My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Comments
-
Mae,
Yes. Cancer diagnosed in 2013, pacer installed in 2016. I have another condition called Sarcoidosis, and that’s what caused the heart issue. So not really connected at all with the cancer.
Moth, thank you for providing those links. Such interesting stuff. I try to keep up with what’s going on in drug development but there’s way too much.
Mel, that stinkin insomnia. I hope you can find something to allow you to get the rest you need. I’m kind of loving the snow. Haven’t seen it in awhile. Also having such a great time with my sister and BIL. My DH keeps texting saying he misses me, so we have some serious discussions ahead of us.
0 -
Morning all.
Thanks Mel for the shout out--- I last posted here yesterday (Wednesday) about noon, my time.
Not much going on here. Just reading everyone else's posts.
0 -
Sorry to hear about the tornado KBL. Love the sensory board, I still remember mine from when I was little, as well as a round ball that you put different shaped things into. Those were great. He will have a lot of fun.
Mel, I always worry about people who have not checked in for a while. Too bad there was not a place for people to just say that they are taking a break from the board a while. I know it is not always dire circumstances but of course we all worry about people as well.
Not doing much today, walking as usual which has not really changed. I am making another major change to my diet. Getting rid of the peanut butter for a bit. I lack self control when it comes to how much I eat and I have gained weight with it. I will not throw it out, but just not eat it for a while. The wakeup moment was when I came home from a walk and I was chafed to the point of slight bleeding. My undies also are starting to cut into me. I don't drink a lot of pop, I don't eat a lot of carb loaded things and I have shrunk meal portions. Cannot stop eating beans and spinach and cheese because I really don't like anything, I don't even eat chocolate anymore. Gave chocolate chips to my brother. I cannot exercise more than I am, I do some strength training too, but my diet should not require 5 hours of exercise. I can see walking a couple of hours throughout the day but not much more than that. Even the queso is not the culprit. We will see what happens without peanut butter a few days. If I start losing, I may let myself have a teaspoon as a dessert and measure it out. I am in good shape otherwise, strong heart, able to do quite a bit physically and will keep it that way. I don't mind that a middle age body can look different with a bit of a pooch, not interested in working out and bodybuilding, but just need pants to fit once again.
0 -
official amount of snow we got was a foot. Starting the winter with a twelve inch storm better not be an indication of a bad winter.
I am going to pull a Mara and walk to my mail box. I want to take some pics of the trees and snow. I dedicate this walk to you Mara. You made me think of it instead of driving and my van is covered in snow. Shoveling DH has been pecking away at it. Ds was up all night with his second job with the plowing company. Cash money. They had quite a lot of jobs to cover last night. He’s not even home yet. He must be exhausted! But good for him, may as well do it while you’re young.Reporting for any needed pocket duty!!!! I have chocolate covered caramel with sea salt treats! Yummy!
0 -
oh and Mara honey, the medication we take packs the weight on, because I only eat once a day. I can't loose a pound to even want to shop for clothing. I have such a hard time with pants. It boggles my mind how nothing ever fits me. Ever!!! I'm not huge. But I'm not petite either by any means. I'm tall and I have meat on my bones. My oncologist said that he likes that. Although I want to loose like 50 lbs. before I got cancer I was at my ideal weight finally. It took years of working out weekly at the gym. Makes me so sad that I can't be that person. Anymore that a walk to the mailbox would be a big deal. I don't walk good on uneven surfaces. So I'll be stepping carefully. That is about my extent to being in the snow.
Philly is really into her practice and she's really been picking up advertising and she appears to be very busy with that. But last time I spoke with her, she sends her very best and love. She's pushing through life with MBC like we all are. We just don't have a choice.
0 -
Good morning ladies.
Mel I love your Mara inspired mailbox journey. Sometimes my DH yells field trip when he checks the mail and I go with him.
KBLthe utility board sounds really engaging for your grandson.
I haven't seen any pics yet of the snow. Stay safe everyone.
My Onc called last night with MRI results. Bones are unchanged but the liver has always had a 2cm growth and now its 2.4. I'll wait to see if I need a biopsy. He didn't seem that concerned and said we'll continue to monitor it.
Tanya
0 -
0 -
0 -
0 -
Thanks Mel, I do believe you about the meds. When I started taking Tegretol back in 2004, my regular weight went up by 20lbs. Would not be surprised that cancer drugs could be part of it. Having said that, if you saw how much peanut butter I was downing, it would be understandable. I think just staying committed to 2 hours of walking per day, indoor and outdoor and a bit smaller portions for meals will go a long way for me. Need clothes I have to fit and don't need gobs of peanut butter. A tablespoon is fine, not a bowlful. The bonus of the morning walk is it certainly sets me up for a good mental day in that there are less depressive feelings.
I am also glad to hear I have inspired people to start to walk as well. I do know how good it is for health and mental wellbeing. When of the treadmill, I will walk up and down the living room, pacing if you will or in the hallway from my place to the backdoor, masked though. Mel, you will find the walk to the mailbox feels good, heck even if you sitting, lifting your feet slightly for a few minutes goes a long way too. You will notice it. Good for you.
Tanya, glad bones have not changed, sorry liver met has grown no matter how slightly but I am encouraged that your MO does not seem concerned. Thank you for your kind words. The really do make me feel good as well.
0 -
Tanya~that's my backyard and common ground area it's definitely a lot. Official total for our area 10-18 inches. I agree with that. Results; Great on the bones!!!! Watchful eyes never hurt anything. Sending you hugs.
Mara ~I am back from my walk. I'm not gonna lie, I had to really pay attention and pace myself. My sacrum. That little stinker IS the reason I cannot exercise. I had my ear buds in and it was like winter wonderland. Music was making me remember my work out days. I'm going to try to strengthen the muscles around that area. See if I walk a few times a week to start, can lead me to gain stamina also. You're an inspiration my friend. Thank you. For always pushing. And for sharing how you do it. High air five to you Mara!!!
0 -
Mara, I get it on the peanut butter. I love extra crunchy and putting 1/4 cup or more (400+ calories) on a single folded-over slice of bread is really easy. to do. A couple of times a day of that is the equivalent of tossing a daily stick of butter into your diet. It is a little easier to add a thin smear of creamy to a few crackers or somethin, but not my thing.
0 -
Tanya, yes, it is so neat to watch him engage with the board. I'm sorry about your liver, but as others have said, it's good your onc wants to just keep an eye.
Mel, what beautiful snow to look at from a thousand miles away. LOL. I'll take pictures of it any day, but I could never live in it. If it gets below 70 degrees, I'm freezing. I'm such a wimp. Never mind driving in it. I see there were a lot of accidents. I'm not surprised.
Mara, I love peanut butter as well. Why do the things we love have to be so caloric? It sucks.
0 -
my dog loves the snow!
0 -
Did this for about 30 mins minus the arms since my floor is laminate. Just wore socks. It was a good workout.
0 -
Just got a call that my cardio appt is Monday morning. I’m very pleased they got me bumped up so quickly and with my cardiologist, not a random one. I really like my heart guy. The first time my EF rate dropped (not to the level of stopping treatment), I told him I’d rather strengthen my heart with exercise, not a pill and he said “great!, many patients just want a pill, good for you”. We’re on the same page and I don’t think he’ll be especially alarmed by the drop either, perhaps more cautious. I’ll update this part later.
Moving more stuff to storage today, looking at bathroom sinks for the cabin and off to the grocery for a seafood feast, crab cakes and crab legs, maybe lobster too! Mmmmmm......
0 -
Mara-Thanks for posting that workout video-I'm going to give it a try. I have actually lost some weight by continuing playing pickleball in the cold but I know there'll be about 2 months when I won't be able to do that. I find that walking doesn't help me with weight loss unless I do 6-8 miles in the cold which I don't feel like doing. I find the treadmill deadly dull. I need fast paced exercise to keep my weight down so this looks good and also easy on the joints. I am a peanut/peanut butter freak too-it might be because it is so nutritious-my body demands it. There are certain nutrients that I am getting mainly from peanuts.
0 -
Chicagoan, you are welcome. I just like that one so I can watch tv at the same time. I do like the elliptical as well. I will say, I can feel it in my legs. I am also not going to give the peanut butter completely, just measure how much I am having like tablespoon or teaspoon.
Mae, glad you docs agree with rehabbing you heart function with exercise. Mine used to read between 50 and 55 on my echoes but it is now up to 60 and 65 which I like better.
0 -
Well, I have done 50 mins of that on the sofa by sliding my sock feet back and forth on the floor. Did 30 mins before lunch and 20 mins after lunch. I can definitely say I can feel that quite a bit. It will go into my exercise repertoire. It also made my lunch travel through my digestive track faster just as a walk would do. I recommend this to anyone and if you have carpet, use the things he attached to his shoes. It is quite the workout but easy on the back.I also did not do the arms, just the legs.
0 -
Back from initial consultation with the clinical genetics MO. Learned quite a bit and I liked her a lot. Gave the required blood and its shipped off to San Francisco tomorrow. Three to four weeks for the results, mostly due to the holidays. My February MO appointment is shaping up to be a doozy as I will be scanning end of Jan and the genetic results will be back. Its kind of crappy, though, thinking about how quite possibly just genetic roulette meant I ended up like this.
Mel - thank you for the news about Philly, I think of her often and am glad she is go go going!
And that snow is incredible, I am glad your doggo had fun playing in it (make sure your hubs is careful with shoveling though)Tanya - good-enough news for the time being
hello to all!
0 -
Glad to hear that Philly is doing well too. Miss her here too as well.
My RO called a few minutes ago about my MRI results from the scan a couple of weeks ago Glad to report that I am still NEAD and that nothing has changed at all since last year. MRI will continue to be every six months so should have next MRI in June. My CT neck down scan is happening in January. I expect it will still be the same but pockets are open to any who may want to jump in.
0 -
Yay Mara~~~ congratulations on those results. I will be available for pocket duty!
0 -
Thanks a lot Mel!
0 -
Great news Mara 🎉
Consider me staking out my spot in your pocket, I’ll bring coffee and croissants.
0 -
Glad to hear Philly is doing ok. Wonder about Moomala.
Tanya- Happy your MO is not overly concerned about the small change in your liver tumor. Will have to monitor and pray it will stay stable.
Mel -- Good snow pics.
Mae- Pocket duty for cardio appt Mon.
Mara- Woohoo on NEAD !!!!
Quiet day here--- 6pm now. I took a short nap today with my cat. Felt good. Read, TV. Just a calm day.
0 -
January seems to be a date for several of us scan wise...me too if my appointment ever comes through.
Enjoyed my walk with a friend along the foot of the Campsie Hills today, but will be a ‘ burst ba’ tomorrow I’m pretty sure, so a lie in for me!
I too miss Moomala, PM’d her a good while ago with no response and she hasn’t been seen here since Aug I think. She may sadly be lost to us now.....
0 -
Here for pocket duty for anyone who needs it.
Good luck with cardio appointment, Mae.
Mel, what a cute pup. That’s quite the snow. At least somebody loves it.
Mara, Yayyy!
Candy, glad you got a nap in. I keep taking short ten-minute naps lately. I’m more tired than usual during the day. It’s my week of Ibrance. Maybe that’s it.
0 -
Hi everyone. Got my scan results and everything looks stable,even though the scan reader thought the left pleural effusion looked slightly increased my MO thought it looked the same. Increased mesenteric and omental haziness was noted. I have no idea what that is so will have to look it up. Sure would be nice to get the written report before the telehealth call so I could have questions ready. I know I can message my MO but it just isn't the same.
Enjoy the snow, Mel, we are quite brown in MN and I would like a little for Christmas! Maybe not as much as the East though.
Thinking of you Candy and am on pocket duty for Mon.
0 -
Lee~yay on stable ! That’s the magic word! Other than cured of course. Maybe one day. Just maybe......
Karen~glad you enjoyed your walk. I walked today too, it’s getting myself moving that the problem is for me because of the pain. Sigh I would love to work out again !
0 -
Big day for reports here: Mara, great news! Pocket duty in Jan. Leee, Tanya, I’m glad there’s nothing big to worry about. Stable is good!
Mel, I like the snow pictures. That’s neat that your dog enjoys being out in it.
0
