(no subject)
Dec. 4th, 2015 09:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
the_rckCordelia’s concert last night was actually fairly short. Even with needing to change over between the orchestra and the band and then to clean up after, the whole thing only took about 40 minutes (and maybe less than that). The orchestra played first and did two songs. Scott’s parents left after that because they hadn’t had a chance to eat before coming down. They had an hour drive to get home and wanted to eat at home to get rid of the last of the food that might spoil while they’re on their cruise. The band played three songs.
There are twelve kids in orchestra which is basically just the string instruments. The band is all the other instruments. I think the distinction is that those other instruments are things that can be played in marching band in high school while strings really don’t work for that.
Cordelia’s friend’s father didn’t arrive until just before the band started, so he missed seeing his daughter play (she plays violin).
I spent most of the concert leaning on Scott and trying to stay awake enough to listen. Just walking to the school wore me out. That surprised me because I thought I was feeling pretty good. I really, really hope I’m not so out of shape that a three minute walk leaves me exhausted.
Scott’s sister ended up arriving a bit late to pick me up for my appointment this morning. I was a bit worried, but we got to the check in desk right on the dot, and then, they made us wait about fifteen minutes before they took us back.
The oncologist seemed reasonable. He was willing to answer questions, and he explained things pretty clearly. Basically, my risk of recurrence is pretty low, maybe 10%, possibly even less, but if the cancer recurs, the odds are very, very high that it will kill me. Taking tamoxifen will reduce my risk 40-50%. The percentages we’re dealing with are all pretty small, but he thinks that taking the stuff is a good call. He did say that we’d need to see if I get side effects and if I find those tolerable or not.
The most likely side effect is hot flashes. Unfortunately, if I get them, I won’t be able to take anything for them. All of the options (including all of the herbal options) screw up how the tamoxifen works. Because I got increased migraines from oral contraceptives, it’s possible I might get those from tamoxifen. Blood clots are possible, but the doctor thinks that, given that I took oral contraceptives for twelve years without blood clots, I’m unlikely to have that problem. I’m apparently not at an increased risk for uterine cancer because I’m still menstruating. If I stop in the next five years, we’ll probably switch me to a different medication (that one isn’t an option for anybody who is still menstruating).
Scott’s sister and I went and got burgers after the appointment. Then we went and picked up my prescription. The pharmacist first said it wasn’t ready yet and then said that it was, that she’d misread the screen. Aetna apparently doesn’t charge a copay for tamoxifen. That surprises me because we’ve never run into anything else for which there’s no copay.
Scott’s sister offered to let me do the grocery shopping, but I really didn’t know what to buy, so I didn’t try. It’s just as well. Cordelia came home and announced that she wants to start taking her lunch again. The school lunches aren’t large enough to fill her now, and she’s realized that they’re pretty lousy food. I wish she’d realized that at a point when we had less money committed to her lunch account. We’ve got $65 in there, and I don’t think we have the option of getting it back. Oh, well. I’m 95% sure that we can use it any time between now and when she graduates high school. I’m sure she’ll eat some school lunches in between now and then.
So we’re trying to figure out what Cordelia can take in her lunches. She was a little disappointed when I told her she’d be making her own lunches. Right now, she wants turkey sandwiches and lots of fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, we’re having trouble coming up with fruit options. We need things that will last a week between shopping trips and that can be put in a ziploc bag and can be eaten rapidly. I think quartered apples, quartered oranges, and grapes are about the only options. She mentioned being interested in cucumbers and peppers as options.
I really ought to call my mother and my sister, but I’m not sure I’m going to get around to that tonight. I’m pretty wiped out.
There are twelve kids in orchestra which is basically just the string instruments. The band is all the other instruments. I think the distinction is that those other instruments are things that can be played in marching band in high school while strings really don’t work for that.
Cordelia’s friend’s father didn’t arrive until just before the band started, so he missed seeing his daughter play (she plays violin).
I spent most of the concert leaning on Scott and trying to stay awake enough to listen. Just walking to the school wore me out. That surprised me because I thought I was feeling pretty good. I really, really hope I’m not so out of shape that a three minute walk leaves me exhausted.
Scott’s sister ended up arriving a bit late to pick me up for my appointment this morning. I was a bit worried, but we got to the check in desk right on the dot, and then, they made us wait about fifteen minutes before they took us back.
The oncologist seemed reasonable. He was willing to answer questions, and he explained things pretty clearly. Basically, my risk of recurrence is pretty low, maybe 10%, possibly even less, but if the cancer recurs, the odds are very, very high that it will kill me. Taking tamoxifen will reduce my risk 40-50%. The percentages we’re dealing with are all pretty small, but he thinks that taking the stuff is a good call. He did say that we’d need to see if I get side effects and if I find those tolerable or not.
The most likely side effect is hot flashes. Unfortunately, if I get them, I won’t be able to take anything for them. All of the options (including all of the herbal options) screw up how the tamoxifen works. Because I got increased migraines from oral contraceptives, it’s possible I might get those from tamoxifen. Blood clots are possible, but the doctor thinks that, given that I took oral contraceptives for twelve years without blood clots, I’m unlikely to have that problem. I’m apparently not at an increased risk for uterine cancer because I’m still menstruating. If I stop in the next five years, we’ll probably switch me to a different medication (that one isn’t an option for anybody who is still menstruating).
Scott’s sister and I went and got burgers after the appointment. Then we went and picked up my prescription. The pharmacist first said it wasn’t ready yet and then said that it was, that she’d misread the screen. Aetna apparently doesn’t charge a copay for tamoxifen. That surprises me because we’ve never run into anything else for which there’s no copay.
Scott’s sister offered to let me do the grocery shopping, but I really didn’t know what to buy, so I didn’t try. It’s just as well. Cordelia came home and announced that she wants to start taking her lunch again. The school lunches aren’t large enough to fill her now, and she’s realized that they’re pretty lousy food. I wish she’d realized that at a point when we had less money committed to her lunch account. We’ve got $65 in there, and I don’t think we have the option of getting it back. Oh, well. I’m 95% sure that we can use it any time between now and when she graduates high school. I’m sure she’ll eat some school lunches in between now and then.
So we’re trying to figure out what Cordelia can take in her lunches. She was a little disappointed when I told her she’d be making her own lunches. Right now, she wants turkey sandwiches and lots of fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, we’re having trouble coming up with fruit options. We need things that will last a week between shopping trips and that can be put in a ziploc bag and can be eaten rapidly. I think quartered apples, quartered oranges, and grapes are about the only options. She mentioned being interested in cucumbers and peppers as options.
I really ought to call my mother and my sister, but I’m not sure I’m going to get around to that tonight. I’m pretty wiped out.
no subject
Date: 2015-12-05 08:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-12-06 05:22 pm (UTC)I want to minimize the amount of stuff we send that needs to come home again. She is planning to use an insulated bag that will have to come home, but...
no subject
Date: 2015-12-05 11:55 pm (UTC)You could get a mix of fruits and she could have berries or melon the first couple days, as long as she goes through them quickly enough...might be a little close unless you also want melon or berries at home and can have them.
no subject
Date: 2015-12-06 05:19 pm (UTC)She has ten to fifteen minutes to eat (less if she buys milk), so we will be favoring things that can be eaten very rapidly.