today and wishing everyone nothing but good 😊💕
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@shanagirl Will be thinking of you today. Going for my CTscan checkup of my liver today. Not at intrusive as yours but still stressful. Been "off" the last couple of days looking for some joy somewhere…
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Weekend was pretty quiet for me, not unusual, watched movies and that was good. Really enjoying wheat tortilla and peanut butter as a snack along with milk and chocolate boost. I like all the nutrients.
Big breakfast coming, using a base of frozen great value penne pollo alfredo pasta. Opened lid all the way. Added 3 eggs and broke up the yolk on top to avoid exploding eggs. Added little bit of lentils and wheat bran. Microwaved on high 4 mins 30 seconds. Seasoned with sour cream and onion seasoning, added bit of mayo, like a tsp size and just mixed together. Will be filling so if I cannot eat all of this, wil put what ever I don't finish in another container. I did wind up splitting meal in half, thought being this is supper except to spoon out the contents, add to tortilla on a greased pan, put garlic spread on tortilla, spoon out ingredients, cover with shredded cheese and bake at 375 for 10 to 15 minutes, let cool and roll up tortilla. Cheap meals but also high in protein as well.
I hope everyone has a good day and in pockets for those who need me
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We made it back to London and it was a very nice visit indeed. Everyone calmed down eventually and I was able to manage my anxiety with some herbal items lets say, so that helped too. It was very hard to say goodbye to my parents but they are coming to visit next month anyway. I experienced some incredible kindness of strangers on our return, including two men who made it their mission to get me a chaise lounge in the Flagship Lounge and wheeled me straight over and another man who helped lift my leg on. Or the people asking if they could get me a plate of food or anything, just really lovely. And the tedious mobility bus thing at Heathrow I got stuck on almost ran over one of my electronic music heroes who I spotted coming off the LA flight, so that was extra cool too, I was 2 inches away from him!
My scans were bad today as I expected so I'm moving off abraxane and on to Enhertu. Thanks to my insurance I have access to this drug as its not currently approved on the NHS. I'm very grateful and really hope it works and also I don't get lung pneumonitis again. I've lost more weight and thr nurse and onc both commented on it (my cheekbones are insane!) but I just don't want to eat. Its so very frustrating to know I only have two hot spots of cancer in the bone that just aren't responding to anything, everything else is clean as a whistle. Just need a win and some hope again, hope is getting low in the tank for sure.
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Sondra, glad you had a good visit and that they are coming to London tomorrow. I empathize about lack of appetite and also moving drug to drug takes a lot out of you. Hopefully sleep will come easy for you, in your pocket, could tell you more of my cooking ideas to send you off to sleep.
Have to shout out a random guy who used to live here, was taking out garbage which was 4 layer bag and bag of recycle cardboard. I rolled the garbage bag down the stairs, he saw me doing that so he grabbed my stuff and took it over. That was nice of him and I dropped the huge box the portable washer in as well. Glad it is out.
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sondraf Glad your home safely and it sounds like you were surrounded with some caring guardian angels. Hope Enhertu zaps out those pesky bone mets. Maybe your appetite will improve on Enhertu, fingers crossed.
Mara Sounds like you had a lovely angel help you also. Glad to hear there are still good caring people out there.
Shanagirl Hoping that tomorrow's ride is a smooth one up to Paramus. Safe travels and may time go quickly to get it over with. Hugs.
intolight Thinking of you and hoping for stable results from your CT. Hoping some good news gets you back on track.
Early appt tomorrow for DH Mri of his knee and an Ortho consult. Hoping it's a quick fix to give him some relief. Sleep well ladies❤️
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Safe journies for those testing and for loved ones coming to visit. I hope the MO's figure out a game plan and implement it without difficulty. By now I should have adapted to living scan to scan, but in reality I haven't. Aha, there's a pill for that called lorazapam, I'm allowed to take 1/2 tablet if I find I am getting too anxious. It does work and doesn't leave me loopy.
@illimae Oh I love the crow stories. My two or three adults come every morning sqwaking for food. They love the dry cat foot that I put out for raccooms and possums.
Today mom and pop cardinal were mouth feeding there juvenile. It was so sweet to see. A dove decided to use the birdbath and that too was adorable. The best up squirrel makes he was up the pole to the bath area and enjoys a good fresh drink, too. They sure keep me entertained.
I'm gonna switch gears here to share a brief portion of a health related clinical trial. I can't recall all the info but what caught my eye made my head spin. The teams were looking at women who have developed Non-Alcoholic-Fatty-Liver-Disease. I looked the subject up since my last scan mentioned I have steachosis of the liver (related) and this shocked me. Turns out they found certain drugs can create this problem, including tamoxifen as it's used to reduce estrogen. No further information on other SERDS, but I'd say it's a fair bet that any SERD will do this. Good question to ask MO what they can do to protect our livers?
May each and everyone of you have a blessed day and pain free too. In pockets for good scans and Shanagirl hope your trip wasn't too exhausting. Laurel
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@mara51506 agree about the upheaval of another drug change - this will be my fourth in 15 months. But I felt relief that we are switching as the anxiety of knowing things were not improving on this drug and wanting to move to something that will was upsetting. I want to get the show on the road here!
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Sondra May Enhertu get rid of the stragglers inside and perhaps the change in drug helps your appetite as well. In your pocket either way. I can empathize with the drug changes for sure causing upheaval as well in your body, I hope this one sticks and you are moving to one that works with few SE.
Cookie, yes, the fellow was very nice to help me, it sure was appreciated.
The tortilla with leftovers of breakfast yesterday of egg, lentils and pasta was really good being covered with cheese. Tortilla was well done on the edges but was fine Today was just a peanut butter and chip tortilla, feeling lazy and hungry. Will have a boost shake this morning for the nutrients, likely have mini pot pies tonight.
Got Paratransit booked for Wed for Herceptin, did that on Sunday and called today for a friday routine Echo as well today. Will not be so busy next week.
I hope everyone has a good day, in pockets for everyone who needs me.
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@sondraf So sorry you have to make another change. Here's praying this one works well for you.
@irishlove Thanks for the info. I have a fatty liver and have wondered how it happened. Maybe…
I received my CT scan results already (yes, they are fast here and post quickly on the portal.) It appears everything is good except for some confusing language around my pancreas. ("It could be this, or that, or something else…") They also said my liver issues would show better on an MRI…I got the CT because the MRI showed something on the liver and it was suggested I needed a CT scan. Argh! I thoroughly believe the radiologists are just covering themselves and it is a game going back and forth because noone wants to commit. I will just need to wait for my oncologist to respond but I think I am good for now. I am glad since I just reduced the dosage on my Verzenio. Still don't feel any better, but maybe emotionally I will improve now.
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sondraf, have you considered local therapy like neurointerventional surgery? since you have only 2 tumors in spine that haven't responded to therapies, that could be an option. honestly I don't know which is better, changing the treatment when we know it's not going to work, or staying on it in the hope that it just needs more time to start working. my MO is the opposite of yours, I developed massive progression in my liver (from a few mm to 6 solid tumors plus numerous lesions within 3 months), and these stupid tumors have been growing slowly since then, 2-3 mm with every scan. his intention is to keep me on the med for a year (probably no matter what). I am beyond frustrated and tired of fighting with the system.
Irishlove, thanks for sharing, good to know that SERDs eventually impact our livers. I am on Elacestrant, a newly FDA-approved SERD. can't they just develop meds that don't affect any other organs and focus on destroying cancer???
hugs
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@snow-drop yeah, I do worry that we have been changing around so quickly,but the bone biopsy showing the shift to HER2+ was a shocker and neither of these tumors is very small and unfortunately they are a)growing quickly and b) impacting quality of life. I asked about cryotherapy again and both are too large for that, radiation isnt an option as it failed on the hip, and my providing trust is very very conservative so anything else novel like surgery wouldn't be an option. I want to get started on Enhertu and then send my scans off to the US for a second opinion read. My MO sat on both these tumors for too long and they just have not 'behaved as expected' - well geez, sorry about that but surely you have seen this before?
@illimae Im hoping for the best but been burned too many times this last year. If it can resolve the hip pain and allow me to walk more easily in the future ill be happy with that, despite the side effects.
Had hubs get some fancy chocolate milk for me thinking that would be appealing and calorific (it was go to when I was on the cycling team in college and we had low appetite from training/races but needed to eat/calories) and boy was it ever! Mixed that + some Califa coffee drink over ice this morning and it was like just inject this straight into my veins! Finally some easy fast calories I can tolerate without having to mix up some powders or blend anything.
Alright, off I go to my infusion, lets hope for no allergic reaction this time and that it works quick.
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