Best Of
Re: Newly diagnosed and scared
I’ve talked to the nurse navigator a couple of times when I was upset about everything taking so long. I felt like she was just pacifying me. I ended up calling a different cancer center after calling my PCP. I was able to schedule an appointment with the oncologist instead of waiting until after my surgery to start on that path. I think this will be much better now. I couldn’t take the constant waiting for answers anymore.
cosun10
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Cindy I love the photos and especially thr giant Xmas trees. Loved the one with the deer.
Marti glad your talk with your 7 yr old went well. I didn’t have chemo just radiation and am on meds for just over 4 more years.
mom still waiting for my CT and mammogram. Lordy. Apparently my MO has gone elsewhere and I have a new one. Hopefully these tests happen before I meet him in February.
We are having mild weather for December. Sunshine and light showers today.
I’ve tackled my powder room. Got the old cabinet out and off to the dump Monday. Here’s how it sits now ( cat proof) until the new one arrives.
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Check with your nurse navigator. Some warm tops have raglan sleeves with a zipper on one or both sides. I came across a few of them at secondhand stores afterwards. Would have been nice since i was getting infusions for so long>
Tippy's "armpits" (inside part of his legs) have finally been cleared of matts. He is much happier.
Anytime, it is wonderful when we are linked up to a supportive spiritual community. But especially in times of trouble.
Beautiful pictures harley and cindy. Carole, how is dh doing with his mouth cyst? Hopefully he can wear his partial by now.
We have a Health Care Mission in the area, hopefully they are gearing up for an influx of new patients. When I used to go there, I really appreciated how they had respect for me. It is not like I spent most of my life being wild and crazy. Much of it was a bad marriage and poor career counseling, with cultural prejudice tossed in for good measure.
mcbaker
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
hi friends!
I am trying to learn your names, I will get them soon!
Cindy, I am longing for that warm sand and water! Looks lovely! Enjoy!
Betrayal, well, sounds like the ol’ ticker is decent. Kinda hoping sleep apnea for you? Only because my doc told me that if I had it and got cpap, 90% of patients reported less daytime sleepiness, fewer morning headaches, better sleep. Sounded good to me - then I didn’t have sleep apnea. So?
Carole, can I just say I love the smell of the Deep South in the winter. Really earthy and moist (Minnesota winters are very dry), kinda sultry. Come on up here sometime and enjoy our fierce frosty winter.
anyways, had the convo with our daughter this morning. It went way better than I expected. She was most upset about hair loss. I ordered some fake bangs to go under my scarves. I’m gonna see if they look ok under hats.
My grown up boys are next. My oldest is a rock star (
) on tour, completing tour I think Monday, and flying Istanbul to LA after. I don’t want him freaking out on a long flight, so I’m telling both boys on a FaceTime probably mid week. This will be a hard one because my younger son’s mother in law died after a long leukemia fight last month. His wife is understandably still reeling.
Honestly, I’m ready to get this show on the road. Any tips for clothing when I go with a port (date still TBA)? It’s winter. But they also have warm blankets.
Today I am grateful for my daughter knowing. And my wonderful synagogue. And for you.
Re: Birads 5 with calcification
@lisat8228 Yes, it was definitely stage 4 before I even suspected anything. I felt a lump on a Saturday (absolutely no signs, just out of nowhere), saw my doc and had a mammo and ultrasound that week, with a biopsy the following Tuesday. I lived in Houston, so I went to MD Anderson, where the did a CT and bone scan and found a spot on my hip bone, it was biopsied and positive for breast cancer, so that was that. About 20% are HER2+, more common in younger patients and the HER2 is known for fast growth and likely why finding a lump seems so sudden.
I absolutely lost my shit with that diagnosis, as if I only had a few months to live but after starting chemo, the lump was nearly gone in weeks. I still felt normal physically, so I realized that I could live with it, which I have for about 9 years so far.
We found a few spots in my brain 8 years ago and I’ve had brain surgery and several radiation treatments but those have all been manageable too. I did “medically retire” from my job, since my future was unknown and chemo brain cause some memory and concentration issues but I live a pretty normal life, just a bit slower due to my current chemo side effects.
It’s incredibly unfair but the bright side for me has been retiring young and now living in a cabin on a mountain top where everyday is the weekend. I don’t have kids but I do have a lot of sympathy for my husband, our family faces the fear, loss, anger too but can do nothing to fix it. It’s the worst right now but once you have a plan and see good results, it can become something you just live with.
illimae
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Decided to have a burrito. Did text DB since voice is still gone and very hoarse. Told him about the fall but that I am alright. I do not have the monthly monitoring money so I figure either take phone with me or get a smart watch that I can use to call 911 if need be. Apple watch seems to be able to detect falls and automatically dials 911. Also going to check into life alert, they have a light plan for 12.99. Will call when my voice comes back. I mostly like the apple watch because it has the upfront cost and not the monthly plan, I will see how I feel.
Cooking in the air fryer, got frozen chicken on the go and have a generous serving of lentils. Planning an early bed time so eat earlier. The cold symptoms minus the loss of voice seem to be easing up a bit. Not worried about my voice.
I will post but leaning toward the apple watch since it can tell if you fall and dials 911 for you no plan to go with it either.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
I plan to. I have it with me in bed. Next time if there is a next time, won't bother shouting for help from neighbours, just get to the 911 right away. I am fortunate I was not hurt, unsure of cause of the fall either. Oh well, you live and learn, learned how to do a back walk to get my blanket to put under head.
It was around 3 when I got to bed, slept in between washroom breaks. Not planning to do much today. I was on the floor about 3 hours spending 2 of those hours shouting for help. My voice is gone at this point, shouting did not help it any, Plan to eat earlier tonight and head straight to bed. Will drink tea and water and take some honey as well. I sound worse than I feel. No voice today.
Still have my appetite, not sure what I want to have, thinking rice, beans and cheese possibly or if I feel like something simpler, can eat a frozen either meat pie, stir fry or another burrito.
I hope everyone has a good day and in pockets for all. In own pocket too.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Mara - hope you recovery quickly from your illness. Sounds like you’re doing the right things to tame the symptoms. Sorry about the fall. So scary……glad there were no injuries. Always keep your phone on you!
We went to visit our best friends for Thanksgiving. Spent 6 days there. Both daughters joined us. Friends hosted 28 for turkey day dinner. Cathy has RA and ended up w/thrush and ear infection by Saturday. So she was down for the count. Travel both ways was amazing. Normally a 6 hour drive, made it there and back home in 5 1/2 hours. Had major snowstorm while gone -10 inches. Thankfully our HOA has a great snow removal company. Came home to huge mountains of snow where plow dumped it just past our house. Have been busy decorating. Takes me forever. Finally done. Now working on making Christmas cards. Only send out a handful but the creative process is time consuming.
I have 2 MRIs this coming week. MO ordered lower back due to increased pain. Urologist ordered kidney (only have 1) due to finding of small lesion on remains kidney during routine scans for MBC. Both require contrast and I have to premedicate due to contrast allergy. Ordering docs are from 2 separate hospital systems so the tests can’t be combined to save me a test. Go figure.🙄
Here for pocket duty for all in need. Hope everyone has a nice weekend.
Mariah loves the snow……cries every day to go out and play. Takes her ball and pushes it into the snow then digs it out. When it’s only 11 out, sometimes it’s just too cold.
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Back to the beach today. The hotel isn’t on the beach but a 5-10 minute walk. They set up chairs & umbrellas when you get there. The water was about 79, the air 85.
Then back to the hotel, to shower and make happy hour before dinner. Tonight we had the option for a coquito - they say Puerto Rican egg nog. It was strong! I drank one and maybe a quarter. SO finished it for me, and he is napping right now.
I ordered a dinner to go, and waited outside the restaurant. We were sitting here listening to Christmas music.
The doors behind the tree lead out to the pools and hot tub area. Many companies are hosting their Christmas parties here. Super loud Wed & Thur so I can’t wait to hear what tonight brings. Thankfully we only hear it in the front room, the bedroom is super quiet.
I believe we’re heading back into Old San Juan tomorrow. Ferry over to Barcardi is the plan, which could change by tomorrow.
Marti, I send you strength to get through telling your daughter. ❤️
cindyny
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
No earlier bed time. I managed to fall, unsure what caused it but was on my back. I was pretty silly since I called out for help from neighbours and finally called 911. They helped me up. I did not go to hospital as I was not hurt, unsure what caused the fall. I wanted to reach my phone so I did a back walk vs a bum walk, put blankets under my head and the due got there. Think I may keep my phone around.
I am also losing my voice as well though not sure shouting for help caused any wear and tear.