Input needed

Glenna M

pattyanny said:

Hi Glenna
Awww, come on Glenna, you can do better then 5 lbs! Peanut butter is great on the calories, although I am not a fan, I bought those pre-packaged sandwich crackers. The Carnation VHC by Nestle is 560 calories a can, and I drink three a day! I make it a point to have a late night snack before bed, which I figure sleeping won't burn off any calories.
I expect more poundage in the future Glenna! Lol! Thanks for your post, and good wishes! Very much appreciated! Press forward in health!
You can do this - although I would bet that your "puppy" keeps you active.
BTW - Who takes who for the walks???? Hee hee!
Love & Prayers, Patty

Love peanut butter
Hi Patty, I absolutely LOVE peanut butter but unfortunately it is the one food I still can't eat. I still have to sip water with a lot of foods I eat but even water won't make peanut butter go down. The last time I tried to eat it I scared myself because I couldn't swallow it and thought I was going to suffocate myself, finally after several sips of water it went down. LOL- now my goal in life is to be able to eat an English Muffin with PB ;-)

I'm really not worried too much about my weight because the clothes I wore pre-cancer still fit, a little looser, but they still fit. I think the reason my weight hasn't gone up as much as most people think it should is because I lost so much muscle in my legs and arms and haven't gotten it all back yet. Now that the weather is finally warming and the snow is gone I am able to go for walks which will hopefully help me regain the muscles in my legs. I'm also working in the yard and my flower gardens so that should help my arms.

As for "who takes who for the walks" - my 95 lb "puppy" (I only weigh 103) - he NEVER walks, my husband has to walk him and I walk my husband's black lab (only 90 lbs) as he is a lot mellower than mine. They are the "craziest" dogs you will ever meet and spoiled rotten, their names really fit them - mine is Jughead and my husband's is Meathead. Very fitting I think - LOL

Take care of yourself and keep eating.

Love and prayers to you also,
Glenna

Glenna M

soccerfreaks said:

You are incorrigible, Glenna.

Take care,

Joe

Me incorrigible???
Hi Joe, isn't you calling me incorrigible sort of like the pot/kettle thing??? LOL

Take care and keep blogging as they always make me smile ;-)

Glenna

pattyanny

Glenna M said:

Love peanut butter
Hi Patty, I absolutely LOVE peanut butter but unfortunately it is the one food I still can't eat. I still have to sip water with a lot of foods I eat but even water won't make peanut butter go down. The last time I tried to eat it I scared myself because I couldn't swallow it and thought I was going to suffocate myself, finally after several sips of water it went down. LOL- now my goal in life is to be able to eat an English Muffin with PB ;-)

I'm really not worried too much about my weight because the clothes I wore pre-cancer still fit, a little looser, but they still fit. I think the reason my weight hasn't gone up as much as most people think it should is because I lost so much muscle in my legs and arms and haven't gotten it all back yet. Now that the weather is finally warming and the snow is gone I am able to go for walks which will hopefully help me regain the muscles in my legs. I'm also working in the yard and my flower gardens so that should help my arms.

As for "who takes who for the walks" - my 95 lb "puppy" (I only weigh 103) - he NEVER walks, my husband has to walk him and I walk my husband's black lab (only 90 lbs) as he is a lot mellower than mine. They are the "craziest" dogs you will ever meet and spoiled rotten, their names really fit them - mine is Jughead and my husband's is Meathead. Very fitting I think - LOL

Take care of yourself and keep eating.

Love and prayers to you also,
Glenna

Hi Glenna
DUH! Yep~ Now I remember being horrified by even the thought of a teaspoon of peanut butter! Ugh! And so sorry - did not mean to sound critical about your weight gain - by any means - 5lbs is great! I find it is difficult to write and express myself the way I want to sometimes. I am happy to hear your clothes fit, that is a great indicator. I had to buy new, but now some old ones are fitting better.
That muscle loss is so upsetting to me. I walk a lot too, the arms and legs look "flabby" - if that is even possible at our weight! I have been raking those darn leaves, (which somehow all ended up in my yard!)and that was good for the arms. I cannot wait to garden - great idea! I enjoy getting immediate satisfaction of the beautiful flowers, and eventually the delicious veggies! Thank for reminding me and giving me something to look forward to! It is still a little cool here yet to plant.
Had to laugh about Jughead & Meathead, because just from the pic, I could picture you flying down the street behind him! Lol! They must be great company!
Take care, and press forward in faith! Patty

Glenna M

pattyanny said:

Hi Glenna
DUH! Yep~ Now I remember being horrified by even the thought of a teaspoon of peanut butter! Ugh! And so sorry - did not mean to sound critical about your weight gain - by any means - 5lbs is great! I find it is difficult to write and express myself the way I want to sometimes. I am happy to hear your clothes fit, that is a great indicator. I had to buy new, but now some old ones are fitting better.
That muscle loss is so upsetting to me. I walk a lot too, the arms and legs look "flabby" - if that is even possible at our weight! I have been raking those darn leaves, (which somehow all ended up in my yard!)and that was good for the arms. I cannot wait to garden - great idea! I enjoy getting immediate satisfaction of the beautiful flowers, and eventually the delicious veggies! Thank for reminding me and giving me something to look forward to! It is still a little cool here yet to plant.
Had to laugh about Jughead & Meathead, because just from the pic, I could picture you flying down the street behind him! Lol! They must be great company!
Take care, and press forward in faith! Patty

You were not being critical....
Hi Patty,

I did not take your previous response as critical at all, actually took it as you teasing me about being so slow at gaining weight ;-) I know what you mean about not always being able to express yourself the way you want. When I type a response I mean it one way but the person reading it takes it another way. That's why I use so many smiley faces in my responses so people will know I'm not being critical.

I know what you mean by the "flabby" arms and legs. When I describe myself now I say I am a skeleton with skin hanging on it. It's a good thing I'm too old for short shorts or any type of shorts for that matter and my sunbathing days are over.

Yes, gardening is good exercise. It is beneficial to your arms and legs. It's still too early here for planting, I live in NH so we definitely can not plant before Memorial Day but I have been raking leaves and clearing fallen branches from my gardens. I've also been digging up some of my Iris to break off the new growth and replant them. I was excited when I did this as I now have over 30 new Iris plants, all purples and yellows. They won't flower this year but next year I will be inundated with Iris, I plan on being here next summer for the show ;-)

Yes, seeing me try to walk my dog is quite a show - I'm only 5 feet and 103 pounds so you can just visualize me with a dog who is almost my size, actually when he stands on his hind legs with his paws on my shoulders he is as tall as I am - LOL They certainly are great company and I would be lost without them.

Just a quick update - I went for my second scan yesterday and will get the results on Wednesday the 14th. I'm nervous, as usual, but I have many great friends and family who are praying for me and I continue to pray daily for everyone on this site.

I may go back to drinking a few Ensure Plus each day to try to put on a couple more pounds as I usually lose a couple pounds in the summer because I am much more active.

Hugs and prayers to you Patty!!

Glenna

staceya

pattyanny said:

Hi Glenna
DUH! Yep~ Now I remember being horrified by even the thought of a teaspoon of peanut butter! Ugh! And so sorry - did not mean to sound critical about your weight gain - by any means - 5lbs is great! I find it is difficult to write and express myself the way I want to sometimes. I am happy to hear your clothes fit, that is a great indicator. I had to buy new, but now some old ones are fitting better.
That muscle loss is so upsetting to me. I walk a lot too, the arms and legs look "flabby" - if that is even possible at our weight! I have been raking those darn leaves, (which somehow all ended up in my yard!)and that was good for the arms. I cannot wait to garden - great idea! I enjoy getting immediate satisfaction of the beautiful flowers, and eventually the delicious veggies! Thank for reminding me and giving me something to look forward to! It is still a little cool here yet to plant.
Had to laugh about Jughead & Meathead, because just from the pic, I could picture you flying down the street behind him! Lol! They must be great company!
Take care, and press forward in faith! Patty

I agree!
Patty..I'm right with you
I'm 91 pounds and look flabby (I know I shouldn't complain about these sorts of things, given the whole picture of what is going on..BUT) my legs look they are 100 years old!! Rode the bike for a tiny bit today. I do feel so weak..My arm weight routine currently consists of reading a heavy book!! so maybe my arms only look about 98 years old.
The rest of me is 49..
Where are you? I am in Montana and we won't be planting for a while.
Stacey

SASH

Glenna M said:

Me incorrigible???
Hi Joe, isn't you calling me incorrigible sort of like the pot/kettle thing??? LOL

Take care and keep blogging as they always make me smile ;-)

Glenna

Peanut Butter
If you enjoy peanut butter try the whipped peanut butter it spreads really thin. I thought I would never eat peanut butter again, but this version I can do without problems when put on toast or waffles. This helps it melt which makes it not so sticky. Add your favorite jelly to also help with the stickyness. I also add chocolate chips, chocolate syrup or m&ms to give it even a better flavor.

Glenna M

SASH said:

Peanut Butter
If you enjoy peanut butter try the whipped peanut butter it spreads really thin. I thought I would never eat peanut butter again, but this version I can do without problems when put on toast or waffles. This helps it melt which makes it not so sticky. Add your favorite jelly to also help with the stickyness. I also add chocolate chips, chocolate syrup or m&ms to give it even a better flavor.

Sounds good!!
Thanks Sash, I'll have to try the whipped peanut butter, I have to admit I've never heard of it but will look for it when I go shopping. I really miss my peanut butter!!! I sound like a little kid - LOL

Stay strong and keep smiling,
Glenna

SASH

Glenna M said:

Sounds good!!
Thanks Sash, I'll have to try the whipped peanut butter, I have to admit I've never heard of it but will look for it when I go shopping. I really miss my peanut butter!!! I sound like a little kid - LOL

Stay strong and keep smiling,
Glenna

Whipped Peanut Butter
The whipped peanut butter is a version of Peter Pan. I think they call it Tinkerbell.

Glenna M

SASH said:

Whipped Peanut Butter
The whipped peanut butter is a version of Peter Pan. I think they call it Tinkerbell.

LOL
Sounds more like Dumbo to me ;-)

backachedp

D Lewis said:

Do it...
Valuable additional information can be provided by the MRI. My insurance company actually required me to have the MRI before they would authorize the PET-CT. Not sure why, except Anthem Blue Cross is known to be difficult. My Stanford Tumor Board doctors said they could see important information on both the MRT and PET-CT. So - I second the group opinion that it couldn't hurt. I add the opinion that it might be of help.

Deb L.

Blue Cross
How many types of Blue Cross are there?? I have never heard of yours and we have Blue Cross of Texas...I would do the Scan if there is no cost..like others said it could hepl others in the future. I would only do it if you are comfortable with it though....

denistd

Glenna M said:

LOL
Sounds more like Dumbo to me ;-)

weight
I weighed 160 going into treatment, went down to 144 after treatment was done and having a hard time eating. My wife and I decided to get 2,500 calories a day into me. This meant 4 cans a day of the stuff sent to me by Apria (thru peg)Drink 4 ensure pluses a day and whatever else I could get down me orally, peanut butter being one of them. When the peg was removed (4 weeks after treatment was finished)I started eating almost anything, but with a lot of water, ate lots of protein bars, cinnamon raisin bread, meat and fish. I now weigh almost 170 lbs and intend to maintain at that. I finished treatment on June 17th 2009.

pattyanny

Glenna M said:

You were not being critical....
Hi Patty,

I did not take your previous response as critical at all, actually took it as you teasing me about being so slow at gaining weight ;-) I know what you mean about not always being able to express yourself the way you want. When I type a response I mean it one way but the person reading it takes it another way. That's why I use so many smiley faces in my responses so people will know I'm not being critical.

I know what you mean by the "flabby" arms and legs. When I describe myself now I say I am a skeleton with skin hanging on it. It's a good thing I'm too old for short shorts or any type of shorts for that matter and my sunbathing days are over.

Yes, gardening is good exercise. It is beneficial to your arms and legs. It's still too early here for planting, I live in NH so we definitely can not plant before Memorial Day but I have been raking leaves and clearing fallen branches from my gardens. I've also been digging up some of my Iris to break off the new growth and replant them. I was excited when I did this as I now have over 30 new Iris plants, all purples and yellows. They won't flower this year but next year I will be inundated with Iris, I plan on being here next summer for the show ;-)

Yes, seeing me try to walk my dog is quite a show - I'm only 5 feet and 103 pounds so you can just visualize me with a dog who is almost my size, actually when he stands on his hind legs with his paws on my shoulders he is as tall as I am - LOL They certainly are great company and I would be lost without them.

Just a quick update - I went for my second scan yesterday and will get the results on Wednesday the 14th. I'm nervous, as usual, but I have many great friends and family who are praying for me and I continue to pray daily for everyone on this site.

I may go back to drinking a few Ensure Plus each day to try to put on a couple more pounds as I usually lose a couple pounds in the summer because I am much more active.

Hugs and prayers to you Patty!!

Glenna

Hi Glenna
Glad we understand each other, and appreciate your blogs. They help so much.
I plan on getting out in the yard to do some raking today, and try to build up some arm mass. I have my PET on 4/19 and awoke in a panic and anxiety mode, although it is a week away! I have been taking care of my Mom, so that has kept my mind off my own health.
But now.... the waiting, and count down is just overwhelming. I will participate in the MRI test scan after my PET, but will have the PET results that afternoon. They wanted to do a volunteer breast test MRI, but I quickly explained, due to the weight loss, that may be difficult since they too disappeared along with my butt! Lol!

I pray you have clean results, and happy news on Wednesday! Press forward in faith, He has not let me down yet! God bless you Glenna! Your friend, Fatty Patty

pattyanny

staceya said:

I agree!
Patty..I'm right with you
I'm 91 pounds and look flabby (I know I shouldn't complain about these sorts of things, given the whole picture of what is going on..BUT) my legs look they are 100 years old!! Rode the bike for a tiny bit today. I do feel so weak..My arm weight routine currently consists of reading a heavy book!! so maybe my arms only look about 98 years old.
The rest of me is 49..
Where are you? I am in Montana and we won't be planting for a while.
Stacey

Hi stacey
I know exactly what you mean - heavy book! Lol! I read somewhere to start out doing repetitions with soup cans. Maybe I will start off with tomato paste 6oz!
My legs look like pencils so I will be thankful if I can find some long capri pants. It may be a hot summer with this crazy weather.
I am in NY, so Mothers Day is planting day here.
I know the flabby, wrinkling arms and bod are nothing compared what we have all been thru, but it is nice to share and laugh about these changes with a fellow member.
I am just happy that I may celebrate another birthday this month! 54 years old, body -98,
mind - 26 year old hippy who still wears a dungaree jacket! God bless you!
Love & Prayers, Flabby Patty

pattyanny

denistd said:

weight
I weighed 160 going into treatment, went down to 144 after treatment was done and having a hard time eating. My wife and I decided to get 2,500 calories a day into me. This meant 4 cans a day of the stuff sent to me by Apria (thru peg)Drink 4 ensure pluses a day and whatever else I could get down me orally, peanut butter being one of them. When the peg was removed (4 weeks after treatment was finished)I started eating almost anything, but with a lot of water, ate lots of protein bars, cinnamon raisin bread, meat and fish. I now weigh almost 170 lbs and intend to maintain at that. I finished treatment on June 17th 2009.

Good for you denistd! Sounds
Good for you denistd! Sounds like you are doing well! Keep up the good work, and stay strong! Thanks for the post! Patty

Glenna M

pattyanny said:

Hi Glenna
Glad we understand each other, and appreciate your blogs. They help so much.
I plan on getting out in the yard to do some raking today, and try to build up some arm mass. I have my PET on 4/19 and awoke in a panic and anxiety mode, although it is a week away! I have been taking care of my Mom, so that has kept my mind off my own health.
But now.... the waiting, and count down is just overwhelming. I will participate in the MRI test scan after my PET, but will have the PET results that afternoon. They wanted to do a volunteer breast test MRI, but I quickly explained, due to the weight loss, that may be difficult since they too disappeared along with my butt! Lol!

I pray you have clean results, and happy news on Wednesday! Press forward in faith, He has not let me down yet! God bless you Glenna! Your friend, Fatty Patty

LOL on the breast MRI
As my husband says - my shoulder blades stick out more than my breasts do ;-) Fatty Patty is only in your dreams -hahaha

I'm excited for you and the upcoming PET, it will be so much less anxiety on your part knowing you will get the results the same day. You will do good, I can feel it.

I pray that we will both get good scan results. As you said - He has not let you down yet and I know he won't now. You have been through too much already.

I've been raking and digging in my gardens for several days now, I don't see any change in my arms except they really, really ache ;-( No pain, no gain - Right???

God bless you also Patty and stay in touch.

Your friend,
Glenna

Glenna M

pattyanny said:

Hi Glenna
Glad we understand each other, and appreciate your blogs. They help so much.
I plan on getting out in the yard to do some raking today, and try to build up some arm mass. I have my PET on 4/19 and awoke in a panic and anxiety mode, although it is a week away! I have been taking care of my Mom, so that has kept my mind off my own health.
But now.... the waiting, and count down is just overwhelming. I will participate in the MRI test scan after my PET, but will have the PET results that afternoon. They wanted to do a volunteer breast test MRI, but I quickly explained, due to the weight loss, that may be difficult since they too disappeared along with my butt! Lol!

I pray you have clean results, and happy news on Wednesday! Press forward in faith, He has not let me down yet! God bless you Glenna! Your friend, Fatty Patty

LOL on the breast MRI
As my husband says - my shoulder blades stick out more than my breasts do ;-) Fatty Patty is only in your dreams -hahaha

I'm excited for you and the upcoming PET, it will be so much less anxiety on your part knowing you will get the results the same day. You will do good, I can feel it.

I pray that we will both get good scan results. As you said - He has not let you down yet and I know he won't now. You have been through too much already.

I've been raking and digging in my gardens for several days now, I don't see any change in my arms except they really, really ache ;-( No pain, no gain - Right???

God bless you also Patty and stay in touch.

Your friend,
Glenna

pattyanny

Glenna M said:

LOL on the breast MRI
As my husband says - my shoulder blades stick out more than my breasts do ;-) Fatty Patty is only in your dreams -hahaha

I'm excited for you and the upcoming PET, it will be so much less anxiety on your part knowing you will get the results the same day. You will do good, I can feel it.

I pray that we will both get good scan results. As you said - He has not let you down yet and I know he won't now. You have been through too much already.

I've been raking and digging in my gardens for several days now, I don't see any change in my arms except they really, really ache ;-( No pain, no gain - Right???

God bless you also Patty and stay in touch.

Your friend,
Glenna

Ha Ha Glenna
Glad to hear you are getting outside and out those arms! Just don't overdo, you are burning calories too, so replenish with the Ensure.
I,myself, had good intentions, with raking gloves and sunscreen at the ready. I made it to the back porch, and the wind blew me back inside! Lol! It was too chilly for these bones! Maybe tomorrow !
Thanks for the good wishes & prayers! I will be praying hard for you for your results on Wednesday. Keep the Faith! Love Patty

pattyanny

Glenna M said:

LOL on the breast MRI
As my husband says - my shoulder blades stick out more than my breasts do ;-) Fatty Patty is only in your dreams -hahaha

I'm excited for you and the upcoming PET, it will be so much less anxiety on your part knowing you will get the results the same day. You will do good, I can feel it.

I pray that we will both get good scan results. As you said - He has not let you down yet and I know he won't now. You have been through too much already.

I've been raking and digging in my gardens for several days now, I don't see any change in my arms except they really, really ache ;-( No pain, no gain - Right???

God bless you also Patty and stay in touch.

Your friend,
Glenna

Diggers
Hey Glenna - What about Jughead & Meathead? Can't the help in the garden? They must have some pretty big mitts - good for digging! Lol! I can just picture that one!

staceya

pattyanny said:

Hi stacey
I know exactly what you mean - heavy book! Lol! I read somewhere to start out doing repetitions with soup cans. Maybe I will start off with tomato paste 6oz!
My legs look like pencils so I will be thankful if I can find some long capri pants. It may be a hot summer with this crazy weather.
I am in NY, so Mothers Day is planting day here.
I know the flabby, wrinkling arms and bod are nothing compared what we have all been thru, but it is nice to share and laugh about these changes with a fellow member.
I am just happy that I may celebrate another birthday this month! 54 years old, body -98,
mind - 26 year old hippy who still wears a dungaree jacket! God bless you!
Love & Prayers, Flabby Patty

Clarification
I should clarify, I am only reading the heavy book, not actually doing any reps!
But holding it should count for some sort of exercise!

Glenna M

pattyanny said:

Diggers
Hey Glenna - What about Jughead & Meathead? Can't the help in the garden? They must have some pretty big mitts - good for digging! Lol! I can just picture that one!

Lazy dogs
Hi Patty - unfortunately my dogs are too lazy to dig ;-( They are 8 and 9 years old and their idea of work is to get up from one spot and move to another so they can lay in the sun. What a horrible life - hahaha!!

I know what you mean about the wind blowing you around. It has been sunny and reasonable warm for the past few days but the wind has been quite strong which makes it rather unpleasant trying to work so I use that as an excuse to sit in a lounge chair in an area protected from the wind. Sometimes I sit there and read and other times I just look at the beauty that surrounds me, my spring flowers are blooming, the trees are getting buds and the birds are all flocking back. Nature is truly beautiful and I am blessed to be able to live in the country.

I got incredible news yesterday, the doctors can't find the tumor in my lung anymore. My rad. doc said there is scar tissue in my lung and if the tumor is still there it is so small that it is hiding behind the scar tissue. If my next scan comes back as good he is going to move me to a 6 month schedule. I had been told by the surgeon who did the original biopsy that there were lymph nodes involved so I asked the doc yesterday about them and he said no - there are no nodes involved. I can't believe the incredible feelings I had after leaving his office. Miracles do happen!! I know it was my cancer team and modern medicine that got me to this point but I truly believe that all the prayers and support I have received had a lot to do with my quick recovery. It has only been 11 months since my original diagnosis and I'm doing much better than I ever thought I would.

I am going to start another post to let everyone know about the great results I received and hope it will give others hope and encouragement. Miracles do happen - eleven months ago I was told by the surgeon who did the lung biopsy that I was inoperable and incurable and that he couldn't tell me how long I had to live. That was before they even found out that I had another type of cancer on my larynx. I left his office thinking I would be dead by the end of the year. Now look at me, I will probably outlive the surgeon who gave me the discouraging diagnosis and prognosis!!!

Take care my friend and keep eating. You are in my prayers, Glenna