My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
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@irishlove good morning I cant sleep either been awake since 2. I had Enhertu infusion and goserelin shot yesterday.. wishing you less painful shots.
Insurance rant ... They spent more postage on another denial. This time it was the pegfilgastrim shot given to me at last infusion because white counts were low. I didn't have their giant booklet with me to read through all the small print that their preferred list is some other brand.
So this time I mentioned the rejection letter and they tried to figure it out. So instead of getting the shot already there at the doctor's office, I have to go to the only pharmacy in the area that will have the other prescription today to give myself these shots. Apparently the issue is they don't want to pay to have the facility do the shot. So after not sleeping in the day after a miserable treatment I have to go to a different town on top of going to the dentist. They don't care. My impression is they want me to drop dead because I'm too expensive. We are paying over $10,000 a year for this insurance through husband's work.... I'm supposed to switch to Medicare in June which I don't expect to be much better. I don't understand the alphabet soup.
Since I can't sleep I think I'll make German pancakes for breakfast.
P.s. tasty
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Intolight- Thank God.
Mel- Good to see you.
Hi to all. Still awful vision. Cannot wait for my glasses!!!
A woman I used to work with passed away. Age 51. Pancreatic cancer. I hate this disease.
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Mel - So nice to hear from you, and about the positive progress. You are indeed blessed with a wonderful family and that, more than anything will help you all get through this. I continue to send all of you wishes for nothing but the best. So glad the chemo went well, and fingers crossed for the best possible surgery experience for Gabby. Hugs!
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Mel, so good to hear from you and I am happy your DH has been able to retire and help out with DD by the rides to appointments and going to chemo. You know she is in good hands and those hands will help you so much.
I slept pretty well, got recycling to put together to go out tonight. I have a prescription coming for more immodium, just a refill. Doing some throw blankets and then debating on the two bigger ones, everything could use a refresh, I will see how it goes.
The impulse buy of the tablet is alright, kind of slow but it streams fine if I use my phone as a wifi hotspot. This month and going forward, using purchasing for cat food and litter as needed, less impulse buying, saving more money instead. Adding up bills as they usually get paid first of the month to keep it simple. Also planning to save 10 percent of my pay every month if possible. I will see if that is possible. If not possible, save 5 percent. Groceries are to be scaled back as well, my fingers want to put together an order at Walmart but need to eat through more food or book a paratransit which I may wind up doing as I would like some of the frozen foods, be cheaper than delivery to take that and just get the few items I would like. My DB and SIL are boycotting Walmart due to politics but on my budget, prefer to get the less expensive stuff in my budget and not put together a huge order.
I am going to cook up some eggs and rice first and have some choc milk, beans will happen later, making the rice first, whip up the eggs and cheese and put into chopper to go with the rice.
I am surrounded on both sides on the couch by cats making it difficult to type this out but I will succeed and they will continue purring.
I hope everyone has a good day and in pockets for all who need me.
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@mkestrel Those pancakes look delicious! Wow! Insurance companies have too much power. Both my DH and I are on medicare and we are pleased with our coverage. I have to pay the $2000 prescription deductable, but that is easily reached the first month. Make sure you find a good medicare broker to help you nevigate through it based on your needs specifically and where you live. I used "Boomer Benefits" and they helped immensley. They also check up on me every year to make sure it all still works right.
@candy-678 Hopefully things will clear up for you soon.
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Mkestrel - So sorry about all of your insurance troubles! That's sounds like hardly having insurance at all. I think Medicare will be a better deal. I have traditional Medicare (not an Advantage Plan), and I pay close to $500 a month for Rx (Part D), Medicare monthly premium, and then for my supplement plan (medi-gap). That's about all I pay, and nothing else but maybe 5 bucks here and there. To me it seems like having private insurance, and paying a private insurance premium, but with no co-pays or hassles about seeking approval, etc. Good luck with all of this. I hope the pancakes did the job and helped you "drown your sorrows". They sure look good!
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Good evening everyone. It’s still so bight and sunny even at 5:30. I love that it stays lighter longer these days, no more dark winter. I made myself an early quick dinner. My wonderful DH brought me. Home some nice freshe sea scallops, so I sautéed them in a little oil and butter, dash of soy sauce, and Mirin, and. A splash of wine. Poured it over some leftover plain spaghetti, and ooo-lala..delish. It hit the Spot.😋. I made some coleslaw and a container of water infused with naval orange, lemon, squeezed and added a bender of black & red raspberries, blueberries,and purple grapes. Stirred it all together in a big pitcher of this polyphenal drink which will last a few days to pour over ice…. My DH will eat in a little while when my son gets home. From work. They will either. Heat up some pizza, or heat up some pasta and sauce leftover from Sunday or do take out or make bacon lettuce & tomatoe sandwiches on toast. and watch the games downstairs.
@micmel It’ so good to hear that everything is moving along smoothly for you with DD and how great your wonderful husband is helping with taking to her treatment appointments. That’s such a god send for you, Mel, with his loving support to you both. He definitely is a gift from heaven🥰
@mkestrel that picture of the pancake with strawberries is so you.😊 The way you decorated it with those bright red strawberries and took the picture looked soooo creative it could have been a framed painting. You are very artistic girl☺️
Hey there @candy-678 , hoping the. Issues resolve soon with your eyes. Sending you good vibes and gentle hugs.
@threetree sending you caring thoughts, good wishes, & a loving hug./
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Shana - Thanks for the thoughts and the hug. I've been following along re your situation, but haven't posted much, as I've been in quite a pollen/drug and side effect haze/daze these last couple of weeks. Lots of brain fog and fatigue. I think the pollen effects pile on the drug side effects and I get a double dose of some stuff like aches and brain fog. Just killer brain fog and I can't think or put thoughts together at all.
Anyway, I'm glad you explained more above about your talk with the neurosurgeon, how you didn't think seeking out a 2nd opinion, etc. was necessarily an essential thing at this point. I hadn't realized that the doctor who gives you the injections has said that they aren't safe anymore, and that you had been dealing with this for so long. At the time I got so much out of my talk with a neurosurgeon (re thoracic spine vertebrae that had fractured), I had not had any previous treatment like you say you did. He told me that while surgery could help, the risks were strong and that if I could do anything else to help myself, e.g. pain killers, PT, etc. it would be better than a spinal fusion, and so far I've gone with that idea. I was thinking along similar lines for your case of the cervical spine/neck issues, i.e. if there was something else you could try first like PT, painkillers, and/or continuing the injections, it might be better than risking the negatives of the surgery, but I can see where in your case, you've already done other things, and maybe it is time for the surgery. I don't envy you having to make that decision at all, and I agree that the location (neck) is definitely problematic. I do think a lot of reading, research, and input from others could help you weigh different factors, so that you can make a decision that is right for you, and as others have noted, take it one day at a time. I really like though, how you said you had risen to all of your previous health challenges and been successful, so in my book that's a good omen.
I've got my fingers crossed that you will make the right decision for you and things will be good. Hugs back too!
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@micmel Glad to hear a positive update and so happy the cold capping worked. Everything is hard enough and if she can just keep a little piece of herself it helps. Your DH is truly a blessing and you are too. Keeping all in my daily prayers.
@candy-678 Sorry for your loss, agree hate, loathe, despise Cancer! Cmon glasses…..
@intolight Sigh of relief and congrats on a clean scan.
@mkestrel Ugh sorry your being tortured by insurance, it's just awful! Medicare/Medigap has surprised me so far. I was able to start it in July due to being Stage IV and was very worried after having good private insurance. Every state has a local SHIP office that is a tremendous unbiased help to pick plans. It's free and I found them to be very helpful and neutral since they are not brokers
@shanagirl Your scallop dinner sounds delish! Glad to hear you had a good day and were able to enjoy it.
@mara51506 Aww your kitties just love to cuddle up next to you. Glad the tablet is working ok.
Hi to all here, hope you have a restful night.
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Mkestral, I am also in your pocket as you deal with insurance issues for a treatment you need, I am sorry as this is stress on top of an already stressful situation and you do not need to deal with all of that.
Cookie, it is kind of you to post some info on getting settled with insurance matters as well, make the path a bit easier.
I was like a bad student. After breakfast of beans, cheese and rice, I decided I did not feel like going to Herceptin, first reason was the rain and the second reason, knowing I would need to use the bathroom which I have a phobia against going number 2 in public. Even though I took an immodium, the food was there and I decided to phone in sick for the Herceptin and cancelled the Paratransit trip. I do not feel bad about it and am not sick, just not in the mood for dealing with a phobia and the heavy rain. Next time, eat rice and eggs or eggs and english muffins instead. Going to keep the Paratransit trip to shop at Walmart on Friday so I can pick up my own items, still planning to make some premade frozen noodles and add rice to them, stretch the meal and give me the ability to simply add a spoonful of pasta over a few days. Less expensive than a delivery which is not needed at this time. I also need to make up some quinoa as well.
Not sure what else is on the agenda, this seems like a lazy day, glad I am not sick for real as well. Hungry already so later will have the leftovers of this breakfast meal and probably either add an egg to the mix OR a meat pie, I will see later on. The black bean chopped in with cheese and heated into rice was really good but even more filling than I thought it would be.
I do hope everyone is having a good day, in pockets for those who need me and my own pocket for earlier bedtimes, I do think the late night played a factor in skipping the Herceptin. I sleep well but would prefer to wake up around 6 or 7 am with a full eight hours. Right now, waking 11am or noon when I get that much. Perhaps go to bed earlier to watch some short facebook videos and still manage a respectable wakeup time.
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Mara - I can totally understand your "bad student" behavior. Sometimes we just need a break from all of this. I'm sure it won't make any meaningful dent in your treatment or your life. Enjoy that lazy day at home.
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Turns out that I would have been caught in heavy ice and rain anyway so good thing I did not go to have Herceptin. The rain is calming down, we also have some thunder later. Cats were terrified..
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Well, survived the heavy rain, still lots of puddles but we have milder temps to hopefully dry it up too. We have snow in the next couple of weeks but it will not stick around thankfully as temps are above 0. I feel less guilty for skipping Herceptin as would have been caught in that mess.
Not doing too much today, normal chores and such and making up a grocery list for my trip to Walmart, mostly want the frozen pasta meals that I will add rice to stretch it further, add the prepared pasta and rice to other stuff like eggs and such or chop in beans.
The tablet that was an impulse buy, not a Samsung which I usually buy is not bad but the box is better. I can put the box it came in on my lap to prop up the laptop since there is no desk here. Nowhere to put a disk either. I do tend to hold on to old computer electronics and try to fix, have three old laptops that could use a repair on them. Other option is to take out the hard drive and attach to a case so all files would be available for me. I will see later. I have several older tablets, old phones that function as music streamers or for movies, my gaming phone and a couple of others, like to find purpose to them.
I have leftovers from breakfast yesterday to probably mix into an egg mixture with proper english muffin this time, simply buttered.
Edit, I did take leftover bean, rice and cheese mix and added it too more beans, no cheese and more rice. Heated for 3 mins 30 seconds brought out. I used a garlic powder and KD powder mix as the major seasoning and a dash of salt, put minor amounts of ranch and mayo and some sour cream and onion seasoning. It was very heavily garlic as the powder is stronger than the garlic spread but I really enjoyed it, very good indeed. Will take the elbow pasta from the KD and just use elsewhere, mix them in with rice to get them used up. Not sure what later holds for me.
I am not planning to go out with DB if offered mostly because I have a trip to Walmart on Paratransit tomorrow and I truly need nothing this week other than the frozen things I want to get to make bigger meals.
I do hope all are having a good day and I am in everyone's pocket.
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Mara-Good call on missing all that rain and ice. Hopefully you can be rescheduled soon for your Herceptin.
If you are interested in curbing impulse buys, what helps me is to wait for a period-say two weeks or a month, and then see if I really still want or need it. Often I find I don't. Sometimes, I realize that yes-I do need whatever it is and then I buy it. We are barraged with ads all day long making us feel that we have to buy something NOW. Usually we don't.
Now I am having to repurchase a few things I purchased on impulse some years ago and then got rid of. My new dentist strongly advised me to switch to an electric toothbrush and water pik, so I repurchased them. Aargh.
After being in Japan, I would really like one of their toilet seats. But I am going to wait for several months to see if this is something I really need not just want. Taxes are due soon and I have to curb my spending for a while.
Good wishes to all. Continued prayers for a cure for cancer! I also pray for cures for ALS and MS since I know so many suffering from those horrible diseases as well.
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@threetree Thank you for thinking of me with my cervical spine issues. I had no idea that my swallowing issues and coughing were all part of the nerves in my neck are affecting my esophagus and. Also the nausea from my vagus nerve being affected. These days I feel kind of of immobilized and not wanting to be too active. I’m scheduled for the surgery on the the 30th and. I’m literally terrified at the thought of the surgery being done through the front, where my epidural injections were always in the back of my neck. Ugh one of the post op issues are difficulty swallowing, which I’ve been having but the thought of ACDF surgery in the front through my esophagus and working on the vertebrae, next to my separated caratad artery just makes me so anxious over the thought of it. DH is so optimistic and trie to reassure me my quality of life will be better as result with no more dizziness, tinittus, brain fog, unsteady gait, coughing, trouble eating, and headaches. I really need to talk to my Oncologist for moral support too. I have scans coming up on Tuesday. The following week I have. My follow-up and labs and treatment injections with.. Yikes I hate that our whole life is filled with doctors visits treatment and surgical visits. I literally feel like an old worn out car always needing tune ups and new parts to keep running..😳. Tomorrow is my Birthday and DH is taking me out for dinner. I’m going to have a Martini because I’m just a “Tini” bit. older tomorrow.
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@shanagirl Wishing you a very happy birthday! Hope you and your husband have a wonderful dinner out. Enjoy your martini!
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@chicagoan Good morning I’m having my morning coffee. I awoke very early this morning to a lot of lightening with a rain storm passing through.. It was very peaceful, really because it was still dark, and a nice refreshing breeze was coming in through the slightly opened sliding door and another window opened slightly for some cross ventilation…. I don’t mind waking up so early Iike that because if I’ve had a good night sleep then I just enjoy the darkness and quietness next to DH and my lovable little 2 pugs cuddled next to us, then I drift off back to sleep again until 8:30 or so, and DH is already up working in his office in the next room . Then h goes downstairs and brings me up a cup of coffee, which has always been our morning ritual🩵☕️. So he’s taking me out for dinner later. And I will definitely have a Martini because I love them and today I’’m just a tini bit older today😉 🩵🩵🌷🌷 🌷 🌷
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Happy, Happy Birthday Shana! I love your "Tini bit older" thing. I'd never heard that before. Oh that early morning with the breeze and storm sounds wonderful. To just lie there all cuddled up and enjoy that - couldn't be a better birthday morning. Have a wonderful dinner with your husband tonight and just have an all around great day!
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Shanagirl, happy birthday, hope you have a great day.
I slept pretty well, did set an alarm since I am going to Walmart on Paratransit, going to purchase inexpensive groceries including the frozen pastas and will check on bean supply. May also buy more of the inexpensive beans. I will see, need to make a list and see what I need, probably some new mayo as well. New method of making a list, make it up online at the Walmart site and then take a picture of the list on my phone. I realized I can pull up the list made from home, removed the two beans off the list, already have some and can pull up the list on my phone which is good.I am 15 cents under my 25 dollar budget so that is pretty good for me. Edit, just over the 25 to under 30 Mostly got the frozen pasta which will be heated and rice will be added to each dish to be doled out into meals. I also pulled out a bigger knapsack for t he heavy stuff and a couple of thermal bags for the frozen food as well, if I have enough time, may get a burger at the in house McDonalds, did not book enough time for a full mall walk but that is OK but I will see about that. I will also look into getting a grocery cart, nothing huge but might be a good idea in future. Would not be a winter thing but in winter, I will get stuff delivered, can save money for that.
I do hope everyone has a good day, wanted a quick meal so having 2 mini pot pies, eating and then getting ready.
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@shanagirl Happy birthday! Your morning ritual sounds lovely. Enjoy this special "tini" day!
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So over shopped but that was not so much the issue, the knapsack I put cans of beans and potato and others was so heavy, I almost could not carry all that I had. I got outside of Walmart and took everything off and leaned on a pile of winter salt, was helped in with all my bag, knapsack and thermal bag, when got home, he was nice to put them on the top step and I brought them in one at time, next time when shopping, get much less at a time or just go back to delivery. I also got a mcdouble meal at the mcdonalds there, could only finish half but it was only 5 dollars and change which was nice.
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@shanagirl Happiest of birthdays to you! Enjoy your dinner and your martini as you soooo deserve a nice night out. 🍸️🎉♥️
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@cookie54 @threetree @intolight @mara51506 thank you for the Birthday wishes. I enjoyed day with DH. He had a NY Strip Steak and I had the Steamed 1 1/4 lb lobster 🦞 with steamed Ipswich clams dinner and of course my Martini😉🍸.
@mara51506 Oh My Goodness!! you are amazing with all you accomplish. Thankfully you had some help getting everything up to the top step and a your door. Carrying all those heavy cans and potatoes in your knapsack and thermal bag was no easy task. Are you supergirl??🥰😂gotta love ya though. You are too funny😊🩷
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Shanagirl - Happy belated birthday! I hope the day was fabulous and that your “tini” was just what you needed!
Here for pocket duty and sending HUGS to all.
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Shana - That lobster sounds wonderful! So glad you had a nice day.
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@shanagirl I’m here :) I haven’t been good about posting or even keeping up really, no reason why, just not feeling it, I guess. I am doing well though, I spent a week with DH and my oldest friends in Florida for my 50th birthday in February and had great scan results 2 weeks ago (nothing active or new). I’m ready for spring but surprise, it’s snowing right now, in April, in Texas. Ugh.
Hi to everyone!
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@illimae Oh I can so relate about just not feeling like posting. I get like that pretty regularly. I’m happy you are doing well. Especially that you got to spend time. In Florida. Always good to hear good scans.👍Have a good day today. cuddle up with your puppies and enjoy the Texas snow through you window in a warm blanket and cup of tea or hot chocolate ☕️….Spring is coming. ☺️🌷🩵
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@illimae Congrats on good scans! Ugh snow..yikes, being cozy with the pups sounds like a great idea to me.
I am concerned about @sondraf last we heard in Feb she was getting discharged and her mom was coming to stay with her. Anyone hear an update?
@shanagirl Your dinner sounds like it was delicious, glad you got to indulge and celebrate you!
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