how about drinking?

goldie0827

Jazzy, I'll be getting my locks cut on the 30^th. It so needs it! LOL at the armchair oncologists!

Karen, don't worry about getting caught in, you can just jump in. I wonder if you are getting a pretty strong dose, hence feeling so crappy. My treatments were 3 weeks apart, so it gave me time to recoup before the next one. What nausea med do you take? Can you try some medical marijuana? https://mnmarijuana.com/marijuana-dispensaries/ Perhaps you can just tell people, I'm feeling too well today, can we discuss this another time? You will get sick of hearing, you got this, you can do this, you are strong. And then there are those that tell you, if you need anything just ask.

Dara, I think you misread Cami's post. I think she was referring to the bi polar issues and what goes on in Leslies brain because of that condition. No brain mets. Sorry about your flowers, but I guess it's bound to happen!

Hoping to get out in the garden this morning and do some more cutting back.

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes! Had a nice bean suppah with Mom and Dick and one of Dick's boys and 2 year old grandson. The battery in Mom's car died and she had to be jump started to get home. Mom wanted to stop at VIP and get a new battery and have them pop it in on the way home but Dick insisted that she get a battery from the mechanic they often use, who won't be open until Monday, and by then the battery will need to be jump started again. Dick also has his own car, so they are not without transportation if something happens over the weekend and they have jumper cables, but Mom has to watch to make sure he hooks them up correctly. I could really see the one sidedness of Dick's thinking during that conversation, which is a symptom of dementia. Dick kids have just started Hospice services for their mother (Dick's ex-wife) for her dementia. She's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's for many years now. Mom doesn't think Dick's kids are noticing any change in Dick, but I think his son was noticing. It's got to be so hard for them to see both parents declining like that.

Teka--Welcome to the world of winter! Are you nearsighted enough to be that kitty's cat lady this winter?

Goldie--love the B&W version of that shot, too! Yup, it was a good bean suppah, there was potato salad, coleslaw, ambrosia salad, jello salad, mac & cheese, rigatoni, big beans and little beans and hot dogs, rolls, butter, coffee, punch, and pies: blueberry, cherry, raspberry, chocolate, coconut custard, pumpkin, all looked so very yummy! We did the pie first thing, the line for the desserts is usually shorter in the beginning so we eat pie while waiting for the hot food line to thin out. The 2 year old had spent the day playing hard with one of his cousins and was very tired, had fallen asleep in the car on the way over. When he finally woke up he licked butter off a roll, didn't like pumpkin pie, ate a couple bites of beans. Cute kid, though. Robin Roberts looks pretty in that pic! Good for her making it to 5 years. Cute kitties, too!

Jazzy--a free yoga class, what a find! Even if you do have to listen to young giggly gal. Maybe she'll be less giggly as she gains experience. The hair do sound really pretty. Post a pic soon? The work culture in health care is getting more and more sweatshop like as we keep being expected to do more at less cost. It's gotten beyond any reasonable adaptation to new technology or updates in standards of care. I'm afraid there won't be any change in the system until there is a huge meltdown within the system and thousands of people are harmed. In the meantime I'll take care of myself and let the system take care of itself.

Karen--I know you have been hearing about people who kept working through chemo, but that is the exception, not the rule. Most people getting chemo cannot work or cannot work full time due to the side effects and general draining effect of chemo. That's why having cancer and being on chemo is automatically considered having a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Don't pushyourself while you are not feeling well. Pick and choose what you will spend your limited energy on. And don't let other people tell you how you should be feeling what you should be doing. They aren't living in your body.

Dara--it was 28 degrees yesterday ayem when I got up, 35 degrees this ayem, getting up to the 40's during the daytime.

Dances with Hornets DOTD:

Lumberjack Julep

Ingredients

• 4 mint sprigs
• 1 ounce bourbon, preferably port barrel-finished
• 1 ounce bonded rye whiskey, preferably Rittenhouse Rye 100 proof
• 1/4 ounce pure maple syrup
• Crushed ice

How to Make It

Step

In a chilled julep cup, muddle 3 of the mint sprigs. Add the bourbon, rye and maple syrup; fill the cup with crushed ice and mix the drink by spinning a swizzle stick or bar spoon between your hands. Top with more crushed ice and garnish with the remaining mint sprig. Serve with a cut straw.

Teka

goldie,

I remember as a child at home with family after dark hearing a woman screaming, but with a flashlight only saw a bobcat.

Dara,

We live near Lake Placid that hosted the 1932 and the 1980 Winter Olympics.

Jazzy,

Yes, snow and bitter cold.

Teka

NM,

Yes! ;o))

Karen,

I agree 100% with NM.

Jazzygirl

Good morning friends- Sunday Funday! Getting lots done around home, some exercise in and also had a great dinner with friends lat night. I enjoyed this very tasty blue margarita featured at the bottom. More to dos today as I prepare for a busy week and then heading out of town for the holiday weekend early next week.

Karen- how are you feeling today? Goldie makes another good point about the other side of the conversation sometimes about be strong, you have this, etc. All we really want is a bit of help when we need it or to be left alone to just get through what we must.

We are here for you, we do get this......

Cami- how was the get together with your friends?

NM- good to hear you had a good visit with Dick and your mom. Will PM you a picture of my hair!

Goldie- what will you be doing with your hair? Got a in mind? Can't wait to see what you do. I love the way it feels to come out of the salon.

Dara- I had some hard lessons during my dx and treatment time with the few people I told. It taught me everyone has their own beliefs about who gets cancer and why, how you should treat it, and how to keep it from coming back. Even most recently, I shared with a friend about some of the issues I have with my feet on the AI drugs and got another lecture about how to help that. I try not to discuss my health history with people due to their need to either gossip or judge things. Ain't nobody's business but my own......

I got my pruning started yesterday and going to try to finish one bush and another this week. Got some windows to clean too. Trip to the pool later for a swim.

Wishing you all a good week ahead!

ChiSandy

Missing rehearsal today—Bob got up while I was sleeping and drove himself to the ER with abdominal pain (last night he lied and said he didn't need to go to the ER, so I took a Baclofen and slept like a rock). He woke with worse pain towards dawn and drove himself to the ER. I didn't even know till I came upstairs after breakfast, turned on the light and saw the bed was empty. Phoned his cell—he was awaiting CT scan results, so I took a Lyft up here (he needs his car moved out of the ER lot). Scan showed a small bowel obstruction from either adhesions after his surgeries two years ago, small intestine twisting & kinking like a garden hose, or both. They're giving him nasogastric suction and IV fluids to rest his bowels, which works in 80% of cases. If it doesn't, he goes under the knife tomorrow or Tuesday.

He wanted me to go to rehearsal today but the director said family comes first. I'm already “off-book" anyway so can watch changes to the show via videos on the show's Google Drive. Even if he needs surgery I can make evening rehearsals this week.

That extra scene I got was cut—the show is still running long. One less set of lines to memorize, one less frantic costume change. We open Nov. 30 and run through Dec. 1. (Bob bought a bunch of tix to give to colleagues, and I hope he'll be well enough by then). If you plan to be in or near Chicago, PM me for ticket details. Otherwise, I will post YouTube videos as they become available.

Jazzygirl

Chi- so sorry to hear about Bob's GI problems. Keep us posted on how he is doing?

ChiSandy

Gordy & I went home a bit past 6pm--Bob's throat hurts from that NG tube so he's not up for talking, and considering how little sleep (if any) he got last night and the morphine he's on, sleep is a priority for him. Will call in the morning to see how he's doing.

goldie0827

NM, it is hard watching parents decline. My mom was back in the hospital after only being home for about 2 weeks. Now in nursing home/rehab. Says she hoping to get back to where she used to be. I'm like how long ago. She said 2 years. I didn't say anything, as she wasn't in much better shape then! Bean suppah, I love beans, hot dogs not so much.

Teka, was that woman being attacked by the bobcat?

Pretty cocktail Jazzy. Took me a minute to realize that's pineapple on the rim. As for my hair, I'm just getting it trimmed. Nothing exciting.

Sandy, sorry to hear about your DH, hopefully he won't have to go under the knife.

Cami, I hope you were able to make it out Saturday.

NativeMainer

Good morning, Loungettes! Mylife has taken a turn for the interesting. My computer has died. It's been sick for a while, and I've been thinking about replacing it, now I have no choice. Well, actually, I obviously have a choice, as I'm checking in via my tablet. I even found a way to have a text document up next to the posts, but I much prefer the bigger screen and bigger keyboard. However, I am not going to complain, especially since I now have access to 2 corporate discount programs, and ought to be able to find a desktop computer that will meet my comparatively low tech needs for not too much money. This is also where my online backup system comes in handy, I can access any of my saved files (which is all of them) through the backup site as I need them. Probably not a bad idea to get my working files onto the tablet, too, to take as a back up when I am teaching classes. Aha, just remembered how to enlarge the screen, now I can see what I'm typing easier, and can see all my typos! This little keyboard is going to take some getting used to. Hmm, have to check and see if I can hook up the bluetooth keyboard, I'm more used to that one. Another project for later today. And not only has the desktop died, it looks like the Kindle bit the dust, too. It's stuck on the start page, but won't unlock. Has full power, but won't move, won't turn off, won't do anything. I'll unplug it later and the battery will drain in an hour or two and I'll see if will restart, if not, it's bye-bye and either replacing it or thinking about using the tablet instead, since I've already got the Kindle app on it. Ah, decisions, decisions!

Sadie has been very busy the last couple of days protecting me from a huge, fluffy, furry black cat that's been hanging around. I swear that cat is as big as a small racoon! He/she is probably looking for a warm place to sleep, and I hope it finds one, but it won't be sharing any of Sadie's space! She can really make that cat scoot when she charges barking up a storm with all her back hair standing up. I guess she doesn't want to share me with any other furries.

Teka--I've heard that some animals can make very human-like sounds. I've heard some screeches myself that I've been told are rabbits getting caught by owls or raccoons fighting. Whatever, they are pretty eerie sounding! Are you going to invite that big kitty in for the winter???

Jazzy--Good Lord, it is the holiday next week, isn't it?? That one snuck up on me. Shouldn't have, just got a text from Mom that turkey is 39 cents a pound and can I pick up and hold 2 big ones for her for the holidays. I rent my freezer space out in return for a jug of Mom's turkey rice soup and enough leftovers to make a couple big Day After Thanksgiving sandwiches. Mom says that's a pretty steep price, I think it's pretty cheap, since I'm paying for the turkeys as well as storing them! Actually that's just a running joke we have going. Pretty drink!

Chi--Yikes--poor Bob, bowel obstructions are painful from what I've seen of them. And an NG tube is no fun either, and I've let student's place one in me, so I know. But if the suction is making him feel better, and it should, it's worth it. I'm praying it will resolve without surgery. Can't wait to see the show videos!

Dances with Hornets' DOTD:

is this the drink you are showing us?

Blue Margarita

What You'll Need

• 1 1/2 ounces tequila
• 1 ounce blue curaçao
• 1 ounce fresh lime juice
• Salt for rimming (optional)
• Orange slice and cherry or lime wedge for garnish

How to Make It

1. If you like, rim a chilled margarita glass with salt.
2. Pour all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
3. Shake well and pour everything into the prepared glass.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge or an orange slice and cherry.

NativeMainer

Morning, Goldie, looks like I bumped you into the pool! Here I'll jump in too, and we can paddle over to the swim up bar and have an early morning libation!

camillegal

. Morning Ladies,

Chit my computer was not working well for couple of days, Dan fixed it last night, thank goodness he can do it from his home, I had like 71 kind of hacks or whatever it's called.

Sandy good luck with Bob, how horrible for him and u must have felt bad not even knowing about the ER. Just hoping no surgery is required and what they do is enough. Oh again I hope we can see a video of ur play and music, that would be great.

Karen please don't feel guilt cuz u don't feel well. Unless someone has gone thru this, u can never imagine what anyone goes thru, cuz it's all different and when people seem to feel good that doesn't mean that their alone time isn't good....the girls here said it so well it's hard to say more, but we're here and remember no judgement at all.

Well Jazzy ur getting all spruced up for TG holiday and it's soon now. So nice ur getting away and of course pics please.

Lori I think we all forget about black and white pics nowadays, but actually they can really look good. Thanks for splainin' to Dar---u always splain' things so well. And Leslie's hallucinations for the most part are textbook ones--- the TV is talking to her alone, any plane over our home is after her for government reasons, God talks to her and she sees dead people---it's really horrible, now Joey has never seen this Marty just once and that was horrible on him. They said she has to teroids for 2 reasons <i only remember one

camillegal

I'M back my puter just froze---WTF

OK she's on steroids and they said she has to be on them i. for her immune system, 2 ??? I forgot but it's important, if she looses her mind is it that important??? They raised one of her pills a new head Dr. so maybe she won't be so affected we'll see.

Oh now I have to go to work.

LUBS U ALL

Teka

Jazzy,

I would love to join you for a swim.

Chi,

I hope Bob had a restful night.

goldie,

Bobcats vocalizations include a piercing scream that has been described as being similar to a woman's scream.

NM,

Yes! ;o))

Cami,

Thankfully, Joey is now at an age to better understand Leslie's health problems.

karentwriter

Thank you everyone! Yes I'm back at work this week. I was out all last week and went to the ER for severe heart burn on Saturday. Now I think I ate too much for lunch, couldn't help it...so good. And not good for me. I need to start eating better, but was too lazy all week to make healthy food and this week I'm so excited to eat the garbage from the cafe now that I feel well. Oops. Dinner will be better.

I feel much better today. I do treatments every two weeks...Red devil and and the C one. So Monday next week back to this. And then Jan 2 I start Taxol every week...I may long term it then. We'll have to see. I'm just done feeling like this. I was ready to say f the chemo. Can't stand feeling like this. But then I see my baby and realize I want to be here to see her babies, so I need to give myself the best shot.

I should work harder at no smoking, but shouldn't be hard. The days I feel terrible I don't want to be near the dang things.

My one friend that went to work while doing her treatment said there is no way in hell she would do that again. She said it was done because it was her and one other lady in the department and she felt bad sticking her with all the work. However, in hindsight, she would say forget that and take the time off. She also bought me some nice flannel pjs. So sweet.

I definitely feel better because I can right but when I'm sick...how on earth will I make myself move around. Blah! It's almost impossible. And did I mention I haven't had a drink...too nervous. Though the bridesmaids are coming to pick out dresses this Saturday, so maybe afterwards this bride will try one right before the next treatment. Have my fun while I can? Or should I not? Will it bad to do that. Right now I don't want one to be honest, but maybe by Saturday I will.

oh and i forced myself to feel better yesterday. My daughter's 5th birthday party was yesterday. Yes, we could have put it off but she really wanted to go to Chuck E Cheese and play and i didn't want to let that little girl down. It's not her fault I"m sick and 5 is a big birthday.

NM, I really love Dell. Plus their customer service and helping you find what you are looking for...they are super helpful. In my recent experience anyway>

Jazzygirl, that drink looks delish. I wonder if Red Lobster has a similar one...

Goldie, I can ask the dr as we do have the medical here now, but I also know people. lol! j/k

ChiSandy

Thanks, ladies. Karen, might be time for the patch or Nicorette. The latter tastes awful, but heck, chemo messes with your taste buds anyway. Wouldn't try Chantix or Zyban, because they might interfere or interact w/chemo.

Bob's doing much better today--they may yank the tube and see how he does on a liquid diet, or maybe even send him home today. (He's passed both the poop & fart tests). He had a hemicolectomy two years ago, and it's possible he had formed adhesions at the portion of the colon reattached to the ileum. (I hadn't realized how close to the small bowel the ascending colon is). At some point down the line, they may do a laparascopic "lysing" (cutting or lasering) of adhesions if he hasn't knocked them loose by walking around, but that'd be prophylactic elective same-day surgery.

DOTD...prune juice or Miralax? (Whaddaya call vodka & prune juice? A "Trotsky." Vodka, OJ and milk of magnesia? "Phillips Screwdriver").

karentwriter

ChiSandy,

I could of used at Trotksy this passed week. lol!

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Twofer Tuesday! Going to work for Hospice today, get some money in the checking account and get me out of the house for a bit. Don't mind being at home with Sadie, but once in a while I do need to see and interact with other people. I saw a news item about a police department that is doing a "No Shave November" to raise money for something or other. Boy did those guys look scruffy! I don't mind a nicely kept beard or mustache, but these cops just looked like they haven't shaved in a couple of weeks! I wonder what their wives/girlfriends/partners think of the whole look.

Cammy--wow, you really got hacked! That stuff is so hard to keep off your computer these days. Glad Dan can fix it remotely. I'll keep praying for Leslie and her care team that she can stay stable and get through treatment relatively easily.

Karen--heartburn is NOT fun, take if from someone with Barrett's Esophagus from chronic reflux and thus chronic heartburn. If it weren't for prilosec I would be in pain all the time. But it does make me more aware of what I eat and when, even though that hasn't helped me lose any weight. Some MOs say no alcolol at all during chemo, some say one drink once in a while is ok. I say if you don't feel like you want one, drink something else. If you want one, have one. It's a special occasion, and your life cannot be put totaly on hold because you are in treatment for the rat ba$#ard. I've had Dell products in the past and like them, will have to see if either company has a discount with them. Pretty little girl! Glad you could take her out to celebrate.

Chi--So glad Bob is doing better! I'm sure he'll be glad to get rid of the tube and to be able to eat again even if only liquids. Love the DOTDs, too!

Dances with Hornets DOTD:

Can;t beat the Trotksy or Phillips Screwdriver!

karentwriter

NM,

I totally hear ya, if my body will find a way to hold onto weight it will. The not having alcohol should make a difference, we'll see. lol! I think I'll let myself have 1 if I'm feeling up to it, but overall, it's the one thing I'm able to cut out without caring.

She is such a gift. She looks like her dad though. I'm french canadian...I was a little confused when I had a blondie with blue eyes and pale complexion...no olive tone Italian looking child. I'm often confused with Italian.

ChiSandy,

I have the gum and yes, ick! I'm wanting smokes less and less...especially the week of treatment...gross...maybe I'll be able to kick it on my own from the illness chemo causes.

Alright back to the grind for the week. I'm looking forward to cleaning and stuff while I feel good. I was more active yesterday than in years. I really appreciate the energy I have that I used to take for granted. lol!

goldie0827

NM, sorry about your computer issues. Unfortunately they happen and we just wait for it "to happen" and then get new. I mean, why buy new when it's working? Maybe the black kitty just wants to play with Sadie! Thanks for joining me in the pewl the other morning. I hear ya about getting out and being with other peeps. I enjoy that as well, since DH and I are with each other 24/7 and only go to town once a week. So these little trips we take are nice.

Cami, I can't imagine how Les feels with those hallucinations. Just horrible. Hoping the new meds help. Hmmmmm, steroids to help immune system. I did not know that. I like B/W photos too and the sepia ones.

Karen, reply as I read, so someone may have already answered you. I say, if you feel like having a cocktail, then have it. I just wouldn't over do it. It IS NOT a fun journey (chemo) but something we have to do and hope that it gives us a LONG time to live. As for the Taxol, how does weekly compare to long term? Meaning how long do you do weekly vs. long term. I did 4 Taxol, each 3 weeks apart. So it took 3 months. If you can quit smoking, then go for it. I'm not so sure that you want to juggle that with everything else you are going through. Maybe cut down to start with? Healthy eating is much easier to do! Your DD (dear daughter) is adorable. Even if sideways! As for the MMJ, you can ask your doctor, but I would make that decision on my own. My onc knows I use it and he is ok with it, as long as I also stick to traditional treatment.

Teka, after doing a little more reading, I figured it out that bobcat was making noise of a screaming woman.

Sandy….LMAO! DOTD...prune juice or Miralax? (Whaddaya call vodka & prune juice? A "Trotsky." Vodka, OJ and milk of magnesia? "Phillips Screwdriver"). I think I'll pass!!!!!

Karen, if you are needing help with cleaning, do take advantage of Cleaning for a Reason. It's FREE!

Missed yesterday, was having a bit of what Ilona was dealing with the other day….LOL. Did manage to get some work done tho.

MemaSue56

Morning DahhhLinks,

jes poopin in for a minute.  Got my puter back yest, but I was feeling yukky so didn't try and post.  My MO listened and I have my brain MRI next Tues the 21st.  What's to happen after I don't kno, don't even have a follow-up appointment with her yet.  Having good and bad days, but that is normal for me.  I will keep you all posted as I get more info.

Hope all are doing ok.  Am still praying for so many of you, well all of you.  

Will be back as soon as I can...LUBSLUBSLUBS

karentwriter

Goldie,

Cleaning...I think in my booklet they mentioned cleaning companies that do this. I'll need to dig into this before I get my next treatment. And I think I might do 1 drink on Saturday, but definitely not feeling interested over all...which is so unlike me. Some aspects of this remind me of how I felt when pregnant. Nausea, no interest in liquor at AT ALL....that's when I realized i was pregnant. lol

karentwriter

Oh here is a funny...take my picture she says...lol!

ChiSandy

What a cutie, Karen!

Things looked discouraging last evening--even though Bob started passing gas & stool. the surgical team thought there wasn't enough motility yet and kept the tube in overnight pending more imaging. But at noon, they pulled the tube, tried him on clear liquids. and then said if he could tolerate a trial of general diet dinner, he could be discharged. So after my rehearsal (which ended early, thank goodness), I went back up there and brought him home. He'd finished every last bit of that dinner (turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes & gravy & ices) and did just fine. I was starving--I had nothing to eat since late breakfast because...I forgot to eat. And I didn't have enough time before rehearsal (my train was late & slow) to grab something. So I made myself some spaghetti (Dreamfields low-glycemic-impact) marinara with peppers & mushrooms cut in, sprinkled with pecorino Romano and parm. regg. No wine, though.

Bob promised to stay home tomorrow rather than go back to work too soon. I hope he will decide to retire while he can still enjoy it. He says the trend is to say you'll work forever, and then retire when you feel like it (or must). What he plans to do is pick a date 6 months out in order to break in a new doc and orient his patients to him or her. But we're probably looking at 2019 at the earliest.

goldie0827

Sue, I'm happy to hear you are at least having a few good days. Sucks that you have no clue as to what will happen next. Big haggles and heavy prayers coming your way.

Karen, treatment is this coming Monday, right? Hopefully it will be a bit easier this time. Looks like you have a little Diva on your hands. She sure is a cutie! I am keeping up with you on your blog. I'm sorry you ended up in the hospital. You mentioned you weren't able to take your DD to preschool. It's times like these that you can ask, those that offer to help, if they could take/pick up your DD to and/or from school. What nausea meds are they giving you. I got one right after chemo, Emend. And then a script for Compazine to use at home, which I hardly ever took as I was not too sick. Also, chemo can throw you into chemopause, so be ready for that as well. When feeling fatigue, take that rest as it's accumulative and the same when you start radiation. Oh yeah, about eating, protein is important. If you find it hard to tolerate food, but drinking is easier, get a protein drink. I like the Vega Sport brand, all natural and organic. They have chocolate, vanilla, berry and tropical. I like to put a banana in with mine and other fruits if I have them. Thickens up and like a smootie.

Sandy, glad Bob was able to go home.

Hey hey to everyone out there!!!

karentwriter

Thanks Goldie! Diva and a drama queen. That's awesome that you are reading it. I do love writing. It's more fun when I can make it funny. lol!

Usually my mom will get my daughter to the pre school, but luckily she didn't have school last week at all, but yes next round is Monday on the 20th. One of my cousins is already coming Monday night to stay and then take her to the science museum on Tuesday. She has never been and should love that.

I'm on the generic zofran. They gave me this other one to use first, but said realistically it only works 50% of the time. However, insurance makes them have people try that one first for some reason. My Dr wasn't a fan, but it is what it is. The only med that hasn't been covered so far was the liquid suspension for the heartburn, but the pill form was covered...huh? So anyway, I'm to take the weaker nausea med first and if that doesn't work than the zofran. If I need to take the zofran, don't bother with the weaker anymore was what I was told.

I'm also take this famotidine as well for heart burn, clariton for bone and joint pain. Steroid from day 2-4 after treatment. Calcium and vitamin D. And lorezapam as needed for anxiety. Once I meet with counselor I'll ask for a less addictive one to start.

I'll have to look up chemopause. That does not sound like fun.

Thank you ChiSandy,

This kid keeps me on my toes for sure. I'm also excited because today is her first true picture day at school. Wow! Time flies so quickly. Sorry to hear about the discouraging evening with Bob. I hope it gets better soon with him and definitely hope he enjoys his retirement. Man...retirement should always start earlier than it does. Of course my mom just retired and she feels like she is busier...huh?

Jazzygirl

Good morning friends- busy week here and popping in to check on my goils. The weather here is still lovely but a tad too warm for November. Taking advantage of it to get the last of the yard work and winter prep done. I pulled the last of my geraniums out of the pots to bring in to winter. There is one really large one that is just too big to come inside. Rumor is that we are going to get our first freeze this week (three weeks late).

Been working on my insurance choices for 2018. Based on what I have figured out, the lower cost plan with the other carrier is not going to meet my needs with both my BS and derm out of network, plus a few drugs not included either. The cost for the plan I want with my current carrier (back up to Gold level) will be $130 more per month than the other carrier's best plan, but still like 50% more than I was paying last year. But if my bc returns locally or I get another patch of skin cancer, both the out of network providers that have helped me in the past with surgery won't be available. So, I will be paying an additional $260 per month vs. 2017. Well, I will just have to take more contract work and cut back on something else next year and chose this one for 2018, I need solid coverage. Going to try to wrap this up before I leave for the holiday weekend. Remember anyone getting plans on the exchange this year, only until Dec 15th to get signed up!

And we have a new mayor for our city as of yesterday's run off election and looking forward to some positive changes here. I have met him before, young, dynamic and has some good ideas to bring this city back to be more of a thriving and safe place where we all want to live. The economy here never recovered since 2008 (gotten worse as a matter of fact) and some of the worst crime in the nation. He is sworn in the beginning of December and think he is ready to roll up his sleeves and get busy. There are some systemic issues here that need to be addressed, but like his platform and his goals to get serious on crime and help to build the local economic ecosystem. Go ABQ!

ChiSandy- I am glad Bob is home and what a busy day you had. I hope he can stay home and rest after being in the hospital. I agree that it might be a great time for Bob to think about retirement while he can enjoy it. I assume he will need to give a longer notice, as most doctors do? One of my physician friends says it is hard to retire as you hate to leave your patients. My sister is having the same struggle, but think she is getting closer. She complains about her job every time we talk and brought that to her attention the other day. I hope Bob is back to his old self soon and makes a good decision around this soon! You take care of you too sister!

Cami- thinking of you and that you had a good weekend with company visiting. What are the Thanksgiving plans? I know the routines have to be off with Leslie being in treatment. I hope you guys can all relax and maybe have someone provide a meal for you. Thinking of Joey too and that you are a constant source of comfort to him in this time. You both help each other so much.

Mema- you mentioned you were pushing for a brain MRI and have one next week. Are you having symptoms and worried about something else friend? I know this is a difficult time and we appreciate hearing from you and offering our support and love as you wait for the details to come together for your next steps.

Karen- your DD is such a cutie and glad you have that shining light to keep you going. Glad you are having good days amongst the SE days. Take advantage of your energy when you have it but don't overdo. You just have to keep your energy up to get through the treatment part and then as you come through that, you will have more good days than bad. We are here for you!

NM- always good to have a balance between the work from home thing vs. being out working with people. I like working at home because I can keep up with my house easier (do laundry while I working, take breaks and do little household chores, etc.) But too much at home is not good either, I have seen people I know have problems with their social skills because they are not interacting enough with the real world. Sometimes being left with ourselves is NOT a good thing.

Okay, got some to dos to get to and saw this fun Thanksgiving meme and thought of NM and her kayak! Happy Hump Day!

Teka

A prelude to Thanksgiving next week.

;o))

Teka

Jazzy, Yum! ;o))

ChiSandy

Karen, you can get famotidine (generic version of PepcidAC) over the counter--as well as loratidine (aka Claritin). Stuff that's available OTC is not covered by insurance--even if your doctor has to prescribe it (e.g., I have to take ferrous gluconate, which CVS keeps behind the counter along with pseudoephedrine, and for which it wants to at least see a prescription, though Walgreen's has it on the self-serve shelves; but the prescription doesn't make it covered by Medicare Part D or any insurance co's drug plan). I'm finally climbing back out of the Part D "donut hole," but Humana will drag its feet (as it did last year, until the new year reset the coverage calendar) on approving Lidoderm 5% patches because you can now buy 4% lidocaine + menthol patches (as well as creams, sprays & roll-ons) for 1/4 the price in the "active pain remedies" aisle along with the Bio-Freeze, Blue Emu, IcyHot patches,Thermacare wraps, heating pads, etc,. (BTW, studies have shown that 4% topical lidocaine, either in combination with menthol in a patch or after first applying menthol, works as well as the 5% Rx-only patches).

In general, generic store-brand famotidine and loratidine will be nearly half the price of PepcidAC and Claritin. Also OTC Emetrol syrup, as well as ginger (chew crystallized or candied ginger pieces from the grocery spice aisle, or stir ginger ale with a fork to flatten it) or Coca-Cola (either flattened or if you can find it, straight cola syrup) can combat nausea. Ginger in capsule form doesn't work as fast as chewing the real thing (and the sugar-coating of the candied or crystallized pieces can help fight metallic "chemo-taste" as well as can LemonHeads candies--which chemo centers give out).