Monthly Archives: October 2024

Thankful Thursday And Happy Halloween!!!

Posted in Blood test, budgets, California, cancer, cash envelopes, Gratitude, Halloween, swimming by

The good news is that his hemoglobin went up to 10.4 so he had his chemo yesterday. I really do hope the 25% reduction helps keep his numbers at least above the cut-off for transfusions. I am very thankful he could do the chemo. So now we have to wait and see what will happen this round.

I’m certainly thankful that I could drop him off at Rocklin Infusion and then go down to the pool. It’s maybe 10 minutes away even with traffic.

Speaking of traffic, yesterday must have been crazy driver day. It started as I was getting on the freeway here in MV and a white BMW was right on my ass and then cut out in front of me and then swerved back right in front of me. I couldn’t believe it. How much of a hurry are you in? Anyway, I’m grateful there wasn’t an accident.

I’m thankful we have rain this morning. It’s only a drizzle but it is getting things wet. I decided not to walk. It’s going to take some time to adjust to fall behind on Sunday. Ugh….why can’t they pass the law and leave DLS in place?

The only thing I need to do is go in to get B’s anti-nausea medication. He thought he had gotten it but he didn’t. The pharmacy opens at 10 so I’ll go then.

I’ve been trying to teach myself how to use Canva. I wanted to make some vellum placeholders for my cash envelopes. I’m somewhat challenged in that department as I can never remember quite what to do. But I did get a template done so I was pleased. When I look on Etsy some of these placeholders or dashboards are $5-8 dollars a piece. I have bought some downloads in the past for my envelopes but generally those run about $4. Today I’m going to try a few more.

I thought about canceling my Washington Post subscription over Bezos not endourseing Harris but decided not to. Did anyone out there cancel their Post sub?

I might check out the NYT. Does anyone have both? Is it worth it?

Simple Sunday

Posted in bread, California, cancer, cooking, Halloween, peritoneal mesothelomia, Walking by

We got home yesterday around 2:30. Everything went well and now we just have to see what his hemoglobin is with tomorrow’s labs. Especially if he has the chemo on Wednesday, his hemo has to be up. What we discovered though is the infusion is open on Sunday. No one has told us this and it would have saved us from going to the ER.:(

Yesterday I walked over 3 miles at the UCD campus so I was pretty achy this morning so I only walked a little over a mile. Also, I’m not going to the gym as I need to do my morning house reset. I’m also planning on going to the Roseville gym tomorrow so it’ll cover doing weights.

So far, I’ve got the sourdough in the oven, swished the bathroom, and checked what I need to wrap the few presents I have for Christmas. Next is dusting and then steam mop. I’ve slowly finished the garden shed except for that box of extra jars which I’ll go out and do today.

This is one of our resident bucks. quite handsome!!!

a few Halloween things. I don’t put out all my vintage Halloween anymore, just a few pieces.

This jack-o-lantern is probably 1950s.

Frugal Friday on Saturday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cancer, cooking, frugalism, peritoneal mesothelomia, Walking by

Well, guess where we are?? The UCD infusion center. B’s platelets went way up,244, but his hemoglobin went down:(

So he’s getting a blood transfusion. It’ll probably be 3-4 hours but it’s nice here and quiet. I went for a long walk over to Kiwanis house and wow it’s all different. Well, not the Kiwanis house but all around it is construction.

I’m back now and since we have a while I thought I’d get this posted.

Then Monday he’ll get labs again.

So Frugal wise, I went to Winco this week and that’s about it. I think my groceries were $150. So okay really. I am planning Costco at some point next week but we’ll just have to see how everything plays out with chemo and labs.

I made the cauliflower soup last night from The Soup Sisters cookbook. Everyone loved it. I thought it was just ok. I did like it blended in the Vitamix so it was very silky.

I have some sticky rice to use up, so I may cook that like fried rice, and then I have some TJ’s orange chicken to use up, too.

I finished the budget for November so all the numbers add up and are accounted for. Most of our bills come out in the first 10 days of the month, so that’s good timing.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in Blood test, books, California, cancer, Gratitude, husband, library, Walking by

First, the biggest is B’s numbers went up enough that he didn’t need the transfusion. Today is his labs so we should know if they increased. The doctor will reduce the chemo by 25%. Also, we’ll know what to look for this time. Dr. Lee from Stanford doesn’t want to go down too much more otherwise the chemo is really for naught. So he thinks he’s still a good candidate for the Hipec so that’s what matters here.

I’m thankful to still keep walking at 6am even though it is very star-filled. I like it early but I have to admit I am feeling somewhat less motivated. Maybe that’s an age thing too or just that I need to find my why again. Right now I’ll just stick to what I’m doing which is 5 days a week sometimes 4( when I’m feeling lazy:))

I’m certainly thankful my daughter can take her Dad for labs etc. This morning I’m meeting up with the library friends so I can’t do it till later and it’s better to get them done early so the results come in.

I’m thankful to be able to swim at the pool even though it’s been hit or miss. With everything going on if I get one swim a week in that’s good. Yesterday, made it twice this week( hurray) but the pool was crazy busy. I had to wait 2o minutes for a lane and then because the pool closes at 9:25, I barely got a swim in. There seemed to be a lot of people there I hadn’t seen before. It’s odd how it is that sometimes it empties out at 8:30 and other times people were NOT giving up their lanes even though they had been swimming over an hour. I wonder if Roseville P and R could put an hour limit on lap time. ?? I doubt it but it does seem unfair when some people are swimming an hour and a half when there’s 3 people waiting. And that’s 2 to a lane. I won’t do circle swimming( that’s where there is another person who follows you and you swim in a circle. Last time I got kicked in the head. Oh well, it is what it is.

I’m grateful for our beautiful fall weather. We’re having a wood fire in the mornings to take the chill off the house. It’s very cozy.

I’m thankful we’re near the end of the whole campaigning thing. I’d just like to be over. It’s going to be very tense that Nov 5 and beyond whatever happens. I voted early and just got the notice my vote was counted!

I’m grateful for the Roseville Public Library. It’s a welcoming place and I love getting my books there.

Midweek

Posted in Blood test, California, cancer, cooking, decluttering, garden shed, swimming by

Good news. Barclay’s platelets went up to 90!!! that’s from 22. So a big improvement and the nose bleeds have stopped. His hemoglobin stayed at 8.5 so not much improvement but they don’t do transfusions till you’re below 8. So all around he’s feeling better. He does need to have another set of labs tomorrow as they want it to be twice a week.

This morning he will have a video visit with the oncologist and we should have a plan for the next chemo. I’m heading to the pool and Winco so I won’t be able to listen in but I told him make sure, under no circumstances, are you doing the same amount next time. We’ll just have to see what she comes up with. I think she conferred with the Stanford doctors so that will be interesting. He’s scheduled for next Wednesday.

The mornings are darker now and I’m walking with my headlamp. I guess in a few weeks it’ll be fall back time so 6am will be 5am and so the light should be better then. Plus sunset is like 6:15 so it’s definitely different.

I’ve ordered a water bottle for B since he lost his large one some time ago. I use the Takada brand and like it better than most other ones. This one keeps ice water cold for hours. He’ll need something next week since the chemo will probably be 4+ hours.

I did a large Goodwill drop-off on Sunday. Most of it was from cleaning out the garden shed. I’d got most of it sorted and cleaned out. I do have another load of plastic bins to get rid of and I’m not sure if I’m going to leave them out for free ( this would be on our main road as our driveway is a dead end to our house) or take them to Goodwill. I also have another box of canning jars to give away as I don’t plan on canning that much next year. I do love canning and it’s been a great hobby and food saver but I’m older and it might just be easier to buy jam rather than making 12 jars of strawberry jam.:) I guess the reality of what I can do and what can’t/don’t want to do is becoming clearer.

Simple Sunday

Posted in books, California, cancer, husband, instant pot recipes, peritoneal mesothelomia, reading by

It seems things are turning around to some degree. At least we’re not in the ER this weekend. B finally called his NP liaison from his BMT team and told her the situation with labs not getting ordered, no infusion appts etc. She immediately ordered 2 labs weekly as a STANDING ORDER and infusions when necessary. So clearly whoever is working with the other doctor is not getting the job done.

So for now, things in that regard, are positive. Also, he obviously will not be getting his next round of chemo till the doctor figures out what happened.

Tomorrow he will get labs and check his hemoglobin and platelets and if necessary then he can schedule the infusion.

Our beautiful fall weather continues and it’s so lovely. I miss seeing Tahoe this time of year but hopefully next year.

I went to the gym and did a small workout. Then I did the Goodwill dropoff, dropped our ballots at the drop box, and then went to Safeway for a few things. I picked up some turkey burgers for dinner. Last night I made a small beef stew in the IP. I didn’t have mushrooms but did use carrots, potatoes, and onions. It was quite good. There’s enough to either have for lunch or freeze. B had a chickpea stew that my son’s partner made. That was also yummy.

It’s getting close to the election and I certainly have anxiety about it. I hope tRump keeps losing it like with the Arnold Palmer story( which really is so gross). The more people can see him unhinged the better. I simply cannot understand anyone thinking he would do our country any good. He’s nuts.

I finished reading the new Vera Stanhope mystery, The Dark Wives. It was good. I just started the last LOTR book, The Return of the King. I’ll have to put some books on hold when I have time to look at what’s available.

Frugal Friday

Posted in budgets, California, cancer, cooking, frugalism, swimming by

This week has been ok money-wise. We’ve had to fill up the Santa Fe twice, but using Costco gas saves quite a bit. Gas here in town is $1.00 more a gallon than Costco. Go figure.

I went to Bel Air to get some leeks for soup and some tea drinks for B. I spent $58. Probably at Winco that would have been a lot less.

Then most of our annual fall bills have come due. Allstate I decided to do in payments. That’ll help break it up and I’ll finish it by Dec. Then the big one is our insurance. Here in California most insurance companies are not insuring for fire so you have to get a rider with the California Fair Plan. So you have one with the insurance company, in our case, that’s AAA and the the Fair Plan.

Both went up a couple hundred dollars but at least it’s not thousands. Still, for such a small house it’s a pretty expensive policy. There was no payment plan option so it went on the credit card. I got to $600 in my cash envelopes, but that’s certainly not enough. Hopefully next year I can get more in there.

Today is a swim day and Barclay trying to get someone to do something at UCD in regards to appts. We are so frustrated with them and honestly shocked at their inefficiency and lack of response. It is baffling since before we had such extraordinary service from them before. But this has been absolutely awful.

So once I get back from the pool, I need to organize my thrift store stuff to take next week. I also want to box up a dozen pint jars and offer them on Pay it Forward as I have way too many jars now. I’m not planning on canning as much so I know someone who is canning will use them.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in Blood test, budgets, California, cancer, Gratitude, husband, peritoneal mesothelomia by

I’m thankful B is not in the ER after a second trip the other day. This one lasted 24 hours and was pretty awful. Something is going on with his platelets and they can’t figure it out except the chemo has affected his bone marrow.

Once again, it’s very stressful because we’ve had to coordinate pick-ups, drop-offs, and repeat. We decided if another ER visit happens which I guessing is going to, we’re just going to go to Sutter ER. It’s way closer and then we can coordinate food etc. In the UCD ER, they don’t offer coffee, water, or anything. Pretty fucked up if you ask me but I do understand because there are SO MANY PEOPLE, that the nurses etc would just be running around doing that.

Anyway, his platelets went up but by the time he was home and checked his final CBC, they had dropped some. I’m not sure where all this is going or if he can even pull out of this, but I am grateful for this time.

I’m incredibly grateful both my kids have done most of the driving him around and picking him up. Today, if he can get labs, I can drive him to that since it’s just Auburn.

I’m thankful we had a wonderful rain yesterday. Everything is fresh and smells like fall.

I’m so grateful my son went and got another load of wood from his friends. They had cut it and had it ready for him to load in the truck. I want to give them some money for all the wood they gave us, but I need to wait for the budget to settle down.

I’m thankful I had a good appt with my doctor. My kappa light chains went up 2 points and out of normal but he said, let’s not worry about that right now as it’s a minimal increase. Plus I have no mental energy to worry about it.

Monday Morning

Posted in Blood test, California, cancer, husband, peritoneal mesothelomia by

We at least had an ok Sunday.

I didn’t even walk or go to the gym. I think I just needed a total day to recuperate from the ER visit. It’s such a strange world to go into. Even though we have these doctor/medical things, we rarely have experienced ER’s. Thank Goodness, as it was pretty awful. I mean UCD ER is probably one of the top-rated in N Ca but still.

Anyway, the nose bleeds are back which means the platelets are down again. It’s not as bad as last time but he needs to get labs this morning and then call the doctor. Then hopefully schedule him for more platelets tomorrow?? My back up plan is if they want him to go back to ER then my daughter will take him, drop him off and then I’ll go get him when he’s done. I certainly hope it doesn’t come to that but I need a plan.

My guess is he’ll go to infusion for the platelets but it does depend on how far they dropped.

I’m off to get my labs this morning too, so once again my daughter will have to drive B to the lab. Then I’m going to drive to Roseville and go to the gym, library, and then home. I need to go to the bank for my LLS insurance printout but I can do that after everything. My insurance is covered by LLS and it’s a lot of money( to us) so that needs to be submitted a certain way to get paid.

My son came up yesterday and visited. I think he’s pretty stressed about his Dad. He’s taking on all the big projects with my daughter helping. So he did all the outside trim on the bathroom window that hadn’t been done. And then he even painted the wood.

My daughter will be fixing the drainage under the bathroom ( in the crawl space) so water doesn’t pool in there this winter. There’s always so much to do this time of year and without B doing it, it really does add up.

It’s a really hard time right now and we can only hope for the best.

Saturday catch up

Posted in Blood test, California, cancer by

So this has been the week from hell and today is looking worse.

First, the shots at infusion went well but for having to drive 25 minutes for a 15-minute shot was a pain. These shots were to boost his WBC. ( more on that in the really bad part).

So then Wednesday was a blood transfusion. We got there at 12 and thought it would be an hour and a half but the nurse said no, more like 5. So I was finishing Winco when B texted me this and it was already 1:20. So I called my son and asked him to drive down after work and get him. This was a bit of hassle as that meant he had to drive from Auburn to Rocklin then back to our house and then back to his apartment which is 40 minutes away. So quite a hassle. My daughter works the evening shift at the library so she was unavailable.

Then Thursday, my daughter took him to Sacramento for his PET scan and since it was a contrast one it’s much longer as you have to wait a minimum of 45 minutes for the dye to work. She brought her laptop and did work. Meanwhile, I had gone to Rocklin for my infusion. Then I went over to the library to drop off a bunch of books. I didn’t even go to the gym, I just wanted to get home.

Then Friday, B had to get labs so S took him again since I was on dex.

So now comes the worst. He gets a call at 10pm last night which he didn’t answer it because he was in bed half asleep. So he looks at his labs that had come in and they are AWFUL. He will need to go to the ER right away this morning for platelets and who knows what else. I’m going to hold off taking my Dex till he gets the call which I’m figuring will be around 8am. Right now it’s 7:15.

So things are pretty grim here and I hope there’s better news when I write next. The main concern is he had the shots to boost his WBC but they are tanked and I mean really low. And then he had the transfusion which should have boosted all his blood counts and they are tanked too. So clearly something is not working.