My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
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Moomala- We have talked before about my PCP wanting me to try gabapentin. I have not yet. My issue with the back pain at night is mechanical, I think. I have SEVERE disc issues of L5S1--my ortho said fusion would be recommended if I didn't have the cancer. I have horrid low back pain radiating down the left leg that is esp bad at night. I use pillows under the legs but no help. Night before last I was up and down all night. Muscle spasms to that left leg. Horrible. I wanted to see a PT to see if they could give advise, then COVID happened. No PT appointments now. Also my hip hurts-- arthritis or the bone mets, who knows. Nights are esp bad since during the day I am up and can change positions easier. Plus night and tiredness makes all pains worse.
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Moomala, glad that you had a visit with family. It is hard with the distancing due to no hugs but that is a good in person way to visit. Hope you keep getting visits like this. Hope SE from drugs ease up and pain stays controlled.
When DB, SIL and niece dropped off groceries for me, I talked with them while they sat in their van out front. When they were ready to leave, I warned them that as soon as this lockdown is over, I will be hugging them. Human contact is important. My niece is not a hugger, but I told her she can allow me a small one. She is an adult so she will allow me one.
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Candy I wonder if PT would do zoom visits with you? Mine sees me every other week - I'm doing super simple exercises right now because my back has been so yuck but she checks in with me on moving, not sitting in one place for too long, and checks on my exercise form. I have stenosis at L4 along with a compression fracture there. The pain goes right across my back, into my butt and down my leg. Occasionally my leg and foot tingle and feel numb. The gabapentin has helped this really well.
I also have a burst fracture at T11 pressing into my spinal chord. This bothers me some too and the gabapentin helps with the nerve irritation there. You are so right - nighttime is the hardest. Even with the gabapentin it takes me awhile to get comfortable and fall asleep. Last night it took me several hours and I was so frustrated. But once the gabapentin kicks in I'm okay. It can't hurt to try it. I hate taking new meds and I always ask for the lowest dosage and then I put it off and put it off becuase I just do not want to take it.0 -
I started gabapentin this week and have been so impressed so far. The joint and bone pain are pretty much gone. I think the real test will be next week when all my steroids are weaned off too so it will be just the gabapentin but I'm feeling hopeful
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I have an allergic reaction to Gabapentin, so I cannot take it . I have heard it helps a lot for many things. I need it for my nerve issues from neuropathy. Which I’m sure you all understand Too well. I’m happy it helps everyone that seems to take it. We need all the help we can get. Hugs to everyone
Waving to Moomala! 🌻
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moth I guess the ticket is to play around with the dosage. I'm taking 300mg twice a day which is a really low dose, but I am having sleepiness during the day so I'm taking a little more time to add the third dose until I adjust to that.
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Waving back to you Mel! Someone upthread mentioned Souderdon - My niece is an elementary teacher there but the rest of my family lives in Harleysville and Lansdale. I love that whole area. It's a pretty drive from where I live. My sister has a big big house and just put in a pool so I'm looking forward to some visits there this summer.
DH and I spent a little time sitting on the porch this morning. We discovered that the birds are making nests behind the pillows on our porch sofa. What strange behavior! Also my backyard birds are amazing this year. I think with fewer people around outside these different birds are coming in from nearby woods. This doesn't surprise me too much but I'm happy to see them all. But we've never had a bird make a nest on our furniture - always up in the window trim.
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Moomala, very cool that you are getting more birds.
Thought I would share a cute picture I took last night of my cats before I went to bed. I liked it that they were sitting the same way. Surprised they did not move before I got my camera. Ava is the tux and Tigger is the orange boy. These are the furry people I am social distancing with.
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Moomala~I live very close to all Of those places. Let me know when you come Into town, it would be fun to meet someone finally from the thread. I grew up also very near Lansdale and know that area incredibly well. Small world. It was BooBoo who mentioned it, because she lived up this way before her move. We planned to meet up. But then she moved. If you travel Up this way and are interested, please let me know. How cooL you know the area. It’s a lovely place to grow up as well.
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Mara~ Lol I love the pic of your cats! That's adorable. Perfect catch.timing wise. I love those unplanned shots. They are beautiful!
Moomala~ we are having bird issues with nests in weird places as well this year. It's driving us nuts. They are bigger and there are many around The wild life has definitely gotten more aware that us humans aren't around as much. My friend has mountain lions coming into her yard and walking down the street, like teenagers. This needs to be over like now..... the ripple effect is hitting everything because of this. So sad and maddening!
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Mara - your cats are adorbs! Im currently reclined in bed with Martin, our big farm boy, snoring on the blanket. His sister Midge is downstairs playing video games with partner as per usual most nights - sometimes she'll join us up here on the corner of the bed. Most nights we kick them out into their bedroom overnight so its possible to get sleep.
Ive got my MO call tomorrow at 1050, will be interesting to see what THIS weeks guidance is. I shall report back if they still want me to do bloods on Wednesday, or if its straight to injection and drugs on Thursday. Candy - I think I am due to be scanning possibly in May, I will wait and see what they say on that.
Not much happening today other than some packing. Feel so so much better than yesterday though - guess I needed some rest.
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Sondra, I don't have the cats in my room overnight either. Same reason, I would never be able to sleep. I do cuddle with them on the bed though. Usually Tigger is the one who comes running if I call from there for a snuggle. Ava comes along soon after and starts bathing me. Pretty good cats overall.
I am also glad you are feeling better. Rest sometimes is the way to go.
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Great to hear Moomala chatting about the birds nesting! I think we are all paying a bit more attention to nature and the speed or not at which things happen. My seeds are a daily revelation and I have always fed and helped nest the wee garden birds...we have plenty!
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Mara- Love your cat pic. My cat (10 years old) sleeps with me. He will pat my face and want kisses. Such a wonderful friend since I live alone.
Moomala- I can ask about Zoom PT, but I really would like the stretching and heat/ultrasound that I would get with hands on appt. Oh well.
Not a bad day today. I called a couple of church members this afternoon and talked for a while. Also walked on treadmill---shame to say I didn't walk at all last week.
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Candy... not a bad day is an improvement!
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Candy, I agree with Karen, not a bad day is an improvement, glad you got to talk to a couple of church members as well. So nice to talk to people for sure. No shame if you did not walk last week. What matters is this week and what you want to do. Good for you.
I am tired out from washing all the blankets. Almost want to buy another washer to make it go faster but the prices have more than doubled since last year. Guess everyone is buying them up due to not wanting to have to wash at the laundromat. Don't blame them either.
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Alright - still have to do bloods on Thursday, with injections and drug pickup on Friday morning. They've moved injections to a separate building to keep people out of the main building as much as possible, and on specific times to keep folks from having to linger. Here is hoping that it is in and out at the appointed time and eliminates any waiting around. I mean, its only Zoladex, let's get it done! Next scan now moved to June rather than May, but MO didn't seem too concerned. And this is my last monthly blood draw - I now go to every other month. Is anyone else on that type of schedule?
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Oh, woke up this morning feeling really tired and nauseated and sad for no reason. Got out of bed, washed a throw blanket and cried. Still feel like crying and the nausea is awful. I would almost rather throw up than have this nausea. This was what it was like in the morning before brain met found. Will keep track, if wake up tomorrow like that, will have to get checked out. For now, taken some nausea meds ate some breakfast to make sure stomach not empty and walked on treadmill for 20 mins. Keep activity up to get out of this slump. Not sure what is going on, but not fully convinced that I actually am sick. We will see. May lie down later.
Only schedule for today is pulling out of slump and getting dressed by 11 including hair. May have to nap though. Nausea meds make me a little sleepy. I am not worried about new mets in the brain unless I wake feeling nauseated again for a few days. Until then, I am not convinced there is anything serious going on, just malaise I think.
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Sondra~I get A three month shot of XGeva... I have to Take claritian or else I'll be sorry. Seems like the hospital has mini wards inside of the big wards. They have to be careful. Just get it done. In your pocket for bloodwork! Luckily I won't be scanning for nine months. I've been lucky to have nine months scans in between. Bloodwork every three months also
Mara~ somedays I just don't feel Well either. I am hoping you're just feeling wonky. You are a busy lil bee. Try to relax and give yourself that time to rest as you gave the same advice! Someday for me a shower is even a challenge. I hope you feel better. Thinking of you guys
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Mara- Sorry to read your post that you are feeling crummy this morning. As you said maybe nothing serious, maybe just a bug or something you ate. Prayers you get to feeling better later today and all is ok.
Before I read mara's post, I wanted to post this:
I was in my Kitchen this morning. The sun streaming in the eastern window. The peacefulness and quiet of early morning alone in a house. I looked around the kitchen and adjoining Living Room and just thanked God for all I have. The cancer stable for the last 2.5 years--hopefully still stable. The chance to "retire" in December and accepted for SSD, and then the virus hit in March. I would have been one of those "essential" workers and would be at work now. But I am safe in my home. Yes, I want to be able to get out again. Some days I feel antsy and have cabin fever. But I am safe here with food in the pantry and a TV and computer to keep me occupied. I have you all. And, Yes, as Karen and mara posted, I am glad I could talk to people on the phone yesterday. Today I am going to open my windows and let in some fresh air--sunny and in the 60's today. And I will walk on the treadmill again, back on the horse as they say.
Sondra- As for your blood draw question, I get labs monthly--day or 2 before next Ibrance cycle. We did change TM's from monthly (with all other labs) to every other month. Missed last month due to COVID, but that was the only time I have missed.
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Candy, I did try to have a nap with some meditation music on but I actually was unable to relax enough. Sobbed some more to myself, felt sorry for myself and said F this, I refuse to have a bad day without a reason. Already taken nausea meds, advil and a digestive enzyme when I had breakfast. I decided to kick my butt out of bed and just told myself things I want to do. If I am not tired enough to rest, then I need some activity today. I plan to be dressed by 11am and then have lunch. I will then just walk up and down my street to music, soak up sunshine and that is it. I have to be firmer with myself and realize we all wake up feeling crummy here and there and take meds to address said crumminess. If I just go to bed where I am not actually resting, that will just let my thoughts of I'm tired, I am sad take over. Living with that is unacceptable because I am not feeling sad or stressed normally. Being in the house instead of shopping is not hugely different than last year for months on end. Covid is not causing me mental stress, obviously if I got something or my family or friends got it, that would change but I only keep track of it on local news at 6pm. I need to kick my own butt, no one else will help and I won't get healthier in bed. It will be a struggle, but I can do it. I am actually quite hungry now so will make up some beans, cheese and queso with tortilla chips. That should get the motor going. I will simply walk until my body and mind decide to cooperate. Need to handle these moods I can get in. If there is no particular reason or problem to fix, I need to get myself out of it some, otherwise I will not function and that is not cool at all.I let you know how it goes.
Candy, I also want you to continue having better days like you had and certainly appreciate you kindness. I think the sunshine coming in certainly does have a good effect. After lunch and a shower, I think I will walk up and down my street for a while. Soak it up myself, get some good vit D moodboosting.
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After I posted I went to the Liver Met Thread. Bad news. Gumdoctor's end is near. God bless her.
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Oh that's awful to hear. She's fought hard, there was quite a situation happening with her liver tumors the last I read. I read about how proud she was of her medals and awards and how she will be buried with them, and how much she loved her job. I hope she can find peace, regardless of everything going on in the world.
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I am so sorry to hear about this for her family, friends both IRL and here. I don't know her from BCO but have certainly seen her mentioned from time to time. My thoughts are with everyone who loves her and again, I am very sorry. When you hear news like this, it really puts life into perspective and what could be happening that is not. Very sobering indeed.
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💔 she posted here a lot when she was feeling better. She became a regular poster for quite a while. I feel terrible knowing cancer will take another sister. I am so sad to hear this. I wish that there was a way to express to someone how much you care when you have ever even met. She’s an amazing woman. I always worried where she went Thank you for letting us know .
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Grannax is in touch with Gumdoctor's husband. She said she will try to post obit. Gumdoctor is in hospital. Brain mets. Unable to talk. You can read Grannax post on the Liver Met Thread.
I copied the post, here it is:
21 hours ago Grannax2 wrote:
I'm very sorry to have to share sad news. Gumdoctor's husband asked me to let you know that she is in the hospital. Her cancer spread to her brain. She texted me a week ago but went downhill very fast. She cannot speak and her Dr Angel advised that she not receive anymore TX.
Her husband seemed at peace with the decisions being made. It sounds like the end is imminent. I'm in tears right now but know she fought the hard fight till the very end. We'll miss her.
Fly away Home, Gumdoctor.
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Gentle hugs everyone.
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Ooh what a mixed set of posts. Good to hear Candy and Mara doing OK, Mel and Mae hanging in there, but Gumdoctor....sad news indeed..
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mara- How are you feeling now? Any better than this morning?
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Hi Candy, thanks for asking. Yes, I feel much better than this morning. Since I could not rest this morning, I decided to kick my butt out of bed, showered, at some beans and cheese and go for an outdoor walk when it was sunny. Helped a lot for sure. Then I went again after a later lunch. Only issue with that walk was I was on the side of the road and was startled by a dead squirrel. Rest of the day was good though. Thanks a lot. Hope your day went well too.
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