My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Comments
-
goldens - sorry your pain procedure didn't work. how disappointing
I hope these other pain relief measures stay effective and your steroid weaning goes well mae - pocket duty today and tomorrow! dd made some gingerbread cookies - thick soft chewy ones with a real nice balance of spice and sweet. Also leftover chocolate birthday cake.
yay Karen! celebrating with you!
candy - have fun with the star trek universe. Glad you found some neat gaming friends with whom to hang out
not much new from me. Rads #3 today. We have a weird thing happening in the afternoon where the 4 of us with 2 cars between us have to be in several different places at once. yesterday the logistics of it all was giving me anxiety but dh came up with 2 plans based on whether dd can get off shift a bit early or not.
I'm losing my hair again. Thanks abraxane! It was really very pathetic thin baby hair so no huge loss but it's annoying losing such short stuff. It's weaving itself into fabrics and I can't just really brush to yank it out.
.
0 -
Mel, I am so sorry you never feel good. I am sending hugs. I have those moments but then have a day or two of energy with noexplanation as to why.
Candy, I forgot to tell you to have fun with your gaming. Hopefully it keeps your mind very occupied.
0 -
KBL - "I am very outspoken, so keeping my mouth shut is probably not an option." Hehe. Sounds like me. Yes, we're having some love-driven overprotectiveness here. Some gentle reminders that I am still capable, and confirmation that I will, indeed, be careful is usually enough. However, he's not responding to my gentle nudges for taking care of himself. Nothing really new there. Lol.
Goldens- I'm sorry the nerve ablation didn't work for you, but happy to hear the steroids are.
Mae - in your pocket tomorrow
0 -
SeeQ, I know, right? Mine gets mad if I do the same to him. I think that's where the issue is coming in. If I have pain or am honest about feeling tired, he tells me to not do anything or sleep. I lay down sometimes and get ten minutes, then I'm up again and can't sleep during the day. Our little protectors. Lol.
Oh, and I forgot to mention the weight thing. I have trouble gaining weight since October 2018 after I lost about 16 pounds. Now he asks me almostevery day what I weigh and what I’ve eaten. If I lose weight, he gets very concerned. I know he doesn’t want to lose me. I guess this is the new normal and I have to learn to be okay with it.
0 -
KBL - Oh yeah. Here, too. I lost about that much when I started treatment, and I still have to force myself to eat sometimes. He still pays attention, but is not 'coaching' at the moment.
0 -
Mae,
Sorry I’m a little late, but I’m in your pocket for tomorrow’s CT scan. Bringing Christmas cookies and hot chocolate.
Hugs
0 -
supposed to get a snow storm in a few days. Last year had barely three inches. It’s freezing outside. We got our new roof and we are ready ! Calling for 12 inches ! Well see ...
0 -
Thanks for the pocket duty and the food/snacks. Bone scan was fine and the trial rad onc called to say the met we radiated is just a small spot and there’s nothing new. My follow up with him is Wednesday but he didn’t want to to worry and I love that.
CT bumped up to tomorrow since it was mistakenly scheduled after my MO follow up instead of before. I’m calm and feel pretty decent.
KBL, oh man DH’s. Mine is always concerned to the point of annoyance sometimes, I get it. While we were at the cabin some people said they saw a bear, so DH grabs a gun and spends almost an hour by the dirt road watching for it. He was far, I could see him and of course I’m watching do s bear doesn’t sneak up on him but I still can’t yell. If I saw it and he didn’t, can you imagine?! Plus, I’d be pissed if he had to shoot it because that situation was totally avoidable. I was so mad but reminded myself that he’s great in so many other ways, so I just reminded him that he’s too important to me to engage is needlessly risky behavior and to not go looking for trouble. (I fought the urge to go drag him back myself, I admit I was quite angry)
FYI, no bear was seen, which is good.
0 -
Hey ladies
Golden sorry about that ablation not working.Mine didn't work on the right side and the left side sometimes is pain free and sometimes not. I don't think I'd ever do it again. Also the 2/3 success rate was not disclosed to me which makes me a bit annoyed. I probably still would've tried. I'm glad that the steroids and other meds are helping.
Mae a bear really. I understand your anger wow that was risky “man" stuff. I got you for pocket duty tomorrow I can't wait for booboos Christmas cookies.
Candy that group sounds nice especially after Covid done. Star Trek is probably interesting. Sounds like fun.
Mel stay warm. I don't miss shoveling snow or raking leaves. But there's nothing like the silence and beauty after a winter storm.
Moth I hope your rads are making a big difference. It's always a chore going back and forth to radiation bc it was everyday when I went. I hope you don't have to worry about transportation.
Waving hello to all
Tany
0 -
SeeQ, once again, I’m glad I’m not alone, but I hate to see any of us with overprotective hubbies or family members. He did apologize this morning for the little tiff we had yesterday. At least he does apologize when he knows he’s gone overboard.
Oh, Mae, they think they’re invincible. I don’t get it. May I suggest an air horn so if he ever does that again, you can blow it to scare the hell out of whoever or whais around, including him. Ugh. They are so hard headed sometimes.
I’m glad your bone scan was good. Now for a good CT report. Will be thinking of you.
Mel, I haven’t lived in a cold state for 51 years. Below 70 is freezing for me, unless I’m having one of my many daily hot flashes. Stay warm. Yikes, that’s a lot of snow.
0 -
On board for pocket duty Mae and Candy. My scan was today and will get report tomorrow. Hoping for good results for all.
Moth, have you considered a wig? The good ones are so natural and easy to care for, especially if short. I just love mine; no more bad hair days and it keeps my head warm.
I have been married to my DH for 54 years so sex life is not a problem or an important part of our marriage anymore. We enjoy smooching and cuddling and falling asleep. LOL. Sounds dull but after all these years, it works for us.
Hi to everyone else and hope everyoe has a good week!
0 -
Hello Ladies ~Getting ready for bed and I thought I’d make my rounds. My DH is also over protective. He knows what stage four means. But sometimes , since I’m doing so well , he kinda forgets that could change one scan.
KBL~ I do r mind a little snow once inside while , but I don’t want a lot now.....too early in the season. That usually means a bad winter for us. I hope that is not the case.
Mae~A freaking bear,? I don’t think I could watch him looking for a bear to show himself. You’re alot nice than I would be. I don’t even want to take a chance of erratic behavior, if they have been around people maybe they are a little too comfortable around people. Yikes!!Tanya~I am not. Able to shovel either. My son will have to take care of it, if DH will take care of it. It’s just 12 inches to start with is a lot. I hope it is alll hubb Bubb. Although it is lovely outside to look at it, but I don’t like to be cold. It was just 56 here Friday when we had our roof done. Good timing I would have to say!!! I love it.
Hello Moth. Candy ~ good to hear about your group. Hope your enjoy yourself. Didn’t see you today.
Hello SeeQ! Sondra, Karen, BooBoo. Rosie, Lee, emac, Goldens sorry about your continued pain. I hope it gets better like Now !
Hope I sleep. Cold tonight. Love it snuggle in my blankets. Nothing else better. Goodnight ladies
0 -
Mae, Pocket duty for your scan. Glad to hear bone scan was good. I’d be happy to see a bear in the wild but not on a hiking trail, and not too close. (I have my rules, lol.)
Mel, I saw your coming snow mentioned on the news. Could be big! I like a big snow now and then too. Our recent storm was hyped for about a week and caused some power outages north of me, but only gave us about 6 inches. It was pretty though.
Goldens, Sorry the ablation didn’t help. Hope the steroid effect holds on for a while. Back pain is miserable.
Candy, I know very little about Star Trek and would need a lot of watching too. It does sound like fun, especially once you can get together in person. I’m in your pocket for the 21st, one week away. I’ll bring some mini candy canes.
Not much happening with me, which is ok. I have one more physical therapy session to go for my shoulder issue and expect to be dismissed after that. It’s improved a lot with the exercises and range of motion type work by the therapist. DH and I decided to try one of those meal box delivery companies. Neither of us are very creative (or eager) cooks and I thought it might get us more variety in an easy way. My friend really likes it a lot. First box is supposed to come Thursday so we’ll see.
Hi to all!
0 -
It’s finally up and done!!
0 -
Beautiful tree, Mel. Always worth the effort!
0 -
Very nice tree Mell, pocket duty for Mae and Candy as well. Bringing the black beans, queso and shredded cheese for some bombastic nachos.
0 -
Mel, your tree is perfect!
Been away from BCO for a bit and as usual get so far behind there's no catching up.I was supposed to have my annual mamm in October and have been waiting since Sept for the call. Here we are in December and still no call. I finally get a hold of someone after days of phoning (no humans answer phones) and was told that it would be another 5 or 6 months before I get a call for a mamm appointment. Are you kidding me with this shit? That pits my mamm 8 or 9 months behind schedule. That's almost not behind shcedule, that's almost a missed mammogram!
I am not a great fan of Christmas and this year the daughter scooped the box of decorations and put a tree up at her house, so that sort of let me off the hook. I can blame my no tree state on having no decorations. Works for me!
Big wave and hugs to everyone.
0 -
Lee, I hope you get good results from your scan.
Mel, beautiful tree. I love it. I immediately saw the heart, which is my symbol for my parents. I even have a heart tattoo behind my ear.
Rosie, glad your shoulder is feeling better. I have had shoulder issues in the past as well. Most recently, I had a frozen shoulder for over a year. I didn’t have physical therapy. They say it can heal in its own. I’m almost back to normal. So weird.
0 -
Okay, folks, changing the topic just a bit here because I don't know where to post this. I am watching the morning news and seeing first line workers get their Covid vaccines. The front page of today's Washington Post has an extraordinary article about the rapid development of the vaccine, with an all hands on deck approach, because Covid is raging across the country. I am thrilled that there are vaccines coming. I am thrilled that scientists have been able to decipher the disease. But -- I wondered how many people die of CANCER each year in the US. Did you all know that according to NIH figures it will be about 606,500 people THIS YEAR? Twice the number of current Covid deaths (and no, I am certainly not minimizing the seriousness of Covid.) So where is OUR Operation Warp Speed? I can't help but think that cancer hasn't been treated the same way because it produces a HUGE healthcare system that would be tremendously altered if there was a cure for cancer.
I don't know the answer, but that's today's rant. I want some attention paid to US.
0 -
Lee64- Pocket duty for scan results for you.
Mel- Nice tree. I do not put one up-- not much of a Christmas person and my cat would have it torn down in a hot second.
Runor- Wow. Where do you live again? Here in U.S., at least in Illinois, we can get mammograms easy peasy.
BevJen- I say Follow The Money. Think if we had a cure for cancer. From the rural cancer centers to the big centers. All those employees out of a job. The pharma companies. The scan machine companies. The doctors, nurses, support staff. All of it. Cancer is a big money maker.
There is a cure. But we will never see it.
Whereas, we cure Covid. Things open back up. Businesses thrive again. MONEY.
It is not the lives. It is the money.
0 -
Candy-
I'm sure you are right. It just peeves me, though. We are truly a voiceless group.
0 -
runor, are you still being followed by the MO at BCCA or your.own GP? Either way I'd contact their office and ask.them to resubmit a req with asap on it. Or if you're up for the coquihalla, come to lower mainland? Medray in coquitlam and Surrey breast clinic are excellent
0 -
Candy, I do think you are right on the money with the answer, money. Drugs we are given, machines etc payout a lot of money and I can see business not wanting to cure us.
It is a chilly but nice day out here. Had to walk about 90 mins round trip. Am looking for my normal digestive enzymes as they are inexpensive and work but nothing on Amazon except a pricier bunch which I did buy due to being same name brand. Trying another brand from the drug store as well. I may go to another drugstore this afternoon. The walk felt good. Also have washed two blankets today. Doing one to two blankets for my bed instead of blankets all day long. Much easier to handle, less tiring.
0 -
so.... I just don't believe that anyone doesn't *want* to find a solution to cancer.
It's just not very easy. It's not one disease, we don't understand all the processes very well.
We are well on our way to eradicating cervical ca (with a vaccine) and I've never heard anyone be anything other than joyously happy about it. I mean, oncologists are saying that in their lifetime they expect it to become essentially gone. I've seen MOs get teary about this.I think the answer will come for each cancer, one at a time, sometimes whole groups (I didn't realize how much treatment overlap there was for ex between non small cell lung carcinoma and breast cancer - lots of immunotherapy there, lots of testing for PD-L1 etc). I suspect the treatments/prevention will be expensive and drug companies will continue to make money. Also, people in developed countries are pretty unhealthy from lifestyle - type 2 diabetes and high BP and cardiac issues will continue to be 'money makers' for companies. Developing countries need vaccines, malaria treatments, anti parasitics... i don't think we'll run out of things for doctors, nurses, and pharma companies to treat and work on.
0 -
Hello Ladies~It's chilly here today and we are in for some snow. Who knows if we'll get it or not. But my luck because I don't want it, it will snow. Like crazy. I just worry about my family having to travel in that weather. To start the season with a 12 inch snow storm would be fitting for this crappy 2020.... I'll be glad to see this year go away.
My best friends son was diagnosed with covid yesterday, he's feeling like it's the flu, low grade fever , chills, body aches, headache. Cough. I think half of the USA has already had it and didn't even know it. I remember in early December I was sick sick with something that was beating me up. My sister same thing. So I'm not sure some of us didn't already get it, due to the variety of severity of symptoms and how it effects people differently.
0 -
There are population serology tests. Up to September 2020 in USA "Over 4 sampling periods in 42 of 49 jurisdictions with calculated estimates, fewer than 10% of people had detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies." https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedic...
If someone is really curious, many private labs now offer serology testing. Ours runs $75. I think you need to be 3 weeks+ from symptoms.
It's raining super hard here so wIll give myself extra time to drive to the cancer agency today. Radiation treatment #4 and then an appt with an RO. Seems super early - I think last time I had it more halfway through treatment. I don't see why I need to see him but whatever.....
0 -
Checking in- new job has been keeping me on my toes far more than the prior one, but that is good, I rather enjoy engaging my brain!
All sorts of chaos here with London put into tougher restrictions (really, you just cant go to the restaurant or pub) now for the holidays, and I had extra toilet paper and canned tomatoes in my delivery tonight in case of Brexit (although that looks a bit less likely now). Last night was grocery shopping night and it was fuller than normal and I was almost hit by a giant Land Rover speeding in the parking lot. I don't know what it is about Christmas here, but people just lose their minds every December. Where the hell are they all going in such a hurry this year?!
Two more days and then I am off for almost three weeks. Can't wait to start cooking and baking.
Hello to all and stay safe in the weather!
0 -
Candy,
I agree totally. I worked in pharma, and it is not financially advantageous to cure many illnesses. Diabetes. Has been a cure for years. Cures are suppressed (I can’t prove this but heard one of our scientists say it) because of the money made on drugs, syringes, blood strips, etc., etc. Sick stuff. I believe, in time, you will see some (maybe all) cancers cured when another killer illness takes its place.
Mel, pretty tree. Merry Christmas to you.
Tany, haven’t made any real Christmas cookies yet (my BIL is a crazy man who only eats healthy things...doesn’t like sugar in his house), so none to share. Am making a cheesecake for Christmas Eve though. Happy to share that with you.
Runor, that is completely unacceptable to me. You should not only NOT have to wait, but be able to schedule your own when the time comes. Shame.
Sondra, hope your new job treats you well, and enjoy your time off!
0 -
Mel, that is a lovely tree. I would not be surprised if I have already had it myself. Hard for me to tell a real cold from the stuffiness and sinus congestion I get from Herceptin and of course, I would not know if I already had it since some people are asymptomatic.
Sondra, good luck with the new job but enjoy the time off first of course.
I am not decorating but that is OK, going to brothers for Christmas dinner. Staying home Christmas Eve this year which does not bother me.
0 -
Hmmmn, I posted this on my FB page several weeks ago....my question isn’t so much about a cure for cancer as this hugely complex- as we all know. It is about the timescales.
How come vaccines can be clinically tested, ratified and rolled out in 10 months when it takes a DECADE to do the same with new cancer treatments? Conclusion... Money and Politics!
And who exactly is asking that question on a global, commercial, social scale? Moderators one for the BC.org organisation and other organisations such as Breast Cancer Now in the UK.....trust me I asked them too. Strangely no response....
0
