Best Of
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Teka, you have a loving one. A real keeper.
Taco, what a wonderful party.
Betrayal, your work on the house makes me tired.
Cindy, your armadillo sounds cute, even though they are not soft and furry. I haven't watched the Olympics at all. I don't think I can without shelling out more money, and I have been spending too much lately.
Cindy and Carole, I have used a brush/dryer for several years. Nice to coax a bend at the ends, but lately it has been straight.
Petite, your second home sounds like a wonderful retreat even now. I hope you get it up to your standards soon.
Harley, your puzzles look like a great way to spend the time. But I did one about four months ago, and I did almost nothing else for a week. Now I am obsessing with Facebook and MSN homepage. Never ends.
Canarycat, glad you are keeping up. I have a mammo on Thursday, the day before hand surgery.
My cleaner came in on Monday, did the oven, cabinet under the sink, futon cover, and a few other things that I can't manage on my own. I rearranged my bins. Garbage, recycling, and soft plastics. First two covered. I am happy with the coffee and tea corner, and the more accessible microwave.
Our snow is melting like crazy. Usually, the snow depositories don't completely melt until May.
I experimented with MSM, Boswellia, and turmeric for arthritis (in addition to the gabapentin), but I couldn't remember one moment from the next. I stopped it in prep for surgery, will resume at half-dose after.
Tippy and I are getting interested in discussing what is on the calendar for "today" and "tomorrow." He doesn't like surprises. The weather is another interesting subject for conversation. Soon we will change "rain" for "snow", and then "hot" for "cold". We already have "nice". He has been getting "paw medicine", will continue it past wintertime to desensitize him to uncomfortable grooming procedures.
I have been eating two eggs (in cups) and toast for breakfast instead of cereal. One day last week I had cereal and a hot chocolate, and again had diarrhea. Yup. Now I have figured out the offender. About two years ago I was drinking Silk Soymilk in the possibility that I had lactose intolerance, but decided it was too expensive. I am taking a cab to get groceries today. My friend drinks Fair Life, which is awfully expensive, but I don't want to talk about it. Cab fare is up to $5 anywhere in town for seniors.
mcbaker
Re: All about Xeloda
@eleanora - Wishing you well through the storm. Those of us here in the PNW have lucked out this time; missing the "big deal" that most are dealing with, and while cold here, it's not that cold, plus we've had lots of sunshine. The combo of the sun and clear and cold air makes all our mountains and water exceptionally lovely to look at. Virginia is really pretty too and I'm sure it won't be long before you all are back to normal too. Stay safe and warm!
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.
Happy Valentine's Day.
betrayal
Re: Faslodex Girls Thread
galmary: You mentioned you were on faslidex for 8 years ? That is super, why you had to move to anastrozole ? And now back to Faslodex ? I am on Faslodex for 4 years and NED so far..
Re: Bone Mets Thread
@norah2024 - I second what shanagirl has said about trying to contact your dr through MyChart. I do it a lot, and like with shanagirl, they always get right back to me.
Re: Going flat or breast reconstruction
I've been down this road twice, and each time I've chosen mastectomy with what I now know is called an "asthetic flat closure." I guess you could say I've had bilateral mastectomies, 18 years apart.
On my first go-round, my surgeon was a highly regarded breast surgery specialist who told me she did approx. 300 breast cancer surgeries per year. ("Too many…," she said.) She referred me to a reconstructive surgeon she often worked with, just so I would know the options. He said an implant was the only realistic option for me because of scarring from previous abdominal surgeries and my reluctance to mess with my back. At age 55 and having breasts that were barely A/B, going flat wasn't scary. I'd even used photoshop to blur out my left breast on a selfie, just to see what it would look like. (Okay, that's weird.) My surgeon checked with me one last time in pre-op, to make sure I didn't want her to leave any extra tissue "just in case." Nope — perfectly flat, and that's what I have.
The second round began this past December with a dx of high-grade DCIS, resulting 3 wks ago in another mastectomy with flat closure (again, my choice). I'm still dealing with a pesky J-P drain that's producing/collecting too much fluid to be pulled yet. This was a different surgeon at a different medical center. I'm left with a mostly flat incision but a bit of a bulge (half a ping-pong ball) near my sternum. I've read that's the most difficult area to manage surgically when attempting a flat closure.
Again, at my age (now 73), comfortably married, and not especially bonded to my breasts after all this, I'm fine with being flat. I've been going without a bra around home anyway, "dressing up" only when out amongst a judgmental public. I do wish my stomach hadn't become so obvious these past few years, because now it sticks out whereas it didn't 18 years ago. 🙄
otter
Re: Stage IV MBC Fitness
@rlschaller - Rhonda, thank you so very much for the nice and inspirational comments. They mean more than you might know.
The appointment went well and there are early signs that the Xeloda is likely working. That spot that showed up on my chest in December (that the onc now says is indeed officially a skin met), is almost gone and tumor markers are coming down and almost back in the normal range. Just hope all this continues for a long, long time! Fatigue continues to be my main side effect issue. None the less, I did get out for a good walk this morning - partial sun and beautiful early blooms. Very uplifting.
I really appreciate all the support from you and the others, and I am sending you back a great big 🤗 from me.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@mkestrel Ha what a great action pic and your caption lol…love it!
@mara51506 Happy to hear you had a nice outing with DB and SIL!
@threetree Wow!! Amazing news on Xeloda response may it continue. Hope your fatigue improves as your body adjusts or on your week off, fingers crossed. Sounds like a fair plan from your MO.
@irishlove Well enjoy your peace anyway, ha dancing on the tables…too funny! Oh I loved my 20's I was always out dancing , great memories!
Was a nice sunny warmer day here, near 50 ! We took Buster on a drive to the beach. He finally got to run!! Let the melting continue…. Hi to all here hope your having a nice weekend.❤️
cookie54
Re: Scares That Turned Out To Be Nothing
Hi @ampmusic14, I’m sorry that you are dealing with the appearance of a lump. Your plastic surgeon will probably be able to weigh in and refer you for scans if necessary. If not your PCP, ob/gyn or other doctor can refer you for an ultrasound and any other necessary imaging. I hope it turns out to be nothing serious. Let us know how things work out. All the best.
maggie15
