Tag Archives: chemo

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, cancer, Gratitude, Myeloma by

It’s Thanksgiving Day so lots to be thankful for:

For B doing well after Chemo. It’s early days yet but still, it’s nice to feel things normal. It’s around day 10 that the drops happen. The chemo was reduced some so maybe he’ll not have as big of a drop. Still, I’m thankful for the chemo working even though it’s a very difficult drug. (Cisplatin).

I’m thankful my 2 children are healthy and happy. They both help us so much. S is around to do extra stuff we need done and I’m beyond thankful for that.

I’m thankful my cancer is staying steady with my light chains in the normal range. My ratio is slightly out of range but not by much.

I’m thankful I can walk in the mornings and enjoy the early morning sunrises.

I’m thankful that we have SS and it pays our bills. Since we still have a mortgage that’s a big deal. We probably couldn’t afford to live somewhere else unless we rented and then that would just be using money from selling this. We don’t want to do that at all so here we stay. My son is putting in some railings by our deck and the sunroom for safety.

I hope this day finds you as well as can be and what are you thankful for?

Midweek

Posted in Blood test, California, cancer, cooking, decluttering, garden shed, swimming by

Good news. Barclay’s platelets went up to 90!!! that’s from 22. So a big improvement and the nose bleeds have stopped. His hemoglobin stayed at 8.5 so not much improvement but they don’t do transfusions till you’re below 8. So all around he’s feeling better. He does need to have another set of labs tomorrow as they want it to be twice a week.

This morning he will have a video visit with the oncologist and we should have a plan for the next chemo. I’m heading to the pool and Winco so I won’t be able to listen in but I told him make sure, under no circumstances, are you doing the same amount next time. We’ll just have to see what she comes up with. I think she conferred with the Stanford doctors so that will be interesting. He’s scheduled for next Wednesday.

The mornings are darker now and I’m walking with my headlamp. I guess in a few weeks it’ll be fall back time so 6am will be 5am and so the light should be better then. Plus sunset is like 6:15 so it’s definitely different.

I’ve ordered a water bottle for B since he lost his large one some time ago. I use the Takada brand and like it better than most other ones. This one keeps ice water cold for hours. He’ll need something next week since the chemo will probably be 4+ hours.

I did a large Goodwill drop-off on Sunday. Most of it was from cleaning out the garden shed. I’d got most of it sorted and cleaned out. I do have another load of plastic bins to get rid of and I’m not sure if I’m going to leave them out for free ( this would be on our main road as our driveway is a dead end to our house) or take them to Goodwill. I also have another box of canning jars to give away as I don’t plan on canning that much next year. I do love canning and it’s been a great hobby and food saver but I’m older and it might just be easier to buy jam rather than making 12 jars of strawberry jam.:) I guess the reality of what I can do and what can’t/don’t want to do is becoming clearer.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in books, bread, California, cancer, cooking, Gratitude, reading by

So thankful chemo went well. No problems at all; it went way quicker than we thought it would.

I’m thankful I had lots of books on hold so I can read today. One was a LP so I have to return that and get the regular one. I have been reading ‘The Two Towers’ and am about a third of the way through.

I’m thankful I do not have to drive to Sacramento today to pick up B’s specialty prescription. This is one that is very expensive and has to go through the grant process. It’ll probably be ready Monday or Tuesday. He is supposed to start it tomorrow but that’s not going to happen.

I’m grateful that the heat wave will soon be over and we’ll be back in normal October weather. It’s not too unusual to have higher temperatures in October just not 99 degrees. I think today is supposed to be 94.

I’m making a loaf of whole wheat bread in the breadmaker but I think the hydration is off. It seems too stiff. I’ll still bake it but next time I’ll do a bit more water. With the bread maker, it’s harder to adjust the ingredients as the machine is doing the mixing and kneading. So when I checked it later I could see that it was a little stiff but by then it’s too late to add water. I’ll see how it turns out. Whole wheat is always a little tricky anyway.

Simple Sunday

Posted in bread, budgets, California, cancer, cooking, swimming, Walking by

I feel mostly back to normal after our 2 days at Stanford. I was quite tired yesterday but today felt good enough to go to the gym. I did weights and some treadmill.

I also got some sourdough going and I’m trying a new baking method using a Pullman Pan. Everything in preparation is the same, fold and turn, bulk rise, but then you place the dough in the pan and put it in the refrigerator overnight. The pan has a lid that you put on to bake and it gives you a square loaf that is great for toast or sandwiches. I’ll post some pictures and give an evaluation. If the sourdough doesn’t work out I’ll just try a regular yeast bread.

I made up an apple tart using apples from our small tree. The big apple tree had lots of apples but the bugs got into them so most of them went to the deer. I have to go check the Rhode Island Greenings because I think there were a couple of them. Those trees are still fairly young so it’ll be a few years before we see any crops.

We have a few hot days coming up and hopefully, we can close all the windows and it won’t get too hot. I think I saw 99 and 97 so fairly warm:( Well, it is that time of year when it can be cool or hot.

We had a good walk this morning and I plan to keep walking my regular days even when B starts his chemo. I figure the first week he won’t feel like it but by week 2 he should be able to.

I plan on swimming tomorrow and then maybe going over to Winco for a few things. I don’t need a lot but would like to get some Bubbly water and that’s the cheapest place to get it. Depending on how Wednesday shapes up, I could go to the library and the gym while B is in chemo. We need to find out from the nurse how long she/he thinks it’ll be. the doctor seemed to indicate that it’s a fast infusion but the pre-drugs can take some time. That’s like Benadryl and saline.

I scheduled my flu and covid shots for this week too so I’ll be glad to get them done.

I’ve cooked some baked potatoes for dinner and I will make a spinach salad to go with that. I’ll have to check what kind of protein I have because I know I used the tofu up. I need to make up my menus for the month tomorrow so I can plan out what to use up or what I may need to buy.

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.

Velcade, Round 2, shot #1 or 4 depending on how you look at it.

Posted in Blood test, cancer, Myeloma, simple foods by

Today is back to the Wednesday shots and then home to take Dex. This is shot #1 for round 2 or shot #4 if you’re counting total. Don’t think it matters really.

It was a nice drive down with sun and no rain yet. I was in and out in 20 minutes. My CBC and CMP came back fine but haven’t seen the other 2 and that will be Friday. So we’ll see.

Tonight I have dinner planned as I made some pintos yesterday and we have some brown rice left over. So we’ll have that with some avocado and pico de gallo.

Five on Friday

Posted in books, frugalism, simplicity, Uncategorized by

I didn’t do Frugal Friday since overall this week hasn’t been too frugal. As far as groceries go I was frugal and didn’t spend much. I think I bought a few things at our Holiday market and that’s it. I went to Walmart yesterday( I go maybe twice a year) to buy some type of PJ for B to wear in the hospital. When he gets his Hickman catheter which has three things hanging to get and receive stuff, you really can’t wear a shirt that goes over your head. It needs to be a button up. So I found 2 nice sets for him to wear. Pretty much you’re in sweats or jammies the whole time. Plus you really have no energy to really even get dressed.  I remember, for me, a shower would completely wipe me out.  So back to Walmart. As I said I rarely ever shop there but I do like their Danskin line and I pretty much live in those. So I was really annoyed they have stopped carrying them.  I am going to check online because I thought I saw them there.

So that shop turned out not frugal because I had a big list including propane bottles, some food items, etc.  But I was pleased with what I did get.

Today is day 2 of B’s chemo and I’m going to drop him off and then go to Safeway for a few things like veggies, chicken, and olives.  They have an olive bar like whole foods does. Not as many choices but still nice.

Then I’m coming home to finish some laundry and vacuum.  I have a good book I’m reading so that’s on my list.

A friend is bringing B home so I don’t have to go back out. Nice!!

Sunday my daughter and I are going to trek down to IKEA for a cabinet for the bathroom I’ve wanted. It’s tall and narrow and since our bathroom is so small my choices are limited. Then we can have fun looking around. But trips to Ikea are rarely frugal. I only go there twice a year also so I kinda keep a list going. They have great kitchen towels for under a dollar.  Plus storage boxes are very inexpensive and I could use a few more for pictures.

It’s still rainy and cold now but next week looks like more normal temperatures. Mid fifties and then sixties.

Dinner is a pizza I have a coupon for and my son will pick up after work.

 

Simple Sunday

Posted in cooking, instant pot recipes, simple foods, Uncategorized by

We were up and out at 7:30 to get to the infusion center and then I came straight home to do my Sunday chores.

I did the bathroom zone, vacuumed, tidying the kitchen counters and did some emails.

Then I went back to town to go to the gym and Target. B has to have blood and platelets plus the Dacogen so it’ll be a long day for him. Either my son or daughter will go get him around 3 pm.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned that I did get an Instant Pot and have really liked it so far.  I’ve done rice a few times, a chicken salsa recipe, a whole chicken, and last night I did spaghetti. The spaghetti sounds weird but actually, it was quite good. Plus, I sauteed the ground beef in the instant pot then put the spaghetti is and then homemade sauce.  It was really quite delicious.

Today I’m going to do brown rice and I may try hardboiled eggs too.  The whole chicken was very moist but I think overall I’d prefer a roast chicken. The time factor though is pretty amazing. I think since it’s really a pressure cooker the flavors are locked into whatever you are cooking.  I wouldn’t say I absolutely love it yet, but I have enjoyed the things I’ve made. I haven’t tried beans yet and for me, that’s probably the deciding factor.

This coming week shouldn’t be too bad with appts. B has chemo tomorrow( the last of this cycle), then Wednesday I have the appt with the Medicare person, so that’s it overall except B’s labs.

The weather is supposed to be cold and rainy/snowy so I’m not looking forward to that.

Simple Sunday

Posted in books, budgets, cancer, cooking, Flylady, MDS, simple foods, Uncategorized by

A sunny day at last. Actually, yesterday was nice too. But rain/snow is forecast for the whole week. I guess we’ll get thru. But when the sun is out and it’s almost 60 degrees, I start to want to go out and do yard work, or garden. or get back out to the barn for more decluttering. But then it’s nice for a day and then back to 50 degrees or less and all that enthusiasm leaves. Oh well, it’ll all be there to get to.

Today is day 4 of chemo, so only one more for this round and then it’s a waiting game to see how the labs start doing. I suspect at least a week before anything maybe two. I have read some encouraging stories on the MDS facebook page. That does help. Plus I’ve asked a few questions and people are very helpful. That kind of support is really worth it and from my own experience with the Myeloma page and the Myeloma Beacon, they were literally life-saving and helped me move in the right direction.

Today is a gym day and then home to just do some chores before heading back in to get B. Today is a short day for him so that’s nice.

Dinner is pulled pork with corn tortillas. Scrambled eggs for B. His mouth sores he says are getting a tiny bit better.

This week is the bathroom zone. I was watching YouTube with The minimom who is in New Zealand. She’s quite cute with her zone cleaning but she said she uses some printouts from Etsy. I went and looked and am undecided if I need these. They’re only $4 but I’m not sure how much I’d use them. Basically, I have a planner( blank pages with a dot grid, I get at Michaels) and then each day write my goals and what I need to do. I also do a budget daily checking what’s out and what is due when. 98% of our bills are automatic but a few are still put in.  So usually, I also do the next paycheck budget and adjust accordingly such as this next pay period I need to get the van smogged and pay registration. So, then I add that in.

Off to tidy up and then read.

Oh, I’m reading the last Henning Mankel book,’After the fire’.  His writing is just amazing. It is so clear and precise. Yet, very poetic.

Friday Stuff

Posted in Blood test, budgets, cancer, cooking, Uncategorized by

I got a call from my oncologist’s office that the Dexa scan came back in the normal range. Yay, one less thing to think about. Kinda a relief.

Today we’re off to chemo day 2, and B needs a blood transfusion as his Hemoglobin was down to 7.4. I am so hoping that the chemo kicks in soon and he will need less peripheral support( transfusions). Realistically though it could be 2-3 weeks.

Then I’m coming home to do some tidying and laundry. My son, who gets off at 4: 30, is going to pick up his Dad so I don’t have to go back out. That’ll be nice.

 

I’m making pizza for dinner and have the dough made and is doing a rise. I thought I’d do a simple marguerite one and then an Italian sausage and mushroom one.

The no spend January sorta fizzled out as I went to Target yesterday. Well, I got cat food but also a candle and a faux eucalyptus branch made by Hearth and Home which is the Magnolia line. I’ve been buying fresh eucalyptus at Trader Joes but haven’t been there in quite a while. So I thought these would do nicely as a substitute. I shall keep focused on the No spend but things may sneak in here and there and I’m keeping track of that. For me just bringing awareness into what I’m spending money on is an eye-opener.  But since I don’t go out for coffees a lot or buy clothes, the main thing I spend on is household items. So that’s all good as long as the budget is there.

If you’re a Dracula fan, I just finished ‘Dracul’ which is written by the great grand nephew of Bram Stoker.  It was superb!!!

Well, off to town.