Best Of
Re: Ibrance (Palbociclib)
Hi ladies! After quickly daily Kisqali due to liver issues I am on Ibrance. We tried Ibrance a few years ago when I had a small reoccurrence and my blood counts were problematic. Now that I’m stage 4 we are trying it again. After one cycle on 100 mg I am already dropped down to the 75 mg. I know my onc does 3 weeks on and 2 weeks off as an alternate schedule for some patients, but they have said the drug company gives them very little guidance on this. I appreciate all of the posts about alternative doses because I feel like I am going to end up there. For those who do 5 days on and 2 days off, is that done for 3 weeks on and 1 week off? How does that work?
alden722
Re: I’m on hospice - anyone else?
@kbl Honestly, by the time hospice was on board, his dementia had started. He was in a skilled nursing facility near our home, but thought he was on a cruise ship. I spent many hours with him every day, and when covid hit, I was able to FaceTime and read books for hours. I think it was just hearing my voice that comforted him. Our youngest daughter was also able to visit daily before covid. Funny story: one day I was eating potato chips and he said he wanted some. I made a call to the facility and they promptly brought him a small bag. His comment was, "They sure are fast on this ship." We were married 40 years and he's been gone almost 5. I'm truly glad he's not here to see me with another round of breast cancer.
I'll be thinking of you and wishing you comfort.
Re: CT and Lung Nodules
Hi Ladies!
Sorry for not checking in sooner. It has been a tough 2025 so far so I have been just quiet. I lost my step father late January so I have been trying to help my Mom. Scans and Signatera were going well until confirmation of rib and iliac metastasis this month. My March scans showed a small area on my left rib but the radiologist said possibly trauma and Signatera was 0.27. This months PET showed higher uptake in the rib and a new spot on the iliac with suspicious for metastasis and new Signatera shows 2.37. Oh and I found out I have the PIK3 mutation as well. Good news is the lung nodules that were thought to be cancer are not getting larger and the uptake has reduced
Maggie15
I am so glad your hip lesion is stable and I hope your recovery continues to go well!
Marge,
Sending positive vibes for your appointment to go over your CT!
cindyny,
Stable is wonderful news!
I hope all of you wonderful ladies are doing well and any upcoming tests, scans, and/or surgeries go well for you!
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
I had a panic attack. The other night I decided to reboot my laptop. It wouldn't turn on (remember the keyboard). I went downtown and went next door while waiting for him to open. Shopkeeper told me to go to someone else. I told her I would never switch. He might have [a certain disorder common among computer geeks] but he knows his stuff. (And besides that, I have been his customer probably longer than anyone else in town.) I left and returned in the early afternoon. He showed me what I had done wrong. I said "Thanks, doc." No charge.
Got plugs inserted into my tear ducts this morning. Tired of having a wet nose along with itchy, sandy eyes. He said that I also have plugged oil ducts at the base of my eyelashes, and recommended a microwaveable mask. Part of the discomfort might be due to pollen and the fires. Maybe Trump might try to sue Canada for our poor air quality and use the money to build more coal-fired electricity plants?
Kitty, your set was beautiful, as always. The nun without her complete costume was hilarious.
Yes, I think the tipping point has come. The next few months are going to be _______________________interesting. And we get to watch it in relative comfort and minimal fear for ourselves. Prayers will help.
Sandy, do you have any resources for complaining about that contractor? Or are you going to let it ride because of lack of availability of competent workers? Despite everything, you are doing well healthwise.
Yes, Cindy, being unable to use my thumbs is quite frustrating. They seem to be getting better. No longer using the braces, but still using the lidocaine. When I am writing a message on my phone, I use my middle finger, using my index finger to dampen the tremors. Will never again use my thumbs.
Betrayal, getting the bike pedal to go around is a massive step forward. My knee, as rough as it seemed, was not bad compared to others' stories.
mcbaker
Re: I’m on hospice - anyone else?
@orknitter Oh, goodness, how hard that must have been during Covid. Thinking he was on a ship is amazing, and I love the story. I am sorry you had to deal with him having dementia as well. I can’t imagine. And also not being able to have him home. 40 years is wonderful and so hard at the end.
Thank you, again, for letting me know, and I will keep this thread up-to-date as long as humanly possible.
kbl
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Got results coming today from MRI this week, sure they will be fine but in own pocket just in case.
Beyond the appointment, have some laundry going right now, sink to clean as well. Need to learn to focus on one pot or pan when cooking to make cleanup easier. Beans and lentils will be the order of the day before I go, rice and cheese as well. Not sure if DB will call to go out tonight, am OK either way though we have not seen each other for a month for different reasons. I will find out. If there is a call, I will go.
I am trying something new, mini pot pie placed on top of a frozen veggie and noodles dish. Not sure about seasoning as of yet, probably take some caesar, Hidden valley ranch and chipotle to have, small amounts of each. Figure that I enjoy the pot pie and enjoy the frozen veggie and noodle dish. I will post after having eaten it.
Edit, had the pot pie on top of the frozen noodle and veggie, just upped the cooking time to 6 min 30 sec in the microwave. Wound up adding sour cream and onion seasoning, squeezeable queso and hidden Valley ranch. The seasonings and cream ingredients made it very creamy of course and the last bit of salt helped as well. I will consider this as a viable meal as well.
In the meantime, I hope all have a good day and in pockets for everyone who needs me.
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
I have gotten several text messages lately about jobs.
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
I keep getting a scam job offer via text about 7am. My alarm is set for 8 so it’s really unwelcome.
wren44
Re: I’m on hospice - anyone else?
KBL,
Thanks for asking. Your reasons for moving to hospice echo mine in many respects. I had 13 progression free years at stage IV. I saw both my children get married, do well in their careers and settle into wonderful lives. I also became a grandmother x3! I finished my own career and retired in good financial shape so retirement has been relaxed and easy. I tried low dose chemo for one round and had a nightmare experience… literally. I was actually hallucinating from it so regardless of how much time I have left, it will not be spent fighting side effects and hallucinations. I am very much at peace with my decision and although there are some who would urge me to keep “fighting”, that is not the route I have chosen. I am right there with you my friend and fortunate that my family and friends support my decision. Take good care.
Re: I’m on hospice - anyone else?
Okay. I am putting my thoughts down, not to question others but to say why I made my decision.
I’ve had a wonderful life. Do I want to leave it? Absolutely not. Do I want to suffer on my way out or not have quality? Nope.
I refused to go on medication that simply made me feel ten times worse than the cancer, and after many tears and taking time to think how I want my life to end, I chose hospice. They keep me comfortable, they give me whatever I need, which, thankfully right now, doesn’t include morphine or pain medication. I do have oxy here if I need it but only used it once.
I know I’m an outlier. Why am I still here since it’s in my stomach and all bone and bone marrow? I have lobular. Yes, mine has been slower growing, but I went six years with no treatment on the front end.
Should I have survivor’s guilt? I’ve chosen not to. I do not have control over my destiny on this journey. What I have is appreciation.
No, I don’t feel great. No, I don’t have energy and do have fatigue. But I’m not on cancer meds on top of that.
I would never want to talk anyone into making the decisions I have. I want to give a different perspective.
I remember when Bestbird said she was going on hospice. She weighed 70 pounds. She made it seven more months.
@exbrnxgrl How are you doing?
kbl