Sunday, July 12, 2020

This Week in Our New Normal

It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.

I've lost track of what week we are in but I do know that this past Thursday was 3 weeks from my son's Leukemia diagnosis and what a crazy three weeks it has been.  When I woke up Thursday morning 3 weeks ago I literally had absolutely no idea that this was in our future.  And even when I did suspect that something was wrong my worst case scenario was Mononucleosis.  But since then we have gotten the diagnosis, uprooted and moved 3+ hours to a teeny tiny apartment in Memphis and learned the layout of St Jude Children's Research Hospital forward and backward.  For the most part the news has been really positive.  He's responding wonderfully to all the different medications and so far with very few side effects.  His energy level is still low but it is getting better and we are able to walk around our building some or go sit out on the balcony.  His attitude has been absolutely amazing.  He's taken this in stride and while he has complained about all the medications he hasn't once refused or had a meltdown or any of the things I would have expected.  We've been able to bring our cat to our new temporary home and that's helped the adjustment I think and he's liked trying some of the different restaurants in our new city.  

We are adjusting to our new routines though the cooking thing is a bit of a challenge.  Anyone have any ideas for simple quick recipes that don't require a ton of ingredients or lots of equipment?  I'm a fairly experienced cook but all of my usual recipes apparently have 50 million ingredients and require a lot of work!  

I've seen a number of you guys on his Facebook group and we've really appreciated the support and comments.  

I'm reading some good books and have some new reviews coming up this week in addition to some previously scheduled posts

Hope everyone has a lovely week and happy reading!

25 comments:

  1. It's amazing sometimes the resilience and courage of children, and I'm glad to hear he's handling this so well considering the circumstances. Wishing you guys continued good news and positive outcomes, lots of prayers and well wishes being sent your way. Take care this week and be well!

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  2. How things change in a breath. Good that things are going well - I was amazed when I saw the cat, but it looked like it adjusted well too! An important member of the family I think. Take care.

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  3. I'm glad things are going fairly well for your son and the family. I wish adults bounced back as quickly as children when setbacks happen in our lives.

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  4. So glad to hear your update, Katherine! Happy that you guys are adjusting and your little Tornado is taking things in stride - along with the cat therapy. Ha! Will keep all of you in my constant thoughts and prayers.

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  5. I'll send you some easy peasy recipes. Glad you are all togtehr and your son is taking this so well. Kids are resiliant but you never know how something like this will tolerated. He sounds like an amazing young man. Keeping you in my thoughts!

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  6. Sending you lots of Hugs!
    Maybe a crockpot recipe would be best? they are usually meat, liquid and a packet of spices or something that freezes well.

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  7. Kids often surprise us with how resilient they are. I have been thinking of all of you. Get a crockpot you can make wonderful easy meals without hoovering over the stove.

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  8. So glad the news is positive - how impressive that he is coping so well with all that is going on! I'm sure your amazing attitude and closeness means he can face anything with you there by his side. Thinking of you often and sending healing thoughts and prayers your way.x

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  9. I think children are stronger in the face of adversity than we are most times. I'm happy the Tornado has kept his appitite. Give him some big squishy hugs from me. It's great that you were able to bring the cat. Pets are a great comfort. 💟💟💟

    Do you have a toaster oven and a hot plate, or just a microwave? Our stove doesn't work, so we cook a lot of pasta and rice in our rice cooker, and bake potatoes and fish in the toaster oven. I nuke all of our frozen veggies. Would they let you have a rice cooker? I even make soup in mine with store bought stock. 🍲

    Sending all the healing energies. 🌞

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  10. I'm so glad things are going well. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

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  11. I am so sorry to hear about your son but I am glad to hear that he is in St. Jude's I hear so many good things about that facility and organization. Blessings on you and on him. For a few funnies you can visit my blog when, if you have enough time. No pressure. My Sunday Salon

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  12. I'm thrilled to hear your son is handling it well with a good attitude. I don't know about what you have for cooking but stir fry allows you to use whatever meat / veggies you can get and serve with rice which is easy to digest and reheats well. If you have a grill, we like to do kebobs with meat chunks and whatever veggies or pineapple we have on hand. My daughter loves pasta and it can be eaten with lots of different sauces.

    Have a wonderful week and stay well!

    Anne - Books of My Heart Here is my Sunday Post   

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  13. I am always amazed at how quickly everything can change, too, and when I ended up in hospital and then in this residential living center, I knew that feeling personally.

    I am sending positive energy your way, and it sounds as though you are surrounded by a really great team.

    Thanks for sharing, and stay safe.

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  14. I’m glad things are going well and he has a good attitude about it so far. Have a great week! Enjoy the restaurants.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  15. Hope this week goes alright for you and yours.

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  16. What a few weeks you have had. He sounds like a tough kid, and you are a tough mama. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers :)

    When my son was in the hospital I feel like we ate eggs for every meal, in every way imaginable. Also quick and easy are different pastas and now that it is summer you can throw some proteins and veggies on a grill, even just a small camping type one maybe?

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  17. That’s wonderful news, he sounds like a brave boy, it is so much to go through as such a young age but it sounds like you are all coping amazingly well.

    No idea for cooking I’m afraid, my repertoire is very limited!

    Have a good week.

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  18. Sounds like your son has a great attitude... that in itself is such a blessing!

    Here's an easy recipe for chicken tamale pie using rotisserie chicken:
    https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/chicken-tamale-pie-recipe-2107914?soc=sharepin

    And one for a simple taco salad casserole:
    https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/taco-salad-casserole/

    We've been on a Mexican kick lately. Take care!

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  19. I'm keeping you and your son in my thoughts and prayers. I'm glad the treatment is going well.

    I'm a huge fan of just-a-few-ingredient meals. We often eat beans and rice. And that's all it is. Absolutely delicious, and the two form a complete protein. I also like eggs and bacon and other breakfast-at-night meals.

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  20. Try checking out Vicki's blog: http://irbratb.com/2020/07/12/sunday-reflections-sunday-salon-7-12-29/
    She often posts recipes that sound easy and delicious.
    You all are in my prayers.

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  21. PS I'm so excited that my comment posted!!! I haven't been able to post here for over a year and I can't figure out what's different that today I'm able to (several other blogs as well). Have a good week!

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  22. Loved reading how your boy is responding well to treatment and that are pockets of sunshine in this leukemia journey.

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  23. I'm late to the responses, but my daughter and I really like the recipes found at thefamilyfreezer.com. She has a series of recipes that you make and freeze ahead of time (in gallon ziploc bags). The night before eating, you put the bag in the refrigerator. A lot of them are made specifically for crockpots. Many of them are also made from easy to use ingredients (for example, from sauces you buy rather than create from scratch). The beauty of the whole thing is that you can coordinate your choices so you can make several at once!! My daughter and I made six meals in 1 hour.

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  24. You must be so proud of your brave boy! Kids can be so resilient when it comes to upheaval and he sounds like he's coping great. I'm thinking about you all and hoping for a speedy recovery *hugs*

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  25. I'm so glad that the news on your son continues to be positive. What a trooper he is!

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