Category Archives: husband

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.

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.

Stanford Medical Center

Posted in California, cancer, Death, husband by

We got home quite late last night after the worst drive I’ve ever had. We left around 1pm after B had labs done.

From there, it was bumper-to-bumper traffic all the way to Livermore. Then it started all over again. Traffic was so congested on the freeway that I was completely shocked. Was this normal Friday traffic? Then it continued even as we got on 5 north. Then apparently an accident kept traffic at a crawl ALL the way to Sacramento. It was horrendous.

But to go back to the beginning. The Medical Center is certainly state of the art. Beautiful and so big.

We did have a nice drive down with only 3 tiny slowdowns. We got to Palo Alto Stanford Medical Centre by 12:45. Since our appt was 2 we had lots of time to relax and regroup. Dr. Lee had his Resident doctor come in first to go over things and then he came in. He’s the surgeon who does the Hipec. So he planned out, first Barclay will do 3-4 rounds of the chemo. Then sometime in the third round a PET scan to see if the tumors are smaller. Then if the chemo has worked he will do a laparoscopy on his abdomen to look at the tumors with a camera. Depending on all that it might be surgery after that. It’s all a bit iffy at this point.

We left feeling positive and confident he is the leading expert in this field in N.California.

We headed over to the hotel and checked in. It was almost 4 by then and we we’re pretty tired so we rested a bit. Oh, we had stepped at Safeway to get something to snack on. We had seen a Mexican place on our way to the hotel so we shared a dinner there around 7. We were quite tired by then and just watched a little TV before lights out.

The next morning we headed back over and parked by 10 am. His appointment was at 11. But, then the appt was late and we only got in to see Dr. Neal’s NP at almost 12noon. I was definitely feeling annoyed as I wanted to get on the road. But after running through everything AGAIN with the NP, he went out and discussed things with Dr. Neal. So Dr. Neal is the leading expert on Peritoneal Mesothelioma. He was quite honest and straightforward that there is no cure and the best they can do is lengthen his life with the chemo and the Hipec if he’s eligible. I appreciated his candor. He talked about lots of other things but the main jist is 3-4 rounds chemo. Hopefully getting the tumors smaller and stabilized. He certainly wasn’t a warm and fuzzy kind of guy but more to the point. I liked him for that though especially when he said, it doesn’t matter where it came from the point is to go from here to help you live longer. He sees mesothelioma patients all the time so I guess he’d know.

So then we left feeling positive for the most part. I mean there is going to be some difficult times ahead but that’s then.

So then came the worst drive of my life home and I’m not kidding. But we got home safely at least.

Today, B has to go pick up about a zillion prescriptions. One of the prescriptions has a huge copay and we said no way are we bankrupting ourselves for this, so the patient advocate is filling out something for the financial aid? or grant? I ‘m not sure what, but I know we’re not doing it.

Today is just a regroup day and plan out next week with Barclay’s first chemo on Wednesday.

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, cancer, cooking, Flylady, husband, simple foods by

HAPPY FALL EQUINOX

Happy Birthday to B!!!! 74 years young today!!

Happy birthday to Bilbo and Frodo too!!

My son came over yesterday and we had a birthday dinner of tofu burgers and fries. Quite yummy. Then we watched Shrek 2. That’s my favorite with Puss in Boots.

Then this morning he made a huge brunch, also delicious.

I headed to the gym for a quick workout. I plan on making some brown rice for dinner and to use tomorrow too. I think I’ll also do some salmon. Then I have some salad stuff to use up.

Tomorrow I plan on going to the Roseville gym but I might wait till Tuesday. It depends on how much I get done today.

I think the Flylady zone is the bedroom so I usually do that and the Living zone together. Both don’t really require a lot: just dusting, watering plants, mirrors, and vacuuming. Plus just a general tidy up and putting things away that need to go elsewhere.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, camping, cancer, husband, Lake tahoe by

First off, we had a very successful doctor appt with the UCD lung cancer specialist. Even though Barclay does not have mesothelioma in his lungs but in his peritoneum it is treated the same way. She spent a whole hour with us going over all his scans etc. She is very proactive and scheduled another Pet scan and put in for chemo to start once approved by insurance.

She said that we should wait to see what the Stanford specialist says about everything but have the other in place. I really liked her and her approach. Very approachable and down to earth and incredibly smart.

I’m grateful we only have 2 weeks till we go to Stanford although it seems like a long time to wait.

I’m grateful for our lovely cooler weather and it’s just so nice.

I’m sad we have to cancel Tahoe but there’s not any way to go up that week since we’ll be in Palo Alto Thursday and Friday. I’m sad about it but we just aren’t in a position to go up for 2 nights and then come home. Hopefully, there will be another trip.

I’m grateful I had a good day with infusion and then going to the gym and library. Infusion was busy and I have so much respect for the nurses that have to take care of 5 patients at a time. They are super heroes for sure.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, cancer, Gratitude, home stuff, husband, Walking by

First for our great weather. Nice temperatures and we’ve been able to eat dinner on the patio again. So nice. Plus we’re sitting outside at wine time too.

Next, walking at the park and enjoying the fresh morning air. A few people are showing up but we’re generally almost done by then.

Finally, we have the appointment at Stanford set. It’s the end of September which seems very far ahead but that’s the best they could do with the specialist we’re seeing. He only sees patients Thursdays that’s that. We did ask to be put on a cancellation list. Our plan would be to drive to Palo Alto do the appointment and then spend the night in a hotel. There is no way I could drive 3 1/2 hours back and forth on the same day.

I’m not sure how the surgery etc will play out and how we will afford me staying somewhere but I’ll worry about that when the time comes.

Today is a home day for me and I just need to do house chores. I might make a loaf of bread in the bread maker. Not sourdough just regular sandwich bread but I’ll see how I feel.

Frugal Friday

Posted in books, bread, budgeting, budgets, California, cancer, cash envelopes, Credit cards, frugalism, husband, reading by

It’s been a frugal week for the most part. All the birthday gifts, cake, and food were budgeted in my envelopes, so that was good. I did go to Costco for the burgers, rolls, etc but that too I had in my Costco envelope as well.

We are stretched really thin with money this month due to a few extra things. I’ve done really well with my envelope cash system but bigger bills are still catching up with us and we still have a cc balance from two car registrations, and some other bills from June. I hate having to carry a balance so I’m putting anything extra towards that and thus a very stretched thin budget. We’ll get there but not as soon as I’d like.

We had a nice date lunch of pizza(cash from my dining-out envelope) and it’s always nice to get out of one’s box. This month is our 54th wedding anniversary and although we usually don’t do gifts or anything extravagant we will do a lunch out. At this point we’re planning a drive up to Tahoe to see the lake and get coffee at our favorite Tahoe House. With everything still up in the air with B it’s hard to feel very cheerful. He is and always will be the great love of my life.

I didn’t feel great this morning so decided not to go to either the pool or the gym. I’m not sure if it’s stress or just feeling low energy. So I made a loaf of bread and did a few random chores.

B did get an appointment( we just found out) for next Friday for a second biopsy. It’ll be done at UCD hospital again so I can wait in the cafeteria. That will be a Dex day but I can wait and take Dex when I get home so it should be fine. He also sent a very detailed message to the doctor about some of the PET scan results and about the CUP diagnosis( that we are theorizing will be the case.) That’s called cancer undiagnosed primary. We’ll see what her response is.

My daughter and I went to the Pet bookstore yesterday and I hit the jackpot with Craig Johnson books. There were 5 on the shelf. For some reason, even on eBay these go for a minimum of $5 a piece. And most are more. I also picked up 2 more in the Baldacci series I’m reading. It’s the Atlee Pine series. She’s a great character. I also picked up Cooking for Two from the Cooks Test Kitchen. I saw a recipe for manicotti which used lasagna noodles rolled up so I may make that tonight instead of pizza.

The weather is cooling off and that’s a relief but there are lots of fires going on. One over where blogger I read lives. Hope you’re safe Donna and Dale!

Well, that’s it from this blogger. Anyone on a limited budget and how do you plan things, like big expenses. Do you ever carry a CC balance even if you don’t want to because you have to.? I’m hoping by this time next year we will have our envelopes fully funded for the big expenses but it does take time. I’m also concerned about our house insurance going up because of the California Fair Plan. A lot of people have been posting on Next door neighbor about some serious increases.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in books, bread, California, cancer, cooking, Gratitude, husband, velcade, Walking by

No reports back on the biopsy. I thought for sure, we’d hear something yesterday. So waiting, waiting. Not that I’m expecting anything but bad news but at least we’ll know what the official diagnosis is. 🙁

After that, no doctor appts until next Friday and that’s with his NP from his transplant team so I’m not sure how that will play out. The new oncologist appt isn’t until the week after that so it’s definitely a waiting game. Wait, Wait, Wait.

Things to be thankful for though:

We are getting LOTS of tomatoes and I plan on having my favorite tomato and mayonnaise sandwich later today.

I have Velcade this morning and I am always thankful for efficient and knowledgeable nurses. After that, I will go down to the library and pick up my hold.

I’m thankful we had some days of cooler weather but we’re on an upward swing again. It was nice and cool this morning walking. There were LOTS of people walking even at 6am. I guess it’s the summer crowd.

I’m thankful my son has a nice apartment and is staying cool especially since he just down with covid. It’s the first time he’s had it. I miss him being here so I can hover over him!!!:) But he’s a grown man and knows what to do.

I’m thankful the sourdough boule I made yesterday came out perfect. The last two were dismal and I had to throw them out. I read on the problem and I wasn’t letting my starter mature enough. So I’ve been feeding twice a day and it’s very active now. I plan on doing another one soon. Also, with the heat, proofing time and bulk fermentation are different because it’s warm, so that was a factor as well.

Simple Sunday

Posted in books, bread, California, Flylady, home stuff, husband by

So good to be home. It’s cool out and the gardens look great. Plus it’s quiet!!!

Our obnoxious unfriendly neighbor has been unusually quiet for about 6 weeks now. I know he’s over there because he has opened his workshop/garage, but no metal grinding. Usually, he’s grinding metal all day. We’re pretty sure he’s running some sort of business but we can’t tell what exactly. But it’s been blissful to have it so quiet, let’s hope I don’t jinx it.

I used the new shower and it’s not going all the way over to hot so it’s warmish. I guess we’ll have to have the handyman fix it this week. Plus there are some gaps in the grout in a few places. Update: B watched the Delta you tube video and fixed it. It was quite easy.

Today I just need to use the steam mop and that’s about it. Yesterday I did the kitchen zone, the bedroom zone and washed the bathroom windows. I might do my office area windows too. I made a loaf of sandwich bread yesterday too using Rhonda Hertzel’s bread recipe. It came out perfect. I’m feeding my sourdough so it’ll need a few days.

I browsed Goodwill looking for any Craig Johnson books but nada. They really are hard to find. I found an old library copy of The Secret Garden which I thought would be fun to re-read.

Today is Father’s Day, happy father’s Day to all you men out there from your Furry kids and human kids. I told my kids to plan Dad’s lunch or dinner.

What plans do you have for Father’s Day?

My father was never around so it was a nonexistent thing.