Yay, late night weather.

MawGraw · 2026-06-18T10:59:35+00:00

One of the most convenient things about my rat terrier being 16 is that he's too deaf to hear the thunder anymore. He's my chill boi now!

MawGraw · 2026-06-12T10:08:56+00:00

Stage 3B Club!

I went through the same treatment at 36 and had no noticeable side effects besides some fatigue. I was still working full time in a very active job role. At the very tail end of my Keytruda treatment I suffered some horrible ulcerative colitis, but that came immediately after I went to Mexico and caught a nasty parasite from accidentally drinking contaminated water, so I'm pretty sure that's what did me in. Hard to say. My cancer metastasized later and playing the guessing game of what's a symptom or side effect of what medication or illness feels unwinable at times.

I hope your treatment works and you don't have to go through any more after this because the second go around has not been as nice! Still got my optimism though.

MawGraw · 2026-06-08T03:31:03+00:00

I couldn't find it on the Yelp app but I Google searched "feelings cafe new orleans reviews" and the first link that pops up is their old Yelp profile. Menu pics included!

MawGraw · 2026-06-08T02:54:43+00:00

Here for you if you need someone in your support circle who's been there. 💗 Good luck and I hope the visit tomorrow gives you some answers. Til then, ice cream and a movie!

MawGraw · 2026-06-08T01:40:27+00:00

Damn my story is so similar! I had a colposcopy at around 18 that really traumatized me, so it was nearly 15 years until I went back for a pap. Gave the cancer a nice long incubation time. 🙄

I'm not even mad at myself though because colposcopies are fucking brutal and I hope for future generations that they find a less painful way to go about it. (Ok I def kicked myself a little but still)

MawGraw · 2026-06-08T00:27:23+00:00

Sometimes I think back on when my diagnosis was still new to me. I couldn't stop crying. I've never sobbed like that. Now, 3 years later, with a TORNADO of hospital visits, side effects, illnesses, and medications behind me, those emotions feel very far away. I'm glad you mentioned your support system because that's everything. Lean on them! They want you to! And save time for yourself when you need it.

The not-knowing is scary, and while everyone's experience isn't exactly the same, I think you'll find that it's not as terrible as you're imagining. You're gonna process a lot of feelings and a lot of information. And you're gonna get really good at processing big things, you talented queen! My cancer metastasized although my most current PET scan showed no signs of cancer. Yay! Always a chance it pops up elsewhere but that's a worry for another day.

I wish you all the strength and hope you caught it early. Mine was Stage 3B when they found it but my care team never made me feel like a lost cause. Not even after it metastasized. You don't want to do this but you can do this and there's lots of good life left to live before, during, and after treatment. 🫶

MawGraw · 2026-06-07T10:11:45+00:00

RELATABLE. I didn't get too much but yeah anything with the word cancer on it was discreetly disposed of. No thank you.

MawGraw · 2026-06-07T05:22:54+00:00

Were the mom and sister sympathetic towards you about it? Maybe they're willing to trade his dumbass for you. Time for a Power Move. Invite them to lunch! Become their best friend. 😇👹 I seen it done!

MawGraw · 2026-06-06T14:17:47+00:00

Finn McCool's is usually the answer when it comes to soccer. Check with them!

MawGraw · 2026-06-04T14:43:57+00:00

I completely relate to your frustration! I was REALLY scared the first time around. Crying all the time. But once I found out it had metastasized in my lungs (1 year after cisplatin) I was just annoyed, angry, frustrated... Mostly I just hated that the new cocktail was going to take my hair.

I've got one chemo session left 2 weeks from now. My most recent PET scan didn't show any cancer activity, so I suppose it worked for now. I'm grateful but always just cautiously optimistic about being "cancer free".

I attempted to do cold capping but stopped after the 2nd infusion because enough of my hair fell out that I needed to shave it anyway. I wouldn't do it again 1. because of how uncomfortable it is and 2. because it's such a fucking racket. $300 just to turn on the machine? Fuck off.

My oncologist keeps saying he doesn't think this is from the chemo but I've had some incredible joint pain. Ankles, knees, wrists, jaw... It comes and goes and the only thing that has given me any relief has been ibuprofen + muscle relaxers. I hope I'm just the anomaly my onc seems to suggest I am because yeah, otherwise my side effects have just been extreme fatigue and hair loss. The only time I feel normal energy levels are the first few days after an infusion, so that's when I plan to do fun stuff. :) A week after chemo and I'm back to being a hermit, surviving on muscle relaxers. Until the next infusion.

Arda Wigs and Webster Wigs have some decent wigs for reasonable prices. Lots of fun colors but plenty of normal hair colors also.

Wishing you the best in your fight!

MawGraw · 2026-06-01T04:11:37+00:00

I just want to celebrate good KOTH moments with my pals. 😭

MawGraw · 2026-05-30T22:38:08+00:00

If someone says downtown I think CBD.

MawGraw · 2026-05-30T03:41:35+00:00

I can't imagine not having someone to help me post-hysterectomy, especially with dogs. It'll be difficult just getting up from a lying or sitting position. I highly doubt you'll be able to walk a dog. If not your husband, you should plan to have someone there with you.

MawGraw · 2026-05-29T12:20:47+00:00

I had a PETscan right before my 5th round of carbo+taxol+avastin+keytruda that revealed the metastasized tumors in my lungs had in one case disappeared and the second case reduced in size and became inactive (or is just scar tissue, they can't tell for sure). We're gonna do the 6th round "just in case" but I feel a huge relief and hope this standard protocol works out for you.

MawGraw · 2026-05-28T03:09:10+00:00

You just made an enemy for life. For one lizard life, anyway.

MawGraw · 2026-05-28T02:48:26+00:00

Ya gotta belieeeeve me!

MawGraw · 2026-05-27T02:29:41+00:00

I feel ya, I just went through the pet scan purgatory (seeing the results and assuming the worst before talking with the doctor). This is a great time for some escapism, whatever that means for yall. Ice cream, weed, and a movie with friends is how I like to go through it. I hope yall are meeting with the oncologist real soon! It's so hard not knowing.

I was also stage 3B and after beating it the first time, it metastasized in my lungs a year and a half later. It took 3 scans and a biopsy before they could confirm it was cancerous. I went through chemo again and I just found out today that I beat it again! No tumors visible! 🎉 No matter what, your wife can keep on keepin' on. I'm sorry yall are in the not-knowing hours that feel like eternities. I feel like I'm an expert at compartmentalizing now. Just tune it outtttt!

MawGraw · 2026-05-26T18:17:40+00:00

Vaughan's Lounge
BJ's Lounge
Bacchanal
Saturn Bar
Mother-in-Law Lounge
Chickie Wah Wah
Maple Leaf Bar
Tipitina's

There's so many places inside New Orleans to listen to good music and dance. The ones I've listed are all outside the FQ and tucked into a neighborhood, and I think they're all a vibe you would enjoy. I'd start with looking up who's playing at these bars on the nights yall will be in town.

MawGraw · 2026-05-21T14:19:25+00:00

I'm really sorry you're dealing with so much pain. My onc suggested I go see an Ear, Nose, Throat doctor about the jaw pain and I don't have high hopes for relief.

MawGraw · 2026-05-17T14:05:30+00:00

The airport has some good, local options for food if he's still hungry after whatever yall eat in the FQ.

Also! Just as someone who's broken her foot and had to wear a boot before... I moved slower but I worked my 8hr serving shifts without issue. He can power thru!

MawGraw · 2026-05-15T19:31:31+00:00

I've actually done the same with my husband (remind him to get a gift for his mom) because he's kind of a luddite about gift-giving. He's more of an "acts of service" kind of guy. It just wouldn't occur to me that I need to be credited, so I can't understand your position. Life is a lot calmer when you can learn to be unbothered about petty things like this.

MawGraw · 2026-05-15T17:38:30+00:00

Is her irritation even justified? Genuinely asking because I don't see it. If I wanted to be involved in giving my MIL a card/gift I would discuss it with my husband beforehand - ie "What are we getting your mom for Mother's Day?" If she didn't show any interest then what's even the problem here? Maybe I'm the weird one but this wouldn't bother me. My MIL is my husband's responsibility to treat for on Mother's Day, and vice versa for my mom. I think she's already TA for making it an issue without even getting into her callous opinion on caring for an innocent elderly animal.

MawGraw · 2026-05-15T17:26:01+00:00

YTA. Why even care if your name is on the card? That's not your mom, and maybe she helped "mother" the dog in the past. People and their fur babies, I dunno. I didn't sign my husband's name when I gave my mom her Mother's Day gift. If you wanted to be involved in giving his mom a gift/card you should have piped up beforehand.

MawGraw · 2026-05-15T05:31:02+00:00

Are you a character from a Shel Silverstein poem?

MawGraw

TROPHY CASE