Category Archives: Gratitude

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, cancer, Gratitude by

It’s difficult to be thankful right now when everything feels so bleak. But I must remember that this too will pass, and the pain of right now will also pass.

I’m thankful my doctor’s appointment went well. Honestly, as long as the Velcade is working, I’m extremely grateful. I don’t have a clue how long it will be effective, but there are other treatments that are still available. I just can’t think about that right now with everything else going on.

I’m grateful that the weather isn’t terribly hot, but it has been in the mid-80s. We’re still turning on coolers, but not til later in the day and only for a few hours. We’re still watering the yard every day but less than we normally would have to if it was 100 degrees.

I’m grateful that my daughter has had a break from work, and she has done so much around here. She has a number of shifts coming up, but this week has been so productive. Right now, she’s dismantling the chicken coop. B built it very well, and she’s having to take down each wall before getting to the roof. I thought it would be a good greenhouse, but really, it’s got too much ‘chicken’ left in it. The space will be nicer open.

I’m grateful for B’s oncologist who has been very supportive.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in Blood test, California, Gratitude, home stuff, husband, Walking by

Let’s just say I’m thankful yesterday is over!!!

It was exhausting. Fortunately, today is a home day, just doing normal stuff. I need to vacuum and go through each room and tidy up. Mostly everything is fine, just a few hot spots.

I’m thankful to get out and do my short walk. It’s not much, but it’s a start.

I went for a walk already, and it was .55. So Saturday, my next walk day, I plan on doing .75 and see how that feels. Also, today I will do some PT exercises.

I’m thankful that B doesn’t need to go tomorrow for infusion. That’s a relief.

I’m thankful we have the AC units to cool the house, as it is going to be very hot tomorrow and Saturday. We are starting to water the yard more just to keep things going. Of course, that will increase our water bill.

I’m grateful for this lovely morning. I’ve been up since 5am and it’s so nice and quiet.

Most of the California poppies are done for now. these are coreopsis.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, cancer, Gratitude, peritoneal mesothelomia by

I am very grateful my Ortho appt went well. Here’s the scoop. The meniscus tear doesn’t ever heal, but strengthening the knee by exercises helps you regain some mobility. I started back in with the PT exercises and have slowly been adding one a day. The PA seemed to think I didn’t really need the PT appts since I can do what I have from before. But she did say she’d be happy to refer me if I wanted. She also gave me the steroid shot. She said there is another type of shot, too, if I wanted, but that requires insurance approval and takes a while. I said I’ll try the steroid shots for now. Overall, I was quite hopeful that I would be able to get back to my regular routine.

I’m thankful my son offered to take B to his appt. As it turned out, he needed a blood transfusion, so it ended up taking 5 hours. They didn’t even get home till 6:15. I would have been a basket case. He’s still declining, and his onc called yesterday, so I talked with her about how things are not going well. She hasn’t seen him physically, so she was concerned about how frail he is. She did say that the immunotherapy can take a few months to kick in, but the flip side is that the immunotherapy could be feeding the cancer. It’s all very depressing. She was going to get the PET scan moved up so we could see what is going on.

I’m grateful for the rain we had the other day. It helped water the yard and took down some pollen.

It’s a hard time right now, and I don’t expect things to get better anytime soon, but all we can do is be hopeful. And for that I’m grateful.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, Gratitude, knee injury, library by

It may seem trite, but I’m thankful for our garbage guy who picks up our trash every Thursday. The trucks are automated now, so he doesn’t have to get out of the truck as a big arm comes out and picks it up. Still, he starts his day at 4am in all weather. We used to always give a Christmas gift of a gift card to show our appreciation, but now we don’t as he wouldn’t see it as the can is out in the driveway, and as I said, it’s all automated.

I’m thankful for this beautiful spring weather we are having. Next week it dips back down to the 60s, so much cooler.

I’m thankful B’s labs were good, so he doesn’t need a transfusion. I’m really hoping with this next immuno treatment we see some improvement. That would be #3. He says he doesn’t feel much different, and the pain is still there. 😦

I’m very thankful I went for a walk the other day. It was not very long or far, but I felt it broke the spell of not walking. It’s been almost a month since I had the meniscus tear, so I hope this begins to help along with the PT exercises.

I’m grateful my daughter has been willing to step up and do all the ‘dad’ chores like getting wood, cleaning out the woodstove, etc. She has been doing a lot.

I haven’t decided whether to go to the library/gym today. It’s early yet, so I’ll get my morning going and then decide. I do need to get gas at Costco, so that could motivate me.

What things are you grateful for? Over at The Frugal Girl’s blog, there are lots of comments from her subscribers. She is quite a talented person.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in books, budgets, California, Gratitude, reading, Uncategorized by

I’m so glad spring is in full bloom. All the trees are fully out, and it looks like OZ around N. CA. I don’t suffer from seasonal allergies, so the spring bloom doesn’t bother me. But with everything blooming, I think if you’re an allergy sufferer, it’s probably not so good.

I’m thankful the week has been mellow. Since I’m not driving to Rocklin/Roseville to swim, it makes the week quiet. Of course, I want to go and swim, but until I know more from Ortho, I’ll wait.

I’m thankful B has had a bit of an appetite, although not a lot. He’s been quite tired since the immuno on Tuesday. He had a video visit with the doctor. There wasn’t too much new to discuss. So far, he hasn’t had any side effects except being very tired. I hope it stays that way.

As always, I’m grateful for our SS, which pays our mortgage and bills. It’s not a lot, but it’s enough. We are looking at a major increase in B’s insurance that won’t be covered by his grant. I’m not sure how I will adjust the budget, but it’s $300 that will need to get covered.

I’m grateful for books and my love of reading. Reading, as a child, was my way out of an environment of poverty and lack. Today, reading brings me joy and takes me on adventures to places I’ll never go.

What things are you grateful for? Is it simple things? Or big things like retirement, travel? Curious minds always want to know.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in Blood test, Bone marrow transplant, California, Gratitude, husband, peritoneal mesothelomia by

B had his transfusion on Tuesday, so he did feel better yesterday. But he got labs yesterday, and though his hemoglobin came up, it wasn’t enough to get over the 8 mark. So he needs another transfusion. I’ll take him Saturday, and my daughter will pick him up. I’m very grateful to the oncology infusion nurses, who called him and told him his labs were still low and scheduled him. Very thoughtful of them.

I’m also grateful for his doctor, who has been very proactive in all this. She mentioned to B, though, that he should contact his BMT team to see if his needing blood transfusions may be a relapse of his MDS. It seems a stretch to me, but his needing transfusions when he’s not even going through chemo is a problem. She had said the side effects of the immunotherapy are not blood-related, so now we have another puzzle piece to figure out. Very odd.

I’m thankful for our sunny, warm days. It’s been really lovely. I do miss terribly not walking and being out at the park. But I should know by next week what the story is and how to proceed. I’m sure they will recommend PT, and I’ll do that to help strengthen my knee.

I am, though, very grateful to still be able to get around with the use of a cane for stability. My son found one at Goodwill, and it’s been very helpful. I had been using my walking stick, but that has a different grip. So the cane has the handle you put your hand on, and it does give a lot of support.

I’m grateful that the kids are so helpful with driving and doing stuff around here. My daughter has been mowing and weed-eating all week. It’s a pot of work that B usually did.

I’m very thankful tRumps approval rating is tanking. Let’s hope it tanks even further.

What things are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, cancer, Gratitude by

So far, B seems to be doing ok after the immunotherapy infusion. It’s 2 drugs, and the infusion time is way shorter than the others. So, I’m grateful, and fingers crossed, he doesn’t have some reaction in the next few days.

I’m thankful my daughter drove him down so I had some time alone in the house. I pottered around and did a few odd jobs. Then, when I went to get him, I stopped at Costco for gas and then Winco for groceries.

I’m grateful that we’ve had lovely weather and haven’t had to have any fires in the wood stove. So nice to not need them. Our yard looks so pretty this time of year.

We call that the White Tree of Gondor. It’s the tree in LOTR that came from Numenor.

The pink tree is a red bud.

I’m grateful to be up and about, even with my knee. I still haven’t been able to schedule the MRI. The phone wait is ridiculous. After 10 minutes, I gave up. I did that 3 times already. I’ll try again today.

I’m very grateful my son came up and did some miscellaneous chores for us. It was things like taking down the twinkly lights that were burned out, gas up the truck, fixing the railing outside, and a few other things. He’s a wonderful young man.

Today is open, although I am considering Costco because I need vitamins, and they are on sale right now. It’s early yet, so I’ll think about it. I know I want to avoid all the Easter shoppers over the weekend.

A close-up of the white tree.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, cancer, Gratitude, husband, Pantry, peritoneal mesothelomia, swimming, Walking by

Happy First day of Spring!!

I’m very thankful that B’s CT scan has been moved up to Monday. Really I wish it were yesterday but I’ll take it. I am preparing for the worst that there’s cancer in the liver and that’s causing his ALP to be rising. It’s hard to figure out why his ultrasound showed ‘unremarkable’ and here we are 3 weeks later. I don’t get it but I am getting ready for ‘bad news’.

I’m grateful for a lovely misty morning to walk and it was very pleasant.

I’m thankful for a nice swim yesterday and the fact that the pool wasn’t too busy. I had my own lane for half my swim so that was nice.

Today is a home day and I don’t have a lot on my list. I want to steam-mop the floors and tidy the wine box pantry. If you haven’t followed my blog, I use Far Niente wine boxes under my stainless steel island to keep my canned goods. These days the four I have are maybe half full. I just don’t keep that much since the end of the pandemic. I bought these off of eBay a long time ago when things like that were reasonable. The 3 under the counter have the tops which is a big plus. One I have doesn’t have a lid and I keep that under a different cabinet.

I’m thankful for some pretty Eucalyptus branches from Trader Joe’s. They are probably my favorite. I love the soft green color.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, Gratitude, swimming by

I’m so glad it’s Thursday and now 3 appts are done. My Wellness check went well for the most part. We talked about a number of things including my cholesterol being higher than it should be. So I decided to start a statin. Personally, I have no problem being prescribed drugs if they help and make the situation better. I mean I’m full of chemo drugs and still here to talk about it. Anyway, all good.

So grateful for that being over.

I’m grateful that our new Costco is so close and I can pop down there which I did after my appt. I went to get cottage cheese and a few other things but completely forgot cottage cheese. Oh well, there’ll be another trip I’m sure. I’m trying to eat more protein and cottage cheese is an easy way to do that.

I’m grateful for a wonderful swim yesterday. The pool was quite nice.

I’m grateful for my family who is always there to help as necessary.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, cooking, Gratitude, velcade by

I’m thankful for the beautiful weather here in Northern Ca. Our daffodils are up and the flowering cherry tree is blooming. Today is supposed to hit 70. nice!!

I’m grateful B is recovering so well from the laparoscopy and he can pretty much do what needs doing. We have a date now for the surgery and Hipec. It’s April 14. So the plan is to arrive Sunday and he will need labs. Fortunately, the lab is open on Sunday. Then Monday is the surgery although we don’t know the time yet. The surgery is where the surgeon(Dr. Lee) goes in and basically scrapes any cancer areas he sees. Then he is closed back up except for tubes that will administer the chemo. That part I’m not sure how long it will be but it could be quite long. At this point, I am NOT staying in the hospital but will go back to the hotel. After last time sitting in the waiting room just about did me in. Then the plan is I will go see him on Tuesday and check in about how things are. The last time Dr. Lee called me after the surgery was over so I suspect he will do that again. Then B will be in the hospital for at least a week. We haven’t figured out part 2 of getting him as I do not plan on staying all week.

I’m thankful for good food that I cook and feel good enough to do that. Last night we had a piece of the Halibut I got from Alaskian Fish. I think it was the first time I’ve had halibut and it was very good.

I’m grateful I can get my Velcade shot today in Rocklin and not drive into Sacramento. That is a real time saver and emotional one too not having to deal with Sacramento traffic.

I’m not so thankful for Dex overall, but it does do the job so I guess I am grateful for that.

I’m thankful ” to be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world”. What else can I say? Our democracy is in serious danger of falling apart thanks to tRump and mUsk. What a bunch of assholes.