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

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  • intolight
    intolight Posts: 3,144

    @shanagirl Hooray for good CT results! It sounds like you still have a long ways to go before you feel better but at least things are going in the right direction.

    @mara51506 I didn't mean to leave you off my last post. You inspire me to try new seasonings. Lately everything tastes off and it is difficult to want to eat. I hope your kitties tummies can feel better soon. It is difficult to have to keep cleaning up after them. My last cat was throwing up everyday and I struggled to keep up with her. I just wanted to hold her all day and soothe her but I was still working and couldn't tend to her like I wanted. We didn't get another cat after she passed—it was just too hard. I am content with my DD's dog since they live with us. She knows when I need my snuggles.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,560

    @shanagirl I am very sorry you came home with hemoraghic pneumonia, that just takes so much out of you I must imagine.

    @intolight I am sorry about the broken leg but glad you have a boot that is helping you stay mobile.

  • threetree
    threetree Posts: 2,778

    @tanya_djamila - Tanya, just love this story. What a wonderful day to have; especially remembering exploring as a child. I just love those kinds of days and memories!

  • cookie54
    cookie54 Posts: 1,421

    @irishlove Echoing everyone’s thoughts on Minnie mouse, so sad to see a momma grieving. I hope she finds true comfort in all you extra cuddles and bounces back over time. Glad to hear your weather broke and you are able to get outside a bit more and garden.

    @tanya_djamila great to hear you were able to hike and create fum memories!

    @shanagirl So happy scans show improvement ,may each day bring you more energy!

    @threetree I understand your concerns over dose reduction as I went through the same over the past couple years. I agree it’s a scary territory for sure. You would never be the blame in any of this! I feel if your MO wasn’t fond of the idea it wouldn’t be offered. There’s no rush to change if you feel you can hang in and feel a little more ready mentally.

    @mara51506 I love to hear your able to share your love of creating low cost meals with others! You’re a great source of info for creative ideas for less… post away👍🏻

    @intolight Hope cooler weather finds its way to you as the heat can be so oppressive. Glad to hear the leg is still doing well mending nicely and you’re able to get out and shop with your daughter..best wishes for your granddaughter to have a fabulous start to middle school.

    I totally agree and save draft is my best friend on here as it is still frustrating when your post disappears.The brain fog and keeping all the details in our lives can definitely be challenging, but I love my ladies here🥰always in my prayers and wishing everyone a better day than yesterday❌⭕️

  • goldensrbest
    goldensrbest Posts: 878

    Irish - give that dear Minnie lots of cuddles from all of us. So hard to watch your pets suffer.

    Shana - 🎉🎉 on scan results. Our bodies take so long to heal.

    We got a bonus grandson this week. Our local daughter and family now have an exchange student from Germany, which is great because both GSs are studying German! She is having a family get together today so we can all meet him. What a great year they will have together. They are taking him to Disney World right after Christmas!

    Here for pocket duty for all in need. Hope everyone’s week is peaceful.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,560
    edited August 10

    @goldensrbest Hope you enjoyed your get together and meeting with the exchange student. Sounds like a good time.

    Nothing happening here, laundry, floors, cat care etc. Nothing major. I am thinking of booking a trip to the No Frills store, still got 20 bucks of bonus points and have not figured out to use them online on instacart when stuff is delivered. They have canned lentils which is good, though I do have the dried red lentils too.

    Not sure about meals but decided two meals at once should be done, I do alright for the morning meal but get lazy on the final meal. Post any really good meals later.

    EDIT 1 Decided to use part of a pack of KNORR fettucine alfredo. Put in 1/2 cup water. 1/4 cup of the knorr pack, it already has flavour with it, added dried red lentils and added cheese to melt down in. I am unsure if need a binder, I will see. Not an overly large meal but really do not care at this point. It will be cheesy and good I think. I also used some garlic spread in place of butter.

    UPDATE on the meal, small, used all above measurements, red lentils lend themselves to stuff like this for sure, kept the stirring up so nothing leftover on bottom of pan.

    Hope everyone has a good day, in pockets for everyone.

  • threetree
    threetree Posts: 2,778

    @cookie54 - Thanks for the support re the dose reduction idea. How long was it for you, before you took a reduction? I think I want to talk to the MO again about it at the end of the month when I see him. I'd also like to see the study he mentioned about the lower dose being just as good as the 3000 mg. I'm especially curious about how long the study followed the participants, and the progression statistics that resulted. I mentioned this over on the Xeloda thread, but I will mention it here too, that I think you may well have been the person who told me about "save draft". I've just never been able to remember exactly, but my bets are now on you. It was such a helpful suggestion, and "save draft" has worked like a charm for me ever since. Hope you are doing well, and wishing you a good week.

    @goldensrbest - How nice to have the exchange student! I had always wanted to host an exchange student, but never could actually do it. Never felt like I had enough room, there were sometimes family issues, etc., so it never happened. I did however get to substitute teach for a few years here at a bilingual school in the district where a lot of kids from all over the world come, and I enjoyed that immensely - felt like I got some of that same nice experience that I always though an exchange student would bring - maybe more. Hoping you have a nice peaceful week too. How's Buster?

  • cookie54
    cookie54 Posts: 1,421

    @threetree So my reduction from 3,000 to 2,500 was pretty quick. I think it was at least a couple months .The reduction from 2,500 to 2,000 was probably 2 years. MO waited until I had several stable scans and I was very apprehensive also. Like you was concerned about progression but she reassured we would monitor scans and just increase if necessary.

    @goldensrbest Hey its good to see ya was thinking about you lately hoping your back has been behaving 🤞🏻 How nice to be involved with exchange student and quite a bonus for your grandkids to help with their German. Enjoy !

  • threetree
    threetree Posts: 2,778

    @cookie54 - Thanks very much for the info re the time frame of your reductions. It's really helpful. My tumor markers plunged almost immediately after starting the drug, so my onc said that if the scans I got in April (first ones for Xeloda) also looked good, he'd consider a dose reduction. Well the scans looked really good, but we just never discussed a reduction. Now the last scans in July also looked good and he brought all this up. I just can't decide. Maybe I should wait to see the scans I'm supposed to get in October. I thought you were just on the 2500. I didn't realize you'd gone down to 2000.

    @shanagirl - I can totally understand you being quite concerned about being off the Verzenio for about 3 months. I'd be worried too. All these issues are so scary, as you say, sometimes. It just seems to be part of what we have to go through with all of this. I was on the higher dose of Verzenio for about 5 months, and then he lowered it and I stayed on that until last December. Even in that situation I couldn't help wondering if I wouldn't have progressed if I'd stayed on the higher dose. You just never know, and it can really eat at you. I suspect you will be OK, because you are still getting the Faslodex and Xgeva, so that should help. Shana, I just feel so badly for you and what you have been through these past few months, especially. This pneumonia thing you have going on was really something, and I can understand how it is taking such a long time to clear up, but I've got my fingers crossed that it will. Sounds like you've got some uncomfortable heat too - that doesn't help at all. Well, as always, I'm really pulling for you and I like to think that you will meet this challenge like you have all those others you've had over the years, and pull through with flying colors. You are a real trooper if there ever was one!

  • cookie54
    cookie54 Posts: 1,421

    @threetree Yep been down to 2,000 and I do see a difference with less intense HFS ! If you think you are managing side effects ok then push through to Oct. I don't think we ever feel truly ready to make a change so it's all about your comfort level. I feel like it's like many other things in life where we are uncomfortable with change. Once we settle in and see things are holding steady then we relax a little. So you know yourself better than anyone so do what you think will give you the most inner peace in the end.There's no rush to decide so do it on your own time. Hugs💕

    @mara51506 Checking in, how are ya? Any trips planned this week? Humidity dropped a bit here and temps in the high 80's hoping you have relief too!

    Hi to all here, have a good day💐

  • threetree
    threetree Posts: 2,778

    Thank you @cookie54 for the nice and helpful comments re my dose reduction indecision. They are very helpful. The part of me that wants "quality of life" is ready to go for the reduction, but the part of me that wants a long, long run with no progression, wants to stay on the 3000. I could just be a bit more miserable right now because it's summer. I didn't do real well with the Verzenio and Faslodex in the summer either, so maybe I will just wait for October and see then. The side effects are pretty manageable right now, but I just have this overall fatigue and yuck feeling a good part of the time. Hope things are going well for you too and that you have a really good day. Hugs back!

  • threetree
    threetree Posts: 2,778

    @micmel - Mel, just waving hello and sending good thoughts along with hopes that you are having a good and pleasant summer with your family. Assuming and hoping that Gabby is continuing to do well. Hugs too!

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,560
    edited August 12

    @cookie54 I am doing fine thank you for asking, I hope all is well for you.

    Yesterday, got some Amazon stuff yesterday, got the immodium and the 3M velcro stuff, sticks on walls to hold pictures. I needed the 3M strips to hold the front of a kitchen drawer that some how fell apart. It is holding, is crooked and need to be gentle opening it. I just did not feel like calling property manager yet.

    Laundry done so that is good, need to decide on food, probably start out with 1/3 cup measures rice, chick peas, canned lentils and an egg. Will heat those in a pot. When done will put into a large bowl, put in some cheese and microwave to melt the cheese. It should taste good, will add mayo and cheese seasoning and it will be creamy.

    MEAL1 I made the above meal, everything started out in the pot except the shredded cheese, once pot was done, dumped into bowl and added shredded cheese, heated 1 min 30 seconds in the microwave to melt the cheese. Brought back to kitchen, added plain mayo and cheesy seasoning, stirred ingredients up. It came out very creamy and was really good, did not even notice the egg but did enjoy the chick peas. Was filling but I did not mind. It was nutritious.

    MEAL2 Lentils and chick peas, both mixed together same container in fridge. Almost a cup in total, did put garlic in the air fryer, cooked all for about 12 mins, nothing burned or too crispy. I added some sour cream and onion seasoning and too much cheese seasoning, but that was fine, bit of salt, used mayo to bind it. No cheese this time, it really did taste good.

    I do hope everyone has a good day. I am in everyone's pocket. I will post on other meals if good and if this one I am making is good as well

  • shanagirl
    shanagirl Posts: 701

    @intolight and @mara51506

    I drink during the day but I’m not great abut during a lot of fluids sometimes water with lemon and salt, mostly drink ice water with coconut water mixed together, I drink 2 cups of coffee each morning , and at knight I drink clove tea with tumeric ginger & cinnamon stick with alittle milk & honey. That’s usually the extent of drinking enough, I’m not the type to down several 16 ounce glasses of water 8x a day. I’m probably still dehydrated though, but I am just not big on drinking lot of water🤷‍♀️

  • threetree
    threetree Posts: 2,778

    @shanagirl - I am so sorry that those shots have you so down. They're not easy to begin with, and since you're still weak and recovering from the pneumonia, it's no wonder that you've hit a wall after those injections. I'd say take it real easy over the next week, and see if things don't get a little better gradually. You've been through so, so much, and I think it's going to take some real serious time to get back to your baseline before the pneumonia. Please know that you have friends her who are really pulling for you and really care. Wishing you comfort and ease today - sending hugs too!

  • intolight
    intolight Posts: 3,144

    @shanagirl I echo the words of @threetree . You have been through a lot lately and I think it builds up. It took me a long time to recover from pneumonitis and we moved in the interim and I helplessly watched my family do the packing and unpacking. It was hard but I got through it. Take time for yourself and don't feel guilty about resting. You really do matter to us!

  • shanagirl
    shanagirl Posts: 701

    @mara51506 I took a pot pie out of the freezer and heated it up for dinner. I like the turkey pot pies and especiallyn the crust. 😋

    I just don’t have much of an appetite so I’ll just make some tumeric a ginger & clove tea and relax upstairs and go to bed early tonight. @threetree @intolight thank you for your loving words of encouragement . You are all wonderful here. I’m just giving into the tiredness tonight. Have a lovely evening everyone.🩷

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,560
    edited August 17

    @shanagirl I am very sorry you have a third bout of pneumonia, no wonder your appetite is poor. I am in your pocket for it to go away. Also in your pocket for an answer to be given on what causes your pneumonia, whether you just pick it up or whether is treatment or cancer related. In pockets for your xray as well.

    @candy-678 You certainly sound like you are plugging along despite the stomach issues, in your pocket on that too. In your pockets for scans coming up.

    I slept alright last night. Nothing on agenda today, putting garbage out back til I can take it to the curb on Monday. I have been fussy over meals last couple days, going to dispose of anything I am not eating and the ramen, tried one yesterday and the taste was horrible. Second meal was Kraft dinner and there was way too much water. I will still make it but only 1/3 to 1/2 cup at a time. I really need to shift back to just simpler stuff I made for myself to enjoy it more. Ramen is going out with trash, I still keep out back in my bins til time to put out front.

    Cats enjoyed their first meal of the day, been stretching time between eating and drinking, 45 mins to an hour. My cats don't get fed once or twice a day, it is better a few times a day and splitting time between food and water is better for Tigger.

    I am not sure what I wish to have. Debating different meals, could take some lentils or chick peas, chop them with cheese later today. Right now got Harvey's on the way. Got tomatoes and cheese on burger with onions and mayo as well. Onion rings are included and some cinnamon donuts.

    The burger meal with donuts and onion rings was delicious.

    Meal 2 was a delicious egg. I put a spoonful of plain mayo and added a ton of cheese dry seasoning, nacho flavor. Whisked up the egg and the mayo with cheese seasoning. Put egg in my mini griddle, OMG was so delicious. I also made a couple of small hashbrowns, heated in mini griddle, they were great as well. Had a yogurt for dessert. Added cherry mio to the yogurt, it was so good.

    I also allowed myself a treat of a rice cooker, have wanted one for ages so figured I might as well try it out. 50 bucks on Amazon, coming tomorrow.

    Beyond that regular chores going on, did a regular broom sweep, amazing how much fur gets under the step bench between living room and kitchen. Nice I do not trip and fall anymore and put my smaller step device due to the bathroom floor being replaced and it is a couple of centimetres lower. Less of a trip hazard.

    I do hope everyone has a good day, in pockets for all who need me.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,560
    edited August 17

    @cookie54 I am looking forward to the rice cooker, I will be able to season the rice and lentils that will be added to it, might take longer to cook but will come out well. Is a 4 cup size, I never eat 4 cups of anything anyway. Second advantage is the ability to use both appliances at the same time, wattage for both adds to 700W, heck I could throw in the microwave which is 700W or air fryer at 900W at the same time as one of them. Would not bother pushing past the mini griddle and rice cooker I do not think but I do have options. I am aware that I should use no more than 80 per cent of the power load which is close to 1800 total for the outlet.

    I did not sleep well, did not account for the drying of my cloths and shutting of door making it feel humid, I intensely dislike the humid feeling that came about. Oh well, live and learn, laundry did get done in the end. Still work on floors daily, mostly with the OCedar flat mop, it does a good job. I opened one of my swiffer detergents, using heat to remove lid, and filled up the OCedar. What is nice about it is the liquid compartment is small so it is never heavy or a struggle to lift. I still use the defective spray mops that do not spray after I go around floor with the wet mop, dry up with a dry mop. Very easy to do.

    Right now, no indicator when rice cooker arrives, I will do it up in a pot, season with taco and some of the other things I have. Put those in the water for the rice, may add bit extra of beans, I will see. Heat up in my minigriddle one egg and a couple of the mini hashbrowns as well, air fryer not needed as of yet. Will post what I decide to do. I am getting hungry.

    I did decide to make rice and lentils together first, added significant taco mild sessoning to flavour rice and lentils, 1/3 cup each and just put in double the water, boiled on high until it came to rolling boil, turned off heat and put a lid on for a bit. I also made 2 mini hashbrowns. Combined all in bigger bowl, microwave 4 mins to melt shredded cheese, only needed a binder of a spoonful of mayo, the cheese and earlier taco seasoning of rice and lentils while in pot earlier. It was really very good.

    I did get the rice cooker round 730pm and will clean it up after opening, can try it out tomorrow.

    I do hope all have a good day, in pockets for appointments, pain management or healing from another longterm issue that is holding you back.