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

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  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    Goldens, happy drain is out and you can have a lovely showers again and that pain has receded to soreness, that would be easier to treat.

    I am frustrated with drains, I know I promised not to mention but cannot help it, having to use the wet dry vac all the time is not simple and no proper washing has been done. I am putting a plan in place until I can have the prop manager to visit. Try to get tub dry with the vac, remove the washers, clean bathtub and have them check it out. I should have done that but did not which was dumb not to do it before. Plunging, draino and drain snaking is not helping so if I can get the tub dry at least and cleaned.

    Had a bit of a cry, was toasting my rice, dry and used the breville oven, went to touch the pan handle without remembering it was hot. It just hurt and between that and the drain, frustration needed to be let out. No longer crying now. Plan for breakfast is the rice, put water in the pot for the rice and will be adding beans and egg, probably use up some cheese as well. I am interested to find out how toasted rice tastes in comparison to the normal white rice prep. I know you cannot simply eat tosted rice but I am interested in the taste difference. Once the rice has been cooled post heating, will add beans, beefless ground and taco seasoning with small amounts of salt, sour cream, ranch and queso. I forsee a good meal, will post later about it.

    I do hope everyone has a good day, in pocket for everyone who needs me and my own pocket as well to get to a dry tub.

  • intolight
    intolight Posts: 2,832

    Mara, so sorry you have had a crappy morning. I think I would be crying too. So many frustrating little things add up. I have toasted dry rice until brown with a little butter before adding liquid to soften, but your version sounds healthier. I have no idea how that would all work as I am only a self-taught cook. I am very tired of cooking. I still cook an evening meal for four people, but after 53 years of marriage am tired of it all. But I will forge on. It would be nice if my DD or DH cooked! And yes, get your apartment manager to fix your drains! That has been going on for far too long.

    We are prepping the house for my son and his family visit starting tomorrow. That is the only time I enjoy cooking anymore! They will be here for a week. I have a large grocery order being delivered around noon today. With three growing boys we will be going through a lot of food. But it is worth it!

  • tanya_djamila
    tanya_djamila Posts: 1,612

    intolight I have been cooking since I was 10. My mom started working and I got the job bc my nana had taught me to cook. Sometimes I enjoy it but mostly now I’m not interested. Forced bc I have to survive. My DD does cook but now that her kids are gone for the summer I think she’ll be doing less of it. We wouldn’t want to eat anything DH cooked so…

    Mara I hope the drains clear and you get a dry tub soon. It’s amazing how things breaking in the house stress me soooo much. The bookshelf was like the leaning tower of Pisa. Finally asked a friend to help me unload organize and get rid of it.
    had my port removed Wednesday. The conscious sedation after effects were finally all gone yesterday.
    Take care all

    Tanya

  • intolight
    intolight Posts: 2,832

    Tanya, I lstill have my port. It was put in three years ago when we thought I was getting IV chemo . I only got one dose when we decided to go oral again. I have been hesitant to have it removed since it works great for my infusions, etc. But my onc just moved me to every 6 Mos so I am thinking about it. I am to go in every 6 weeks for a flush. As long as it works I hesitate until I know whether the Orserdu is working. I am 4 Mos into it now.

  • goldensrbest
    goldensrbest Posts: 824

    Mara - sorry about all the frustrations piling up and causing a cry fest. I wish I could cry. When frustrated, I unfortunately swear like a sailor, making up new swear words as I go. Crying and swearing - both are cathartic!

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161
    edited June 15

    Thanks everyone, planning to simply keep wet vac drain with a goal of removing washers and THEN will call the property manager. It would have to be moved to do any repair. Telling myself to calm down about it, drawing a positive it is not the toilet or the sinks in bathroom and kitchen. It will get solved. Have to use smaller washers until I solve it. Not sure why my mind wants to complicate things. Big breath in and slow breath out. Another option is to bring a washer out to the living room, put on top of a rubber container and direct drain hose to a bucket. I will save that for later.

    Already booked Paratransit, thank you online booking for avoiding the hold time. Only time I phone now is if app't finishes earlier or later at the hospital. This week is normal MO appointment and a Herceptin infusion which is enjoyable.

    I am not planning an outing today, chores, laundry and drain. No shopping for food until needed, got plenty of seasonings, rice, beans and other stuff. Todays first meal that is presently in the microwave is a mini pot pie put on top of fettucine and chicken. Planning to include one of the quesos, either the tostitos OR the squeezable queso, I shall see, wanting to add losts of dry seasoning as well. Option two is a small squirt of Hidden Valley Ranch and a bit of the caesar dressing with a tiny scoop of mayo, lightly salted. Will post after eating which I decided to go with.

    Edited, I made the fettucine and chicken with the pot pie on top. Heated for 6.5 minutes. Did the squirt of Hidden valley ranch dressing with caesar bit as well. Dash of salt. It was really good.

    For now, wishing all a great day, in pockets for all including me to have more patience and realizing that even if something is a PIA, it is a relatively minor concern to have in the grand scheme of things and events going on in the world. Instead of fussing, take things one step at a time. Might start listing steps needed to make things function for me. I will see.

  • cookie54
    cookie54 Posts: 1,220

    @mara51506 Glad you feel better , sometimes we all just need to vent our frustrations. Don’t be too hard on yourself ,you take on problems that most of us wouldn’t! In your pocket this week for your appointments.

    @chicagoan Your pretty amazing too, fixing your mower and gate! I do like a good challenge when I’m in the mood lol. Bummer on the lamp, yep always something.

    @intolight Enjoy your family visit, it’s always nice to have everyone together. Oh the cooking, I hear ya on that! Looking forward to my kids getting married and having me over for dinner someday. Agree it’s definitely more enjoyable when you’re excited for a visit than the daily grind of what to cook. Hope you’re feeling well and have a nice visit.

    @goldensrbest So glad to hear drain is out, they’re the worst! Glad you’re on the healing end of things. I know you’re facing decisions on where to go from here which can be tiresome. I wish you weren’t even in this predicament but sending you peace with your decision.

    Waving hi to everyone here and in your pockets for appointments this week❤️

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161
    edited June 17

    Did not sleep well, just dozed a bit. Have meeting with MO today, just routine bloodwork etc.

    Laundry cycle done, vacuum out drain later. Figure out where to store machines, remove from tub and then contacting property manager. Moving machines will happen tomorrow. Without much sleep, would be too hard to hoist them up, better to wait til tomorrow. Get rid of the drain issue FINALLY instead of the incessant obsessing over it.

    I decided to try chipotle beans. Put in dry rice, added a bit of water. Too much water but rice was fine, put in a strainer and added extra chipotle cream, was spicier but still tasted fine. Put the extra in a container. Next time, make the rice and then put into the mild chipotle fiesta beans.

    Edited, Was going to order fast food as I was starving BUT decided to use a frozen pasta meal, put some beefless ground and cheese and used queso, sour cream and ranch. Very small amounts of the dressings of course and a sprinkle of salt.

    MO said bloodwork was perfect and my Echo results are also very good so pleased about that news.

    Hoping everyone had a good day and in pockets for all who need me. Late in posting.

  • threetree
    threetree Posts: 2,408

    Mel - Just saying hello and sending some hugs. Thinking of you and wishing you and yours all the best!

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    I slept pretty well last night if not a shorter sleep. Will go to bed earlier tonight as need an earlier wake up time for tomorrow. I have Herceptin on Wednesday, I can honestly say that the busier app't schedule is a bit tiring but will appreciate the 3 weeks off of no appointments until the next Herceptin.

    Mae, Mel and others reading along, I am waving at you.

    Laundry will be done, woo hoo, still like doing laundry. Always enjoy figuring out how I wish to do it. If in wee washers, usually do a longer soak etc. Still have a couple of functioning 20 dollar ones and my blue one as well. I also use them to soak silverware before doing up dishes as well.

    Heat will be trending into a heatwave situation, looking at few days feeling like 110 F. I will still go places but book Paratransit if I want an outing and shutting windows as I have a window fan bringing air in from outside, no need to bring in humid air. Kind of sucks to shut the window as airing out the house is a good thing to do. I also have my cooling stuff so if I had to wait for a bus, it could be done rather easily with the cooling headband, cooling towel, neck fan. Would consider busting out the neck fan on wed. I will take heat over snow any day of the week though.

    Not sure about meals, got diced tomatoes in a can which can be added to a ton of things and figure out beans, ete nearly half a can of the bush beans chipotle fiesta, they are not big cans, need to keep that in mind and possibly use them in conjunction with other beans, I will see. I want to do a version of the frozen food thing where I throw stuff on top of cooked rice and heat to melt cheese. Also want to finish eggs up as well, not too many to go. I don't care for eggs but can microwave first then chop them up with other black beans and such, put it all in a frypan, I will see. I have many seasonings and flavourings to make anything taste good. Can also toast white rice in butter in the breville since on the toast function, it does not burn the rice. I definitely like the taste of toasted rice before making it up the regular way. I also have some frozen hamburgers which need to be used up too. I will post later on actual meals I make up.

    I do hope all have a good day and am in pockets for everyone who needs me.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161
    edited June 18

    Tanya, forgot to post about your lovely picture of sisters and nieces. You all look really happy.

    I have Herceptin today, it is really humid here, we are starting to get into the 90s and over 100s by the time you add in humidity. That is fine, cool in the house with AC from bedroom and split AC when it feels like working.

    Got laundry, vacuum and other normal chores before I go.

    Edit, laundry on hold due to bathtub drain kicking up brown water. Do not have time to attend to it right now, later will get drain clear, clean tub AND email property managers later. Big PIA but has to be done. Hand washing the and capris and undies I want to wear for now. Soaking for a few minutes then rinse cycle. Spin for 30 seconds and off to the dryer.

    Edit, the handwashing worked out well and did a spin and dried them, that was good. Once everything is done re the drain, will wash as normal.

    Got many beans to use up so looking at a rice, beans and beefless ground combo for the first meal. Probably do in the frypan with some garlic spread and melted butter. Will make up the rice first, take cooked egg and beans, chop up together and put the beefless ground in. Heat up the pan on high with garlic and melted butter, give a stir and turn off the heat. Once a little cooler put some condiments on it. Not sure what as of yet but will find out and post.

    Edit, having a couple of mini pot pies and chipotle beans. Was a far quicker meal, not requiring too much seasoning save dry sour cream and onion and dash of salt, It was pretty good.

    Hoping everyone has a good day and in pockets for anyone who needs me.

  • cookie54
    cookie54 Posts: 1,220

    @shanagirl Oh no , so sorry your plans were ruined. Sounds like you really had a belly battle going on. I hope you’re able to reschedule soon and get to enjoy a nice dinner with your family. Hugs 🤗

    @goldensrbest Sounds like a good plan. Gives your body time to heal in the meantime. Hope you’re getting your energy back.

    @mara51506 In your pocket for Herceptin today. Ugh yes the humidity is creeping in here and temps are rising. Take it easy and hope your trip is smooth today.

    @intolight I hear your joy through your pist and it warms my heart. Please keep on boasting, this is what we live for, enjoy!

    @irishlove Hope your feeling well.

    Thinking of Mel/ Gabby and waving hi to everyone.

  • chicagoan
    chicagoan Posts: 1,383

    @shanagirl I feel for you. What a horrible experience. Sounds like you have a great guy though, who sticks with you no matter what.

    @goldensrbest Hope that you are recovering well. Will be interesting to see what the plastic surgeon recommends.

    @eleanora Hope they figure out solutions to your diverticulitis and tooth issues. Both sound quite painful. Glad the medicine is working.

    @mara51506 Best wishes as you work on getting your bath tub fixed. What a hassle.

    It's very hot here. I worked a double shift yesterday and my legs were really hurting. I was allowed to get 2 more weeks on the anti-inflammatory drug that helps with my arthritis, but that's all. I am going to try not to take it. I'll see a new internist in August-hopefully she will put me back on celebrex or something. In the meantime, my cancer center offers 6 free massage treatments and 6 accupuncture treatments. I am going to try those-maybe they will work. The PT is strengthening my outer hip but not helping with the pain. Maybe it's muscular and not arthritis pain-hard to say. I took a cold bath when I got home-the cold water did seem to help the inflammation.

  • shanagirl
    shanagirl Posts: 560

    @intolight I enjoyed all the stories of your delightful experiences with your family visiting. Grandchildren area blessing and a joy. When my grandchildren were young I loved when my DS and DILvisited with them. That was before 2009 and after my first BC StageIIIA diagnosis surgery & treatment. I rememberone day and I still laugh about it with my DD. I was in the kithchen enjoying them and eating with our oldest GD ag 6 and her 3yr old sister, and after awhile I. Started feeling very tired and hot with my wig on because I was totally bald underneath. So DD and I went upstairs and I took my wig off Sat in the lounger chair in my bedroom and chatted with my DD. Then all of a sudden the 6 year old opened the door and came in to join us and chatted a moment with us the left the room to go back downstairs to the kitchen. Suddenly the. Door opens again slowly and she peeks back in and says to my DD, “Sia did you cut Mimi’s hair???”………DD and I looked at each other and DD said to her “yes I did because Mimi was sick and I had to cut it so it would grow back strong” So she says Oh, ok” and skipped back downstairs satisfied with the normal answer. My DD who is a hair stylist and beautician at a spa, looked at me and we both burst out laughing😂🤣. So I totally get how you sometimes need some rest time away from the whole business, of. having the grand children over. mine are now grown nd that granddaughter is. now the mother of my two great grandsons toddler and infant 2 and one are their. ages. they now live in Ft Myers Fl. All together we have. 4 grandchildren all grown the youngest graduated HS last week and the other two in college.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161
    edited June 19

    Shanagirl, I love the story about your grandchild and asking about the baldness. It was funny but clever the cover answer you gave was.

    Chicagoan, my plan is to get the tub drained out and let dry overnight, may pull out the washers and use them on the floor and dry them out when have to wash, just remember not to drain them. The water coming from the drain is very brown so need to get it fixed quickly and not worry where to store them. I believe there would be a way to keep in bedroom in the daytime and move to the kitchen at night. This all will happen over the weekend I think anyway or on friday.

    Herceptin was good, was in a corner seat so chatted a bit with a couple of other patients. Lady who had a similar dx as me IBC, on Herceptin and Pertuzamab, I used to take both too but digestive problems arose so did not continue that, Herceptin keeping me NED from the neck down. She had some bone involvement as well. An older fellow as well was surprised how long I have been dealing with cancer as well. Nice to inspire more confidence, he is a newer cancer patient and still quite nervous. I reminded him that a lot of longevity is luck but there are good treatments out there vs just a few years ago and that he should go day by day on how he feels. He gets steroids just before treatments so I told him he will feel sh1tty for one day or so and to lie down and I said take advantage of the energy boost the rest of the time. Then they both noticed I was trying to watch youtube and we all continued on with treatment.

    Today I am supposed to go out with DB and nephews, they want Costco and I will go to Walmart, SIL at first was going to boycott Walmart due to politics BUT they are carrying a lot of Canadian brands. I don't care about the politics, I care about price and Walmart overall is least expensive with Amazon being about second for me. I know I need some stuff, will make a list. May or may not get the rotisserie chicken, I found it hard to take apart BUT it did last a while, I will see. May also get different meats at walmart though noticing a price spike on the groundless beef and other vegan stuff. Not vegan here. I still have some so can wait til a sale hits, got one more extra beefless ground and can mix with a frozen ground up burger to keep in the fridge. Taste will be similar and when they go on sale again, will purchase them.

    Edit put in an order for delivery from walmart, more queso flavours, frozen pasta and two of the queso pasta bowls, really good stuff. More sour cream, some poblano sauce as well. Thinking I can really stretch some of this stuff like the frozen pasta bowls with a normal frozen penne pasta. I also ordered a pound of ground beef which I put in the freezer first. Still got some frozen hamburgers as well.

    I am taking the queso chicken pasta bowl, heat up first and then heat up the alfredo chicken penne. I will mix together to stretch, probably give up to four meals. Got some extra beefless ground so will add to subsequent meals, the queso pasta will go well with next opened bit of beans. Got green beans, the chipotle beans and black beans to name a few. The blended pasta mix, both have chicken in them with some beefless ground done on top of the fettucine pasta first and then prepare the queso pasta I will see. Post my lunch in this post later.

    Edit 2 I did take a frozen chicken penne in alfredo, heat up first with some beefless ground. Added extra squeezable queso which was spicy and put some of the sour cream and lime to it. It was DELICIOUS. Once I had lunch, added both to a container, waiting to cool before fridge. I will use as sides or part of egg meals, meat pies or whatever. I will see. All the queso, baha sauce, chipotle and sour cream and lime were put into a large container so nothing gets forgotten about. Those meals will be a side dish with beans and other stuff. I figure, they are alright within around 4 days when stored in the fridge in an airtight container.

    I am not starting laundry until I fully drain the tub, tub is full of dark water, not sure what the deal is with that.Already vacuumed up 10 gallons worth which is ridiculous. May just pull washers out of the tub now, hang the hoses beside the machines so they don't drain and w them in the bathroom. Wet dry vac to suck out the water. Use bigger spinner to spin out stuff in the bedroom and use my buckets to collect the water. I will see. Until tub is emptied, and property managers show up, not going to use tub for laundry at all. I still suspect I am getting a neighbours stuff backing up but no proof. Using wee washer for cloths and hand washing pants I wish to wear tonight. Once tub fully dry, take washers out of the tub. Might leave for a day or so then take out, clean the tub and go from there. Property manager help can happen in the next couple of weeks for all I care.

    Edit, almost done with tub water draining, need laundry stat so am going to empty the wash water into vac to avoid any further bathtub water but definitely need to wash stuff now. I still appreciate the wet dry vac for what it is able to do for me.

    I also have garbage and recycle to take out, planning to take out earlier vs later, tub is almost cleared of water 5 sessions of wet dry vac done so far which is good, the bottom of tub looks really disgusting, once wash is out, want to clean it, need to go easy on the energy as I am usually fatigued post Herceptin and going out with brother tonight. Spend energy wisely is my motto.

    Enough yapping, getting the lunch ready, will post once I have some of it. Hope all have a good day, in pockets for all who need me as well. One nice thing today is that when I do express delivery, it is sometimes only an hour before stuff arrives.

  • intolight
    intolight Posts: 2,832

    @mkestrel I don't know what Medicare plan you are on, but I have a $2000 deductible also, but it is cumulative. So once you have paid $2000 the rest of the year all your medications are at no cost. It starts over every January.

  • mkestrel
    mkestrel Posts: 216

    I have A, B, D and G not advantage alphabet soup Medicare. We just don't have the extra $500 for four months. They sure are raking it in not making a generic….

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    mkestral, beautiful pictures and the cherries were gorgeous.

    I did wind up shopping again, got a couple of packages of greens, peppers which will be cut up and put in the fridge and a giant bag of chips from costco, cheese and onion flavour lays, says the flavour is from UK originally. Ate a few, they were very good. I can see crumpling a few to add crunch to a meal as well, a mild onion flavour too. Also picked up sriracha dressing of some sort, trying new things. These groceries were free as I used credit built up on a credit card that gives rewards and I pay my big bills like rent, internet and phone on it so this month was 67.00 in reward points. Only spent 50.00 altogether so still have 17.00 left so can leave the rest or put it toward other things. I also pay off the charges every month on that card, no interest for me. Only reason I can use that card is it is paid off even before charges hit the card. Rewards cards are great if paid in full.

  • irishlove
    irishlove Posts: 698

    Hi all. I'll have to catch up on posts as sometimes I just take time away when I feel particularly poorly. We had two deaths in our family in 3 weeks. My sweet cousin lost her youngish husband 3 weeks ago and her daddy today. It stinks that I'm not able to go support her at this time due to medical situation. Pet scan coming up, those wonderful shots (NOT) and an MRI of lumbar ordered just yesterday by spinal surgeon's assistant.

    It sure it brutally hot here, too. My sister calls it oppressive with this humidity and she's in PA! @mara51506 I had chance to skim read your post and recalled seeing chicken alfredo. There's a recall for listeria on Wal-mart and I think Aldi's. Please check your item. It seems more recalls then ever on items.

    In pockets for all you sweet folks for all your needs.

    Laurel

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161
    edited June 20

    Irish, no danger for me, it is the Great Value brand of frozen penne and chicken but thanks for the lookout. I do not eat any of the other mentioned brands. I do appreciate the warning.

    I had a good time with db and sil with nephews which was good and was restrained at Costco. Got a giant bag of chips there so only owed DB 7.50, that was good.

    Not sure what meals will entail for me today, got a lot of food to get through, will post once I have eaten a meal.

    I hope everyone has a good day, stay cool if hot and humid and in pockets for anyone who needs me.

  • cookie54
    cookie54 Posts: 1,220
    edited June 21

    @shanagirl Ugh I know, crazy heat! We have a grad party in East Windsor tomorrow so up the Turnpike we go with all the shore traffic. May avoid Turnpike and take 295…we'll see. It was beautiful today with low humidity but had heavy storms last night.

    @mkestrel Love your pictures, you certainly have a green thumb.

    @irishlove Sorry to hear of multiple family deaths my condolences. Seems like bad news clusters together.In your pocket for upcoming testing with a mini fan to keep you cool and some Philly water-ice! Sending positive thoughts your way.

    @mara51506 Love your savvy saving, that's great! Glad you got out and had a nice time with your family.

    Hi to all here , have a restful night and a good weekend.♥️

  • irishlove
    irishlove Posts: 698

    Ah thank you for the condolences and I will send them on to my sweet cousin, Libby. Her daddy was such a strong personality but cared a lot about the 4 of us. We had an awful father and home life, except when we visited aunt, uncles and grandparents. His wife is in a nursing home geared towards alzheimer patients. She knows he passed and then she's not sure of much of anything….. It sucks when we are reaching the end of this journey. @shanagirl I'm so darn sorry you got sick and missed your lovely plans with family. Don't know if this would help in the future, but I carry Zofran with me and keep a green hospital cuplet in the car all the time. I imagine the shores are crazy busy. Not for me, staying home and cool and quiet.

    9 months since last pet scan and boy am I nervous. Thank you all for your support. I'm trying to not focus on the what ifs….easier said then done. Wanted to share the RX ointment that helps greatly with my back. It has 10 per cent lidocaine , and 20 percent benzo(?) and 10 percent something else (oh my gosh my brain is awful tonight). My point is the 10 percent lido you can't get in roll-ons or other ointment as it has to be RX. I found out about it recently and jumped at a chance to try it. It works so well that I use it on other areas. They don't give you much, so I do have to use it a bit more sparingly then I would like.

    Sending out to all that need pocket duty, I'm here.

    Laure;

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