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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Three appointments

 Three appointments down..three to go..and Friday is a day off!  

Far Guy saw his Oncologist.  A different maintenance medication will be tried, as the present one has a number of bad side effects...think thrown into the deep end of menopause.  The cancer is all gone however  the Doctor would recommend three weeks of radiation treatments.  Due to Far Guy's fragile lungs and his heart function a specialist in Radiology must evaluate him. 

We met with Great Grandson Hey Mikey's third grade teacher.  A donation was made to that classroom in memory of Far Guy's sister Jan who taught third grade most of her teaching career.  The donation will go for books, a field trip and water safety! 

Jen removed the stitches from my forehead with only a little trouble because they were very tiny stitches...she consulted a You Tube Video at one point while I waited under her lit magnifying glass. 

Sadie came home from Daycare to greet us and Andy made burgers on the grill...delicious!

The next morning Far Guy had all of his staples and stitches removed from his chest.  He talked at length with his surgeon.   Far Guy is his career #3 man with breast cancer.  Regarding radiation the Surgeon said he would  trust the opinion of the Radiology specialist and that risk vs reward is a tough call. 

After that appointment we headed home.

I drove most of the way...Far Guy drove the last 60 miles so I could rest a bit. 

Cloudy skies in our area.  We had afternoon naps...in my case more of a sleep and for supper we warmed up some of the fabulous Pizza we made on Monday.  Leftovers can be a blessing. 

Minnesota weather: High of 56F or 13C  Low was 50F or  10C eh! 

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First Frost

 We had our first frost early Wednesday morning.  It is time to put some outside "stuff" away.

The old watering can, water hoses and car wash stuff that can freeze and other "stuff". 

It will all happen little by little over the next few days. 

We had Moons over my Hammy again last night for supper because we had the fixins  and they are easy.  Ham, cheese, egg on bread grilled to perfection.  Far Guy made a few fried potatoes and we also had peaches. 

Minnesota weather: High 63 F or 18C Low was 25F or -3C.  It was a sunny day.

Not sure where the day went while I cleaned one bathroom, washed all the sheets from upstairs and caught up on laundry...mostly.  Oh yes I ordered some books for book club, groceries to pick up and some misc supplies that will be delivered. 

I am feeling somewhat better, Far Guy is trying his hardest to get all better.  It was a Fall cold...started with a extremely sore think razor blades in your throat then hits your nose that runs like a faucet and then it settles in your chest with a nasty cough. Uffda. 

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Autumn

 The Autumn weather is here, winds blow the leaves in the yard to and fro... if a huge gusts comes by a few even land in the woods!   Last weeks highs in the 80's are history. 

The Oaks just turn brownish and then fall off. 

We are still under the weather but improving.  Far Guy has one appointment this week and I have three; Dentist, Dermatologist for a biopsy and Physical Therapy.  

We tested for Covid and neither of us have it.  

Trica made pork chops and rice for supper, we are grateful for the help. 

 Minnesota weather: High was 74F or 24C and low was 39F or 4C.

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Sick

 Far Guy shared whatever bug he has.  Feeling pretty rotten but I should be good as new in a few days.  Far Guy is about the same...not any better for sure.  He is teetering between being sick enough to go to the ER and sick enough to stay home.

We had a slow water leak in the bathroom upstairs...it was a bad shut off valve.  Our son in law Handy Andy came and fixed it for us!   Thank goodness for helpers!

Our oldest daughter Trica came last night to help the sick elderly for a few days.

I made chicken and wild rice soup for supper...chicken soup helps everything!

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Things

 Daughter Jen and Granddaughter Maddie busted Far Guy out of the hospital on Friday about noon. He is doing well but still has some pain.  It is good to have him home from the hospital…well not quite home but close as it can be for now.  Sadie was real happy to see him too! Company at the hospital was a quick visit from Grandson Noah.

These “things” are hanging in the main hospital entrance. I asked several nurses what they were…germs or bacteria was the most popular response. 

For supper I made wild rice and baked carrots and some bacon gravy to go on top of the pork chops that Jen sous vied and Andy browned up in the fry pan. It was a great meal. Far Guy is getting back some of his appetite so that is a good thing!

Nice day here highs in the 70’s.

Onward and forward to healing things!

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Update

 Far Guy is having surgery next week. He will have a mastectomy and a sentinel node biopsy.  The surgeon seems like a confidant young fellow, who had a decent bedside manner.   The oncologist had Far Guy stop the horrid Verzenio because the side effects were so bad.  He feels like surgery is a good option at this time and put in the referral immediately.  Luckily the surgeon saw us right away for the consult. 

Far Guy is very anxious and scared.  I keep telling him that this battle is almost over and the war with cancer will be won!  Moving forward is a good thing and moving forward faster than we thought is great! A month ago the Oncologist mentioned surgery this winter...so there ya go...things are moving along! 

I had a great mammogram report....nothing suspicious however the biopsy of a spot on my forehead came back with atypical cells ...so I will have a punch biopsy in a couple of weeks. 

Physical Therapy is going well and the sessions have been put on hold...I have all kind of exercises to do and walk walk walk.  I still have considerable pain especially after riding in the car. 

Minnesota weather has turned cooler and rainy.   High 67F or 20C Low was 58F or 15C.

Last night we did not cook supper, we ordered pizza when we were in town for Far Guy's infusion. 

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Oh Sadie

 Sadie is such good company except in the mornings...she likes to nap the mornings away...I guess I do too if possible. 

I called her name and she lifted her head very reluctantly...how dare I disturb her morning nap.  She eventually got up and turned the other way so she didn't have to look at me. 

I am all done with my Doctor appointments for a bit.  Everything is on the way to being normal for an old lady according to my Primary Care Doctor.  Come back in six months he says:)  Keep on doing the exercises and going to PT he says...alrighty then.  If my left leg swells put a compression sock on it and elevate!  There is no reason for it to swell...no blood clots etc...just an old lady thing.  My back and leg pain will just take time a long time to return to some kind of normal.

We ended up with six medical appointments this week, five Up North and one locally.  It was a week.  We are safely back at home in the woods. 

Far Guy has a bit more appetite now, at 132 pounds he can eat whatever he wants.  He still has burning mouth, nausea and tummy troubles and other side effects from the cancer medications. 

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A little good news

 Good news at the Oncology visit!  The tumor shrunk even more!   Dr B is very pleased and encouraged!  

The genetic testing came back...Far Guy has a gene for cancer.  It is the CHEK2 Gene mutation.  However this does not change his treatment.  He is also a carrier for MSH3.   The Doctor explained that folding genes get messed up...I don't understand it all.  I understood the Alpha One Gene Mutation better than this new gene mutation.

Treatment stays the same and in 30 days he will have a Pet Scan for exact measurements.  After that time we might be able to go to once a month visits...maybe.

We got to see Jen and Sadie, Brenton, Maddie and the girls and have pizza with them. Baby K is growing and is the new favorite baby at daycare:)

Peach on the right was just about ready to pull her sister hair in this photo.  The terrible 2's have begun. A bit later she grabbed a whole handful of hair and yanked on it.  It was funny/not funny. 

We slept in our own beds there...comfy as always. We left on Tuesday morning and returned home to the woods on Wednesday evening.

Happy Birthday to Son In Law Andy...he turned 50 on Tuesday!  He was at the Mall of America for a  Tournament.

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Helpers

 Paige, Cole and Savannah came to help us out yesterday.  The house is clean again, recycling done, weeds sprayed, ants sprayed, our car vacuumed out...now we can relax a bit.  My baby brother came by and mowed our lawn again.   We are so appreciative of all the help!

I am feeling better, but I can sure tell when I overdo...either doing too many "things" or walking too much.  I still cannot bend over or twist or turn...and that is really hard for me.  I still have some numbness/pain especially across my buttocks and down my left leg and across to my big toe.  It makes walking a bit tricky sometimes.  I still have pain at the surgical site too...and a tiredness when I overdo.  I am not over my UTI and have asked the Doctor to prescribe a different med.  I saw my Rheumatologist last week...he offers no help for me, he just says "You have failed all the arthritis medications so I cannot help you." Alrighty then.  I asked him about my Ferritin level being so high and he said "We will check it again in three months." So no help for the extreme fatigue or the extra pain in wrists and knees.  I am not sure why I waste my time with him ( he is not a helper).

Far Guy is still struggling with nausea, burning mouth syndrome, acid reflux and tummy troubles. He is a trooper...he ate a bit more yesterday.  Trying to find food that he will eat is a challenge.  He gained a half a pound.  He is awfully skinny...he weighs 137 now. 

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News all good

 This is a week of medical appointments...six of them.  Three were accomplished on Monday and Tuesday.  We made the drive Up North (2 1/2 hours) for a blood draw for Far Guy on Monday.   During the night a horrid UTI made it impossible to sleep...so I went to Urgent Care as soon as they opened...got meds and I will recover.   Tuesday Far Guy saw his Oncologist Dr B and the tumor has shrunk by 50% !!!  The cancer medication is being decreased in the hope that the side effects will be tolerable and it will still work at decreasing the size of the tumor.  We see Dr B every two weeks, he is very encouraged by the progress in just the last two weeks. We drove back home to the woods after the appointment.

Sadie was happy to see us, Jen and Andy made supper for us on Monday night...burgers and corn on the cob and then Andy made lunch for us before we left.  Andy and Jen are so good to us we are blessed to have them in our family! 

We also got to see Maddie and Baby K for a bit! 

The Clinic where Far Guy had his blood draw. 

Keep praying for Far Guy as all the prayers are working!! He has been so sick the past ten days.

The three remaining appointments this week...two are virtual and then on Thursday Far Guys usual Infusion appointment. 

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Home again

 After my post operative checkup, Jen and Andy packed up our car and Jen lead us home and unpacked our car.   The Doctor said I had a lot of arthritis in the L4 L5 region and that is why I was in surgery such a long time.  I am healing well but cannot twist or turn yet or use the lawn mower or ride in Ranger Blue.  I am to keep walking and concentrate on building up the muscles in my back and legs....I will see the Physical Therapist later this week. Tuesday marks 4 week post operative. Tylenol is managing my discomfort.  I still have numbness and pain in my left buttock, down my left leg and across my foot...it may or may not go away.  Time will tell. 

Far Guy is having numerous side effects with his cancer treatment. Nausea and stomach cramps are the worst.  He got some pills for nausea yesterday from his Oncologist.

Jen is staying a bit to get us settled in ...groceries etc...thankful and truly blessed to have her with us!

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Uffda

 Far Guy started his cancer fighting medications on Tuesday evening July 1. Our insurance denied the meds. Luckily the pharmaceutical company has a program that he qualified for. 

Here is $19,655 worth of medication. It is $351 a pill and he takes two a day. Uffda. Thank goodness for the pharmaceutical company program that makes our cost zero.

He is struggling through some side effects.  Sure wish he could catch a break. The side effects could go away after a month or so. Uffda.

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