Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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The first bout of waiting is over. I just found out it is invasive ductal carcinoma. Now will wait for appointment with surgeon and perhaps oncologist. My doctor thought it would be lumpectomy with some lymph node removal. Then the wait for what follows. A lot of waiting involved, isn't there?
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pjc
Hang in there. I was recently dx'd in mid-April. I was shocked and to say the least very nervous up until the lumpectomy. Once you have a plan in place, if you are nervous, your nerves will calm down immensely. A week before my surgery, I was prescribed a pill to calm down. The last time I took it was the morning of the surgery. It gets better - just breathe and if you can, take walks, keep busy. Stay with us and ask any questions you want - we are here for you - or just let us know how you are doing.
You may want to google to see if there is a cancer hospital in your area. Bring a pad and take notes. A wonderful supporter on this site told me to make a binder and ask for my reports etc. I have and it's working out well for me. I also started a journal. You will get a great education about breast cancer. I also did a lot of reading and research on my type of bc from this site as well as the National Cancer Institute and Cancer.gov.. I never knew there were different kinds of bc. Once you find out what type it is from your breast cancer Profile e.g. hormone receptive, her2, etc., you can also post in that forum on this site as well. I have found this support group amazing and educational. Fill out the profile on this site and they will also send you articles pertaining to your individual interests. You may also want to look into bc support groups in your area - local hospitals may hold them. I will put a link on here for Ask John Hopkins. You can type your question and in a few hours, experts will answer your question.
Good luck to you.
(((Hugs)))
Mary
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Here is the link.
http://www.hopkinsbreastcenter.org/services/ask_ex...
My first infusion is on Monday. Of course, I am a little nervous about it. Can anyone share how it went for them on their first infusion.
Any input will be so helpful to me.
Thank you.
Mary
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I agree with Mary about the binder. I kept my reports, lists of questions, and instructions for pre and post op care. There were times when my brain left me for mini vacations and I'd refer to what I had in the binder. Another helpful idea was a contact person. A very dear friend moved to another state before this journey began so she let people know how things were going, especially during surgeries and right after. She even coordinated meals!
The best part is she will be here next week to see two grandchildren and we get to visit in person. Love laughing with her in person.
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Mary, what a great post you wrote to pjc.
My bc was IDC (invasive ductal), too. It's the most common. And, like Mary said, not all breast cancers are the same. The tech who did my needle biopsy didn't tell me that he was almost sure my nodule was cancer. And I didn't ask. I was hoping it was benign. I was stunned when I went back for the results and he told me it was positive.
I was in a state of shock for days. Maybe weeks. When I got up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, a refrain would go through my mind, "You have cancer." Almost immediately I found BC.org and it was/has been/is the best thing that happened since my dx. There were all these caring women who had been through that same horrible experience of a positive dx. I found a group who chose the same surgery that I chose, bilateral mx with immediate recon, and I "talked" to them every day. Before and after the surgery. We have since disbanded since they thought it was best for them to move on. I think about them still and hope they are doing well. I stayed with bc.org but joined some other forums about life after bc.
Hang in there, pjc. Almost five years later, I'm still here and living a good life. I'm hoping the same for you.
DH and I and I are off to the gym in a few minutes. At 11:15 I have an apptment for my annual checkup with my bc dr.'s NP. She'll do an ultrasound of underarms and chest.
Then at 1:30 my mother's hair apptment.
Have a great Thursday.
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pic, no one ever expects to hear their name and cancer in the same sentence. That happens to "other" people and suddenly you are one of the others. It may seem like your days alternate creeping or flying by but you will get past this stress and worry. I put myself on a learning curve and consulted with my docs in order to make the best decision for me. It seemed like forever but was only a short time between diagnosis and bmx, and then I was recovering and on my way forward (most days). We all get through this differently, but we do get through and enjoy our days.
Yesterday I did laundry, worked out, finished Steve Berry's latest book, and made a delish salad topped with salmon for dinner. Now I'm headed out to get the car inspected and then iron, a detestable chore. I remember long ago doing my ironing for the week while watching the Wonderful World of Disney, enjoying that it was in color! Now, it's all reality tv shows and I can't make myself watch them.
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Hi to everyone and welcome to newcomers ...
Newcomers, I have read all the good advice and background you have been given here. I don't know what I would have done without the ladies who responded to me when I was new to my dx and new here.
I will share a little of my last 5 1/2 months since diagnosis. I am 70. Anxiety fueled emotions have been a problem for me. To help me, I talked with both a counselor and a meditation consultant at my cancer center. Both services were free. I also attend a support group at the center. I try to walk 30 minutes every day ... notice the word "try." My RO asked me to walk 20 minutes every day during radiation which I did pretty faithfully. After finishing rads, my DH was hospitalized, I caught a cold, and then I got pneumonia. Walking fell off my daily schedule. Since I have started again, I am feeling better physically. My PCP noticed that my thyroid tests were out of whack, so now I am going through a period of readjusting that drug. I think that the Synthroid adjustment plus the Arimidex may be contributing to some recent emotionality. I would have to say that the last 5 1/2 months have seen many ups and downs. However, since I was told that the first year after diagnosis would be hard, I am trying to be patient with myself. Many women seem to sail through treatment ... work, play, and travel. Sometimes I beat myself up since I am not working or traveling, and yet I am poking along ... getting more done little by little. I do enjoy my life most of the time. I try to remind myself that I was no "ball of energy and activity" before my dx.
My Bluetooth came this morning, so I am off to learn how to use it. I can hear some giggling ... I know, I am behind the times. You all are probably old hands at using one, so I may be back for guidance.
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Sandra
Guess I forgot to mention that it was other peoples money, not mine. The first year I was on Wall St was the first year in the company's history that there was no bonus. After I quit 3 years later when I had my first child, they started bonuses again. Only good thing I can say about the pay was that I made $25 a week more than my husband- a whopping $150/ week.
PJC-
sorry about your diagnosis, but welcome to our group. There's lots of support here, but also a lot of fun and sharing about all kinds of stuff.
Re ballroom dancing- when I was a young teenager, the leaders of our youth group at church were professional dancers, and they made dancing lessons part of every meeting. We learned all the dances mentioned above, although all I remember is the cha-cha. My DH and I loved to dance and went to a little restaurant/bar every Sat nite for years. They had a little band of older guys and one lady that sang mostly country music. I don't know that either of us were "good" dancers but we learned to dance with each other- our favorite song being "Can I have This Dance for the Rest of My Life?" ...
Good memories
Anne
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Anneb, Your post was awhile back, but I want to tell you that my heart went out to you talking about your husband's health issues. Sounds like you've been through a lot and yet you are so upbeat and positive. Good for you!
Mary 1234 & pjc - welcome to this thread. Lots of fun upbeat ladies here who are doing terrifically. For many on this thread, bc treatment is behind them, but I'm undergoing active treatment now. As you can see from my sig, I was DX in early Jan with triple negative (TN) bc at age 66. TN is very aggressive and has a higher recurrence rate in the first 3 years. So my MO recommended the "big guns" treatment for my Stage 1, no LN involvement bc. Mary, you asked about your first infusion with Taxol this Monday. I had the 6th of my 12 weekly Taxol today and am doing great on it so far! Prior to that, I had 4 dose dense AC treatments, which is the really heavy duty chemo. I managed to get through that much luckier than most. However, energy level on Taxol is much higher and taste buds have returned. They were pretty bad on the AC. Two SEs of concern on Taxol are possible neuropathy and loss of toe nails or fingernails. I actually had to have one of my big toe nails removed by a podiatrist after the AC which was unusual and the other one is damaged. So I'm doing anything I can to prevent more nail loss and the neuropathy on the Taxol. If you check my name you can find posts about my icing of hands and feet during the infusion, taking Biotin and B6 (with approval of MO) and starting acupuncture treatments, as several ladies swore it helped them. If you want more info, you can PM me.
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Whenever we defer happiness, we fail to recognize that happiness is a feeling we already have, that we can access at will. It is not contingent on outcomes. If you find yourself saying things like, "I’ll be happy when," you are missing out. Happiness happens whenever you tap into your own naturally healthy psychological functioning. You can be happy right here, right now, if you choose to do so.
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TGIF everyone
Sally- like you, I am amazed reading about all the exercise some of the ladies get. I have never gotten into a regular exercise routine. Except that the school I worked at put in a state of the art exercise room. Staff was allowed to use it after the kids left, and for a while I walked on the treadmill for 30 min 3x a week. Then I retired. I get what I think is a reasonable amount of walking each day when I am in Fl, but in Ga I get almost no exercise at all, other than walking thru the grocery store and climbing the stairs at the house once a day to switch laundry. it is hard for me to go for a walk there- I am from flat, flat So. Fl, and you can't walk two house lengths in our area in Ga without hitting a hill. Even the driveway is steep. I also don't garden, or golf or play tennis. My main "activity" is reading, which absolutely does not qualify as exercise, although, for me, shopping does. I hope to get into some kind of regular exercise-maybe a silver slippers type program, but it is hard because I travel between Fl and Ga so much
Have to get ready to go to lunch with a friend- have a great weekend everyone. -I will be shopping all day tmrw for new living room furniture on Sat, then flying back to Ga on Sun.
Anne
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Anne, Busy weekend! Most of the senior centers here offer some sort of exercise program. Very inexpensive and you only pay when you go. I always liked the quote, "When I feel like exercise, I lay down until the feeling goes away." I'm willing to exercise if there's a point to it (hike to a beautiful spot, walk to the library because I'm not willing to pay $2.50 to park in my own neighborhood), but not just for exercise.
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I walk on a treadmill or ride an exercise cycle. I have the ceiling fan and a book or movie to wile away the time. It has meant going from frequent visits to cardiologist and three meds to two visits a year and one med. I've also begun working with someone three days a week to gain ROM that I lost after last surgery. The cording issue resurfaced and I want mobility back. I know it will come. I just don't bounce as well anymore!
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I played golf this morning with 5 other women. It was hot and I perspired heavily. Later in the round a breeze started to blow and helped to make it more comfortable. But I played badly. Afterwards we had lunch in the casual restaurant at the club and that was very enjoyable.
Now I'm back home and have put a load of clothes on to wash. It's amazing how quickly two old people accumulate laundry!
DH is playing golf this afternoon. We're having dinner out tonight with another couple. The man's birthday is today. DH's birthday is Sunday. I'm really looking forward to a relaxed evening and not cooking!
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I agree about exercise. Has to be fun. If its a drudgery I'm less likely to do it. I did jazzercise and a few Zumba classes. I alternate on the treadmill but hate the exercise bike so DH fixed my bike and now I'm riding it all around the neighborhood. Trying to get friend to fix her bike and go with. She and I do meet at the track at the Community Center@7 and walk a few miles. It's more fun when you walk with someone. Also, the Wings Foundation here sponsors an alternating yoga and Zumba class - free for cancer patients. It's at the community center too on Monday afternoons. Been to that too. Plus I am hyper so I'm pretty active anyway.
Diane
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Hello dearest friends,
I've not been on the board for a while, but I'm doing FINE. I have just been kinda busy and for a time just didn't feel like getting on my computer much other than email.
I had recon on the Left and a TE on the right on March 26 and I have my last fill coming up on June 17.
Welcome to the new gals. Yes, those words, from my doc, "...you have some bad cells in there" were truly shocking. After keeping it mostly together with my wonderful doc, I got into the car and started balling my eyes out. Called my older daughter, asked her to share with my DH and my younger daughter. Then called a dear friend who has been thru this and that helped a great deal. I think we all understand the emotional side and the weeks that follow, all the appointments and test, and how fast everything happens.
I found a support group in San Diego and was there BEFORE my op and showed up one week post surgery, which surprised everyone. Then I had to move to NC in July and have not found a local support group, BUT I FOUND YOU and thank goodness. I've also had great support from the LiveStrong group here in Wake Forest.
The last 12 days I've been on a raw diet and am shocked at how good I feel. I've never done this before. It is a 21-Day Detox. I've dropped 8 lbs which is a plus (as of last Monday) and my energy level has risen significantly. My DH noticed it on Day 2.
So welcome to all the newbies and thanks for the posts I've read from the "oldies" (no pun intended).
I would like to connect with the lawyer from Aussie, who offered to provide some legal advice. I can't remember her name.
Enjoy your day everyone and please do your best to stay positive. This will pass and we are all going to be better for the experience.
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Anne - if cocoa comes from a plant & that makes chocolate count as a salad (great post on one of these threads), then reading counts as exercise. After all you have to turn pages!!.
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Thanks MinusTwo-
My goal now is to up the number of pages I turn each day! I'll be in good shape in no time.
Anne
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The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.
- The Buddha0 -
Sorry for getting the quote in late. I've had some extra work the last few days and they tend to be long ones. Not particularly hard...just long as in 7:15 a.m. to 9:45. Tomorrow will finish up and back to the regular schedule.
Got a few more things to check out there and then off to my recliner.
Golly, I do recall that we had someone who could do legal work......have to go back and find the post.
See you all later.
Blessings
Jackie
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Hi to all,
I have really enjoyed reading back a few pages. What I love here is we never know where this thread will go...and what a great gathering of interesting and talented ladies.Mary, welcome and I'm sorry you have to face chemo. I did not have it; but many ladies have done OK. Sending positive thoughts your way.
PJC, I am sorry to hear that your report confirms BC. When I had my mammo in 2011, I was told I need a biopsy. I asked the radiologist "what should I tell my husband" and she showed me the "suspicious mass" which to me looked like a spider. I had a biopsy the next day and made my appointment with a surgeon before I got the results. I couldn't stand the wait. I had to cancel some field work and a trip to California. The surgeon told me she was going on vacation and my surgery would be after that. So, I went home, booked a flight, and went to CA for the last part of my trip. I was glad I did that.
I also got a sedative and used it for tests and surgery day. It helped a lot because there was lots more waiting around.Everyone's experience is different. I did well - only took a few days off from work then went right back. I worked through radiation as well. Life is good and I feel great. I wish you a good outcome through all this.
Joan
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I don't think I can top Sandra's singing and dancing...but here are a few things you don't know about me...
I started playing piano at 5 years old. I can play any song I know without music.
I also had a Betsy Wetsy doll. She was left in a garage one summer and her eyes turned white (looks like a baby Chuckie doll). I never had a Barbie, but had a Queen of Hearts Miss Revlon doll.
In 1968 I worked on a movie set with Francis Ford Coppola before he was known. I got to stand in during rehearsals. We'd sit around between scenes on boxes and chat.
I was a Tupperware Lady and won a diamond ring in a sales contest.
I sold wedding cakes from my home for several years when my girls were young.
I have a certificate in weather forecasting from Penn State.
I've photographed Alaskan Coastal Bears (grizzlies) in the wild.
I got my geology degrees when I was 56 and a grandmother.
I like to raft on class IV-V rivers.
Now, that is a random-looking list.We are preparing for DS's visit on Sunday. He's in NYC for the Belmont Stakes. We will meet his girlfriend for the first time.
Happy week end!
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Joan, interesting list of life experiences. I'm envious about photographing the grizzlies in Alaska. My dentist takes fishing trips to Alaska, where he is flown to a remote location accessible only by plane. He's a good photographer and has taken some great pictures. You can opt for a slideshow of his photos when you're in the dentist's chair. He also likes to photograph birds and flowers.
I'm the owner of "new used" Taylormade ladies irons! I bid on a set (8 irons) yesterday on Ebay and got them. A new set is at least $600, maybe more, and I got these for $252 and free shipping. Now for my challenge of the summer. I'm determined to learn to hit with irons, a real weakness in my game. My current irons are "classic" Pings that I also bought on Ebay some years ago. I can sense all the yawns out there among you non-golfers!
This morning my sister, who is at my mother's house for the weekend, and my cousin and I are going to my cousin's ex-husband's house to pick blue berries.
Wishing everyone a good Saturday.
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Yum, fresh blueberries. Love them mixed in Greek yogurt. I always like to use fresh fruit instead of buying the yogurt with fruit. Oh, fresh raspberries or peaches and yogurt. Think I will go mix some because I made myself hungry!
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Carole, that's a great find! (no yawn) Time for the driving range? You can always integrate them into your bag a few at a time.
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Good Morning,
We finally made it home Thurs. evening. We picked up DGD on Sunday June 1st and headed out, we ran into heavy rain in LA so at about 3:00 we pulled off and stayed at Ticfaw state park. On Monday we drove to Bryan, TX and stayed at Birch Creek State Park. We left Tuesday morning and stayed at Mason, TX at the county park and we got to Junction, TX and had problems. We managed to get the MH to the garage and a seal had broke between the differential and the transmission, we lost all of the oil in the rear end and it was toast. The owner plugged us in and on Thurs a good friend drove to Junction and picked us up and all of our stuff. We got in about 6:30 PM. Glad to be home. House is a mess, going to work on what I can today. Took DGD to Alpine yesterday to see her Dad and Paternal Grandma. Her dad took DGD and me out to lunch for chinese .
I started missing all the posts, but will have to return later.
A few years back we had a real problem with skunks, on got under the old house that burnt and sprayed, what a mess. A neighbor had the wind blow her door open in the middle of the night and a skunk got in the house and sprayed. Then we had an episode of rapid skunks and do not hardly see any. Years ago we had one that would walk though the lot early every morning. Had 5 donkeys come visit last evening.
It is hot, has been above 100 every day this week, of course very little humidity. June is our hottest month out here, it usually starts raining around July 4th, and it cools down.
Everyone take care, will check back later.
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It is so fun seeing how various people's lives overlap. Like Joan, I have a certificate from Penn State, but mine's in education. Although I never sold Tupperware, I bought a fair amount of it.
Carole, although I don't play golf, I enjoy reading about your golf adventures. I played many years ago, and my parents were avid golfers. Enjoy your new clubs ... what a deal!
Teacher, I frequently have blueberries mixed with Greek yogurt for breakfast ... I keep the frozen ones on hand along with Fage yogurt.
mommarch, happy to hear that you are safely home ... sorry about your motorhome problems.
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Joan, what a list! You've had such an interesting life. But BC wasn't something you expected, I'm sure.
Momarch, so glad you are home with your granddaughter. Will it take long to get your motor home fixed? Even though we are in Texas too, June isn't our hottest month. We save that for August and it often drags on into September. It was 95 yesterday but will be 105+ by the end of the summer.
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A happy life consists not in the absence,
but in the mastery of hardships.
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Welcome to all the newcomers
Mommarch---glad you are home safe. Sorry to hear about your mobile home.
Carol---great find on the golf clubs.
I exercise about 3x a week to walk away the pounds 3 miles daily (not so sure the pounds are going away) My knees have really been sore lately. Moved my leg the other day and heard a big pop. Knee started to feel better. Seein a dr. on the 19th to see what is wrong the knees. Hopefully, just a side effect to the Femara.
Beautiful day today. Cleaned out drawers, cabinets and bathroom closet. DH worked outside all day. After dinner we sat outside on the front porch and listened to music and watched the cars go by. Nice time
Have a great weekend
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