January 2016 frugal chat thread

[Angela273]

Today is a day to stay home. I've spent most of the day crying. I learned in the middle of the night that a friend's cancer returned aggressively and "R" isn't expected to make another week. She lives in Saskatoon, so I won't have the opportunity to say goodbye in person. She was our wedding photographer. I've been friends with her sister "E" for years. They are both my dad's age. I knew them separately before I knew that they were sisters. "R" and her mom were both diagnosed with the same form of cancer in the fall of 2014. She has large B cell lymphoma. Their mom's cancer was advanced. "R"'s daughter moved up her wedding date to December and was married 1 week before her grandmother passed. "R" did chemo and 20 rounds of radiation. The doctors deemed her to be cancer free in March 2015. In late August "R" started to complain about pain, and she has a high pain tolerance and thought she may have pulled a muscle in her back. "R" and her husband took a cruise in September. I remember reading her post about the doctor on the ship giving her a cortisone shot and how it had been her best sleep in a month. The pain returned. I don't know why it took so long, but the doctors finally did a PET scan on December 17 which showed lesions on her lungs, etc. Treatments weren't available to be started because of the holidays. She has lost 4kg and she was a short slim woman to begin with. She had a chemo treatment earlier this week and a spinal tap. She was called the next day and told that the cancer is now in her spine and her blood. She was told to call her family home. Her siblings are arriving today and tomorrow. She is in the hospital and family is staying with her around the clock. Her daughter celebrated her 1yr wedding anniversary in December. That daughter is expecting their first grandchild in July, but "R" won't be here. That is "R"'s biggest regret right now. Someone is helping her make videos. They are praying for a miracle, but also don't want her to suffer.

I contacted "R" in December and she donated a large 2'x3' photograph on foam core for our upcoming fundraiser, but she did not tell me that the cancer had returned. I plan on including a card with her D.O.B and D.O.D on it to accompany the picture at the silent auction. I private messaged her on Facebook this morning. We had a short conversation. I included an update about our children and new pictures for her. I called her sister "E" at 9am today and she provided me with the details that I posted above.

I mentioned before about the older lady who was having memory issues and we usually have our monthly meetings at her house. She was feeling sick enough this week that she called an ambulance and is currently in our local hospital. It has yet to be determined if she will be returning home or what supports will be put in place for her. This month's meeting will be held at my house. She is 93yrs old, but it has still been tough to watch her health deteriorate. She reminds me of my own grandmother who is 87yrs old and in long term care in Saskatoon.

Dh's grandfather has also been in hospital for the past 3.5months in Calgary. They don't know what's wrong with him. They thought it might be his heart and he has lost 40lbs.

I have been fortunate so far in my life that I have experienced few deaths of people who have been close to me. I'm giving myself time to grieve today while dh is at work.

[saundyl]

Oh Angela i am so sorry. My thoughts are with you and "R"'s family &friends

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

[Natalka]

Gee, Angela, so sorry to hear that bad news about your friend.

[lilo0003]

Angela: I am so sorry for the pain your are experiencing, you deserve the day of tears.

[wendymac]

Angela, my thoughts are with you. Your friend must be a wonderful person for you to care so much.
Hang in there,
wendymac

[lizzie bargain]

Such tragic news about your friend Angela-so very sad to hear for her, her family and friends.

[Crochetlady]

@Angela So sorry to hear about your friend. Sending you hugs and positive thoughts.

[Andit]

Good afternoon, everyone.

Sorry, I've been awol. bff's Dad is not doing well (palliative at this point). bff & I have known each other since Kindergarten (she's more a sister than a friend), so it's not been easy to deal with. Have all sorts of things planned in the next little while (it would all happen at once), just hoping some of the things that I can't rearrange don't interfere with my being there for bff (last minute trip booked that involves an airplane - was really excited about it until all this happened).

Will be awol again til next week. My b-day's coming up in a couple of days, so have lunch & dinner plans. Also have a day trip planned with some friends (within driving distance, so can cancel if I have to).

Theatre is dark for the moment, so no stress relief there. On the plus side, I have the brats to keep my mind occupied. Better go finish organizing my kitchen, so I have room to bake a batch or 2 of doggy biscuits.

Hope everyone is doing well.

[lizzie bargain]

Andit-sorry to hear of your friend's Dad's poor health.

[lilo0003]

Wow, I finally had a chance to finish my year end totals and start the 2016 planning. We saved just under 4000.00 last year. The bulk of that was PC points ($1060) , Air Miles ($470), having Sobeys switch over really helped. SDM was $970 and I included the amount I gave to my brother.
I doubt the coupon total will be so high in 2016 as we had lots of cereal fruit ones that really reduced our grocery spend. It was almost 800.00 this year but I have stopped buying so many products that I expect half of that for 2016.

[coupon girl]

angela so sorry about your friend
-battling such a head cold -uhhhgg don't feel like doing much -watched ashlyn today and she was so good cause I told her nana was sick -she gave me this cold for sure -sneezing on me when I was holding her -ahhh the perks of the job -lol

[Giseledta]

Angela- hugs. sorry about your friend

[avoncallingu]

Angela and Andit, my hugs and prayers come your way as you deal with the losses and medical challenges of important people in your lives!

Take times to stay healthy yourself.

[SassyAshley]

Angela & Andit So sorry to hear what those close to you are going through, thought & prayers.

[coupon girl]

andit sorry to hear about your bbf dad