Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Comments
-
Welcome Gingertea. No one could blame you for crying. If it is any consolation, I had nearly the same thing happen. I had a papillary cancer ( lazy and indolent to the max ) my dx. was really great. During my operation to remove the papillary cancer a second tumor just by chance was discovered hiding behind the papillary. Rather than operation and maybe 3 or 4 days of radiation I ended up with 6 mos. chemo and 7 full wks. of radiation.
It was VERY hard to hear, but my surgeon saved my life and while I have to admit treatment wasn't a picnic I am here. I have since broken my arm in severe fashion, developed in the last two and a half yrs. a papillary cancer in my ureter. I had the ureter as well as kidney on that side removed, and am still in some treatment for bladder ( all papillary so far ) tumors. I could not get my last scope as I needed open heart surgery. I say all this to let you know that there is definitely life to be lived and it is quite possible to carry on and do what needs doing to enhance that life. We are here for the support, love and hand holding for those who face any struggle. You are not alone and we will do our utmost to lift you up through anything you may encounter on your journey.
There are lots of sources on BC.Org. Others here likely can point many of them out for you directly. Just know -- we care.
0 -
Gingertea, good luck with your surgery and treatment. Understandably, you are in a state of disbelief and shock, but you will be able to cope as have the rest of us on this thread. Feel free to come here and share.
0 -
Welcome Gingertea, that's certainly not news you want to hear. If it's any consolation, this period of uncertainty at the beginning was the hardest to handle. Once you have a plan of action in place it gets easier to handle. Please come back ongoing. I was 71 at diagnosis and am 81 now.
There is at least one thread for newly diagnosed that might be good to look at right now.
0 -
gingertea - Welcome! I am also in KY, about 8 miles south of Cincinnati. Sorry to hear you will have to have a 2nd surgery, which is sometimes necessary after they have a more in depth look at the tumor. Please return here anytime. Sending positive thoughts and healing energies to you along with cyber hugs.
A question - Are doctors generally amenable to a request for a COVID antibody titer? Just wondering whether to request one from my primary care doctor, or perhaps the MO?
0 -
Today I got the classic scam call from my "GS" who was calling from jail. He said he'd been in an accident that was someone else's fault, broken his nose and cut his lip when the airbag went off, refused the breathalyzer and was in jail charged with DUI and reckless endangerment. He gave me his lawyer's name and phone number and a case number. Right after he hung up I got a call from the "lawyer". I refused to talk to him until I verified that my GS was really in jail. The lawyer gave me the county clerk's number which started with AC 414 (ours is 206). I called every possible office without ever getting a live person. Finally the Office of Public Defenders had a receptionist who also thought it was a scam. She gave me websites to see if he'd been booked into jail. He was not on the list. I also got a live person at FTC who took a report. Of course I had put in frantic phone calls and texts to GS. I was afraid someone was holding him hostage because the person on the phone really did sound like my GS.
Finally my GS called me back. He was fine and it was really a scam. What a relief. He pointed out that his car doesn't even have air bags (classic Mercedes). His Mom said he also doesn't drink at all. I'm really glad I'm a suspicious person and didn't fall for this.
0 -
Oh my Wren -- something quite similar happened to me a few yrs. back. I find it odd that the "script" is so similar to what I was told. The only thing much different was that the reference was to my son. I mainly listened and finally asked what my son's middle name was. The man I was talking to guessed wrong. I'll never know to this day, unless I caught him off guard, why he would even venture a guess, but he did. Fortunately, that was all it took for me to realize that I was getting a line and that I could hang up on the person w/o fear of letting my son down. It seems odd to me that these " old " scams are still circulating, but they obviously still work at times. I'm happy that things worked out for you and your GS as well. It always pays I think to be skeptical since older people are so often the target of unscrupulous people otherwise known as con artists.
0 -
For those in the US looking for free covid test kits two sites are now live. One is covidtests.gov and special.usps.com. They are expected to ship toward the end of the month.Couldn’t get both hyperlinks in the same message.
0 -
(((Gingertea))). Always a shock to get a path result you didn't want. If your ILC is also Stage I (especially IA, node-negative), at 71 it's probably not going anywhere once they go back in and get clear margins. Surprised they saved the path report for your visit, instead of sending it first to your patient portal so you could come armed with questions for your surgeon & MO. Inconsiderate of them to hit you with it suddenly without opportunity to gather your thoughts and know what to ask. I take it that Louisville is not exactly a medical backwater. If your hospital system hasn't offered you a patient portal account (usually Epic or MyChart), demand one. So much easier to communicate with your care team, get test results, make appointments, etc. Mine even offers a series of patient-education videos ("Emmi") about surgeries & treatments for all sorts of conditions. I was assigned to view ones for my knee replacement surgeries, breast cancer surgery options, lumpectomy, and radiation.
I also suggest you buy or download the latest editions of Dr. Susan Love's and Dr. Elisa Port's breast cancer books. Knowledge is power! And know that we here on BCO are "in your pocket" for all your treatments, surgeries and scan visits.
0 -
Gingertea - I think we all cried with our initial diagnosis. Hang tight. We've got your back and will try to answer any questions you have. As you will note, we write about other issues too but we've all been at those first few doctors' visits. If possible, take a partner or friend to take notes. It's OK to go in with a list of your questions and concerns so you understand the recommendation for more surgery. Keep coming back here.
Taco
0 -
5.5 months post 2nd Pfizer shot my antibodies were in the low 30s, husband was almost triple. Now 4.5 months post Pfizer 3rd shot, I’d be curious what my numbers are, but don’t I can get them done. If a 4th shot is available I’ll will take it.
0 -
Gingertea, Welcome. We have all been through it. There is a lot of helpful information here. Check out "newly diagnosed". As you move through your journey, other topics will apply. I have been cancer free for a little over 2 years and have found the people on this thread and the others to be a source of comfort, support and friends. We talk about everything (though avoiding politics, etc.)
0 -
Before you speak to me about your religion,
first show it to me in how you treat other people;
before you tell me how much you love your God,
show me in how much you love all His children;
before you preach to me of your passion for your faith,
teach me about it through your compassion for your neighbors.
In the end, I'm not as interested in what you have to tell or sell
as in how you choose to live and give.
- Cory Booker
0 -
Hmm, sun is out but maybe some snow later anyway. The temps. will be quite cold for me. I really seem to run 'cold' most days now. Don't know if it is the overall wt. loss or what but even in the house -- where warm pj's used to be all I needed -- I now hav to keep my heavy robe on most of the time.
Nothing special planned for today. Then again with staying in and awaiting my booster to take full effect I had not planned excursions. A trip to the bank once a month and maybe Dr.'s visit are more than enough outings for me. As long as Omicron doesn't seem to be settling around here I will probably continue to limit outings to those that seem neccessary.
0 -
Gingertea - it’s understandable to cry. I didn’t cry at first dx, but I did cry when I was told I needed re-excision to get clean margins. We’ve all been where you are and wish you the best. Definitely bring a list of your questions and if they let you, bring a friend. A second set of ears is always helpful.
My sheet sets are going to a veterans charity; 4 throw rugs going to the humane society, as well as any towels I deem too old for guests. I cleaned out the linen closet to put foam core board on those wire shelves. Hence I’ve also got cloth napkins and various sets of napkin rings - off to a local charity.
We had out handyman here to replace a faucet in the guest bathroom. Cleaned out under the sink and got rid of more stuff. Also had the AC company here for a normal check. Whirlpool guy was here yesterday. He said the vent catching the dryer sheet is normal for this set. Only fix is to put the sheet inside a “bag” used for delicates. Also said the unit shakes with dryer use; I’ve put a dryer ball between it & the wall. He recommended using Vaseline on the dryer door closure; it’s a hard push to close and a sturdy pull to open. OH so wish we had other options when we bought this. Maybe next fall when we come back down I’ll have done other options. Until then I’ll just shake my head and keep using it.
Cooler morning at 7:30. Warming up nicely with full sun. 73 now
0 -
Drizzle this morning and this evening - first day in a long time that I didn't get a walk outside. The school I"m at now on W,TH is an old high school building (1920s) and is 3 floors - so I walked to the 3rd floor one end hall to the other down the steps and a couple more trips. After dinner, I walked around the house and up and down the steps to the basement a few times. I miss the outside walk, but DH and I both wimped out tonight. It's 18F. Normally, we would have bundled up but didn't feel like it tonight. But also worried about it being slick out. DH is on Plavix and says he's cold now when he didn't used to be - either its the Plavix or by-pass surgery unclogging his arteries. Tomorrow it will be in the 40s.
Ordered 4 free antigen home tests from the government. Now want to get KN95 masks. I've been wearing cloth over surgical masks for a better fit. At least. in my office if I'm alone, I can take it off so. not the whole 8 hours with the mask on - but I wouldn't do it any other way.
0 -
We're in for some cold weather the next two days. Forecast is for icy rain tomorrow. I want to protect 5 young knockout roses I planted this fall. I'm thinking 5 gallon buckets would cover them. I have a couple but need to find three more, possibly at Lowe's.
0 -
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. -Melody Beattie
0 -
Sun today and so welcome even though it is quite cold. We use to have one month of snow and one month of cold. Our snow did not come yesterday so I guess this is cold month. I don't think (global warming ) snow is coming as it's pretty much all been rain. Since we generally tend to start to get warmer in Feb. who knows what we will have.
I think several stores stock 5-gal. buckets Carole. Our Ace Hardware as well as Walmart and Buchheit here -- possibly even Big Lots on occasion. Then again, all of these stores HERE are close and easy to get too. Surprised about your icy rain -- I'd have thought rain more than ice. Hope everyone stays safe.
My day today will be similar to yesterday. I have to do another thorough clean-out of my large pantry. I had it good and clean before my medical issues of late and in the interim of getting my sea legs working well again it was all but destroyed. This happened as well to my fridge. Hard to believe how the messes pile up so quickly. One trip to either and logical placements for items just seem to be impossible here. There are only three of us so you'd think it would be better. I will make a long-needed change and take the toaster oven cart out of the pantry so that those who won't ROLL it out to reach the shelves behind won't have any excuse to not put things where they belong.
Dh wants to put all sorts of things in the pantry that don't belong, so I'll have to watch that as well. It is convenient spot since it has a door behind which items can be left out of sight. Sigh!!!! It will take me some time, but it will be ( I hope ) outstanding again and very easy to figure out what goes where. I will hope that the pantry will be kept nicer than the fridge.
0 -
Illinois Lady, I wish you better luck than I've had with kitchen organization. DH has early cognitive impairment which is not making anything easier. I question things such as why we new 2 cherry pit removers right at hand. We won't have any cherries to pit until July at the earliest. I've started dating and describing leftovers in the frig with painter's tape and a sharpie pen. The notes seem to stick until needed and are easy to remove. Yesterday I picked up a half full container of macaroni salad and discovered it was purchased 12/14. That went in the garbage right away. He hasn't mentioned that it's gone.
0 -
Wren - I frequently use blue painters tape & a sharpie to mark things in my fridge. Easy to see & doesn't damage containers.
0 -
Jackie, you're getting back to normal! Yay! Organizing the pantry.
0 -
My partner mentioned he ate the last can of soup. I went into the kitchen, to the large lazy Susan to show him more. I discovered a can of Dole sliced pineapple had popped it’s pop top! Had to have happened from when we left in May thru maybe a month or two ago. The pineapples were a green black color, no odor. I passed that job on to him - remove all cans, clean all the cans that needed it, scrub out the two trays, dry off stuff to keep and toss anything old. He did it all. So an unexpected cleaning of everything. As everything went back in it was grouped w like items. No more willy nilly. I did find more soup. Hahah
0 -
Good morning. Warmer today, but another cold front comes through this weekend. Though my pantry needs organizing, I am starting to work on the business taxes. I am having trouble finding IRS forms on their website for this year and what the changes are (for 2021). I can find 2020 and earlier. I need the home office work sheet, but will make use of a last year one and try to find changes. I will work on that between laundry loads. Have a pleasant day.
0 -
Pessimists see only the dark side of the clouds, and mope; philosophers see both sides, and shrug; optimists don't see the clouds at all -- they're walking on them. -Leonard Louis Levinson
0 -
My plan for the day is not to go anywhere. My laptop tells me it's 33 degrees outside and my eyes tell me it's cloudy. I do have to go out on the patio and pull a sheet back up over plants in planters. Meanwhile my coffee tastes good.
Happy Friday to all.
0 -
Waiting for the sun on another really cold day. I'm thinking about how much of our propane delivery is going for keeping us warm -- of course I do want to be warm. Based on prior yr.'s usage is how the propane company comes up with the pro-rated amt . we will pay for the yr. we are in. We have had some wild fluctuations. I'm wondering already what next yr's pro-rate might be. It was a bit on the high side this yr.
My pantry ( though I did not totally finish yesterday ) looks fantastic. I removed a lot of the foods previously there as they were put there before I went on low salt. I will donate/give away all of that. I was amazed at things I imagined would have little salt and vice-versa. Like the Lemon Bars from Krusteaz which are fine. My Steak & Shake chili and chili sauce had almost 3/4ths. of my day's salt allowance. Still another brand of hot-dog chili type sauce had almost no salt. I can indulge in an occasional hot dog ( my favorite brand is Hebrew National's ) so I was glad to get to keep that can of hot dog sauce.
So will finish the pantry and do some laundry for my daughter and thaw something for tonight's dinner. I will have a busy day, but I still take lots of breaks and pace myself. Stamina is still something of an issue, but I can feel the slow improvements at a certain point which keeps me moving forward.
Hope you will all have a good day.
0 -
My doctor told me that I could dispense with the knee-brace on Monday. After two nights of almost non-existent sleep because of pain, I wore it yesterday, and I will continue until the pain, swelling and slipperiness are almost non-existent. It might take longer to heal, but I DO NOT want to have to get a knee replacement.
In other news, Tippy woke me up last night. After checking out various needs, I decided that it was about the time I usually wake up to take meds. So I did, and put a throw on him, just thinking that was a possible need. I am keeping my heat in bedroom around sixty, and closing it off during the day. I also turn the thermostat down in the rest of the apartment.
0 -
I've been amazed by the amount of salt in some foods. Indian food seems to be the worst. It makes sense if you're in a hot country and sweat all the time, but here it's just too much. I now look at the salt before the calories and fat. I try to keep it under 1500 per day.
I'm dreading grocery shopping today. If DH goes it's a real ordeal and I know he would really like to go.
0 -
It's 28 degrees outside but the sun is shining. It will be warming up. I'm wondering if I should remove the plastic buckets protecting my rose plants and then put them back on tonight. I had to tie the roses to get all the branches inside the buckets. I'm hoping for a good outcome. If the roses survive their first year, they'll be on their own.
Hope everyone is staying warm and comfortable.
0 -
Hope' is the thing with feathers …That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words …And never stops At all..
– Emily Dickinson
0
