Happy Friday everyone! This is just a quickie to let you know that all went well at the radiotherapist today. Our latest member of the oncology team seemed like a nice guy and seemed confident that he could help Hubby. He will be speaking to the chemo oncologist to work out a plan of action, but reckons that we will be going for 2 to 3 weeks of radio, then we will get stuck back in to the chemo.
Obviously we wont know any more until next week, and I will be sure to keep you posted when we have a plan!
We are looking forward to a nice quiet weekend now - the last couple of days have been quite scary and tough, but I am feeling more positive again today. Operation Peapod is back in business!! :-)
Have a wonderful weekend, my friends, whatever you get up to! Don't forget to hug your loved ones and tell them that you love them!
Laters .... x
Friday 30 August 2013
Thursday 29 August 2013
Juice-tastic!!
Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me an obscene amount of pleasure to introduce my latest kitchen friend - my shiny new Juicer of Joy! As per my own crazy assed tradition I will at some point give my new toy a name, but this time I have decided to let Hubby choose and he has not yet gotten back to me.
After hearing a glowing testimonial from one of our friends on Sunday about his new juicing lifestyle we wondered if it might be something that would help Hubby with his digestive issues. There are many occasions where he doesn't feel like solid food and I do really worry that he is not getting the nutrition that he so desperately needs right now.
For once, Hubby agreed with me so off he trotted and picked up a juicer along with lots of lovely fruit and veg to play with. For our first attempt we went with our friend's simple go to recipe - carrot, apple & spinach.
As you can see, the result did not look appetising but it was actually pretty bloody delicious! And when I realised that I had just downed more vegetables than I had eaten all week I decided that I was hooked!!
It was really quick and easy to make, although the clean up is a little trickier - despite being dishwasher friendly, it would appear my dishwasher is not juicer friendly as it doesn't bloody fit!! Never mind - a small price to pay for so much health and happiness in a glass!
Hubby isn't doing too badly today - he does feel quite grotty and is napping right now, but he is much better than he was after the first bone strengthener treatment so I am happy about that.
I am now off to search Amazon and the interweb for books and recipes on juicing and I will most definitely keep you posted on my future creations, as well as that all important name!!
Wednesday 28 August 2013
*** Hubby Update - Encore ***
Hello all. Hubby had round 4 of chemo today and unfortunately the news wasnt brilliant.
So, here's some context - a couple of days before a treatment Hubby has to get blood taken so they can check the cancer markers in his blood and see how he is responding to treatment. We were told that these markers would probably increase for the first 3 or 4 treatments before starting to drop off, but apparently the oncologist didnt expect them to be quite as high as they were today :-(
Now this could be the final flair up before they start to drop, which is obviously what we are hoping for, but it could also mean that the current chemo cocktail simply isnt working and we need to come up with something new.
We wont have any more details on that until the next treatment so it will be a tense couple of weeks while we wait to find out what is going on.
We also have a consultation on Friday with the radiotherapy department to see if they can help any with the pain being caused by the tumor(s) in his shoulder bones. I'll be honest - I dont know that much about this (it was a bit of an info overload today) but I will be sure to update you on Friday.
Aside from all that, he seems to be coping well with today's dose of chemo, which included the bone strengthener which knocked him out the last time, so that is something to be grateful for!!
Sorry that this is a shorty today - im not really in a chatty mood but i know you will all want to know the latest news. Hopefully I will have something better to tell you next time!!
Love 'n' hugs 'n' shit!! xxx
So, here's some context - a couple of days before a treatment Hubby has to get blood taken so they can check the cancer markers in his blood and see how he is responding to treatment. We were told that these markers would probably increase for the first 3 or 4 treatments before starting to drop off, but apparently the oncologist didnt expect them to be quite as high as they were today :-(
Now this could be the final flair up before they start to drop, which is obviously what we are hoping for, but it could also mean that the current chemo cocktail simply isnt working and we need to come up with something new.
We wont have any more details on that until the next treatment so it will be a tense couple of weeks while we wait to find out what is going on.
We also have a consultation on Friday with the radiotherapy department to see if they can help any with the pain being caused by the tumor(s) in his shoulder bones. I'll be honest - I dont know that much about this (it was a bit of an info overload today) but I will be sure to update you on Friday.
Aside from all that, he seems to be coping well with today's dose of chemo, which included the bone strengthener which knocked him out the last time, so that is something to be grateful for!!
Sorry that this is a shorty today - im not really in a chatty mood but i know you will all want to know the latest news. Hopefully I will have something better to tell you next time!!
Love 'n' hugs 'n' shit!! xxx
Thursday 15 August 2013
*** Hubby Update - The Sequel ***
Happy Thursday, friends! I am delighted to report that Hubby was well enough to get his chemo yesterday - hurrah! I am also delighted to report that he had gained 2lbs since his last visit - double hurrah!!
He seems to be feeling a bit better than after the last two rounds - as discussed, our oncologist reduced the chemo dose a bit, and he also didn't get the bone strengthener as this is something he will only get every 6 weeks. He was still fairly drained when we got back yesterday, but after napping for a few hours he got up and ate a hearty dinner and didn't seem to be too worse for wear. Fingers crossed that that continues!!
In other news, we were incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to go stay with friends of friends in Sonoma this week to watch the Perseid meteor shower. We had met our hosts, Bob & Sharon, at a party earlier in the year and had obviously been well enough behaved that when they invited John & Teo to stay they extended the invitation to us too.
They live in a beautiful house at the top of a hill with the most spectacular views and their own little vineyard where they grow the grapes to make their own wine (which was deeeelicious!!) We had a wonderful evening making our own pizzas in their wood fired pizza oven, drinking from a fantastic selection of wine, and eventually getting wrapped up warm and waiting for the meteors.
I must confess, I was expecting the sky to be full of meteors all night long! That was most definitely not the case, but when we did see a meteor it was pretty spectacular!! Hubby and John both had their cameras out trying to capture one on film but sadly they were just too damned quick!!
I must send a huge thank you to Bob and Sharon for having us to stay and being such wonderful hosts!! We both enjoyed ourselves immensely and and it was a perfect break and distraction for both Hubby and myself!
We also had an out of the blue visitor this weekend in the form of Hubby's childhood friend Dave, who now lives in Michigan. Dave called on Friday to try and plan a visit and it turned out that the only suitable time for the foreseeable future was ... well ..... the next day!!
The boys hadn't seen each other for many years, and it was the first time I had met him - although I had heard many stories about the infamous Dave before! We had a lot of fun having him to stay, and I really enjoyed getting to meet him, and look forward to him coming to stay again!!
We have more visitors coming out next week - Hubby's parents have understandably been concerned about their boy and have decided to move the trip that they had originally booked for the end of September up by a few weeks! This will obviously be a different kind of trip than we were all originally planning, but I'm sure we will still be able to manage some mini outings and fun times!!
And finally ..... my first driving lesson has been scheduled for Friday of next week so I would highly recommend that anyone in San Jose area stays off the roads between 12.30 and 2.30 pm!!! I will, of course, let you know how that goes as I am sure you could all do with a laugh!!
On that note, I'm off to check on the patient. I'll keep you posted on how he is doing this week
Laters ... x
.jpg) |
| The chemo centre was very busy this time so we got to sit in the library, and we found a copy of .... I shit you not .... Chemotherapy for Dummies! |
He seems to be feeling a bit better than after the last two rounds - as discussed, our oncologist reduced the chemo dose a bit, and he also didn't get the bone strengthener as this is something he will only get every 6 weeks. He was still fairly drained when we got back yesterday, but after napping for a few hours he got up and ate a hearty dinner and didn't seem to be too worse for wear. Fingers crossed that that continues!!
 |
| The spectacular view from the patio |
In other news, we were incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to go stay with friends of friends in Sonoma this week to watch the Perseid meteor shower. We had met our hosts, Bob & Sharon, at a party earlier in the year and had obviously been well enough behaved that when they invited John & Teo to stay they extended the invitation to us too.
 |
| Hubby making his pizza |
They live in a beautiful house at the top of a hill with the most spectacular views and their own little vineyard where they grow the grapes to make their own wine (which was deeeelicious!!) We had a wonderful evening making our own pizzas in their wood fired pizza oven, drinking from a fantastic selection of wine, and eventually getting wrapped up warm and waiting for the meteors.
 |
| John & Bob with the finished pizzas |
I must confess, I was expecting the sky to be full of meteors all night long! That was most definitely not the case, but when we did see a meteor it was pretty spectacular!! Hubby and John both had their cameras out trying to capture one on film but sadly they were just too damned quick!!
 |
| Me, Teo & Sharon |
I must send a huge thank you to Bob and Sharon for having us to stay and being such wonderful hosts!! We both enjoyed ourselves immensely and and it was a perfect break and distraction for both Hubby and myself!
 |
| I like a table with 5 open bottles of wine! :-) |
We also had an out of the blue visitor this weekend in the form of Hubby's childhood friend Dave, who now lives in Michigan. Dave called on Friday to try and plan a visit and it turned out that the only suitable time for the foreseeable future was ... well ..... the next day!!
 |
| Dave & Hubby |
The boys hadn't seen each other for many years, and it was the first time I had met him - although I had heard many stories about the infamous Dave before! We had a lot of fun having him to stay, and I really enjoyed getting to meet him, and look forward to him coming to stay again!!
We have more visitors coming out next week - Hubby's parents have understandably been concerned about their boy and have decided to move the trip that they had originally booked for the end of September up by a few weeks! This will obviously be a different kind of trip than we were all originally planning, but I'm sure we will still be able to manage some mini outings and fun times!!
And finally ..... my first driving lesson has been scheduled for Friday of next week so I would highly recommend that anyone in San Jose area stays off the roads between 12.30 and 2.30 pm!!! I will, of course, let you know how that goes as I am sure you could all do with a laugh!!
On that note, I'm off to check on the patient. I'll keep you posted on how he is doing this week
Laters ... x
Thursday 8 August 2013
*** Hubby Update ***
Hello friends!! A few people have been asking about Hubby's progress this week so here is a quick update.
He was due to have his 3rd round of chemo on Tuesday but when we arrived our oncologist said that Hubby's blood count was a bit low and, although he could go ahead with the treatment if he wanted, the doctor would feel more comfortable postponing it for a week.
It was a bit disappointing to be sent home, but we are not overly concerned as the oncologist seemed to think that it was caused by the last treatment being too strong and an extra week of rest should be enough to fix Hubby's levels. He will also reduce the dose of the next treatment which is scheduled for Wednesday.
As always, I have tried to find a silver lining here and have found a couple - first, it gives us an extra week to feed the boy before he loses his appetite again - hurrah!! And second, if we stick to the new schedule we should be able to go on the trip our friends have been planning for Thanksgiving - which we were almost sure to have missed on the previous schedule - and that will give us something to look forward to! Hurrah again!!
Despite feeling a bit run down, Hubby had a good weekend and made it out for dinner on Saturday night, then on Sunday we made it to a Star Wars themed concert in the park. Saturday was the first night in months where he managed to stay out for the whole evening and everyone was delighted - for a few hours it felt like everything was normal again and that was brilliant!!
In other news, today I booked some driving lessons - EEEEEEEEEK!!!! As you all know, I am very anti-driving (well, anti-me-driving, anyway!) and have managed to find an excuse to put it off for many years. Now with Hubby being ill and frequently unable to drive, particularly to his chemo appointments, it seems I can put it off no longer :-( I don't have a date for my first lesson yet but I will keep you posted (and warn you when to stay off the roads .....!!)
And finally ..... I got chatted up today by a nice young man while I was waiting to cross the road! :-) He drove past me turning on to the main street, reversed back (nearly knocking a poor woman off her bike!), introduced himself then asked if I would like to go out sometime. I politely decline, obviously, but I had a definite spring in my step all the way home!! Particularly as he looked about 10 years younger than me! :-) Yep, I still got it!!
Well, on that note I shall get back to my crocheting. Yes, you read that right! I have decided to crochet a blanket for the chemo centre as their current range of blankets are a bit crap, but as this is only the second thing I have tried to crochet (the first being a decidedly wonky scarf) they may still seem like a better option!! Yet another thing I shall keep you updated on!!
Laters .... xxx
He was due to have his 3rd round of chemo on Tuesday but when we arrived our oncologist said that Hubby's blood count was a bit low and, although he could go ahead with the treatment if he wanted, the doctor would feel more comfortable postponing it for a week.
It was a bit disappointing to be sent home, but we are not overly concerned as the oncologist seemed to think that it was caused by the last treatment being too strong and an extra week of rest should be enough to fix Hubby's levels. He will also reduce the dose of the next treatment which is scheduled for Wednesday.
As always, I have tried to find a silver lining here and have found a couple - first, it gives us an extra week to feed the boy before he loses his appetite again - hurrah!! And second, if we stick to the new schedule we should be able to go on the trip our friends have been planning for Thanksgiving - which we were almost sure to have missed on the previous schedule - and that will give us something to look forward to! Hurrah again!!
Despite feeling a bit run down, Hubby had a good weekend and made it out for dinner on Saturday night, then on Sunday we made it to a Star Wars themed concert in the park. Saturday was the first night in months where he managed to stay out for the whole evening and everyone was delighted - for a few hours it felt like everything was normal again and that was brilliant!!
In other news, today I booked some driving lessons - EEEEEEEEEK!!!! As you all know, I am very anti-driving (well, anti-me-driving, anyway!) and have managed to find an excuse to put it off for many years. Now with Hubby being ill and frequently unable to drive, particularly to his chemo appointments, it seems I can put it off no longer :-( I don't have a date for my first lesson yet but I will keep you posted (and warn you when to stay off the roads .....!!)
And finally ..... I got chatted up today by a nice young man while I was waiting to cross the road! :-) He drove past me turning on to the main street, reversed back (nearly knocking a poor woman off her bike!), introduced himself then asked if I would like to go out sometime. I politely decline, obviously, but I had a definite spring in my step all the way home!! Particularly as he looked about 10 years younger than me! :-) Yep, I still got it!!
Well, on that note I shall get back to my crocheting. Yes, you read that right! I have decided to crochet a blanket for the chemo centre as their current range of blankets are a bit crap, but as this is only the second thing I have tried to crochet (the first being a decidedly wonky scarf) they may still seem like a better option!! Yet another thing I shall keep you updated on!!
Laters .... xxx
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