Best Of
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
betrayal, My DH and I spent two weeks in Guatemala with 25 teens for a mission trip. We loved the local flavor, and Quetzel was one of our favorite places. We actually spent the weekend there in hotels so the kids could get a good break, wash well, etc. before going back to the school dorms where we stayed. That was 45 years ago so I am sure things are different, although times move slowly there. During that trip we also took a bus into El Salvadore for a three-day Bible School but it got dicey as they were in the midst of a civil war and we didn't know it. The missionaries should have warned us… Anyway, when we woke in the morning, there were armed guards surrounding our hotel. They said it was to protect us and they accompanied us the next couple of days until we returned to Guatemala. They wanted us to stay and complete our program. Priceless memories and experiences for us and the kids. Many of those kids went on to be leaders in the church and in whatever they did. As an aside, I believe I was newly pregnant during that trip and didn't know it. I couldn't figure out why I was sick in the mornings and didn't have the energy to climb both the pyramid of the sun and the moon. Thanks for triggering this memory!
Re: Stage IV MBC Fitness
Way to go! That is an accomplishment.
So happy for you. Have never regretted my hip replacement (although it took me 8 years to talk myself into it) and hope you will feel the same. I was a little timid about driving again, so the first few times just went up and down the driveway.
Sorry you've had back-to-back intensive side effects from injections. I noticed for the first time this year that I had a reaction to either the flu or Covid vaccine. Had them at the same time, so don't know which. It was only a 24 hour problem and worth it for the protection. Glad you stuck with walking.
eleanora
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@wren44 Thanks for sharing your positive news. How do you make your Depression Cake? Sounds like you had a very nice visit.
I'm a week out now from my hip replacement. I just went out to the backyard since it is sunny today. Felt very good to be out in the fresh air instead of on the couch or at the computer. Doing my little exercises, walking around the house, cooking my meals. I'll have PT coming and the nurse later-think the bandage covering my stitches is coming off today.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Thanks @cookie54 . I did get a little extra tired as the day wore on and overnight, but again, I think you'll do great! This wasn't bad at all, and I just hate shots …
Oncotype score and feeling bad
My onctotype score came back yesterday and was a 23. I am pre-menopausal and under 50 with a grade 3 tumor so was feeling okay about it until I was reading and realized most people score less and don't need chemo. I will be having taxotere and cytoxan for four cycles three weeks apart. But even with chemo and hormone treatment my chances of recurrence is still 8%. Which seems high to me and I'm especially worried about hormone therapy. What if I can't handle it? It all just seems overwhelming. Pathology showed no node involvement, no LVI involvement and I have a positive ER/PR and HER2 negative so I know it's not as bad as I'm feeling right now. But it still feels bad. By the way how do you compare a quantitative single gene score to your immunohistology results? I had the same hormone results on my onctotype score but there score is different and I want to understand where I stand with their score.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@threetree Thanks for the heads-up , glad you’re feel well🤞🏻
cookie54
Re: Any studies that prove early detection of stage IV recurrence extending survival time?
I know they don’t routinely check for metastases after treatment for early stage BC because it supposedly doesn’t impact survival rates. However, it seems to me that earlier detection of mets would have some advantages. Like treatment before symptoms appear so there’s better quality of life. I had no symptoms when diagnosed stage 4, it was found on a CT scan that I had for another reason. So far, 2 1/2 years later I still have no symptoms.
aj
Re: Stage IV MBC Fitness
@AJ I'm 30 pounds overweight myself so I feel ya. I've read about this hand/foot syndrome and it just sounds wretched. If that is in my future, as it may well be at some point, I am just not sure what I'd do to replace walking, but maybe folks who suffer with that have some advice. Like Chicagoan says I guess I would do whatever I could to keep moving. @chicagoan I have been wondering how you were doing since I knew you were going through a struggle. At my age I have friends who've been through hip and knee replacements and felt much much better for them after the recovery period and I hope it is the same for you and that recovery is quick.
Re: Stage IV MBC Fitness
I had a hip replacement a week ago so for now my fitness is walking around in the house and doing my PT exercises. Yesterday I felt triumphant to be able to take my garbage out to the alley out back and to also go downstairs to my basement for a shower. Baby steps. But I remember Z encouraging those who were walking with an oxygen tank down their driveways. We each have to start where we are and keep moving. I look forward to again being able doing a hike like Tougholdcrow's or in the short term, being able to get in the car and go to the grocery store!