So...whats for dinner?

LuvRVing

Carrie - I'm glad you chimed in on the marker issue.  I remember that you are a nurse and I suspected you'd have some thoughts about it.  Yes, the ink stung when they marked the area on Friday.  It won't be happening for these last 3 treatments.  The top area is healing but the lower area is now getting raw.  Almost done, though! 

Apple - the tarter sauce sounds yummy.  Sometimes you get one that has a sweet pickle base, don't like that at all.  The salty dill ones appeal more to me.  They are building an Aldi near me, I'll have to check it out once it opens.  That's a fabulous price for a spiral sliced ham.  I've got some ham in the freezer, left over from the holidays.  It's going into some split pea soup, maybe next week when I am no longer making those daily trips to Boston!

apple

i love split pea soup and making it with this upcoming bone.  My kids don't like the color.. they won't even try it hardly, altho they do dutifully eat their portion, tho small.,, maybe i could add some red dye.

Laurie08

Apple- LOL!!!

LuvRVing

Apple - LOL, would they eat yellow peas?  Very popular with the French Canadians out here. 

 or

LuvRVing

Just two left!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Finally got to that Chinese restaurant that we were planning to hit on Friday.  So good!  Very different - I had fried rice with brown rice, roasted garlic, edamame, greens, nori, scallions, shrimp and a whole egg that we chopped up and stirred in (the yolk was still runny when served)...very yummy!  And DH had a shrimp and beef noodle dish with lots of onion, cilantro and lime.  It was delish.  We ordered sweet potato fritters with red curry and spicy chili mayo for an appetizer - very creamy on the inside, crispy on the outside. 

One thing I will miss in all this is checking out very interesting places to eat in Boston.  My DH probably won't want to drive there for the next six months!

bedo

Oooooh heres a good yellow split pea soup recipe, I'll try not to take up space. It's from Moosewood Low Fat Favorites.

3cups chopped onions 1 tsp vegetable oil, 1 and 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp turneric, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger root, 1 Cup dried yellow peas, 7 Cups water, 2Cups peeled,and cubed sweet potatoes, 1 Cup peeled, cored and cubed apples, 3-inch cinnamon stick, 2 tsp chilli powder, 3/4 Cup chopped tomatoes, 2 TBS fresh lime juice, 1 TBS soy sauce,low fat yogurt, minced cilantro, cilantro optional.

In soup pot saute onions in oil till golden about 8 minutes. Add next 4 ingredients, cook 1 minute.Add next 6 ingredients and simmer 40 minutes till peas are tender.. In another bowl combine tomatoes, lime juice and soy sauce, add when peas are tender. Puree in blender, in batches, adding water if needed. Return to pot and reheat. Top with yogurt and cilantro if desired.

Good with mango cucumber coconut salad, jasmine rice and banana Bundt Cake,  (Improvise)!

PS, survived first 2- 8 hour days at work, (Car hit pothole where I drove out of state for orientation caused $800 worth of damage, but I'm on back and my way.    )  Car is worth $1200, no collison

PS, Luvrving, I'm glad youre done!  I have been gone, but I hope I am correct!
Diagnosis: 6/17/2011, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 1, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

SeasideMemories

Michelle,



Glad to hear that the Chinese place was delicious and even happier to hear that you are down to just two more!!



While each of us are different, just wanted to give you a heads up that the end of rads (which for many of us is the end of active treatment) can be a very emotional experience.... I thought that bit of advice in No way, shape, or form would apply to me!!! I figured I would skipping with happiness on the way out! Well.... I cried like a baby.... Don't really totally understand why but, just wanted to say that it may be the case so you're not caught totally off guard!



I'm sure that first day when you no longer have to travel into Boston is going to feel strange but, oh so good!! I know it felt weird to me to have that whole extra 45 minutes, in my case, per day... I can't even imagine how good it will feel for you!

SeasideMemories

Bedo,



Love the Moosewood! The restaurant is not too far from where I live...



The pea soup sounds fantastic... especially with the addition of sweet potato and apple! Going to try this one for sure!



Glad to hear you made it through your first days back at work but, sorry to hear about your car! I had a small accident withe my car right before Christmas when someone backed into me when I was dropping my son off for his college finals.... It looked like such a small amount of damage but was over $900 by the time all was said and done.... Was sad about my car but really upset more that it got my son all frazzled before his exam.... Oh well, what can ya do?

Laurie08

Michelle- Yay for two left!! So Thursday is your last one?  Happy for you that you got your Chinese food finally!  I have never seen yellow split pea soup?  Gave me a smile

Seaside- It is amazing how much damage is done to a car with just a little bump.  It was explained to me about 6 years ago when something similar happened to me.  The mechanic said it's because they build the cars to absorb the impact now so we feel less because the car gives so much.  I don't know, but thats what "the guy" told me.   I worked at a bank and was actually sitting in my car with the engine off trying to find a compact in my purse after my lunch break and got backed into.  Like the fool I am at times instead of using the horn I yelled, with the windows down that was effective huh?  I hope your sons exam went alright despite the ruckus.

I made a roast with mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans.  I over cooked it- ohwell.  It was ok and will make for good pepper steaks in a day or so.

SeasideMemories

Laurie,



I layed on the horn and was kicking myself that I didn't just try to whip it into reverse to try to avoid the collision but, as my son said... with my luck there would have been someone behind me and I would have hit them and it would have been my fault... he was most likely right!



We were early enough for his exam that I think he had time to shake it off before his exam.. Things worked out OK...

Momine

Bedo, thanks for the soup recipe. It sounds really good.

Kay_G

Hi all! What is it with the car accidents, I just had one a few weeks ago too! I was taking my DD to dance class and picking up her friend that we carpool with. I was turning right on her street and got hit by someone turning left. It happened to be her friend's father! He couldn't have been nicer about it, said it was his fault and told me report it. I told him we should just each take care of our own cars. My car has a dent in the front bumper. I know it would cost a lot to get it fixed the right way because they'd remove and replace the whole bumper. I want to get someone who will just bang it out and make it look better. It's a six and a half year old equinox with 93,000 miles. I know it's not worth that much, but I want to hang on to it as long as possible and have it look decent. I hope I find someone to just bang the dent out. The kicker is the girl had said not to pick her up since the first dance class was canceled, said her mother could drive her, but I insisted on picking her up. Sheesh!



Bedo, that pea soup sounds good. I plan to try it too. I think I am finally building up courage to try new things without someone here to help cook them. I am going to try that chicken piccata that Michelle posted today. And I bought the cole slaw and peanut sauce to try the Asian pizza on tortillas that seaside posted. Wish me luck with them! Laurie, we also had pot roast yesterday. I made it from that cow I purchased with my boss last spring. I am not familiar with some of the cuts I got and i think I am not cooking them right. It was like a big, thick piece of steak with a bone in it, but the guy had labeled it chuck roast, so I made it like a pot roast. Also over cooked it a little bit. There is not much left, but I think I will make my kids fajitas or quesadillas with it, or maybe use it instead of chicken on the Asian pizza? It tasted more like steak than roast beef usually does, could just be that all the beef from that cow was a bit gamier. Had brussel sprouts that came out perfectly and some roasted carrots with it.



Bedo, sorry about the accident, I know how you feel. . I hope the new job is good! Michelle, good luck on your last two boosts! It looks like the weather will hold out for you. My experience was like Seaside's, so emotional. And I didn't think it was going to be at all either, even though I was warmed it might be. Tears were flowing down my cheeks.



Apple, how is the castle aka shed coming along?



Carrie, is your mom doing well? I hope she's feeling well. She has been put through the wringer recently.



Debbie, hope you're enjoying Hawaii!

LuvRVing

Wow - demolition derby going on here!  Seaside - glad it wasn't too bad!

I do expect to cry on Thursday...tears of absolute joy at being finished after 20 months!!!  I cried more when I got the results of the clean PET scan than I did when I heard any bad news about my BC.  I know many of us "worry" about being cut loose after treatment, especially the TNs who feel they don't have the security blanket of the AIs.  I don't think I am wired that way, but I guess we'll soon find out!!! 

Kay - I've been trying different things, too.  I think that chicken piccata recipe is next on my list. 

Kay_G

Well I did try the chicken piccata recipe tonight.  I liked it.  My DD said it was too sour.  It was also a little too salty.  I am definitely making it again, but next time I will only use half a lemon and I won't go overboard on the salt on the chicken.  But it wasn't too hard and with those two adjustments, I think it will be just perfect.  I do like things that you can put in the oven and don't have to stand over constantly, but it cooked quickly and the taste was worth it IMO. Thanks for posting Michelle!  Can't wait to try the Asian pizza, maybe on Friday.   I also used white wine instead of white wine vinegar, but that probably made very little difference.

LuvRVing

Kay - thanks for the feedback on the recipe, I'll keep those adjustments in mind.

#29 done!  The weather tomorrow is supposed to be not so good, we'll see.  If it's really bad, I'll just skip the last boost.  Today I asked the RO about the benefit of boosts for those who have had mastectomies and he stated that there is no "Level 1" evidence of any benefit.  He does them for people he considers high risk and for those with recurrences.  So if I end up skipping the last one, I won't feel like I took a shortcut.  We have plans for Friday night that I am not going to give up, and the center is closed on Monday.

Laurie08

Hi ladies!  Tonight I made oven fried chicken with baked potatoes and corn. (Michelle I will forever think of you when I eat a baked potato.) For once everyone at the table was happy the kids had thirds!  Yay!!  It was easy too.

Michelle- I can't believe it is going to snow tomorrow for your last day.  I don't blame you for wanting to skip it all together.  Do you think you will still feel closure?  Maybe it's a silly question.  I hope you sleep well tonight and don't think about it too much.  I know I would!

Debbie- I hope you are having a blast!  Miss seeing your posts.

Carrie- How is everything?  Haven't heard from you much and I hope your mom is doing ok.

Kay- thanks for the tips on Michelle's recipe, I am planning on trying it this week too.  I didn't try it last week because I didn't have the white wine vinegar, but I always have white wine laying around!  Thank you!

I hope everyone has a great night.  The kids are excited to finally have snow tomorrow.  I am hoping we avoid the rain mix at the end so they can enjoy it.  Had a busy day of grocery shopping and library time.  The plan for tomorrow is to play in the snow, make some muffins and thats about it!

deborye

Chicken Pot Pie tonight.

YAY Michelle! You know your way into Boston so well, if we ever decide to have a get together in Boston you can be the co pilot. LOL

I have been on Arimidex since July 26, 2007 and I will be done July 26, 2012.  In the beginning the SE weren't bad, but now I have just about had it with my muscles and joints aching.

I was ER/PR positive over 90%, my doctors were kind of excited to put me on Arimidex. UGH! 

Kay_G

Thanks for the info on boosts and mx Michele. I guess that is why I didn't get them. Although I am high risk. Water under the bridge. Hope the weather holds out for you and you get that last scheduled boost in. For what it's worth, my DH just got home ant ate and liked it that sour. He also thought it was too salty though. He told me I should definitely make it again, but shouldn't put any salt on the chicken ahead of time. He thought the capers and the chicken broth made it salty enough. He made a good point, you can always add salt after. Hope you both enjoy it too. I may just try oven baked chicken. Is that like shake and bake?

Kay_G

Congrats on just about being done arimidex deborye! that is about the time I will be done Herceptin.

LuvRVing

Laurie - I "promise" you, skipping that last treatment will not bother me at all, especially after he told me there is no verified evidence of any benefit.  I doubt seriously that anyone, anywhere, could prove that 29 treatments is less effective than 30.  You have to wonder how they know what is the right number.  And there are regional treatment differences all over the world.

Deb - oh yes, and I can get to Fenway Park, too!

Kay_G

Michelle, it makes me think of the bolus which I did get. I was getting it every other day and some women on the rads thread with me were getting it every day, so I asked the RO about it. He said some hospitals do it every day, but then discontinue it when you get "red" enough. Their experience was with every other day you were red enough at the end of tx. The last time I saw the RO I had 4 bolus txs to go, but he said I was sufficiently red so discontinued the bolus. Not quite an exact science, but will still keep my fingers crossed for the weather for you.

LuvRVing

Kay - I got the bolus over my scar every other day, too.  But I've gotten one the size of my chest for every boost.

deborye

Listen to this, I received an itemized bill for my lab work that was done in November, everything was covered except the CEA test.  Soooo, I went on BCBS website and emailed them to ask why they did not cover that test.  I have had that test done at the same place 3 times prior to the Nov lab work and this is the answer I got.  My email is on the lower part.

Dear Deborah M Ryer:

I am responding in regards to your inquiry about the bill you are receiving from Winchester Hospital for lab tests for date of service 11/25/11. The line of the claim that denied was line 5. This line denied as the services are not usually associated with the diagnosis indicated. Please review this with your provider to verify if the correct information was listed for that line of the claim.
Thank you for your email.

Sincerely,
Member Service
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Your Original Inquiry:

I received an invoice for $62.06 from Winchester Hospital for lab work. According to my coverage, labs are covered.
I am a Breast Cancer patient and require labs every 4 to 6 months due to abnormal tumor marker.
Why am I receiving a bill?

___________________________________________________________________________

I called my onco office and talked to the nurse, she chuckled at their response and asked me to fax it over so the girl in charge of things like this can look it over.

Stupid BCBS/dumb ass's 

SeasideMemories

Just popped a roast in the oven and wanted to stop in to say....



Happy Last Day of Treatment, Michelle!!!! That has to feel just beyonds words!!! Hope you and your family are rocking the state of NH with all your cheering and celebrating!

Laurie08

Deb I agree stupid BCBS- maybe the BS stands for something other than we think?  Hope it all works out and you don't have to seal with that crap again.

Seaside-enjoy your roast!

Michelle- Did you go?  Perhaps the snow gods are telling you that you are done.  The fact that it didn't snow until today is amazing with all the travelling you have had to do.  But if you did go I hope you go out to a wonderful meal and celebrate!  Tonight I will raise a glass of wine to you, your amazing strength and attitude, to celebrate an AMAZING woman!

Lasagna is in the oven.  Boys and I stayed in for the day with the snow we got.  It wasn't much but enough to play in.  We went out twice today and tried to build a snowman, but they were cold before we finished. We did some sliding , that was super fun.  Made muffins, had coco did arts and crafts, took a nap, it was pretty darn nice!  A lot of work at moments but fun!.

LuvRVing

I went and I am DONE!!! Meeting friends for a celebratory dinner...more later

Laurie08

SO happy for you!!!!  ENJOY!!!!

SeasideMemories

Laurie,



We just had rain here although, it looks like we have some yuck moving in tomorrow! How much snow did you all get? My daughter is traveling to visit her boyfriend in Massachusetts! Hoping she's not going to hit bad weather.....

Anita333

Hi ladies,

 Liver sauted with garlic, sweet potatoes and green salad.  (working on getting my iron level higher. :-))

carolehalston

Yeah, Michelle!!!  I'm so happy for you.  You're a real trouper.  It was painful but heartwarming to experience this treatment vicariously with you.  I love your spirit.

Laurie, you're super mom.  How wonderful that you enjoy your children and are involved in rearing them yourself. 

We're having a winter night here in south Louisiana.  The temp. is supposed to fall into the 20's.  Tonight we have our gas logs lit in the fireplace.  Cheery and comfy. 

Leftovers for dinner.  Spinach lasagna and a salad. 

A good evening to all.