Category Archives: Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving and Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, cancer, Gratitude, MDS, Myeloma by

As always, I’m very thankful we are all in good health. Well, both my children are healthy and B is almost in what they call the ‘cured ‘ phase from his allo for MDS. I think they place that at 5 years. In spite of going thru chemo again I am healthy in all other aspects. No anemia, fractures, etc. all common with Myeloma. The 16 mg of Dex is helping make more tolerable.

I am so grateful for all the outside stuff B gets done, processing wood, raking, fence building. I used to love raking but really can’t do that side motion any more. So what he does is amazing.

My daughter does all the gardening and I am thankful she loves plants and growing things. BTW, the squash came out really good but not a lot on each one so I scooped it out and put it in a bowl and will reheat later. . No one really likes it but me and her.

Our Thanksgiving is small. There’s only us four and my son’s friend. My brother always goes to his handicapped buddy’s and takes him out for dinner.

This is the second Thanksgiving for my sisters family with out her. I’m sure they miss her a lot. As they are all good Catholics ,the 5 children all had lots of kids so it’s a big gathering for them.

I’m thankful I can go to the store and buy food and it’s abundantly available.

I’m grateful the 2 nurses at infusion are efficient, kind and friendly. It makes a difference. Being an oncology nurse must be difficult.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, Gratitude, reading by

That my knee is 95% better after the cortisone shot. I hadn’t even considered that option so I was pleased the doctor offered. The x-ray only showed minor arthritis which at my age is expected.

I am so grateful to be able to walk yesterday even though it was only 1/2 a mile. I planned on walking this morning but it’s raining. Normally rain does not stop me at all and in fact I love walking in the rain. But with pampering my knee, I don’t need the extra factor of slippery leaves on the path.

I also walked through Costco yesterday and as you know Costco is a big store and I did fine. I was grateful B was there to push the cart and get the heavy stuff. It was another expensive shop with laundry soap, TP, Swiffers, and what else was on the list. But shops like this do keep my grocery bill way down as most of this stuff is not just for this month but at least the next 3 months or more. I suppose I could try and work that out in the budget but it seems like that’s too much work. Plus I know that laundry soap is going to last at least 3 months and same with Swiffer dusters.

I’m grateful my shot went well and this time I was in and out quickly. Maybe 20 minutes at the most. I came home after Costco and took the 16mg of dex instead of 20 which he thought would make it a little easier. So far it does seem slightly less dexy.

Today is just a home day and I plan on going through each zone and doing one or two things. Like in the bedroom zone, get under the bed wipe the bins, and see if anything can be decluttered. In the living room, wash mirrors and dust. Just a few little things to keep the momentum going.

I started to read the new Ann Patchett book” Tom Lake” and couldn’t find the rhythm in it and found it boring so I put it back in my library bag to go back next week. So now I don’t have a book to read so I may need to look on my Kindle for something I’ve read or buy a new Kindle book.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in books, California, camping, Gratitude, library, Myeloma, travel, Uncategorized by

We had a terrific drive home. Traffic was minimal in our direction, terrible going toward Napa. So I’m thankful for that. We (meaning Barclay) had us hooked up, tanks emptied by 9:45 am. Boy, do I love full hookups!!. But plenty of places we love don’t have them so, it’s do what you can.

I’m thankful I wasn’t in any hurry yesterday as the infusion nurse was working 5 chairs alone and it took an hour to finally get my shot. Then I got stuck in traffic on 65 as there was construction on I-80 where it merges with 65. One hour later, I was headed home. So a normal hour and a half trip ended up almost 3.

I am thankful for the Roseville Library and the books I picked up yesterday too!!

So the most exciting news and what I am most thankful for is Velcade is WORKING!! My kappa light chains went down 100 POINTS !!!! Yay!!!! I see Dr.Laptalo today. B is driving me as it is a dex day and I never drive on dex. I could do it for sure but my judgements are just off on Dex. Hence, the no knives rule too.

Feel free to share what you’re thankful for and if you are traveling in blog land, the Frugal Girl’s blog on Thankful Thursday is always inspiring.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, Gratitude by

I seemed to have pulled out of the chemo moment and feel fine now, so I’m grateful for that. Plus, this is my week off so time to let my body regroup.

I went to the gym yesterday and the library too. I had a few holds to pick up and found a few books in the new section. I should be set for a bit.

Our weather has been picture-perfect but a change is on the way. We may even see rain by the weekend. We still plan on taking Rubi to Napa even if it’s raining. We’ll visit Oxbow for Live Fire Pizza and the spice shop too. I also want to go over to Rancho Gordo for some beans. If you’ve never had Rancho Gordo you really must order from them. He’s done an amazing job preserving many varieties of beans around the world. The Marcella are wonderful as are the cranberry beans. I cook up the whole bag and then freeze left overs.

I’m planning on swimming this morning and then do some things around the house when I get home. I’m refining my cash envelope system and being more specific where I can. Something things, of course, like gas are still with a CC. But using cash for some things keeps me accountable. I’m grateful for the SS we get to pay our bills. There’s not much left over but we manage.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, cancer, Gratitude, reading, Walking by

Well, plans do change and I’m thankful we are flexible. Yesterday was infusion and that went fine. This is shot #3 so one more before the week off. But as we pulled into the center the truck’s fan was running high and when B turned off the motor it was still running. uh, oh, somethings wrong. So he sat in the truck and googled it and it seems a heat sensor is out. So we nixed going to Costco because I didn’t want to break down on I-80 with $300 worth of groceries. We made it home safely for which I’m immensely grateful.

I’m grateful the belt I needed for the rug shampooer showed up yesterday and my daughter installed it. Today, I did the 2 area rugs so that’s done.

As always, being able to walk. I remember after my collapsed T 10 in 2003 and not being able to stand up even. It was a long road to heal unbeknownst to me it was really cancer causing the fracture in the bones. sigh….

I’m grateful I can meal plan especially for my off dex days. Last night was a simple Tillamook mac and cheese, the hatch chile one, which I would give high marks for, a simple green salad. I’m going out to the freezer to check what I might do tonight.

Today, I have some basil to turn into pesto, finish tidying, and then do some Sashiko.

I’m very grateful to have a husband who is healthy and always willing to go the extra mile to help out. He’s surveyed under the house with the foundation stuff( this is not an easy thing as it’s really a crawl space). The good news he said it looks pretty good for the most part and added 2 more supports. I’m very thankful for that.

this was the linen project bag in a Sashiko pattern. I may try and redo the stars, they look a little wonky although honestly I probably don’t care enough.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in cancer, Gratitude, Myeloma, Walking by

We had quite a bit of rain the other night and I’m pretty sure that ends fire season. So that’s a huge relief.

Our walks have been starlite and so beautiful. I walked this morning and had some Dex breathing issues. It makes lung capacity a bit of a struggle but it does pass. Also, my heart rate is up some from Dex so that’s something to watch. I usually have a higher heart rate but this was a little more elevated.

Yesterday’s appointments went well and I left the infusion center by 12. I left Sacramento by 10:15 so I got up to Roseville with plenty of time to get a sandwich at Nugget. Traffic also wasn’t too bad.

I’m grateful for all the meal prep I do, so last night’s dinner was ready, and my daughter just had to put together the salad and boil some egg noodles. I had made honey mustard chicken the day before, so it was ready.

Tonight, I’m making crepes with spinach and mushrooms I need to use up. I’ll make a mornay sauce to cover. I’ll have it prepped so someone can just heat it up.

I’m so grateful for my LLS grant. My UHC premium was paid and it helps a lot.

Anyone have some thankfuls to share?

Thankful Thursday

Posted in books, California, cancer, Gratitude, Myeloma by

All things considered, my Velcade shot went well. The nurses are always the kindest and efficient people. Always concerned that everything is ok. The one nurse remembered me from last time so that was cool.

I went to the library and got my holds and it’s such a beautiful library.

We went out for a Mexican lunch and it was delicious and there were leftovers for dinner. Being a dex night I don’t usually feel like cooking.

Oh, I did remember a positive thing about dex. No aches and pains. Dex is a super anti-inflammatory drug.

The nurse had my schedule ready for November and now it looks like we will only be able to go to Napa for 2 nights instead of 3 because otherwise they would have to change all my appts to Thursdays. So I said fine let’s just keep Wednesdays.

Today is just a home day and I plan to do some quilting and reading.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in books, California, camping, cancer, Gratitude, Lake tahoe, Multiple myeloma, Myeloma, Walking by

I’m always grateful to be able to walk in the early morning even if it is only for 40 minutes. As soon as my knee is 100% I plan on upping my time to 50 minutes. I’d also like to add in doing some hiking. Since we’ll be in Tahoe this week I’ll add in some extra walking if my knee feels good enough. There’s the hike through the meadow near the campground and there’s Richardson Trail near the Y in South Lake.

In spite of having to start Chemo, I’m grateful that I know what to expect as opposed to a new drug. Still, it’s hard to have to add this in but I’m grateful I have the option.

I’m grateful for a supportive family that I know will pick up the slack with things I won’t be able to do on chemo/dex days. Being the planner I am, I’ll have lots of dinner ideas ready plus freezer food.

I’m grateful my husband is having a birthday tomorrow, turning 73!!! Wow, after all he’s gone through he’s a walking miracle thanks to science. We plan on getting a pizza and some sort of birthday cake.

I’m thankful the Roseville Library is accessible and has an excellent selection of books. Roseville Parks and Recreation is probably one of the nicest resources in our area. After the gym this morning I plan on going over to the library and loading up on books to take camping.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, cooking, Gratitude by

It’s been a good week. Nothing too out of the ordinary.

I am thankful for being able to walk in the morning and my knee improving. I went to the gym yesterday and I think I overdid my knee as this morning it’s aching a bit.

Thankful for having little fires now in the fire pit in the evening. We don’t sit out too long, maybe an hour, and then go inside.

Thankful to be doing my Sashiko and my quilt is coming along. I asked on Pay it Forward if anyone had a quilting frame since the quilt is a little bigger than I thought. Someone has offered me one their father made. I don’t have it yet but I will update when I do.

I’m grateful to be swimming in the indoor pool again. I did have to share a lane after the first 20 minutes of swimming with someone who did NOT know how to swim and was flailing all over the lane:( grumble…. Still grateful though…

I’m grateful I can menu plan and it does save on groceries to know what I’m cooking for the week.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in Blood test, California, cancer, cooking, Gardening, Gratitude, home stuff, husband, Multiple myeloma, Myeloma, swimming, Uncategorized by

I’m glad the doctor app’t went as planned even though he was an hour late:(

I never complain because you never know who before you is in a dire situation. So we agreed that I’ll get my next set of labs before Tahoe and if the rise is 20pts or more , we’ll start in October. He wondered whether I wanted to do a Pet scan/ Ct to look for lytic lesions first. I said I didn’t think at this point it would matter. I do have old lytic lesions where I had rib fractures and on my skull but at this point it’s my numbers that are the indicator and he agreed. He seemed to think Velcade will be effective again so that’s positive. I’m still a little concerned as this will be my third time. He also agreed that we’d know in 3 months whether it’s working or not which is what I wanted to do. He also indicated that this time I could keep up a maintenance schedule when my numbers are backing the normal range. This was something I suggested 3 years ago but at that point, he wasn’t inclined. So maybe now since I am at this stage it would be helpful and I definitely agree.

I’m thankful the weather is now Fall like. Beautiful days, cool evenings! I think there’s 1 day showing 90 but that’s it.

I am so thankful the indoor pool opened and it was not overly crowded. It probably depends on the day and the time. But after 3 months closed, it’s so nice to have it open and my drive time was 15 minutes less each way.

I’m so grateful to my daughter for being a wonderful gardener and planting all the tomatoes. I have another batch ready to go tomorrow. I dropped them in boiling water and took the skins off but I will still run thru the food mill to get the seeds out. She planted some late zucchini and now we’re getting just the right amount. I’ve made 2 more loaves to freeze for this fall/ winter.

As simple as it is, I am grateful for every day. I’m grateful to spend it with my husband and my kids( although my son is working full time and gone a lot, and my daughter writes full time and works at the library part time.) Still they’re around when we need them.

I’m grateful Barclay can do projects and improvements on our little abode.

Oh, that chess looking piece is my daughters anniversary present to us, a Peugot pepper mill. Believe me, if you love pepper you’ll want this. Why did I wait so long. It’s worth every penny.

I’m grateful for being able to make some freezer meals for when I don’t feel like cooking.