So...whats for dinner?
Comments
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Am I the only Taxol person in the world with a suppressed appetite? I made a lovely pork-noodle soup tonight with dumplings, and I just couldn't eat much. Managed half a dumpling and about 1/2 cup of soup. Everyone else I talk with added pounds and pounds of weight. Me? I will need smaller pants soon if this continues. And I hate to shop, especially for pants!
Today's infusion was with Nurse Karen. Let us say this, I don't ever need to have her as my infusion nurse ever again. She didn't listen. She hadn't read the notes. She lectured me. She didn't listen. The whole day lasted from 8:00AM to noon. I brought some Peppridge Farm cheddar cheese fishes and nibbled those as the Taxol hit my system. Very successful. Kept the waves of unsettled-ness at bay and gave me something to do with my hands while the steroids make me jittery.
The great Miss Olivia can now walk the entire house on her own. She owns this place. I do adore her. You have heard that before.
*susan*
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Just an FYI thing...I think all of you foodies might find this article interesting. It is the 26 most successful chefs in 2017. Number one actually surprised me and I thought I was pretty up on this stuff. I knew of every single chef mentioned but number one blew all of the others away as far as net worth (by FAR) and I had no idea!
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April - #1 is worth $400 million? and #2 is only worth $78 million? Something's really weird here. Imagine when we all believed that ONE million meant something. 'Worth a million', 'one in a million', 'a million kisses', etc.
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susan - I am sorry about Nurse Karen, it is important to have an infusion nurse you like and trust. I was lucky with all of mine, and they are mostly all still there six years later. I just had my port removed so kept going to the infusion room for flushes and got to see them all. FWIW - I think most gain on taxanes because of the steroids - at least I did, definitely not because I was eating more. I ate less often and less volume throughout chemo, and only certain things were appealing due to the loss of taste buds and the oddness of certain food textures. My dad did Taxol regimes twice, separated by a six month break and he had a hard time keeping weight on as well. Also, I love the photo with Olivia - the love is evident and the smiles precious - the photo really captured the moment.
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The phone has been ringing off the hook this morning. I sent this message to my doctor's assistant around 8AM this morning.
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Good morning Paula,
As you can see from my records, I have now had two Taxol infusions. I am rather surprised by how well I am tolerating this treatment. I will give Dr. C the details when I see her on Tuesday.
However, I do have some concerns about the infusion process and who will be administering the drugs. My primary infusion nurse is Katy but Katy doesn't work early mornings. This has placed me into what I am calling "Nurse Roulette." I have had two different nurses and this is not tenable. I can't re-educate nurse after nurse after nurse on the specifics of my body; listen to lectures about Taxol week after week; I just don't have that kind of energy.
Unfortunately, on patient gateway, I can't see a list of past appointments and the provider. I really liked the Nurse that I had for Taxol Nº1. I never want to see Nurse Karen again.
The reason for this email is to alert the two of you that I believe I need to have a new primary infusion nurse, and I do not want that person to be Karen. I need someone who listens better, reads the previous infusion notes more deeply, and has a bit of humor. It makes sense to have someone who is regularly available for the morning hours on a Tuesday, though I do understand that schedules change. So, I am not saying I MUST always have the same nurse. Instead I want to have a nurse in my records who is apt to be available regularly.Though I would appreciate a message back before Tuesday, I understand that time is in short supply. I will hope to talk about this on Tuesday with Dr. Herold.
Thank you so much for your attention.
Susan= = = =
Well, there have been many Nurse Karen complaints. She is on some kind of probation like thing. I will never have her again. The doctor has called to apologize. The nurse manager has called. I have been moved to another nurse permanently, one who is generally working early Tuesday. The outcome is good. I was just able to eat an egg with melted cheese on top. Can't say I enjoyed it, but it was tolerable. Another 2 lbs gone since yesterday.
*susan*
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Susan: Happy days. It's really nice when our communications are acknowledged. So glad you took the initiative to write.
Sorry about the extra two pounds. Since this isn't a treatment forum, I likely never mentioned that I lost 60 lbs during chemo. Well yes, the first 10, or even 20, were OK. After that I became skeletal. One solution for me was protein powder. I used Nestles BeneProtein, as recommended by MD Anderson. It has no taste & mixes & dissolves w/no granule residue. Usually I put in in Carnation Instant Breakfast or soup or applesauce.
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Good result on infusion nurse, Susan.
I have been making positive use of a day at home. I cleaned the interior of my car, giving it priority because of the heat and humidity of a March that has resembled June. Next I made three layered eggplant dishes, two for the freezer. I used a sauce that was bottled locally and it was quite delicious. Also used some cooked and seasoned ground beef out of the freezer. A combination of bagged grated mozzarella and fresh grated romano. The third dish was a little skimpy, so I cooked a cup of penne pasta and used it for a top layer on top of the eggplant layer. The pasta is topped with meat sauce and cheese. DH will undoubtedly approve of the improvisation.
Next I prepped the fresh green beans purchased yesterday and large-diced the two medium sized new potatoes that came with the beans. So dinner should be easy tonight.
I have yeast dough rising to make wheat buns for burgers. The recipe is one out of a church recipe book. The lady cook was Mrs. Inez Jake. She made all the bread for her large family and her bread is legendary with my siblings and me. I modified her recipe by using half whole wheat flour. I have learned the hard way that using all wheat flour just doesn't work out well except for bread objects to use as weapons. These buns will go into the freezer.
The summer departure is fast approaching. My goal for this summer is to eat healthier than last summer. It will entail some better planning. I hope to avoid the meat and potatoes on the grill habit.
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Carole - hard to believe that you'll soon be preparing to depart for the North again. It doesn't seem like you've been home much time at all. Good cooking!! I discovered the same about 1/2 white flour when making my Mother's no-knead whole wheat bread bread. It was great for toast but too hard for much else. Except of course for bread & milk, but I don't think anyone eats that any more.That's what my grandpa had for his 'supper' most nights. How is your Mother doing now that she's settled back in the nursing home?
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Sorry to report that my good friend who was in ICU died Monday night. She went in for totally easy 45 minute surgery, which was successful, then things just kept going downhill. She was the spark of our neighborhood and will be sorely missed. She's the one who got me out of the house when I was doing cancer treatment & recovery by starting a Chickenfoot group & teaching us to play.
Related to this thread - her husband didn't want people bringing food when she was in the hospital since he didn't know when he would be coming & going. Now he & the family have asked me to call everyone and say "no food". For a long time he has preferred to eat out twice a day. There are two grown/married sons in town & two grand sons who are away at college, but they all go out to eat together regularly. People don't know how to respond when they can't take food. Something in our genes I guess. I've suggested they wait a couple of weeks and then call and either invite him over to eat, or say 'lets go out & grab a bite'. They'd been together for 60+ years so I doubt he'll want to be eating a warmed up casserole in a lonely house.
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susan - sounds like progress on the infusion nurse front - glad there is no more Karen for you to worry about. I didn't mention that when my dad started Taxol he was a very spry 82 years old, he did very well, not even considering his age, and Taxol worked to maintain stability as well.
Last night we had cabbage, onion and carrot sautéed and added to leftover sliced rib eye with soy and hot sauce over ramen noodles. It was a quick dinner as we were celebrating our dog's 10th birthday. Yes, you read that correctly. He is an awesome dog, named Toby, and we take animal b'days seriously around here - I made him some "pupcakes" which were carrot and peanut butter cupcakes frosted with cream cheese and peanut butter, topped with a little dog cookie. DH tasted one - pronounced them bland, but that seems like a good thing for dogs!. He opened two presents and barked out the lone candle on his pupcake - we got it on video, his pupcake was accompanied by some dogzerts ice cream. The cat did not eat anything, but was very interested in the festivities - was a bit alarmed when the normally very quiet dog, who doesn't even bark when someone comes to the door, barked continuously as we sang to him. He needed to alert us to the fire atop his pupcake. We call the Happy Birthday song the Fire song because he barks like a wild maniac when anything is on fire - we will never be overcome by flames in this house as long as he is here! The humans had Nothing But Bundt's lemon cake and white chocolate raspberry cake with vanilla ice cream.
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Minus, so sorry about the loss of your friend. Perhaps in lieu of bringing food, people can make charitable contributions in her name (making sure it’s a charity to which she didn’t object) or offer to perform a service such as house cleaning, mowing, car-washing, laundry, etc. for her husband.
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minus - we must have been cross-posting, sorry about the loss of your neighbor and friend, scary that she had an easy and successful surgery and then this happened.
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Minus, I'm so sorry about your friend. How shocking.
Susan, good job on the nurse situation. I'm sure that will make things go much more smoothly. Or at least give you some peace of mind on treatment days.
Special, I'm smiling about the dog birthday because we are celebrating grand-dog Olivia's first birthday this weekend. I didn't bake a pup cake but I got her a large decorated doggie cookie and Frosty Paws. She also has a gift bag of stuffed toys and bully sticks. Not too spoiled!
Yike Minus, 60 pounds! That must have alarmed your treatment team. I lost 20 but that's because taxotere blew up my stomach (so to speak.) Unfortunately, I found them again after treatment ended, even though my stomach hasn't been the same.
Burgers cooked in cast iron tonight, on brioche buns with a salad.
April, that was an interesting article. I was a bit surprised by it too.
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Thanks ladies. Yes, the family wants donations to the American Lung Assoc - which is wonderful but not very personal. The husband isn't sure he'll remember to ask so I will be calling the funeral home tomorrow afternoon to make sure they will provide coffee after the remarks. I think I'll order cookies too & just have them bill me.
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Minus, I am so very sorry about your friend. What a terrible loss this is. I can only imagine that Mr. Friend is at a loss. What a brilliant idea to suggest taking him out for a meal, or inviting him to a home. You have great thoughts! I can't imagine loosing 60 lbs! You must have been almost nothing! I am determined to reset my desire for real food. We went to Fish night at our local fish monger tonight. I managed to eat two pieces of fish and a bit of cole slaw. This is a definite start.
Special, the birthday dog story is priceless!!!! You have the best stories!
I am very pleased with the response today from both my doctor and the entire Dana Farber team. The place is such a factory, but I am thrilled that when I needed assistance, all the right people stepped up to the plate. I am especially pleased that my doctor took this message so seriously. After all, I need to know that I can rely on her as we go forward. She has once again passed a test that I wish we hadn't had.
My dear BCO friend, who should be here right now, never made it out of Albuquerque today due to United screw ups. She won't get here until tomorrow, and I am mighty disappointed. Thursday was to be our day together. Planning to make some bagels for her Jewish half for Saturday breakfast, and Leslie has offered to do some solo Olivia duty on Friday so that the two of us can do some adventuring together.
*susan*
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Oh. Wheat bread..... for every cup of whole wheat, try adding a tablespoon of wheat gluten. It improves the textures of whole wheat breads in a really great way! My biggest problem with 100% whole wheat bread is the overwhelming, almost nutty sweetness that permeates the bread.
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Sauteed shrimp in garlic, olive oil & butter; added salt & minced oregano & flatleaf parsley; then a splash of leftover champagne and a diced tomato. Transferred to a plate while I sauteed some spiralized butternut squash “noodles” in the pan reduction, then returned the shrimp & tomatoes to the pan and tossed with the squash. It was all I could do to leave half over for Gordy.
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Minus, I'm sorry to hear about your friend/neighbor. That's always in the back of my mind when Sharon goes in for "something". I can see the no food request. I remember for the longest time only eating because the neighbor said I had to eat and they had me over to their house for the food. Unfortunately once the lack of appetite passed, I went way the other way and gained almost 70 pounds in a year.
I've never had success with using only whole wheat flour in a bread. I can go about 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 white, if I use bread flour for the white stuff. Anything beyond that and "it's a brick". I can get almost acceptable whole wheat pancakes if I use yeast, baking powder, 1/2 and 1/2 instead of milk and then add some soda water. I've never tried the gluten trick...Hmm :-)
Susan, I'm glad the nurse situation worked out for you. I remember the nurse that did Sharon's infusions. She was great. I hope the new nurse is good. I saw that picture. Olivia and you both look in awe of each other. :-)
DD works at one of the drive up coffee/bagel/sweets place and she suggested making some dog treats for dogs in customers' cars. They tried it and it's a real hit with the customers and the dogs.
Dinner all last week and this week here has been "direct from the freezer in the other room". We've been using up the freezer stuff so we don't end up with "I think that steak came from a Woolly Mammoth".
It's kind of been like that here, Carole.....we've already been in the upper 90F degree range, but the humidity is very low, so it's not been too horrible.
I was looking at the estimated net worth of the chefs. Wow. I know some of the names, but not that many. I guess I don't get out enough!
Oh, one of my 9 cars (!) is going away. Dad to my test daughters would like the engine for one of his cars, so we're going to pull out the engine and take the rest of it to the junk yard. This is DD's first car and the one she had her (hopefully only) collision with. The car has probably been driven 500,000 miles and the engine is probably only 2 years old with 20,000 miles on it. He gave me that car with the new engine, so I might as well give him back the engine. The engine came from another car that had been driven less than 7,000 miles when it was hit from behind by a large dump truck. The car was damaged beyond repair, but the engine was perfectly fine.....
Sharon has some chemistry questions and we brainstorm to get the answers...so off to that....
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Eric - 9 cars? Nine? Hope you don't have to pay for insurance on all of those. I love your DD's idea about the dog treats. Did she get a raise for the suggestion? How has school been as we head towards the end of the 1st year?
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Susan, the nutty sweetness is the quality I like about wheat bread! I always added gluten to recipes when I made bread in a bread machine but didn't remember the gluten in the pantry yesterday.
Great minds, Nance. We're having lamb burgers tonight. I'll cook the patties on a cast iron grill pan. Side will be crunchy salad with kale
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Minus, I am so very sorry about your friend/neighbor. I like the suggestions people gave you for what to do for him. Especially spending time with him so he does not get too lonely after 60 years with his wife. So sad.
Susan, so glad you have what you need in terms of a good nurse. Squeaky wheel gets the grease for sure.
Tonight will be turkey chili with beans. I made it in the crock pot today while I was at work. I have some flour tortillas so maybe we will make a kind of taco thing with them, who knows. Lettuce, tomato, jalapeno peppers, cheddar or jack and sour cream. Yummo! LOL
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Susan, good for you for getting the nurse situation handled. You don't need more stress.
MInus, very sorry about your friend. That's so shocking. I'm sure her husband is having a hard time processing it all.
Sandy, glad your new pan is a keeper! Good price too. I'll keep it in mind if I ever have to replace any of mine. Sorry about the porch but it will be good to have it stable and safe!
HUGS!
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Minus- so very sorry about your neighbor...so sad! Your plan sounds like a good one though.
Made some tuna salad tonight for supper. Don't make it very often but am glad when I do.
Also, pickling some beets and onion IN THE CROCK POT! I did it a few weeks ago and it worked great! I love them but DH doesn't. A few years ago we canned some but it just wasn't worth the effort. This is soooo simple and the small batch lsats about 1-2 weeks for me. YAY!
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DD had named her car Lucy. It is a 1993 Volvo 960 with some unknown, but well in excess of 400,000, miles on it. The engine was newer, with only 60,000 or so miles on it and the friend that gave us the car asked if he could have the engine back....so today I took the engine out, hauled the remainder of the car to the wrecking yard and my friend now has the engine. Tomorrow we'll install it in one of his cars.
So, soon, Lucy will be in the sky with diamonds.... :-)
I'm not sure what will be for dinner. I've just finished cleaning off my tools and putting them away, I've not even showered yet (taking a breather for a moment and sitting on the floor) and Sharon is exhausted. We may end up going out.
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We’d procrastinated on that porch for a couple of years. Today, because of the storms, all they could do was haul away the debris…including the wood stashed in the crawl space 27 years ago by our last contractors. It’s a wonder we didn’t get termites or carpenter ants. Hope there’s enough clear weather tomorrow that they can at least put up the stringers if not the risers and lattice underneath. Saturday looks sunny and a bit warmer.
20/20 wine tasting & buffet tonight. Standout foods were spinach/strawberry/feta salad, grilled artichoke quarters with basil remoulade, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, housemade duck sausage, Buffalo cauliflower with blue cheese, blini with lemon creme fraiche & smoked salmon, shrimp Creole and a terrific leg of lamb. Wines went very well with them.
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Scored a huge, fragrant, juicy cantaloupe for $0.88.
Dinner was half of a Dole salad kit - Sunflower Crunch - with sunflower seeds, carrots, green cabbage, kale, Romaine, red cabbage. green onions. I didn't add the pre-packaged bacon & used an alternate dressing. I've always resisted the salad kits because of the price, but these may be a really good buy for me. $3.50 and I get two full meals, That's a meal for $1.75. No veggie drawer full of wilting lettuce the 5 or 6 things it takes to make an interesting salad. I added some scraps (literally) of leftover rotisserie chicken and had one King's Hawaiian Roll to use for a pusher.
Dressing was Panera Bread "at home" Asian Sesame vinaigrette. It's delicious & only 160 sodium for 2 Tblsp. Since I only use one Tblsp, that's minimum sodium and only 25 calories. I'll try the pre-packaged dressing on the 2nd half tomorrow - Sweet Onion & Citrus.
Off to eat half of a fresh California Roll with Robert Rothchild Lemon-Wasabi sauce for a late brunch.
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Hi Minus, I love the salad kits. Why? it stops me from having left over wilted items. We have a Fresh Market that will make a 'salad bag' out of their loose fresh items. Including fruit. For 2 it comes about 6.50. We get 2 meals when I add either shrimp or chicken depending on the mix. I make my own dressings. It is directly from the produce section, not a salad bar. We do that a lot in warm weather.
Dinner tonight is pork kebabs. Pork chunks, pineapple, red peppers and onions.
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I wish it were possible to buy just the amt. of fresh herbs I need—not only is there so much waste in having to buy large bunches or even little plastic boxes of them, it is a true PITA to have to keep culling the spent & even rotting stuff every time I use them. (Once it gets warmer I will grow my own again—I tried to do so indoors with little success).
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Last of the pork roast, mashed potatoes and a veggie
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Dinner will be a diet challenge tonight: Bar Show Cast Party/Rookie Show at a bar/Italian rest. in the S. Loop will feature a buffet of pastas, salads (not sure how “green”), fries, chicken (probably fried), bar food, & dessert. Italian beef (minus the roll) & sausage might be my low-carb salvation.
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