My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
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I have a challenge today, found heavy stains on my cloths after cleaning a nasty cat mess. Was going to add bleach but decided to add some oxyclean white revive, tide detergent and my enzyme cleaner to the load, will agitate 15 mins and soak for a few hours. We will see if it works. I love these little challenges.
Edit, got a hankering for a Mcdonalds meal. Ordered the Mcdouble burger, fries and coke with free butter condiments, will use those tonight and turn into a big mac meal as I got the big mac sauce for 40 cents. That is fine and it should be good. Planning 1/4 cup rice, when it is done, put cooking spray in a bowl, put a spoonful of the leftover meat pie from yesterday, add the rice and chopped black beans to it. Add some butter from mcdonalds and big mac sauce to serve as a seasoning and not sure what else. I will either do it in the microwave same ingredients OR frypan which may be good as well, I will see.
I can also see the value of times when I order of getting a couple of hamburger patties extra in the meal and using those later to add to stuff. Oh well, don't need more fast food now. Lunch was very good.
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@intolight I hope you had a great birthday and are feeling better.
@sf-cakes I'm just a few months behind you on Verzenio. You summed it up perfectly.
As always, reading along and celebrating or agonizing with each of you. We're road tripping to Florida to visit old friends, casino-hopping along the way.
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@tanya_djamila Glad your jaw has been slowly improving,.Oxygen therapy sounds pretty interesting for healing that would sure be nice.Let's see what your MO has to say, fingers crossed.
@shanagirl Hope your appts are going well today and glad to hear Neuro PM this week also. Hope you are able to do the least invasive procedure for relief. Well at least you got some nice sunshine for a car ride today but these winds are killer! Several trees down in my area.
@sf-cakes Wish I had a magic wand to wave over you and everyone here so we NEVER had to take this crap again. Hope your car blasting music ride was therapeutic.
@irishlove Sounds like you have a beautiful tight knit family, warms my heart. Glad your venturing up to see your family in March. I'm with ya I have never been a fan of flying, I fly but dread it lol. Hope the weather warms up for everyone soon!
@seeq Safe travels to you, sounds like fun. Hope you win big and treat yourself!
@mara51506 In your pocket for your appointment, hope all goes well. I think you have mastered the art of laundry! I recently tried Tide Rescue stain remover, works very well for me so far.
Quiet day here, ran a couple errands and some laundry. It's so bright and sunny thinking about walking but the wind chills are single digits. Took Buster for a 20 minute walk this morning and it wasn't that fun fighting the wind the entire time. May just enjoy the sun from inside today. Hope everyone is having a good day🌺
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cookie54 The wand idea. 💡
Sfcakes blast the music and drive. Totally understand.
Mara in your pocket for treatment.
Seeq enjoy the road trip.
Take care all
Tanya
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Sondraf-How are you doing?
Illimae-How is your weather? I heard it is rough all over Texas.
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@mara51506 I love. Hearing hou you go through your day with such focus on keeping order in your environment. I’ve been wanting to do a good cleaning and get the laundry put away in. My closet.. I just don’t have the energy these days. I had my injections yesterday, so feeling yukkie from that and giving into it. I’ve having such stabbing abdominal pain on my left side since yesterday after getting over that tummy bug. I keep wondering what this stabbing pain is from. So I’ll just rest today, drink a lot of water and keep myself hydrated.🩵
Have a blessed day today everyone.
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Shanagirl, my energy is gone today and had the big D this morning, not sure what set it off, took immodium but all that did was make me dizzy and even more exhausted. Decided going out was unsafe, cancelled the Herceptin and Paratransit and dozed for a couple of hours in bed. Will be in bed earlier tonight. Tomorrow is the more important appointment. My body did give me insomnia to the point that prior to the dozing, I did not sleep.
Everything seems to have settled down, less dizzy feeling too. Have not figured out the next meals although I am quite hungry. Probably do some rice meals just to put something in my belly, unsure what if anything I want to go along with. I will have to see. Did try english muffin with butter from Mcdonalds and peanut butter, did not even taste good. I will get better though and not worry so about what caused. Most of us have had the odd experience with the big D and at my age, I do not feel the need to push myself period. I will wait to be rescheduled.
Beyond that, no worries, feel better now with earlier bed in store. I am in everyone's pocket and hope everyone has a good day, in my own pocket to stop the obsessive thoughts about what caused the D and being hard on myself for cancelling. If dizzy, just use the cane.
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@mara51506 Sweet Mara, do not feel bad for cancelling your appointment. It shows good judgment on your part. Take care of yourself first and let the rest of it go for now. I hope your rest restores your body so you can go out tomorrow.
I slept until 11:00 this morning which is unusual for me, but I am still catching up. The night before I only slept for a couple of hours so I needed it. I do feel somewhat better today and no longer want to just give up. I don't remember whether I posted that my DGD won silver for the state of Colorado for her self-choreographed dance routine for the PTA competition this year. She is only nine! Only first place winners advance to nationals but still that is special. It is my motivation to improve so we can drive to Denver in March and attend her awards ceremony (a two-hour drive.) I would love to go and stop and see a good friend along the way. Something to strive for.
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Thank you, we managed to reschedule Herceptin tomorrow afternoon after seeing the RO. I would have preferred Friday but cannot change it too much without all appointments getting messed up.
I am feeling better, will be getting dinner soon as well. I am very hungry. Then even if I do not want to, going to bed early.
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@intolight , It’s good you slept late, you needed the restorative rest. I know you’ve been going thru lot. That’s so great about your little DGD and her win. You must be so proud🥰. She’ll be your motivation to take the drive to Denver in March. That little cutie patutie is a blessing for you during these difficult days, she’s a little spark in your life to get you going🩵
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Good morning sweet ladies. I hope you all have a pain free peaceful sleep tonight. The cardinals are always the last at the feeder, usually at dusk. Tonight they stayed a bit longer. I suspect they are feeding more for the colder weather or maybe they are twitter paitted (as my DGM use to say). About 50 robins are in this area and I know they are anxious to fly home. Hope they get the message to stay in FLA a little longer.
I read your posts and l feel blessed to know each and every one of you. I hope you will not take my comments too much to heart. I feel like giving up (as someone else posted) almost every single day. I thought MS has pushed me to the breaking point and it's a crappy disease and along comes MBC. Every day pain. Every day intrusive thoughts. Trying to find my old self is impossible. I will say my GP said something that I try to remember, "there's a pill for that". You know, she's pretty much right. I don't like the side effects of any meds, but when my mind just twists and bends into darkness and I fall down that rabbit hole, I alert my DH and he holds me while I wait for the time to pass (with the help of anxiety meds). I'm not ashamed to say that I need both to keep this flame alive in my spirit and body.
My joy today was DD and DGD coming by for a visit (and a meal, lol). My DS and his wife sent me a video of their 100lb pit bull (GOOSE), with her first pair of boots on. They were hit hard with sleet. On my gosh it was hysterical, she had to go out to do her business, and she clopped on the floor making sounds like a horse's hooves. She shook her feet with each step. Video ended as she got to the front door, which was open, and she stopped just looking out. Wonder the outcome?
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I slept pretty well last night, just got out of bed a few minutes ago. Got some laundry going currently, going to do my daily chores. Only have two more boxes from Amazon to break down. Debating an air blower to help with dusting, figure blow out dust and then just pick up with the vacuum. I dust all the time but you would never know it.
Getting picked up by DB at 230 to get MRI results. DB and SIL joining the RO part of the app't. Then I have Herceptin after at 4 and they will leave, I will call for ride home after. Funny, I think that the office of the RO was trying to get me to take a phone call because she said they did not want me walking but I said I was fine, brother driving and they would attend the appointment. SIL told me they are not shopping at Walmart due to the politics going on so I will continue to get deliveries from there. The prices are low and I cannot afford some of the local prices. I will just get what I need as the time comes. She also got rid of Amazon though don't think Jeff Bezos has anything to do with the politics. I told her that was how I get cat food and litter. Political stuff does not belong in my grocery shopping but I will not begrudge the right of DB and SIL to do what they want.
A lot of Canadians are boycotting US products but I need to meet my own shopping budget which is more important to me so Walmart and Amazon and whatever is least expensive is what I will buy. I will avoid asking for a trip to Walmart and wait until spring if I want to make the trip. I basically buy the least expensive stuff that puts more rewards points in my pocket from the Walmart card. I support my country but not enough to buy less food or stuff I do not normally buy and can afford. I also get bonus rewards I can stack on my bill as well from my Walmart card.I still do not need a shopping trip as I have a lot of food to get through.
I feel better today from the big D yesterday, that nonsense settled down in the after noon. Planning to have eggs, beans and rice this morning and probably get DB to stop at Mcdonalds after the Herceptin as I am always hungry. Get the Mcdouble meal with extra patty to do something with tomorrow, I will see. My DB is usually pretty amenable to going where I need to go.
I do hope everyone has a good day, in pockets for everyone else, in my own pocket, not nervous about the scan results and interested in what DB and SIL want to know from the doctor. Should be interesting.
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Irish - Sending several hugs your way. I'm so glad to know you too! I will be thinking of you more today.
Mara - So sorry that the political climate is causing you new difficulties that you don't need. Just know that I am one of the many, many, many US citizens (I was going to say Americans, but we are all Americans - Canadians and United Staters!) who still loves and supports my Canadian friends. I like to think that we are all more than friends and allies; but extended family too. I'm in Washington State and when you go to the border here, we have the Peace Arch with BC, and it says, "Children of a Common Mother". I've always liked the arch, the saying, and continue to feel that that's the way it is for all of us here in North America - we are "children of a common mother". Hoping with all my heart that we can get all this behind us very soon, and that we can go on, on both sides of the border, as the old friends, family, and good neighbors that we've always been.
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@threetree What a lovely post! Thank you for reminding us of the peace arch. This nonsense needs to find a better resolution.
@mara51506 I will be praying for you all day today that your appointments go well and your DB and SIL will both be content that you are a very capable woman who can manage your own life. I am praying your MO realizes the reason for the extra visitors and has the wisdom to manage the situation peacefully. Enjoy your lunch and take a deep breath. You are strong, you are determined, and you matter.
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@irishlove Oh Dear Sweet Girl, I read through your post, and so many things you said touched my heart. First, yes ‼️ 🥰I totally agree that the birds are all “twitterpated “. Here, at the Jersey Shore in my neighborhood there are 1000’s of robin redbreasts congregating In all the high old trees. They came back so early this year, so maybe an early Springtime coming.
I also was very moved @irishlove and feel touched in my heart when you said.. “I thought MS has pushed me to the breaking point and it's a crappy disease and along comes MBC. Every day pain. Every day intrusive thoughts. Trying to find my old self is impossible. I will say my GP said something that I try to remember, "there's a pill for that". You know, she's pretty much right. I don't like the side effects of any meds, but when my mind just twists and bends into darkness and I fall down that rabbit hole, I alert my DH and he holds me while I wait for the time to pass (with the help of anxiety meds). I'm not ashamed to say that I need both to keep this flame alive in my spirit and body.”
Wow, @irishlove , I know your words send feelings summed up just about everything we all feel here, and I know for me exactly. And thank you so much for sharing this with us. I am so grateful for your words and also everyone here I am grateful to have to respond to here on this board, the days I feel up to typing on my IPad…All of you here I’ve grown close to even if only virtually on this forum but thank all dear ladies. I love you all.🥹💓……. @irishlove @threetree @cookie54 @intolight @tanya_djamila @illimae @mara51506 @seeq @sondraf @sf-cakes @goldensrbest @going2beatthis @chicagoan @micmel @mkestrel @snow-drop @rlschaller @candy-678 @eleanora @elderberry @gailmary and more I may have missed, but each and everyone of you have brought calm peace, and healing ❤️🩹 vibrations to. Me… Also to. You @moderators you have always been there also, and thank you I love you all.
So I will get on with my day 🩵
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Well, found a use for english muffins that is easy. Took a big bowl, sprayed with cooking spray. Tore up an untoasted english muffin into small pieces and dropped in the bowl. Added two eggs and mixed up together. Put a ton of cheese on top with a bit of garlic spread, put in microwave with a lid for 6 mins, let cool and added salt and sour cream and onion seasoning. Put a small spoonful of sour cream to bind. It was very good. Also decided that if I am eating greens of any sort, going to chop them up before heating and serve with rice. That could make them easier to digest which is why I think big D was triggered yesterday. I would also heat it up as well. I think lettuce and other greens trigger my body. I will see. I only took one immodium with my meal today.
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Intolight - Thanks so much for your very nice words. I also hope that you are well on the mend, and continuing to feel better every day.
Shana - Oh those birds! Mine here in the PNW are going wild too. It is that time of year. I notice them both here my apartment courtyard, but best of all, when I'm out on my walks. Lots of robins here too - so nice to see them. Nesting time is here indeed. I too am not always up to getting back to everyone and commenting on all the things I'd like to, but I do my best, when I can. I completely understand where you're coming from with that.
Mara - Wishing you lots of luck with your appointment this afternoon, and lots of love and understanding between you, your brother, and sister-in-law. I am in your pocket for sure!
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Intolight, I am confident there will be no problems today, RO office is fine with the extra people coming, I am fine with DB and SIL and will find out what they want to know to answer their questions and get MRI results too. DB coming back after Herceptin to get me as well. There is some snow on the steps so will get dressed and try sweeping it off. No salt this time, no cleats on the shoes, just spike out the cane. Should be fine. Thank you for being in my pocket though.
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Update, MRI was fine no more enhancement and blood pool is stable. Scan again in 3 months. The herceptin part happened much faster, taken in right away after RO appointment and drugs ready quickly. DB and SIL waited at the hospital.
SIL asked about memory loss and balance, DB really let SIL do the talking. I did not bother arguing any points as SIL was not overboard in the questioning and I do not need to diminish her worries about me. There was slippy snow outside but was able to make up the curb and walkway fairly well. SIL mentioned wobbly balance but I did point out that I was not worried about wobble unless I could not ascend stairs or was falling down. Explained I was not worried but thanked her for her concern. On the way home, I asked for a Mcdonalds meal, just got the Mcdouble with bacon and fries, no extra pop. Have to mention the chemo nurses, some how got to mentioning how I use a virtual hug before sleep online as we do not hug in my family. Wouldn't you know it, both nurses gave me a hug, that was really nice. DB and SIL are not touchy feely, I can get away with a pat to his shoulder but that is it. When I get a hug in real life it is special.
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Aren't you sweet for remembering me. I've not posted here in quite a while. You expressed my sentiments exactly. The caring and sharing here is just awesome. Difficult to follow at times
I just about made it through 6 months of chemo. One infusion left in 2 weeks. Many side effects but mostly all pretty mild. Totally doable. Surgery will be scheduled after that.
For the last 47 years the Robin's are back to Wisconsin the week of March 6th, dds birthday. They arrive with the redwing blackbirds. We hear them first.
Thank you every one.
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Good morning sweet ones. I hope the robins fly to your homes safely. It's so beautiful to see and hear them, knowing spring is in the air. The other reminder that spring is coming are the wild daffodils. We don't have them at this home, but we sure did in the mountains of Boone. Miss Boone terribly, but it's snowing and bitterly cold, so don't miss that.
Oh @mara51506 Wonderful news on your scan. It's lovely to have family that cares as yours does, but it's also important to advocate for yourself if you disagree with their assessments. I wish they were huggy- -people. We all need that human touch and so glad your nurses are caring in giving out hugs to patients. That is sweet.
Have a quick meal for you folks that I created. We need more fish in our diets, so I take a pyrex long rectangular bowl and layer black beans, yams, pineapple. Then I lay the fish in a single layer, topped with havartti cheese. I use the juice from pineapple and pour it over the fish so there's enough to soak the mixture, so as not to dry out. 45 minutes at 375 degrees. Tonight we used Salmon but I've used flounder in the past. It's easy to fix, one pan and healthy…
Cheers to all and in your pockets for scans and life in general. This political b.s. needs to stop. We try to insulate ourselves since we are both ill. It's difficult to not want to be an activist in some of the things going on. Hope the younger and healthier people will take up the causes, peacefully.
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Mara congratulations on good scans!
Tanya
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Mara - bravo for good MRI. Always such a relief. I think SIL was just showing concern in her questioning. They obviously care about you, like we all do. Glad you got some real hugs. While I can send a virtual hug, wouldn’t it be wonderful if Mel’s living room was real and we could all visit? Think of all the hugs that would happen☺️.
Irish - my heart breaks for you as the MS & MBC hold you hostage. Thank God this is a place we can share our feelings, whether they’re good or bad, and know that we will have support.
Here for pocket duty for all and sending HUGS to everyone.
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@mara51506 Hooray for good MRI, always a welcomed relief! Glad to hear all went smooth with SIL and DB now you can put that behind you. Awww so sweet of the Onc nurses , they are very special people. (((((()))))) wrapping you in a big virtual hug😊
@gailmary NIce to see ya my fellow TNBC sister and so glad your getting one step closer to surgery. Sending strength your way to keep on going.
@irishlove That sounds like a yummy recipe DH is picky I may just try that minus the beans. I was able to get him eating salmon. I found a recipe with a maple honey mustard type glaze that he likes.
@shanagirl Hope you have a good appt today and get some good alternatives to relieve your pain.
We are coming out of the 20's today and it's supposed to be slowly warming up a bit. Wishing all a good day.
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Thank you everyone, I can feel the virtual hug and glad MRI turned out well. The virtual hugs here and the ones on facebook are good, live hugs were very nice yesterday as well. SIL is just concerned which is why I do not argue about it as I know how I feel or what I remember. Visit overall went well and it was nice to be with DB and SIL.
I have two prescriptions coming today to the house, more tegretol and more loperamide for big D issues should they come up for me. I am still thinking the greens I have had are an issue and believe chopping them down into small pieces and heating up would make them easier to digest. I do not have the same problem with peppers which is good.
I will look through the fridge and see what I have, still working my way through the eggs and english muffins, english muffins are quite good when combined with eggs and shredded cheese. Today's first meal will be one mini pot pie, heat that one up first and then add an egg with some chopped greens and an egg with cheese. Will likely add some garlic and seasoning as well. I usually put the whole thing in the microwave for about 5 mins since the 700W does not heat through food as quickly. Other option is to locate black black beans and chop up as I am using them and having them with rice.
I do hope everyone has a good day, in pockets for anyone who needs me as well.
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Gailmary - Always so nice to hear from you, and yes, you've been missed. As with Shana, I really get it about how difficult it can be sometimes to follow and respond as much as we might want to. I do really love everyone here though, this particular thread is so helpful to me. Congrats on getting through 6 months of chemo - I just can't imagine, even though I did 5 originally. Seems so long ago now, and wouldn't want to have to do it again. More power to you! Glad you have and love those birds too.
Irish - Wow, wild daffodils. I'd never even heard of them, and of course have never seen them. Sounds like something I would really like. I haven't seen any spring flowers yet, but the buds are sure there on the bushes/trees.
Goldens - I completely agree about the value of those real hugs. I too sometimes wish Mel's Living room was real. I think we'd all have such wonderful times together. Hi Mel!
Cookie - You are coming out of the 20's. You should be starting to see those signs of spring then too. We've been up to the low 50's here now. Actually a little unusually warm for this time of year, 40's yes, but 50's a little different. Odd too is that there is no rain, but no sun either, just gray clouds that cause an odd gloom over the area. Creates a real blah feeling. I'd rather have the cold and sunshine, or even the rain type clouds than this. It's a bit different, but this too shall pass.
Mara - Glad you appreciate the virtual and real hugs - they can help for sure, so sending along some more virtual hugs. Glad again, that all went so well for you yesterday, and you can relax a little.
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@mara51506 Congratulations on the good scans and the good appointment. It is nice to have family close even if they can sometimes be a little annoying. We moved partially to be close to family. I am a hugger so I am sending hugs «o»
I love all the discussion of the coming signs of Spring, but we got two inches of snow overnight and schools were delayed again. Spring hits Colorado Springs a little slower than elsewhere (it is 7000 ft in elevation.) It has been so cold our trees are coated in frost and the poor buds are still asleep. My dear sweet Auntie lives in Prescott, AZ, and is fearful of their drought. I wish I could send her some of our moisture!
I am feeling better today. I messaged my Physical Therapist as I am still hesitant to keep my appointment on Monday, and she said if I wanted to venture in for our appointment she would work on my neck and head pain. I think this is a good option. I really do like the oncology PT.
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@chicagoan It’s too cold for me, even in Texas but fortunately I’m in Florida, sitting in the sun poolside. This was is a long planned 50th birthday trip. I head back on Monday, hopefully to reasonable weather.
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Illimae-How wonderful! I remember that you were planning to get a group of friends together to celebrate at a beach house. Congrats on making it to 50! Wonder what you will do for 60?
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I slept pretty well last night, I do enjoy watching short videos on Facebook or youtube for around half an hour and then sending myself off to sleep dreaming of saving different people whether they are from video game, movie or TV then I just drop off to sleep. The sleep mask gets a lot of credit for that too.
No plans for today, usual laundry, some shirts and pants, socks in the wee washer and my bedding over the weekend. The fleece blanket I got to cover the wee storage ottoman did not come to pass, I use it on my lap instead, will get another at some point soon. Perhaps when I need cat litter or food.
Found some little pizza bagels to have from Walmart, they will get cheese on top and cook on 400 preheated oven. There are 6 of them. Still working on the freezer stuff.Edited the mini pizza bagels were quite good with the cheese. Later will have a frozen stir fry dish, noodles and peppers, I enjoy this very much. Might add some garlic to it.
I did put through a Walmart delivery online as I am almost out of garlic spread and really prefer the spread as it is a milder flavour. Also ordered a couple of veggie stir fry, alfredo and chicken and a couple of swedish meatballs as well. Ordered another dozen XL size eggs too. No english muffins or anything else. I also plan to heat up a couple of the frozen meals and then store them in the fridge a few days, my thought is that is is safer to store precooked meals for a couple of days and use them for other meals. Accidentally picked up canned potatoes but will figure that out later. Lastly got 4 chocolate almond chocolate bars, they are quite enjoyable.
I hope everyone has a good day and in pockets where needed as well. My SIL learned about in pockets and I told her it was an expression of sending support and love. I am always doing that as well.
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