My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
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Mara, you are such a gem in this forum, thank you so much for your helpful advice. I didn’t know these symptoms were related to anemia. I’ll definitely make sure to add those foods to my diet. thanks again, a big hug
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@snow-drop No problem. I just looked them up but beans were my start to feeling better. Spinach is also good and if you don't like particular things, there is nothing wrong with chopping things up to suit your fancy.
I realize that I did not yap about my first meal today, I ate an entire small can of sliced mushrooms and a pre microwaved meat pie. Crushed the meat pie into the mushrooms, added generous amount of garlic too. It was quite good.
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Hey there Dear Ladies if Mel’s livinroom . Thank you for your caring thoughts @threetree @mara51506 @cookie54 @eleanora @intolight
It’s been a few weeks and I regretfully I have not been reading along. With all the crazinesses of Dr appointment stress,I came down with a summer virus with nausea and a bad cough, vertigo tired 🥱
Sorry for not getting back to you I have been so overwhelmed with constant appointments, procedures, and Traveling back & forth to North Jersey. I had my follow up phone appointment with Neurosurgeon pain management Dr. on the 13th . In the meantime he had me keeping a daily diary. The procedure went well because l was very relaxed from the sedative anesthesia during the 8 cervical spine injections. It’s called a "Branch Block". I have not felt well all week because of a lot of right sided pain in my shoulder front and backand down my arm and fingers going numb....Right sided groin & hip pain into leg & numbness tingling in bottom of foot and toes. I’ve been headachey and having balance issues also. So next day I had my appointment with my oncologist’s PA, Krissy. I love her🥰. We had a good conversation about what happened when DH dropped me off at the entrance of the John Theurer cancer center so he could go park the car like he always does. So l went through the automatic door and lost my sense of balance and I held onto the door frame so l wouldn’t fall. As it happened a security guard ran up to me and asked if I was ok. And I said I was fine but sometimes I get balance issues. He grabbed a wheelchair and insisted I sit in it till my husband arrived. Krissy scheduled me for my usual scans which weren’t due till September. She wants me back on my cancer med Verzenio because It’s been keeping me stable. She called Dr Friedman to schedule me asap for the tooth extraction because I still have to be off my cancer meds for another 3 months after the tooth extraction. So my appointment for that was August 14, before my scans, then Thursday August 21st I go for the NM Bone scan and CT scans at 1:00 and on Sunday August 24th I go for a head MRI🙄. Uggh this has been the Summer from Hell. Thanks for checking on me dear ladies so I needed your shoulder to rant a little bit. I love you all 😘♥️🌹
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@shanagirl Thanks for giving us an update. What a horrible summer you have had. Glad to know that your care team is on it and working to alleviate some of these issues. Hope that things get better soon!
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@shanagirl Thanks so much for checking in with an update. So sorry you have been going through so much this summer that can certainly wear you down. Hope the bundle branch block gives you the relief you so deserve.with your spine. Hope the tooth is done sooner than later and you can get back on track with treatment! Wrapping you in a giant comforting hug.
@snow-drop Ugh sorry you're still on the blood thinner which I can understand your MO's concerns. I hope you're able to maybe at least decrease the dose. Is it possible to try a different thinner, unsure if that would make a difference. Also Mara's suggestion is insightful maybe some dietary changes will give you a little more energy. Fingers crossed that a positive change is on the way to boost your spirits and energy.❤️
@mara51506 Oh well on to September testing for you. No big deal it's hard for all of us to keep all our appts straight ! I think some days we would all love to have a personal assistant lol.
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Hi dear ladies. Shanagirl, your appointment calendar is indeed busy. Make sure to slow down a bit in this heat. That sure can make one dizzy, too. I hope the treatments improve or releave your horrible back pain.
Oh it's so sad to hear of KBL (Kris's) passing. What a memory she made for her darling family, especially grandson in the camper picture. Time with family is what we need and want. Some family members lean into our needs and make more lovely memories to cherish. Her family is so joyful to be with her. God bless them, friends and her friends here at breastcancer.org.
Mara, hope you enjoyed a walk about. I am amazed at your meals and how you subsidize your expenses. You budget so well, wish I could do a better job. I did stop 4 newspapers, which saves about $30 a month, give or take.
Hi cookie, threetree, illemae, mel, chicogoan, snowdrop and any others who I may have missed. It's difficult with the MS brain and now added chemo brain when it comes to memory. I apologize. In pockets for all your needs my dear friends.
Laurel
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@irishlove Oh love, you don't need to apologize. We all understand how this disease and treatments have affected our brains. It is just good to hear that you are with us knowing how tough things have been for you.
@shanagirl All those appointments are exhausting in themselves. I pray that they are helping with all your back pain.
Thinking of others here especially KBLs family and friends, Mel and Gabby.
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@shanagirl I am sorry you had such a terrible summer, many appointments, pain and having to juggle it all and I also hope the tooth is done very soon for you. Your care team seems on top of it and that is all one could hope for. I can empathize with the brain situation between the length of time on chemo and rads to the brain and aging, I find it a miracle that I remember what I do.
@irishlove 30 dollars in savings is really awesome, amazing how much streaming or news can cost. I keep an eye on my streaming too, usually only have youtube premium and stack TV on primevideo. I only use the stack TV to get global which gives me the day ahead episodes of The Young and the Restless. When it comes to shopping, I usually use a card that has rewards points built in so the card that the rent is paid, it has at least 45 to 50.00 which is a shopping trip and no cost since it is always paid in ful at the 1st of the month. I did do better this month with not buying useless gadgets on Amazon, just stuff I need which is much better.
Laundry needs doing, sweep and vacuum. In between will do up the dishes still soaking from yesterday and play some mobile games to pad the budget, could make a challenge to myself to just make enough to get some stuff for free off Amazon buy earning gift cards. I would do surveys but my demographics are generally rejected and I am fine with that if I am being honest. I find them really boring.
Not sure what I am having, both pizzas were baked up, sliced up and put in the fridge as no room in the freezer so meals will focus around using up the pizza, love the pizza cutter, unsure why I did not get one of those sooner. Only thing I need do is make sure pizza finished up by Friday or Saturday. Thinking of taking slices and putting them in a tortilla stuffed with peppers or mashed beans, even a premade egg sounds good. Add either salad dressing or a mayo strip. Of course I will post on what I decide. It could change anytime.
I do hope everyone has a good day, nice to hear from others, I am in everyone's pocket always as well. The weather is still warm but moving into less humidity so need to start walking, it is the getting started that stalls me or finding something else to do. Oh well, it will happen when it happens.
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Another thing, Tigger and now Ava are overseeing the laundry process, he is on the largest washer, she is on the repaired washer as well. Tigger ensures sufficient detergent and agitation happen and he just loves the warmth he gets sitting on top and cannot see it any damages happening. I used to leave the doors on top open but now just wipe down with a towel after washing complete so he can sit.
I also had a random thought on exercise. My thought was to get to the hospital early in the future and allow a walk before checking in, be same difference as a mall walk. In my pocket to remember I thought of this. I also want to start walking on the spot at home to get used to more movement and of course get outside before the snow flies
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I noticed that Mel has not logged on to BCO in several weeks, so I reached out to her. "Please pass along my Hellos", she told me to tell you all. Her daughter had 18 radiation treatments, then double mastectomy, and now more chemo. Mel is worried about her, understandably so. Mel says she herself is "slowing down", as she has been fighting MBC for 9.5 years.
Just wanted to let you all know.
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@candy-678 Thank you for contacting Micmel. I have been quite concerned about her and Gabby.
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Thank you so much, @candy-678 . The update re Mel and Gabby is very much appreciated.
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@candy-678 Thanks for updating us on Mel and Gabby. I think about them every time I’m on here. Can’t even imagine her level of worry. May God give them the strength to get through.
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Candy - thanks for the update on Mel and Gabby. I hope they know how often they’re thought about here. How is your sight now?
Shana - so very sorry about this rough season for you. I hope your neck injections bring long term relief and your tooth problem gets taken care of. This damn disease steals our very being.
Today is our 47th anniversary. Going out to dinner at a great local restaurant.
Here for pocket duty for all in need.
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My rose of Sharon bush.. hummingbirds like it.
Miss Cat Tiger is comfortable.
@shanagirl sorry about your summer from hell ugh.
I'm just cruising on in a kayak full of time bombs with a goserelin shot today. Speaking of kayaks, I did get to go on a little paddling trip. Highlight of the month.
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Goldensrbest- I guess my sight now is my "new normal". Don't we love that term, LOL. My eyes healed fine after cataract surgery, but it is not what I expected from cataract surgery. What prompted me to get cataract surgery was the glare issue- headlights, streetlights, even the sun coming in my kitchen window. Those are still there. No change. I was disappointed in that. And my prescription was so bad since childhood that I wore thick glasses. Now, my glasses are thinner, and I can see distance without glasses now, which I could never do. But I used to be able to see close up without my glasses and now I need my glasses to see close up, i.e. my hands, the phone, changing the thermostat, etc. So I see different now, but not really what I call "better". Just overall disappointed in the cataract surgery results.
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@goldensrbest Happy Anniversary! Enjoy your dinner.
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@goldensrbest Happy Anniversary!
@candy-678 Thank you for the update on Mel and Gabby. They are on my mind and in my prayers daily. I am sorry your cataract surgery results were not what you expected. I was told cataracts grew faster with the oral chemo so I had mine done also. Things are still blurry but better. I was told that was medication and not the cataracts. I do see better but I had 20/20 vision before the cataracts. I do use glasses for fine print.
@mkestrel I miss my tortoise shell cat so thank you for the picture. She was my last cat but I had at least one cat all my life. I struggle to bend which is the only reason I don't have a cat now as I can't keep up with the litter.
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@mkestrel - Great pictures as always. Thanks for posting them. I am especially partial to Rose of Sharon bushes (yep, that's my name). My father planted one outside my room when I was a kid. After he died and the house was sold, that plant was one of the first the new owners took out, and they put a deck there. It so disappointed me, but that's the way it goes. I'm enjoying seeing a lot of them around here these days when I'm out on my walks. It's nice that they are one of the things that bloom a little later and keep things going for the summer.
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@candy-678 Thank you for the update on Mel and Gabby, I am empathetic to the longterm cancer treatment myself as I am at 10 years of treatment myself and pretty exhausted most often. I hope things are going better for Gabbby. @mkestrel The flowers are pretty and so is your cat. Very cute. @goldensrbest Happy anniversary to you.
I just woke up, went to bed late but that is fine with me. Rainy here and cool, I can sense some chTiggeanges in the weather which is fine with me. Less humid which makes warmer weather more comfortable. Soon enough, heat will be turned on and the apt will get pretty warm so leaving all stuff in the windows, AC in bedroom stays and the window fan which is not turned on but catches the breeze will stay on as well.
Tigger and I will be taking care of some laundry, let him stay on top while it goes, not much to be done, might just wash up a blanket or two, I will see what I feel like.
Food is a mystery, need to open up some beans, I had a can of mushrooms yesterday, the whole can for one meal. Today looking at using my mini grill to heat up and eat a frozen burger, after heat up just mash up in a hot pan with an egg and some new beans. The masher has overall replaced the chopper. Option 2 sees the egg used and me opening canned potatoes, dumping the starch and using that in meals. I willl see.
I hope everyone has a good day, should I discover a new meal for myself, will definitely post it. I am in pockets for everyone who needs some pocket support.
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I went to bed early so I had a good sleep. Even though I usually wake up when I need to go out in the morning, slept pretty deeply. Was having a dream when the alarm went off and don't remember what was happening but that is quite alright.
Got a little laundry going and will put away stuff to bring today to the hospital since I am having Herceptin. I always bring a charger, as if will be gone long enough to need one. Also will bring extra wireless ear buds. Get those packed up now. 830 should have laundry in the dryer which means Tigger will have to go at least until it is done.
Going to have an egg sandwich or rice and eggs with cheese which might be better to have instead, more filling, hoping to have breakfast made and eaten by 930 am. I always get an anxious when having appointments, mostly due to going out so I do the 4 7 8 breathing to release it because once at the hospital, I feel fine. I will post if totally different. I do have pizza left so could chop it up in the magic bullet with eggs and bake them too.
Anyway I slice it, appointment is at 1100am but have already booked the Paratransit so it comes around 1030. Pretty rainy today so will not be walking outside, if ready early from the Herceptin, may walk around a bit and leave the 200pm pickup just as it is, I will see how I am feeling.
In pockets for all who need me and wishing all of us a good day.
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I decided on a bowl of 1/4 cup white rice and probably same amount of the mild fiesta chipotle beans, mash them up and melt some cheese in there for the protein boost. No egg this time. Probably put a teensy squirt of ranch and a teensy squirt of caesar and last teensy squirt of garlic mayo. When I say teensy, I actually mean teensy, when dishing out my bowl, will just add salt.
I can tell I will be hungry at the cancer clinic but have to say this was a nice healthy breakfast for me. Not sure what I want later on but I will see.
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@mkestrel as always your artistic gifts show thru in your photograhs. I love the little tortoishell kitty sleeping against the leopard fabric.You should frame this picture my talented friend😊🩵
@candy-678 @chicagoan @cookie54 @goldensrbest @mara51506 @irishlove @intolight @snow-drop @threetree @micmel @tanya_djamila. I know your struggles as I read along and my heart and breath Prayers are always with you in your pockets. 💖💝🌸🌹♥️🩵
Tomorrow NM Bone Scan,. Sunday, head MRI then September 16th Radio Frequency Ablation to Cervical Spine And hopefully the Summer from hell will be over😊🌷
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Saw my new PC doctor yesterday and really like her. After a good discussion, she agreed for me to go back on an NSAID with monitoring. It was really nice to be listened to by a doctor and for us to discuss alternatives. After only one day, my hip pain is almost gone! Such a relief after 2 months of almost constant pain. I'm getting the pain under control and then am going to try to take as few pills as possible but this is lifechanging. Even being able to wash my dishes and brush my teeth without my leg aching makes such a difference. I'm going to walk to the the gym now without feeling dread. All summer walking 2 or 3 blocks has been agonizing but today it feels doable.
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Well, busy day at cancer clinic. Waited about 90 mins to get in but I listened to music and watched some you tube, was laughing aloud but doing best to cut the volume of that. After appointment, it was close enough to the pick up time I did not bother phoning for earlier one. One call from PT said bus would arrive 204pm which gave time for a 20 min in hospital BUT then got a call from PT saying the arrived, hurried up the hallway, right foot dragged and almost caused a fall, I did manage to catch myself.
All in all, good appointment, had cheese and ginger ale and watch youtube. I am hungry as usual so will order Mcd's. Probably a mcdouble and junior chicken. I like those a lot. Only thing to take caution about is just to keep lifting up feet as I do and pay attention to them as well. I am happy I caught myself too.
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@mara51506 Well that certainly was an interesting PT ride lol. Kudos to you for sticking up for the driver. Glad appt went well!
@mkestrel Love your pics…especially your pretty kitty.
@chicagoan Great news, we all know finding a good PC who listens is like a needle in a haystack. Hope your walk to the gym was more enjoyable with NSAID on board
@shanagirl In your pocket for scans this week and may Sept 16th come in a blink of an eye!
@goldensrbest Happy belated Anniversary, hope your dinner was delish!
Rainy here today went to Aldi and they had adorable Fall decor out. It's a bonus to food shop and pic up some great Aldi finds too! Currently burning a Pumpkin Creme candle as I look forward to Fall. I love summer and boating but by this time I'm ready for some beautiful weather. MO tomorrow ,had my thyroid labs for endocrinologist yesterday and Vitamin D is very high. Still the ongoing difference in opinion regarding my low blood calcium. Endo checked ionized calcium level and that was good. Had some weird lip twitching for 2 days and tingling around my mouth which can be related to low calcium. Sometimes I think I'm crazy lol, always some weird crap…oh well we'll see. Nothing earth shattering just annoying..
Hugs to all here♥️
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I can’t believe how the temps have changed! Feels like fall here in Wisconsin. Have some wax melts in a warmer going - pumpkin apple muffin. Smells so good. Here for pocket duty.
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Happy Anniversary
Hope you had a lovely dinner and memorable day.
yay Celebrex. So happy for you. It works well for me too.
Think of your frenzied schedule and sending healing thoughts. hope that the ablation will cure the pain.
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Looks like my post from earlier did not post.
Was not earth shattering. Slept pretty well, Laundry with couple of outfits washed in a mesh bag, spun and hung up to dry in my heating rack with a tent to contain the heat, helps with not damaging clothing by tossing in the dryer. Leaving the heating rack out tonight, cats are chill with it now, scared when setting it up.
Making some decisions with food, not enjoying crunchy or regular tortillas. Thinking I may toss all, just not a sandwich person. I see no issue with throwing some food in the quesadilla maker for two to three minutes. Still liking beans, rice, peppers and eggs. I still enjoy queso as well. Need to do a meat and pepper kind of vibe, can even add beans and mushrooms to it. Cheese and rice with beans would be good as well. Got chipotle mayo which can turn down spiciness of that with sour cream. Just need an overhaul, is not about carbs but more about enjoying what I eat. Make my own rice bowls or other stuff.
I did eat my queso bowl from Walmart, yummy and this evening had some leftover pizza, just cold, should be done by tomorrow.
I do hope all had a good day, even absent I was in everyone's pocket.
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Well, another decent sleep, no dreams.
Nothing on agenda for today, have left the heating tower/tent up for drying clothes, it worked well for my pants. I plugged into living room power so I can use my microwave or breville oven without flipping the breaker which is good. I seem to have converted washing my clothes to a mesh bag, spin it out and hang to dry, works pretty well, no damage from heat which is a lot better.
Still exhausted from the Herceptin, no concerns about that, it is not unusual for the first couple of days. To combat the fatigue, I will make my own sort of rice bowl, including beef, will use frozen burger for that, chipotle beans and possibly an egg. Running low on those so I may also place a grocery order later. EDIT, waiting til end of day for the rice and all.
Also had an accident when scraping out litter on my ottoman, too hard to stay bent over so floor is a mess. Sweeping and using vacuum sweeper and proper vacuum, planning to use my shopvac on the dry function at some point. I also bought a free standing dust pan and broom set so that I can sweep directly in there. I also need to dispose of the robot vac that no longer works at all. All of this elicited a stream of foul language but it will get done. First priority is clearing and wiping out box. Cannot use tub for that so will use damp cloths with vinegar on them. This may take a couple of days, not sure yet but as long as the area is clear. Almost did an impulse purchase of a wet dry standup vac and mop but thankfully put the kibosh on it as it is a couple hundred for something that is not really needed since I have sufficient mops, brooms and vacuums. The new standing dustpan will be helpful and in future, it will not be necessary to clean such a terrible mess. Not going to use as much litter.
Finally got the litter pan mostly clean, enough to wipe the sides and bottom. That is really difficult to do. Realize I need to bend over as having it on the ottoman caused huge messes. Taking a break for a bit then will change litter for the cats, less to put in should mean easier to scoop out before cement city. Pouring sweat and super exhausted, thinking I will take the litter and sweep under where the oven and microwave sit. I am glad I did it because the house smells decent now but it was very hard to do. Need a better system for everything. Once the floor is fully clean, run my microfibre along, I usually do a spray of vinegar as it gives a nice non scented clean smell
Gifted myself a box full of Hersheys Chocolate almond bars. The dustbin and the chocolate arrive tomorrow.
Hope all have had a good day and in pockets anywhere I am needed.
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