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

SeeQ

BevJen - we're birthday buddies! That is super sweet of your stylist to open the salon early for you. It's amazing what a new hairdo can pick you up. The last time I colored my hair was exactly a year ago - just before we went on a cruise, of all things! When my workplace went full telework in March, I figured it would be a good time to see exactly what was under that color. LOL. There's a lot of silver grey, but I decided it's not too bad, and I'm letting it grow in. Since the color I had was a light golden brown (so the box said), it's faded to a goldy blond the same depth of color as the silver growing in, so the line between the colors isn't abrupt and obvious. I've got a long way to go, though.

Mae, I'm relieved to hear you have an alternative heat source until the cold snap ends or the power comes back on - and stays on. There was a story on then news about a TX mom and child in serious condition in the hospital after she was burning charcoal - in the house! - to keep warm. She must have been desperate to keep them warm, and not known the risk. Very sad.

Micmel

thinking of everyone. Hoping the power will be restored like yesterday.... sending good vibes. Across the ways. a storm is on the way here as well. Hopefully it will be our last one. Everyone get their blankets and candles.
glad you have another heat source .....

cowgal

I am tired and sore but thankful. The weather here should continue to have a warming trend. My cattle are looking better today. My horses did just fine but I am pretty sure they are dreaming of spring. I hope everyone is well and warm.

Rosie24

Just want to give some moral support to those in the affected areas of Texas. I hope the power outages don’t last too long for you all.

illimae

Thanks Rosie. It’s definitely inconvenient and dangerous for those on electric medical devices but it is also very frustrating. I just don’t understand what keeps people from having a disaster box. No one in south Texas is generally prepared for several days below freezing but there’s been raids on grocery stores similar to when a hurricane is coming. We literally do this year after year, it’s crazy.

Micmel

Mae~good to see you checking in. I know it’s rough, I’ve been watching the news and more to come it seems. At least you are prepped. Thank goodness.

Melissaindallas~ hope you’re ok as well

mara51506

Mae, glad you are doing OK, won't say good since power is not fully restored. I know there are many people who don't understand the big deal, but those tend to be northerners who don't understand that homes in the south are made to keep the cool but not really to heat the home. Even if a person did have heaters, they would not turn on. Fireplaces would be the best I guess.

I have seen many ignorant posts on facebook that Texas only got a little snow. I usually stomp on those right away with some knowledge that down south, there are not plows, salters side walk plows available to clear the snow, driving is hard as snow tires are not usually needed. I am glad temperatures will be warming up but you all still need power. Thinking of all the people without power.

My apartment has drafty windows but I have fleece pants, hoodie and such if the wind comes through. I also have a heater and blanket as well. Never stay super cold and it is not cold unless the wind is howling. I am more prepared to deal with the cold. For me, I prefer cold to hot weather. Ideally, it would be nice if sidewalks were clear, but really cold and sunny. That is my favourite.

I am going to walk today, nowhere to go particularly. Just want to move my body more, take out garbage, I let it pile up and the boxes are broken down but adding up. I finally broke down the boxes that my dryer and spin dryer came in, they were HUGE. Sawed them in half practically with my box cutter and now the one corner in the living room is full. I do keep a box for broken down boxes to live in until I get the garbage but had a lot of Amazon at the same time.

I am also pleased that my clip on washer that goes on my 5 gallon bucket was able to wash a small throw blanket. Not bad for a 120 dollar machine. Just a back up to the replace twin tub.

illimae

Power came back yesterday afternoon and has remained on for almost 24 hours, so that’s been nice. We have enough bottled water to drink until the boil notice is lifted. Friends coming in from Louisiana tomorrow for my birthday weekend and they can bring whatever else might be needed since stores there don’t have the limitations and lines we’re seeing in the city.

mara51506

I am so glad to hear the power came back on, hoping it gets warmer for you guys as well in the meantime.

I have not yet been out of the house today, got busy with other things but am going to go after supper in fleece pants and non slip boots.

Bliss58

Mae, glad to hear your power came back on. Hope it now stays on! Nice you have friends coming who can bring supplies. Enjoy your birthday weekend.

Hoping power is back on for the rest of you suffering this bad weather in Texas!

moth

waving hello and sitting down for a quick cup of tea. I have my metastatic zoom support group starting soon.

I also signed up for a zoom knitting group which is run through the cancer agency - sounds like it's a regular stitch&bitch type of group, open to pts and family members. First session is next week... then I thought, maybe I should have joined a non -cancer affiliated group? I've been playing this game with myself of "how long can I go without thinking about cancer?" and it's not very long. If I turn off social media or this site (like I try to do for weekends) and I ignore messages from my mom, then with podcasts or tricky knitting or listening to music I might manage an hour or so? I don't know if that's normal or what?

So I was thinking, why sign up for another "cancer thing"??? Anyway, I'll see what it's like. I miss gossipping with women, kwim?

& speaking of cancer, I saw my MO yesterday and she sent me for a chest xray because I have a very mild almost unnoticeable shortness of breath. She called me with results late in the evening. We're in wait and watch mode; there's gunky stuff in my lower R lung & tiny pleural effusion- might have pneumonitis.Might be caused by lung rads, might be caused by immunotherapy, might get worse, might be nothing, might go away on its own. Still waiting to book the rads to the spine and apparently have to see the cancer agency dentist before I can start Xgeva - so another appointment during which I need to think about cancer lol

hugs everyone. Tell me how long you can go without thinking about cancer.

candy-678

Hi Moth.

Zoom is a good thing, I think. I do Zoom gaming, with 3 other people, once a week. Yes, it is a non-cancer people/thing. But, they are so different from me that I don't know if I would hang around them in normal times and if not for the need of some human contact. But, in this day and age of Covid isolation, I am willing to keep doing it.

I cannot go too long without thinking about cancer. So it is not just you. For instance, the last 2 days I have been consumed with researching health insurance plans. I have COBRA that ends in June and Medicare doesn't start until Jan so I need health insurance coverage for the last 6 months of the year. If I was not sick with cancer I would choose something/anything to just have basic coverage. But, with the cancer, scans, appointments, labs, and meds I have to find a premium plan to cover it all. So there ya go. Thinking of cancer about insurance.

And even without the insurance woes, I think of the cancer a lot due to side effects I have--- hot flashes, aches, fatigue, constipation (time for prune juice intervention). Even if I am occupied with something non cancer related, the icky feelings are there to remind me that I am a cancer patient.

I hate to hear you are having some lung issues. I pray it will clear up on its own and soon. You don't need more to deal with.

Have fun with your Zoom group, and gossip away. LOL

Kittykat9876

I'm like Candy, the aches and pains won't let me forget, although I'm going to do be best today, it's my birthday and I'm going to spend it with Beck and Finn, playing in the park and eating KFC and birthday cake..

illimae

OMG kittykat, it’s my birthday today too!

Happy birthday to us 🎉🥳

BevJen

Happy birthday to you both! Hope it's fun for all.

candy-678

Kittykat and Mae- HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!!! KFC yum.

Today I had to take a nap. I did not do anything physical, housework or treadmill. I just did some paperwork. But the fatigue hit this afternoon about 1:30pm and I thought "I have to lie down". Otherwise I would fall down, you all know what I mean. I rested for an hour. Then back up, but just no energy. Fun Fun.

Tanya_Djamila

Happy birthday Kitty and Mae.

Moth Candy I would like to not think about it but walking sitting just being there’s alwYs a reminder unless I get super busy and then the fatigue reminds me so I guess it’s precious time when I forget, but not often.

Tany

booboo1

Hi All...been off the boards for a bit. Oldest sister is here, and tomorrow my second oldest sister is coming to stay for a week. We’ve been having some heart to heart talks, as only sisters do, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I want to move back to PA to be near my family. DH is still in rehab, and will be for at least another week, so I’m not sure what he will say. He can either come with, or we sell our house and split up. That is yet to be determined.

Anyway, I am at peace with this decision. Mel, looks like we will be able to get together at some point after all. I can’t wait to sit in your real living room and chat it up! Not sure when yet, but I’ll keep you posted.

Kitty and Mae, a very Happy Birthday to you both!

Rosie24

Mae, Happy Korean bday today and American bday yesterday! I hope you enjoyed them. I think I got those right? 🎂🎂

illimae

Thanks Rosie! You got it right

Kittykat9876

Mae, Happy birthday to us. Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes. I'm off now for hugs and kisses from my little man Finn.

mara51506

Mae and KittyKat, happy birthday to both of you.

I don't tend to think about my cancer until appointment time, infusion, doctor visit or scans and echoes. I worry about more mundane things like housecleaning, kicking my butt out to go walking, I struggle with that every day even though I feel really good afterword. I worry for money in the future and what if I run out, that's why I do surveys and such daily to bring in more money. Those are my personal things I worry about. I fill my time with walking, eating for nutrition AND pleasure and laundry, love my laundry set up even with a broken twin tub, have another twin tub and clip on washer that goes on a 5 gallon bucket. These things keep me busy and my mind off cancer for the most part.

Micmel

Happy Birthday to Mae and Kitty. I hope you have. Many many more of them. Glad to hear power has been restored and you’re not cold on your birthday. Kitty home from hospital?

Moth~ cancer has become my middle name. I don’t go that long. I should work on that. Though. It can’t hurt. candy I’m sorry about the insurance cesspool It’s all about the greenbacks.

Haven’t been around much. I’m trying to limit cancer time as well. Plus I’ve found a great show that I love but don’t want to be over. I’m Rounding the last season. Hoping for another. Think about you all.

BooBoo~ welcomed with open arms.

Anonymous

Weather here has taken a turn for warmer and humid - it will be mid 50 today and up to 60 tomorrow! A beautiful sunrise this morning and I am enjoying it with a cup of coffee, slice of cold pizza, and a snuggly boy kitty. It must have warmed up overnight because I walked at 8pm and it still felt chilly, then I woke up at 4 am feeling warmly moist, thinking it was an unusual hot flash only to realize I had boy cat sleeping on my head and girl cat sleeping on my feet. Coudnt get back to sleep so here we are, but this sunrise is worth it. Can't wait to throw open the windows to air out the joint, do a little deep cleaning,and go for a walk with OH to buy some flowers. Planning to grill tomorrow.

Happy birthday Mae and Kitty - hope you both have great days. To everyone else - hang in there, spring is round the corner!

Karenfizedbo15

Nice to see our regulars posts ( 🎂) and some folk popping in.

My good news is my lungs and associated muscle/ chest drain pain are finally improving 👏🏻👏🏻 and I can move more and for longer.

The not so good news is that my first cycle of Xeloda has been loaded with side effects ( posted on the Xeloda thread for their advice). I see my NP on Wed so will discuss that with her, but I am frankly very pissed off not to have had a break from my body being assaulted for months now 🙄😪.

Rosie24

kitty Kat, Happy belated birthday to you! Glad you’re enjoying your dear grandson.

Good to see Booboo and Karenfizedbo here. Booboo, I’m glad your sister time has given you some clarity on what you want for yourself. Karen, that stinks about the new side effects. I hope you get some good advice or at least support from the X thread. Glad your breathing and stamina are on the upswing.

I had a busy day yesterday starting with labs redo and Covid test pre ablation. Then we went car shopping and I/we ended up getting a new car. DH and I have been making it on one car between us in the winter months for a couple years and decided it was time to go back to two. He really was hoping for a truck but everything out there is too long for our garage with any extra stuff in front of it. So small car it is. I liked driving it a lot and he’ll take over our medium suv. But most likely we’ll both drive both. But now we won’t have to juggle outings that we’re doing separately. Later in the day DH was able to get his first vaccine dose on short notice. Our neighbors called from a local pharmacy saying there was one shot left thereso he got on the phone and they signed him up. (I think the neighbors just showed up and got lucky.).

I don’t think cancer ever leaves my head, but right now I’m feeling pretty decent and feel like I'm coexisting with cancer. I read here a lot and also check in to some MBC FB pages so maybe I’m doing it to myself. But I enjoy the community and support of this place, so I’m staying.

Hello to everyone. I’m glad you’re here but not glad we all have MBC or BC in common.

candy-678

Hello all. Good to see everyone that is posting. I think of you all often and if I don't hear from you I worry.

Booboo- That is good that you can have a heart to heart talks with your sisters. I envy your relationship with them. I have 2 sisters and we rarely talk, about anything. I want a better relationship, but you cannot make someone like you, know what I mean? Anywho, I am glad you are talking out some possible plans for your future. You need to care for YOU.

Sondra- I am not ready for spring yet, but we too are having warmer weather coming. This upcoming week the forecast is for days in the 50's with one day projected near 60. It is near the end of February.

Karen- Happy to hear that the lungs are healing. But sorry you are having side effects from the Xeloda. Our bodies have to endure so much.

Rosie- Woohoo on the new car.

Same old same old here. Laundry today. Church online tomorrow.

booboo1

Thanks Candy (and Rosie). That’s pretty much what my sister has relayed to me. I have always put others first in everything I do (kinda in my blood), and it’s time for me to do what makes me happy with the time I have left. So thanks guys for your replies.

Micmel

BooBoo~I am thrilled about getting my friend back local again. (More local than Florida) I am wanting so much to see you. It would be something to really smile about. Finally meeting a sister from here.

mara51506

Laurie, glad you can talk all this out with your sisters. Helps a lot to talk to others. I talk to my friend Shirley most often if I am upset about something because I don't want to bring stuff to my older DB. He and SIL are great for helping when I ask for it but would want to offer advice about what to do if it is something I just want to get off my chest. Shirley listens and does not unload heavy amounts of advice. This does not happen as often, I overall don't get as upset about things, but I know my audience. DB and SIL are more the see once a week, go for a drive, coffee, groceries which is nice. I am not sure if that will be happening today. Part of me wants to take the bus to the park after lunch and walk around there. Already walked a bit this morning but I will wait just in case DB or SIL case.

Karen, glad to hear the lungs are healing too and also sorry about xeloda side effects, hope they find good drugs to counteract the nausea.

I did have a nice little walk, wanted to get a couple of beans, queso and hamburger buns which I like for toast. Just something other than burgers or bean concoctions.