My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Comments
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@chicagoan So sorry to hear about the progression in your hip. Disappointing that all this time you have been suffering with pain trying everything only to find out this. Glad MO is taking quick action and pray all keeps moving quickly to surgery. Squeezing in your pocket with the rest of our sisterhood here. Sending strength and big hugs your way. ❌⭕️
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Thank you everyone for your support. It really means a lot. I have an appointment next Thursday with the orthopedic oncologist. I'll find out what the he advises and keep moving forward.
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Chicagoan, I'm sorry to hear this latest... I believe it was Intolight who said something like "why aren't we believed" when we tell our metal team about pain, side effects, etc. Really hoping this can be taken care of quickly for you.
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@chicagoan so sorry to read about the new tumor, and fingers crossed you can be scheduled for surgery quickly. Glad your persistence lead to testing and action. You’ve been living with hip pain for too long…so crazy, and pickleball aside, a new hip might be really a great solution. And along with everyone else, joining pocket duty. ❤️
@threetree glad your Ct results are stable . I agree with intolight - that is win and good news and I think messy lives are a norm.
Hugs to all
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@chicagoan I am very sorry to hear about the recurrence, especially when you were talking about all the hip pain and your worries and kept getting brushed off, I am in your pocket sending love and support. Sending legos for the people who were not listening to you, may they enjoy the pain of stepping on legos. I am glad you are proactive about upcoming needs with getting home ready for whatever you need. 💕
@intolight I was disappointed about the treadmill. I new as soon as DB asked if I needed a trip out, no treadmill. He is not trying to keep it from me I am sure of that fact and it was good to be out and about. The disappointment did not last long though. One positive was I was able to clear a lot of space by moving the very large boxes with lids out of the area, they stack which is a bonus as well. Also scooped a big bucket that holds all the litter genie bags I have. It is not pretty but not all over the floor anymore. I will nudge him preiodically but he is the type that if you rush him too much he will blow up. Since I am able to get steps daily inside, that is a benefit anyway.
No plans for today beyond the usual stuff, play mobile games as a budget booster, do another app that just has you playing the game, they pay a bit for your time but do not require any leveling up, possible walking on the spot to music and I am not sure, receiving a replace pair of earbuds that went missing when I got overheated. The paramedic yanked it out of my ear, spent a while thinking it was lost in the house but after tearing the house apart looking, figured out where it went. I also made up a toilet bowl spray from the regular lysol stuff. Just took an old spray bottle of oxyclean, added some of the lysol and some water. Can be a daily spray.
I am planning to cook up some ground beef, lean type so grease will be minimal although I have been known to use a pan with ground beef to fry eggs, rice and stuff. Once cooled, keep in the fridge and add a spoonful at a time to other meals, give beans some depth as well. Need to mash beans as well, do not like them right now but won't stop eating since it has done wonders for my iron, figure the best way is a chop up with an egg or two, add beans, bit of beef and some of my left over corn bread mix to give it some oomph. I will post later what I decide on.
Hoping a good day for all, in pockets for everyone who needs me.
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@mara51506 - Funny re the legos! I'd never heard of wishing people stepping on lego pain before. Ahhhhh "sweet, sweet mental revenge".
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"May you step on legos in your bare feet" is now something I will be thinking, with a smile on my face, when someone is rude to me. Thank you, Mara!!
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@mara51506 hahaha yup the lego comment is genius!
@shanagirl Thinking of you hope your doing ok.
@irishlove Hey there you just popped in my head. Hope you are having a better week❤️
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@chicagoan , sorry about the hip and them not listening to you!
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hi all. Watching Phillies game. Takes one's mind off other stuff.
@chicagoan OH I am so sorry for what you are dealing with. In your pocket gal for a pain free result if surgery is a go. We need to be heard and believed and helped. No excuses from medical teams.
@cookie54 Ah, thanks for thinking of me. Had the spinal epidural yesterday. It went much better then the last pain management appt. I had an anastesiologist preform the routine. He was wonderful as was his staff. Minor improvement, but I'll take it. Did have a real nasty headache for 24 hours, but it has subsided.
Not much going on around here. Did get the crafts together for DGD to work on, if she comes by. Found more $1.25 items to add to the doll house, sofa, table and figures to make a village and dog park. lol.
The night blooming cereus gave us 6 beautiful, fragrant flowers. As the name indicates, only blooms at night and just one night. sigh But it has bloomed 3 times this year. Never that lucky before. Love gardening, when I can.
In pockets for everyone and sending my wishes for a better tomorrow.
Laurel
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@chicagoan - that is amazingly frustrating! You've been in so much pain for so long. Apparently, toughing it out is not to our benefit. I don't think they took SondraF seriously until she had a major meltdown in the office. I hope your surgery is soon, successful, and quickly recovered.
@goldensrbest - late response. I do expect to have some PT. It's possible they could just give me exercises to do at home for range of motion, but I want to add improving balance to my goals.
@mara51506 - Ouch! My feet hurt just thinking about those Legos I've stepped on!
Nothing new here. Just healing up. Anxious to start practicing walking in my boot at home next week. I can't tell if I had a really bad allergy attack that lasted two days, or the shortest cold on record. Either way, it seems to be behind me.
Waving to everyone in the the living room. 👋❤️
Catherine
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Chicagoan - so sorry about your hip news and that you had to endure so much pain b4 things were diagnosed later rather than sooner. Had to have my right hip replaced due to avascular necrosis caused by Xgeva. Took care of the pain and I know you will find relief from a hip replacement. Keep us updated on treatment plans. And I agree with our Mara - wishing Lego pain on those who ignored you!
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Glad I could give people a chuckle, that lego comment just came to me, always good to have a laugh.
I was absent yesterday, sorry about that. My body thought I needed to stay up all night, dumb so spent yesterday snoozing through out the day. Got to bed last night and slept decently.
Nothing much happening today. Got some laundry on this morning. I have been using the odour blaster oxi as well, I like how the laundry smells. Only takes 1/8th tsp worth as well. Same with soap, really does not take too much to clean. Have to do up some dishes in order to get some beef cooking, it has been uncooked in fridge for maybe 3 days, I do not want it to spoil. Cooking it up will reset the timer that it can be food safe.
Also planning to do some walking on the spot, did my bed exercises already, bridge pose, does same thing as squats, ankles with rotations, both ways and pointing feet toward me and away from me. 10 of each one. Finally sucked my gut in and brought both legs from straight to bent knees at chest, 10 of those. Realized I forgot my bed ladder, pulled my big butt up to sitting. Have to watch that one, the ladder could be a tripping hazard if I do not watch.
I have no idea what I want for a meal. I will have the beef cooked first, put in a container in fridge later. Getting rid of frozen stuff by putting into the magic bullet with some eggs. Just have to thaw them first. Whip whatever I want up with eggs, probably some beef and beans, add sour cream to them. Frozen peppers would be fine. Add some of the KD cheese powder and taco and put the mix into muffin pans filled to about half and bake at 375 for a bit in the breville. I am getting rid of a butter that was destroyed back when the fridge door did not stay shut and the plant butter I do not like. Plant butter has an off putting taste that is not good to me. I will be able to order walmart stuff today, mostly the frozen pasta I enjoy. Got between 10 and 15 dollars in gift cards to come off so that is good.
I found out where the stank came from. I used a sock to catch the lint but did not account for a stanky smell. When I took off the sock, the drain got clogged so pulled out the wet dry shop vac, will vacuum it all out and clean the sock in a mesh bag in the smallest washer. I am not concerned about the stuff that clogged the tub, be easy enough to vacuum it out and put some really hot water down the drain.
EDIT, shop vac did its job so drain is clear. I will use mesh bags for washing stuff in as well to keep lint down to a minimum. The drain hose is dirty and not sure how to get it clean but I will not worry about it for now. Just need to give the tub a good clean. At least laundry got done. Bigger mesh bags coming tomorrow.
Enough talking from me, going to do up the ground beef, use taco seasoning to season it and figure it all out from there. Have a good day, in pockets for all who need it.
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OK, cooked up the ground beef, added rest of beans as well. I also added a package of the KD cheese and a lot of taco seasoning, sitting on the burner now. Once it comes out, I will see if it needs more seasoning added. No way I will eat it all so it will last a couple of meals, I will see.
EDIT I put some queso and the KD powder with taco seasoning and some shred cheese. Added queso and some sour cream with a few tortilla chips. Although I did not spoon out a ton of food from the pan, I filled up quickly so added the leftovers from lunch and put the rest from the pan into another container, it was very good and I enjoyed it. At least the cooked portions have got another 4 days from today to be eaten up.
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Oh my gosh Mara, how about legos in our stockings for Christmas. Then we can put them in our pocketbooks to "share" with idiots. Thank you for the laugh, much needed. Hope they move along with your treadmill. I know you will make good use of it, some of us just park it in a corner and forget about it. That would be me. My DH found a great machine to insert your hand for a lovely massage. It has controls for male or female and lasts about 17 minutes each hand. It helps with osteo arthritic fingers and carpal tunnel, too.
I was lucky to get hooked up with a medical Dr. for therapy. She's out of Texas, and is a hoot. I'm limited by insurance to 15 minutes every 4 weeks. I adore her and well we make each other laugh. Then I get a bit more serious but she isn't a replacement for family in my home or life.
The epidural with meds has worn off. sigh. It might have been placebo affect or the timing of my pain meds that gave me the impression it was working. I am so disappointed, highly doubtful I'll try the 3rd time. The migraines are horrific and I believe related to the treatment plan.
In pockets for all of my sweet friends for a better tomorrow. We sure walk thru hell, don't we? Gotta keep the faith in God and in ourselves.
Laurel
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@irishlove - At first when I read your suggestion that we get Legos in our stockings for Christmas, I thought you meant like lumps of coal if we were bad; then I saw your actual meaning re handing them out to others (idiots). Oh, those Legos can keep us laughing for awhile. Thank you, Mara.
I'm so sorry that the epidural didn't seem to work, especially given all you have to go through to get it. Bummer! That hand massager sounds nice and I might keep it in mind for my arthritic fingers. Well, I wish you a better tomorrow also, and I agree that we all just need to keep the faith and trudge on. Sending a hug too.
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Hello Living Roomers, I hope we all have something to be happy about as the week begins.
Mara, you are a genius at communicating. I always imagine that if we’d met under different circumstances, I would’ve seen you as Director of Communications at a big firm!
Shayna, I’m so glad you have an amazing care team working together to find the best treatment for you.
Chicagoan, I am sorry :/ and I am mad for you, how come the radiologist missed a 4 centimeter mass?? unfortunately when patients do well (i.e., stay stable for a good while), some care teams stop taking symptoms seriously, and that’s so wrong. just my opinion, has your MO considered radiation instead of surgery? Sending you hugs and positive vibes.
about our Sondra and her tragic passing: my guess is that her lymphatic system was damaged and couldn’t clear toxins properly, and the many treatments she received in a short period of time likely accumulated toxicity even further. I think of Sondra often 💔
Irishlove, I'm sorry that the treatment didnt give you comfort.
as for me, I’ve been through so many things. some side effects seriously affect my quality of life, HF syndrome has been severe, so I avoid unnecessary steps. after Mara’s comment about stepping on Legos, I totally get it now that I cannot walk properly! and then there’s my crazy sister making life even harder… I’m not usually comfortable sharing personal stuff, but this is where I can. my gut is a total mess constipation or diarrhea, but after months of pushing, my MO finally referred me to GI, what a win! on top of that, my neck pain is unbearable, I worry it might be related to this disease, though I hope it isn’t. I’ll wait to see my MO in two weeks, prefer not to calling the office if it’s just muscle stiffness, despite a new mass spotted in my neck bone and a few lymph nodes in my neck started acting up... and the insomnia with the neck pain is so annoying. and on top of everything, the blood thinner has made the inner layer of my eyes so dry. I’ve been on prescribed eye drops for months now, and if it doesn’t improve, the next step would be injections in the eye which I’m really hoping for improvement soon.
I hope everyone is doing well, send hugs
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@snow-drop You are so positive and uplifting. I appreciate you! But I am sorry you are struggling with gut issues, neck pain, and insomnia, etc. Sending prayers your MO can find you some relief for at least some of this.
@mara51506 I love your daily chats. Keep on marching!
I have been plugging along with not a lot of change. I am in a "cleaning" mood which doesn't happen often, and since I can only last about 15 minutes, I am limited. But I ordered some better drawer organizers for my kitchen to see if I can get a handle on the chaos. With three of us using the kitchen things get out of hand quickly. Hopefully this will help. Now to convince everyone to use the right drawer! (The drawback of a large kitchen.) The others are not good at cleaning so I will try to keep the crumbs out as much as possible. I don't like to nag so I just do it as long as I am able.
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@irishlove I am sorry the epidural wore off, especially if it worked well. In pockets for further helps for you beyond a drug that gives you migraines, hugs to you.
I am glad the stepping on legos was amusing, If I can make people laugh, I will know I am winning.
As far as the treadmill, need to put my big girl pants on and ask for it to be delivered outright, if more excuses given, will get my own new one. Amazon has some that look good, not looking for auto incline, just a general walking pad with handles. They do not cost a fortune either, could possibly keep some of them under the couch. I will see after the reception to asking for my treadmill back. If more stalling happens will adjust my budget in order to put it on a payment plan. I have two available payment plans for when I need pricier stuff like cat food and litter, digestive enzymes and immodium, I could do the same with a treadmill. Nice thing is I do not feel a sense of urgency about it all like I did before. I am chill whichever way it happens.
Got some laundry on the go, yay, expecting some mesh bags from Amazon, I plan to wash stuff in the mesh bags to avoid lint and all that really fun stuff, may also put a mesh bag on the end of the drain hose, easier to see where it is at with lint that comes out of the drain hose.
Edit on meal, I wound up eating up the black bean and ground beef leftovers, added some sour cream and lime and microwaved for 45 seconds. Yummy. When my groceries come, will probably have queso pasta and chicken bowl.
I forgot to hit post, hope everyone's day was good and was in pockets for everyone.
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Well, just got my butt out of bed, did have some trouble sleeping but that was my fault entirely. I have got to eat my last meal earlier and no chocolate. I had some M&Ms in the evening and bang, it was 4 am again. Need to get in gear more. I am no longer a teen who thinks it is cool to stay up all night.
Got laundry on the go, one load done, will be washing up the litter mat as well but need a vacuum and mesh bag for that process. I will decide
Garbage night tonight, will take out at least 3 bags, I realize I should make them a bit lighter so it is easier to take them over to the bin.
Not sure about food, got the mix of beans and beef to finish up. Adding some KD elbow pasta and not sure what else. Later meal probably an egg sandwich. I did just notice on my amazon site they added Door Dash right to the site, another thing to stay clear of. No need to be tempted to order Mcdonalds since I have done pretty well at fewer fast food purchases. I am still endeavouring to eat real food, be just as quick to have that made and less money. Also, the cost of the Mc D stuff is prohibitive when I can put together an order budgeted at 35.00 and get more food that way. Between a Walmart 5.00 gift card and 5.00 rewards, I was able to get a good amount of food. So it was 37.00 which is not bad. I got lots of frozen meals, queso bowls times 3, couple of penne alfredo and chicken, 4 cans black beans along with canned ham, multiples of each. I am also going back to black beans and if they need to be in some sort of sauce, I can take one of the many sauces I went overboard on.
I do hope all have a good day and in pockets for all including myself to get all my stuff done.
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@irishlove Remaining positive that number 3 will help, fingers crossed.
@mara51506 Yup the caffeine in chocolate seems minimal but obviously you're sensitive. Moving schedule up should do the trick!
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@cookie54 Yes, I have not even had any chocolate yet and will not. My Walmart order has arrived, going to make up one of the queso bowls with pasta, chicken and other stuff. Going to heat up some elbow macaroni to give the queso meal a boost, turn one generous size into two. Also going to heat up the penne and chicken alfredo so it can live in the fridge for a few days, save freezer room for meat pies.
I am tired from taking out the garbage, did get both bags out of my bin out back and dropped at the front but even that wears me out. Going to hahve supper and see about breaking down the container. Also see the same blue boxes out front so may empty them out and take another container for myself, does not belong to another unit and I can clean it out and keep for myself to store pantry items as needed. If it stops storming, I will go out with garbage bag, clear it out and take for myself. Clean it out and store pantry items in a more centralized location I think on top of the storage boxes.
I did wind up having a queso pasta and chicken bowl, it was very good. I am going to heat up some penne noodles tonight so they don't spoil in the fridge, put them in a container along with some KD dry pasta just to allow more than one meal at a time.
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Mara A queso chicken bowl sounds delish! I love how versatile it can be and can add beans and meat for extra protein. Wish my husband liked more variety of food, he's very basic.
@shanagirl Thinking of you hoping your feeling better and have some pain relief.
Dreary day here and still has the nerve to be humid lol. Looking forward to more of a chill in the air soon. Hi to all here hope your day is going smoothly.
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I miss the old forum.
Hope everyone has a good day and enjoys some nice fall weather.
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@threetree I agree, I miss the chatter here. I look everyday but feel as though I don't have anything to contribute. I am in sort of a holding pattern waiting to see if this medicine (Orserdu) will hold up. My tumor markers are slowly edging up a few points at a time but there are only mild SEs and my scans look stable so I am praying I can get a lot more time on it. I am seven months into it now. My DH is having prostate problems but there is no cancer so we are thankful. In the meantime I am enjoying a mild fall slowly preparing for the next season.
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I too read every day, or multiple times a day sometimes, but I don't feel I have much to contribute.
I am just living my life. As boring as it is. I scan again in November- 4 months from the last scan. In between scans I am still taking Lynparza pills twice a day. I nap practically every day- at least for 30 minutes, but up to 1 hour. I don't do too much, as I don't work and do not have many friends or family activities.
But I do enjoy reading what you all are doing. I wish Mel's Living Room was real and we could hang out there.
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Good day ladies. Got my covid and flu vaccines yesterday. Still feeling a little nauseous but I have to get a few groceries.
I was definitely hesitating with the vaccines because I think it was only available for certain people. Well, old age and cancer probably qualify me. I didn’t even ask at cvs.
Take care allTanya
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Scans tomorrow. Life has been quiet, hence not posting here much. That's probably my own issue, I think I need to have something "important" to say.
I do believe taking care of plants, reading great books, drawing, going for walks and petting random dogs IS important though! My life is important! I just said that out loud here in my house, and I rather like the sound of that.
Love to you all, the emotional and physical struggles with this illness feel overwhelming sometimes. ♥️
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sf-cakes—"My life is important!", I like that. I need to tell myself that daily, spoken aloud as you did.
I take care of my cat, read books, attend church, etc. I am thankful I am able to do that.
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@intolight @candy-678 and others saying they do not have anything to contribute, I contribute different things but mostly what I make or am doing for the day. To me that makes me want to snooze but others seem to like. You can contribute anythings, books you have read or movies and TV watched. Meals you have had too. Does not need to always be about cancer, we all know what we go through.
I just got up about 10 mins ago. Not sure what today holds for me to do. I did make up a bunch of penne and added soup noodles to it. Not sure what I am putting in today, yesterday was a bit of cheese, canned ham, garlic and the beef seasoning. I forgot to break up the noodles but they are still not bad. TodayI may do a meatpie with an egg on the plate as well, make the egg garlicky as well. I will decide later. Option two sees some of the noodle mix going in with two eggs into the magic bullet with ham, garlic and bacon bits. Pour mix into some muffin tins and bake for a bit, probably include some shredded cheese. I will see what I decide to do, either option is easy, can take the baked egg bites and use those as a side dish as well to a meat pie, I will see what I decide on, post if really good.
Got plenty of laundry to get done, cat corner needs a scoop and may wash the litter mat, looking a little dingy, definitely needs wash in one of my mesh bags, plenty of bags to choose from.
As far as TV goes, still watch young and restless though super boring, have watched over 40 years so won't stop. I also watched an animated marvel zombies, really gory and fun. Based on a comics run. Also enjoy Peacemaker show as well. Also been listening to short stories by Stephen King. Listened to Gramma, listened to the Long Walk done up as a race with a commentator, pretty cool stuff.
Not sure if I am going out with DB, prefer to get my treadmill instead. I am planning to start saving for one of my own, Amazon has a lot of folding stuff online that has handles so can begin saving up for a new one. Did call SIL, she does not know when my treadmill may be brought back. Getting tired of the delay, he could borrow a son and use them to help bring it in. She's like don't buy a treadmill but eventually I will do it. I realized that I can pace the living room as well, need to make an aisle and just go back and forth so that might be an additional treadmill adjacent activity. I will see, can also wait and see about the treadmill. I am not yet ready to commit to a gym due to not wanting to travel much in the winter. Time to take mind off of repetitive thoughts.
I hope all have a good day, in pockets for those who need me.
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