MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

gavinsgrandma

Elimar, thank you, that is what the nurse kept telling me yesterday when I got my Neulasta shot, to keep in touch and call if I need to anytime and yes the chemo threads are a life saver, I have been keeping up with the August one but I will peak a couple of months back too for tips.



Shary🌞

Momine

Eli, she IS! It is Saint Agatha, who had her boobs lopped off, and is therefore often depicted carrying them around on a platter. What could be more perfect? The painting is by Zubaran, one of my childhood favorites.

Loral

NativeMainer

Dianarose--Hooray for selling out and word-of-mouth advertising!  I am so happy for you!  For lunch specials I like the old favorites:  tuna salad, egg salad,  BLT's ham and cheese, grilled cheese, chef salad.  Sounds like you have some wonderful problems to have with a new business!  Congrats! 

navymominohio

Dianarose, yummy stuff.  I'm a  native New Englander, haven't  been back for awhile, so I'll have to get up to see you and eat luscious lunch. How about lobster roll?   Congrats on a very successful business launch. 

barsco1963

Dianarose - I just knew your new venture would be incredibly successful! Word of mouth is the best advertising. I am kind of like NM in that the classics are always a hit, but I am always up for trying something new also. However, I am not very creative in the kitchen - just like trying everyone elses recipes.

Well DH and I have successfully made it to the 22 year mark. It certainly hasn't always been a walk in the park, but I guess that's what brings a couple closer together right?

Hope everyone's weekend is filled with love and laughter.

marlegal

Diana, good to see you finally! I'm with NativeMainer on the classics, but you can make them your own by adding pizazz. Chicken salad with grapes and walnuts mixed inn. Egg salad with a touch of pickle relish...stuff like that. Good luck!

Jeannie57

Diana,

I'm glad you and the cafe are doing well! You must be a slammin' chef!

NativeMainer

Happy anniversary, Barsco!

Loral

Dianarose: a Reuben Sandwich is always a favorite... corn beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, topped with Russian or Thousand Island on rye bread then grilled. served with coleslaw and pickles...Yummy!!! Good Luck, have a great week........

Congrts Barsco on your anniversary.

luvmygoats

Barsco - Happy anniversary.

Dianarose - Yeah for happy tired. Food glorious food. I would think start perfecting soup combos for winter. Do you have seafood specialties? Yum.

Up early as we have only a tricke of water - I discovered about 4am when up to tinkle. I think it must be a main break as a water truck came by about an hour ago, quick swing up our street and then on out further. New hot water heater is OK, my 1st thought though it is now over week since install. I don't hear water running so don't think break on our side of meter. When DH gets up will send him out to check meter. I get alerts from water co. but nada this am - maybe too early??

barsco1963

Thanks all! Had a great relaxing weekend, now it's off to the dentist this afternoon to get a tooth pulled - YUCK! I don't mind the dentist for routine cleaning etc, but NOT looking forward to todays appointmen. Anyone want to join me? I think I could use a PP party more today than on any scan day.

Loral

I'm in, I'll bring the treats.

macatacmv

Hey All middies, I am in on the PP too, brasco. I had a tooth pulled a while ago (month or two) and the worrying about it was almost the worst part. It was over in a matter of minutes. But I know the feelings. So I am bringing the donuts!

I have been keeping up but not posting lately. My PCP wants me to take a vacation. From life I guess. (I haven't worked in 2 years) She thinks I am trying too hard to get better! Wearing myself out. I keep saying you sure it's not all these meds you have me on? I am switching anti d  now in prep for my tami try out. My hands are so sore. I am doing hand therapy now.

I've been real busy around here these last few weeks. My DD moved home for a while after breakup with BF. (not sure what a "while" means) She just turned 26 yesterday. My DS came home for the weekend. He is SURE he failed his first course of his grad. courses. But the school has sent him another box of books and wants the bill to be paid. Oh the anguish of being a young adult. 

The powers that be deem this week the one to try to fit the most activities into for the end of summer, and everyone mobs here to see the VIP that decides to "grace" us with his presence. (read make it even more congested) But this is all that makes life interesting. We can wave to him as he motorcades by the dog park while we are picking up the poop!

Anyhoooo, hope this monday treats you right or at least gently.

NativeMainer

barsco---I'm with you on dentist appointments.  I'm in on the PP and I'm bringing the xanax! 

barsco1963

Hooray for ice cream, donuts and xanax! The perfect fare for a dental PP. Thanks girls!

goldie4040

Luvmygoats,

Where in Texas are you?  I am in Arlington.

luvmygoats

Goldie - I am northwest of Ft. Worth. PM me.

Barsco - sorry I missed the pocket partay. How was the extraction? Not sure what this is but it looks yummy, divine and very soft on the gums.

something custardy I think

Macatacmv - sorry you continue to have a rough time. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't check in here daily.

elimar86861

Ice cream, donuts and Xanax.  Well, doesn't that just about cover the entire food pyramid?   And when they throw in the hydrocodone, you'll have them all covered.  Barsco, I feel your pain.  I am very dentally challenged and have had many of the advanced procedures.  I know no one here will take it the wrong way if I say I am a Stage IV dental patient.  I'm not meaning it to take Stage IV cancer lightly, but I am on lifetime maintenance for my sorry dental state.  I have two crowns on hold til I finish the chemo, then my dental fun will begin again. 

You know, those that do chemo and take a lot of meds that take your saliva away often do get plagued with dental issues because of that.  With "dry mouth" the bacteria just has a field day.  I got a special handout about oral hygiene (a soft baby toothbrush & the salt rinse) and using Biotene or another rinse for dry mouth.  The past couple months, my gums have been bleeding as a primary or secondary result of mye chemo.  I might be of-base with this but I tried using a "sensitive" toothpaste and it seemed to make a difference.  Even tho' that is for tooth sensitivity, it was less harsh on my gums, I think.  Or maybe not.  If anyone else wanta to put that to the test, let me know if it seems to help.

After today, I now have only two more chemos to go.  (And for the Newbies, my chemo is for a second primary that is not B/C.)  I am seriously thinking about blowing off those last two treatments.  Without the platinum drug, I do think I can make it to the end with just average S/E's and everyone says I am doing "great."  But I'll tell you I am just tired of going to my chemo days, tired of feeling like crap inside and feeling like my throat is made out of plastic, with only about 2% of food tasting like food and the other 98% tasting like soggy toilet paper.  And the mental battle is very hard.  What I mean is, I'm doing it all for question mark.  Poison as the insurance policy.  I question every dose I have had, every time.  May brain says:  Do I even need this?  Please, research, come along so we can know if people really need this poison or not.

On a related note, today one nurse was talking about salsa and chips and immediately after chemo, I had to go to a nearby restaurant and have some.  It wasn't my fave restaurant for salsa, but that didn't stop me from shovelling in two little bowls of it in the first five minutes.  I ate it like I was eating a gaspacho soup.  Why?  For some reason, salsa is one of the foods that to me retains it original taste.  When I find one of them that does, I can't help going overboard because finally something tastes good. 

I AM hungry, but guess what?  I am still dropping weight and if I lose one more pound, it will bring the grand total up to 20 lbs.  I could see my ribs above my shoulder blades on my BACK; my spine looks like a big string of pearls, that's how uncool this weight loss is.  I used to be a fine specimen of Amazonian womanhood, now, I just feel PUNY.

Loral

I've had my dental problems also. Just before Christmas I was eating a potato chip and the chip spit my tooth in 2 pieces. That tooth had a root canal years ago and should have been capped...No money, no insurance. So after the tooth was pulled I had to buy a flipper tooth. Now I have to have a bridge made which will be with 3 teeth, 1500.00 at the minimum... I will wear my flipper....

Elimar I remember when my grandma had chemo she said everything tasted like metal, but I remember she would eat strong tasting things like shrimp sauce, and spaghgetti, I think the strong taste overwhelms the nasty taste. I don't know if skiping the last two treatments would be a problem, I turned down the chemo and radiation option.

Try to eat foods with a lot of calories, or have protein powder shakes, you have to gain some weight...

heartnsoul76

Yum, all those lunch suggestions sound delicious!

barsco - hope you are feeling alright after your dentist appointment!  My brother had to have a tooth pulled and he said it was the stuff of nightmares, haha.  But, he is a GUY...

Elimar - I've been struggling with dry mouth for years!  It mostly shows up when I'm sleeping.  I've tried everything on the market and none of it has worked for me.  Once I bought this product that sticks to the roof of your mouth and you use it when you're sleeping.  I put that thing in and immediately wanted it OUT!  It drove me crazy, and naturally the adhesive worked really well!  There were about 8-10 in the box - I tried to give them away but no one would take them, lol.  They were awful.  My big solution after all this trial and error is a glass of water by the bed and when I wake up with dry mouth I sip some water and hold it in my mouth a few minutes to remoisturize everything.

E - Has your doctor said anything about your weight loss?  It seems to me he would be agreeable to you quitting now.  I don't know how much they expect us to suffer on chemo - until just before you collapse?  Maybe you look too healthy - maybe you should go in Wednesday with white powder on your face and purple eyeshadow circles under your eyes.

Momine

Eli, I ate a lot of salsa during chemo as well. I would make salsa and guac, then eat it on a piece of steamed, white, bland fish.

barsco1963

Well, I made it through without a hint of a problem. Thanks for the PP and all of the goodies. Did you gals get a look at that dentist? (not my regular) If I was about 25 yrs younger, I might have had to make a midnight (fake) sos call to him. What a cutie! I was a little hesitant at his being so young, but he started the process and within about a minute he said "there, that's done" I was soooo thankful. Didn't hear any of that awful grinding noise or feel a thing.

Eli - It is so frustrating being hungry but not being able to eat the foods you want and that you know do taste good. I haven't lost my taste buds and there are so many foods that I would love to sink my teeth into but with continued nausea, fullness, and lack of appetite, it is a challenge. Wishing you best of luck on making a decision regarding your last two chemos. I would also think that your dr might have concern over your weight loss. How can ones body effectively heal when one is literally fading away?

staynsane

Elimar- It's been a while since I have posted, but I have checked in occasionally and followed some of the happenings.  With your recent chemo experience you sound like my mom did just before she said "no more."  Eating was a challenge for her, too.  I would try to creatively come up with things that I thought sounded good, but usually failed miserably.  She would try to force whatever I put in front of her down, but I could tell she wasn't enjoying it.  Except for carrot cake.  And lemon cake.  She liked those.  But her weight and therefore her energy kept slipping.  It was beyond funny to me when, one day, she said "Sangria!  I want Sangria!" and on another "Oysters on the half shell!"  Of course, when presented with them, they too didn't hit the spot.

You seem to have a good grasp on what you (mentally) and your body can take.  It does sound like you are about at the wall.  I understand the combat going on in your brain about chemo, and hope you can get peace soon with whatever you decide to do.  You've been through so much.  Virtual hugs and a wish for serenity are sent your way.

luvmygoats

Aw Staysane - what a sweet post to our sister Elimar. You express yourself so well. Thank you.

Elimar - I echo what everyone else has said. You know your limit best. You must be only a wisp of your usual self. Love you.

Barsco - glad the tooth removal went well and eye candy for extra measure. WooHoo!

Eph3_12

Not only is Staynsane's post poignantly on point, I'm lovin' the new avatar.  Wish avatars were bigger (that's for the moderators) so we could see things better.

Barsco, all dentists & doctors look like babies to me now & I'm only 59 which is the new 39 right? But happy he got the job done.  Dentist visits, even just cleanings, are my biggest stressor now that DD has her license (almost 3 years now, but the trauma has been long lived) and I don't have to drive with her. 

Eli-do whatcha gotta do girl!  We are with you 100%!

elimar86861

Thanks everyone for the vote of confidence in my decision making abilities.  I wish I did have more confidence making the decisions, but they are more like informed guesses and then just flying by the seat of my pants.  These decisions are hard and they may or may not be life or death decisions.  I want so badly to be a two-time cancer destroyer and if fighting spirit and positive outlook were all there was to it, my cancer would be history.  But it's way more complex and then throw in some statistics on top of that and it becomes more questions than answers.  I am really calling on my gut instincts too, to guide me; but I can't say as those have been spot on in the past.  I know I won't even decide until the Sunday night or Mon. (chemo) morning, so I have two weeks to deliberate.  With a big road trip move to get my son out to grad. school, I'm shoving all this to the vack burner until then.

Barsco,  That is great that you got thru' the dental extraction without trauma.  Thank goodness!  Now rinse with salt water and heal up that gaping tooth hole, girlie!

Staynsane,  Missed you!  And I do love that new avatar, so bring it around more often.

elimar86861

You all know most of this by now, but here, in a nutshell, is an overview of oncology motivations.

Who's in It for the Cure?

Read or listen.  No mention of ACS or Komen, strangely enough.  Or perhaps it is not so strange.

Loral

Loral