Up North

 We travelled to two Doctor's appointments for me.  The first to have the Doctor add a different blood pressure med since one of the others was causing tummy troubles.  Then I had a different injection in my back.  So far so good we will see what happens in the next week or so.  This injection was a Transforminal Epidural Injection...there were two injections...and it was quite painful.  No pain no gain they say.  Still hopeful that it will work. 

We celebrated Jen's birthday a few days early...we went out to Supper at one of Jen's favorite places Ely's Ivy on Tuesday evening.  The food was awesome...I had Gluten Free chicken and roasted potatoes....my stomach was so happy to have real food...if a stomach could smile mine was beaming from ear to ear.  It all settled well with no tummy troubles. 

We got to pet Sadie several many times and Jen, Far Guy and I went to pick out the lighting fixtures for our Suite in the new house.  Right now the house is getting plumbing (almost done) and electrical...next up is insulation and sheetrock.  I should have taken photos but I did not. 

We also went to Hobby Lobby and yarn may have been purchased...you just never know what jumps right in your cart in that store. 

Leaves are stacking up in the yard! 

Minnesota weather: Rain fell on our way home Wednesday late afternoon. High 67F or 19C   Low 48F or 9C

What's cooking?  Eggs and potatoes....easy supper after being gone all day.

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Hopeful

We may have a clue to my tummy problems.  Day 21.  I am still on a very limited diet.  

 I did a bit of research on one of the medications I am on for blood pressure.  Olmesartan medoxomil can cause tummy troubles.  So I discontinued the medication and sent a message to my primary care Dr to see what he thinks.   The intense burning in my stomach is gone. My stomach is still sore.

Hopeful. 

Summer is most likely over.  The weather turned a tad chilly. 

Minnesota weather: High 65F or 18C  Low was 38F or 3C

We went out to our favorite patio place for lupper.  I had a hard shell taco...a margaritta with no alcohol...which is just lime flavored ice.

This week I have an appointment for a different kind of injection in my back...hopeful.

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Not much new here

Same old same old.  My stomach is still iffy...I am keeping a food diary. 

My diet is pretty boring.  Apples, Bananas, Rice, Gluten Free toast and baked chicken.  Oh yes Metamucil and Activia yogurt who could forget...gag a maggot. 

Sherbet made me go into a tailspin.  I checked the facility and they say wheat is present in the same facility..so could be cross contamination...who really knows for sure.  

I did some more sorting and organizing of wood for carving.   

What's Cooking:  Rice, chicken and pork chops.

Minnesota weather:  High 69F or 21C      Low 49F or 9C  We will have one more 80F day then we are headed into the 60's for highs the next week or so. 

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Second Saturday

 I was a day off and thought it was Saturday on Friday so I guess I will have two Saturdays this week. 

Friday I made a pan of scalloped potatoes and did a load of laundry.

Far Guy and I finished up the final prep before painting of the Christmas Ornaments.  I have plenty of time to paint them this Fall on nasty days.  Once I get started it is like an assembly line... there are 111 of them. So it will take a day or three. 

I am feeling better, but still weak and my Rheumatoid Arthritis is kicking my butt again.  Plus I have fever blisters in my mouth and a fairly ugly one on my lip...no doubt from the temperature I had last weekend.  Did you know that if you are dreaming and bite your lip where the cold sore is that you will wake up?  What a rude awaking!

Blogger is being a pain in the butt...I cannot comment on blogger blogs but I can comment on Word Press Blogs...anyone have any idea what in the &^%$ is going on?  Update**  enough people complained and they finally fixed the problem.

What's cooking?  Far Guy made himself Salmon and French Fries, I had some rice soup and some scalloped potatoes.

Minnesota Weather:  Warm!  High 81F  or 27C  Low was 63F or 17C

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This week

 We ordered groceries to be delivered, I cleaned out the fridge before they were delivered. Many days of no good food in there...some 12 days old.  Yuck.

Far Guy worked on his wood carvings.  He has some new ones happening.  On Thursday we both worked on Christmas Ornament Carvings...one more afternoon and we should have them all ready to paint. 

I took care of beginning of the month bank stuff and paid some bills.  Called the bank as they sent me an email...and the gal who I talked with had no idea (twice)...finally got to a gal that knew something.  I think I know more about Bill Pay than they do.  I warned them that many more people would be calling. 

I am part of an Arthritis Study...they want my blood and will send someone out to do the blood draw and send me a check:)

On hold to schedule a couple of medical appointments...one that was mysteriously cancelled.  Really? 

I put a chicken breast in the crockpot, Far Guy shredded the chicken and I put in a can of Canoe Wild Rice and some gluten free chicken broth...it was really good...I had more rice than chicken.   I made enough so that I can have soup for a couple of days. 

On Thursday I was on the hunt for bananas that were not green...I found some organic ones. Other errands in town were accomplished while far Guy had his infusion.

I am feeling somewhat better but still very tired.

One day at a time.

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Home

 We went to my Dr appointment...no confirmed diagnosis...could be viral, could be gluten intolerance, could be a medication reaction.  Some tests are still pending.  I am to add fiber to my diet in the form of Metamucil and two days later add Activia yogurt.  The Dr says all my good gut bacteria is gone. 

I am low on Potassium...hence the fatigue...I am to eat Bananas because the Dr feels that the Potassium pills would put my stomach in a tailspin...again.

So we are at home resting.  I ordered groceries to be delivered on Wednesday.  

I have been reading a lot, but not blogs...I will be around eventually.  

Thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers.  I appreciate them.

Just like that it is September...the past 10-12 days I have been in a fog. Jen, Andy and Sadie took very good care of us!

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BRAT diet

 I am real tired of Bananas, Rice, Apples and gluten free Toast.  It sucks. I am feeling better but still have pain in my stomach. Water is really boring too.

More tests were done and nothing is conclusive so far…some of the cultures take days.

My other baby brother, my sister and Jen all are Gluten intolerant…so there is that to consider too. 

I see the Dr again on Tuesday.  He “thinks” that it might be the Prilosec that the Gastroenterologist wanted me to take.  It is a strong possibility. 

I am still very tired. 

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Resting

 Still resting.

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Bands

 Important stuff when you are in the hospital.  Feeling mostly crummy, hope I don't have to go back.

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Resting

We made the trip back home safely and I am resting and then resting some more.

Far Guy will have an exciting morning going to his Infusion and then to  pick up the grocery order.

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Away from home

 I became ill on Sunday afternoon.  I am in the hospital in Grand Forks,ND. I have tummy troubles. They think it is Gastritis. I was admitted  Monday afternoon. I will be fine eventually.

The view from my room.

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Peach and Lichen sclerosus

 Peach is our #3 Great Grandchild, her parents are Maddie and Brenton.

Last Winter Maddie said "Grandma look at Peach's bottom, the skin is turning white."  We talked about what it could be...maybe vitiligo.   Peach has Eczema and has been using a special soap for several years.  Maddie scheduled an appointment with the Dermatologist in March.   The skin on her bottom was white and in an hour glass shape that encompassed her entire bottom....think bikini like. 

The Dermatology appointment in March was cancelled because of a snowstorm and rescheduled for mid May.  On May Day Maddie said "Now Peach has a sore on her vulva."  Indeed she did...we were all feeling really uneasy now. 

Finally the day came in May and not with good news.  Peach has Lichen sclerosus and possible Vulvar Cancer. We were all shocked and scared. 

Lichen sclerosus is a skin condition with thin white wrinkled patches of skin that causes itching, pain and burning.  The skin tears easily and can have blisters or sores. Ongoing inflammation can break down the skin.  If untreated it can become skin cancer.   It is thought to be genetic and or autoimmune....like having an overactive immune system.

Treatment:  Special creams that are applied twice a day.  It is a lifelong treatment. Maddie says there are two types of creams and she keeps track of which cream is used on each day.

Peach was three years old on her birthday...she loves The Lion King and I was lucky enough to find an outfit for her. 

Maddie, Brenton, Peach and Jen went to the Mayo Clinic on July 7.  The Doctors there confirmed the diagnosis of Lichen sclerosus.  The special cream was doing a really good job and the blister that I saw on May 1st was almost gone so no biopsy was needed.  We all breathed a sigh of relief that there is no Vulvar Cancer. 

Peach enjoying the pool.

I asked Maddie's permission to write about Peach and she agreed that it is important to share with others.  I asked Maddie if she wanted to write something and she did. 

Maddie wrote:

 To the parents of children with lichen sclerosus:

I know there are days when your heart breaks because you can’t take away your child’s pain. You question if you’re doing enough, research late into the night, and carry worries no one else can see. But never underestimate the power of your love. Every hug, every doctor’s appointment, every tear you’ve wiped away, and every moment you’ve spent advocating for your child is shaping a future where they know they are deeply loved, never alone, and stronger than this diagnosis. Lichen sclerosus is part of their journey, but it will never define their worth or limit the beautiful life ahead of them. Keep believing, keep fighting, and keep hoping—because your child couldn’t ask for a stronger advocate than you.

Keep your faith, trust in God, and trust in your instincts.

Maddie and Peach

 We love our Great Grandchildren so very much.  It is difficult to see them struggle with health issues especially when they are just three years old. 

But they keep smiling! 

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Books

 I have been reading quite a bit...when Far Guy first got sick I wanted to do quiet things so he could rest. 

I had some Debbie Macomber books as part of the Rose Harbor Series.  I read the two previous books in the series last Summer.

It was light reading...a bit of fluff. 

I now have 59 books on my list and the books are stacked up under the TV.  My goal is to get it under 50 books.  It doesn't help that my Sister was trying to get rid of three big bags of books...I took one bag and selected a few to donate to our local little library.   I have not added the ones I kept to read to my total yet....she said sticking her head in the sand. 

Presently I am reading a Sanda Dallas book The Diary of Mattie Spenser that is a very enjoyable read.

Oh yes Jen gave me a book...The Day of The Bonanza it is about the Bonanza Farms in North Dakota. I have not counted that one either. 

Far Guy is napping often and resting...I am encouraging him to stay upright more.  He has lots of sleep to get caught up on after being in the hospital.

What's Cooking?  I rescued a chicken hotdish from the freezer, then I made green beans that Far Guy will eat and peaches from the freezer. 

Man Green Beans

Fry up some bacon until it is crisp then cut it into small pieces.  Drain most of the grease out of the pan then add a can of french style green beans and about a tablespoon plus of vinegar.  My Mom used to make it with fried onions in with the bacon...I do not. 

Minnesota weather:  It rained several times in the afternoon on July 4th.  High 77F or 25C  Low was 62F or 17C.

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GERD and other crap

 Far Guy is being released from the hospital today and we will begin the trek back to our home in the woods. He needs to work at getting stronger…which means lots of walking!

I had a procedure called a EGD/EUS or a Esophagogastroduodenscopy with Endoscopic Ultrasound on June 17th.

I have GERD and some stomach ulcers and something on my pancreas...everything was biopsied and we are waiting on those test results.   They found the “something else”on my pancreas quite by accident on the MRI that I had for my back problem.  The Gastroenterologist's impression is that I should have MRI's every three months depending on the biopsy results.  He also said it is possible that my RA has gone nuts and attacked my pancreas. 

In the meantime my back problem has been diagnosed yet again ( facet joints and nerves are inflamed)..I am having test injections for a Medial Branch Block in late July and late August...thirty days apart for Medicare purposes. If it works then the real procedure may take place sometime in the Fall. 

  My Primary Care Doctors thinks I may have some other Autoimmune Disease....and he would not venture a guess as to which one.  I have an appointment with a Neurologist in September and I am on the wait list.

 Far Guy took really good care of me.  I am still recovering from the procedure. I was having lots of stomach/pancreas pain.  I could not sleep through that pain.  Everyday gets a bit better but I now have new pain (upper between the shoulder blades pain) that joins my lower back pain.

Biopsy results are taking a really long time. 

Finally got biopsy results this week it is a SD IPMN or side duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and I should come back in three months for an MRI or sooner if new symptoms develop.

Clouds in June.

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A little pink

 The Showy Lady's Slippers are in full bloom.

They can be found in the roadside ditches for another week or so then they will be gone for another year. 

Such a perfect flower.   It is Minnesota's State Flower.

Far Guy has a cold.  He thought it started as allergies late Thursday..but it is a full blown "man cold"  I am keeping two eyes on him.   He has begun the medication prescribed by his Pulmonologist.  

Minnesota Weather:  It rained.  High 73F or 23C  Low was 67F or 19C.  We are supposed to warm up into the 80's F this week.  I like the 70's F  the best. 

What's Cooking Lately:  Spaghetti, Pizza, Eggs...nothing very exciting.

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Health Happenings

 Our appointments UP North happened last week.  

Far Guy had a Pet Scan and blood work.   His Oncology Doctor said "My beautiful friend your breast cancer is cured!"   The thyroid nodule that is benign they are watching and it has not grown in size since the last Pet Scan.  Far Guy is to follow up with his Endocrinologist  in October.  So that was all great news!  We were truly blessed with an excellent Cancer Doctor and good treatment to have the breast cancer cured within a year!!

Meanwhile...I had a procedure with the Gastroenterologist.  Waiting on the results. 

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One down

One radiation treatment down and nineteen to go.  I think Far Guy can ring the bell on December 1st...we will see.  A little 93 year old lady rang the bell today.  Every Monday Far Guy will see the Radiation Oncologist after his treatment.  Since the radiation treatment is very specialized to spare his lung the treatment takes 13 minutes.  Far Guy says it seems like forever. 

We are mostly unpacked.  

Meals for tonight and tomorrow night have been planned.  Brats and potato soup tonight, BLT's tomorrow night.  I like to plan meals a week ahead of time...but with moody eaters I count two nights menus as a win!! 

I took this photo last week at a friends house, a very cute fall arrangement in an old wheelbarrow. 

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In a row

 Getting our ducks pumpkins in a row. 

Next week Far Guy begins specialized radiation treatments.  Twenty treatments. 

The Radiation Oncologist thinks that the specialized radiation can be done safely and Far Guy's lung will be spared injury.  With radiation there is a about a 2% chance the cancer will reoccur, without radiation a 20% chance it will reoccur.  So...we made the decision as a family that we wanted him to have radiation....because we want him to kick this cancer to the curb once and for all. 

June 3 he saw the Dermatologist Jess for what he thought was a cyst, she took a biopsy.

June 10 he was diagnosed with breast cancer from a biopsy taken at the Dermatologists Office

June 13 he was seen by a Oncologist in Grand Forks North Dakota. The next week he had a Pet Scan and various tests.

July 2 he began Verzenio and Letrozole  (blood tests and Dr visits every two weeks)

August 27 he had another Pet Scan and the tumor is now very small

September 8 he had a surgical biopsy of his Thyroid Gland (It is not cancer, it is thyroid and should be taken care of someday...no rush)

September 16 Verzenio discontinued due to side effects

September 25 Left Breast Mastectomy (biopsy results were good, no lymph node involvement, margins were acceptable concerning the tumor)

October 14  Switch in meds from Letrozole to Tamoxifen

October 22  he had a consult with the Radiation Oncologist

November 3 Radiation will begin in Grand Forks North Dakota

So there we are.  Men can get breast cancer too. 

Far Guy was the first breast cancer diagnosis for the Dermatologist.

He was the first male breast cancer patient for two of the Residents/Interns that were there for his surgery.

He was the third male breast cancer patient for his surgeon.  

I can truly say that we were treated by some very caring Doctors and Nurses throughout Far Guy's Cancer 

adventure.  The Doctor that did the thyroid biopsy was a bit of a turd...other than that we are very pleased that we chose The Cancer Center in Grand Forks for treatment. 

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One down

 One more to go.  I got my High Dose Flu shot on Friday morning.  On Monday I will get the Covid booster and then both are crossed off my list for another year!  

My Rheumatologist wants me to try a different medication for my RA and I cannot have any vaccinations while on the medication...so I will get my vaccinations and then wait two weeks and try the new med.  I am so not impressed with my Rheumatologist...he said "Oh your blood work is showing so much inflammation"...yes...go figure...I could have told him that.  He has no explanation why my Ferritin level is still high....nor does he care.  He also said "You have tried so many RA meds and failed them all"  no news to me...as if that statement helps at all.  

I will just keep on keeping on and hope that sooner or later the Clinic in Grand Forks will recruit a Rheumatologist.   My Primary Care Dr says they are trying their best in recruitment. 

I hope that both vaccinations will be smooth going with no major couch time. I could have gotten them both at once...but did not want to press my luck. 

Supper was roast pork, mashed potatoes, gravy and baked carrots.  Comfort food.

Minnesota weather: It was frosty!

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Thursday happenings

 Far Guy had his weekly infusion that protects his lungs while I went to the lab for a blood draw for my Rheumatologist appointment next week, then I picked up our grocery order at Wally World, then to the other grocery store for a few things, the pharmacy and the bank.  The pharmacy at the corner of happy and healthy has no idea what they are doing.  

When I picked up Far Guy we went to the next town South to the Dentist where I got a new crown and after that we went to the bakery for flatbread! (Cross off stitch removal, blood draw and the Dentist off my list!)

We came home and unloaded the groceries and low and behold the corner of happy and healthy had the correct prescription ready.   I was tired so Far Guy went by himself while I went to the couch for a nap. 

My baby brother, his bride, Baxter and Smudge visited in the afternoon.  My baby brother took care of the leaves in our yard on Wednesday before it rained on Thursday. 

Far Guy made supper; fried potatoes and eggs with toasted flat bread...yummy. 

Minnesota Weather:  High 64F or 18C Low was 53F or 12C with intermittent rain.

A double yolker! 

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