Best Of

Thanks to Sandy, I found my original post :

Hi Sandy,

I’ve been following your fire and move and very soon move back, on “Older Women…” But life has intervened. I started to fall on Fathers Day, slammed into the dining room table, very shaken up.It turned out I had a compression fracture on T6. But it’s a pathologic fracture. After numerous scans, MRI, and a tortuous bone biopsy, I have a metastasis to T6 . But, of course, it’s complicated. All the cells in the biopsy were necrotic- no breast cancer cells. Dr. M believes the bone was seeded from the get go in 2019, that Arimidex killed the cells, but not before they ate away at the bone. All scans were clear except for MRI which lit up at T6. There could perhaps be a cell or two floating around somewhere and his assumption is that they would be BC cells because there’s nothing else on the scans.His plan: 10 sessions of radiation to T6 to help the fracture heal and to clear the surrounding area, Letrozole which I dread, dread, dread and a Zometa infusion every 3 months.

I obviously hate that this has happened. Have been in a state of terror. Dr. M is optimistic and encouraging , states that I will live as long as my cohort of 91 year old women and wrote in the aftervisit summary, “ I offered that overall survival for several years after diagnosis of breast cancer metastatic to bones isanticipated.”

Thank you Sandy.But the question is “Do I want to make it to a 100?” Depends( no pun.) I’ve been unable to find my post.Couldn’t remember it was Side Effects. Wanted to repost it here. Started my first Letrozole, Arimidex was before, much trepidation, thrown back into the horror of being diagnosed in 2019,but doing better now with a plan. Radiation Oncologist did say that to take Letrozole and have radiation was like wearing a belt and suspenders, but that’s what Dr. M says to do when and I’m still at 91 basically a good girl, though a saddened one at this stage 4 diagnosis.

Heard from Judy (keywestfan), who posted on the Side Effects forum—a stumble in June led to a diagnosis of a thoracic compression fracture, which in turn led to discovery of a single inactive met at T6. No other mets lit up on PET scan. She's facing palliative radiation and a bone-building infusion; her MO is suggesting restarting an AI—but at 91 the latter seems like overkill. If anyone here can make it to 100, my money's on her!

Betrayal - thank you for the lovely quote. I’m feeling Jackie’s absence deeply today. As Sandy pointed out, 2025 has had significant losses for the BCO community. We are hoping to head to the Oregon coast in early to mid September for a few days. Knowing how much Jackie loved oceans and lakes, I’ll make sure to keep her memory in mind.

I’m feeling pretty fortunate that my DH does cook and knows his way around the kitchen very well - almost too well. Occasionally he gets on an organizing kick and rearranges the kitchen, closets and whatever else he comes across and then I’m the one that can’t find stuff. There was a point where I banned him from going into the Container Store as he was not able to walk out without spending a fortune. 😀

Just got home from volunteering at the food pantry. Once we start serving guests, the doors are open and the A/C is turned off. It’s in the 90’s and I’m dripping in sweat. While we were very busy, we had plenty of food today so it was a good feeling.

Sandy - good luck with the pack in. I’m so glad your HK will be visiting to help.

Wishing all a good weekend and to enjoy every moment. As we know all too well, life is short.