Category Archives: Uncategorized

November hasn’t been a kind month

Posted in Blood test, Bone marrow transplant, cancer, MDS, Multiple myeloma, Uncategorized by

It will be a year tomorrow that Barclay was getting a blood test and was told to go to the ER immediately. He had almost 0 platelets, and extremely low RBC, WBC, and hemoglobins. Seriously bad.  I knew it was something bad and that this wasn’t just a blip.

 

He got in to see the local oncologist pretty quickly( like that same week). MDS was a possibility or aplastic anemia.  After getting more transfusions he got a BMB but the BMB wasn’t done right and the sample was inadequate.  This was when we were still with Sutter.  So eventually it was done correctly and the diagnosis was MDS high risk.

He then was transfusion-dependent and without a transplant would last maybe a year.

The rest is history.

Today was almost that year mark and another BMB.

Now my turn. It was right before Thanksgiving in 2003 when I had the fracture in my T-10.  Of course, I didn’t know that then or even that it was Multiple Myeloma. the NP I saw said a strained back. No Xray ( which would have at least seen something). I lived with that for 18 months till the spring of 2005 when I saw a doctor about some back surgery since my back still hadn’t really ever gotten 100% better.  Then I had an MRI. There was a plasmacytoma. The rest is history.

So November brings up some difficult emotions.

Transversing blood cancers is difficult. I’ve been fortunate that my Myeloma has responded when I’m in treatment.  I’m grateful I’m not starting treatment this month but hopefully can get to spring before I start.  B’s MDS is tricky and I hope he has a long if not permanent remission.

There’s always the questions” Why Us?” But I don’t bother with that anymore. Nor do I do prayers or the ‘God’ thing’.  Life is what it is and I believe we must live presently and with good intentions. There are no second-guessing these things.  I believe we must js\ust put one foot in front of the other and

remember what Bilbo Baggins says” It’s dangerous business going out your front door”.

Simple Sunday

Posted in decluttering, Flylady, Uncategorized by

Another week ahead with 2 appointments.B has his BMB ( 6 months) on Monday to check how everything is. I’m pretty sure it’ll be good as nothing unusual has shown on any blood tests. Then Tuesday he has weekly labs. He’s driving himself to those. Then Wednesday I have my dental surgery to remove the root of the broken tooth. I’ll have propofol to be sedated.  I’m hoping the gap heals for Thanksgiving. I’m not doing an implant but may consider a bridge for that area.  I would consider not doing anything but there is the risk of an infection and that wouldn’t be good.

I guess we’ll be eating soup this week.

Still no rain in our forecast. By this time we usually have had several storms with rain. Everything is quite dry.

I’m in the bedroom zone this week. I did the windows and tidied the closet. I was going to declutter a vintage suitcase I have in a corner and discovered it had mold on the bottom. So I had to take it out and remove everything. I decluttered about 25% but some of the items are baby things and want to hold on to them a while longer. Not clothes, they are long gone but wooded toys and some Peter Rabbit plates( Beatrix Potter). So now I need to buy a bin for that stuff. Unless I can get them in the under the bed bin which I will try first.

Then after seeing that, I ‘ve decided to pull up the antique wool Karastan rug I have and donate that to Cancer Thrift.  I’ve had this rug since 1977 and bought it at the Salvation Army for $500.

BF1936E0-FA70-4E07-8641-ABF8015F9821.jpegIt’s a lovely rug in pastels but I think it’s time if it’s holding moisture on the floor causing mold. Our bedroom floor is cold in the winter partly due to there is no insulation under the house.  We had to remove all that when we had the rodent infestation about 3 years ago. So, I think, it’s time to do something else. My daughter’s tiny room has vinyl flooring from Home Depot and it’s really nice so I think that’s what we’ll do in there.

Our floors are wood(fir) but not in great shape so I don’t feel bad about covering them up. Plus it does make cleaning easier.

Today is a gym day( I think). Now with the rug fiasco, I may just stay home and deal with that.

 

 

A minimal Thanksgiving

Posted in Uncategorized by

552cdb22-105b-4107-869e-4ec1dff8e550.jpgEvery year I think “oh, I’m going to go out for Chinese food, or order a pizza for Thanksgiving”.

But then I realize, I like to cook for Thanksgiving although each passing year I streamline it more. One, because too many side dishes are well, too many.  But, since we don’t have family that comes or anyone we know really, it’s a fairly low key event.

This year I will do our vegetarian nut loaf, which I’ve made every year for the last 20, plus either a small turkey or turkey breast, plus mashed potatoes, a vegetarian tamari gravy, and a few other sides. That’s about it. I always buy a pie but no one eats it till maybe the next day as we’re not dessert eaters at all.  I’m not really a baker so I usually buy a pie at Costco but this year maybe I’ll think of something else.

Since it’s only the 4 of us, I just don’t want to overdo it.

I have a few pumpkins for the table and the knitted pumpkins as well and I’ll go cut a few branches of the Japanese maple for color.

Frugal Friday

Posted in budgets, husband, simplicity, Uncategorized by

It’s been a nice week. Very low key overall. The weather is cooler but still no rain. I guess I’m ready for some rain and we do it need it as things are quite dry.

The small fall garden we planted has given us some lettuce and chard and even a few radishes my daughter grew in a # 10 can. Too funny but they were the best radishes yet. We’ve had 2-3 nice salads and that saves a bit from buying store-bought.

I’ve been to the gym a few times to keep up on weights and treadmill but have been coming straight home and not having to go into Safeway. That really does save money. I think the Walmart pickup has really been excellent as I can see the amount of what I’m buying and planning meals too.

 Today I’m heading to Costco so that won’t be too frugal. This list includes Vanilla which for some reason is exorbitant.  It’s been that way for a while. Last year when B was still working I had ordered vanilla beans and made my own extract. But that is used up now.

I’m planning on getting a Costco pizza for dinner which is a money saver since it’s $10 for a huge pizza. I end up freezing some but that’s okay.

The year is winding down and I’m glad that 2019 will be over. It’s been a hard year with everything. B still hasn’t decided about going back to work but I think it’s about 90% that he doesn’t want to deal with all the stuff again. We’re not sure how the disability payments will go in January. They’re due to end Dec 31st so if there’s an extension, I don’t know yet. It’ll be harder with just SS $ but I think it will work although Costco’s trips will be MUCH smaller:)

A lovely fall so far…

Posted in ikea, plants, Uncategorized by

Our weather is so beautiful.

I can’t hardly imagine being anywhere else, well maybe Hawaii! Next week looks lovely as well with day time temperatures in the 70’s. We do need the rain though:(

We had a fun time at Ikea this week. I got the new Poang chair covers(2) that I’d been waiting till they were in stock. I really would have liked the more expensive ones but they weren’t in stock till the end of November plus they were kinda pricey.  I love their storage jars and always buy one or two.  I’m liking the smaller ones to use in the fridge.

We also picked up the plant stand I’ve been eyeing so I can put 3 plants together.

 

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I really like the bamboo wood legs and it holds 3 plants. I’m still experimenting with which ones to use.

I also gave some plants a shower this week and they’re happier.

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This morning I made banana bread as we had 4 ripe bananas that needed using.

I always add pecans/walnuts and choc chips.

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This morning I’m planning on going into town for just a brief stop at the bank to get a copy of a transaction and then down to our local bagel store.

We haven’t heard from the tree guy so maybe next week. Since they did the other tree last Saturday I thought they might be back today but we had no call.

No appointments week

Posted in books, Uncategorized by

Finally, where we have NO appointments.  It’s crazy such a little thing can mean so much. ( sounds a bit like Gandalf the grey). (Also, we just finished watching the trilogy and I’m halfway thru the last book “Return of the King”), hence the reference.

Seriously, it is nice. So today I’m going to get the oil changed in my VW.  If the wine sale is still going on at Grocery Outlet I might stop there. I had picked up a Malbec last week and tried it last night and it was quite good.

We haven’t heard back from the tree guy so who knows but it’s only Wednesday.

Out neighbor hasn’t gotten home from the hospital yet. We haven’t heard anything but I hope he is okay and gets to come home even if it’s only for a short while. His doggie misses him. The son is coming 2x  day to feed and walk him. I’m not sure where the son is staying as he lives in the bay area.

Tonight both my adult kids are going to see LOTR part one on the big screen. It’s the extended version so it’ll be long. I’m sure it’ll be great to see.

I’m planning just some jasmine rice with vegetable spring rolls for dinner.

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, Flylady, Uncategorized by

Another beautiful day here in Northern California. It’s still so dry but the nights are cool so maybe that little bit of humidity is helping.

We had the first of the 2 trees down yesterday. For some reason, it took them all day which I thought was a little odd. They did cut it into 16 “rounds so that may have taken more time and they chipped the small branches. I guess they’ll be back to do the other(the more important tree that is leaning in toward the house) next week.

It’s fall behind today and I still got up sorta the regular time. I tried to hold off till 4:45 which would be 5:45. Mornings aren’t the problem, it’ll be 5 pm when I’ll be ready practically for bed. I wish they’d just pass the law to end daylight savings. Yes, the mornings are a little darker for a while but that changes fairly quickly by Dec 21.

Today is a gym day.

We’re also in the Kitchen zone for Flylady. I’d say put the timer on and do a 15 minute declutter. Then start wiping cabinets and the fronts of cabinets. Wipe fridge and clear counters. Put stuff away that doesn’t belong in the kitchen. Then clean the stove and mop the floor.   I also do the windows. Try and do 20-minute zone cleanings. It may take a few days to do the whole kitchen. I do mine all at once and it does take sometimes up to an hour.

I have some pictures I’ll post once they upload.

Our very old neighbor fell again and this time he was behind his house. His son had tried calling me but I didn’t answer as I was just leaving.  so now I have guilt.940A5325-66CB-480E-8912-195D367F1E73_1_105_c.jpeg929E9B71-8281-4759-9181-1F47DC7D8A35_1_105_c.jpegC7DA536D-FD06-485D-BB5E-DDF0D750C700_1_105_c.jpeg