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

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Comments

  • rlschaller
    rlschaller Posts: 447

    @goldensrbest i missed your post, so sorry about your Bella. Sending hugs.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 6,691

    Happy New Year to everyone. @tanya_djamila I am so sorry to hear about the osteonecrosis but will be in your pocket for that, @irishlove , @intolight and everyone, in your pocket with support.

    @goldensrbest , I am sorry about Bella, I will be in your pockets and made pockets for her as well. I am very sorry and know how hard it is to watch your furry family member decline. Giving you both hugs.

    @micmel I hope this year brings you some peace for a change, sending my thoughts and love your way.

    Stores are closed here today so vacuum, mopping etc will be done, Laundry but just in the big one, if I do blankets then will bust out small ones. The 20 dollar washers work very well and will be good for overflow. Got two of the small ones on the go, couple towels and cloths were heavily soiled from cleaning, running them for 10 mins, let them soak for some hours and then wash properly later. Using Tide with a few sprays of oxiclean stain remover and some extra oxiclean white revive. I have the big washer in the tub going as well. Since I do not use the bathtub for anything but laundry, the smaller washers sit just outside the tub, I have not used more than two at a time. Only difference I find with them, they do not hold much and do not spin as fast but the only difference is I soak stuff first and then run them

    I am going to figure something out with the green beans, I know they will be chopped and may be combined with black beans. Chop croutons or chips and go from there. Just a good meal stretcher and could not resist 50 cents per can. I also have pizza to eat up and pulled a ground turkey from the freezer, debating putting it back, was only pulled a couple of days ago, got a lot of food and I think pizza and the ground turkey would be too much to finish at the same time. Can pull it for later. In the meantime, got some leftovers from the other day, will eat those first. Rent did go up a bit but still inexpensive for the price other places in the city go for. I am also moving payments, all for the 1st of the month, easier to keep track off I think when I do have bills. Planning to also be extra frugal in food, no duplicates and less of the junk food, hunt the sales. Sticking to Walmart as well for groceries. When I need eggs, stick to when DB goes to Costco, much less expensive. Amazon works well when I get cat food and lightweight litter with free delivery. Cancelled some of the streaming channels I have as I do not watch all of them. I have prime so I subscribe to the Stack which is 16 or so channels for around 10 bucks and youtube premium as well, I am on youtube constantly and do not like watching ads plus there are tons of free streaming channels available.

    I do hope everyone has a good New Years Day and in pockets for those who need me.

  • intolight
    intolight Posts: 2,522

    @shanagirl Actually, the meatball recipe is an old one intended mostly for parties so I use it on special days as a change from my regular meatballs. The recipe is simple. Dump about 2 cups of bar b que sauce (I use Baby Rays but not the one with honey) and a cup of grape jelly into a slow cooker. Stir until blended. Add a bag of frozen meatballs (some recipes say two pounds but you can use less.) Stir, set on low. Stir it occasionally but not too often. That's it. You can cook it on high for 3 - 4 hours or low all day…it doesn't matter. Yes, add the meatballs while still frozen. You can make your own meatballs but stir less often so they don't break up. We like as it is or on rice as it has a lot of flavor and you don't need anything else. It is great at parties.

    @goldensrbest I am thinking of you and your sweet Bella.

    We are slowly making our way out of the fog that is this virus. I am sure it will take us another week so Christmas will stay up as we have zero energy to even make toast… We are eating the meatballs one by one…

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 8,953

    Sending you our warmest New Year's wishes All 🤗

  • intolight
    intolight Posts: 2,522

    Well, I got the flue shot this year and am very sick. My DH got the flu shot and Covid shot and he is sicker than I am. Be careful everyone!

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 6,691

    @tougholdcrow
    I like the idea of lucky gods watching over a house, I know shoes are not allowed inside a house but was unaware of them of the clean entryway to welcome the lucky gods.


    @goldensrbest
    In your pocket about Bella, it is difficult when our family declines, She is lucky to have you and your family and friends in her corner and she knows she is loved and supported.
    No real plans for the New Year beyond spending less on dumb things even if cheap like the 20 washer, they work well, just not needed. Get fewer groceries if not needed, save more of my money, similar to what others already do. Even if the item is free because of budget boosting, still don't need stupid things taking up space. I am going to keep the silly wee washers I purchased, I did clean out the bottom end of my hand vacuum after emptying in the garbage, in the small one to avoid breakage, just makes it cleaner. I also want to do more budget boosting through games and the tv ads that pay. They are a good little booster.


    Got laundry on the go, may add some blankets later in the day, I will see how I feel about it. I am still itching to pull the back off the other washer without the drain, put on top of 3 towels and see if I can do anything with the drain. The stubborn part of me thinks it could be easy to fix. My db and sil are not sure about this because they are not as used to me solving problems for myself which is fine. If I cannot fix after pulling the back off then I can finally give up or use as an extra spinner, we will see, if DB says lets take broken stuff to the dump, we take it to the dump. It was 300 dollars as well and long since paid but the engine still works. It will be a while before being taken out of the house to be disposed of anyway. Give my stubborness a chance to shine and solve a problem. Plenty of time for that.


    Decided on an egg sandwich, forgot the cheese, added a microwaved egg, toasted english muffins with garlic spread and will just add salt to the egg. Since microwave is only 700 W, heated egg for 4 mins. Egg fit the toasted garlic english muffin, add a little spread of mayo and devoured it. Followed up with a few Reeses pieces. Mmm. Going to figure out a meal that includes the green beans, will have to chop up as I really dislike them but they were cheap and I have tons of seasonings to use on them too. I will see later what to do. May just do another egg in microwave with green beans added, chop up with cheese and chips or croutons, heat in pan on high with melted butter, stir for a minute, turn off heat, cover with lid and serve, bet it would be good. I am also thinking about taking the frozen meals, heat them up alone and stick them in the frypan with butter and ground beans or whatever I choose. More choice in the meals.


    I did forget to post this so will say I hope everyone has a good weekend and am in pockets for all who need me. This post is behind the times, keep forgetting just to type on a stick pad and copy. I forget to do the sign in and it will not post. Grrr but whatever

  • cookie54
    cookie54 Posts: 938

    @irishlove Warm wishes for a Happy Birthday! I think the break is the best birthday present you could gift yourself. Your body will thank you for sure! You have have such a difficult year and I hope this break is the reset you need physically and mentally❤️

    @mara51506 Well I certainly have faith in you that there is a good possibility to take the back off and try to fix it. I guess you have nothing to lose as long as you don't hurt yourself trying. See how it goes…good luck.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 6,691

    I may try the washer tomorrow, use an ottoman to set it up on and put a couple blankets and towels underneath both the ottoman and the washer. I don't have the strength to put it on the kitchen sink. I also don't want to spend the day on it, I have the tools. Motors are fine as well. I will review the videos on youtube and go from there, I also have a bucket if it releases the water. Option two sees another tv table I have, still put the towels and blankets under the table and washer as well to have an easier time with it, cannot work off the floor in in tub but I did remove a lot of water with the pump when I unscrewed the inside little spot in the washer side. Anyway, will report back if I am successful, if not, it can still go to the garbage. Hoping not.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 6,691
    edited January 5

    Well, got the washer out here, checked the back to see if any clogs around, ran the drain pipe tool to unclog, nothing really happened, as expected, there was some water that came out when the back was taken off, nothing came out of that hole, doing the drain pipe now, squeezing and pulling the hose. Will also try vinegar and baking soda to see if pipe will unclog, I do not see a clog but am willing to try that. Failing that, there is nothing more I can do and will tape it up. It leaked as expected but had towels and blankets so no dripping.Some water came out of the drain pipe. Last step will be a vinegar and baking soda mix, to see if possible clog further up, no stuff stuck. If no improvement or drain after that, use packing tape to hold in leaks and take to dump as at this point, have done everything possible. Will post if working again or taped up.

    Last edit, it does drain very slowly but drains properly, my feeling is it can sit beside the other washer where the panda sits now, when the time comes and blankets need to be done, will simply put the panda in front of the tub with a container in front and once it is done, put back in closet since it is not used much where the washer will be. May consider putting vinegar through every once in a while and add more lint filters. I am ashamed to say called DB and tooted my own horn for fixing it. I have never attempted stuff like this but really did not want 300 to go to waste, slow drain is fine since I do have the pump to help it drain faster. Used my sock mops and microfiber mop to dry up the floor, have work ahead to clean up blankets and other stuff that got soaked, may also just toss in dryer for now. Feeling a bit tired, going to eat something and make final arrangements for the washer and the panda placements. In other words, move Panda back to the closet, move washer into tub next to the other one. Probably overkill but does not bother me any and I do not use tub anymore due to almost wiping out getting to the shower chair I had.

    I hope everyone has a good day and in pockets for all including myself to get everything tidied up.

    Forgot food, thinking an english muffin with garlic or butter spread, put cheese on a slice and toast it then heat up an egg in a sprayed small bowl and heat 4 mins on high in the microwave. I really enjoyed that yesterday so going to make it now. Other option is just a pasta meal to give energy and save the egg sandwich for later, I will see. I know I am starving with all the work of moving and adjusting everything, only a couple more adjustments and I am happy with that..

  • intolight
    intolight Posts: 2,522

    @irishlove I totally understand high family grocery prices. My DD and DGD live with us full-time, so I cook for four. My DD does help with breakfast and lunch for the two of them since she has a small kitchen downstairs, but I always do dinner. It is a trade-off as my DD is a nurse and helps me when I really struggle, and we help her with the DGD when needed. It is freezing here too with snow in the forecast. Problem is I have my infusion and Faslodex shots tomorrow so I am praying we can make the car trip to the hospital, about 30 minutes away normally. On top of that, my DH is still struggling from this cold/flu virus that has struck our whole family, and he does all the driving. I am feeling a lot better so I should be okay but I am not looking forward to the few days afterwards.

    @mara51506 You are so sweet. I don't have your persistence as I insist on a full working washer and dryer. They get heavy use with the four of us. I need to use my energy elsewhere (like cooking for the family…) I love your meal ideas but fear they won't work well with my picky tribe. Today I dumped stuff in the crockpot for chicken soup.

    I have one more week until my son comes for a visit but we are all feeling so bad I think the Christmas decorations will have to stay up until after his visit. We just don't have the energy to take it all down. Since the New Year is starting off with a storm let us hope it calms down to peace.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 6,691

    Intolight, both washers are fully functioning, broken one drains slowly but does drain now, still got the battery pump so can speed the process along, last step is to put the washer in the tub, already moved the bigger spinner into my closet. I will admit, moving appliances that are around 30 pounds was tough but took breaks and was able to mop with microfiber mop and sock mops to get the stuff off the floor. Going to relax before last step of putting older washer in and be done with it. Probably do a dual round of laundry as I used up my towels and small blankets keeping the floor mostly dry. My body is super hungry so may just eat same as I had for lunch soon, not sure yet or peanut butter by the spoon for the protein hit. I will see.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 6,691

    Chicagoan, I am in your pocket for both the mammogram and possible cryoablation.

    Yes, I am happy, draining has gone back to normal speed so whatever I managed to do worked and I am glad, both are in the tub now. Means I have an insane amount of washers since I bought those 20.00 ones but they can just sit in the linen closet. Using the former broken one means I get use out of my money.

  • candy-678
    candy-678 Posts: 4,200

    Thanks for thinking of me Chicagoan. I will be watching for your update on your mammogram.

    Since I last posted nothing really going on. Quiet Holidays, as I have a small family anymore and we don't do much. I do have a consultation on January 16th with the ophthalmologist for the cataract surgery. I saw my optometrist back in October who told me that I was ready for cataract surgery. Then I had a consultation with the ophthalmologist in November but had to cancel due to the GYN issue. So I rescheduled with the cataract doc after the Holidays. I am hoping to have the cataract surgery before the next cancer scans, which is due mid March. One never knows when the scan will show progression and a change in treatment, so I want to get the cataracts fixed before anything else crops up to get in the way.

    Nothing else really going on. Just keeping on keeping on.

    Mel- If you are reading, I am thinking of you.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 6,691

    Thank you, I am still happy as well. @candy-678 I will be in your pocket for the cataract surgery. @cookie54 Thank you for the compliment, I amazed myself pulling that off too.

    I have recycling to get together to put out tonight, got plenty of wash to do including blankets since yesterday was mostly dedicated to repair that I did not get much done, will use the repaired washer mostly for cloths and smaller stuff, blankets, towels or large loads go in the bigger one. Panda spins the blankets for me. Just have to repair the floating lint filters as they get really worn out spinning so fast. I just use zipties to hold the tops on since they would last a wash or two and sew up the holes that show up. The repaired washer has no lint catcher in it so that is what they are for.

    I have boring housework, possible budget boosting, I am undecided. Trying to stick to a no spend January as far as food or as little as possible. Also really putting into my head that only buy cat food and litter off Amazon, resist the urge for other stuff I do not need. Point in fact, was looking at floating lint catchers and resisted that urge as I don't need so many. I am also wearing sock mops more as they came in clutch when there was a bit of leakage while repairing the washer.

    I am going to have an egg sandwich. I am liking toasting the english muffins and putting the cheese on to melt and then heating an egg in the microwave in a bowl and lid for 4 mins, seems to make the egg shrink down to the exact size I need. At some point, I need to open up green beans and figure those out as well with meals since as I said before I do not like them but 4 cans for 2 dollars was irresistable. I have to say, although I do not 100 per cent need to be so frugal, there is enjoyment in doing that for myself, leaves more room for treats later. I am constantly watching frugal fit mom, dollar tree dinners and those kind of channels on youtube, they have good ideas of stuff to make that are inexpensive.

    I hope everyone has a good day and in pockets for all, in my own to keep house dusted, floors clean and the huge pile of laundry coming my way. It is amazing how much piles up if you don't get it done everyday.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 6,691

    Got to say, free purchases on Amazon are great, got cat litter, zip ties and did buy the floating lint traps for the washer and all were free thanks to the games, tv ads I am paid for and searching the web that give some extra cash. I appreciate that.

  • threetree
    threetree Posts: 1,987

    Good morning and Happy New Year all. I had to take a break over the holiday, and just saw that there are 62 messages on this thread that I missed. I don't think I can catch up with all of those, so starting fresh again here this morning. I was just going to take Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the day after Christmas for a break from the news and BCO (not that I equate the 2), but was feeling so mellow and super fatigued that I decided to keep it up through this past week-end. Gotta get back into the real world again, though. Getting faslodex shots and my Zometa infusion at the same time this coming Wednesday. I've never had them on the same day, but it's the price I paid to not have to get the shots the day after Christmas. The dr said he'd move them up to my Zometa date, as that would still be OK. I don't do well with either, so am psyching myself for the possibility of a not so good situation.

    I do hope that all had as good a holiday season as life and this disease would permit. I am going to periodically scroll back through some posts to get a sense of how things have been. I hope nothing really bad or dramatic happened to anyone during my break. It was my fear about not getting on here, but the need for a break outweighed everything else. I got into a real winter slump with lots of fatigue, aches and pains, low mood, etc. (probably weather and side effects combined), so just bowed out for awhile. Really looking forward to the spring, when I always feel better, but have to get through January especially, first.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 6,691

    Well, I have mentioned cans of green beans and wanting to chop and hide them in my food since I do not like them. I was able to do it well tonight, put an egg and green beans in microwave first and then threw in the chopper with doritos and a generous amount of shredded cheese. Chopped egg, beans, doritos and shredded cheese. Chopped together, through all chopped ingredients into another bowl and lid, heated for 3.5 mins and the cheese turned slightly crispy, egg and beans were undectable between the shred cheese and doritoes. Used small spoon of sour cream as a binder, seasoned with salt and sour cream and onion dry seasoning, freaking delicious and no green bean taste.

  • chicagoan
    chicagoan Posts: 1,153

    Candy-Best wishes for your cataract surgeries. One of my friends is having both of her eyes done this month, two weeks apart. She is single, like me, so she sent out an email to 6 friends letting people know the dates of the surgeries to see if anyone could drive her home. It worked out-I took one date, someone else took another, and another person offered to bring her dinner. It can be difficult as a single person to ask for help with these appointments and to find people who have availability to give rides, etc. I thought her way worked well. No one felt put on the spot and we were able to volunteer for what we could do.

    Tanya-Hope you find a dentist who is not too expensive-that does not sound fun at all.

    Micmel-We miss you but understand you need this break.

    Irishlove-You sound like a saint with your children and the animals you help.

    Hello to everyone else-too tired to mention everyone by name but glad to know you are here.

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