My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Comments
-
Well, gave in to my desire to have a fully working washer and bought a new one on a payment plan. 20 bucks a month for a year, no interest. Will cut back on junk food and definitely no fast food after this as well. I will use my interest on a bank account and budget boosting to make payments without impacting my amount of money. I just could not handle being unable to spin in the old washer. Oh well, new one arriving anywhere from the 28th to the 4th. Old one will stay in the closet until ready to get rid of it or devise a different use for it.
I am debating breakfast, pulled out black beans, can chop those with a precooked egg and some cheese into croutons, not too much and take another part of the giant meat pie I made yesterday and add more baby spinach or add the frozen spinach I have as well. I want lots of fiber and good taste. Later, a simple egg sandwhich would be good as well for me. I think and somewhere today, have a boost chocolate milk smoothie, using the high protein white milk from Walmart which makes for a healthy drink.
It is a nice day here, will be a bit warmer which is nice. Just doing regular chores, budget boosting using tv ads during cooking videos. I like dessert type videos although they have all sorts of videos which is fun.
I hope everyone has a great day, in pockets for all.
6 -
I did wind up with a good meal. Put 1/4 cup of black beans, some beefless ground and handful of shredded cheese. Took a frozen spinach cube that needed about 20 seconds in order to chop it. No croutons as no room. Took a few nacho cheese doritos and broke them over the food. I did add part of the meat pie meal I am eating as well. Took all ingredients, added to a bowl, put some spreadable garlic in it, microwaved 3 mins with a lid. When it came out, decided to add salt and some sour cream. It was not pretty but filled me up and was nutritious with the beans and spinach. Really tasted great, dishes soaking for a while. Makes it easier to avoid scrubbing.
Edited to add that supper was similar but used an egg and bacon mix and more beans, chopped in some croutons. Put in a big bowl, added rest of the gigantic meat pie. Mixed together and added to the microwave for 2 min 30 seconds, put in some more garlic spread and added some caesar dressing. Still really good
3 -
Mara congratulations on your new washer . Did it get delivered already. That was a nice treat for yourself. Now you’ll have some extra time available.
I have my faslodex shots and Zometa infusion Tuesday.
Take care all in pockets for those who have upcoming appointments.Tanya
6 -
Tanya, coming by UPS so should be toward end of month, decided not to bother with the old one for. PIA to pump it out. Thank you. Doing more budget boosting to account for the payments as well as using interest on accounts.
Laundry being done in the wee washer, just a couple of cloths so far so that was pulled out, chores like the litter, sweeping or robot vacuum will happen as well. Building put on the heat so AC will need to be used as it is warmer than I like, I know they are following the law with when it has to be turned on. Will bring in cooler air tonight as well.
Made a couple of savings accounts for different things auto set for deductions, VPN, renters insurance and of course the new washer since it is on payments. Figure if I keep up with them, I will be easier to pay for as they come up. 1 dollar per week for renters insurance and the VPN. Cannot make too large as it would upset the budget I already have. I also have an account for skip the dishes as well, no set amount for that.
Edited, chopped up some of the baby spinach, and then a few Doritos chopped as well. Chopped the black beans, did not measure how many and mixed the beefless ground as well. Microwaved beans and beefless ground for 2 mins, added the spinach and Dorito mix and used a bit of caesar dressing and salt to bind. It was very good. Later, thinking of having egg sandwiches and cooking up some Kraft Dinner to use as meal prep so I can spoon it out to go with another meal, I will have to see.
Hoping everyone has a good day, in pockets for anyone who needs me, in my own pocket to get my budget in order and not do any unnecessary shopping for food. I've set aside a 100 budget starting for next month left on my debit card, I will be motivated to leave an amount on it so I can roll stuff over. The budget is for groceries only. If it cannot be done, that is OK but I am stubborn and eat inexpensive foods so may not be too hard to do. I will see. This is starting next month.
5 -
Tanya - Sending nothing but good thoughts for your shots and infusion tomorrow. I don't know how you can do them on the same day! They are both so awful for me that I have to spread them out. You are a brave soul, indeed. In your pocket for sure!
6 -
threetree I don’t usually do them together but I was unable to get the infusion a few weeks ago (brother in law passed away) so I decided to do it in the same day. I haven’t done that in a long time. So Tuesday I’ll put my brave face on and…
Tanya7 -
Tanya, I get my Faslodex and Zometa on the same day all the time and find it not too bad. I would rather suffer all at once than two times. I had them done last Monday and was fine after two days. I will send up a prayer for you on Tuesday.
Mara. I am glad you bought a washer. You struggle with it so much that this should help you.
7 -
Tanya, I am sorry to hear about your BIL and that you are having to do two drugs at once. May you not have extra SE from it.
Intolight, I will wait until the new one arrives. Being delivered by UPS so unsure it will be brought to my apartment door, I will see what happens. Still using the old one occasionally as well and just pumping the liquid out. The little washer works but barely handles 4 small cloths, not really practical.
Getting hungry for supper, probably make an egg sandwich on the english muffin. Use garlic and cheese on one side and mayo on the other. Put microwaved egg in the middle. The recipe TV shows that pay for ads have a non stop pasta ad that looks really darn good to me. Oh well. Making a bit of money so that is good.
3 -
Slept well last night, still credit the new sleep mask. Got laundry going in the regular washer, use my pump in between cycles. I am really amazed how much suds come out considering how little soap is used but whatever, that is fine. Doing some budget boosting, playing videos, get paid for the ads which is good.
I have some sweeping, dishes soaking since last night, love just having to rinse off vs scrubbing. Makes my life easier. The apartment is very warm after the heat was turned on, got AC running in living room with some fans on low, window open a bit, it is not cold. I will see how it feels when temps finally drop. We are still close to 70 in the daytime, only difference with fall is no humidity. I know the apt has to follow standard dates to turn it on.
Edited, decided to keep it simple. Took 1/4 cup beans, handful of beefless ground and shredded cheese and put in the chopper. Added some chips that I found too spicy. Chopped it all up and heated for 2 min 30 seconds. Added vegetable seasoning as well as sour cream and onion seasoning and used sour cream to bind all of it. Very full but in a good way. I will have to see what I want to do later as I have so much food to use up and many different combos, cooking appliances etc that it makes it easy for me to differentiate meals I could have. Also making budget for different things. Got a budget for yearly charges so take a couple bucks a week for that, got the budget for the monthly charges of the new washer and even a skip the dishes in case mcdonalds starts appealing to me. Still sticking to 100 for groceries per month as well. Should be doable.
I hope everyone has a good day, in pockets for anyone receiving double doses of meds and in pockets for everyone else as well.
2 -
Hello ladies
something strange happened, and I’ll try to explain it. I went to consult with the IR about potential local therapy, and at the beginning of the meeting, he asked, “did your MO discuss the portal vein thrombosis and how he took care of it?” I was shocked! he pulled up the images from the CT scan I had four weeks ago and showed me a clot, about an inch long, completely blocking the portal vein of my left liver lobe, which explained why the lobe's color is lighter than the other side, not receiving blood.
I was in disbelief. I told him that my MO relies only on the written report, and the radiologist didn’t mention this at all. the IR quickly called my MO for immediate action. my MO prescribed enoxaparin for 3-6 weeks, but he didn’t order any further tests like a Doppler or additional imaging, to monitor the situation. my upper abdomen is bloated and I can feel it is full which I mentioned to him, but he didn’t seem concerned.
I don't want to sound overly concerned but I looked up and found this situation can be life-threatening, and we’ve already delayed starting treatment. the CT scan was done four weeks after my liver biopsy, and the image the IR referred to is four weeks old, total 8 weeks. I’m worried about what might have changed since the scan. I’m confused as to why they’re taking my case so lightly.
has anyone experienced something similar? any advice?
9 -
I am sorry you are dealing with this, yes the situation is life threatening. I am glad the enoxaparin was prescribed but the fact the clot was not reported to MO immediately means a break in the communication that is dangerous for you. Keep detailed notes on this in case something does happen so you can sue if there are extra medical bills. In you pocket for the enoxaparin does its job properly and tell MO to get back in sync with radiology so this kind of thing does not happen again. As far as the bloated feeling, keep bringing it up to MO as well. Not something I think you should have to live with.
4 -
@snow-drop Sheesh so glad the IR dr was on top of things! Disgraceful that the radiologist failed to comment on it in the last report, unacceptable! I;m sorry that you are even dealing with this but so glad IR caught it. I don't have any personal experience but fingers are crossed for resolution for you.
Mara So glad to hear you invested in a new washer as you certainly deserve it.
Tanya In your pocket tomorrow for treatment , fingers crossed the SE aren't too awful.
Another beauty of a day here for October, my walk today was just filled with gorgeous trees. Thinking of all here and always remember the group in my daily prayers.💕
5 -
thinking of you snow drop. I hope You get answers soon!!!!
love too you ladies saw my ding bat oncologist today. I just don’t like her. Since the first bad meeting, I haven’t felt ok with her and honestly I don’t like her and I don’t think she likes me either. What a conundrum……. She’s very local and I don’t drive far anymore. But my life is like in her hands. I am going to give it some serious thought about changing.
Hope everyone is holding their own. I’ve been so blue about my crappy year this year. I am shocked to think it’s almost November. Holy moly time flew. Hugs to all. Much love7 -
Wow, the apartment is hot, had to put on shorts and a Tshirt, sweating like crazy. When the cold temps come, I will be grateful for the heat but until then, holy cow is it hot and the building cannot adjust or turn it off due to stipulations of when heat is expected to be turned on. Thank god for all the fans I have.
5 -
Hi guys, I’m going through the updates to see how everyone is doing. Honestly I am so exhausted and finding it hard to read and Absorb every update. The fatigue and bone pain has been overwhelming all week.I could actually fall asleep while typing here on my iPad.
@irishlove I’m so glad you are safe from the storm damage. And I would have had a heart attack with my dogs missing. I am so glad that good Samaritan got them back to you safely. You must have been so relieved. And yes it’s so overwhelming facing the cleanup of storm damage. I can only imagine.🩵♥️
@intolight I’m glad you have your appt with the PT for cancer fatigue. Yes I think that’s been my problem too. Let me know how. It goes. The way I’ve been feeling lately I don’t know if I would have the energy to work with a PT.. I’m already dreading Wednesday. I have to take that 2hourdrive to the Cancer Center for the scans. Another long day dealing with scans for this beast of a disease. Cancer really sucks.
Hi 👋 to @micmel , @mara51506 @cookie54 @tanya_djamila @malleemiss251 . I am going to bed now . Good night 😴🌙😘 ♥️
8 -
Shana - Thanks for checking in. I was wondering how you're doing. Best of luck with the scans on Wednesday - in your pocket.
3 -
In pockets for all treatments, scans and hopefully stable. Snowdrop, I think I'd change MO's for missing something so important it could have cost you your life. I'd also write to the supervisor of the radiologist. No excuses… I'm not sure but a plastics factory was destroyed in Erwin, TN. Lives were lost, too. I think I read somewhere that it provided almost 50 per cent of bags. No sure about solution distribution point.
Humana has blocked me from receiving any more PT at home. A$$holes. I've taken three steps back since the last treatment. I'm too tired to fight right now.
Thank you, everyone, for your concern for our pups. They haven't gone anywhere near the gate since. We were gone for 3 days to a niece's wedding in New Port Richey. Saw some of the damage along the way. Comfort stations set up between Daytona and Tampa for showers, laundry, etc. Hundreds of lineman trucks heading North on I-75. Hopefully they were going home to families.
It was a lovely wedding as she had waited many years for the right man after years of sadness. Too tired to walk, so we just covered a block or two of the arts district. Lovely town. Stayed at The Hacienda Inn, opened in 1920's. All remodeled and done beautifully. Excellent restaurant. This was our first out of town trip since I was diagnosed. Might be last as it was hard on both of us. Also, shortage of gas at stations we had stopped at. Thank goodness our car gets great gas mileage.
8 -
Snow-drop - what a missed call! Thank God the IR saw the clot! I would think your MO would want a scan of some sort…..agree with others that a new MO might not be a bad idea. Just what you need in the midst of all this🙄.
Pocket duty for all going for treatment.
7 -
Tanya, thank you, it should be coming some time next week which will be good.
Irish, sorry your PT has been cut back at home. I don't think companies care that we need those things to survive by times. Glad your niece had a good wedding as well.
Shanagirl, I definitely empathize with the fatigue, I have low energy most often and have to split up what I am doing into short bursts. At some point, some indoor marching
Boosting budget with TV paid ads, mostly for pasta which makes me hungry and phone ads telling me to go to Disneyland. I am also planning to fit in playing games for some money as well. Got laundry on the go, basic chores to be done and not too much else. I have to say, I am used to the pump now so just using non draining washer. Takes just a minute or so to pump out the water Edited to add that the washer also took care of spinning and I do not know why, wondering if removing the extra water more with the pump helped, who knows but that is fine.
Edited I took the frozen, battered fish. Defrosted first so I could split up into quarters and cooked in a mini griddle. Outside was crispy but on touch middle was still cold. Put the griddle cooked fish in microwave for a minute on high, took care of it. Also had to heat up 1/4 fish since it was too big. All the cooking and microwave did not take long at all. The baby spinach should have been chopped. It all tasted decent but was kind of a meh sort of meal. Nutritious but not too exciting. Next time, chop the precooked fish up in what ever I want to have and do different things with it. Got dishes in another soak for a while.
I do hope everyone has a good day, in pockets for everyone who needs me.
7 -
@shanagirl, the kitties and I are in your pocket for scans. I hope you have sweet dreams and the aches disappear.
7 -
We're in your pocket as well!
5 -
Hi all you lovely ladies. So relieved to find comfort and support from you all. I know it's not where any one of us would care to be, but since life but us together, I feel so fortunate. Wouldn't it be lovely, as someone said, this would be a chronic disease and not a build up to that point of no return.
Shanagirl, sweetheart I hope so much your scanning goes uneventfully and gives you good news. I strongly think the change in weather, though beautiful, is taking it's toll on our bodies pain wise. Tomorrow is my pallative care appt. and I will be addressing pain and the need to up dosage probably on a permanent basis.
Dear sweet Divine, You my dear who supports and encourages all,, well we are in your corner sending all the support we can. We hope that your onco gets the plan together that heals your cancer cells in the lining. 14 years of MBC and I pray for another stable 14 more. You got this. Just get home to your own bed and sleep properly, then you'll find the strength you will need.
Some good financial news, met my RX deductible, so the $605 co-pay for Xgeva is covered this quarter. I did try again to find financial aide. Not with that company, they turned me down flat. Nice to know that most of us have met our out of pocket for rest of year.
Mara, fish sounds so good. We ate the most wonderful mixed seafood in creamy sauce with a light biscuit on top at the wedding. My gosh were we spoiled.
Dropping to 55 tonight, already with warmer blankets and a tuned up thermostat. The birds are eating heavier, getting ready for our winter. In pockets for all your needs my sweet friends.
8 -
Shana - Yes, good, good luck with your scans today. We are thinking of you for sure!
Divine - Glad that Irish posted about your situation here. I was thinking about doing it too. All I've had to say of course is over on the bone mets thread. I know you have the caring and support of everyone on this thread too. More hugs!
Irish - So glad you at least got your deductible met. Can your clinic help you at all with the financial aid for the drugs? Mine has been a big help with the Verzenio. I also agree that this change in weather is really affecting our bodies. I'm having a much rougher time after my last Faslodex shots, and the Zometa infusion last week. Just dragging, aching, and oh so exhausted! You've gotten down to 55. Our 55 nights seem to have ended this week, and we've started getting close to 45 now. I'm also hearing that we might get our first freeze next week! That would be unusual, because that normally never happens here until more like the last half of November. I'm in the PNW though - opposite corner from you.
7 -
Well, woke up feeling pretty good, working on laundry in old washer. Turns out that if I pump the water out, it will still spin dry pretty well. I won't get the new one til the end of next week but I can wait. I did see suggestions on manual washing. I do have the washing board that I can use or a small washer, can only do a few cloths but it work. Washing board works well. Have hanging racks as well, they have a tent with a heater that dries clothes as well. Have a regular dry rack too. Lots of choice for washing but I tend to pick the most convenient one. I appreciate the laundry stories.
No real plans, playing videos that pay for ads again, will play mobile games for money as well. Getting the regular chores, laundry, robot vacuum and sweeping as well. Apartment is still very hot since heat got turned on, running air conditioner and fans. Might just leave AC in window and coverup the front when not needed as the heat will be on until into April.
I am going to make beans, rice and precooked egg, chop in a cube of frozen spinach after it is defrosted with some cheese and croutons, grind up some chips to use as a seasoning and put in microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. Put on top of 1/4 cup rice that that I added some powdered chicken. Had to use water and stir up since it was clumped but I don't mind. Should be nutritious. Not sure what the binder will be at this point. Later, just making an egg sandwich with chopped baby spinach and mayo or having a pizza topped with olives. Still got some frozen pizzas that can be topped with olives. No groceries needed this week though if DB takes me out, might pick up more baby spinach or else try walking to the store tomorrow for that, I will have to see how I feel about walking there and weather. Other option, take the regular bus to the mall during the off peak hours for a free ride. I have strayed from taking the regular bus because of the irrational fear of stepping off the bus and my fear of legs collapsing. I am practicing stepping down in the house off my step bench to make me feel better about it. Option two would be asking for the ramp to be lowered but that really does not address my fear. I will see.
I do hope everyone has a good day and in pockets for those who need me.
6 -
Mara-I take public transit all the time. Many people request that the ramp be lowered when they are getting on or off the bus. I think that might be very helpful for you and enable you to get out more. If you could get to a McDonald's on a free bus, that might be so much cheaper than getting it delivered. Maybe give it a try to see how it would go? It might release you from your fears. I know that the step down from a bus is usually quite steep and challenging and think you are wise to avoid it. But that is why they have the ramp capability.
I am going to scope out wash boards on Amazon myself just to have that option. Thanks for the inspiration!
7 -
Having a nice row before celebrating stable scan and a few months ahead of no worries. I met some cold plungers out at the pond and was wondering whether I should start jumping in. Wishing strength to all.
11 -
@tougholdcrow, that is the best news I have had today - congratulations on scans. Puppy is adorable - just like a big teddy bear. I hope your row is suitably celebratory.🌼🚣🥂
6 -
Tougholdcrow - Great picture and thanks for posting. Beautiful dog, beautiful fall foliage. So glad you could do that! Wonderful.
5 -
Tougholdcrow, I am glad for your good scans and that you had a nice time on the water with such a handsome pup.
Chicagoan, I agree with you. I can climb up into the bus, the step down is the issue therefore I can get them to lower the ramp.
It would be nice to take the bus to get a happy meal for free.
4 -
@tougholdcrow Congrats on stable scans! Happy to hear you are getting a little relief in the interim. Love your pup, just adorable and enjoying the ride. beautiful scenery!
@shanagirl Hope scan went smoothly yesterday and you receive good results quickly. Sorry to hear you are still so fatigued. I wish you would just get a couple days filled with a bit of energy to help you through. Hugs.
Irish Glad you got to enjoy the wedding a bit, it's always a nice change of pace. Also yippee to meeting your RX deductible, yep we all look forward to this time of year to get a financial break! DH went to pick up his heart failure meds the other day and I was ready for this. Total was $860 but I had gone on to manufacturer's site and printed a coupon for $10! He was so shocked that he called me from CVS to let me know it was only ten bucks.Amazing that if you don't snoop around you would pay these astronomical prices!
Mara Was a bit warm here also last couple of days cooling down today but just beautiful weather overall. Hope you do venture out a bit for a meal or just to get out for a ride. Lowering of the bus seems like it may be a option that works and you feel comfortable with.
Starting looking at wedding venues for DD, it's nice to think about something else. Fighting back the dark thoughts since the wedding looks like it will be 1.5 years from now. Keeping the positive thoughts and prayers going that's all we can do.
Hi to all here , hope it's a good day for all.
6
