My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
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Mara that's what I have done with a few exercise friends.
We meet outside, stay 6' apart, and walk together. Pretty much the same as ever, but no hug hello or good bye, and no sitting next to one another at the rest stops.
My son saw one friend who was evacuated from a peace corps posting 2 weeks ago. He has been self isolated 2 weeks. They sat outside at opposite ends of a 8' long (wiped down) table and visited for an hour, then he came home.
We remove shoes on porch/ spray with disinfectant, and we remove pants if we sat down anywhere. Then we go in and wash hands.
We do gloves when shopping, then hand sanitizer upon entering car. Spraying down doorknobs and faucet handles and steering wheel/gearshift/radio buttons at least daily. Wiping groceries down when we unload them.
Luckily my area got an early shelter at home instruction. Not intense here. But I figure it's a few weeks behind "reality" so being careful.
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Mara -I had my line manager break down and be off work for mental issues over all this for a week. She mentioned to me she was having trouble managing the unknown and I told her all you can do is control what you can and take it one day at a time. Or now everyone fears getting this well.. kinda like how we fear things are progressing without us knowing it, but you stuff that fear down and keep going. Frankly Im starting to be in awe of our ability to handle cancer day in and day out !
I picked up the rest of my letrozole today and had the whole bus to myself both ways. They had the meds ready, but I notice they have switched from a Spanish supplier to a UK supplier. Guess we will see if I get different side effects! After two weeks my left back/hip pain is back, so I wonder if it has something to do with the injections. Maybe since I won't be getting Xgeva next month I can see if that was the issue or not.
My second opinion is back and sitting in my inbox - I don't want to read it, even though I should. Waiting to be in the right frame of mind I guess. Some days I still can't believe this is happening, or how unfair it is. That if I had to get cancer I wish I'd had a chance at an earlier stage.
On a less grim thoughtwave, I found this tutorial to make a mask out of a cotton hanky and either old pantyhose or hair elastics:
http://blog.japanesecreations.com/no-sew-face-mask...
I can do basic sewing, but with no machine it gets a little tough! Thought I would try this with some cotton fabric I have around, and if it works then maybe order some nice handkerchiefs so I can keep them washed.
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Sondra, good idea. A facemask will keep out the majority of the droplets and offer some protection. They can also be lined with vacuum bags for more filtration without taking away from medical people.
My province's premier has extended the shutdown through to May so far. People just need to stay home and get essentials as needed. It is starting not to be feasible for people to order things online as more basics like laundry detergent, softener and dryer sheets are running out even. I really hope people stop buying so much at once.
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I agree Sondra~If only wed had a chance in an earlier stage to fight. I've felt that way so many times being denovo as well. Maybe now when we look back people will think differently when they speak to us. Maybe they will have had a dance with the unknown and let's hope it humbles some........ let's just hope.
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guys, now I have a sore tooth. It's still minor, it's intermittent, it's not swollen but every once in a while i get a little zing
i mean c'mon. I don't need another thing & it's dangerous to go to the dentist now. Vancouver is the city where there was a giant dentists convention just before the province banned large gatherings & they've had positive covid cases from that conference. Seems like *all* the dentists were there could something please go my way cause I'm getting so so very frustrated
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awww Moth! Dang it! I hate a zingy tooth!
Is it a molar?
Could you try putting some sensodyne on it and seeing if that helps? I have those zings sometimes...and thankfully it has never led up to anything major. Thank goodness! Hopefully this is the case for you too!
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Moth~ I hope that your tooth issue is just a fluke and you’ll be ok tomorrow. No we don’t need anything else to deal with. I will be sending hugs your way for not more bothersome tooth!
I have to go out tomorrow, one place the dispensary. But still. Limits into the building and all that but I’m still freaked out. Thirty more days at least. I watched the projections for deaths. I sat there thinking. A nation loosing 200 k people. Omfg. That’s a lot. So scary. It seems to thrive on high density populated Areas. That makes it so very hard to contain. This is a nightmare. On top of one we’ve been living with. Unreal honestly. Like a bad movie.
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Our moving boxes kit arrived this morning in a giant cardboard box that is currently sitting in my living room. I wiped it down with bleach solution and we need to move it into the shed this afternoon, but its kinda just sitting there like a monolith and Im scared to go down to the kitchen in case I catch anything from it!
We probably won't start boxing up the house until Easter weekend as thats a four-day holiday here and we may have greater clarity on WHERE we are moving or IF. On a happy note, I got a call this morning for a second round interview for a job Im really interested in. Given their industry I was pretty shocked to hear from them after four weeks but hey, Ill take it!
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Ooooh SondraF I hope the interview lands you just the job you want! I keep thinking about you trying to move with your back...be careful!
Mel, I have not left my house in almost three weeks, other than a few outdoor walks. Next week I have to go out for labs, so I'm sure I'm going to be nervous about this. I got an auto text from the dispensary saying they are doing curbside service only. I don't need anything right now but it's good to know they'll do this. Here in my part of the world, even though I'm in NY, most stores are still not limiting the number of customers inside. It's very hard to get an instacart appt right now so yesterday DH had to go out for groceries. He is just terrified and people are still so disrespectful of distancing. He has asked me to PLEASE get my prescriptions moved to home deliveries so that he can go to smaller, more controlled shops for what we need.
Moth what a drag thinking about having to go the dentist!!! I had a root canal in December that needs to be filled or re-crowned but I'm not going to the dentist right now if I can help it. Frankly though, it seems dentists have always worn the most PPE of any medical office I go to.
I have a Zoom appointment with the palliative care NP tomorrow and another Zoom appointment with physical therapy on Friday. I kind of like these Zoom visits. I miss the outside world but it sure does save on driving/fuel/getting out of my pajamas!
I started having a little pain on my forehead the other day and yesterday discovered I have a good-sized lump there. I do have mets in my skull so I'm wondering if something is going on.
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Moomala~I can only imagine not wanting to go out especially when people are disrespectful of the 6ft distancing. Rude! I'm sorry that you're experiencing a bump, I swear everyday I find something else. I took a shower and I had the hugest bruise on my leg. Have no clue where it came from. But it's huge. And ugly. I find lumps that hurt ones that don't. I'm sick of being ill. And tired of feeling like a sitting duck even worse than before with this plague this rolling around. My county has 286 cases. The state 4K something plus. I don't want to go anywhere. Today is my dispensary day. I'm going to try to hurry in and out and not get near anyone. Another month of all Of this. I'll be snapping flies out of the air with my hands out of boredom soon!!!!! 😛😋🤪
Waving to Sondra ! I hope you get the job also. Best wishes and luck!!!!
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Mel my sister lives in Montgomery County and she is scared too. In my county we have about 300 cases and 9 deaths. Of course since I live in NYS we have a staggering number of cases. It is so scary. Most people that I know are staying home but the news reported the other day that a man lied about his symptoms so that he could be with his wife when she gave birth. After the birth, his wife started with symptoms. They've both been tested and the entire unit at our largest hospital is now on quarantine. What is wrong with these people - I do not understand them. Why would you LIE about your symptoms and risk other people? So now our hospitals are requiring masks on every single person who comes into the hospital. No exceptions.
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I just went out to get my medicine and it didn’t seem less busy on the streets I don’t think people can comprehend anything. Like what are you doing? I ran in and out so fast I could have been called flash! I am not playing any games. I went into cvs for laundry supplies to use my free points and there were only 3 people in the store which was good. Came right home and washed my hands like they were lettuce. I get the creeps when I go out. Like I should shower from head to toe. I hope that hospital will be ok, selfish people sometimes. Don’t care about anyone but Themselves. Didn’t he understand that he was putting his new born at risk? And the mother of a new born child ? Should be ashamed of himself and quite frankly be fined disorderly conduct summons. Or even assault since he tested positive!! That will make people think before acting! The thing that gets me is you don’t know what kind of case you’re going to get. Mild or viscous dying kind. So weird that it’s such a toss up! So wrong to have to even worry will I get a ventilator if I am in need. So double up the fear for us stage four ladies. Or cancer patients in general. As if fighting for your life everyday with this disease isn’t enough. Add into living in a society that now has a plague..... 😕
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moth, BCCA have dentists on staff so ask your MO for a referral. My teeth seem to fall apart more when I get an IV chemo. Sigh
Micmel, yup my skin crawls when I'm in stores...I feel kind of dirty even though I know I'm fine. I wear gloves and carry a N95 mask with me. I am picky about which ones I go to...Do your stores have special shopping hours for +60 and immune compromised? I have special going “out" clothes, separate pile. I'm trying out ordering on line and car side pickup for groceries, Home Depot and wine store. Lol...online shopping is my entertainment now!
Our chief medical officer advised yesterday to expect restrictions for several months ie June....sigh. Not going to think about that, hurts too much. So trying to stay present and not get too far ahead of myself.
Be well friends, I read here every day and it is so reassuring to hear from people in different places.
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My local store and Walmart both have hours for seniors, disabled or immune compromised. Not sure I would actually get up early enough to bus it to Walmart, but one never knows. Not many people would be on the bus and I don't touch my face with my hands anyway until they are washed. Bus is free and some items I love are so much cheaper like chocolate and they seem to stay stocked up. Not going to bother today, may try another time to visit Walmart at 7am.
I admit that I don't disinfect groceries as some of my reading indicates low risk of transmission that way. Just keep hands washed etc. After lunch going to walk up to take out restaurant for a few more burgers as well. They can be eaten as burgers, cut up to be combined with rice and other things or just have spinach and queso added. They are super yummy. I also feel like the sun is good for boosting immune system and stress load as well which helps. Feel safe in restaurant as they sanitize hands and put fresh gloves each time and there are markers where to stand in line to observe the distancing.
Take care everybody in your own experiences and hoping things settle down for everyone.
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Pots~Helllllooooo!!🌹always nice to see you here. I'm really trying to stay inside. I miss my daughter like crazy and she even said she misses coming to the house. It's the dog I'm sure she's missing. I think people need to wake up and stay home. I'm they do have early hours for seniors and etc..... I can't even get my achey feet to move before 830. I am not a morning person. I need coffee and my medicine before I can even get moving even slowly. So my sweet dh does it mostly. I however have to go to the dispensary. They are starting curbside pick up. Which is smart. I just want this thing to subside and go away. June.....??? I don't know what I would do. Spending the entire spring in lockdown.
I guess the people who won't stay inside will make it last even longer. Of course, who doesn't want to gather with family or friends. We all miss it. But damn. Get it together and abide by the state rules. Then maybe it won't be until June! Egads. I can't imagine. This is just unbelievable....
Hello Mara~ now I want chocolate!!!
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Mel, I ALWAYS want chocolate. Surprised I don't burst out of my pants. Don't feel like I am active enough to maintain the amount I eat, but guess I must.
I have been walking around my block today since it is beautiful and sunny. Fully believe the fresh air boosts my immunity. Done 3 little walks plus did walking with leslie sansone this morning in the apartment.
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This fear of germs and going out to stores is a hard adjustment. I have never been especially germ conscious until now. DH went grocery shopping early this morning during the senior hour and said it was pretty empty and easy except for a couple people who stood in front of things he wanted and didn't respond when he said excuse me. Hard of hearing probably. Could be us someday. We wiped down all the packaging with Clorox wipes, although we did more of a once over and not a thorough job. He said he felt nervous going in the store, like he wasn't supposed to be there. We've looked into curbside pickup but there are no slots available.
Sondra, Fingers crossed for your job to come through! 🤞
Moth, sorry to hear about your bad tooth. I hope you can get a dentist to see you. I was under the impression they were still seeing patients in need?
Hi to Moomala, Mel, Santa, Mara, Pots, Philly, Candy, Tanya, Mae, and others I've missed. I hope you're hanging in there. 🌻
My news on my scans was good. CT was stable and bone scan was clear, no evidence of disease. Yay, breathing easier for a while again! 😀. My MO appointment next week will be a virtual visit. I'm wondering if she will say anything about her upcoming retirement. (A nurse in Radiation said she heard about it. I like my MO a lot but am happy for anyone who decides to retire.). I don't think I'll bring it up, it seems like it should come from her.
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Hello all.
So I ordered Walmart online and picked up today-- curbside pickup. When I placed order yesterday, did not have bread, TP, paper towels, Kleenex, butter, mac and cheese, potato flakes (box), frozen waffles (toaster kind), canned tuna, minimal canned goods (soups). And items they did have had a 2 maximum order. So... still hard to get the groceries I need. I could go from store to store (store hopping) to get an item here or there, but that defeats the purpose of trying to stay free of the virus. So I do without.
I have seen jokes on Facebook about gaining weight during this crisis--staying at home and stress eating. NOT. Not enough food to gain weight.
Took nap today--feeling the fatigue yesterday and today. Treadmill yesterday, but not today.
Hi to all. Hugs.
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Sondra, I can totally empathize with that line manager breaking down. This whole business is tough to deal with for everyone.
I am still dealing with it the best I can, not reading about or watching news all the time. Going day by day, walking outside for extra immunity and vit D.
I still keep covid at the back of my mind, aware but not at the forefront. I remind myself that I stayed home a lot before so distancing and quarantine do not look hugely different for that. I can still go to the stores I usually went to for supplies. I can shop early minimize number of people I run into. I treat cancer the same way, it is always there in the back of my mind, but I am not thinking about it 24/7.
I do follow rules, must get supplies as delivery services are overwhelmed, but again, do it early on to minimize exposure to other people.
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Rosie- Woohoo on the good scans. I "medically retired" in December. Glad I did. Even if no virus, I was happy I made the decision to retire. I am 49. But I could no longer do my job---lifting, long hours, and the low counts did not allow me to do the job. Wait... I thought you meant YOU retiring. You mean your MO, right? Sorry.
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Thanks Candy! Yes, I meant my MO. I’ll try to make it more clear in my post, my words could be better, lol. (I retired in 2017 at 57 before any of my MBC issues were known. I’m sure with all the appointments and lowered energy I would have really struggled with working. At times I could use more to do but I’m very glad not to have to be go to work.)
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Rosie, congrats on the good scans! 🎉
Hello to everyone 😁
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Rosie~Congratulations! 💕🌷🍭🍦🍻🎆🎈🎁🎈🎈🎊 breathe it all in. I’m thrilled for stable !
Hello Mae!!
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Rosie congrats 🎈 on your scans.
I need lotion for some very over washed hands.
Tanya
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Rosie, sorry I missed your post but of course am happy about your good scans.
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Well, my DB dropped off chocolate chip cookies for me. SIL and DB are dropping care packages of treats at family they cannot see directly. That is very nice and I appreciate it.
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Rosie GREAT NEWS! Hip Hip Hurray!
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Mara~ you and your chocolate
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finally some good news here - my liver labs are still high but better than last week! Treatment tomorrow
The zingy tooth is a molar and it's possible it's a minor crack from clenching and grinding at night. I started using my retainer again and will use sensodyne for a bit and see how it does. Thx Pots for the info about bcca dentists - didn't know that!
Got curbside pickup yesterday from one of our giant grocers and then a delivery from a small grocer specializing in vegan foods exclusively. I loaded up on high protein easy to reheat/eat as I suspect part of my weakness is lack of protein and calories as a whole.
Congrats on the scans Rosie!
Moomala, i.hope the bump turns out to be nothing 🤞
Ttfn
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Rosie,
I want to get my congrats in there too! Good news is always needed here.
Moomala,
Ditto what the others have said. Praying it’s nothing more than just a bump
Waving hi to Mae, Mel, Tanya, Moth, Betrayal, Mara, Candy, and all the rest.
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