Tag Archives: health

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?

Thankful Thursday( late) and Frugal Friday

Posted in Blood test, books, budgets, California, cancer, frugalism, Gratitude, husband, peritoneal mesothelomia, Political things, Walking by

Yesterday was busy so I didn’t get anything written. I had to be down at infusion by 8:30am so needed to leave early. I did get my walk in first thing and that was nice. I’m thankful, I am still walking even though B isn’t. With his numbers so down he doesn’t have the energy.:(

I’m thankful infusion went ok. They are great nurses for sure. I noticed though there weren’t curtains to pull around the chairs which is odd for infusion rooms. All the UCD infusion chairs have some kind of curtain for privacy.

After infusion, I went to the library to pick up my holds. I am thankful for the Martha Riley Library as it is a wonderful community space.

I didn’t really have any enthusiasm to go to the gym. After that, I went back down to Winco. I finally saw where the new Trader Joe’s is and funny, it’s right down from Winco. But you can’t see it right off as the gas station blocks the view. It looks to be a bigger one than the Rocklin one so I’ll check it out next time I swim.

I’m thankful this fall has been colorful with leaves turning all shades of yellows, golds and some reds. Other than that, this week is really a downer if I’m honest.

Frugal-wise, it was ok. I didn’t really do a whole lot. All of the first-of-the-month bills are paid. There’s a little left over to get through till the end of the month. There’s Thanksgiving and so I’ll need a few more groceries for that. I ordered the Diestal turkey roast to be delivered on Nov 21. They are not cheap, but local and I’ve had good luck cooking them.

I spent $125 at Winco, $25 was on wine, so $100 was on food. I also filled the car up at Costco gas so that is a big $$ savings.

Today is a Dex day so it’s home for me. Barclay’s platelets have tanked so he’s going in for more labs this morning and hopefully scheduled for infusion. this is day 10. so we’re starting to hit the real downtime (days 10-15). He’s much better this cycle but still, there’s the platelets dropping. His hemoglobin is doing ok, but I think this is the period too where that started dropping. Fingers crossed it doesn’t.

My son is coming up today to work on a few things. If B needs an infusion tomorrow he could take him and my daughter go get him. We need the labs to come in till we know and the doctor says his platelets need to be under 50 for transfusion. I guess what she was saying is this is UCD policy. What a crock of shit. If it’s only going to keep going down and that means an ER visit, he knows he’s at 90 so why wait??? Doesn’t make any sense.

I’m still committed to not watching the news, it’s kind of a relief really. I know how I am with stuff that upsets me so much, so I feel this is a good thing for me right now. For how long? Who knows??

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.

The wonder of aging.

Posted in Uncategorized by

When we’re young we don’t think about aging or getting old. Yet, some of us are lucky to live to be 70 + years old.

“ I wish it need not happen in my time,” said Frodo.

” So do I, “said Gandalf,” and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

So we all just have to decide what to do with that time given us. When we’re young we don’t think about such things unless we are facing some mortality.

I have always been an avid exerciser and loved it. In my twenties, I ran, did ballet, and tennis, and hiked and backpacked and did Yoga. In 1976 I took one of the very first Vipassana meditation classes. Basically, it’s just watching your breath and letting your thoughts go. Pretty much like Zen Meditation. It’s always been a practice of mine. Nowadays they call it Mindful Meditation so it doesn’t sound so foreign to the average American. In my thirties, I did lots of hiking, yoga, and then swimming. Not too much running then . In my forties, much of the same and then started weight lifting at a local gym. Now in my 70’s I swim and do weights and walk almost every day. I was also a vegetarian at 18 till my mid-forties and then ate a little fish and chicken so maybe a modified vegetarian. That’s what I still do.

When I was diagnosed with Myeloma at 52, who with my background would have thought? Certainly not my young self. But there I was and here I am 20 years later. I still exercise and eat mostly a vegetarian diet. So is there a clue to being cancer-free? I doubt it. I think DNA breakdown is the most likely reason and why that is, is anyone’s guess.

I can’t do what I used to do and sometimes I feel age is creeping into my body. I’m certainly stiffer and more arthritis-y but I still can get around. My balance sometimes feels slightly off and I have to watch going up or down stairs. So there are lots of ‘old age’ things creeping in. So accepting limitations is a good thing. It’s hard to do but necessary.

So the wonder of aging, is that we get to be that older person. I wish I was a ‘cool’ old person who was sophisticated and always looked chic. But in my world, yoga pants or jeans and T-shirts are it. I look at people like Helen Mirren and go wow, how beautiful and chic she is. Well, that’s not me but I am wonderous of getting to be 72 in a few weeks time. And I will decide, each and every day what to do with the time that is given me.

Sort of good news.

Posted in knee injury, Uncategorized by

So I saw the PA in Ortho yesterday and she was very informative. She explained things very well although I probably only really understood half of the medical terms.

But the jist is NO SURGERY!! She explained that with a torn ACL you can still do most of the things you want in terms of walking etc. and even light jogging which I did find a little incredulous. Because my meniscus IS INVOLVED ( which the PC doctor said it was only age related degrading) and is actually what is causing the instability.

She also said even down the road if all else fails and they did do a surgery it would be knee replacement not repair of an ACL.

Basically, it will be physical therapy to strengthen the ligaments on both sides of my knee. She also said there was no acute trauma to the bones which is what the x-ray showed. In other words, no fractures etc. So I guess that’s good.

I just got back from my first PT appt and it was also very good. The PT was excellent in explaining the meniscus tear and ACl tear. Basiclly it boils down to strengthen the muscles around the knee to create stability. She advised not walking for a while yet since I’m walking favoring my right leg and so it offsets my gait and can cause other problems( hip) etc. She did say swimming is ok but start slow which I was planning on doing anyway.

All in all I’m encouraged and glad to have a full picture of the problem and what can help me. There is no healing of a torn ACL or meniscus so it’s a matter of living with it and getting my knee stable and strong.

End of a year…

Posted in books, California, camping, cancer, cooking, Gardening, travel, Uncategorized by

2023 is almost over.

Overall, I think we had a good year.

We had lots of RV adventures in Rubi and even went to The Westin in Napa(points used) for an overnight.

Everyone’s health is good and except for my knee still acting up and being on Velcade this fall, I think my health is good. This week is my last weekly shot of Velcade/Dex so I will be ready for a break. I’m not anemic or having any serious issues with Velcade just the normal stuff that’s to be expected. Still, I will be glad to switch to the monthly.

I did a lot of pressure canning and water bath canning this spring, summer, and fall. At this point, I’d say I’ve used maybe 1/3 of my pantry. I’ve learned a lot about food storage and it’s been fun. The all-American canner is a dream to work with. But as I get older, I may switch to the electric canner because the all-American is super heavy and difficult to move around. The electric one does have limits to how many you can do but that wouldn’t be a problem for me as I’m trying to can for a family with kids.

We were fortunate not to have to have any trees taken down this year but if we can afford it next year we should move ahead and do at least one. By my last count, we have about 10 more trees that should come down. But that’s A LOT of money we do not have.

We had a great garden this year too thanks to my daughter. I’m hoping next year is good too. Probably lots of tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, etc. Of course, crops should be rotated so that might affect where things go and how much we can plant.

The library has been wonderful and after reading over 100 books, I stopped counting because …why? Also, having the gym and library next to each other is awesome.

We do live a simple life.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in Blood test, California, cooking, Gratitude, Uncategorized by

I’m really grateful that our weather has been very nice. The high yesterday was 86 so that’s really nice for this time of year. I didn’t turn the coolers on till @ 1pm.

That I learned to pressure can and right now I have a full canner of pinto beans. Beans are really quite easy as there is no additional ingredients. So it’s just presoak the beans then cook for 30 minutes and then pressure can.

The window replacement looks really good and B just needs to put up the shake shingles and paint.

As always, all of us are in good health. Well, I do have rising #’s (Kappa light chains) but I just push that off till my next set of labs.

We’re getting LOTS of tomatoes, some cucumbers a few zucchini. It’s always so amazing how good homegrown produce is. I plan on doing another batch of tomato sauce this weekend. I’d like to get 2 dozen Qt jars for winter.

Perspective!

Posted in Uncategorized by

Well, all things considered, I’m doing good. I think I’ve figured out mostly my feelings about things and its ok. I guess the thing I’ve gotten from my processing is that ,when I spoke out about how I was treated by Library admin in that email , they took my attitude and said basically, you need to go. We don’t want that kind of attitude that doesn’timage agree with us. Being I was only an extra help employee, they must have just wanted to cut the cord completely. If I had any status of permanent part time, they couldn’t  have done anything.

So, its all pretty clear to me the sequence of events. I think it started with them blowing it that day the money went missing and telling me to not work at the branch. They didn’t handle it well, but at that point there was no going back. Then my email about how angry I was they would treat me this way after 8 years of basically running that branch. So, it was my outspokenness that really sealed the deal for them. They don’t want any dissension. Remember the person who lost the money is still employed because she is permanent.

I’ve decided not to have anything to do with the library and just step away. I will help with our Friends big fall book sale because I said I would. But other than that i need to just not put myself in a painful situation. I know how I am and I’d just obsess every time I went in.  So, really its better for my health not to put myself in that position.

BTW, I love this quote by Mary Oliver!

This is my last week on Pomalyst and then I get a 2 week break. My doctors on vacation so I won’t see him till august.

Plus my neutrophils are taking @ 2 weeks to come back up. I’m really hoping my free light chains have gone down. We shall see.