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My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer

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  • mara51506
    mara51506 Member Posts: 6,557
    edited December 7

    Rlschaller, I love tuxedo cats myself. Both of my cats wait patiently for me to go to bed so they can take over my couch and when they have their first meal, the orange guy Tigger jumps up and patently waits for me to put aside the laptop so he can sit on my lap.

    I am presently doing laundry, never ends which is fine for me, I love it. Got a really big towel and some cloths, amazing how much bigger it is than the old one,no wonder bedding is no problem for it and it agitates so well. Got both spinners working, towel big so put in the Panda spin dryer and cloths spinning in the portable washer/spinner at the same time.

    Today, still budget boosting for stuff on the TV with the ads paying a bit, got another phone playing videos

    I am unsure what I am eating, I did enjoy having half an english muffin involved in first couple of meals, first one was a garlic spread with a precooked egg, covered in bacon and shredded cheese, toasted in the breville. Second half later was simply butter and smooth peanut butter, enjoyable as well. Figure that eating half an english muffin would be better if wanting multiple meals. Today, thinking of adding some beans or lentils added to a frozen lasagna with beefless ground and cheese to beef up the meal and will heat in microwave for 4 mins or so. Last meal will be an egg meal I think with some frozen food added in and heated in the microwave as well, posssibly chopped in with chips and croutons after being cooked in the microwave. I would then just warm up again for around 45 seconds and add whatever I want to use for seasonings. I will see what I want later. I actually heated some fettucine alfredo frozen pasta, added an egg to it and a good amount of bacon, just pulled the bacon apart. One of the ready crisp types so no grease. Put cheese on top and heated on high for 4 min 30 seconds in the microwave, it was very good I think, added some garlic spread which is milder to add more flavour.

    I did notice front steps shovelled as are the back steps. Not sure how well garbage day for neighbours who use garbage day will work as the snow was piled in front of the garbage bin storage place. Oh well, I cannot help as I use bags now, got tired of other people using my bin. They will figure it all out.

    I do hope everyone has a good day, in pockets for less pain, SE's or anything else for everyone else who might need me. In my own pocket to reach the RO for MRI results since she did not call Friday. I will be calling Monday.

  • cookie54
    cookie54 Member Posts: 871

    Mara Sorry you missed the call for MR results. I wish they would have called back after the accidental hangup. We all know how long the weekend can feeling waiting for results. We will all be squeezed in your pocket with hot cocoa waiting for your results with you. Sending good vibes your way. Glad they took care of the snow on the steps.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Member Posts: 6,557

    That is OK @cookie54 , I figure that if they were bad results, she would have made an effort to get hold of me but I will call Monday and if I am being honest, I am glad I did not have to venture out in all the snow.

  • irishlove
    irishlove Member Posts: 597

    Good morning all. Hope the weather warms up for all of us. I know complaining about 38 degrees is silly when my sister in PA has 19 degrees and snow. No rain in almost 2 months. No wonder the robins are in the cold water of the bird bath. We use to have some type of a berry tree when we lived in Ormond Beach 30 years ago. The robins would come south for the winter and partake of overly ripened berries, and get drunk!!! It was hilarious.

    I must apologize as I have major brain fog. I had to go to MO's office for fulvestrant. Sorry for the confusion as I ran my sentences together. The RN could not find an empty room so I yelled across the room to use the bathroom. Funny thing happened, she agreed as we had been waiting for sometime and tying up a chair needed for another patient. She said first time in 20 years of giving shots she had to use bathroom. I think it was hilarious as I told the patients just outside the door that we were sharing bad jokes. I wanted to say dirty jokes, but not sure about the audience. LOL.. Receiving PT at home and I believe it is helping with balance issues.

    @mara51506 Glad your landlord is more attentive, but no need for them to be huffy about taking care of the snow. Hope you have a great Monday due to a great report! Can't blame you for not wanting to go out into the sloppy snowy mess.

    Doesn't look good for Pfizer patient assistance. They changed the formula for calculating help. One good thing is that we need only meet $2000 co pay for all prescriptions for year. Still alot of $$. The MO's office did help us with sending paperwork into Pfizer.

    In pockets for all your needs.

  • threetree
    threetree Member Posts: 1,820

    Hi Irish - Love the stories about the "drunk" robins, and then the shots in the bathroom! I've been in situations in my clinic where that kind of thing wasn't far from happening, but never did. I always wonder how sterile they think the bathroom is. Sometimes I've had to use the bathroom when getting an IV, and they send me in with the drip bag, etc., but I've always thought it might not be a good idea. I asked them once about the sterility issue, and they all just shrugged and said they didn't think it was a problem, so I guess the shots work the same way. Did you lean on the sink? I also can really relate to the super brain fog you get after those shots. Mine can last a long time, and I can't do all sorts of things, because I can't pull my thoughts together and focus on any specific plan for anything. By the time my brain fog starts to lighten up and I can think more clearly, it's time for more shots - ugh.

    I've still got my fingers crossed that the Pfizer business works out. I'm also glad to hear that your clinic is of some help with your paperwork. I don't know how I'd get my Verzenio stuff taken care of if the clinic didn't do 90% of the job for me. (That probably has something to do with the brain fog too!)

  • irishlove
    irishlove Member Posts: 597

    Good morning all. Hope this finds you tugged snuck in bed and having a good night's sleep. It warmed up today and boy I did feel better. Managed vaccuming, swifer wet all the floors and cleaned bathroom. DH did small grocery shopping and recalked the back of the kitchen sink. The double stainless steel sinks (which I hate) need recalking also. That's gonna be a big job as the old calking must be totally removed and sinks reset properly.

    Threetree that was such a lovely response to my post, of course the brain fog isn't lovely. DH has it, too. He doesn't take meds for his non-hodgkins lymphoma yet, but I think he's past due. Sleeps alot and can't remember things to well. As long as he can drive ok and find his way to his destination, we are ok. I quit driving years ago due to MS. I think years ago they had a drug called provigil that was given for fatigue and brain fog. Not sure the status of the drug today, but I did use it for MS when I was doing chemo for MS back years ago. I can't recall if it made a difference or not.

    Update on the latest Robin carryingons. The bird bath was surrounded with so many robins, all drinking from it. Along comes clutzy robin, landed in the middle of the bath and decided to stay and drink and bathe at the same time. It was hilarious as he/she raised a ruckus.

    In your pockets for all your needs my dear friends. Hello to those that are MIA.

  • threetree
    threetree Member Posts: 1,820

    Irish - I'm real sorry to hear that your husband has to deal with the brain fog and fatigue also. Here in my state they used to give people Ritalin/methylphenidate for the brain fog and fatigue, but I'm told that they can't do that anymore, due to a change in the law. I hadn't heard of Provigil before (well, I'd actually heard of it, but didn't know what it was given for). As far as I know, they aren't giving any sort of drug in particular for brain fog around here; just telling people to exercise and pace their daily activities, alternating between rest and activity, etc. I don't know that there's a quick fix for it, and I'd probably decline a drug anyway. Brain fog is one of the worst things about this cancer situation as far as I'm concerned.

    After I'm done here, I'm going to look Robins up on the internet. Ever since I was a kid, they were one of my favorite birds, and I always remember them showing up here (in the PNW) around late January and early February; always being so happy to see them. Now we also have so many Towhees around, and I haven't paid all that much attention to birds again until the last few years, that I am sometimes getting the red breasted birds confused. I'm going to look at pictures on the internet today, so that when I'm out on my walks I know which is which. I've seen a lot of what may be Towhees out there now, and I think it's too early for the Robins around here. Anyone who knows anything about birds can tell from my post that I don't!

    Scans a little later this morning, so woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't go back to sleep. Finally just got up, because there was no hope of getting back to sleep.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Member Posts: 6,557

    Irish, you were busy yesterday but it sounds like you were definitely feeling better and I am very glad for you.

    It is raining quite a bit here, warmer overnight but the more snow that melts the better, got a few days above freezing. No icemelt used yet since I have been inside and no appointments this week, I should be able to do the recycle and take it out this week which will be good.

    I decided I will wash blankets today and use the wee washer for cloths. I have a few that can be washed but the main ones from my bed. Does not take as long as it used to from the tub when I threw them all in. Need regular sweeping, the robot vac is useless for my place, I think it is too small here for it to be efficient, I will just store under the microwave shelving unit and use regular vacuum and microfiber mop as needed plus still have my sock mops that do a good job picking up the dust when I shuffle my feet.

    Probably opening a can of beans, microwave with an egg and beefless ground then chop everything with my chopper, just add some cheese and I don't know what. Later, heat up another large meat pie, split in 3 when it is done and supplement different meals with pasta OR rice and can chop up with frozen veggies etc. I will see. I also still have some of the mini pizzas left so if I want to, can have a pizza and cheesy garlic bread with an english muffin.

    I do hope everyone has a really good day, I am in pockets for anyone who needs me as well.

  • shanagirl
    shanagirl Member Posts: 460

    Good living room Girls. Checking in Today. Thank you all for your encouraging words and I always predicate that here, we do worry about each other. I was pretty sick all week and I realized this was a winter virus. The body aches and persistent cough were terrible. At first I thought the pain and weakness and cough were directly from the side effects of those monthly injections. Especially I never had a fever. But I’m thinking now hat the one pain, weakness, and headaches were from the Xgeva and Fasoldex Shots at first, but then, I realized this must be a winter virus that developed because the cough was so annoyingly bad, my ribs felt like the were breaking and there was such bad pain behind my sternum and esophagus, I couldn’t swallow. I’ve been taking cough medicine and my inhaler. I also have been taking mucinex pills to loosen up the terrrible barky cough……a lot of chicken soup, and I made Plant Protein smoothie with raw honey, strawberries and black raspberries and a nice scoop of turmeric.. All this coughing is annoying because I pee my pants a little just enough o make me put on a mini pad….It’s been so cold here I haven’t wanted to accompany DH at the grocery stores. And just want to stay in the house in my comfy baggy sweats and my fleece bath robe I use as a blanket. I look like friggin hell. But I do feel I am better even with this lingering cough that starts up some times during the day.

    So tomorrow I’m back on the rod with DH for the 2 hour drive to The Cancer Center for my Onc follow-up, labs, and …Oh Joy, my injections. It’s been 6 weeks since my last visit and shots. So I really can’t cancel and I want to fill him in on my miserable 6 weeks.

    @mara51506 Glad you are doing your bi annual shopping 🛒 to stock up. And it sounds like you’ve been very busy getting laundry and cooking done. Give your kitties a hug. I hope you get your MRI results from the RO soon. In your pocket💗

    @chicagoan thankyou for you kind words🩵

    @irishlove Hey girl, I’m glad your RN gave you some alternatives. healing thoughts for your DH feeling under the weather and feels better soon.

    @rischaller that little corner in the room looks so Christmas & Holiday with the lights outside the window and. your little kitty sitting. quietly enjoying the view. A very soothing picture.🥰

    @sondraf

  • threetree
    threetree Member Posts: 1,820

    Hello All - There is so much I want to post to different ones individually, but am just way too exhausted right now, and that is a good part of my question here this morning. Has anybody else felt super tired the day after scans? I had chest, abdomen and pelvis, and bone scans yesterday and I was extra tired in the afternoon after the scans and now I woke up with a bad headache and continued exhaustion. Took my "home vitals" and there is nothing alarming there. Abdomen and pelvis CT and bone scan results are back, but still waiting on chest CT results. From what I can read with my layperson's eye, the results are basically stable but maybe with a couple of questionable things that I will ask the dr about when I see him on Thursday. I can't explain the extra tiredness and headache. I googled and that tells me that it isn't uncommon to be extra fatigued after the scans - even a day after, due to all the stress, anxiety, and contrast dye. I've just never been this bad before.

    Cookie - I did want to say how much I enjoyed waking up to Buster's new Christmas picture. At first I thought it was a painting, but then read your AI explanation. Thanks for posting it. It's uplifting for sure.

    I really do want to get back to people's prior posts individually, but again, I'm just way to fatigued right now and a bit concerned about it. I do wish you all a wonderful day and am so glad for everyone here!

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Member Posts: 6,557

    Threetree, I do feel tired after MRI mostly due to changing clothes so often. CT are not so bad since I can wear my normal clothes in there but the changing of clothes is tiring. I usually wear a really lose pair of ugly track suit pants and biker short looking undies, makes it easier to take of pants and put them on without removing shoes. I also do not wear a bra either. Have to put wig away as well so just wear my cotton scarves and two hospital gowns for modesty, my hips do not fit the hospital pants. I empathize with what you are saying.
    Well, the warmer temps have really melted the snow, warm through today, goes really cold for a few days and then warms up again. Not much snow in the forecast which is still fine by me. Warmth makes the apartment hot so Tshirt and shorts on and AC in the living room. I don't mind really. I think we may be looking at a green Christmas.


    My MRI results are going to be phoned next week sometime after 3pm next week. This still leads me to believe that the results have no new concerns since if they did, the doctor would have had me come in for results. I will still post results as I have them.


    Laundry is started, never got to the blankets yesterday, but maybe today. Might also bust out the smaller non draining washer while blankets are being done so I can do other laundry at the same time. I do not see how water would enter the machine when there is no drain. I just cannot help wanting to keep using it, I hate wasting stuff that still works overall. May get DB to help me take the back off the machine and look for clogs as I've seen done on youtube. For now, still using the new one most of the time but going back to the old. I have a few things things that could be wash alongside bedding.


    Did order stuff on Amazon to arrive tomorrow, cat food and litter, fabric softener, small bottle but I only use a small amount as I use vinegar as the fabric softener, reese pieces and a couple of almond chocolate bars as well. Those will arrive tomorrow.


    I am going to heat up another giant meat pie, use over a couple of meals. I believe it comes from Costco but will have to wait and see about it next time I go with DB. I am not loving the lentils the way they are, may try putting them in the spice grinder to get a better texture for me, I will have to see. Another option may be to use a full can of something and squish them down. I had them yesterday and it is not so much the taste as it is the texture. I have the same issue with beans which is why they are chopped. Weird but gets me to eat stuff that I would not normally eat. I also still have the mini pizzas in the freezer as well so they can be eaten up. I like to watch frugal fit mom on youtube as she makes so much out of sale items and although we do not have dollar tree with freezer or food sections, I can make up similar items if I am looking to be frugal in what I purchase. Dollar Tree dinners is another one that gives me ideas on stuff to buy that would stretch and also be good to eat. Still like the Walmart frozen fettucine or lasagna and add some other stuff like the beefless ground or veggies as well. Everything does well with chopped in eggs too. Just precook eggs, put them into the chopper. Love them this way and I must not forget cheeseburger without bun, just heat up some beefless ground in microwave with shredded cheese, mix together and add ketchup, mayo and whatever else comes to mind, I will see what I decide on later.


    Anyway, enough of me, I do hope everyone has a good day and in pockets for all who need me. Between chores and budget booster stuff, I will have a good day too. Just have to laugh at the cats, am unable to leave food out for the day as Tigger likes to overeat and it leaves his body so they get small amounts throughout the day. He eats the dry food portions a lot faster than her and she eats her wetfood portions faster than him and then stands right next to him to put her head in the dish. It just makes me laugh, I do keep an eye on him for the wet food portions.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Member Posts: 6,557

    I have to say I was lucky that I noticed previous post which is a yappy one was not posting, figured was because I did not refresh and sign in again. I copied and pasted it to a sticky note first and then copied it here after sign in.

  • sondraf
    sondraf Member Posts: 1,700

    @cookie54 oh man how I miss the Panera holiday selection. I LOVED those bagels, and the cinnamon crunch bagels! But not quite as much as that twisted holiday bread thing with cranberries apple strudel and nuts and drizzle on top - do they still make that? op here is the copycat recipe

    https://www.michigandaily.com/uncategorized/03nathan-wood-making-panera-holiday-classic-scratch28/

    Having a blah day here - nurse was here to change dressing and looks like because I moved back to 5mg Eliquis from 2.5 (because of the radiotherapy, but then I ended up with the pulmonary embolism) its bleeding a bit more and they want to come three days a week. Fine with me, just disappointed its bleeding more again. I actually got a good look at it the other day when I had to change my own dressing and oh lord, what a break down that was, fairly hysterical is an understatement. Better someone else deal with it than me!

    Another blood transfusion tomorrow because the NHS is chasing arbitrary numbers again. I was surprised as my hemoglobin was at 85 and they wanted to do one, but MO is at SABAC so not here to tell the junior MOs to back off. Whatever, it should be quick and I can get my new favorite Christmas lunch offering - some sort of wrap thing that ok so there isnt much turkey but plenty of cranberry chutney, some miso and butter mayo, salad, bacon and onions, and these stuffing balls that are totally delicious. I lit a christmassy candle tonight even!

    Anyway, I guess I just wanted to reach out to folk more than anything else just now - hope everyone's holiday planning and events are going well!

  • threetree
    threetree Member Posts: 1,820
    edited December 10

    Mara, thanks. I really hear you about the clothing changes for scans. Whenever I get an MRI, I have to change into their scrubs. All the clothing changing can make me really tired. Fortunately for the CT and bone scans I can wear my regular clothes. For the CT they cover me with a sheet and I just slide my jeans down to my thighs. The bone scan people don't care. My headache is subsiding, and I am thinking that it was a reaction of some kind to the CT contrast. Aching everywhere, but had forgotten how sore lying on that bone scan table can make me. You have to lie there for a whole hour, and that just gets to all my bones, joints, and muscles big time. I'm going to try to go out for a walk, as those are the best gauge for me of how I'm doing. Sounds like you've got a good day planned. I'm amazed at how you plan out all of your activities for the day first thing.

    Sondra - You are sounding better for sure. Glad to hear of your holiday activities - the sandwiches sound good and very seasonal. Keep getting better and letting us know how things are going.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Member Posts: 6,557

    Sondra you do sound better and that you enjoyed the meal and it was good, always important.

    I made a mistake that turned into future meal addition. I did put lentils in spice grinder, did not pay attention but after a couple of pulses, opened up to find liquid lentils. I was stumped what to do at first but figure I could put garlic powder, warmed up a bit and stirred in a bit of mayo. Put on top of the fish I cooked in the breville, I must say it was really good. I am now thinking occasionally, I may liquefy lentils for more nutrition or to add to a pasta.

  • malleemiss251
    malleemiss251 Member Posts: 642

    Hi all - I hope everybody has an enjoyable day. In everybody's pockets, particularly those who are in pain and hurting or sad.

    @threetree, I also am very weary the next day after scans - I put it down to a mix of the contrast and anxiety. I had mammogram and US yesterday, and am not as tired as I am after ct and bone scan - so I am thinking that for me it is more a reaction to the contrast. I only hope it doesn't get worse as time goes on.

    Puppy picture is glorious.

    @mara51506, I rock up to scans with sports legging under my jeans and metal-free bra to minimise the changing needed as it is a total pain. However after the last scans I think I will be told to lose the bra, even if it is without any wire.

    @micmel, thinking of you.

    You are all wonderful.❤️

  • cookie54
    cookie54 Member Posts: 871

    @threetree Hope you're feeling better this evening. I can't say that I have felt the same after scans. I wonder if it is the stress and anxiety plus lack of sleep. Happy to hear that things seem mostly stable, fingers crossed.Glad Buster gave you a smile today.

    @sondraf Ohhh those cinnamon crunch as certainly delish! Oh yum not sure if they make this sounds delicious. Will check out this recipe for sure, thanks. Ugh the bleeding and the trauma of seeing the wound, I'm sorry…hugs.Yes, sometimes it's better to just go with the program and not have to be directly involved changing the dressing. I sure hope it you catch a break soon. Well sounds like a pretty good Christmas lunch, enjoy! yes, I often light a candle for a mood boost and love my Scentsy wax melt warmer. In your pocket tomorrow.

    Mara Sorry to hear you had mixed results from the brain MR. Sometimes we just need a good cry and then we pick up and carry on. I agree busy yourself with your normal daily activities that you enjoy as chicagoan said we try to live one day at a time. Big hugs❤️ We'll see what your MO has to say…

    @chicagoan Congrats on stable and back to the watch mode. A bit of relief for a couple months.

    May everyone have a restful night…thinking of you sunshine and mel. Praying for all daily.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Member Posts: 6,557
    edited December 11

    I slept OK, just woke up but was late to bed. I thought about all the worry I had regarding the MRI and remembering other MRI results that also mentioned enhancement and not feeling bad about those. I have decided to treat this one the same. Only thing that would be worse if she wanted to treat anything. Until I hear those words, I will continue life as is, not a bundle of nerves.

    Doing some well needed laundry. Was going to continue to use the old washer to help with the load BUT it is pretty heavy to lift and each time I do laundry, more water gets in there. I did watch a video on youtube about replacing the drain hose that comes with it. I may tackle that later, no real need to do it right now or just call someone to come repair it as I really would like not to throw out the machine since it works otherwise and is likely just a clog or malfunctioning hose. I could simply save up and have someone do a quick repair, keep washer out of the landfill. It would be less than a new washer as I am attached to having two washers.

    Beyond the laundry, got a bunch of small items from Amazon, fabric softener, digestive enzymes, cat food and another litter, deodorizer for litter and some extra chocolate and reese pieces. They just arrived and the guy mentioned a leak but when box opened, nothing leaking, he must have heard the fabric softener sloshing about in the box. Going to stick with pulverizing the lentils and and seasoning the juice, get same nutrition and I like the idea of simply having some rice and pour this over, can add garlic or whatever seasoning I like. I am thinking rice, lentil sauce with garlic and sour cream and onion. After rice is made up put in a sprayed bowl, add the seasoned lentil liquid and shredded cheese, put in microwave long enough to melt the cheese, should be good with liquid nutrition and a different way to eat rice. Will post after about how it works out. Beyond that, not planning anything. Tomorrow DB mentioned a Costco run so am going along, need more of those huge meat pies I enjoy so much.

    Anyway, to reiterate, I am taking MRI with a grain of salt, monitoring symptoms, if there are none put it in the back of mind, same place the blood pool in my head belongs and just have regular MRI as I do anyway.

    I hope all have good rest of day and in pockets for those who need me.

  • malleemiss251
    malleemiss251 Member Posts: 642

    @mara51506, I am sorry about your MRI results. I think your approach is the right one - watch and wait until appointment with MO. In your pocket with a selection of homemade butter, ginger, chocolate chip and cornflake biscuits/cookies.

    @tougholdcrow, I also, am taking this opportunity to enjoy the season. While I can't face eating any of them, my brother-in-law craves homemade biscuits/cookies and a fruit tea cake that I bake - so I am baking up a storm and having serious fun doing it. It also distracts me from next appointment with onc next week. Am visiting the local Vlad the impaler for blood work today - sigh.

    I hope everybody has a good day.

  • cookie54
    cookie54 Member Posts: 871

    @goldensrbest Aww post pic when you get it! Ugh sorry about the growth, it's so sad as they get older. Geez seems like a long wait, wonder if they will move you up if cancellation. Hope it's a slow grower.

    @tougholdcrow @malleemiss251 Glad to hear your enjoying the holiday this year. Bake away , I'm sure your family and friends will all enjoy it!

    Mara Great attitude and outlook, very admirable.Glad to hear a Costco run is planned.

    Rainy day here so I also did some baking. Made our traditional Italian pizzelles. Takes a little time being you only make 2 at a time but delicious! Family looks forward to them as I typically only make them around Christmas.

    Hope everyone is having a decent day.

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