Category Archives: husband

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.

Happy Mother’s Day

Posted in California, cancer, husband, peritoneal mesothelomia, Walking by

I hope it’s a nice day for moms out there. Whether you’re a mom to kids, furry ones, or anyone who needs a mom. I hope it’s lovely.

Simple Sunday

My son is coming over and he’ll make a brunch for us all. He’s not staying over, though. He’s on the schedule to take B on Tuesday to infusion. I have my Ortho appt that morning, so I really didn’t want to go out twice.

It’s been quite warm here in the mid-80s, but now we’re in a cool down. There could even be some rain this week.

I went for a brief walk again this morning. Lots of Canada goose families at the park. They are cute, but you don’t want to go near them as the parents will attack.

I can tell I’m not used to walking even this little bit, which is such a shame after all the effort I put into walking, swimming, etc. I do hope that after my ortho appt, I have a clearer path to how long this will take to heal and what else I can do. Since it was a spontaneous snap of the meniscus caused by age, I guess it’s just trying to be more careful and keep strengthening the knee muscles. Getting old is tough when you realize these things can happen out of the blue.

B continues to have no energy, and there doesn’t seem to be any improvement. I’m guessing at some point we’ll need to discuss hospice with the doctor. I’m hoping these next few immuno’s make some difference. He will get a PET scan after the 6th one, but that’s not till June. It’s hard on everyone.:(

Tomorrow we should hear back on the VW, and since B can’t drive right now, my daughter and I will go in and get it. I hope this is the last thing to fix, as after this, I wouldn’t put any more money in her. I do love buggie, but there is a point when the cost just doesn’t justify it. We’ll see how it goes.

We don’t have anything special planned for dinner, but I may make some salmon I have in the freezer. On that note, Ciao!

MRI results

Posted in bread, California, husband by

So it is a posterior root ligament tear of the meniscus. Basically, the meniscus is torn, and the knee muscles are damaged. It is common in older patients( me)! Also, it can happen spontaneously, which mine did as I stepped off the patio step, and it went pop.

I will contact the ortho department. They have my referral, but haven’t called, and I think probably because the MRI hadn’t come back yet, so I’ll call today. It’s back to rehab, and working on strengthening the knee muscles. It’s so depressing since I HAD been working my legs and knees at the gym, but I guess it wasn’t enough.

As I mentioned before, one of the oncology nurses who had a torn meniscus started taking up biking and said biking( or that motion) is one of the best rehabs for knees. This is still just the 3rd week, so I want to wait till next week and then I plan on getting on the stationary bike and start with 5 minutes.

It sure sucks getting old, is all I have to say.

Yesterday was jam-packed. I took B for the immuno and that went well. Afterwards, he even felt like a bagel, so we went to Noah’s and he ate the whole thing. That may not sound like much, but since he hasn’t been eating at all, I was thrilled.

While he was there, I got gas at Costco and then went into the ‘old Costco’. I didn’t like it at all. It’s much bigger than the one I go to now, and I couldn’t remember where half the stuff I needed was. But I managed. Then I went into WinCo for all the salad stuff. This all ended up with a lot of walking on a bum knee, so I was a little concerned. But it seemed ok when I got home, and I did ice it.

Today is a home day, and I plan on sourdough bread making, mopping the floors, and whatever other little stuff I need to do.

Does anyone out there have a torn meniscus because of age or otherwise?? And what did you do for it? I will get through this and be stronger for it.

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?

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, cancer, cooking, decluttering, husband, peritoneal mesothelomia, Uncategorized, Walking by

I miss my morning walks. I miss the morning routine and being down at the park with no one there. It’s quite difficult to not be able to go out early. I’m hoping once I know what this is, I can make a plan. I have the MRI scheduled for next Saturday. So hopefully by the following week, I can get into PT or at least have an idea of the timing on healing. If I remember, my torn ACL and meniscus on my left knee took at least 2 months before I was back walking and swimming. Because there was no trauma to my knee( like the last time falling off the step ladder), I’m hoping it’ll be quicker. I guess, like everything right now, it’s wait and see.

Today I plan to make what has become our Easter tradition. We don’t celebrate Easter, but I like the idea of a special meal, and for us, that is Southern fried tofu. It’s really just breaded tofu, and I make a tartar sauce to go with it. I will make a potato salad, and I have some asparagus to use up. I’ll do some ham for anyone who wants a meat option. I have a Mumm Champagne too. That always makes things festive.

I didn’t even put out my Spring decorations this year. I have some ceramic bunnies and chicks and a few other things. I guess with B being so unwell, I’m finding it hard to do extra things. I think I’ll go get them today and put them out at least for the next week or so.

I did go and drop off all my vintage Pyrex at the Assistance League thrift store. They do good work locally, and I like to support them with good donations. They seemed excited to get them. For me, that’s one less thing to wash and keep clean on a shelf. It was interesting that I had just watched the YouTuber, Minimal Mom, and she was talking about reducing inventory when you’re stressed. I think she was quite right about it. So in that light, I’m really looking hard at what I have around me that takes up space and that I don’t use.

Things are difficult right now, but I’m hoping that next week things improve. B has his next chemo at the end of the month, so maybe after that he’ll start to feel better. We can only hope.

Where we are now.

Posted in books, California, cancer, husband, peritoneal mesothelomia by

After the shock of Stanford canceling, we’ve moved on to the next phase. Barclay had to cancel all the hotel reservations, and both of my kids had to rearrange the time they had taken off. They did so, and it wasn’t a huge problem as they both have flexibility at their jobs. My anger was at Stanford for waiting to let us know. Dr. Lee had seen his CT scan weeks ago. That’s what upset me the most. Anyway, I’m over it now. ( mostly!!)

After we got that news, the next day he had a video visit with his UCD, and she set up the immunotherapy appointments. Barclay had the first one yesterday. Side effects can be nausea, thyroid problems, and skin issues, but it shouldn’t take down his hemoglobin to the point where he needs transfusions. ( At least I hope so). He will be going every 2 weeks for this. We can only hope it gives him some reprieve and he gets a little more time. He is still not eating very much, and of course, that’s a problem.

On top of all that, I had my right knee go out on me, so I’m wearing a brace and will need to get an MRI to see what it is. The doctor didn’t think it was any kind of fracture so until I get the MRI, ice, and ibuprofen. The only thing I can come up with is 4 days before I did an extended swim, and maybe I overworked my knee. Still, it may be an age factor too, with knees wearing out:(

We’ve had beautiful 70-degree weather, and everything is in full leaf and bloom, including the wisteria. Today, I plan on being home and hobbling around to take care of the house chores. My daughter has been doing the bulk of it for us. My son is going to stop by and do some chores as well. I’m grateful they can help.

I’ve read a few books from the library and including the new B. C Beaton’s ‘Death of a Smuggler’. It was fun to read Hamish Macbeth again. Also, we’re finishing ‘Dark Winds’ based on Hillerman’s Leaphorn and Chee characters. It is excellent. We finished ‘ Reacher’ and I wasn’t too impressed. The actor is a good Reacher, but the adaptation of the story just doesn’t quite fit.

Well, that’s about it. Life goes on. The sun will rise, and today is a new day.

Simple Sunday on Monday

Posted in California, cancer, cooking, home stuff, husband by

Yesterday was just an off day.

I went to the Auburn gym to do weights and then headed down to Costco. I had the motive to keep driving the Santa Fe to see if anything happened again. It didn’t. I plan on calling one garage today, though to see if they can run a diagnostic. I’m not sure if they will be able to do that this week, but I’ll try.

At Costco, I got coffee( the main reason), B needed Tylenol, and then I picked up eggs, bananas, and some other stuff.

It was a beautiful sunny day with temperatures close to 70 degrees. Sitting in the sun, it felt much warmer. Today, it’s raining, and it’s certainly fickle weather. Spring, I guess.

We are at T-6 days and counting down to Stanford. B will find out Friday what time to be at the hospital Monday. I’m guessing very early, as this can be a long surgery. He’s had his pre-op video appointments, and they all went well. Today, he has to get labs to check his hemoglobin and, if necessary, get a transfusion. I hope not, but we’ll do what’s necessary.

I plan on being home today and doing a house reset and some baking. I have a loaf of sourdough to make. I’ll put my starter back in the fridge after this as I won’t be making bread for a while after this. I’m also going to make a new recipe of Chicken adobo.

Tomorrow, I plan on going to Mahany gym and the library. I have a couple of holds at the library. Then I plan on swimming on Wednesday.

I’m thrilled at the huge turnouts for protests against the administration. It’s exciting that so many people came out to do that. I’m an optimist, so I think it will matter in the long run. What this administration is doing is trying to rewrite history and destroy democracy. It’s scary what is going on.

Menu for the week:

Chicken adobo with basmati rice. I have some tofu for B; plus, he’s not eating very much, which is worrisome.

Beans in the crockpot. My Ranch Gordo order showed up so I may make a new bean to me. Eye of the goat. I’ll check Steve Sando’s The Bean Book for a recipe.

Pasta of some sort. I have a TJ’s pasta alfredo in the freezer, so I may pull that out.

Brinner

Pizza

TBD, and then we leave Sunday morning.

My daughter will be coming with us to help out with driving and navigating the hospital. My son is planning to stay here and take care of the cats. He still has to work most of that week but will stay here at night. The cats really like their routines so this will be somewhat upsetting to them. But it’s the best we can do right now.

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.

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, cancer, husband, peritoneal mesothelomia, travel, Uncategorized by

A nice walk this morning with the moon shining through the clouds.

Today, I plan to go to the Auburn gym and do some weights. I went to the pool yesterday and was very lucky to get half a lane before the pool was overrun with college swim teams. I got my swim in and left but man, it was nutso.

I need to do up my menu plan using pantry items. So far for this week, I have baked ravioli( using leftover Costco ravioli and Rao’s sauce.) for tonight. I also have salad stuff to use. The rest I’ll write up later after I check the freezer/fridge.

Today, I need to dust again. With our woodstove going almost all the time, dust is a big issue. Plus, I need to water my plants.

I think I’ll end the blog here as there’s not much else new. Oh, we did add more days at the hotel when my son and I will go down. The one person from the Facebook group said her husband was in for 11 days and that’s considered very short. So that’s going to add up quickly but I feel like I want to be on the safe side with a room. If after we’re there it’s going to be longer then I could add more days. Right now we have Sunday through Friday. That Monday would be B’s 8th day so I really don’t think he’d be released. So one more thing to be stressed about.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, cancer, husband by

Our storm yesterday wasn’t too bad. So grateful there weren’t super high winds. Some of the pictures from the valley looked like the winds were crazy high. Right now, it’s not even raining.

I’m grateful B’s ultrasound came back good but what is going on is still a mystery. Hopefully, he’ll get some answer from the doctor today.

I’m very thankful to have a few very nice slow days at home. I’ve been pottering about. I moved some dishes from one shelf to another and gathered the cat cups and bowls together. ( these are people dishes, not for the cats!).

I’m thankful for those people getting out and protesting at Tesla lots and protesting at elected officials’ offices. In the early 70’s we protested, as did hundreds of thousands, the Vietnam War. I think it did change the course of the war. I was saddened that Mayor Bowser of DC though felt pressure to remove the Black Lives Matter Art on the street. We will not forget what happened to George Flyod and countless other black men.

Here’s my latest East Fork bowl too. They are so beautiful. If you’re in the market for any dishware checkout East Fork.

All in all just thankful for another day.

Looks like the rain just started up again