My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
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eleanora- I think MO thinks that scans would catch something. I think that is his rationale. I get a CT of the chest (mainly to look at lungs, I think) every 3-4 months.
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@candy-678 I hope it is nothing but it is possible that you have a different kind of cancer-say triple negative in that breast. Let's hope it is a benign cyst. Please keep us posted.
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@candy-678 Short answer, yes it could be a new cancer BUT it is just as likely it could be benign. If PCP is concerned enough to recommend a mammogram to rule it out, would be worth it to make sure using a mammogram or ultrasound.
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Well, got up a short while ago, went to bed late as usual, slept fine.
Nothing on agenda today, grocery stores will be too crowded to consider going out, checking walmart for possible thanksgiving food for myself or just make a nice meal out of stuff I already have. I will decide.
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Happy Thanksgiving weekend to Mara and others who celebrate!
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@candy-678 Ugh sorry that you have to deal with the stress of follow-up on this. Can very well go either way but of course I will be praying for a whole lot of nothing going on! You know how it is …once you have cancer many things get called suspicious that may be called as normal in the non-cancer patient. So that is what I am hoping for, fingers crossed and big hugs and strength your way.
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Candy - here for pocket duty for you as you deal with the stress of a suspicious finding in your other breast. I pray that it is benign🙏🏻🙏🏻. My MO does not have me get a mammogram on my remaining breast.
Wishing all a lovely Sunday.
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Hi all - I am not caught up at all, but am going to try and review the last 80 (yes 80!) posts that I've missed here. I've just been very fatigued and brain foggy, so haven't really been keeping up. I have seen the oncologist a couple of times to go over latest scans and blood work. He says things are essentially stable, but he wants me to consult with some liver specialists to assess and possibly plan for some kind of treatment to my very slow growing, but present, liver mets. I also got my latest fulvestrant shot last Wednesday but seem to be having an extra bad reaction from it. Lots of aches and pains, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, weakness, fatigue, etc. They had wanted to give me the flu shot at the same time, and due to time constraints we put it off, but now I am so, so glad I didn't get that on top of the fulvestrant, as it has it's own side effects. With these being so bad this time, I think I'd be flat in bed right now. I am going to see the palliative care NP on Wednesday for a routine "chat", and am now supposed to get the flu shot then, but I'm wary given what a mess of side effects I already have. I hope this is a one off; I've heard several say that they think the fulvestrant side effects are cumulative and get worse over time. Hoping that's not true, but beginning to wonder.
I think and care about all of you and just love the living room, but I have just been too tired essentially to follow along. I do hope everyone is doing OK and having some good times (I'm sure you are), and I am in anyone's pocket who needs support. Have a wonderful Sunday everybody!
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@threetree I've been wondering how you were doing, and am sorry the fulvestrant has got you down. I don't keep up well either, but there are some of us who have been on this thread a few years. I am sorry to hear of your liver problems. I have had mets in the liver de novo and I have been able to keep them either stable or reduced most of the time. Currently I have no active bone mets and I am on Orserdu for the liver. Orserdu works with a specific mutation, ESR1. You also do not need to take fulvestrant with Orserdu so I am happy about that. It is new and crazy expensive ($27,741.00 for 30 pills) so I make sure I have a foundation that supports the cost. Medicare picks up the rest. We found the mutation from a liver biopsy. I have not had my flu shot yet either, and may be getting over a light case of it as I have been sick a few days. I will talk to my oncologist next week.
@candy-678 Sorry to hear about your latest stress challenges. I have not had any surgeries but my oncologist does not do mammograms as the scans pick up anything suspicious, although I am still told to check. My original cancer was not found in the breast but was still Stage IV.
@mara51506 Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you find some joy this week.
Thinking of you all as I read along.
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@intolight Yes I am getting used to not seeing anybody, I won't reach out because I can hear the sigh of DIL if I were to call and no need to know that people find me an annoyance. I will give points, when I moved here, they found this apartment and helped clear out old place. The got old condo refurbished for sale, they asked 10000 which I thought was fair, it did look really nice. They also got me into the apartment as well. I guess the groceries and other stuff just wore them out I suppose. Oh well, does not matter at this point, can get anything I need.
One thing I will say is if I hear that DB is stressed out, he certainly does not show it. No text to ask how I am, not asking phone call or anything. I did call DB and wished him a happy thanksgiving though. No mention of anything else. They are at his place so sure they will eat well. Like my mother, he does a really good job in the kitchen.
I finally made a decision on my meal, took a larger beef pie with carrots, peas and tomatoes and a package of the frozen stir fry with peppers, broccoli and such. Once both were heated in microwave, added to heated pan with canola spray, a bit of butter and garlic spread to melt. I also added a bunch of canned and sliced mushrooms. Left on high, stirring couple of times and turned heat off and covered with a lid, most likely will add some caesar dressing as well, I will see. Will post if was good. Pretty sure this would cover a couple of meals at least.
Hope Canadians have a good Thanksgiving, everyone to have a good day in pockets for those who may need me.
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@intolight - So nice to hear from you as always. I find you a real inspiration since you had so much going for years now. I'm glad the Oserdu is working for you with the ESR1 mutation. I wound up with an AKT1 mutation so Oserdu won't do any good for me. They have told me that Truqap is the drug that is designed to work with the mutation I have, but my MO wants to keep going with the fulvestrant and Verzenio as long as possible, and I totally support that idea. I don't see where these next groups of drugs work as well and for as long, so I'm really wary of switching to anything else unless there's just no other options what soever. My MO is suggesting staying on the current drugs but adding liver treatments like ablation or Y-90, and I'm hesitant and exploring these possbillities. I'm getting blind spots all of a sudden, so going to stop here. It's a sort of migraine thing that gets real bad after the fulvestrant shots and I can't always see completely what I'm typing and things just start to look strange. Will get back on when the visual aura stuff stops. Darn it anyway!
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So no real sleep, was dozing in and out on couch by the time I woke it was 4 am so decided to forget it. I do not feel bad and plan earlier bedtime, have MRI tomorrow morning. I do not feel anxious at this point, brain behaving. Not sure about blood pool between skull and brain but that is part of what is looked at. Results will be next week.
The meal I made myself yesterday was quite good. The combo of the Stir Fry noodles with broccoli, carrots and peppers and noodles was really good when paired with the beef meat pie. That meat pie had potato cubes, carrots and peas. I added a bunch of sliced mushrooms once both the meat pie and stir fry were done up in microwave and transferred to the fry pan for mashing, adding seasonings etc. There were left overs so adding beans and mushroom to leftovers, possibly a mini pot pie as well. I will see, see about an egg dish later today I think.
Laundry on go, had washer washing and spinning stuff at the same time, efficiency at its best. Beyond that meals to be had should be nutritious as am having the leftover dish described above and eggs later today.
I do have a picture of Treadmaster Tigger sleeping on the treadmill. For a while he hung out in the bathroom, on top of washers and in sink. Cats have swapped, Ava hangs in the window of bathroom and on the closed toilet lid. Sometimes just on the floor. I will have to remove Tigger when walking time comes around.
I hope everyone has a good day and Thanksgiving, I am in everyone's pocket who needs me. I should quickly add that I wanted to wish DB happy holiday, so I called him very quickly to wish him that holiday wish. That was nice. See treadmaster Tigger in action on his treadmill below.
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@mara51506 - Love seeing Tigger use the treadmill his way. Very cute. Hoping your MRI went well this morning. I've got my fingers crossed for you 🤞!
Might be feeling a little better this morning - shoving off those godawful fulvestrant side effects. Wow, a real extra heavy dose of them this time!
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@threetree MRI tomorrow. I am sure it will be fine, get results next Thursday but thank you for your good wishes.
I did take out the leftovers of the stirfry and meat pie. Not much left of it either. Added a mini pot pie to the top and some beans and chili. Heated for 3 mins and it was really good.
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@mara51506 - Mara, I'm so sorry I got the date confused, please excuse. I wish you lots of luck tomorrow then! I will still be thinking of you and have my fingers crossed 🤞. I guess Thursday isn't too long to wait for your results. Do you have anything like MyChart in Canada?
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Hi all. Mara, I wish things could be different with your DB and SIL. Something tells me she is the problem and he has to go along with her moods since they are married. It's sad they are missing out on making more memories over some insignificant, perceived problem. You keep up your great attitude and oh that cooking and as the song goes "I am a rock, I am an island". I have had to adapt to my bff as in my sister, cutting off communications. She feels overwhelmed with my medical situation as the is dealing with a failing liver. I go to doctors and take meds, she refuses. Can't bring it together and it hurts.
Dear Chicagoean, I hope you are healing wonderfully and will be ready to go kick some soccer balls around. lo
l have been highly sick for about 10 days now. Saw MO and he ordered scans for end of month. Saturday night I took a turn for the worse and went to the ER. I thought I was having a heart attack. DUring testing it showed I have ground glass opacities bilaterlly with small nodules scattered in both lungs .They are attributing it to atypical pneumonia and suggesting I have pleurisy. They checked for pulmonary embolism due to cancer treatment and that was normal. My blood counts are very low and today I called MO's office andcancelled fulvestrant shot and plus I didn't restart Ibrance. I see PCP tomorrow to go over some findings. Add a migraine and I've been down for two days. I feel like I'm losing the ability to walk. Extreme weakness from waist down.
Maybe I just need a vacay.
Take care folks and I'm in your pocket for all your needs.
Irish
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Just woke up, I was up til 1230am and set alarm for 7am, that was not too bad. Little tired but not too much to do at hospital.
MRI usually does not take too long. Did not wind up phoning about the Paratransit coming later, it was the only ride I could get. Thinking I may need to get up earlier on days I need to order them online.
Tigger still on the treadmill, he will soon need to get off after I get home, planning a short walk on it.
Probably have a meat pie of some sort or a couple of eggs, need to eat those up. Later I am not too sure, still have one of the stir fry pastas that could pair with a meat pie. I may just do that combo now and have it eaten by 850am, I will see.
Addition: I had 2 mini pot pies and some beans in barbecue sauce and sour cream and some croutons for crunch. It was pretty good. I heated up the minipot pies part way and added the beans and chili mix and put back in microwave for 90 more seconds. Nice and filling.
Chores like laundry, sweeping can happen when I get home, should not take too long and may nap in the MRI machine anyway, I will see. Usually advise the people running it I do not need a blow by blow until the contrast goes in. I get really nauseous but if they put it through quick, holding my breath keeps that at bay.
I must say, needing to take breaks whilst getting dressed is weird to me but I am taking breaks between stages. I also sit while dressing, find it easier to do.
I do hope all have a good day, in pockets for everyone as well. Will find out results of MRI next Thursday.
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Little irritated with MRI dept. Called to say will be late due to no other appointments open for the Paratransit. She wanted me to tell when I will get there, I said not too sure, maybe 1015 or 1020 but is an estimate. I don't know when it will exactly be. She said they'll cancel the appointment if later than 1020 am. They better not.
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@irishlove Oh hon, I am so sorry to read you are so sick again. I had similar lung issues three years ago and I still remember how sick I was. Fortunately I got better. I will pray they can find a solution for you. You are covered in my prayers.
Mara, I am sorry your family is not more supportive. You are so brave to tackle all of this alone and working so hard to make things work for you. I hope you made your MRI appointment and that your results are good. In your pockets for sure!
I'm recovering from some sort of virus and feel pretty good today. Maybe I can even do the dishes! Small victories…
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@irishlove - Gosh, is there something in the air that spreads clear across the country? What's up with these suddenly taking a downturn things anyway? I'm real sorry to hear about your pneumonia and general health slide; that's terrible. Did they give you any antibiotics or anything for it? Hopefully the PCP will have some good info tomorrow. Fingers crossed and in your pocket. Wishing you a very speedy recovery.
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@intolight - Not you too! Just read about your virus, but very glad to hear that you are on the upswing. Take care, I am thinking of you.
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Well getting to hospital was fine. Got my IV set up. Shortly after the contrast I felt really sick. They pulled me out and I filled 4 of those plastic dishes. Gross but I survived.
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MRI was fine, no irritation from them and got home fine as well. Only thing that sucked was after the contrast went in, I had to madly squish the call bell and puked. Filled up four of the kidney shaped plastic bowls. I get nauseated but normally holding breath as it goes in is fine. I am of the thought meal was the main cause as it had a bunch of bean and chili in that had been in the fridge for a few days or simply ate too much. Anyway, no tears this time which is surprising but good. Oh well, stuff happens. I feel fine now, hungry even so I will see what I wish to eat now. May just have a bland fettucine and chicken. Nothing to spicy.
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Sorry that happened Mara. Must have been very uncomfortable.
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@threetree Sorry you have been feeling crappy lately with the fulvestrant shot. Hmm I hope it's not something that gets worse over time as you heard. Hope your Np visit goes smoothly and you're feeling better.
@intolight Hope you're starting to feel better too…ugh tis the season I guess. I have flu shot scheduled for this Friday.
@mara51506 Happy belated Thanksgiving. I agree with you regarding DB , if he's so stressed and worried then why not check in more often. A text or a call go a long way in my book sometimes I just don't understand people. It's crazy to me sometimes that so many family members don't even ask how I'm doing. I think they judge the book by the cover and feel like I'm just doing wonderful everyday lol. Oh that Tigger cracks me up with taking over his nap spot on your treadmill. Ugh sorry you had a rough MR with vomiting, that's the worst. Hope next time it's a better experience. In your pockets and fingers crossed for good results.
@irishlove Im so sorry to hear of your ER visit and feel like crap lately! I wish you can come up for air for more than a week or two without having some issue. I just continue to pray for everyone here since I can't lend support in person only virtual. In your pocket too for visit tomorrow , feel better.
@candy-678 Thinking of you hope your hanging in there♥️
Been busy with my mil's house etc, the only good thing it diverts my thoughts away from cancer. MO this week, flu shot Friday hope there's no SE from that. It's my busier time of year appts in Oct-Nov some of my follow ups and scans happen around the same time in the Fall. I will get them out of the way before the holidays. Ugh don't even want to say the H word aloud, stores already decorated…grrrr.
Well thinking of all here, daily prays for strength and healing your way❣️
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@cookie54 - Hey, thanks so much for the nice thoughts. Good luck with your flu shot this Friday. Mine is tomorrow with my NP visit, but wondering if I shouldn't put it off. My fulvestrant side effects are a bit better, but not gone, and I'm not looking forward to flu shot side effects on top of them. I'll probably just go ahead and get it.
You brought up the holidays (the H word, right?) and yes, it's getting to be time. When I was at the store this morning, a man in line kept talking about how they had all sorts of holiday stuff there at the check-out and he thought it was unusual, and I assumed he meant too early. I do enjoy seeing people's Halloween decorations in their yards as I walk around the neighborhood, but I do think it's too early for the other stuff yet.
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@cookie54 I felt much better after the episode was done and this afternoon just sat around, had dinner around 6, just a couple of pot pies. Not going to bother trying to find out why it happened. At least I did not make a mess of myself and the MRI was completed. I still have ondansetron but it is old so will ask for a refill on that when I see the doctor next Thursday and mention it to her.
I do agree that the stress factor of DB is highly exaggerated by SIL but at this point I am no longer concerned. I called him on the Sunday and simply wished them a happy Thanksgiving and left it at that. I do not need to worry or hold bad feelings over something she caused and no need to fight about it. I do not have the energy. If DB said he wanted to go out, I would go and leave all issues behind.
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Looks like a nice day coming today which is good, cooler now as well but I am fine with that too.
Slept well, earlier bedtime for me and slept a good seven hours, pleasant dreams too.
Laundry on the go, cats are fed. Not sure what is on the agenda today beyond the usual household stuff. Walking is but which version of walking I want to do, am not sure about yet. There's the cane where I do a quick walk around the block, in side walk on the spot with waving arms, may even employ walking sticks to my arms or my humble treadmill. Have to lift off my cat first. I could go to the pharmacy for some loperamide (immodium). I will be asking for ondansetron for scans in the future to safeguard me, hate the drowsy feeling but not willing to risk being sick again, I will see. I have a bunch but they are super old. I am also doing the daily sink and toilet clean, really do love the sprays I made out of
Not sure about food, might need to put grocery order in as am running low on freezer type food. Pasta will be of the pantry variety. I have some black beans to use up as well so pre made pasta and some chopped black beans with chips and croutons sound good, put that mix in the frypan with some shredded cheese and an egg might be a good start, heat pan on high after spraying, add some plant butter and powdered garlic salt, mix it all together for a minute or two, turn off heat and cover with a lid. Binder can really be anything. May add a chicken dog chopped up as well. Make it a mexican vibe with queso and taco seasoning too. I will see.
Hope everyone has a good day, In pockets for all including myself. Yesterday was a bit depressive after MRI events but grateful not to have felt better after.
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I am budgeting hard, planning a miniscule delivery from walmart, overall budget around 30 to 35 dollars total. Got two standard meat pies, two of the frozen penne with chicken, two queso bowls, 5 hershey's chocolate almond bars as well. The meat pies give extra veggies with them vs the mini pot pies. The queso bowl can be combined with penne or other pasta to make a large meal out of it, could get two to three meals instead of one. I will see.
Order is less than half of what I would spend and using up some of the reward credit earned by paying rent on my card. Love that I pay that in full and get a large credit for it. Covers one to two shopping trips. I also had a 5.00 walmart gift card for playing games.
Edit, made a regular egg in the mini griddle, thinking I will continue that, best egg I've had for a while. Once out of the mini griddle, cut up egg and added a tiny drop of mayochup, may and ketchup mix, drop of smokey bacon flavour mayo and finally a tiny bit of chipotle mayo. It was just the right amount of topping so it did not drown the egg and put some salt on. Will have to keep up with making eggs that way as they are tasty. I cannot find my soft tortillas as of yet or would have put the egg on a soft tortilla.
Gave up on looking, made another tiny order, was 18 bucks for regular butter which I can spread on a tortilla and cook up an egg the same way. Keep the plant butter to help grease a pan. The plant butter is cheaper but does not appeal to me at all.
Tonight am having my queso bowl mixed with the penne pasta mixed. Heat up one bowl and then the other, put it into the same bowl, have them last a few days is my plan, can boost the queso content up as well.
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My son and family were in town 2 nights on their way to Albuquerque. We had burgers with one side of the family and Vietnamese food with the other side. My GS and I made Depression Cake with mixed results. We like to cook together. They will be here overnight next week before driving back to Oregon. Evid3ntly it is way cheaper to fly from Seattle rather than Portland.
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