Category Archives: Myeloma

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.

Frugal Friday and other things

Posted in budgets, California, cancer, freezer cooking, Multiple myeloma, Myeloma, Walking by

This week we started the week out in Napa, so our RV space was $65 a night. A great price for full hookups. We spent $50 on pizza and wine, then $20 at the bakery, $40 at Trader Joe’s but $20 of that was for their seasonal candles, and $15 at the cheese station in Oxbow. So overall, a frugal getaway.

Yesterday was my doctor’s and we needed gas in the Santa Fe so we stopped at Costco on our way home. We went into Winco for salad packs, wine, and some Dave’s bread for sandwiches. We stopped at Celestino’s for a slice of NY pizza. It is the closest to NY pizza I’ve had in this area. That’s saying something.

My appt went well and he said it wasn’t the Velcade that caused my vomiting but the Dex. Dex causes lots of acid reactions in the stomach so he said to try and take only 4 next week. Then on top of that just as we were finishing walking this morning my knee( the one I fell on off the step ladder) completely gave out. WTF!!!! I didn’t fall but barely made it back to the car. So I vaguely remembered that dex causes muscle weakness. I messaged him to check that out and I guess I’ll just have to hobble around till it gets better. I made an appt with my PC for next week, but I’ll probably cancel that since I pretty much guess that the dex is the culprit. Since I had the fall I’m probably more susceptible there. Oh well, it’s always something. I planned on doing all the chores I didn’t get done this week today but that’s on hold now.

B has gone to town to buy cat crunchies and go to the gym. We alternate buying the big bag of Science Diet cat food with our daughter. So $55 for that.

I also planned going to the pool tomorrow but now I’m not sure what I’ll do. Maybe the muscle pain will subside by then.

I have a freezer lasagna ready for dinner and we’ll have one of the salad packs.

I do plan on going to Costco next week mostly for their sale items. Lots of good deals next week. But I want to do a freezer challenge and eat down some of my stockpiles.

I’m still working on some Christmas ideas for us all and have gotten a few things like a tea sampler for both kids. ( They’re big tea drinkers). I still plan on a few gift cards and will do that next week if I can get out and walk:( bummer and it better get better soon.

I just finished an absolutely wonderful book called” Lessons in Chemistry”. I highly recommend it.

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 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.

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, canning tomato salsa, cooking, Myeloma, Walking by

The day started with a walk in the park with NO ONE there but us!! Very unusual these days. But quite nice.

Then back home and right into prepping tomatoes to can. B did all the food milling and I got the canner and jars ready. Four Quarts of tomato sauce. They are in the water bath right now. Quarts take 40 minutes and I add 5 minutes for altitude.

I may or may not have a flu shot appt. I didn’t get a reminder and couldn’t find it in my messages as a confirmation. The website was useless. So I think I’ll go in at 11:30 and check. If it’s there great if not I’ll just reschedule. I’m skipping the gym because of canning and then going into town. I usually go to the gym by 8:30 a.m.

I pulled some ready meals from the freezer for tonight. Stuffed bell peppers( vegetarian) and a turkey chili. I need to dig down in the freezer and see what I have.

This week will be busy and different with going to the infusion center on Wednesday. I need to get to the library too. I have holds there. One is Demon Copperfield by Kingsolver. People love it or hate it. I suspect I won’t like it but I’ll try. Some of her stuff I have loved like Animal Dreams and Bean Trees but I disliked Poisonwoood Bible.

I also need to look at my swim times and rec center times and how that’s going to work. After Infusion, I’ll take Dex so the rest of the day is a wash and I never drive the next day either. Friday can be ok so I’ll just have to see. If I need B can drive me to the store or even down to the Rec Center. There are loads of trails there so he could walk or hang out in the library. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see how it goes.

I’m going to work on my Japanese quilt today as I got the quilt frame. The poles are way too long for me to use so B needs to cut them down. I’m not sure how much easier it is with the frame. The lady did not want it back even though I said I’m not probably going to do more. She just said pass it on. That was generous of her. Her father had made this frame and it is sturdy and looks professional.

Well onward and upward. At least the assholes in Congress passed something so the govt doesn’t shut down.

Frugal Friday

Posted in budgets, California, camping, cancer, cooking, freezer cooking, husband, Myeloma, Pantry, swimming, Walking by

It was a frugalish week. After swimming on Tuesday I stopped at TJs for a few things like eggs, sandwich bread, odds and ends, and wine. I need to go there tomorrow and pick up some stuff to take camping. There’s not a TJs in the whole of Lake Tahoe. There is a Grocery Outlet though. I spent just over $100. Other than that no grocery shopping. I think the way to save money(and it is working) on groceries is to stay out of Safeway, or even our Holiday Market is pretty high priced. Of course, sometimes I need something and it makes sense to get it here rather than driving out to get it. So I think I’m going to plan regular TJs, Winco, and then Costco for the bigger bulk items like coffee.

Today is B’s birthday so we’ll all celebrate with some cake and take out pizza. Another turn around the sun!! Happy Birthday to the love of my life.

We had a nice walk with only a few people there. It does really bug me though when people do not use a flashlight when it’s still dark-ish out.

Then I came home and made a loaf of pumpkin bread to freeze. I had enough pureed pumpkin left to make a batch of pumpkin muffins too.

Later I’m heading into town to go to CVS to hopefully pick up my dexamethasone. There’s been some confusion about where to send it and now I’m not sure if it’ll be there. I figured I’d better go in and check rather than call. The infusion center called and I have all my October dates scheduled. He wants 4 weeks on and 1 week off. Not sure why but in the long run it probably doesn’t matter. We canceled our mid October camping trip because we were going to leave the day I have an appt with the Dr. and then infusion after. There’s no sense going if I’ll have just gotten the shot and then Dex. We had a reservation for 4 nights so 3 of those days wouldn’t really make sense as those are the days I’m not 100%. That’s ok. We’re keeping the Napa reservation in November. I’ll start my next cycle that week so it’ll just need to be later in the week as we’re booked Sun- Thurs. Although, I think we’ll probably leave Wednesday so I can get the appt on Thursday.

Our fall weather is definitely here. Very cool mornings, nice days with warmish temperatures.

Here’s how the pantry is looking. I haven’t done another pressure canned meal as I don’t have a lot of room. When we get back I’ll make something to add. just look at the color of those tomatoes!!! The applesauce is from our tree this year. I still have half a box to do. All the rest of the tomatoes even the green ones I’m putting in a box in the closet to ripen. As they ripen I’m just bagging them and putting them in the freezer to process at a later date.

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.

So it begins…

Posted in Blood test, cancer, Multiple myeloma, Myeloma, Uncategorized by

So I just heard from my oncologist and my kappa light chains went up another 20+ points. My ratio( between kappa and Lambda went up over 2 points). So he’s going to set up my first shot the first week of October. I’m assuming the same as before 3 weeks on one week off.

The sooner we start the sooner we’ll know if Velcade is going to work this time. If not it would be on to the next regiment of treatment which is Darzalex.

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.