Best Of
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Another very cold day with temps hovering at 32 degrees, breezy, but sunny, so we'll take what we can get. Supposed to move into the 40's over the weekend, like that will really be appreciable.
Had cardiology appointment to discuss need for her to follow-up on sleep study results. She said I have no issues from a cardiac standpoint, and that what happened after my knee surgery was due to physician attempt to get BP up. So fluid overload was due to physician intervention, and not heart disease. Phew! She said to contact her if I had any issues and she would look for PFT results. She also plans on contacting Pulmonology NP. So, this is the one positive so far this week.
While I was waiting for cardiologist, DSIL reached out to tell me her DF is dying. He had been hospitalized after a fall and a dramatic drop in his platelets. He has metastatic prostatic CA, was undergoing chemo, and seemingly doing well before the fall. We last saw him at my niece's wedding last November. He's 88. She just let me know he'll be going on hospice this evening. His wife, her stepmother, is having difficulty accepting this, but this is the second time she will be losing a husband, so I am sure denial is her coping mechanism. They live over an hour away, so it's not like I can do much right now.
My DF died on 12/8, two days before my mother's birthday and 4 days before his younger brother's birthday. This is a horrible time of year to have to deal with this and even harder for her because her birthday is 12/24. She has a brother, but he had learning disabilities, and lived with his Dad and stepmother. Not sure what will become of him now. He cannot live independently.
PF'T's not as bad as expected, and I was able to do the 6 minute walk with no difficulty. I did not sleep well last night and was up by 3:30. I read, dozed, woke again, read and dozed about an hour before the alarm went off. Results will take a week according to Tech who was extremely nice, and personable.
Perhaps things will get better? I can only hope.
carole, thanks for feedback on the daily quote and yes, Jackie would have loved the photos.
marticcrn, good luck with talking to your 7 year old. Tough age because they panic, but need to be informed even if just basics.
cindyny, love the photos. Send some of PR's heat this way please.
Hope everyone had a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.
betrayal
Re: Zoom Meet-up for Those With MBC: Place to keep chatting
@Rosebessie , I’ve been meaning to watch it but was hesitant because of the subject matter. But I’ve heard that it’s good.
aj
Re: Newly diagnosed and scared
@cosun10 I have been so back and forth on course of treatment, every time I think I have a decision, something else comes into play. Like you, I will be glad to get results in the MRI biopsy but like you said, the holiday may play a role in delay, I'm sure the Dr. offices are closed on Friday in addition to T-Day.
Maybe we will both have our answers within the next week or so.
I don't like the idea of radiation, which I would need if I go the lumpectomy route but at 62 I don't know which way to go with mastectomy: flat, implants or flap surgery. It's all so overwhelming. And then there is the nipple saving issue, who would have thought I'd be thinking of that.
I lived in CO from 2nd grade - high school, Arvada West.
sastip
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Marti, cyber hugs. 6 years out and my scar still hurts, especially with any weight gain. Check into "starting chemo in December" I was on one for radiation. I still hear from those ladies.
petite1
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Hello midnight and any late night owls still around? I absolutely can not do mornings anymore. Not sure what I can do to change that, so I just schedule afternoon doctor appts.
Thanks all for input on what might be strep throat? Maybe I should mention that I have a UTI, courtesy of MS and am on Cephalexen. Hoping that will clean up this throat and UTI. I say strep but it hasn't been tested. Not sure about how each of you react to antibiotics, but I do have problems with them. The Z-pak, doxicycline and amoxa-clavin and sulfa-based drugs, create severe nausea and vomiting. Even taken with food. Cipro is a huge NO. Tendonitis tore my poor feet up . Side effects have reported ruptured tendons from Cipro. Cephalexen is my go to. Grandma had us swish one part warm water to one part hydrogen peroxide for sore throats when we were kids. I promise I will see PCP if I develop fever or this does not clear.
DD and DGD are here since Thanksgiving. So I put on my I feel fine face, and cooked some crock pot meals for the whole crew. DD's hubby came by (they've separated) after work, so had enough for him, too. Nothing like a roast with carrots and small baby potatoes and with leftovers I would add diced tomatoes, chop up the beef and add beef broth and Dales low sodium seasoning. Don't forget frozen mixed veggies and it's a good soup.
Not to make anyone jealous, but DH turned the pool heater on and I got out of my sick bed to climb in. It was lovely. I miss my family terribly at Christmas time, but not the ice and bitterly cold temps. A little snow is lovely.
We had laid peel on/off wallpaper on the one bedroom wall. It looks so pretty. But…. ever remembering calling Grandma and ask what she was doing? Well she would say "Just sitting here watching the wallpaper peel". And fast forward 50 years later and that's what I'm doing. I think I'm gonna just take it down. The walls must have some dampness to them or humidity might be the problem.
In pockets for all your needs.
Laurel
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@irishlove So glad DH is out of heart failure status, great news! Ugh sorry you’re now dealing with possible strep, agree with the others , be careful. You don’t need any lingering infections! Yikes what a pia to have such issues with antibiotics, that's rough. I always admire the way you are able to deal with multiple issues yet put your game face on and cook!I know we all try our hardest to keep it "normal". Guess it’s best to travel in the Spring as I’m sure you’re disappointed. Sending hugs and get well wishes.
@chicagoan Glad to hear the new hip is treating you well. Nice to be able to get out with friends and have some fun! May you have continued peace of mind as you wait on scans and tissue biopsy.
@shanagirl Ugh rough night on sleep,it's awful! Hope you were able to settle and get a couple hours in. I started using Natrol melatonin gummies and it's been giving me a couple steady hours of sleep. Yipee for last Rads , I hope the fatigue doesn't linger much longer. I love the twinkle soft Christmas lights too, it makes the house so cozy.
@mara51506 How are ya? Sounds like your enjoying your air fryer. How was the electric cleaning brush you bought? Did I miss that review lol?
So great news, DH heart catheterization is good! Stent looked good and all else clear. No improvement in his heart failure but as he says "he is ok with keeping his old broken self" and grateful no new issues. Big sigh of relief …Thanks for all the well wishes for him❤️Now Echo for me today since I haven't had on since the start of chemo. I'm not expecting anything just following doctors orders and ending this year of tests🤞
Happy Friday and I hope everyone has a good day ❣️
cookie54
Re: Looking for others with low risk, less than 2cm, IDC stage 1 grade 1HR+ HER2- on endocrine therapy
GMM:
Yes I felt that way too. But I got a bit frustrated that being such early cancer and small size tumor they would treat me just like all other cancer treatment pts. They put us all in a ‘box’ and I think that’s wrong. They should look at the type of cancer, size of tumor, grade etc and then formulate a plan. But I honestly think some or a lot of this reasoning on their part is caused by the fact they don’t want to be sued if it returns and they didn’t suggest the normal protocol for cancer treatment. The risk factor is something I took. And that wasn’t easy. I had my surgeon originally telling me it could or would potentially one day come back more aggressive and I should do all treatments. Then after my MO was willing to let me just do surgery and scans as my treatment, I told my surgeon about what he said. And my surgeon changed the overall tune and said oh your cancer probably won’t return. That made me frustrated. And also showed me that overall these drs are wonderful people but they are largely pulled by the treatment protocols. They need to look at each case and put themselves in our ‘shoes’.
I forgot if you told us if you have any family members, mother grandmother aunt etc who had breast cancer. If so this puts your risk higher and will help you get those 6 mo scans approved. My Gma had breast cancer twice and died of Mets. My maternal aunt had breast cancer. My mom has had biopsies. And then I got it. this makes me what they say high risk.
Just thought I’d let you know about this info when you talk to your Dr to ask for 6 mo scans.
Have a wonderful thanksgiving!
Re: Zoom Meet-up for Those With MBC: Place to keep chatting
Hi ladies, Im watching "The Big C" series starring Laura Linney as a stsge 4 melanoma patient, on Netflix. Has anyone watched it? It started real slow and during the first few episodes i actually considered abandoning it, evrn as I kept wstching. Turns out it is actuslly a funny yet touching series. There's a speech Cathy makes as a when she's invited to speak to her Oncologists class in Series 2 Episode 12. She's supposed to give a patients side of the cancer treatment experience. Wow!! What she tells the class is so real. It speaks for many of us. Its a long series but im hooked.
Re: Zoom Meet-up for Those With MBC: Place to keep chatting
@Rosebessie hope you have fully recovered and you are feeling better and better each day. ❣️
