Topic: I think I'm the oldest one here!

Jeanette - I don't know if you are the oldest one here, but I can tell from your post that you have plenty of spark and energy to fight this, no matter what the further tests reveal.

While I am younger than you, and have almost completed my treatment, my mom's best friend is her age (76) and just had DCIS which called for a lumpectomy and radiation and then an AI (pill).  She came through the lumpectomy just fine (better than I did!) - came home and cooked lunch for her sister,who had come up to be with her! Then she took the subway/bus combo to radiation every day (lives in NYC) and completed it with no ill effects.  She is doing great now, and was throughout her treatment. 

It is all very scary in the beginning but the pieces will come together as you receive more information from your treatment team.   I have head that the average age of dx (diagnosis) is 63, but you would not know it from these boards because many of the older women are not computer oriented and do not particiate in the boards. Do not be discouraged. There is LOTS of help and support here.

You will make it!

Amy

Hello Jeanette,

I am so sorry to hear  your news.  It is shocking to hear. What a good move you made, by bringing in your family doctor to advocate for you.  The decision for each and every treatment is your choice and your choice alone.  You can take advise from the experts, but utlimately, it is your decision.

There is a lot of "waiting" involved in the process.  Your biopsy results take a few days.  There are a lot of steps involved to completing it - and the accuracy of these results is very important.  The waiting is hard, I know.

In terms of age, I don't think you are the oldest.  For the Arimidex trials (a drug many take) the average age of the participants was 75. I agree with Amy, probably participation in these forums would depend on computer savy.  My Mom was 88 and sending me emails - but I don't think she "surfed" the web at all.

I wish you the best for Monday and hope your results come back B9.

Hi Molly!  You mentioned the Arimidex drug....Is that taken in combination with radiation?  I thank you so much, along with Amy, for writing back!  I didn't even LEARN about a computer until I was 60, Ha!  And I appreciate the knowledge I have learned from always looking up something I don't know, or are worried about!    And yes, it was "shocking" to hear for the first time...but by reading about the gals on this site, & re-searching all I can find, I at least know all the alternatives if I find out one of my boobs is not living up to expectations...Ha!  If I WERE much younger, I know it would make a difference in the decision I would make!  Thanks Molly!

Hi Jeannette,

I don't know if you are the oldest person here, but I do have some idea how you feel.  Last year the radiologist came in the room after my mammogram and ultrasound and said "I'm sorry, but I believe you have breast cancer".  I felt something that I can't describe, but it was truly awful.  Two days later, I had a core biopsy that proved him correct.  My cancer was treated over a period of about 8 months with surgery, chemo and radiation.  Now I am taking Arimidex and life is good again. 

Please keep in touch -- this is a wonderful place to come for support.  Send me a PM if you have questions.  Take care.

Hi, Jeanette: I'm 75 and posted earlier today about having had a needle biopsy this morning and being sent for MRI's on both breasts. I went to a book club meeting this afternoon and had some panic attacks on the drive home--the fear is the biggest thing to combat!

We shall chat again. 

Strong hugs to you, and I need them too...

Judy 

Hi Jeannettte,

My mom was diagnosed a year ago, and she was 77.  She sailed through treatment and she wasn't in good health to start with.  Sounds like you are, so you'll be just fine!

You are right - the only way to know for sure you have BC is to have a biopsy.  But, those radiologists do look at these things all day and they have some idea.  Mine told me I had an 80% chance of it being cancer, and he was right.  But until a cell is under a microscope, there is no certainty. My advice is hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

My mom opted for mastectomy.  She felt better instantly and started recovering immediately. And, she's a very heavy smoker and drinker.  You'll be fine!

You will know more after the core biopsy, I got the call the next day.  But remember, 80% of biopsy are B 9.

Keep in touch.

Jeannette:  No you are not the oldest on this site.  I will be 73 in three weeks and was dx with bc and had my lump. surgery June 30, 2009.  You will have many many questions and fears and comments in the next few months.  Be aware that you have found the right place for your voice.

I myself am a person who wants to know everything and I cannot accept the just dont tell me approach.  I am also a research person who uses the internet for most of my answers.  I have learned one thing I didnt know and that is that you are in charge.  So educate yourself and ask, ask, ask.  The ladies on this site are forthcomming and have made the difference for me.  I will be forever grateful for these brave women.  Find the personal message section and communicate with ladies who are knowledgable in your questions.  Good Luck   It really does get better.  Cathey from Indiana

Hi Girls!  I sooo appreciate all of your comments!  And Spar2, I hope like you, I know the next day also! 

 Cathey, thank you also for your support, and yes, I just love this site....First thing I do in the mornings, is look for all my new "friends" on here! 

Hello Deborye...I still don't know what B 9 means, but hopefully I will find out after my biopsy this Monday!  I love that..."Never give up, Never surrender".... 

 Hi CoolBreeze! Thanks for telling me about your Mom....My Mom had breast cancer about 20 years ago...And at that time, I think all they did were radical mastectomies.  They have come so far now, I know!  And I quit smoking in 1964....so THAT should help somewhere along the line!

And Caldwell...yes, I know about people trying to make you feel better....I think that's their job...but I tell you, the women on this site are all my guardian angels...you all make me feel safe, and I so appreciate that.

 OmahaGirl...Thanks so much for the answers!  Perfect!  I hope that if mine is the same as yours, they will give me the option for the same treatment!  My Daughters are 51 & 48, & still my "little girls"...Ha! 

Just thanks everyone!  I'll post again after I go Monday for the biopsy!  xoxoxoxo to everyone! 

Jeannettes9 - so sorry you had to come here in this way.  The information here is first rate and first hand.  The news is so scary so I just went into auto-pilot, getting tests, MRIs, biopsy.  I have said before that I took the Scarlett O'Hara approach and decided to think about it tomorrow but I was doing everything within my control while I was shell-shocked.  Gosh, as to being the oldest - I don't think so!

B-9 means benign.  Somewhere, and maybe some of the other brave warriors know, there is a thread on what the nicknames mean.

These are the absolutely best women in the universe.  You will find so many resources here and so much empathy and understanding.

Hope yours is b-9.

Hi Jeannette,

  Hope you are doing well after your biopsy. Let us know tommorrow after you find out. Good luck!

Testing the lymph nodes is vital for the doctors to come up with the correct treatment plan.  Most of the time there is no node involvement with non-invasive cancer. 

Well Jeannette I truly hate to see anyone join us in this club, but since you are a member now I think your plan to listen to your surgeon (make sure they are a Breast Surgeon not general surgeon) is a good one. Testing the Sentinal Node is a must once you have BC and it is just one node. Usually, (because every single one of us is different) if you have a smaller non invasive cancer it is a lumpectomy. You and your Dr. will have to decide on any further tx. such as radiation etc. I did the Mamosite radiation but not every hospital offers it and you must meet very specific requirements. A lumpectomy is typically not difficult to recover from, but then neither is a simple mastectomy. When you have your plans made let us know.

THANK you girls for your input!  yeah, Marilyn, I am 72, but always thought maybe I would have cancer, because of my Mom, my Aunt, & my Niece.  I know each person is different in how bad, their diagnosis is, & the treatments they have!   But I am surprised, that I am not a rolled-up ball of a mess laying on the floor!  This web-site, and you girls, I KNOW have a part in this because of your support & your encouraging posts!   Do you still take Tamoxifen?  Or did you ever?  And I wish I could find a place here, to understand all of the abbreviations, Ha!  Man, I try & figure them out, but some, I just can't!

And OmanaGirl...Right now, I think she is a "surgeon"....I will check further on-line to see what her specialty is!  Good point!  And do you see an Oncologist before, or after?  Or are they just in on the deal?  Can you tell me more about the Mammosite device, or treatment?  I can't find out anything about it.  My Sister-in-law had the same treatment, and I find it hard to ask her questions! 

Thanks again, and I'll keep reading your posts!  Jeannette

Jeanette,

I know that most everyone here will tell you to BE SURE you have a BREAST SURGEON. I had a general surgeon but he does more breasts surgeries than anything else - is the one that every female nurse and dr. uses at our hospital breast center...... so there are some good ones out there. Go with what you feel comfortable with.

If they find no node involvement and the lumpectomy shows what you suspect, it sounds like you will go the radiation, Arimidex route ---- if your tumor is ER+PR+. If not - then the treatment is somewhat different. Tamox. is not usually given to women our age.

Mammosite is radiation - just takes a few days. I had the regular kind where I went 5 days a week for over 6 weeks.

You will see a Med. Onc. after the path report comes back from the lumpectomy. I never had a Med. Onc. (just a Radiation Onc.) because I didn't have chemo.

If you go to the Home Page on this Forum and type in whatever you want to know in the search area ----- you can find a lot of answers to your questions.

Good luck and God bless!

JO-5

edited to say ---- I BUMPED THE ABREVEATIONS FOR NEWBIES --- AGAIN FOR YOU!