Best Of
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
We had to leave our house by 9 yesterday to get to my former home town for the funeral service of DB's FIL. Al had lived a good life and was one of those perpetually happy people who loved life. His decline was rapid and options few, so he entered hospice and DSIL was surprised by how quickly he died. His wife was devastated because this is the second husband she has buried. Hard to believe that we sat with him and his wife at his DGD's wedding just over a year ago.
The minister who spoke was also one that officiated at my niece's wedding and has a tendency to motor mouth, blurring his lovely messages. He did the same yesterday and again I felt like his message missed the mark due to his rushing through it. The military ceremony was the moment when most become tearful.
The luncheon after was at the restaurant where we had hosted my parents 60th wedding anniversary party. It has changed hands and has a new name, but the food was fantastic and plentiful. I came home with enough leftovers for another meal for me. The bruschetta was so good. It is a BYOB and my niece purchased a wine called Santa's Little Helper which is from a local winery. It was so good and I seemed to be the only one who drank it, so she gifted me the bottle. I was able to buy some for Christmas at the local liquor store and gifted a bottle to DSIL because as the designated driver he abstained from drinking. He did taste mine, but that was it. Al would have approved of his sendoff.
When we got home, I finally caught up with our next door neighbor who had worked with Al many years go. My DSIL had wanted me to inform him about her Dad's death. He was surprised to hear it.
Today is supposed to hit the 40's and I am hoping so since we still have an ice encrusted driveway which I am reluctant to navigate. Of course, I also have back x-rays and MRI's scheduled for today late in the afternoon. I am hoping we can drive up the driveway later since tomorrow is supposed to be in the 50's.
Chris, condolences on the death of your aunt. She certainly had longevity at 99.
I took my family on a tour of my hometown while we were trying to kill time between the funeral and the luncheon. I had to walk to school and my DD was amazed at how far we had to walk then. The walk to the grade school was probably the shortest, the one to the junior high longest and the one to the high school the middle length. No buses to school then and we walked in all sorts of weather. We passed the venue where we had had our wedding reception on the way to the grade school.
Saw my middle brother at the funeral home. He had bypass surgery 5 years ago and really did not look well. He is debating about having another cardiac implant surgery, but undecided as to its benefit. He is 6 years younger than I, was a physical fitness nut, and even though still lean, looked gray and drawn. This is the first I have seen him since my mother's funeral in 2019. He only reaches out to his siblings when it's bad news, though he does keep in more frequent contact with my youngest brother. My youngest brother was also there, but neither attended the luncheon. Nice to see both even if briefly. I will see youngest brother after Christmas when he will paint for me.
Finally received PFT results and they were actually better than expected. I did very well on the 6 minute walk which translated to a speed of 2.3 mph pace. Pleased with that.
I hope everyone has a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.
betrayal
Re: Managing the Holidays and Breast Cancer - how are you coping?
this year is much better that last year. I went through radiation treatment from 12/19/24 to 1/17/25. This year I am focusing on gratefullness for being NED. I am also trying to not be concerned about what I could be doing to reduce risk of getting it again.
I FEEL DIFFERENT
Im at a fork in the road. Is my Tamoxifen causing depression, lack of sleep, and being SO F'ing TIRED? or is it due to other things going on in my life? Do I need a Doctor or a Therapist…. That is where I am.
I am 4 years in with Tam. Mentally, I am usually strong, outgoing, on the go but I have been…. well, not that lately. I would say the last 6 months or so, I just dont feel normal. I just called the doctor…waiting on call back to discuss with her but in the meantime… just curious if anyone out there can relate so I can talk about this and work through it in my mind. I dont think therapy is a bad thing…I have just never needed it before. However, i find myself wondering if I think too highly of myself and I really do need therapy. (Do you see where Im going with this? -everything is conflicting like this right now)
With that said… I met someone I know will always be there for me right after treatment. He was a blessing… for a while. Then I figured out he was an alcoholic. (not abusive… just cant have a serious conversation with him) MEANWHILE- he is absolutely depressed right now… (and maybe I am too and it is NOT the Tamoxifen) His daughter had epilepsy, had a seizure in the bathtub, and I found her probably 5-10 minutes too late. I think that eats at me the most.
Yes, I have a lot going on in my mind, but my mind usually handles things. If it were not for the bruising, bleeding, bad knees, and being extremely tired on top of all that… I would probably just go to therapy with him.
Just sharing with no expectations from anyone. I came across this thread online and wanted to "talk it out" and read from others.
stage 0 at 49
age 53 now
and I am NOT thinking of harming myself.
ginnee25
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Shanagirl - thank you for the labrum tear info. Fortunately mine is not due to Mets in the hip. I just don’t understand why I now have to think about my 5th joint replacement since my first one in April of 2022. I can’t believe these damn drugs are not responsible for the severe joint response I have. That first replacement was my right hip which had developed avascular necrosis from Xgeva, a very rare side effect. I’m going to see my ortho and hopefully get a steroid injection to help me through and then think about surgery in the spring. Cancer sure sucks🤬🤬.
Here for pocket duty for all in need (which seems to be all of us🙄)
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Got the humidifier going, not a super strong force to blow out the steam as some is better than none I had before. Still taking cough suppressant but shall be interesting to see if this makes much difference. I did boil water first and let it cool. I will post if it assists in minimizing a cough that is finally on its way out.
Can anyone share what this screening mammogram result potentially means?
“The breasts are heterogeneously dense, which may obscure small masses. No dominant mass in the right breast. No tumor calcifications in either breast. There is mild nodularity.
In the posterior aspect of the lower outer left breast, there is a small nodular density seen on the MLO view. Full 90 degree and spot exaggerated CC tomo synthesis views are suggested followed by bilateral breast ultrasound.
Impression: Nodular density left breast. Additional mammographic imaging recommended. Bilateral breast ultrasound with attention to this region is suggested..
BI-RADS 0
I have mammograms every year so this was compared to previous results. It’s the first time. I’ve had a call back. I have a family history of breast and ovarian, all of which was mentioned at the top of the report so I’m hoping they’re just being super cautious and this “nodular density” turns out to be nothing concerning. I’m assuming since they are comparing this to historical results, this represents some change, which might not be good. But also that no calcification is a good thing?
If anyone here can help me make sense of this p id really appreciate it. Thank you!
Re: Ibrance (Palbociclib)
I was told that same thing. I've been on it for close to 5 years.
Re: Ibrance (Palbociclib)
cowgal. I have been on for 3 years and was told I would remain on it for as long as I didn't have evidence of toxicity or progression.
Re: Ibrance (Palbociclib)
@cowgal I have not heard of that. I have been on Ibrance for over 9 years. I may be switching to Orserdu/Kisqali soon due to some progression that was found on an MRI in late August. The progession did not show up on my normal CT/bone scans but was found by an MRI for my hip.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
So sorry about progression. Sending virtual hugs and prayers your way.
Sympathize on the hair loss. It seems so cruel to have a side effect that makes our suffering public. My hair is very thin from 3.5 years of Kisqali. Would love to wear a wig, but afraid it would terrify my toddler grandchild who has only ever known me with thin hair. Cure-ious posted something on the Clinical Trial thread about UCLA and a serum for baldness. Wish they would hurry and get that approved! NYU Langone has published results of a study specifically on the successful use of oral Minoxidil by breast cancer patients.
eleanora