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

Bliss58

Mae, enjoyed your two birthdays story. That's awesome thinking, so Happy Birthday and Happy Birthday again with two pieces of cake!

Dutchiris, I like your meme. It's very cold here, too, and fits me perfectly.

Rosie, In your pocket for the ablation, too!

molliefish

Welcome back runor, quick post to say take cover Texas! We see it is a weather emergency there. A very happy birthday x 2 Mae, so sad for those who have scans, tests, are feeling crappy and in wish for smooth sailing for all. Love to all.

SeeQ

I've been reading along, but not finding the right words to post. Stuck in my head, turning things over and over.

Candy, I was reading your post from this morning and wondered if online cooking classes would be fun for you. There are a few free ones out there for all levels; it might be something new and interesting to entertain you. I, myself, am a pretty basic cook - I do all right, but nothing extravagant. I'd love to be a great cook, like some in my family , but I'm just not that committed. Lol. Good enough will have to do.

Rosie in your pocket for your ablation.

Mae - love the two birthdays (or four birthdays, if you count the halves) Too much fun. And your dinner pic looked amazing.

TangandChris - I think it's hardest hearing and saying the words, especially when it's new news for someone. I know I'm living it day to day, but somehow saying/hearing it makes it feel...permanent, if that makes any sense. And it just sucks.

This extreme winter weather is crazy. My son sent pictures of snow in El Paso - where he moved, in part, to get away from cold snowy winters. Lol. It came close to us here, but it's not quite reaching us. We've had mild temps, so far, with lots of rain (thankful I don't have to shovel). I had a long video call with my sister near Chicago. We shared happy hour - glass of wine with snacks - while BIL was snowblowing...again. I don't miss that at all. I don't love 95F and 95% humidity in the summer either, for that matter, but at least I won't freeze to death.

Waving at Mel, Mara, Rosie, Runor, moth, and everyone else I missed.

GoldensRBest

While I despise these awful temps (our morning lows have been between -8 & -18) I’m grateful I have a warm home and no reason to venture out (except to potty the dogs which has its own challenges in this weather). Mel’s living room is very cozy indeed. I give thanks to all those who have to work outside in this. Being in the dairy land of Wisconsin, I can’t imagine having to milk cows in this weather. We have nothing but dairy farms around our little town and have not 1, but 2, yogurt plants. Farming is such a hard life. Thank God for farmers or we would be hungry. This recent storm, which somehow missed us, has wrecked havoc in a large swath of the country. Very hard on everyone, especially when ice is involved. I hope Mother Nature starts her hormone replacement soon.

All you ladies be safe. With appointments and birthdays this week, I’m here for all. HUGS

illimae

Houston weather report: It's 12 degrees and we lost power last night. Snow is still on the ground and looks beautiful. No TV but the fireplace is going and DH percolated coffee for me.

MelissaDallas

Mae, local news showed Denton at -6 this morning, and I was at 4 in Dallas. My sister in Denton has been about hour off/hour on with power since yesterday morning. I have been very lucky to not be rolling blackouted so far. My house in Dallas yesterday pic below. I am praying we don’t get freezing rain with next round starting this afternoon.

candy-678

Hello all. Almost noon here.

Got up this morning and got my shower in before power went out. Off for a little over 3 hours. Was getting chilly in the house. I have a double wide trailer so not real well insulated. Temp outside in the single digits with some breeze. I was starting to think "what am I going to do". All electric home with no generator or other source of heat. But thank God power on now. Snow is knee deep outside.

SeeQ- I have had others tell me I should learn to cook. No desire. I know that sounds awful, but I have never enjoyed cooking. And living alone with no one to cook for is just not appealing. I would like to EAT all the things I mentioned in my post, just not have to cook/prepare it.

I watched my neighbor dig out his sports car--don't know the make/model-- and tackle the road in front of our houses. He made it, but it was a lot of gunning the engine and a few stops and starts. Thank goodness I have no appts this week.

Elderberry

To All: I am sorry for all of you unaccustomed to freezing cold and snow. Losing power just makes things all the worse. The part of Burnaby where I live got very little snow and the grass was still poking through. Only a few minutes drive away people got major dumps. Micro-climate. It is just raining today. Complaining about the weather is a past time here. "When will it stop raining?" and after a week of higher temperatures "When will this heat wave ever end? We need the rain for the gardens" I moved here to escape the bitter winters and the hot, humid and buggy summers. When it snows I get annoyed. The snow can stay on the mountains where it looks spectacular from miles away, at sea level. The skiers are overjoyed.

I am grateful to all the dairy farmers of the world for keeping me supplied with cheese!! I am grateful for all farmers/growers and the unsung, generally underpaid workers who toil in fields

Wishing the best for everyone with scans coming up.

Happy Birthday, Mae! ----

moth

Elderberry - I'm probably only a few km away from you and yeah, I had buckets of snow! Still have it in the shady parts of the rear gardens.

I was supposed to have a telehealth visit with my radonc over an hour ago. Now I'm thinking "was I supposed to call him?" but that's stupid. It's always the drs who call isn't it?

candy-678

Moth- I had telehealth visit with PCP. 45 minutes later I called receptionist and she said she had me down as in-person. So we had to reschedule. I have been doing a lot of telehealth. Some have you log on 10-15 minutes prior and wait in "waiting room". I find each doctor is different on how they do it. Send email with link, go thru patient portal, etc. If telephone versus virtual, I would think doctor to initiate call.

BevJen

Moth,

I've had both virtual (face to face on computer) and telephonic visits. With both kinds, the docs have initiated the calls. Any luck yet?

moth

RO did finally call. So .... bad news is that they really think the blob on my thoracic spine is a tiny met. Good news I guess is my RO is very aggressive and wants to treat it again as an oligoprogression & offered me 5 fractions of rads (which he told me is technically more than 'needed' for a tiny spot but he wants to hit it hard). He will confer with my MO & I'm meeting with her on Thursday but I gather they're thinking that if they do this I will be able to stay on my current systemic treatment because my liver mets are responding to it. My lung mets are shrinking too so he's thinking the Dec rads worked.

I went for a walk with Olive after the call to process this a bit. I was sort of expecting it so not really surprised but bummed that I'm getting progression in another body system. I mean, come on. Isn't liver and lung enough. Stupid cancer.

candy-678

Moth- Well crap. I can see why they want to zap it, as it is the only bone met for you. I have never had rads. Risks? In that area? If it was me, I would look at risks versus benefits. I have heard that rads lower in lumbar/sacral area can cause bowel/bladder issues. Good that systemic therapy is controlling your liver and lungs.

My MO doesn't look at my bone mets. We do CT of chest and MRI of abdomen and pelvis. It will comment on "bone window" on CT and the "sclerotic" areas on thoracic and lumbar spine. But I have not had a bone scan in over a year. So my bone mets--- cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and pelvis--- could be worsening and we are not monitoring it. I wonder why. Last PET for me was Nov 2019 too. My MO seems concerned with my 4 liver mets and monitoring my organs and that is it. ??????? I wonder if I should push for monitoring of my bony mets.

Elderberry

moth: yar boo sucks. I am not sure of the spelling but it was an expression apparently used by my husband's fellow boys at the English style boarding school he was unfortunate enough to attend. It was their idea of a big thumbs down swear word. Liver and lungs is enough. More than enough. I am sorry to hear that you have yet another new spot. Unfair. I hope hitting it hard will do the trick. The news that other mets are shrinking is good news. All the same -- DAMN IT

illimae

Just got internet back after most of the day without cell service, power and now no water. So, checking in. All good here, we’re prepared for anything pretty much and enjoying cocktails by the fireplace (with flashlights, lol)

Its safe to say I now know how to whether a hurricane, flood and freeze.

If off now to conserve my phone battery, happy Tuesday all and have a good evening.

Elderberry

Mae: I've been watching MSNBC and saw the awful circumstances you are all in. I wanted to make sure you were okay.

Micmel

thank goodness you're ok Mae. Rare storm snow event. Be safe.....stay warm.

tangandchris

This storm is wreaking havoc. I'm 30 miles outside of Dallas. Half of my family has had no power for days. Luckily we have kept power. We think we must be on the same grid as the police department since we live close.

I'm worried it could go off anytime though. It's a stressful situation, and lately I'm not handing stress well.

I cant keep up with all the posts, but I'm sending love and Hugs to everyone.

candy-678

Thinking of those that are without power for extended lengths of time. I was out 3 hours yesterday and it was getting chilly. And I was starting to think about the chance it would be off a long time. Shelter situation. Have to pack up meds. What about my cat. My 94 year old father that lives in my town.

I am praying for those without power--Mae, tangandchris, and others.

I have it better than most right now. My cancer is stable on first line therapy. I don't mean to sound ungrateful.

Micmel

Candy~you don’t sound un grateful. I have to scan after a year soon. I’m complaining about a year in between. I just don’t want to scan. So no matter how it’s related to cancer. It’s scary frustrating and you never stop feeling those things. Give yourself a break sweetheart. You’re allowed to feel however the heck you feel.

Tang~ hope you keep you power and wish my living room could be full of those that don’t. I hope you get it back soon you’re all on my mind.

candy-678

Thanks Mel. I just do not want to gripe too much when others have it worse than me. Power off days, not hours. Going thru treatments as I stay stable on first line--I hope. My next scan is March 22. Praying for your scan on March 4.

Micmel

I am getting my bloodwork drawn now. Xgeva shot as well. My port worked. (The Crowd goes wild) I'll feel like shit tonight so I'll be watching my Wentworth addiction. My new favorite show on Netflix. Check it out ladies. It will take your mind off anything!!

BevJen

Hi, all,

Mel, hope you don't feel like you know what.

Plug for another Netflix show -- only 1 season yet so far, though. I started watching Firefly Lane with Katherine Heigl. Recently released. It's very soapy, but decent story line. Also, Virgin River. That has multiple seasons. I'd recommend both if you like soapy shows.

Very excited. I had my second Covid shot last Friday, so waiting for my two weeks to build up my immunity -- but my birthday is March 1 and my hair looks terrible (desperately needs a cut and needs color bc my gray has gone wild.) I decided to treat myself and get it all done. My long time stylist is even coming in before the salon is open so I'll be there for the first hour by myself, just with her. Woo hoo. That will be a spirit lifter for sure.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Elderberry

Mel: sending out White Light for you on March 4! Scanxiety is unbearable. I want mine done so I can maybe have good news and relax. I don't want mine done because it might be bad. A year between scans seems a tad long. Is that your normal schedule?

candy: I know it is a month away but good luck on your scan as well and may you still be stable. Gripe about the weather. It is the pits.

mae: what is your favourite cocktail? For a time I collected martini shakers.

illimae

We had power back for 3 hours last night, then out again but staying warm and safe. No water either but there’s a boil order when it comes back.

I love daiquiris and margaritas, anything sweet.

Pangil68

j

Micmel

Elderberry~It has taken five years to get on yearly scanning. It is my normal . My blood work and tumor markers have been steady. Luckily, I’ve remained stable. I’m praying for more steady going. Thanks for any good thoughts scanning 4th of March. I appreciate it greatly.

Mae~ glad your power is back on but sorry the water thing is an issue. Stay safe and warm.

illimae

Micmel, unfortunately the power only lasted a few hours, so we’re out again. Good thing the stove and fireplace are both gas, so getting by ok.

mara51506

To all who have lost power, I am so sorry. I can only imagine how cold it must have felt for those in the south, houses are not built the same as up here to withstand the cold anyway. Hopefully everyone gets power back soon.

I am hoping to go yearly soon, I am every six months though need a CT scan to rule anything out as they saw osseous glass in my lungs, most likely due to infection but they are checking earlier, about three months from now. I do have a dry cough but my house gets dusty from the cats and no matter how much I vacuum, mop and dust my place, I sneeze and the post nasal drip causes it I think.

Not doing much today, got my Amazon early so I am going to clear out some packaging and take out garbage. I cleared out the front closet and moved the broken twin tub washer in there since the spinner works. I don't store anything in there so it fits in quite nicely

candy-678

Mel- Hope you feel ok tonight. I felt bad after my Xgeva shot when I first started getting them. But now I don't feel anything. Hope it means it is still working. Side effects are cruddy, but sometimes it makes me feel like the drug is being effective.

BevJen- Woohoo to the haircut!!!! My hairdresser knows of my cancer situation, and she used to be my Sunday School Teacher, so she comes in early and cuts mine. So just me and her in the building. Thankful she does that. Haircuts make a person feel good. Last time I came home and splurged and put on some earrings for the day---whoopie.