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

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  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    Still sloppy snow here but it will melt as well. Slept OK, lots of little dreams which I enjoy.

    I am doing up a meat pie to fill my belly, turkey pot pie. Have some peanut M&Ms, maybe 4 to 6. Nothing else from the jar to avoid being up all night. I will add some caesar dressing and some salt. Very basic. I am still working on the sink, taking breaks here and there, laundry is also being done as well. I am finding I am exhausted most of the time and that makes housekeeping sporadic at best.

    I do not have much else to say right now, hope all are having a good day, in pockets for those who need me.

  • eleanora
    eleanora Posts: 472

    @cookie54

    Just saw your comments about your visual disturbance this summer. I was very sick with diverticulitis and colitis from June until a week or so ago and missed much of what was posted. So glad you have improved. I have had double vision since the end of last year and none of the doctors I consulted could find a problem. Brain MRI from February 2025 was clear. Head CT was clear. Eye exams were clear. Just received the report of my MRI from 2 days ago which notes the following: "There is a 5 mm focus of mild diffusion restriction within the anterior right centrum semiovale with associated FLAIR signal hyperintensity, new since the prior examination. There is no associated abnormal enhancement. " It goes on to say that it is most likely a "subacute infarct". Not sure whether I've had a stroke or the cancer is in my brain. As usual, my MO is nowhere to be found.

    Anyone have any idea what this might mean?

  • irishlove
    irishlove Posts: 697

    @eleanora Glad to see the GI issues are finally clearing up. Been thru this a couple times. I utilize a restricted diet when symptoms start and get on amoxoclavin asap. Sourdough bread is the best to eat, mashed potatoes, chicken, nothing spicy. I know how painful it can be, too. No medical training but a subacute infarct can occur in the brain after a stroke. Your neurologist needs to figure out the reason for the stroke and treat you asap.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161
    edited November 19

    Got insomnia tonight, decided just to deal with it and eat normal meals, I feel better doing that, got Herceptin at 1100 so pick up is at 1030 am, can always nap later on but with belly full that helps. Not like I am walking far.

    To fill the time, I have been using AI songs on a free online site, it is a lot of fun. Mine are usually about my cats, I do not publish them. Last one was a guy singing about my cutest cats in the world.

    Around 6 or 7 even, need to wash up something to wear to the hospital since it is not very warm out yet. Once there is no snow, back to capris I go. EDIT was able to wash some yoga pants that were a bit thicker in the wee washer, it is quiet and not set in the tub which would have been LOUD. Planning to hang them on my rack in the bedroom instead of bathroom, already have a door rack to use. Once the conventional dryer is done my massive load of cloths is done, can start the pants with the hangup device and dry them that way. Not looking to blow the circuit breaker.

    Not a substantial post but been doing stuff in between and kind of tired. Also want to check the front if any salt needs to be put out since nothing truly dried off, just melted snow. Do the steps and possibly end of the driveway, I will have to see a little later and if super nervous, two spike canes and use them like a walker. I will see. We are a titch above freezing as of now so will see how much melting actually will happen and if I do not like it, I will pour some salt for traction and take two canes.

  • cookie54
    cookie54 Posts: 1,220

    @eleanora Glad to hear you're finally feeling better! As Irish well knows diverticulitis can be a real b***h! Hope you stay clear and well. As far as brain MR, many different type of sequences are run during scan and a "FLAIR" is one of them. It's good for detecting strokes, immflammation, lesions. It's subacute nature means it's an "old event" and not an acute new finding. Not even going to speculate if it's an old small stroke etc.So as you know this will most likely need follow-up since it's new from previous exam. Ugh I'm sorry that it's one more thing to think about and that your MO is absent! Fingers crossed that there is nothing going on and your team takes the preventive measures if appropriate. Positive vibes and big hugs your way❤️

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161
    edited November 19

    Well, feeling good finally, meals helped, still need to get ready to go, will wear my boots for the tread, our sidewalk is dry and not too worried about the Paratransit.

    Other piece of good news, I had a 45.00 bill arrive for an ambulance ride back in Sept which should not be charged to a person receiving disability. I did send a couple of emails with pictures of the bill and pictures of my disability statement and apparently they got them. I was concerned as another bill came saying I had 10 days before being sent to collections. I emailed the pictures again and called this morning and it is all cleared up thankfully, happy about that.

    I am also looking at those Amazon wig, one that is blond with dark roots, 30 bucks. Reason for that is I have hairstyling products that I want to try out when styling and would have to was the wig in between times. My main wigs are still new looking because most I do is a water swish and hang up. Clean cap with spray of alcohol and they are too expensive to replace all the time.

  • mkestrel
    mkestrel Posts: 216

    @shanagirl thank you for the encouragement and the delicious tea recipe. Maybe I will go get the ingredients and try it. I already have ginger root and cinnamon. I have lemon ginger tea that helps tummy, especially with ginger biscotti dipped in it. I like baking those. Yesterday I made orange lemon ones dipped in white chocolate. I really like apple cider with the spices in it too so I think I need to go get some. I hope your radiation helps your pain.

  • brutersmom
    brutersmom Posts: 1,132

    @Shanagirl hope radiation goes well.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    @shanagirl , thank you for the support, should be hearing about what may be involved for me, SIL is coming for support. Once I hear what he is thinking can ask for support services to take care of me, sounds like a lot SIL is dealing with mother finding out she has lymphoma and all the crap going on for her brother. She also practically raised her brothers as well. In your pocket as you proceed with radiation lending a lot of support. I will be calling to check in on them on the regular, do whatever I need to do as well with my stuff that could coming up soon. Plan to call DB tonight possibly as a check in, he has a lot going on. They must be relieved that I am finally doing stuff for myself. NO favours from them, too much crap and stress.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    Finally got a hold of the neurosurgeon office, probably hear from them in the next couple of weeks. Doc was off on a vacation and he is doing the on call stuff first.

    Once I know which day it is can book a multitrip Paratransit, pick Kelly up first and then me then drop off at the. May do the multitrip thing over the phone because it seems complicated. My DB may also want to drive she said. I feel really bad for her, she found out her Mom has lymphoma. I see it has a high survival rate BUT as I know and all of us do, depends on the health of her Mom and drugs that may or may not be suggested. I told SIL to tell her I am supporting her and wishing her Mom the best. Still no idea what is troubling her, did not ask either. I might call DB and chat about their trip to Alberta, apparently he wanted to see the mountains. Good trip for them overall except SIL hurt her back badly so she is bruised up by deep tissue massage. We actually talked around 20 mins which is exceptional. I reiterated that I have taken them off the hook for favours and taking care of things myself.

    Support may be requested after the surgery if there is a surgery because I would know better what support would be needed. I have another call with the social worker next week.

  • cookie54
    cookie54 Posts: 1,220

    @mara51506 Well I'm glad you had a nice long chat with SIL and sorry to hear about her mom. No matter how old our mom's are as we know it's difficult to think about their mortality. I'm sure she appreciates your caring nature and hopefully she will feel better once there is a plan for her mom. Happy to hear you got in touch with neuro office and now have a reason as to what's going on with this delay. You're being so patient and we all know some days it's not that easy! I hope he is speedy with his on call patients and you hear from them quicker than you expect.

    @shanagirl You're a sweetie pie and I can smell that tea from here! @mkestrel and smell those biscotti baking! Yum they're one of my favorites also!

    Have a peaceful evening , hugs to all.

  • gailmary
    gailmary Posts: 619

    SHANAGIRL,

    Thank-you for thinking of me. I hope radiation treatments for you are as easy as they were for me both times. So sorry for yours and everyone here who's had progression. I only check in occasionally and then occasional trouble signing in. I find it difficult to chime in. Constant interruptions.

    An update on me.

    2025 A Year to remember?

    It was April ? while finishing chemo I got shingles. Took a month to dx cause there was 1 blemish. Lasted at least 4 months. Chemo was almost easier. Then I strained my back a bit. Ouch. Good for a bit. Then fell and twisted knee 8 weeks ago. Not better at all. Then a long car ride triggered a major case of sciatica. Still not good. Seeing pain mgmt dr in the morning. And arthritis worse then ever. I whimper with self pity in bed at night.

    Had scans yesterday. Bone scan was clean!. Don't expect anything on CT. I finished Keytruda 3 weeks ago. That was for the TNBC .MO declared me cured of that after mastectomy in June.

    The metastatic cancer is being treated with anastrozole for the last 7 months when I got a new temporary MO. He's gone and I meet his replacement next Monday when we discuss my scans.

    Prayers for all of you.

  • irishlove
    irishlove Posts: 697

    Lost my post, again. Santa needs to bring me a new computer. I'm typing along and all of a sudden the letters are showing up in places they do not belong. Bump one wrong button and poof, post is gone. grrrr.

    It's midnight, all is quiet here. DH is asleep on his recliner. @mara51506 He was diagnosed with CLL and then changed it to non-hodgkins lymphoma almost 3 years ago. He is on no medication for the cancer. His blood test looks the same and his numbers are holding for 6 months or so. No alarm bells yet and hoping it stays that way. Only problem is, he sleeps a whole lot. Very tired and sleepy. But his choice and MO backs him. Next appt. is Fri. for DH.

    Back on Ibrance 3 days now and my tremors returned. I had no idea they could have been caused by Ibrance. We will be meeting ins. agent next week. We want to see the difference in cost for Medicare Advantage PPO versus the HMO plan, which we have now. I've heard it's quite a bit more expensive, so we'll have to see. It would be nice to not have to beg primary care office for referrals. Even the MO's office has to call for any scans and appts. Waiting on approval right now for radiation.

    Bought ginger gummies and they work very well for nausea. But @shanagirl, that tea sounds healing. I love Constant Comment and Chamomile tea. Even a hot cup of Tetley with a wee bit of sugar, works when all else is out of stock. No coffee. Ever. Coffee cakes, coffee icing on a choc. cupcake, yummy, but no to straight up coffee.

    Sleep well sweet ladies and may tomorrow bring all a bright shiny, feeling good kind of day. In your pockets for all your needs.

    Irish

  • eleanora
    eleanora Posts: 472

    @cookie54

    Thank you so much for the kind words and information. You are much better at explaining than my MO - who still has not responded to my messages!

    I have been experiencing double vision for a year and have seen the opthamologist, an ENT, and now have had two brain MRIs and several skull CTs. No discernable cause, no recommended treatment. After reading your post, I have looked for a neuro opthamologist, and the soonest appointment I can get is May, 2026!

    Hope everyone has a day of smooth sailing and good test results.

  • cookie54
    cookie54 Posts: 1,220

    @eleanora Your very welcome! Ugh I hope you’re on the cancellation list in hopes for an earlier appointment . Fingers crossed 🤞🏻

    @mara51506 Wow Mara, yep your body needed it. I started taking Natrol ( melatonin gummy) and it helps me sleep a little better. Today MO suggested magnesium so I ordered it on Amazon. It’s worth a try for some steady sleep!

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    @cookie54 Glad you are sleeping better, that is very good. I did catch up on a lot of sleep for sure after the appointment and that is good. If you need it, I can keep talking about my day to help you drift off. 😉

    I got a lot done today, moved some of the big totes in front of the closet, they are lilac which I think is quite pretty, can store stuff that needs to go out next week in the same bin. It was quite a feat, I would not be able to lift the bottom one with all the groceries in it but my floor is hard and can slide the box slowly. Top one holds recycle more neatly. I also cleared out the bin out back of 3 garbage bags, not looking to leave them in forever.

    I have some makeup and a wig coming tomorrow, I don't do eye makeup but any chance not to look like uncle fester by adding colour to face with bb and moisturizer and some blush with lipstick is fine by me.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161
    edited November 21

    Slept alright last night, did wake up 4 hours in but stayed in bed. It is still above freezing BUT supposedly we will start with more snow in earnest. I did get another shoehorn with adjustable height since my other disappeared on me. I hate my ankle length boots as the caused a lot of foot cramps while getting herceptin. I was able to stretch toes and feet from with the boot and it finally subsided. I have also adopted the squishing of toes toward floor, offers extra balance.

    Got laundry on the go, when I was clearing the recycle area, did come across an extra oxiclean powder, now I have colour shield, white revive and odourblaster. Since I did not pay attention to some wash yesterday, doing it again today but added the odourblaster to keep it fresh.

    Have the usual suspects for chores today, sweeping mostly, clean cat restroom of course and fully clean out sink. I am planning to pull out some of the dishes, put into bags, get a really good clean on bottom then fill up for a 20 min soak at most I think. No real counter space to load in dirty to get clean and only one actual sink unless I soak different stuff in the smallest washer. That would be fine for smaller stuff and if need be, soak in bathroom sink post rinse of course. Need to chip away at stuff instead of piling into sink after supper, get back to washing as using, especially if using more than one dish.

    Thinking of pulverizing some beans to spoon on top of a mini pizza and adding a fair bit of cheese to that. I also have some canned sausage as well so can do something with that as well. Later will make up some rice, egg and possibly more beans, just dress the seasonings up in a different way. Only thing I have not tried are the breads a lot of the youtubers make with just a couple of ingredients, baking pan and parchment paper.

    Forgot to mention, had a good convo with SIL earlier in the week. I was checking on her and last night, talked to DB for a while, we chatted. I think his helping me is not out of his system yet as he wants to bring me stuff. I told him my food is ridiculous and will take years to get through the pantry stuff. As said stuff for fridge or freezer are the only things I need to buy when they run out. If I am unable to get traditional ground beef, chicken or turkey, will sub in with frozen burgers, hot dogs and canned meat. Add extra seasoning and each would be fine if chopped up for me.

    Nothing else on the agenda so so hope all have a good day, hope Thanksgiving was good and be safe if go out for black friday. In pockets for all.

    EDIT, did put together a 40 dollar Walmart order to see if I can get some ground beef, got value size 3 chubs in package but did put a replacement option in of another ground beef. If I do not get them, can get a refund. It will come in less than two hours either way I slice it. If they are still out of stock, got two pkgs of the beef hotdogs on the way, can chop up the dogs and season with queso, cheese dry seasoning and mild taco seasoning. I did not get the 4 pack value size but did think to order regular one pound chubs, got 2 of them and a crazy amount of beef hot dogs to sub in for beef, thinking I will cook up some of the beef on its way, leaving some hotdogs in fridge so no defrost needed and may chop up the ground beef in half before freezing, use 1/2 pound at a time as well, still need to make, freeze each half not being used but stretch the meal a bit and use beans as well.

    EDIT2, planning to cut the beef chub in thirds, have a small amount of beef, make a microwave egg and beans, let cool, bring out and put mix in the chopper, egg, beans shredded cheese and mix with a 1/3 pound of beef in the pan, it is not lean ground beef as they were sold out, got the regular, does not offend me to wipe out any grease in there, easy enough to take some baking soda and water and soak said cloth out before washing it up.

    Still waiting on my wig, 30 dollars so do not expect too much BUT plan to use all the styling aids I used before the wigs I have that are years old. I will see how I feel about it. Still got enough hair on the sides of my head that it pokes out and makes things look realistic.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161
    edited November 22

    I made what I am calling the lazy woman meal. Added 2 and a half cups of water, dumped in the pkg of mexican rice and seasoning and decided it would not be too much issue adding an egg, beans and 1/3 lb of ground beef, keep it heated up and both the egg, beef and the additional shredded cheese would give me a hearty meal out of it, possibly two meals, who knows. Will post once I actually get to try it out. I have it boiling on medium heat and stirring every couple of minutes.

    Tried the meal out. The mexican rice was good, dumped the 1/3 lb ground beef, got rest in fridge, added 1/2 cup beans, put the egg and beans with cheese in the pot. Left it on a low heat and did stir the previously greased pot but there was some stuck on bottom so got the pot soaking as we speak. Did add a bit of sour cream, the sour cream and onion seasoning, splash of salt as well. Who knew I could heat up eggs and raw meat in a pot like that but they all did taste good. I also have leftovers too.

    I have tried the wig on, fogot how thick these wigs start out, the back looks good, sides are fine, got some thinning shears for around 10 bucks as there are some overly thick areas. Hair is also bone straight as well so soft. I did add some hair paste and just made a mess of the hair. No wig stands so will hang with a clip hanger OR over a hanger. The wig is quite nice, not so rooted but various shades of blonde and almost a pixie. If I enjoy wearing this more often, If I do not bother washing the fibers themselves, it may last longer. Also do not brush it either.

  • cookie54
    cookie54 Posts: 1,220

    @mara51506 Glad to hear communication lines are open with DB and SIL. They love and care about you as you do them. Nice to hear he is there just in case you need a hand. The lazy meal sounds good to me. Ground beef and rice can be so versatile with adding in different ingredients. I don't know if you have ever had stuffed peppers but they are simple and delicious. Basically cut a bell pepper in half and fill with pre cooked ground meat and rice.Pour tomato sauce over the top and bake, Sometimes I just want something simple like the meat/rice tomato sauce mixed in a bowl topped with parmesan cheese. Filling and quick meal. Well I hope you like the wig when it arrives. Have a restful night.

  • cookie54
    cookie54 Posts: 1,220

    @candy-678 Yipeeee on good scan,breathing a sigh of relief for you! Your MO sounds like a perfect mix of doctoring and open to your thoughts. My Onc is the same way, we always talk things out. Have a peaceful evening.

  • intolight
    intolight Posts: 2,832

    @candy-678 Good news! Yay! Also it is good to be heard by your RO.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    @candy-678 I am happy to hear about the good scan that you had.

    @cookie54 I will say the meal was good, first time heat ground beef through in boiling water and then a simmer set up. All of it turned out well, not too much seasoning either, used mostly the seasoning package that came with the mexican rice, little bit of sour cream and some salt. The shredded cheese turned it rich as well. I have at least one to two more meals to make up from leftovers so that is good. I also had to drain some extra water out

    I have to say, was not paying attention and had purchased some beef hotdogs but did not take note that I picked two and there are 24 dogs per package. They are both in the freezer for now, working on my ground beef chub.

  • goldensrbest
    goldensrbest Posts: 824

    Candy - so very happy for you with good scans and an MO who listens.

    Here for pocket duty for all in need. Have a good weekend everyone.

  • chicagoan
    chicagoan Posts: 1,383

    @candy-678 Congratulations on the good scans! So happy to hear your news.

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