wednesday

Feeling ok when I woke up this morning.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
112.4 lbs
33.4% Body Fat
70.1 lb Muscle Mass
20.7 BMI

Fit app: afternoon walk
34 Heart Points
1.88 miles
4,925 steps

Tuesday

Went to Durham for three appointments today. Mostly good. One big question again

First one was Physcial Therapy, which went quite well. Maybe just one more session is all that is needed now for my hip and shoulder. I got some good information on my exercises. The therapist also measured my mobility and said it was much better than last time. My strength is improving too. Also answered my questions about a new injury - a small pulled muscle in my ribs - what probably caused it and how to avoid doing it again.

The next appointment was a Follow Up with Radiation. Again, they said I looked great and they even reviewed other records I was confused by with me a bit. It was all a very reassuring conversation.

Last, I had a revisit to Blood Labs to do a new Renal Function Panel. That was at the end of the day so there was no time for anyone to see the results and talk to me about them. I know my Calcium level is a bit higher than a few weeks ago, by one point. It was high last time and that's why I had more blood labs this week. Still wondering what could cause that and if I should continue taking the Calcium and D3 supplements they have me on. I am looking forward to talking to my doctor about those test results, what they mean, and what I can possibly do about it.

Fit app: afternoon walk
29 Heart Points
2.43 miles

monday after Summer Solstice

I spoke to my widowed friend on Sunday morning. She says she is okay. She just put a public post out on Facebook letting everyone know what was going on. She is still processing everything. She has friends and family there nearby to be with her and support her through this. I was glad to hear from her.

Sunday was a nice, small Summer Solstice gathering with friends and neighbors at Casa WereMonster. We started in the late afternoon, avoiding the heat inside. Lots of food and drinks were brought in. Everyone ended the day in the back yard, chatting on the patio starting just before sunset and lasting with lots of good conversation long after dark.
There was a brief appearance by a young racoon in the trees behind the patio.
I gave out party favors of wood birds and paper flower crowns.

I went to yoga at the gym in this morning and took a brief walk in the heat of the afternoon.
Managed to get in touch with Kathy, who said she was just thinking of me because she had seen the post in Facebook about our friend's passing. We had a long conversation while I was out walking.

Fit app: afternoon walk
15 Heart Points
2.01 miles

saturday

I fell way behind schedule and did not even start cooking for tomorrow until the evening. Then I kept being too distracted to keep up with things as well as I should have. Got the cake done but I am not pleased with it because I kept walking away when I should have been rotating things in the oven and minding the timers better.
I needed more fresh lemons after two bags were failures - one because, under the opaque part of the packaging, the lemons were spoiled and fuzzy - another because the skins were very thick and the fruit was not good for juicing.
Then I had to oversee the florist.
Just when I think I've had everything I need, I don't have enough left or what I have is outdated or spoiled.
I probably need more clear plastic cups too. Karen thinks I should just make do with what I've got in the house rather than the endless shopping trips.
Ended tonight still not having cooked the potatoes like I planned for the night before. Tomorrow morning will be a mad rush.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 Nitrofurantoin Mono-MCR 100 MG
2 Phenazopyridine 99.5 MG TAB
Publix oven roasted turkey + swiss cheese sandwich 7.16oz (390 calories)
2 cups coffee with oatmilk
Trader Joe's Tarragaon Chicken Salad Wrap (680 calories)(27g protein)

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
112.2 lbs
33.3% Body Fat
70.1 lb Muscle Mass
20.6 BMI

Juneteenth

Woke up feeling better after being on medication for 24 hours.

Went grocery shopping for Summer Solstice in the afternoon.

Found out we lost Nick yesterday.
I'll miss that sweet madman.
Much love and appreciation to him and Audrey.

Fit app: afternoon walk
Heart Points
miles

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 Nitrofurantoin Mono-MCR 100 MG
3 Phenazopyridine 100 MG TAB
Trader Joe's Saag Paneer (250 calories)
4 oz Harris Teeter hot bar

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
114.0 lbs
33.8% Body Fat
70.8 lb Muscle Mass
21.0 BMI

Thursday

Woke up this morning at 7:25AM to the sound of house devices beeping as they came back on and the house alarm coming on after a power outtage. The ADT alarm that is connected to nothing. The alarm that MonsterMustDie will not remove after disconnecting it from everything and removing most of the sensors. Personally, I liked the sensors telling me every time a window or door is opened or when someone walks through a threshold. He prefers to be unknown.

The bladder pain was back when I got up so I did an at-home UTI strip test that was positive for Leukocytes and negative for Nitrite. I passed that tiny info in a message to Atrium, asking if I should be on the antibiotics or if this is something else.
By 11:15AM, the UTI symptoms are much worse.Constant burning, frequency in urination and pooping, and even some involuntary bladder leakage (that's new).

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 Nitrofurantoin Mono-MCR 100 MG
3 Phenazopyridine 100 MG TAB
Momo Fuku soy + scallion noodles (320 calories) (10g protein)
1 cup fresh kale
Trader Joe's flatbread

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
113.1 lbs
33.6% Body Fat
70.3 lb Muscle Mass
20.8 BMI

A fond memory at the High Museum with Nick during our last visit.

Wednesday morning burn

Woke up with symptoms of a UTI, which got progressively worse for a while. This was terrifying to me because UTI's are the worst pain I've ever had to endure. I phoned my doctor's office and was told in no uncertain terms that they could not see for at least a month and anyone else in the practice could not speak to me until the 19th at the earliest. I tried to tell the triage nurse that all I need is labs and, if the labs show an actual infection, a prescription. They checked my phone number and said someone would phone me back later when they had time.
I went online in MyChart and sent a message. Then I requested a vist online and got a TeleMed appointment this morning. The young doctor phoned me back within the hour and had time to speak to me before the appointment if I had time, which I did. After checking my symptoms, she immediately ordered the UTI lab test and prescribed an antibiotic for me to pick up but not use until the lab results come back.
Meanwhile, I've continued to drink as much water as possible and I feel better than when I first woke up.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
2 cups coffee with oatmilk
1/2 cup Traditional ChexMix (140 calories)
Bolthouse Protein Plus (290 calories) (30g protein)

Tuesday Trash pickup and solitary life

Monstermustdie felt well enough to go back to work this morning.

Planning to go to Power 30 at the gym today.

I haven't heard from Karen and Bob since their family got into NC. They have a lot to process and a things to catch up on with each other.

I went to a computer software basics class at the library this morning to kill time and motivate myself.I should go to all of these public classes when I have time just to get out before I forget everything. I've already forgotten a lot about old PCs.
I went to the Power 30 workout at the gym this evening.

I don't know how to fix my scale. My true weight and BMI measurements are a mystery now.
9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
112.4 lbs
33.9% Body Fat
70.8 lb Muscle Mass
20.7 BMI

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee with oatmilk
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
1/4 leftover spinach calzone with tomato sauce
1 turkey and cheese sandwich from the library cafe

Monday Malfunctioning devices and bodies

Quiet morning. I woke up to this note from MonsterMustDie.
I made coffee and transferred it to a thermos.
MonsterMustDie stayed home all day today.

I made it through 30 minutes at the Spin class today, which is better than last time, before going home in time to shower and meet with Ben at the house to pay for cleaning the gutters on the house.

Fit app: evening walk
13 Heart Points
2.16 miles
6,869 steps

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee with oatmilk
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
4 oz leftover chicken + hot bar broccoli and mushrooms
1 chocolate croissant
1 bowl granola + kefir

The scale is being wonky and I don't know how to reset it. These numbers look very off.
9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
113.1 lbs
20.8 BMI
16.5% Body Fat
89.3 lb Muscle Mass

9:15 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
112.0 lbs
20.6 BMI
33.4% Body Fat
69.9 lb Muscle Mass

Saturday

Slept in late until 7:45AM. Woke up achy.
Walked to the gym and used the machines a bit. Came home and showered. Then went to StarTrek fan meeting in Winston-Salem at 1:00PM.
Decided to take advantage of my location and went to Bobby Boy Bakeshop for a couple of wonderful baked goods to take home.
Made Mac and Cheese with Roasted Chicken, Goat Cheese, and Rosemary for dinner and served it with fresh kale tossed with a balsamic dressing that turned out to be a very good pairing with the mac and cheese.

I've got a weird ache in my upper left jaw tonight. I hope it's nothing.

Fit app: evening walk
46 Heart Points
3.17 miles

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee with Half+Half
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
one OLLY Magnesium Gummy (336 mg Magnesium) (25 calories)
Mac and Cheese with Roasted Chicken, Goat Cheese, and Rosemary
kale salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing
one butter croissant pastry

friday

I had a lot of night sweats last night, possibly from my IV treatment on Tuesday, but also just as likely because the AC does not reach the back bedrooms here.
Now that I'm up and in the AC, I feel fine.

I talked to Karen for a while about her health issues and an upcoming family visit.
MonsterMustDie has been in a very negative emotional state since Wednesday. I can't seem to avoid making him angry.
My only plan is to avoid him and work around him as much as I can. I have nowhere to go to escape him.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
114.2 lbs
21.0 BMI

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement 2 cups coffee with Half+Half
1 cup green tea
1 bowl granola with kefir
Momofuku Soy & Scallion noodles (320 calories)(10g protein)
1 cup fresh Chard (35 calories)
2 boiled eggs (155 calories)
Ardens Garden Green Yoga juice (130 calories) (2g protein)
Trader Joe's Flatbread (560 calories)

Thursday

Only activity planned is Cardio Dance at the gym this afternoon. Did some resistance exercises on the machines afterwards.
I am thankful for my health. I hope I am well for the rest of my life. My goal is to live into my 90's like both of my grandmothers and have a $5 part break during my sleep that takes me out painlessly.

There has only been bad news on the health of my friends this week.
One friend had another heart failure that has taken a toll on his brain now and his condition is terminal.
Another friend has a new, second, lung cancer diagnosis.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee + oatmilk
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
2 macaron cookies (74 calories)
2 hot pickled okra (5 calories)
1 bowl granola with kefir
Tofu Bahn Mi sandwich (750 calories)
2 Shrimp Summer Rolls (250 calories)
1 Bolthouse Protein Plus (290 calories) (30g protein)

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
113.5 lbs
33.6% Body Fat
70.5 lb Muscle Mass
20.9 BMI

Wednesday

Tonight was Womens Night Zoom. Sandy showed up and she brought me up-to-date on everything she knew that was going on with the other ladies.
Nicky is still in the hospital.
Kim and Harris are in Florida.
Seth is retiring and Pam is still planning to work as an independent contractor.
I did not have much to say for myself, except for a brief synopsis of my learning experience with lab results, which were good this week. I love everyone at Duke.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
11.5 oz leftover Hot Bar - mostly tofu saag
3 Trader Joes mini almond biscotti (150 calories)(3g protein)
3 pickled okra
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
Momofuku Soy & Scallion noodles (320 calories)(10g protein)
1 cup fresh Chard (35 calories)
11:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
113.8 lbs
33.7% Body Fat
70.5 lb Muscle Mass
20.9 BMI

Tuesday

It is a long day today with three oncology visits at Duke this afternoon. MonsterMustDie is coming with me. It's all routine appointments - blood labs, doctor visit, and Zometa IV treatment to prevent bone loss. I met with my doctor, who said everything looks good. I'll see her again in six months.
I had a learning moment when the blood labs came back as a slightly high amount of Calcium in the Renal Function Panel. Then they explained that this is corrected by my Albumin levels, which leave it well within the normal range. Also, the Zometa will slightly lower my blood calcium level by moving calcium from the blood into the bones. All good. The only concern for me is that if I ever need dental work, it is best to have it three months after discontinuing the Zometa treatment to avoid complications. Fortunately, last time I was at the dentist office, they told me my teeth are in great condition.
I really should have studied this and reviewed my history before meeting with my Oncologist.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
114.6 lbs
34.0% Body Fat
70.8 lb Muscle Mass
21.1 BMI

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee with oatmilk
1 bowl granola with kefir and sliced peach
Dinner was hot bar at Whole Foods
Lunch was peanut butter crackers and a small bag of Chex Mix