Best Of
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Yesterday was dh's 85th birthday. We had a perfect day, weather wise, for the farmers market and were back at the resort by 2 pm. We went to a friend's house on Long Lake at 5 pm for cocktails and then to dinner at Hilltop Inn at 6 pm. Our friend, Dorothy, has her 90th birthday on Tuesday so it was a dual birthday celebration.
Dorothy's husband, Carl, died last summer. His passing was unexpected because he wasn't ill. Much of our conversation was about him. Dorothy's daughter, Jennifer, is staying with her a couple of months, working remotely. Losing her husband and companion has hit Dorothy hard. She has had problems eating and has become much too thin. I hope she can gain some of the weight back and go on with living.
It's breezy again today and sunny. My computer says 55 degrees outside. I hope to have a relaxing day and get some laundry done.
I read the posts and responded mentally. Hope everyone has a good Sunday.
Re: Starting Chemo April 2024 Support Thread
thank you so much ladies ❤️ the advice in here is honestly so good. To summarize, stop giving a shit what other people think, prioritize myself and rest, get outside, listen to good music, see friends, dress up…I love it. I’m feeling better now that all of my kids are over their virus and no one is spiking fevers anymore because that was stressful. My chemo sessions got pushed back 2 weeks so I was just really frustrated because I want this all to be done already! I’m grateful for all the help from my family..they’ve been helping me soooo much with my kids especially the newborn. I hope those of you who don’t have strong support find some reprieve soon 🩷 happy Saturday girls!
Re: ER-, PR-, Her2+ Roll call
@tempusername1 You are wonderful for dropping in on us with your positivity and good news. I’m so glad you’re doing well. Thanks for bringing hope!
@Baileyboo I had to give up my whole food plant based diet because my chemo belly couldn’t handle the fiber. Once I found what I could tolerate, my gastro issues went away. I hope that’s what happens for you, too. Meanwhile, I’m glad things are at least a bit better than before. Good luck with round two!
@grammie2 i totally know what you’re talking about. The dragging sense is real. Make sure to give in some and be kind to and listen to your body. It will get better (and that’s from someone who worried many times it wouldn’t). Great news that your platelets are up! Hopefully that will help with how you’ve been feeling.
@djschmidt1 Woohoo times a million! Your wonderful news made my day!! I hope the side effects dissipate for you soon so that they’ll be behind you, too.
As for me, I’m having the time of my life helping to take care of my new baby grandson and so very thankful to have most of the treatment behind me and my new diagnosis of Graves’ disease well under control. I finally have my energy back, just in time for midnight feeds and lots of baby rocking. It’s the best. I read that back before there was herceptin, our diagnosis had a prognosis of just a year or two. I am so grateful to be alive and able to be around for my family!
aborayis
Re: I say YES. YOU say NO....Numero Tre! Enjoy!
I spent most of today ignoring the news again. I watched in the morning a bit, but I had some extra chores this early morning and by the time I had time to take a bit of a nap, anything new had long before come on. I leave the tv on the news but don't listen more than generally hearing voices as I don't pay attention — then when I sit down I find another channel. We have HULU and Netflix for our kids so I have no problem finding something I can enjoy. Usually some kind of HGTV show — they have tons. I'm going to fall asleep anyway so I look for something I won't mind missing although I do enjoy a lot of their style of shows.
Woke up in time to do a couple of small things and our friend Dave (Electrician) came over to look at the non-working outlet behind my office chair. Wi-fi blood pressure and sending unit is there as well — which is why I needed power. Well, he said he thought it was under the house and he is far too big a guy to get into out unusually minimal crawl space but he was able to install another outlet on the same way and drill a hole in the wall so he could tap into another line in the screen room and get power back for this area. We had a heavy duty extension and power strip and its not good for people our age. Also hard to sweep as someone had to hold up the big cord all the time. Won't be watching news tomorrow but hope to be back on schedule with memes and other things. See you all then.
Re: Bone Mets Thread
Hi ladies . I have Mets in my spine and now I’m in a lot of back pain. Since Friday I can’t even walk. Do you think radiation gonna ease this pain?? Thanks for your answers
Re: So...whats for dinner?
Maggie, yikes. Sandy, double yikes. Carole, happy belated b-day to your DH. I hope his jaw pain has continued to abate. My sister is starting year 2 of losing her husband (he died just after his 73rd b-day) and has days of being inconsolable. My heart breaks for her.
Carole, you're killing me with the walleye. WIsh I could have someone send me some.
We had baked beans with cabbage and hot dogs last night. Leftovers tonight.
wallycat
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Sandy, all I can say is WOW, you definitely couldn't make that up! I am concerned that your mammogram appointment needs to be made six months ahead of time! That is insane! I would find somewhere else to get my mammogram but would keep the appointment you have. It is easy to transfer mammogram records.
I would also keep the skin cancer surgery appointment; you likely will regret it if you put it off! The mammogram only takes about an hour, so why skip it? I am not sure what type of BC you had, but I got new breast cancers 15 1/2 and 18 years after my first diagnosis. I am still furious that Fox Chase Cancer Center denied me a double mastectomy and made me wait until I had cancer in that breast too, especially since I have a family history of BC, mother, two of my 3 sisters! Mammograms do save lives, all three of mine were caught early on mammograms! I would give anything to need mammograms again! No breasts, no mammograms! They totally mutilated my body, my breasts are ridiculously ugly, since I had two different reconstructions by two different PS's. I can't wear a regular bra because my breasts are very different sizes! Still, it is better than having my cancer metastasize.
What seems like a big deal now, in the scheme of things, is not. Keep your appointments!
Re: Pain management
Hi Sorry about all the pain.
I had a similar situation, when i discovered my mets i already had 3 broken vertebrae. I ignore the pain for too long, thinking it was muscle pain. And at the hospital they missed all my scheduled visits with covid excuse.
So in about 2 weeks after diagnosis I was in a hospital bed, couldn't even move.
For me opioids didn't work, i only got the SE of them. Surprisingly it work better paracetamolo. I think is weird, as it used to not even make my headache go away, but for some reason worked on my bones.
When I had too much pain i was using a bust and a collar, it did help.
Weight berring exercise helped too. It feel weird at first, but end up been very useful.
But the things that give me more reliefe was a super cold shower on my back and hip! I stay for 7/9 minutes with the shower water on my back. It is about 5 Celsius degree here. It seem crazy at first, but it is nothing compared to my pain. And after about a minute you wont feel anymore. I do that when I have pain. I stay super still and before do any movement, I stay other 5 minutes under hot shower.
At this point is very difficult to state my pain from 1 to 10. I sometimes have this very constant pain that I can't even guess if i imagine it or is just always there...probably before mets I would of give it a good 7 or 8, and 10 for the cramps. Now i give it a 6 maybe, and it is benn a while the crazy cramps disappeared.
Fortunately in the last period, two years after secondary diagnosis, i got days that i almost forget about thefractures, and almost feel weird not yo be always in some sort of pain...
If you find anything useful please update us!
I was thinking about agopuncture or other, but to me cold showers are so effective at the moment. Also meke me sort of high! 😅
amel_83
Re: lumpectomy vs mastectomy - why did you choose your route?
I've been absent since my first post. Deep in thought I guess. After my second surgical opinion it seems I do need the mast after all. The second opinion surgeon (who will now be referred to as my surgeon because she was wonderful) spent two and a half hours with me between herself and her PA. I feel at peace with why it is necessary and finally have a better understanding. I have an appointment tomorrow with a PS to discuss reconstruction options. I'm nervous about what all that entails.
Re: Pain management
Agree about palliative care. Right after my diagnosis they really helped me become functional again.
AJ