Best Of
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@micmel Glad your son had a good trip.
@chicagoan Glad your appointment was moved up, in pockets for all of it.
My rides today were frustrating. They both dropped and picked up at the wrong entrance, oh well, got some steps downhill and uphill. CT scan shows NED as per usual. I am lucky for that. I also lost 5 pounds, not entirely sure why but I will take it. Bloodwork was a joke, 4 jabs before she got bloodflow, I wound up having a heat pack put on my hand and it worked from there. Walking around from one possible pickup to the other gave me 2500 steps. Second driver had a hard time because another passenger missed his first ride so has to wait for the next. Frustrating for both passenger and driver.
I do plan on some exercise after lunch. 10 mins or so on treadmill and some walking on the spot really swinging my arms, probably use the walking poles to emphasize the arm swinging.
Re: Getting needle biopsy on Oct 7 2025 in Phoenix/Mesa AZ, would like oncology and surgeon recommen...
I was 64 and I too was extremely "well-endowed" (at one point my bra size could have been mistaken for really bad arena-concert seats). I named them Thelma (L) & Louise (R). When I had my lumpectomy, the tumor breast (R) was 38 I and the other one 38 J. A decade later (and 53 lbs down), the R is 34 DD and the L 34H, so I split the difference and wear a 34G (FF in some brands). I'd get a reduction for symmetry (Medicare covers it) and perhaps a panniculectomy fot the "tummy apron," but I'm not going under the knife for anything not life-or-health-preserving,
My breasts are fatty, with "scattered fibroglandular densities." My tumor was found on my 20th annual screening mammogram, referred to as a "focal asymmetry not present on prior mammogram." Turned out to be a 13mm Grade 2 IDC, "Luminal A" type (ER&PR+/HER2-), Stage IA. Low oncotype, no genetic mutations. At the time I had United Healthcare PPO, which covered everything; two months later I qualified for Medicare and switched to BCBS.
I can't make any provider recommendations because I don't know your location. But you can't go wrong with any clinic affiliated with MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, or Dana-Farber. If you have any questions about your provider's recommendations, seek a second opinion.
chisandy
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Cindy - the Big E looks like lots of fun. I had to look it up as I had never heard of a multi-state fair before.
Sandy - I like your attitude regarding the trip to NOLA. You’ve had multiple successful careers so you do not have to prove yourself. Go to NOLA, enjoy the food and play as much or as little music as you like. Happy to hear the smoke alarm was nothing.
Betrayal - good to hear the pulmonary nodule is stable. It is unfortunate that there were additional findings. I’m stuck in the same hamster wheel of scans, findings and follow up. I feel like as I age more and more stuff is found but fortunately most of it has been of no concern.
We are fortunate to have been able to travel but have not booked anything beyond next March. We will see what happens after that. I was kind of disgusted with myself on one of the hikes in Oregon as I struggled with the steepness and unevenness of the trail. My right knee doesn’t bend beyond 90 degrees and I lack the agility to climb over tree roots and rocks and go up/down steps that are higher than a standard step.
We had planned to ride bikes on the beach in Oregon however the bikes were beach cruisers and I couldn’t raise the seat sufficiently to allow for my wonky right knee. It was disappointing but we took several long walks on the beach and that made up for it. We hope to do some bike riding in Vietnam next year but I am 5’7” so I need a bike where I can raise the seat to allow for my height. Hopefully it will work out.
harley07
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Adage of "be careful of what you wish for' applies to CT results as well. CT was to assess pulmonary nodule found incidentally during assessment for PE while hospitalized post-TNR. Seems nodule is stable and recommended repeat in 6 months.
However, he also identified multiple other issues by body system. So he did his due diligence, I am just not sure of significance of some and if any require follow-up. Since results are going to NP who specializes in OSA, she won't order any follow-ups and defer to PCP. Her focus will only be the nodule. I did request PCP be included in the loop, so I will reach out to her.
Taco, thank you for the comment. I hear you about being able to travel. We have booked trips through 2026 (2 land tours in Ireland back to back and a cruise of the Pacific islands) and will see how we do on them. I realize that we will also reach a time when this will not be possible, but can tell you my DH is resistant to this thinking. He overestimates his abilities and refuses to accept his bodily changes. His balance is awful and he falls, but blows it off. Not going to argue with him because he gets very defensive. I'll continue as long as I can, but am more accepting of my physical decline.
Sandy, thank you for all the information about Eataly. I know we will not attempt to go there when it first opens because it will be swamped. We do like Maggiano's and have had many pleasant family experiences there including birthday celebrations and our 50th anniversary. I have attended other private celebrations there as well. We used them a lot during Covid for takeout meals. I'm sure I will like the deli portion of Eataly. Glad your excitement was only a malfunctioning fire alarm, whew. Great neighbor you have.
Trying to go to Lancaster this Friday to shop for pumpkins since they will be much cheaper at the roadside stands than at any store around here. They do not sell them by weight. When I am done with them, I throw them in the woods and enjoy watching the deer and squirrels finish them off. I don't break them so the deer have to work to open them, but they have it down to a science. Seeing a squirrel with a small chunk and eating it is a good scene. I am sure the raccoons work on them at night. I just need a day away from the house.
Need to shop for birthday cards for DSIL, GDG and DS since two have birthdays while we are away (12th and 24th of October) and DS in November. I'll leave cards for October with DD to give to birthday celebrators. DSIL will go to Disney World while we are away. He and DD animal and house sit for us when we travel. She will be busy while he is away since there will be our menagerie as well as theirs at our house: 3 dogs, 3 cats, 4 birds, rabbit, and a guinea pig.
Chris, hope hand pain is more manageable now.
cindyny, what is next planned adventure?
I hope everyone has a great day. Waving "hi" to everyone.
betrayal
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Everyone of us needs to show how much we care for each other and, in the process, care for ourselves.
betrayal
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Wren - I remember planning a trip around chemo. Had it on Friday and we left Saturday and returned in 3 weeks in time for the Friday appointment again. Hope the chemo doesn't give you too much trouble so you can enjoy your trip. I too don't remember where you are going.
Always love the pictures but especially all the pumpkins this time, Cindy. Betrayal, I too enjoy your choice of quotes. Don't know where you are finding them but they are appreciated.
Harley, travel while you can. You will treasure the memories. We no longer are even able to go to DD. It is just to hard on Ken, both physically and mentally.
Carole, travel safely. Have a good week everyone.
Taco
1946taco
Re: how about drinking?
I just got back from Boston and an incredible photoshoot with the STILL Project. (I got to wear a $5K necklace that was little more than beads sewn onto felt. It was pretty, but not $5K worth of pretty.) It was an amazing experience, and I'm so excited to help increase the visibility and acceptability of aesthetic flat closure. The production crew were so together, and the energy of the whole day was thrilling.
Re: how about drinking?
If Carole's weather at home is like ours, it will still be over 90 degrees most days.
minustwo
Re: how about drinking?
Good morning, lounge friends. We've been enjoying an incredible stretch of lovely weather and today is another great day. We depart tomorrow for Louisiana. Most years the weather has turned blustery by the time we leave. We could stay here comfortably for another week but it's time to go home and resume Louisiana home ownership.
I have to finish packing up my clothes today and pack my suitcase. The biggest job yet to be done is empty the refrigerator and clean it. We have a large cooler to transfer the items that have to be kept iced on the trip.
Cheers!
Re: So...whats for dinner?
Carole, Enjoy your last meal of the year at Clancy's and have a safe trip back to LA.
Eric, I have an old wire basket popcorn popper meant to be used over a campfire which also works over a gas stove flame. The benefit is that popped corn can be removed so it doesn't burn waiting for the slow-poke kernels.
Wally, I’m sorry that your DH has to go back to the oral surgeon.
Dinner tonight was Angus strip steak (on sale!), cauliflower and scalloped potatoes.
maggie15