My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer

Hello all, glad to see those able to out and about enjoying the Christmas spirit. Here its going…not so great. I finally threw out any expectations last night and we are rolling with it. The plans and menus I had developed when I had an appetite and not in a pain flare? Way out the window. Thankful we didn't spend money on an expensive beef tenderloin or decided just now not to bother making them ourselves - we've downgraded to more of a Swedish julbord situation with meatballs in cream sauce, mashed potatoes, and the Swedish ham all cooked on the 25th rather than spread across two days. Ah well, whatever, there has been far too much stress in this house to deal with, not least of all adding on extensive cooking by one person that I wont eat a lot of.

Everything was going well until last Tuesday when I must have sat wrong for too long wrapping presents that now Im in a flare again. Pain management want to talk to neurological intervention surgeons about a pain pump being installed but that wont happen until the 8th. Frankly I think I need fresh imaging on my lower back, every time i move I feel stuff clonking around in there. So I dont know but trying to deal with this during the holidays is not good - district nurses missed my Saturday appt and I had to reconfirm they are coming tomorrow, Hospice pain management kicked it back to the hospital and Im just concerned a bit at the level of narcotic freewheeling Im doing but needs must I guess. Ill talk to Pain Mgmt on the 27th first thing at least,but the goal is to NOT be admitted if I can help it because I go downhill just a little bit more each time.

And to add insult to injur(ies) are all the little niggly things that have popped up - laptop keyboard decided to stop working, so I have to bring along an external which defeats the purpose, Ive got super sensitive tips to my fingers and the cuts on the thumbs keep reopening, so Ive got cotton gloves to wear, the lymphedema crossed over to the other leg a bit and now I have to wear a sock on both leg, and its been the same 46F and cloudy dreary rain for a week. On the plus side I see a square box wrapped that I dearly hope is the waffle maker Ive been asking for for years. Guess we will find out!

Everyone have a very happy and merry and joyous time whatever your situation, its a time for family and togetherness at the end of the day after all!

Irish - What a wonderful Christmas party story. I know what you mean about the meeting up of cultures. For several years I used to substitute teach a lot at a school for kids coming into the district who didn't know English well enough yet to be in the regular classrooms. Both the teachers and students were from all over the world, and I often got to meet not just them, but some of their other family members too. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Also glad you got something of a handle one the "critter" that was out in your yard. I hope that cat does OK. It's nice that you are trying to help as best you can. Good luck with your scan. They give me stuff to drink that isn't too bad - not at all what I understand the older stuff was like. Are you sure you get the more "modern" drink? I can't believe you did all that party stuff if you are registering as extremely anemic. I get so tired with these drugs that I'll be certain I must be anemic, and then labs and the dr tell me I'm not. Can't imagine what I'd feel like if I really did wind up anemic. I sure hope the iron infusion helps. Good luck with that too!

Sondra, best wishes for your scans. My site uses a mocha drink that’s not too bad. I read recently that one sunchoke has a day’s worth of iron. If you plant them use a container. We had so many we gave them to our kids (with me telling them it was ok to toss them after DH was out of sight. They aren’t bad when mixed with potatoes

sfcakes What a perfect tree, so pretty! Happy Birthday and Happy Holidays to you, enjoy with your family!

Mel Nice to see you , we all love and miss you but totally understand. Continued prayers and strength for you and your family . Thanks for sharing the precious Christmas pic of adorable Theo❌⭕️

@intolight Ugh sorry to hear you guys caught colds and had to change your holiday plans. Hope you all feel better quickly and yep we all know how to pivot on here!

@mara51506 Enjoy treating yourself to one on your guilty please treats and a favorite movie.

@irishlove Love the party that your DG planned, such a beautiful memory.

@sondraf I'm glad you decided to try to eliminate stress and minimize your menu. I always start big and wind up cutting some things off also. I usually have too much food anyhow. Well I sure hope PM team can help you manage your pain and have a better 2025!

Wishing all here Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I considered all of you a precious gift…always♥️🎄

Making a frozen chicken and rice thing because I don't know what I want. Later, will make up a couple of eggs in mini griddles, let them cool and chop them up with some shredded cheese and croutons or chips. Comes out like ground beef that way. Add seasoning to taste, scoop onto a plate and heat for a minute or two and figure out binder and seasoning later.

Made a new years resolution early, planning to to dispose of the non working washer and broken microwave to start with, no replacing broken washer, will not replace new one if it breaks. either. Can use a wand washer in the newer washer, may start off a laundry and agitate for shorter cycles, keeping motor able to last longer, I will see. If motor wears out, use the wand washer, rotate the laundry and keep going. If it still drains, can stay in the tub.Not allowing stuff to keep filling the house and hire companies to remove stuff. Take that expectation off DB, I need to take care of stuff and can adjust my budget to put this in savings. He does not need to know as he does not like me to spend money that way but what he does not know won't hurt him. Need to look after my own needs.

Another resolution, eat up what is in my freezer and pantry before buying more of the same stuff. Not only do I save grocery money but I can avoid wasting stuff. I can do so much with what is in the freezer first. I also should avoid frozen pasta until the dry pasta is gone, got lots of that. Can still get frozen but maybe not so much of it. You tube has given so many good ideas when it comes to frugal eating. I do think frugal fit mom and dollar tree dinners which I mimic with Walmart stuff are the best for me.

No other resolutions other than no more washer purchased and no more unneeded kitchen appliances either. Keep the money and budget boost wherever possible for the fun of it. I don't actually need to do it to keep food in the belly. I still have money from when I sold my condo, some in a trust and some that disability allowed me to keep.

Next year will be a good year for me because I want it to be, better spending, more frugality as I enjoy it and some treats that I get out of the frugality.

Long way of saying I hope all enjoy the season, in pockets for everyone who needs it and in my own as well to keep up the promises to myself.

Mara, what a nice surprise. Brothers can be special!

It is midnight and yes, I am still up. My DGD is sick and is struggling to go to sleep so her mom is desperately trying to get her to sleep so she can finish upstairs. I just may have to do it for her although I know she wants this joy.

Good night!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all, hope you are having a good day, in pockets for those who need me.

As mentioned DB dropped off lots of chocolate and the Cat Wars calendar, nothing like cats with lightsabers which is up next to the microwave.

I bought a couple more wee washers for fun because they were 20.00 after coupon was applied. They arrive Friday. I wanted them so that was my own Christmas present and not shopping for groceries this week anyway. Most of that I used budget boosting stuff like the games, tv ads and surveys to pay for them.

Had a smaller meat pie with chicken and veggies in it, put some salt and caesar dressing on it. Was good. Planning a bean sort of meal. Going to microwave an egg, some beans as well in a bowl, once cooled, put them in the chopper with some croutons and cheese. Move to a hot pan with cooking oil and butter rubbed on bottom of pan, mix all ingredients together in pan and turn off heat, cover with a lid. That should be good for a supper.

Beyond that, nothing else of note happening today or even next week and no shopping trips until fridge and freezer are more empty. Just putting my gift cards for Walmart I got from budget boosting and just piling on more gift cards as the earnings keep going up. I still mean to eat through my pantry first, things like cheese, eggs and condiments are the only thing purchased. Cat food and litter eat a good chunk out of the budget as well, Tigger is really enjoying his kitten food, Ava still on the adult food.

@intolight So glad it was a good day. Sometimes we pay for them, but they are worth it. What a sweet granddaughter you have. I hope she was feeling better. And hoping you get better was just beautiful.