Starting Chemo March 2015

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  • Carrie37
    Carrie37 Member Posts: 331
    edited November 2015

    Checking in after being "off the board" for awhile. A lot has happened with you all and I think of you each often. I am still very proud of us and how we got each other through this hell. Avmom, I'm sorry about all your troubles. The charm looks awesome and I hope you enCabo. Definitely need a picture...it's snowing here in Illinois.

    PB, I hope your recovery is going well. Bb, the insurance crap is total BS. in related news my insurance continues to paid claims being made by someone with the same name in another state. I am so sick of trying to fix their screw up. Katy, your chocolate story gave me a chuckle and a sigh of relief as I was worried when I started reading. Two hour wait?!? Ugh! Sharon, sorry about you and Andrew. It's never easy to end relationships. Ksusan and Sloth..thanks for the laughs as usual. 😊😊 So glad to see you around Bekah! You and Eileen have great hair going on right now. I feel like I need a trim but I'm scared to have too much taken off and/or paying an extreme amount of money on something so quickly done. I'm happy to have hairs. They are not the same color now which makes me a little sad.

    I've been to 8/25 rads sessions. So far so good but some redness starting. I've been having a stabbing pain in the middle of my chest (sternum?) since day three of rads. It comes and goes and is sometimes very achy. RO said it could be inflammation in my cartilage between my rib and sternum. He says it's rare, of course. I had noticed what felt as though someone dropped a sledgehammer on my sternum after my BMX.

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  • pboi
    pboi Member Posts: 663
    edited November 2015

    Sloth...funny about the crochet Fitbit steps...I don't think I would have noticed steps accumulating while I was sitting doing something.

    Thanks all for your input about the melatonin. I tried it for the first time last night just a small dose. I was able to fall asleep but woke up and couldn't go back asleep. Is anyone using the time release melatonin? I'm thinking of trying it to see if it will help me sleep through the night.

    PB

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  • IndyGal35
    IndyGal35 Member Posts: 340
    edited November 2015

    Carrie, I actually had a stabbing pain in my shoulder blade during rads, but it went away afterwards. I still have a bit of tenderness in my sternum and ribs, but the RO said that the inflammation can take several months to dissipate. Speaking of shoulder blades, don't forget to moisturize your back, shoulder blades, and everywhere else that the radiation passes through. It surprised me when I started turning pink there.

    Linda, I can't even imagine how miserable those poor little things must've been and how utterly disgusting that home was. Animals are my Achilles' heel. I think I'm feeding every stray cat in the neighborhood right now. (I even put my dogs up and bring a few of the kittens inside for a few hours a day to get warm.) If I can get them vetted, I'm hoping they'll be adoptable. I'm shopping for a crate and carrier this weekend. I hate the thought of confining them, but my dogs have a high prey drive. I'd rather them be crated in the warm house than freezing to death or getting hit by a car. :(


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  • slothabouttown
    slothabouttown Member Posts: 449
    edited November 2015

    http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=12&rc...

    Lee, have you seen the feral cat shelters made from Rubbermaid storage containers? I know it gets frigid cold there, I used to worry so much for the ferals and the dogs chained up outside. I think the Indy spay neuter/TNR group is called FACE. They can help Trap and neuter so at least there are fewer out there being made. You are a hero for helping them stay warm and fed. I have a 17 pound kitty on my lap right now who sounds the alarm if he can see the bottom of his food bowl. I tell him all the time how lucky he is but it falls on deaf ears.

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited November 2015

    Sloth: I think the book would be way better than the movie. The level of detail in the book would be hard to duplicate in the movie. Honestly, I heard the movie didn't get very good reviews and I can see why. It would be a hard movie to watch. I didn't see it and have no plans to.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited November 2015

    17 pounds! You should get a dependent exemption on your tax return Sloth!

    But seriously, you did a wonderful thing. So sad that people get out of control, probably thinking they are doing some good. I always feel so bad for the birds. In small cages, and with that many, not kept clean. Unhealthy in so many ways. Thank goodness for people like you.

    Lee- your big heart: 💗💗💗

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  • eheinrich
    eheinrich Member Posts: 792
    edited November 2015

    Wow, Linda. 200 animals? The poor things. So funny that you get fitbit points for crocheting : )


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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited November 2015

    How people treat animals is so hard. Our little prince Italian Greyhound Jack has a bed in every room, heat dishes for when he gets cold in Southern California (yeah, I know, we are overboard), and we have always hand made his food. The first few years of his life we tried every kind of pre made food, including the raw organic stuff, it all blew him up bad. I can't believe people leave animals out in the cold, and all the stuff people do. To me an animal is like a permanent family member, you don't treat them any differently. Plus wherever we go, he goes. The only time he gets left alone is when hubby and I bike ride together. He goes on all our vacations. If he can't go, we don't go. An animal is a commitment to a living being, not something to put in a cage when inconvenient to deal with them.

    Cheryl, my bike friend, fosters dogs to rehabilitate them so they become adoptable. She has so many horror stories of how sweet animals have been mistreated, it breaks my heart. Another reason I admire her

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited November 2015

    you all I know I feel the same about my Jack. Here's the scene this morning, a perfect fall day. Crisp and cool, sunny with no wind, and the kids have found a perfect spot to lay in/on sun/bed.

    image

    He had found the "purrfect" spot apparently, because pretty soon in comes Miss Thing, gloriously bushy tail held high, vying for her share of heaven.

    image

    And of course, from the positioning of these photos, I am outing myself. Here it is, almost 11:30, and I'm still on my second cup of coffee, enjoying the sights and sounds.

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited November 2015

    I missed Jack!

    Here is the view from my window. No animals were involved.

    image

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited November 2015

    BB- Fabulous! So nice to know "no animals were harmed in the production" of your paradise. Idyllic!


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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited November 2015

    It's brutal out there, isn't it, BB?

    I know what you mean. I had a friend in high school who had a big dog and they kept it out in a pen in the backyard. What's the point of having a dog out in the back yard?

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited November 2015

    Allison, yes, and it's still coming down. I wish they came to plow my driveway already. We are not able to leave the house

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited November 2015

    Nice posts and pics today!

    My catboiz are 17.5 and ~21 pounds. They had a tinny mother and, we assume, a great big daddy.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited November 2015

    K- Wow- Two more tax deductions

    Just thought I'd share. Still getting salad fixin's out of the garden. And this time I have goat cheese too!

    image

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  • eheinrich
    eheinrich Member Posts: 792
    edited November 2015

    I just put in fall garden - and of course it's been in the mid-80s since. Hopefully I will have lettuces soon.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited November 2015

    Yum!!! What did you plant?


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  • eheinrich
    eheinrich Member Posts: 792
    edited November 2015

    Lettuce (3 kinds), peas, brussels sprouts, cauliflower & broccoli. The other half of my veg bed is going to be growing ground cover.


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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited November 2015

    That sounds awesome! And Brussels sprouts are neat cuz they can be repurposed as personal protection devices!

    I made this a couple if days ago. I don't think I shared here, but apologize if this is a dupe. Diced sweet potatoes, shallots and bsprouts (a few minutes after the sp got a head start) cooked in a chopped up piece of bacon quickly over the stove (add some kosher salt) and finished in a hot (400) oven for five minutes. The bacon was mostly an FU cancer move but it made the dish. Everything carmelized. It was so good I ate the whole batch. It was easily 6 servings of veg.

    image

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    Needless to say, I needed less magnesium the following day.


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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited November 2015

    Katy: I just look at what you make and I bet your stuff is amazing. Always so fresh and healthy looking.

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited November 2015

    Looks delicious, Katy. I love Brussels sprouts

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited November 2015

    We might steal that idea for dinner, Katy!

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited November 2015

    Go for it, KSusan! I just made it again tonight it was so good.

    Allison, I have most of my life had very bad eating habits. I have endeavored to improve them in recent months. Although living alone isn't very inspiring, I have found there are lots of simple things I can do to treat my body better. Making bread is not one of them. Not simple and probably in the quantities I will be tempted to eat it, not that healthy. But it was a good pec workout! Having fresh veg on the premises that I can pick has helped. It makes eating them a LOT more fun. I used to do crazy things like get a sudden idea I'd start cooking healthier and buy lots of veggies. Then never cook them. So wasteful I was. Now I make less grandiose plans and try for better follow through. It's a proces. And also, I don't have three other people to please!


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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited November 2015

    Katy, a girl has gotta have some treats, and I'm sure home baked bread is better than store bought. Hot and with melting drippy butter. Now I'm drooling!

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  • Catfurr
    Catfurr Member Posts: 69
    edited November 2015

    Indygal- I work with Robin's Nest of Indy and can help with your kittens, if you need it. We are a pregnant cat and abandoned kitten rescue. As a registered non profit, we have 2 adoption ctrs in Indy. Message me, if I can help😺 Glas you have them!

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  • eheinrich
    eheinrich Member Posts: 792
    edited November 2015

    BB & Allison - where are you in IL? My daughter is in Oak Park.

    Katy, I hear ya on it being in some ways (although not many) cooking for 1. While it can be hard to get motivated I don't have to please anyone but me. I have dabbled in vegetarianism on and off for years but having a SO who is a great cook and loves meat made that tricky. I'm by no means veg now but I don't really cook meat or fish at home. I usually also don't order meat out, but if you cook it for me I'll eat & enjoy. Yesterday I made amazing veg enchiladas w/ bnut squash, zucchini, onion, black beans......tasty.


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  • SueH58
    SueH58 Member Posts: 632
    edited November 2015

    BB & Tryler - how much snow did you get? We got 5-7 inches in Milwaukee, but maybe we're more equipped for the snow. Didn't keep me in.

    And for you folks in California (lovingly) - darn you and your great weather and fall gardens! We can barely get to the bird feeder otuside :-(

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  • Lovemylab
    Lovemylab Member Posts: 80
    edited November 2015

    No snow in St Paul yet. I am thankful for every day of winter without it. First haircut this morning. I was worried she would think I was crazy but I think she understood that I just wanted it evened up. Had brows waxed too and when I paid I realized how much money I've saved on such things thanks to chemo.... Not worth it. I'm back to work... Only 7 hr days but M-F. Would be ok if my bladder would get back to normal. I keep feeling like I have a uti, blood in urine but neg cultures. Saw a urologist who said Cytoxin was the culprit and bladder has to heal. She said it probably looks like raw hamburger in there. On daily antibiotics for next 6 months for it. Also gave me a recommended cranberry pill. Not helping yet but has only been 2 weeks. Making a vegetarian lasagna in crock pot today as you all motivate me to cook!

    Maureen

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited November 2015

    Eileen- those enchiladas sound great! Next time lets have a pic!

    Maureen- so nice to hear from you and that you're back at work, and needed a tidy up on the hair. That's progress! And ditto on the vegetarian lasagne! Sounds like a nice counterpoint to the upcoming onslaught next Thursday.

    Sorry for you ladies buried under snow. Stay warm and safe!


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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited November 2015

    I don't know how many we ended up getting. I haven't been out since Friday. I don't want to even get dressed. I am so sick of goops and clothes sticking to me at various places. I did shower today, then slathered on all the goops again.

    Eileen: We are in Glenview.

    I made a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting which was the best I have ever made. I searched recipes and found one that uses espresso powder in both the cake and the frosting. Usually stuff like that doesn't get all eaten but we (mostly me) ate every single bite. I don't have the energy to change my diet now. I might work on it when I get done with everything. But I have to make sure my kids eat. My younger daughter is pretty easy but my older daughter is difficult because the ADD meds make her lose her appetite so I have to make sure she eats without pumping her with carbs and junk (which she loves).

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