My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
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Just giving an update for those that want to know…
I had my eye surgeon consult yesterday. Cataract surgery scheduled for March 17 right eye and March 24 left eye- 1 week apart.
That is going to be a busy time— scans March 11, MO March 14 for results and injections/labs, then the eye surgeries. But I am ready to get it all done and behind me.
I am reading along and thinking of you all, especially those that are struggling.
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Irishlove-Congrats on getting your Ibrance! (and wearing Pfizer down😄)
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Mkestral, I love the picture of that owl, very cool.
Intolight, in your pocket for some pain management and hoping for good info to come out of it as well. In your pocket for keepfing food down as well.
Irishlove, I am glad to hear about the call from Pfizer and that you will receive your box of drugs, enjoy the chocolate as well. I'm still here, I am sorry I've not posted.
I am sorry about missing a couple of days, spent a lot of it in bed and then had digestive issues, they are all right now and I feel fine now.
I did not do anything for Valentine's day and no trip out with DB, I have decided I really need to limit time out to avoid over shopping groceries, I have too many I always wind up getting. Will see DB and SIL on the 20th for MRI results and if told it will be a phone app't will insist on an office visit, they want to come and ask questions, I will allow it this time. SIL concerned about my memory and being wobbly, neither of which I am bothered by. I can go at a decent pace if walking with the cane and steps are being done resuming today. I still use the cane, might add music to it as well. I am also curious about what else they will ask. I am slow with stairs and no longer ride an escalator but other than that, not too limited otherwise. As far as my memory, I remember everything I need to, appointments, paying bills and everything. Given the almost 10 years of Herceptin and whole brain radiation with some spot treatment in 2018, I think my memory is coping. The things I cannot remember are things that do not matter like when I struggle to remember an actor's name or school days. I will allow her to ask though. I have only had the one fall this winter and that was due to a curb covered in snow I did not see. That is good.
I ordered more enzymes, cat food and dental treats for them and a grey fleece blanket, going to wrap the blanket around an ottoman with lid. The cat is picking the heck out of it, my sofa is covered in blankets which is nice. Just have to remember to wash the blanket before using to avoid all those little bits you can get. Might do more blankets as well. I have done well with Amazon, a lot of purchasing but no stupid purchases, they were mostly litter and cat food and nothing I will not use. I am glad of that.
I need to get through my english muffins. One of the packages from Costco was moldy, rest are fine so egg sandwiches are fine by me as both need eating up. I am also in need of hashbrowns once I get through the couple I have left. I did not like the cubed potatoes so will pass on those and stick to other stuff. Planning to cook up a couple of eggs to start, add some peppers and cheese with a bit of butter. Put into a sprayed tray and microwave for at least 4 mins. Thinking of making a hashbrown, chop it up and add to the egg mixture, would make a large meal but that is OK. Later, thinking of taking some rice and chopped beans with more cheese, heat them in a pan with butter and cover over low heat. Now I am making myself hungry but that is quite all right.
Again, sorry to have worried people, I am feeling fine, was just overtired and honestly forgot. I will regale all with tales of laundry, chores and the walking on the spot. Missed a couple of days so need to pick it up.
I hope everyone has a good day, in pockets for everyone who needs me as well. I am thinking of all of our readers here as well like Mel and others and hope they are doing well. If not, I am there in your pocket taking care of your laundry. Candy, I am in your pocket for all surgery and scans along with you injections, that is a busy time for you.
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Candy - Your eye surgery will be on St. Patrick's Day. Hopefully you'll have that luck of the Irish with you!☘️ In your pocket for sure.
Mara - So sorry that you were having some troubles, but glad you are feeling better now. Re memory issues, it is my understanding that we all encounter a certain "normal" memory problem starting as young as maybe 40? I think it might be more like 50. Anyway, I've worked in social services for a very long time and I remember being at a training seminar once where a PhD psychologist gave us some info about memory loss, and she mentioned that there is this "normal" memory loss that everyone starts to experience in middle age and it largely entails not being able to remember proper nouns, i.e. names of actors. I remember at the time, I could relate myself and that was some years ago (I'm 72 now). That need to search for proper nouns (names of people, places, etc.) continues for me and I also do not recall all the old stories from things like school day (that you mentioned) anymore, but from what I understand this sort of memory "loss" is not early dementia or anything like that. It is considered "normal" and may actually have it's roots in the fact that the older we get, we literally do have more stuff in our brains ("files"), that we have to mentally comb through to remember everything, and we do naturally develop a way to as you say, not remember too much about the less important stuff. My layperson's guess is that this is what you are experiencing. Just my 2 cents.
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I am adding an edit, decided to try out cooking up a mini pot pie first in the microwave then putting in a bigger bowl sprayed and adding two eggs with some peppers and cheese. Microwave mixture for around 4 to 5 mins and add a bit of butter as well. A filling meal and if I get full, easily refrigerated for left overs. The 700W microwave kind of sucks but converting from 1100 to 700 watt cooking time is pretty easy and I can look it up, if this microwave dies, I will purchase another being careful of the wattage. Will post after the meal how it all was.
I only used one egg, no peppers left so mini chicken pie, cheese and egg. It was really good and figured one egg was better since I did not need to overstuff.
I am cackling at present while watching Police Squad, just stupid laughs but I love them.
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Candy-Glad that your eye surgery has been scheduled and that you were able to get the appointments a week apart. Sounds like you will have a busy month but as you say, nice to have all this behind you. My friend who had her surgery in January is very pleased with the results. She says the world is much brighter and colorful now. Hope your results also will be good.
Mara-it does sound kind of uncomfortable to have your brother and sister-in-law come to the appointments to ask questions. But, as single women, we do need to rely on siblings and keep relationships good. I admire the way you have carried on through all of this and made adjustments as necessary.
MKestral-thanks for posting the beautiful photo.
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Chicagoan, I am allowing this once, not all the time. I want to know what they ask RO and if it is something I do not believe I am dealing with I will say so. My memory functions as well as I need it to, I am 54 so not just middle age but cancer drugs and brain radiation factor in. I do feel like paying bills on time, not forgetting appointments and getting paratransit show I am not at a loss. I feel balance is much improved with a cane, the walking on the spot at home and mostly the ankle exercise. I may move slowly going up and down stairs but I get it done. I will await the appointment, not just for the MRI results but what is asked. Yes there is a component of keeping a smooth relationship with sibs and remembering that even if SIL thinks I am not remembering or walking well, I can let that go in one ear and out the other. No need to prove anything and no harm in her stating an opinion that I may disagree with. My brother and sister in law have helped me tons over the years, both medically, grocery trips and taking care of the selling of my condo, they redid the condo and I did pay them 10000 but it sold and gave me some savings. They moved me in here and drive me around. That is why I think letting them attend the appointment is the least I can do for now.
Threetree, as said above, I believe in my memory for the reasons stated above, paying bills, remembering appointments etc. I also find that sleep really can affect that and exhaustion if I am dealing with it. Food also has an effect too.
Long story short, I love you guys having my back and I really am free to share my thoughts more here than anywhere else. Love people read some of my crazy meals as well. The one I had this morning with the meat pie in eggs with cheese was wonderful. Going to do something different by toasting an english muffin, tearing it apart and covering with eggs and cheese and microwave it all, thinking it will be good.
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Irishlove - bravo to being the squeaky wheel. So glad that your persistence paid off. We should not have to jump through all these damn hoops!
Candy - glad your eye surgery is scheduled. Although it’s a month away, the days fly by. Half of February is gone😳. It will be here b4 you know it and then you’ll be on the other side with improved eyesight🤞🏻.
Here for pocket duty for all in need and will offer up my prayers for this group at Mass tomorrow.
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Thank you goldens.
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@mkestrel Wow, great picture! You certainly are good at taking photo's and we love seeing all your nature shots. Good luck with the Enheru, hope it kicks your cancers butt with minimal SE. Lol the hatch comment too. They can be annoying but I'm so glad I have one, saves me many IV headaches. Hope it settles in and you feel a little more comfort with it.
@intolight Glad your biopsy is over but sorry to hear about your pain and difficulties you had. Prayers up for healing. Hugs
@irishlove Amen!!!!!! So glad the Pfizer debacle has been resolved….sheesh! Yes, hoping next renewal is much easier than this one.
@candy-678 Glad to hear you have your eye surgery appts set. You definitely have a busy month and hoping you will have a couple calm months after scans and surgery. We're all here and will be in your pocket for a good results for all.
Mara Glad your feeling better from your digestive issues they can be rough on you. Well a far as DB and SIL go sounds like you're being more than fair to allow some questions. Hoping that once they have a chat with your MO they will feel more settled about your health condition. Sometimes people tend to accept an explanation from a dr more so from me or you. I really think people don't realize how surgeries, rads and treatment for years can really wear people down. Your meat pie sounds yummy and I love a good english muffin with eggs etc. Enjoy.
Wishing all a peaceful evening.
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Hi everyone, peaceful is the word for today. Small snow, nothing much. But watching the dogs and their owners going for walks earlier today, we live next to a park and I always like watching the dogs run for balls thrown and dance around in the snow. The cats and I both look and watch lol. They like the birds in the trees outside our windows most. Loved the owl pic - What a beauty .
So nice to read of medicines approved, and procedures successful. And for those struggling, hopefully finding some rest . ❤️ hugs to all.
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Well, we got a decent amount of snow, will need plowing out. I don't think London got as much as Toronto or Ottawa so that is good. Not planning to shovel for now as there is no need to, Herceptin is not until Wednesday and I am sure there will be lots of snow cleared out by then.
I got my Amazon yesterday, opened the new blanket that I am wrapping around a sad little storage ottoman that holds some blankets as the cats are fond of picking. It is very soft but undergoing a wash to prevent little pieces of fleece all over, then have to bring in the panda spinner as it needs that I think.
Breaking down some boxes, getting ready for recycle pickup on tuesday night. Figure it is good to get it done a bit at a time. Need a better system for storage of recycling. Need to organize the front closet somehow or hang bags to put it into to clear floor space. I will finish breaking down boxes and see where I am at. Next challenge will be garbage, I have not taken out garbage for 4 weeks. I don't generate much anyway, mostly recycle stuff.
I am waffling on meals today, I know at least one will be similar to yesterday's mini potpie with an egg and cheese. It was delicious. My thought today is to try toasting an english muffin first. Tear it up into the large sprayed bowl, add egg or two with cheese and heat up in the microwave with garlic spread to melt. Need to work on english muffins and NEVER buy so many from Costco. No freezer space to do stuff like that. Later, rice, beans and cheese sounds good as well. Seasoning ideas for myself to come, not sure yet.
I hope everyone has a good day, in pockets for everyone whether you need me or not.
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Intolight - Just sending good thoughts you way, and hoping you are feeling better.
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@threetree Thankyou, Threetree, for thinking of me. I am somewhat better today. I got up, dressed, and have been in my recliner all day. I helped my DH put a pork roast in the crockpot and will give him and my DD directions to finish it. I usually do most of the cooking so this is something I am slowly letting go. I have been watching British murder mysteries and am crocheting a blanket which is a plus because it is so cold it provides me an extra layer of warmth. I still have some pain and the wound site itches because I am allergic to all adhesives. It seems no matter what we use I end up broken out and itchy. But I am sure I will be okay soon. We are hoping I can make it out for my birthday dinner tomorrow…we shall see!
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Oh, glad to hear from you, Intolight. Things do sound like they are getting better for sure. At least you sound reasonably comfortable today. So nice that you have your husband and daughter to help! And a very Happy Birthday to you too! I hope you do make it out for your birthday dinner, but even if you celebrate at home, I'm sure it will be a nice time. Have a good one!
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@intolight A very Happy Birthday to you, sweetheart. I hope it's a great day and you get to go out and about, to play. Enjoy your time with your DD and DH.
@mara51506 Sounds wise to slow down your house duties so that you won't over do it and become ill. The weather doesn't seem good for many at this time. I kinda like the idea of staying home and staying warm. Saw a quick receiped for ramen noodles in fry pan and pour whisked eggs in, flavor to tastes and enjoy. Gotta give it a try.
Hi @threetree and all the other folks. @tanya_djamila I wish I could have info on osteonecrosis. I saw the dentist three weeks ago and pretty sure I have the makings of it. He didn't seemed concerned at all. Sounds like your treatment is the standard care now. Hmm.'
Cold, rainy and terribly windy here today. DH and I made meatloaf and had put on a crock pot of vegetable beef soup from night before. We used a chuck wagon roast and boy did everything turn out goo. Then we baked a Dolly Parton Yellow Cake with Hershey's icing an cheeries in the middle and on top. Ran some over to DD and her family. Got to see their set up in there RV 5th wheel. Plenty of room, which surprises me. Still they have projects to do. Hurried home to go to bed and here I am yacking away. In pockets for all your scans and needs.
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Happy Birthday, Intolight!!!
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Happy Birtday Intolight🎂🎈🎁🎊. May your next trip around the sun be full of only good things!
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Happy Birthday, Intolight! Hope you have a wonderful day and feel good enough to go out for dinner.
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Irish - Sounds like you had a real nice traditional "Sunday dinner". I miss those so much with family. I still try to make myself something a little "bigger and better" on Sunday's, even though I am alone. I like to keep the tradition as best I can. Sounds like your kids are back in their RV now, at least part time, so maybe that has freed you up a bit? Well, with all that rain and wind, it's a real nice time to just cozy in, and since it's a holiday, I'm imagining you will have a good day with family.
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@intolight Happy Birthday 🥳 wishing you a great day ❤️
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@intolight Happy birthday, hope you have a great day.
@irishlove I will take it easy, will let plows do their thing, check on the walk tomorrow. We had a fairly heavy snow, nothing like Toronto though but we are used to and have machines that deal with the snow. Today will be more about blowing snow.
Today I need to do another wash but that is never a bad thing. I will also run a quick vacuum and mop of the floors, I still like the spray mop with the microfiber cloths. I still use two as I can never just get the one on and fasten with elastics. Might do a couple of throws, decided to use the new blanket myself as it is very soft. Like to keep it on my lap in the living room. I use the laptop on my lap so more comfortable with the blanket. Got laptop on top of a cooling fan as well so it will not overheat.
Laundry will be done, quick floor sweep, mop and vacuum. Dusting is a never ending story but I do have the small place so not too much issue. Debating meals today but think first meal will be a meat pie. Take one of the big ones in the freezer, microwave and let cool and spoon out to fill out egg meals, I will see. The egg, cheese and meat pie meal mentioned earlier was quite delicious. Later will open beans, chop beans and combine with rice at some point. Not too sure, need to slow the food roll.
I hope everyone has a good day, will be in pockets for all who need me and my own to get off my butt and get some chores and food underway.
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Addition to previous post, I made a large meat pie in the microwave, topped it with some coleslaw, seasoned with sour cream and onion seasoning and salt. Used a bit of caesar dressing and just combined. I ate perhaps a third of it. My plan for using is in another couple of meals. If I ate the whole large meat pie, it runs 900 calories, that would not be a good idea. I did enjoy it and plan to take a spoonful and add to an egg, cheese and bean meal. That would be beans chopped into cheese and put on top of the egg. Cook in microwave about 3.5 to 5 mins. Perhaps add garlic to it as well. I will see.
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@intolight Wishing you a great birthday filled with love and many blessings.
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intolight 🎈happy birthday
Irish love 💕 I had a tooth pulled a year and a half ago. It was fully healed and then 5-6 times within as many months I kept getting mouth sores last year in the same spot. Then it got infected. I had a course of antibiotics and then following month sore back and infected. I got an mri and more penicillin. MRI showed the necrosis. Then it came back again. I went to a dentist and got a cat scan. More penicillin and then back again. Went to Moffit head and neck new cat scan with dye and another test through the nose camera with a spray anesthetic ,(surprisingly I didn’t feel anything). The specialist explained that they’ll monitor it and of course more penicillin. I see my oncologist tomorrow and we’ll talk about ibrance dose reduction and some alternatives to penicillin. It’s sore but not painful. My acupuncture doctor suggested oxygen therapy it’s supposed to increase wound healing. I’ll see what onc says tomorrow.
Take care all
Tanya
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@intolight Happy Birthday dear Girl. I hope you are feeling well and you enjoy your with DH & DD🩵🥰
OooHH @tanya_djamila I’m so sorry about your ordeal with the necrosis, and everything you. are dealing with. I hope you feel better soon.
@mkestrel Girl you are so artistic!. I love your photographs when you post them. that little owl is precious. You should paint him from the reference photo you took when you are feeling a little more up to it from your port issue🩵🦉
@mara51506 that’s wonderful idea about. slowing. down and staying in and warm and the pan fried Ramen noodles with whisked eggs that @irishlove suggested. That was great advice. 🥰🩵
@cookie54 thank you for your encouraging words regarding my cervicle stenosis neck issues. I plan on talking to my oncologist about it tomorrow on my follow up appt. and get his advice on meeting with the neurosurgeon. My appt with the pain management neurologist is Friday morning
Good night to everyone else I haven’t answered, I’m going for my Fasoldex and Xgeva injections follow-up tomorrow. Will check afterwards.😘🩵
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Hello all, I started cycle 50 of Ibrance tonight. Fifty. Phew. Very grateful and also very sad, if you know what I mean. Wish I didn't have to take it, and I also (mostly) accept that I have to. Feeling exhausted.
Hoping to sleep decently tonight, then go for a drive tomorrow and listen to Jack White's latest album play very loudly in the car.
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Good wee hours of the morning everyone. Nothing special happening. My gosh the silence is deafening since the kids moved out. They lived with us a total of 3 years. We had moved here 5 years ago from Boone to be closer to family. Life happened to the kids and we were able to help them. I hope they fly high now and visit. I loved cooking the big meal and taking it to them. Every Sunday was the large over the top cooking at my Grammy's home. Plenty of left overs in case someone would come by. Large family living in the area and no one wanted to miss out on her apple dumplings, sticky buns and homemade pies. I can't cook like her but I'm trying to keep a connection with the only family we have in the area. Other child is in Charlotte with his wife, no children.
Speaking of lonely, wintertime, even in Fl., makes for loneliness to increase. No one out and about when it's 46. I've started calling my sis in PA every other day. We chat about something and nothing. One hour and 7 minutes, then her phone goes dead. LOL. Timed it perfect last night. I could hear something crashing nearby, guessing fencing in her little yard. Awful cold and windy and she's by herself. We bought train tickets to go see her and rest of family in March. I'm nervous about feeling healthy enough to pull this off. Gonna think positive. Haven't been home in 5 years. With all the plane accidents we did not want to fly. Gonna be an adventure for sure.
In pockets for all and may you find peace and pain free days.
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sf-cakes-You reflect the mixed emotions we have very well. Peace to you.
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Sf cakes, I can empathize, I have had 10 years of Herceptin every 3 weeks which if my calculations are correct is almost 200 treatments of Herceptin. I do wish I could be confident I do not need the treatment all the time, just the scans but I will stay on and put up with it. Hope you got out for you drive.
So far today, thinking of laundry, shocking I know and just seeing how quick a daily clean and dust would take around the house at some point. Living room takes about 2 to 3 mins if I am efficient. I am also putting together recycle. Edited. Got hit with a wave of exhaustion after lunch, decided to work on the boxes not broken down and wait until another day, really does not bother me to do this. I just do not feel like it. No nap though, endeavour to go to bed early instead and do up a box here and there.
I have Herceptin tomorrow and the RO MRI results app't that DB and SIL are attending. I am curious the questions they will have and RO and I can answer them. The results appointment is this Thursday. I stopped worrying when I realized that I feel fine, believe my cognition for my age, treatment time of 10 years including all the drugs and brain radiation is in pretty good shape. As long as I pay bills on time, remember all appointments then forgetting who may have starred in what movie that I never had interest in doesn't matter.
I am going to make beans and rice, I did not put out cheese but have more in the freezer but will do the beans and rice itself. Add some butter to the rice when chopped beans are heated up and some sort of seasoning. Later probably will eat up leftovers from supper last night, that was the giant meat pie and coleslaw. Can get 3 meals out of the giant meat pies. I also want to defrost and chop the potato cubes and try frying up i n a frypan with butter and other seasonings, maybe add an egg once they are brown. Who knows.
I hope everyone has a good day and in pockets for everyone who needs me.
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