aKathy's What's for Dinner 10/2

hello everyone. I want to talk some about my treatment, so it makes more sense to you. I guess I left people a bit confused last night.

First, when I go in for the bi-weekly infusions, it’s not technically chemo, it’s a bio-something. Cetuximab, for you medical peeps. I just call it “chemo” because people understand that. And truthfully, half the medical people refer to it as chemo, too.

I do have actual chemotherapy, too, but it’s in capsule form. I take four/day at home. Braftovi. After 2.5 months’ experience with this regimen, most of my side effects seem to be attributable to the Braftovi. Remember I got really sick after my first treatment day? I started both meds that same day. Didn’t know which med caused what at first, because there was some crossover of side effects. But now I can see that the infusions don’t give me any discernible problems, while what I AM experiencing is ongoing and seems to be a Braftovi issue, but it’s nothing incapacitating or that I can’t live with.

So going in for “chemo” infusions doesn’t appear to cause me any problems, other than boredom and maybe some fatigue.

This regimen is ongoing. I will be on it indefinitely until it stops working (which is likely to happen sooner or later, according to my doctor) or I can’t take the side effects any longer (which doesn’t really seem to be a problem, although I guess that can change).

And just to be clear: I do feel fine, overall. But my days are likely numbered. According to my doctor’s statistics, I have a 50% chance of living till April 22. If I make it till then, I’ll ask what my new life expectancy is.

Anyway, I’m planning to go to Nevada with the gentleman friend again next May, so I’m hoping for the best.

I finally got around to making a dish I saw on a TV show a couple of weeks ago. It was so ridiculously easy, it's almost embarrassing! 
Baked Chicken Korma with Jewelled Pilau Rice. 
I made it even easier by using microwave Basmati rice. This one will go on the regular rotation. Everyone loved it.

This is a great idea! I have two overflowing freezers, and my pantries are chock-a-block too. I went halves in a whole lamb with my MIL a while ago, so I have quite a lot of lamb to get through (YUM!!). I cleaned out my freezers earlier this year, and the amount of frost bitten meat that I threw out was criminal. 

scrapmaven I hope that you are feeling better soon. I know several people who always have a reaction from the flu shot. A couple of them don't even get the shot anymore due to the reactions. 

I hope that the docs can work out what's wrong with your dad Tearisci . It must be awful to feel nauseous all the time. I'm such a baby when I feel sick. 

Have a fabulous time in Italy sueg ! I look forward to seeing your photos. 

And now I have just got to lucyg 's post, and I need to process a few things before I can say anything else.

Went right over my head 😂

First, I'm so glad the freezer thing may be helpful to some folks. Your first efforts, from beef shanks to spaghetti sauce all sound delicious. I had good plans to make chicken tortilla soup. But Nick suggested a polish and fries from a little hole in the wall place we like once in a while so I jumped at it. Anything to avoid dishes. Looking forward to hearing what others unearth from the Siberian tundra. I, too, hate wasting food, so freezer burned meat is a criminal offense too.

Second, lucyg...my friend. I just told Nick it is such a phenomenon to love someone you've never met. We are praying.

I also don't know what to say ... you are a loved fixture here and I expect you to be with us for the long haul!!!  

Tell me you are going to Las Vegas and staying in a swanky suite in a cool hotel!   

(((Hugs))) hope you're feeling yourself again soon



(((Hugs))) lucyg  and prayers. I'm not really sure what to say except I hope you continue to beat the odds. 



have a wonderful time!



I generally do shop from the freezer (and the weekly farm box) and just fill in as needed. I would join but I'm leaving on Saturday for 2 weeks



(((Hugs))) I'm sorry things were so painful


Dinner tonight was green chicken enchiladas - last dinner I'll be cooking for a couple of weeks. Tomorrow is DD's birthday so we'll eat out, Friday is super busy so pizza is planned, and we leave Saturday for the UK

I can go! See you all there!

The Birdhouse Lady.....SO glad your recovery is going well. And just a little friendly sidenote---(RE: you said
you couldn't "like" Lucy's post) the general consensus is usually that "like" can also just mean you're
acknowledging that you read the post / showing support. But I know what you meant----I DO feel a bit weird
hitting "like" when a post is sad / upsetting.

Which reminds me---last week, a few of you said you wish we had "response" emojis like Facebook.
YES! That would be awesome! My fave is the cute "care" guy with his little smiley face hugging a heart.
(sadly, that's my most-used emoji because of the 2 local bulldog and pug rescues we're involved with).


Well, scrapmaven, your posts reminded me that DH and I need to get the Covid and Flu vaccines soon.
Do you also have to get the RSV/ Pneumonia one? OOohhh, fun times
Luckily, DH never has any reaction, and mine were always nothing or very mild. I feel so bad for peeps that have
bad reactions.


I AM fearful of the Shingles vax, just from reading about everyones' reactions here
on this thread. I've taken care of Shingles patients before, and know how horrrribly painful
shingles is, so I'll take the damn vaccine.

I have 2 good friends who had no reaction to it so you may be like them and not me. Shingles sucks terribly! I would still get it.

scrappintoee I love when you do these mini quotes. How can I learn to do that?