My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
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A belated Merry Christmas to all and Happy Hanukkah & Kwanzaa as well! Had a wonderful day, got to DDs home to watch grands open presents and FaceTimed w/other DD at the same time. Went to Mass and came home to clean up mess from Christmas Eve dinner. Headed back to DD to help with food prep for our family meal (12 adults and 7 kids). Got home around 9 and passed out on couch. Off to see Wicked (the movie) this afternoon. Loved reading about everyone’s holiday. Mara - what a lovely thing your brother did. It would still be very sweet even if there was no chocolate involved😉😉😉.
Mel - so glad to hear from you - love the Theo photo. Thanks for the update on Candy. Glad to hear it was a computer issue and not something much worse.
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Into light, sweet letter to Santa from DGD. I hope she felt better too. I am glad you were able to get dinner cooked up as well, that would have felt good and you will enjoy it over the next few days as well. That really does take a lot of energy.
I mostly watched TV yesterday, no Christmas stuff this year just other movies and shows when the TV was not taken over by the TV ads for cash stuff.
Today, laundry as usual, just in the newer washer, had quite a few cloths and clothes yesterday so used my wee washer along with the big one. Today's load is bigger. Got the impulse buy of the two wee washers coming tomorrow, was a treat at 20 dollars each, I will see how they work out. It was a Christmas present, if non working they can be used to hold soaking clothes. I still have a clip on washer I bought a while ago as well. It lives in my suitcase used for any hospital stay I had to have. No more washers or any impulse stuff, I am not shopping this week so spent the budget boosting money I made on those.
Not sure what I want but it may involve spraying regular bowl with cooking spray, crack an egg, add beans or lentils, possibly a premade hash brown as well. Put them in the chopper after cooled and chop up with cheese and some croutons, not too many. Heat in a pan with cooking spray and butter rubbed on the bottom. I will see, good thing with an egg in the bowl is anything can be added and fairly easy to make. I still have a few meat pies, pizza and such for later meals. No further beefless ground but pretty sure I still have some ground turkey that could be pulled and defrosted for meals starting from tomorrow.
I hope everyone has a good day today, we have Boxing Day here in Canada, should be sales at the stores, I already spent the 40.00 for myself so no further shopping. I am having a hard time typing as both cats decided to sit on my forearms and both purring furiously which is nice. I must say that Tigger is enjoying his kitten food. I do hope it helps with weight gain or maintenance but he is happy, have to open his kitten wet food. I am in everyone's pocket who needs it too.
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Wishing you all a. Very Merry Christmas and throughout the rest of the Holiday. You are all on my mind. I didn’t get a chance to read along was so busy on Christmas Day with everyone over us I am truly thoughtful of how you are all doing. Have a lovely week. And @cookie54 Yes this weather has my sinuses and joints hurting here at the Jeresyshore!🩵
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Hello all. I am back online.
My computer (10 years old) broke. Hard drive went bad. The repairman said not to spend the money fixing it, but invest in a new one. Ordered one and got it, but the old monitor was not compatible. Had to order a new monitor. Just got it hooked up today.
I am doing ok. Scans in Nov (I think I posted about them) were stable. Continuing Lynparza, Lupron, Xgeva. Next scans in March (4 months). I had a situation of some continued vaginal bleeding. I am on Lupron and have not had a period for the last 7 years. So I had that checked out- - surgical procedure. Polyps. And the biopsy was benign. So that health scare is now past me. Next, after the New Year, I need to schedule cataract surgery (age 54, and my eye doc said it is from the cancer treatments).
I tried to skim the posts since I have been offline. Thanks to those that mentioned me being MIA. Mel contacted me and I see she posted that I was still in the land of the living.
I missed you all.
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Candy-So good to have you back! Glad that the polyps turned out to be benign but I am sure that the procedure was no fun. Now onto cataract surgery? It's always something with this cancer.
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I'm late, I'm late for a very important date. Belated Merry Christmas sweet friends. I hope it was a good one. I caught up on posts and it appears we have a birthday wish going out to @sf-cakes , Hope it was the best….ever! @micmel Theo should be a calendar dog. His pose is spot on. I hope the new year brings you more happiness. You have been thru a difficult year and this is my wish that the pain will lessen and the joy will seep in here and there…. Hi to all and I can't recall names, but again. But I know who you are. Maybe post its might help.
As far as being severely anemic, I'm spending a whole lot of time on my chair and in bed 12 hrs. Humana in their nasty mode, decided they will not approve the one and done IV of iron. Too expensive. So they are gonna torture me with 5 rounds in these poor worn out veins to accomplish the same total dosage that one round would have accomplished. Anyone hear from Pfizer regarding approval for free meds for next year? I sure haven't. Hope the contrast is acceptable otherwise, it will not stay down. yucky. Jan. 10 th is my appt. Dealing with blocked salivary gland that grows huge when I eat and is quite painful. Hoping to cure it myself.
On the lovelier side of things, a mated pair of woodpeckers showed up at the feeder. It is hilarious to watch them feed with their contorted positions to eat the seed. A hummingbird was right at my window working on the bird of paradise flowers. DD and I keep trying to make friends with the beautiful grey kitten. I'm guessing about 3 months old. I fixed a box to encourage he or she to climb in out of the cold and rain. She used it tonight. Good start. @shanagirl We have high 50's daytime, bleak and chilly and mostly cloudy. Some light misty rain for days now. @mara, I wish I could figure out dishes that have more iron in them as you cover the nutrients we need. I know beans are a good source.
On a side note, have you all noticed the numerous posts from different journalist regarding breast cancer treatment, vaccines, etc. I see they are finally saying "chronic condition". I like the sounds of that better than the other options. Such big changes and thankful to all that have participated in these trials to bring more hope to breast cancer patients. Much love and may you find joy in the season and peace in the New Year. Laurel
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https://www.google.com/search?q=dietary+sources+of+iron+list&oq=dietary+sources+of+iron&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgHEAAYgAQyCQgAEEUYORiABDIHCAEQABiABDIHCAIQABiABDIHCAMQABiABDIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQABiABDIHCAYQABiABDIHCAcQABiABDIHCAgQABiABDIICAkQABgWGB7SAQoxNjkzNWowajE1qAIIsAIB&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
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@irishlove sorry to hear you are dealing with an ongoing salivary gland issue they could be so painful! What a disgrace that you’re going to put you through multiple infusions, they need to evaluate everyone’s individual situation and make a decision..annoying! glad you have some good entertainment in watching the birds, smart little guys🥰
@candy-678 glad to see you back here and happy to hear you’re doing pretty well. Happy to hear biopsy was negative who needs another issue!
@shanagirl yep looks like a lil rain for the next couple of days here and there. will have to be proactive with sinus meds😬.
@mara51506 how nice the kitties are giving you extra love today. Their way of saying thank you to you❤️ Happy boxing day I recently looked it up to see the meaning. Never knew it was originally to donate to the needy .
Wishing everyone a good day, thinking of all who are struggling and praying for some relief.
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Happy birthday sf-cakes🎂🎂!
Welcome back candy! So happy for you that your biopsy was benign. That’s always great news to hear!
Waving hello to everyone👋🏻👋🏻. Hope these remaining days of the year bring peace to all.
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Happy Birthday @sf-cakes
Irishlove, I am sorry you are so anemic, I am in your pocket about the blocked salivary gland as well with some citrus or sour candies to suck on. I can empathize with the anemia, beyond the beans, I did pick up different livers to use, soaked in water and cooked up. Chopped them in the chopper with other things and hid under a boatload of seasoning. Not sure why 5 rounds are better than one, that makes no sense to me.
Laundry on the go, new washers arriving today, just the wee size and effectively free since they came out of earnings from budget boosting. I expect nothing out of them but we will see, I can use them to presoak laundry as well. For 40.00 for the two they are less than two burger meals. They fold down quite well so just made space in the linen closet. Looking forward to them as well. Need a sweep, slap a wig on in case I have to come to the door. Organizing the fridge over the weekend too. Ava is getting another bag of food as well in todays Amazon, that will make her happy. They get separate food, Tigger and his kitten food, she gets regular adult food. I need to open his kitten wet food as well.
Edited, did one egg, cracked into sprayed bowl, added beans and some canned chicken to it. Microwaved 5 mins with lid. Let it cool for a few minutes then put into chopper along with zesty cheese tortilla chips, not too many and shredded cheese added, chopped up. With the chips and cheese, the egg and beans looked like ground beef. I did spray the pan and rubbed some butter on the bottom, stirred in a minute or two on high and then I did turn off the heat. Covered with a lid. Lifted lid a few minutes l later, everything melted that needed to be. Seasoned with sour cream and onion seasoning, some white cheddar seasoning and garlic and bound it all with sour cream. It was delicious and very filling. I know calorie count was high but will keep me filled up until supper. Lots of protein as well. Not sure what I want for dinner yet. Might just dump Kraft Dinner noodles into a container and serve as many as I think I want, keep cheese sauce in a container and treat like other seasoning as well. Can heat cooked noodles in the pan and mix with beans, egg and cook up like the breakfast was.
I do hope everyone has a good day, in pockets for everyone who needs me, my own pocket to get everything done.
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I’m glad that Christmas is over and sit back and take advantage of the end of the. Busyness of the season. We did Christmas Eve at SIL’s restaurant like we do every year. Then on Christmas Day, we had dinner of prime rib, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, and roasted garlic lemon & olive oil asparagus. DH bought the Prime rib from local butcher and dropped it off to SIL & DD, to Sous Vide it over night, and then seared it in my oven. Then we had a nice chocolate cheese Birthday cake for DD. our youngest borne on the 26th.
@candy-678 I’m glad you are all good health wise, and you are back on line. 🩵
@irishlove I tend to be anemic a lot too…Sucks that Humana wouldn’t approve the done in one IV for you.
@sf-cakes Happy Birthday wishes to you.
@micmel Good to see you. I hope you will have better days in the. New Year ahead. It’s been tough this year for you., having to deal with one thing after another has been a tough year for you. Best wishes to you for some needed peace, and joy, and painless. days and nights ahead.🩵
Thinking of everyone else here and saying hi to all you Mel’s Livingroom ladies. Stay warm, calm and rested with little. or no. pain. love you all.♥️🥰
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Good Morning Dear Ones. I hope this day finds you rested and pain free as you start the morning off. It’s been very rainy and dark here at the jersey shore. I have just been staying in to keep warm and comfy and not even wanting to go outside..Doing a minimal amount of cooking, mostly snacking or heating up leftovers. Last night I made salmon & clams for myself. I always let it simmer a few minutes in the frying pan, add the clams and clam juice salt & pepper. And let it Steam cook. I immediately remove the clams as soon as thy open and cut the Salmon fillet in sections, add some microwaved buttered little potatoes cooked in the microwave, plate it into a pasta bowl pour the clam salmon juices over the buttered potatoes salmon and clams in dish and bring it into the family room off the kitchen and enjoy eating them watching TV with DH & DS and the pugs, who’ve already whomped up their salmon dinner and now staring at me while I eat in my comfy lounger chair with the fireplace going….I am really trying to get the motivation to get back to painting again.. I’m feeling a little. Better since drinking the. Tumeric ginger & Green tea every day… so that’s all I have to share today. I’m thinking of @mkestrel lately. Hoping all is well with her. Has anyone heard from her? 🩵♥️
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@shanagirl , the meal you made sounds delicious and in your pocket with the motivation to paint again as well. Next time you make that meal, I am on my way over. 😉
I am doing more laundry, larger washer for now, if need be employ the little ones if I get hung up on blankets, got a lot of blankets in use. All little washers, the one I had and the 20.00 pair have been used simultaneously and worked well. No more washers though, even if cheap. Staying off Amazon til I need cat food, litter or the deodorizer for the litter.
Today, I am planning to use up a lot of the food in the freezer, I want room for the meat pies and frozen pasta. I actually enjoy the great value brand ofthe best. They make it easy to toss other stuff on top and heat in the microwave. I seem to have the hang of multiplying the cooking time as well since I accidentally got a 700 W microwave instead of 1100 W. Need 1.5 times the cooking time. I also plan to get the KD pasta used up a bit at a time and use other seasonings on top beyond the cheese. Today is going to be rice and an egg with beans, cook the beans and eggs first and then chop up with cheese and some croutons, possibly some chips. Add wheat bran into the chop mix, take a pan, spray with cooking spray, rub butter and garlic seasoning on bottom, start at high heat, turn off heat after a stir and cover with a lid. Seems convoluted but works for me.
Other than that, rainy today, no snow left as it is mild out but that is fine. Garbage night tonight, it moved due to Christmas and Boxing day, next week moves again due to New Years and should not move again until Family Day in February. Today we can put out more stuff so getting rid of the styrofoam I have had sitting here in a closet since I bought the last large portable washer. I hope everyone has a good day,in pockets for everyone even if you don't need me.
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Well, we have had a lot of rain, luckily, for now it has not frozen overnight. It will be interesting to see what happens.I have not used any of my new bags of salt so far, just an old container. I did put out garbage, was going to skip it but do not know how the weather would be the following two weeks from now.
My property management group must be smoking something, sent me an email saying my card is expired to pay my rent, planning to update the card today since it is good til 2028. Oh well, nothing to worry over, more to have a laugh over.
No major laundry needed today, got a load ready for the spinner and then the dryer but that is just fine with me not to have extra.
Not sure about food today. Used up the last frozen meal yesterday at dinner time, just spaghetti and I added frozen cubed potatoes. They actually tasted good, added sour cream as well. I am thinking of making eggs in a sprayed bowl and adding beans and peppers and onions to them, heat them in the microwave then just chop up and heat up in a buttered pan. Not sure what to chop in beyond the cheese and some croutons. Yummy flavours all around. Not sure what else to have but I am sure it will come to me.
Hoping everyone has a good day and I am in pockets for everyone needing me.
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Mara Glad it's not cold enough for the rain to freeze,ice is such a nightmare! Ha that's weird, hopefully it's a glitch when they ran the card. Hope you had a good day.
Was another weather beauty here today, nice break from the cold. Went to the butcher today and got roast pork to ring in the new year. Supposed to bring luck for the new year. Hope it does as I am having a PET on Thursday!
Wishing all a restful night.
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Well, am shopping with DB tomorrow, early afternoon. Bummed out hearing about one of my cousins who recently died of ovarian cancer, I had no idea til DB told me. She was a nice woman like her mother was too. I left condolences to her facebook page for her family and left another message to her husband as well. Really said for them.
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Hoping everyone has a good New Year's Eve, as said before have some shopping. Done some Laundry and deciding on breakfast, think I will make hashbrowns and an egg and toast an egg mcmuffin, have that as breakfast. Since stores close by 6 pm, we are going out around 12 pm. No need for anything complicated, think I want Walmart this time. I do like the frozen meals, not convinced about the frozen veggies, not appealing to me at all so will toss them, stick to beans and possibly spinach but not bother with veggies. Still have some ham that is frozen, it was good the first time I had it. Pulled out ground turkey roll so that will feature in some future meals. We will see.
Any Happy New Year's Eve if you are celebrating, treat yourself if you are on your own. I will find a treat for myself, I will likely be up past midnight but I will see how I feel. In pockets for all who need me, pockets for me as well staying on top of chores.
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Made a plain egg sandwich but this time did all ingredients in one of my mini griddles, found out today that english muffins fit in there, made eggs in microwave with bowl, shrank up for me too. Only thing missing was mayo on the egg sandwich. I can also make up new tea in microwave at same time since 700 W and only 350 W for the mini griddle. I also stayed ahead and actually washed dishes as used.
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Good day out with DB, walked the mall then shopped at Walmart. Got some tinned green beans for 50 cents each, plan to chop them up and hide them, I don't particularly like them but with all the seasoning and other things to add to it, I can definitely hide them. Going to bake the bigger pizza I purchased, got some mini pizzas as well, more pasta to chop up and put stuff on top, I do think I have enough room in the freezer. Got the Great Value barbecue chips, use that in my chop and finally got a pillow, was going to buy stuffing BUT SIL pointed out pillow with loose stuffing was less expensive. I did tire out pushing the shopping cart in Walmart and was wobbly, once back on t he cane, I was fine. Walking around the mall was no problem. Going to start booking Paratransit early to get a good walk in for the upcoming Herceptin next week. Would be good for me. Also, when nice outside, will go the curb and practice stepping up, finding it takes me a while to figure out foot placement when getting out of the van. Oh well. Plenty of time for all that.
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@mara51506 Sorry to hear about the loss of your cousin. Cancer just stinks!!! Glad you had a nice shopping day with DB. Can never get enough steps in that's for sure. It can be a challenge for sure especially this time of year.
Quiet NYE here and I'm fine with it lol. Had many fun new years in the past dressing up and out dancing. Once we started having kids we always had family sleepover parties and the kids really enjoyed it! Hope you are all doing what you like best tonight.❤️
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Happy New Year 2025.
Went to brunch at my brothers house. My sister in law made sausages, roti, etc. it was really nice and unplanned. My kitchen stayed clean woo hoo.
Just spending the evening home with my grandkids. Went out earlier and got them dinner burger wings. I just wasn’t in the mood for cooking. I’ll probably be asleep by midnight but I told them they can stay awake. I’m babysitting them until Saturday.Mara thank you for keeping this thread alive and well every day while Mel takes a well deserved break. I certainly appreciate you. I’m glad you had fun out shopping and strolling around the mall.
My mouth lesion (infection) on right side turned out to be necrotic. (Osteonecrosis) All the years of zometa. I see the specialist Thursday.
Everyone enjoy your celebrations!!!Tanya
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@tanya_djamila,
I'm so sorry to hear that you've developed osteonecrosis of the jaw. I hope your appt with the specialist goes well. Please let us know the specialist's treatment plan. My periodontist told me hyperbaric oxygen treatment is one therapy.
Happy New Year to All.
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Hello all-just popping in to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy New Year.
I worked today and will work tomorrow. The stadium where I work hosted the NHL Winter Classic. I was dreading it b/c it was cold and rainy but it turned out to be a fun day. Glad I did and now am glad to be home with my feet up. Making a cup of decaf and will have a few more Christmas cookies. The problem with working outside in the cold is that I develop an enormous appetite and don't think I am really burning up that many calories.
Let's hope that 2025 will be a year for break throughs in cancer treatments. Hoping for a cure for all.
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tanya, so sorry to read of your mouth issue. One of our side effect fears (there are so many!) Let us know what they do about it.
Chicagoan, impressed you are working. Go girl!
mara, love your creative meal ideas. Keep them coming.
This afternoon I popped meatballs in the crockpot along with bar b que sauce and grape jelly (an oldie but goodie recipe) and then went back to bed. I have caught my DGD's virus and am struggling big time. Ended up on the floor of the bathroom. Thankfully my DD hadn't gone to work yet… I'm finally up for awhile eating toast and praying I can stay up another hour to ring in the New Year at 10:00 with NYC on the TV.
Happy New Year everyone!
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Happy New Year to all. I just popped in to wish you all a good year. Then I see a topic of interest.
2 years ago I saw an oral surgeon for jaw pain. We watched it for a while. Needed 2 root canals. He came fresh from a conference discussing latest plans for ONJ. It's basically to let it do it's thing! Prevent/treat any infection of course. Grind down any sharp protruding bone. Eventually old bone will lIkely lift off and assistance not necessarily needed!
I'm doing good. Done with Taxol and Carboplatin. Thursday I start Adriamyacin and Taxatere. Ugh.
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First, Happy New Year to everyone, and I wish each of us the best possible outcome for treatment with the least possible side effects.
@chicagoan ‐ I watched the Winter Classic today. While the outcome was not what I'd prefer, it was a good game to watch, for the most part.
@intolight I'm so sorry you got "the crud". It's just more than we need to deal with, on top of everything 1else.
@mara51506 your meals are always so creative. It sounds like a nice day out with DB.
We had a nice quiet NYE at home, except DH had some back trouble for no apparent reason. Of course, he didn't mention it until the day was mostly over. Smh.
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Hope everyone is safe and sound and tucked in for this New Year's night. What a wonderful turnout here tonight at Mel's! Sorry I've been MIA a bit. Two trips to ER in two days. Today was awful. The place was crazy busy, grumpy people (nurses and doctor and other employees were so sweet). I'm dealing with that blocked salivary gland and every time I eat anything, it blows up larger and more painful. So I started antibiotics and an anti-fungal Sat. night. By today I had to return with severe diarrhea, nausea and pain. No food in my stomach since Saturday night (short of one cup of oatmeal). Full panel showed no C-diff. So I either picked up bug at the hospital Saturday night or had a reaction to the anti-fungal. Happy to be home in my own bed.
Not looking forward to super cold weather, even here on the east central coast of FL. Kids flying to St. Martin around time storms are moving in (fly out of Charlotte). Hope they make it out and enjoy much needed vacation.
Mara I am so terribly sorry for your loss of your cousin. May the New Year bring us all some good news. I'm afraid I can't recall who has a scan Thursday, but wanted to say I'm in your pocket. Gosh it was so wonderful to hear from so many.
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Happy New Year to all🎊🎉🎊. We had a lovely quiet day, just hubs and I. Watched Michigan beat up on Alabama. DH grilled some filet mignon wrapped in bacon for a nice end of year dinner with a lovely red wine.
Tanya - so sorry about the osteonecrosis of the jaw. Our sisters shared some interesting treatment options.
Mara - condolences on the loss of your cousin. I echo the great job you’re doing holding down the fort! Your posts are always fun to read.
Irish - I sure hope 2025 is kinder to you. You have had more than your share of health issues. At least the ER staff were nice! Hope it doesn’t get too cold in Florida❄️☃️🌬️
So we’ve been having some serious medical issues with our beloved 14.5 yr old golden, Bella. She developed a growth on her nostril which has grown over the past 3 months. It has also been oozing and bleeding. She was put on antibiotics and anti fungals which seemed to help and was scheduled for a biopsy on the 30th. About 10 days ago we noticed her drinking excessive amounts of water and having difficulty with mobility and peeing in her sleep. 2 different urine tests confirmed she has severe kidney disease and was put on meds for that. When we took her in for the biopsy, blood work showed that a number of things were abnormal including an abnormally low potassium (ironically the vet said she’s never seen a dog with such a low potassium and that it usually occurs in cats). That low potassium would certainly account for a lot of mobility problems as it affects the muscles. Of course Bella was not a candidate for anesthesia and instead came home with potassium meds. The plan is to watch and reevaluate. We (and the vets) are certain her nasal growth is cancer and now with the kidney disease we’re not even sure if a biopsy is necessary. She actually went into the laundry room for breakfast this morning which is a positive improvement. She had stopped eating for a couple days and I hand fed her whatever she would eat. It’s hard watching your pet decline but she’s been with us a very long time for a golden and we know the time left with her is limited.
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Happy New Year’s Day to all. January 1 2025. Amazing this thing we call time. May this year be filled with relief from pain, perhaps break throughs and cures and the continued healing of mind, spirit and body before we leave…, and of course small joys and lots of laughter along the way. I keep a 3 month bucket list, and plan to redo it today. Am on vacation and on and off computers, ( my job is on zoom mostly) So I like once a year to give myself a digital holiday. So catching up on the boards and threads I love , so as not to loose touch for too long .
Hugs to those experiencing loss and discomfort. @irishlove @intolight @tanya_djamila hope you all feel better and get some rest. @mara51506 so sorry for your loss ❤️.
Went to bed at 11:30 pm, could not quite make it to 12 midnight, but grateful I woke up to a new day. DH needs a cream spread on his back , for a skin problem, I have a rash from the Taxotere, so he will do mine afterwards. lol… Happy 2025 to all - Rhonda1