Best Of
Re: Anyone starting chemo August 2016?
Popped in once again. This site gave me so much support, I miss it. The cancer seems to be gone for now, we're all 9 years out. One more year and I can stop the Femara. Life continues to present challenges. My husband has been diagnosed with Dementia and has basically lost short term memory. I'm becoming more and more of a caregiver and it's tough. After 54 years of marriage, it's so sad to see the person I've loved and spent most of my life with change and struggle with simple tasks.
I too have had so many friends etc. be diagnosed with cancer, but most are still doing well. It's amazing the new progress and treatments being created for cancer patients. I hope you're all still doing well, and thank you again for the support, friendship, and empathy you all brought to us on this board. I think of you often! Take care and appreciate every day we have with our friends and family. Love, Dara
darab
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
I've had a couple people ask me - more than once - how long I would be in treatment. I explained I'd be on this drug until it stopped working , then something else until it stopped working, until I ran out of things to try. Now, I'd probably qualify that with "things I'm willing to try". That happened when I lived in Florida, and is part of the reason no one I know, socially, in Texas is aware I have cancer.
seeq
Re: Long term "high oncotype test" survivors
I posted here four years ago, was very scared with an oncotype score of 61. Wanted to come back and say all is okay so far. Did chemo (CT) and radiation in 2021. Have been taking Anastrozole and will likely continue for ten years total instead of the usual five (just got the Breast Cancer Index Test results back on that). No evidence of recurrence, I feel good, and some days I don’t even think about this whole thing anymore. Someone up above (UpstateNYer) told me the dark days would pass and she was right—if you are reading this, thank you! If anyone else is reading this and nervous like I was, I hope this update helps.
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Life is a terminal condition. The only question is when.
Talking about rationing activity, is anybody else considering the "Visible" activity monitor? It is "like Fitbit," but is made for people with stamina-limiting conditions.
The other day I got all my ingredients for loading my breadmaker on the table, then loaded it from there. At times, I have put ingredients together while sitting. And if all else fails, buy pre-prepared food from frozen or the deli, or get a home health care aide through insurance. Or coach husband towards intelligent cooking.
Chris, I have mild CP and have had many episodes of what is called Post Impairment Syndrome. Not as severe as what you are going through but certainly debilitating and depressing. Chronic pain, like arthritis, is a common trigger, as well as psychological stress,
mcbaker
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
@illinoislady Thank you for the kind response. I have been going to oncology PT for 7 months now. It is something new in this area. I worked on stability, stamina, and flexibility. My last one was last week. I did improve quite a bit but my therapist and I both feel like I won't gain much more with appointments. I can do all of the exercises at home and that should maintain what I have or even improve until my body decides against it. My oncologist told me I can always go back if I feel like I need it. I just need to discipline myself to exercise more at home. It is tough for me to walk atound the block as I am on oxygen, but I take my walker just to hold the eight pound canister and in case for some reason I need to sit. I can lfix dinner etc. at 15 minute intervals before I have to sit. I do my best.
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Christine, some of us do a lot and do it all the time, but some (thinking of myself now) pace. I use to try and do tons of things, but I just don't have the stamina I once did. It is not that I have anything THAT wrong, but I'm just older and slower and don't feel any need to push myself. Also Dh is 86 and very slow and I tend to nearly run him down even on my relaxed pace.
I do think I'm going to have to exercise more though because I feel like I'm losing some of my flexibility and I'm not happy with that. As we have cats we always have a bit of hair. Thankfully, Lil' Red is a non-shed dog so not much from him.
We do what we can, as we can and we keep going. All anyone really can do. I will try to be a bit better though because I want lots of flexibility even if I use it slowly.
Re: How long have you been Stage IV?
@livinglifenow , @AJ , @radiation_cinderella , @EddieJ , thanks for responding ladies! I really appreciate you all. I guess it depends on the treatment you are getting like @livinglifenow Pam said. @EddieJ praying your test results are great! I will let you ladies know when I get the results. Hope you all have a great day! You too @tougholdcrow !
ssales13
Re: How long have you been Stage IV?
@EddieJ Praying your PET report is good! I am thinking of you and glad that you and DH got a chance for a lovely weekend getaway.
Hugs, Pam 💗
Re: I say YES. YOU say NO....Numero Tre! Enjoy!
Did you happen to see Howard Lutkin on Face the Nation this morning? I'd like to know what swamp he is drinking from because he is just over the top. Nothing he said was accurate about commerce or the loon.
betrayal
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
I just got back from taking Tippy for a bike/walk. 77 deg. I did not want to put on my ankle-brace, it seems like I can't walk very far now at all without it.
Yes, Chris, I find being unable to use my hands without pain to be a burden. But Jesus bore his own. Yesterday I groomed Tippy and cooked. Napped in the afternoon. But last night my Fitbit recorded minimal sleep. So I haven't done much more than this with my hands. I have been reading and taking Tippy out. Early this afternoon I took him to the fairgrounds, but he was scaring the chickens, so I guess he won't be over there again for a week or so.
Betrayal, thanks. I do think I am going to get just bang trims for a while and see how it behaves when long again.
A new charging cable for my TENS arrived!!
mcbaker