My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
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Goldens, I am sorry to hear you had to have the implant removed and were dealing with an infection as well. In your pocket for the iv meds to do their duty and that you do not have to stay too long. Hoping you are feeling better now.
Irish, still in your pocket for any treatment that will reduce the pain you have and moving forward to a treatment plan to address that.
It is a nice day, not sure what if anything I might do. I do have bills that need to be paid, no food shopping done as of yet. Still would like to stick to the basics and not duplicate stuff so much. Makes it harder to decide what I want to eat. First meal will likely be rice, chipotle beans and lentil mix with some beefless ground and cheese. Usual routine of making rice, dump into sprayed pan, add other ingredients. Smaller amounts of each if stacking so many ingredients. Later, eggs, beefless ground and cheese done in the microwave are the order of the night. I must say the freezer looks amazing with so much space in there. Did dispose of the kale and spinach. I think if I am craving greens, get them as a meal I put together and do not buy at Costco. Smaller is better
Laundry and chores are part of the day, also need to fill out a form
to register for online Paratransit booking, rules still the same, book 3 days before but that is fine. I already notice a much shorter hold time with that addition now and that is really nice. Edit, got myself registered so that is good.
Older DB is feeling much better, he is not sure where the infection came from, he noticed a headache and that he felt worse getting up but he sought treatment when his face swelled up. Told him it reminded me of my own experience when I dealt with the brain tumour, waking feeling nauseated and then a bit better when moving. Told him I am glad he is feeling better and glad SIL recommended he stay home instead of taking me out.
Put together super order for delivery from Walmart. Lots of pasta meals, lots of sour cream and lime cream, queso cream, hopefully they are there, got more regular sour cream as well. Also got a pizza to go along with the other stuff. Planning to heat up the pizza before deciding on frozen stuff. Got some cheap ramen noodles, less than 40 cents so using a package now, heated noodles first and then put into a buttered frypan, added the seasoning that came with it. Added chipotle beans and lentils and letting it sit on the burner that is now turned off, looks like a large meal so may need to save some of this for later. Will likely add a little seasoning as well.
Edit, took a chicken noodle ramen type noodle, so did heat it up first, sprayed a frypan, melted a bit of butter and added the noodles, seasoning that came with them, a mix of some mexican rice seasoning and garlic and sour cream and onion seasoning. Used a little of the sour cream and lime cream and some ranch as well. Also added the chipotle beans and lentils, stirred altogether and it was delicious. Could not finish it up so will use in my second meal today. Thinking I could put some cheese on top and bake at 350 for 20 mins, I will see. If not, throw in the frypan on the burner again and just add an egg, little more beans into the hot pan, turn off heat and leave a lid on top.
I hope everyone has a good day, in pocket for those who need me.
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Yes, very thankful for my helicopter doc! I was able to get discharged today🎉🎉🎉. The surgeon was happy with what she saw, most of the redness was gone and breast cultures came back positive for group b strep, which is easily treatable with oral meds. It’s so much nicer sitting on the back deck than in a hospital room.
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Goldens, I am so happy you are back home for sure, easier to feel better at home than at the hospital.
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@goldensrbest Ugh sorry to hear about your implant infection. Thank goodness your internist was so quick to get involved and you landed in good hands. Hoping now that the source of infection is gone and the pocket flushed out that your body heals quickly. Sending hugs and healing vibes your way💕
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I am so frustrated at how this infection has affected me. I was riding the recumbent bike for 35 minutes a day at a level 3, then adding another minute each week. There is no way I could do that now. We took the girls to the dog park late this am and I could barely walk. When leaving I had so much shortness of breath that I had to stop multiple times to catch my breath. I feel like I have been sent back in time and will need to start over. There is no way I could go grocery shopping with the hubs. WTH happened??? Thankfully I will see my surgeon on Tuesday and have my drains removed. Maybe she will have some input….
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@goldensrbest we're so sorry you're having this setback. We're glad you're seeing your surgeon soon.
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@goldensrbest I have had to start over again at least 3 or 4 times during these cancer years, after various setbacks and injuries. It's very frustrating to be back at square one with no stamina. I hope your surgeon has some helpful input. For me, I just had to start again, doing what little I could do and trying to build up strength and stamina day by day. Wishing you all the best. Be patient with yourself. (Even 3 weeks ago, I could barely walk after a flare-up in my hip, I was using a cane in the house and struggling to walk 2 blocks-today I was able to walk 2 miles with a rest in the middle).
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@goldensrbest Sorry for this crummy unexpected setback your dealing with, it stinks! I think that this is a bump in the road that you will overcome. I think the fact that you were active prior to this infection will certainly be in your favor. I certainly would be frustrated too especially how quickly this infection occurred. Remember it's a trauma to your system and your system is still fighting to clear it. So don't be to hard on yourself you will get there one day at a time. Easier said than done for sure I was just saying last night to DH that I'm to hard on myself sometimes. Sending you strength and positivity with each passing day.
@mara51506 Hope your doing well and in your pocket this week for all appointments this week. I think it was supposed to be a busy week for you.
@shanagirl Thinking of you hope all went well last week with all your appointments.
@threetree Hope it's a ongoing recovery for you from the annoying shingles.
Thinking of many of you this morning. In everyone's pocket for a nice quiet smooth week.
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Goldens - I've got my fingers crossed that this is an unfortunate set back, but that you will continue to improve. Glad you will see your doctor and maybe get some better perspective. Wishing you all the best! This cancer business really is the gift that keeps on giving, right?
I'm off for scans in a couple of hours, and dreading the whole thing. I have more than usual anxiety about what the results might say, plus I'm still extra fatigued and have ongoing digestive troubles and bad dry eye (super sore and scratchy), presumably from this shingles business that is generally improving and going away. One of the big problems with scans is that if they've been stable for a long time, the odds of getting that new one with results that show progression become greater, so the anxiety and worry increases. They're also more focused on my liver now, due to what has seemed like very slight increases in the size of some lesions over the last year. That means the results of these scans today could lead to a need for further tests and possible liver biopsy, etc. Also, a friend usually takes me and we go get lunch in between the CT and bone scan, but with this digestive issue, I'm not going to be able to do lunch, so maybe I'll just go sit with her while she gets some lunch, but I feel badly that it will mess things up for her too. I can solve the eye issue a bit with eye drops, but the stomach trouble; including "D" just doesn't seem to want to quit. It started with the shingles and the antiviral, but just hasn't calmed down yet. I might ask the onc next week when I see him to go over scan results, etc. Shingles I'm finding is just full of surprises. All we ever really hear about is the rash that can blister (but not always) and the awful pain and itching, but that's only maybe half the problem. There all sorts of other symptoms that come with shingles that you never hear about. Live and learn.
Now after my rant, I am hoping that all of the rest of you have as nice a day as possible and continue to enjoy this lovely time of year with all the birds and blooms!
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Goldens, I am sorry as well. Feels like one step forward and two steps back at times. You at least got out walking so rest breaks are quite acceptable but feel bad. You will get back to what you were doing again, this was a setback but you will push on. In your pocket for that.
Yes, today is busy with an MRI, Thursday has me getting results with my RO. Both are afternoon appointments which is fine by me. I slept weird last night, light doze more than a deep sleep but feeling fine today. Booked first trip online for Thursday on the Paratransit, Was pretty easy to do.
Got laundry going, not too much and then dishes to clear, got sloppy again so need to clean up and keep washing dishes as I make them or make stuff in fewer bowls, I will figure it out. Later will be putting all the bags from the walmart shop into recycling bags. They packed it in 9 different paper bags which I prefer anyway. Planning a quicker meal and eating closer to when I leave around 11 or 1130. Going to take a slice of the thin crust pizza I heated up, not sure if I want to have that or the beans and lentils. I will eat shortly. Will have chicken and penne pasta, an egg and put in some sausage and cheese shreds, heat up in microwave for about 7mins.
Irritated at myself, managed to spill the wet dry vac which was full of water when dumping into another sink. It does suck out as it should but am sick of these accidents. Will put my washers in the bedroom and get the property managers finally to get someone to clear the drain. When drain is running clear, can resume washing. Also left out sour cream for a few days as I missed them when unpacking bags. Oh well, life goes on. I have a few of the sour cream and lime anyway. Will get sour cream later.
My lunch was good. Used a frozen macaroni and tomato sauce, added some frozen vegan sausage patties, no cheese this time. Topped with squeezable queso, little sour cream and a squeeze of the sour cream and lime. Added some sour cream and onion seasoning, very enjoyable. The squeezable queso is good as well.
I am quite frustrated feeling but giving into taking washers out of tub, unsure where I will put them but need to realize that the wet dry vac is a lot of work when it comes to wet weight and once clear, put in a plumbing request, either tonight or tomorrow, I will finally put that request in instead of struggling with it all. Can use my working smaller washer.
I hope everyone has a good day and in pockets for all.
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Best wishes @threetree and @mara51506 for your scans today. Always a little nervewracking.
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@goldensrbest Oh my goodness, dear girl, you’ve been thru so much! It’s so good to know that your internist was right on top of the inection. Glad you are home but you need to take it easy. the weakness and breathlessness is from all the stress on your body from this infection, meds. and the surgery on your breast… give into it for awhile. you have somehealing to do.💕🌷🩵
@threetree, you have been in my thoughts and heart, thinking about you with Shingles, and dealing with cancer mets, it’s just so much. I totally am feeling the fatique and anxiety over scans your are feeling. My heart is with you. Im not feeling well at all this week either.. Lots of pain, fatique , weakness and breathlessness, myself. I’m just too tired tonight to fill you all in on my appointments at the Spine Brain Center. I’m determined to put mytrust in their hands just to stop the pain and weakness. I saw an excellent Dr. was so thorough in explaining everything…the scan disk picture of the vertebrae in my neck C3 to C7 lit up like a rainbow of bright colors….showing the pain is real and he’s foing to do 2 procedures on me over the next few weeks😟. just don’t feel up to explaining everthy tonight. I’m going going for my Fasoldex and Xgeva injections tomorrow, and also my followup with my Onc..So I need to go to bed right now. I’m wipedout, and physical therapy today was not too theraputic today. Warm, gentle hugs to you all. Good night ladies.😴
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Threetree- You hit the nail on the head when you said "One of the big problems with scans is that if they've been stable for a long time, the odds of getting that new one with results that show progression become greater, so the anxiety and worry increases." That is how I feel. I scan every 4 months, and I have been stable on this treatment (Lynparza) for over 3 years. I scan again mid-July. I think to myself, I am feeling ok, my routine labs look ok (no tumor markers with labs), but…. we all know there will be progression at some point. That is the nature of this beast. But when will the progression come and what will it look like- small increases or BAM.
Reading along and thinking of you all.
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Chicagoan - Thank you so much for the good wishes re my scans that I got yesterday. Turns out they could have been better, but could have been worse too.
Shanagirl - Always appreciate your good thoughts, thanks so much. I'm just real sorry to hear about what you are going through right now and my heart is with you. Good luck with your shots today. I'm in your pocket. I had my Faslodex last Thursday and am still reeling.
Candy - So glad to hear from someone who can identify with that feeling re the scans. It's just so hard. I'm really glad you've been able to do 3 years with the Lynparza. Here's to lots longer!
I'm going to try and catch up with everyone more a little bit later. Right now I am just so exhausted. I have this ongoing fatigue from the shingles, although for all practical purposes they are clearing up and it's been a mild case. Additionally, I got my Faslodex shots last Thursday and am still pretty wiped out from those. We have had some warmer days here (in the 80's - not much for many parts of the country, but a lot for us), and that has me more tired also; it aggravates my usually mild lymphedema. Got my scan results via MyChart yesterday afternoon and sure enough the liver lesions are bigger, so I don't think there's any way that I can escape getting that liver biopsy. Everything else appeared to be stable. That was my lay person read only. I will see the onc next week for the official follow-up and "talk". I've been on this Verzenio/Faslodex combo for two years now and was hoping for much more of course. The onc has seemed to think that we could treat any liver issues separately and continue with the Verzenio/Faslodex. Hopefully after these last scans, that will be his continued thinking. I'm just such a tired wiped out mentally and physically exhausted wreck right now, that I have gotten behind with people's posts, but continue to think of you all and am still with everyone and wishing for the best for all treatments and situations. I forget how exhausting getting those scans can be. I read that staying still in those machines for long periods of time can be very physically strenuous, and I believe it. Weird, since you just "lay there", but it does take a lot out of you to keep still, and then there's the mental part. I'm hoping to get a bit more energy this week as the days go by, and hoping to catch up with everyone a bit more. Right now the slightest little things exhaust me, and sadly, I'm too tired to take my walks. I think I will get a short one over to the store though a little later this morning.
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Threetree, after 10 years, I do not worry about scans unless it says something different for me. Nothing has really changed in MRI of brain other than the mystery blood pool in my head. Of course I would be scared if something changed but overall, just go day by day.
MRI was nice yesterday, Paratransit drivers were nice driving to and from the hospital. I fell asleep during the MRI. I am quite used to the noises so I find it soothing.
Doing laundry now, finish that, complete dishes and cat area and that is about it. Resisting urges to shop for food. I do enjoy the queso cream in squeeze bottle, it does taste really good. I also tried a queso macaroni bowl as well which was very good. Today since I need to keep on eating my eggs will microwave them, let cool and chop in the cheese and anything else, heat the rice, chopped eggs and cheese together on high in melted butter and garlic stir and turn off the heat. Decide what flavour to add to them. Another meal could be eggs, cheese and a meat pie, cover with lid and just heat that up, no chopping with that and figure out seasonings. Heat in microwave for about 4 to 5 mins I think and figure out seasonings. I will see what I wish to do.
Edited, took a frozen spicy pasta, cracked two eggs on top, added some cheese and beefless ground. I heat up in the package the frozen pasta came in. Let cool a bit and will add some of the sour cream, bit of caesar dressing, queso and possibly ranch. Small amounts of each, eat whatever I can manage, can always put in the fridge as leftovers. Should be good.
I am still using the wet dry vac in the tub so will get it dried out and remove the washers, mop up the stains underneath washer, add mesh bag to the end of the laundry hose to prevent stuff coming out of the drain. I still love the suction power on it for things like the litter area etc.
I hope everyone has a good day, I am in pockets for everyone as well.
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Shanagirl Rest up we all understand and just know we are with you.❤️
threetree Sometimes it's just all too much to absorb. Rest your body and your mind, big hugs your way.
Mara Glad your MR went smoothly, amazing that you can sleep through it.
Candy I feel the same way sometimes as I have been on 1st line MTNBC treatment since 7/2022. It's challenging some days to stay present. Fear of the known and unknown I guess.
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The font change here on this site made me feel weird when I logged in! I felt like whoa, something's different... is it me?
Sending love to everyone here ❤️
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Got results coming today from MRI this week, sure they will be fine but in own pocket just in case.
Beyond the appointment, have some laundry going right now, sink to clean as well. Need to learn to focus on one pot or pan when cooking to make cleanup easier. Beans and lentils will be the order of the day before I go, rice and cheese as well. Not sure if DB will call to go out tonight, am OK either way though we have not seen each other for a month for different reasons. I will find out. If there is a call, I will go.
I am trying something new, mini pot pie placed on top of a frozen veggie and noodles dish. Not sure about seasoning as of yet, probably take some caesar, Hidden valley ranch and chipotle to have, small amounts of each. Figure that I enjoy the pot pie and enjoy the frozen veggie and noodle dish. I will post after having eaten it.
Edit, had the pot pie on top of the frozen noodle and veggie, just upped the cooking time to 6 min 30 sec in the microwave. Wound up adding sour cream and onion seasoning, squeezeable queso and hidden Valley ranch. The seasonings and cream ingredients made it very creamy of course and the last bit of salt helped as well. I will consider this as a viable meal as well.
In the meantime, I hope all have a good day and in pockets for everyone who needs me.
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Mara - I like that idea of being in your own pocket! I hadn't thought about that before. It's a great perspective. I am in your pocket too for good MRI results. I hope you have a good day too!
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Mara, make room in your pocket for me too!
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Intolight and threetree, I have enough space for all to fit in my pocket. Not nervous but not completely shut off about possibilities either.
Threetree, we all send support in the pocket for other people, I figure sometimes we need to support ourselves as well. I normally go into my own pocket to get stuff done that I want to do. Today, I want a good appointment AND get my recycling out as well. Just a good motivator for myself.
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Always enjoy your creativity in meal choices. I also admire your calm in the face of upcoming scans.
Noticed your comment about the mystery blood pool in your head. Is this a new development? I've had the same thing since my stage IV diagnosis. It's at my calvarium and neither my MO nor my RO could explain it.
Three years later and there's still no lesion in that area. Did some research and found a study of women as they age which concluded that the circulation in our skulls increases with age.
Hope it stays the same and doesn't cause any issues.
Take care
Eleanora
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Mara jumping in your pocket with the crew.
Tanya
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Thinking of Mara, Shanagirl, Threetree, Micmel and daughter. Hoping for good news and good things for all of us.
@eleanora So interesting that you also had a mystery blood pool in your head. There's so many things that show up on scans that we would never know we had b/c they don't cause any real problems.
@candy-678 How is your eyesight? That friend I contacted who had disappointing results never got back to me. Another friend just had both eyes done but hers were smooth sailing. She sees 20/20 now for distance and only needs glasses for reading. It's hard to get used to her without her glasses!
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Also thinking about @goldensrbest How are you doing? Sorry if I have missed anyone going through something tough right now.
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My MRI is good, some enhancement which is not unusual, enhancement is still around the original surgical site of the craniotomy I had in 2016. Pool of blood between skull and brain has not changed either so happy about that.
Paratransit on the way home was fun, I only had to wait 30 mins so that was fine, just sat outside with a couple of grumpy ladies waiting for paratransit for supposedly 2 hours, I am skeptical but it was entertaining to me to listen to them fuss. I mostly listened and nodded. My ride was on time for the set up time I chose which is why I was doubtful of their story but they were fun to talk to anyhow.
I am starving now, may allow a couple of burgers from mcdonalds. Got the cheeseburger deluxe since free tomatoes on it and a junior chicken. I will not be shopping this week, DB worked a lot of overtime, SIL says he is super tired. That is fine by me, give me some time to clear out extra boxes for recycling this week.
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@mara51506 Happy to hear your MR was good!You always have a great attitude approaching results. Glad your ride home was entertaining lol. The gabby grumpy old ladies can be pretty entertaining.
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Mara- Glad to read that your MRI was good!!!
Chicagoan- My eyesight is what it is; another new normal I guess. The cataract surgery healed well. The issues are 2 mainly-1. I had horrid eyesight since birth, and the change in prescription post cataract surgery/lens implant is hard to get used to. My brain is trying to adapt to something different from what it has known for 54 years. I still wear glasses, and I am ok with that, but when I take off the glasses, I cannot see my hands (or anything close up). Can your friend that only wears glasses for reading see close things i.e. her hands?? And 2. I am seeing "facets", glare, like the light is bouncing off the edge of the implants. I see my eye doctor again 6 months post surgery- October. The last time I saw her she pretty much said there is nothing to do, I just have to get used to things.
Reading along here every day. Nothing new here as far as the cancer. I see MO next month.
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Chicagoan - thanks for asking. Each day brings a bit more energy. Thankfully I’m sleeping well. No pain, just a lot of soreness. Had my drain removed on Tuesday which meant I could finally shower🎉🎉. Pathology report came back with no evidence of cancer🎉🎉. See the surgeon again this coming Tuesday. Will have some decisions to make. Do I want another implant or stay flat. Do I want anything done with other breast as I’m eligible for symmetry surgery. The surgeon has a plastic surgeon on her team so at some point we will have a meeting.
Mara - 🎉🎉 to good scan! I’m glad you had entertainment while waiting for your transit.
Candy - I hope that with time you’ll be able to adjust to the changes brought about by the cataract surgery.
Here for pocket duty for those in need. Mel - how is dear Gabby doing?
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Mara - Congratulations on that good MRI!
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