MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish
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I'll drink that Caesar right now, close enough to appt time, and I carry mouth wash in my purse if you need some before u talk to your doc!
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Yummy! That was quite a drink, Barsco, and settled my nerves right down. I was going to have some friends over tomorrow night and make a pitcher of Bloody Mary's. I think I'm going to buy some funky garnishes like the Caesar - it doesn't always have to be boring old celery! Between the mouthwash and the salmon, I don't think the doc caught a whiff of alcohol, haha! I think he did notice all the pocket giggling - which seemed to amuse him. When he left he said, "I always enjoy seeing you."
And woo-hoo! My wish came true - thanks for all the "wishig" help! We are set up for a breast MRI in August, and then August 2014 I'll have a mammogram. I hope it actually works out that way. The only little "if" is that I have a rash on my good side and he had me pick up some aloe cream. If it doesn't go away in a week, I'll have to go back and see him. BUT, he said everything felt fine and he wasn't too worried about it.
Barsco, I'm the same way about movies. Somehow, I forget most of it - even the ending - so I can usually watch them about 3 times before I finally remember. Maybe we just don't pay much attention while we're watching?
It's FRIDAY!
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That's funny, my gynocologist always says the same thing. Creepy!
Great news, HnS!!!! Although a rash is no fun.
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hns - so glad that there will be no squishing this time round. Haven't had so much fun in a long time. Not being a regular drinker, that ceaser gave me a bit of a buzz.
Oh and by the way ladies............ I found something that many of you had doubts about. Maybe it's because I went alone (without DH) that I was able to come home with them in my possession.
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barsco, you found our morals!!!!!!!
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hahahahahahahaha Good job Barsco!
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LOL, you and your dirty mind, Elimar! You've tainted the innocence of that remark...or was it?
Seriously, what's so nice about him is he is the kind of doctor who goes into great detail when you ask him a question. Hard to find one like that.
Barsco! You found your morales! No doubt DH was hindering you.
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Nice find, barsco! Almost makes me want to put on the ol' hiking boots and try to round up a few of those delicious delicacies myself. (I said almost.)
Instead, I'll be at my son's GF's college graduation party. Anyone else got any graduates this year?
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OK, so I'm new to this thread having wandered around the site a bit and yes, I confess Ronnikay, I followed you here! By the way, I'm not so young as you think I am since here I am!
On the other hand, you are not so old as you made yourself sound!
So I don't get all the squishy references, but the drinks here look good Barsco, and the menu suits me just fine Eph3_12, so I think I'll loiter around for a bit!
Dianarose,
Pleeeeeze try not to feel that way about possibly passing this on to your daughter. Speaking from a daughter's perspective I can reassure you that your daughter would never even remotely think of inheriting a genetic disposition towards BC as being remotely "your fault." My mom and two sisters were also diagnosed with BC after I was....early stage thank god....so it has been made pretty apparent despite the lack of a positive for a BRACA gene that this thing is inherited...I do carry a Chk2 variation (increases risk for BC by 20%). My poor mom worries the way you seem to and I know she carries around this load of guilt even though she doesn't express it. Honestly, as if I or ANYONE would fault or blame a parent for some genetic trait they inherited! You must know, by reason of course, that IF you do carry such a genetic variation, that YOU inherited it from YOUR mom or DAD. You are not mad or upset with them, are you? The worry I understand, just as I worry for my one sister that has not had BC, my brother who could get prostate cancer, and of course my beautiful, wonderful neices. However, there is no blame or responsibility, so PLEEZE try to absolve yourself of that guilt OK? You gave your daughter, as my mother gave me, the most beautiful gift of all...LIFE! That word encompasses a lot, not all of it always good, and some of it great, but much of it is totally out of our control. You should tell her how you feel so you can hear HER tell you what I have said. You carry enough already.
OK so I'm off my soapbox, your post just struck me and I had to address it. BTW, that ONC was an ASS! I'm sorry you all had to go through that...shame on the military medical system, usually they pave the way, or that is how it used to be. I say go shout your tale on the rooftops at the Pentagon..so many women serve today!
Oye, veh....now I do wish I could drink. Too much typing, neck cramps. Over and out!
DG0 -
Just a quickie, YAY on no squishing HnS!!
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OK...now I get it....the squishing....
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Good news, HNS!
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DragonGirl, welcome! Don't worry, not everything on this thread is an inside joke, but with a thread going back as far as this one does I guess a little comes with the territory. Best for Newbies to just jump right in. Your family really has been hit hard by this horrid disease! I do think there are genetic factors that still need to be unraveled. So, where have your mets been found and what maintainence are you currently doing?
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Welcome DragonGirl - glad that you stalked RK long enough to find your way here. Some great advice for HNS. Of course we all feel guilty about some part of this damn disease. Did we do something we shouldn't have, did we not do something we should have, did I wait too long to go to the dr, am I now doing the right things, did I pass a gene mutation onto my children? And the list goes on.
When I was tested it was discovered the the gene mutation came from my Dad, not Mom like we had thought. I thought he would be upset as he was quite saddened by my dx. Turns out he feels kind of special as there are only 2 other families to have reported this specific mutation. lol - go figure.
Anyway -glad you have found us. We certainly have a "no holds barred" attitude which you will discover soon enough. Look forward to getting to know you.
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Seems to be a quiet Saturday here on the boards. Hope everyone is out enjoying the day. It's a long weekend in Canada (May 2/4 as it is commonly referred to) which is the unofficial start to summer and traditionally the weekend that one plants the veggie garden. I have peas and beans planted. Have to get some seeds yet for the rest of the plot. I putzed around a bit in my flower beds today - was great to finally get into clean them up a bit.
Now I am sitting out on the front porch - the same one that the bbq was ejected from only 1 short week ago. It seems so peaceful now. Birds are singing, the dog is wandering back and forth, the air is still and off in the distance you can hear a rooster crowing every now and then.
Well off to see if DH has repaired the bbq back to working order. Going to try steak tonight.
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Hi back to everyone and thanks for the welcome!
Elimar, I guess my blurb at the bottom if my posts is sort of short. I was DX at stage IV in 2005 with mets to the spine. I had a car accident, then a sore back, waited quite a while then got an xray and BAM. I had no idea at the time about the possibility of getting this, had some calcifications before diagnosis, but was so young that after a six month follow up on that there was no surveillance. I didn't know it was in the family then.
Anyway, I have mets throughout my spine (every vertebrae at this point), as well as mets to my hips and femurs. I had liver mets two years ago but had Xeloda then and it knocked them into submission. So far so good on those, however my spine is currently "hot" and I just switched from navelbine to Aromasin/Affinitor (the combo was not approved back when I tried Aromasin alone). We figured now was the time to give it a go since things are progressing slowley. Abraxane will be my next step if this doesn't work. I've been on it only a week at 5mg of Affinitor and so far so good. I think I might have the beginnings if my first mouth sore...oh joy.
Wow Barsco, seriously only two families and they know it is the cause of your BC? What gene variation is that? I think it is kind of cool your dad looks at it that way. I get that. I was DX at age 39 and was a novelty at the chemo clinic here. I seem to be my onc's wunderkid since I had Avastin/Taxol before the FDA even approved then disapproved it. I had a five year long remission with that treatment. So, I feel sort of special too.
Elimar, so far I've had: Tamoxifin, Taxol/Carboplatin, Avastin/Taxol, Femara, Aromasin, Fulvestrant, Xeloda, Navelbine and now Affinitor/Aromasin. That sorta sums up my BC story.
I know some of you guys are early stagers, but don't let me scare you! And for you other Stage IVs that have not been at this as long, I hope my story gives you a little pick me up. I have had the benefit of some really good doctors (I have a guy at Sloan Kettering that advises me for free...I have only actually seen him once...when he suggested the Avastin/Taxol..but whenever I call he gives me his two cents about my treatment) and my onc here is the bomb. I've been very lucky but also tenacious about learning a lot about this disease, insurance matters, how to live as a medically bankrupted poor person, and how to wrangle the healthcare system, and I think that has paid off. (On the other hand, I am probably my doctor's worst nightmare. I am not a health foodie person...Mrs. Stouffer and I are good friends, I don't get enough sleep and stress is my middle name.) Go figure.
Barsco, your back porch sounds glorious. I on the other hand, spent the early half of the day snoozing and later tried to sit in my living room and read, but the old coot that lives above me keeps his TV so loud I can't concentrate on anything! The bastard has a hearing aid, he just refuses to wear it. If I complain he says he feels like he is living in a prison. He is 84, still works as a maintenance man at a church, and climbs two flights of stairs to get to his apartment every day. I secretly want to assassinate him!
Too rough?
DG0 -
DG - yes, only 2 other families that they are aware of with the same mutation. However, they are NOT sure that it is related to my bc or not as there is not enough documentation. At this time they are not going ahead with testing of siblings who would like it. At the same time, at least we know that there is a variation of some sort and that going forward my siblings will need to be vigilant with their screenings and be aware of any changes.
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DragonGirl, thanks for sharing your story, quite different than how most of us discovered out B/C. You must have been shocked to find out what was at the root of the back pain. The fact that you have a good team of docs is key and I hope you can get some remission going on in that spine of yours.
Yeah, this thread has a mix of Stages and we have never belabored the divisions too very much. Without ignoring anyone's actual stage, we just focus on the woman as a person and go from there. With everything you have been through, I'm sure you have a wealth of information and we are more than happy if you share it on this thread. We have cancer. We have lives. Sometimes we talk about the cancer. Sometimes we talk about our lives. It's all good.
What about a pair of earplugs? Your neighbor is keping you in prison, a noisy prison! (And does he fall asleep and just leave it blaring at all hours too?) It would drive me crazy.
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Just came across this video on fb. I know it is meant to be directed at parents & preschoolers, but I thought it would fit here also. I dedicate this post to all of my sisters who, having no choice, have lost their hair throughout treatment. Although we know it is all part and parcel of this damn disease, we really do love our hair.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enpFde5rgmw&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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You are very funny DragonGirl! Thanks for your info, I'm a liver lifer as well, sounds like you have a great team....very smart onco, your living proof!
Barsco, followed the link and can't get that damn tune OUT OF MY HEAD now!! Lololol!
Sitting here with bits of fuzz.....cloudy cool day over here....
Xoxoxox Jo0 -
Diana Sorry to hear about your daughter. Hope everything turns out OK. Did you every get genetic testing done?
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OK DragonGirl-I'm ready to come help with that assasination! I HATE it when people have hearing aids & then refuse to wear them!!! It's so rude. Your story was very inspiring & I love your sense of humor==you go girl!
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Barsco - thanks for sharing the Sesame Hair video. Certainly relevant.
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DragonGirl-Welcome and thank you so much for your kind words. I just love my daughter so much I don't want her to go through any of this. I remember yrs ago walking with my dad out in his field and when I looked up he was crying. When I asked him what was wrong he replied, "I love you so much it hurts". I now know what he was feeling. I really miss him, but I am glad he didn't have to watch me go through this the 2nd time as it would have broken his heart.
Your family has sure been through a lot with this whole BC crap. You are a strong lady.
Barsco- I have been meaning to ask you if your hair is naturally curly. Mine is like that now from chemo. I have finally got some sort of grip on it by using a Moroccan oil. It makes it so nice and soft.
Eli- I am glad you still have your sense of humor going through all the crap you got handed. When I start to feel weak and depressed I just come here for a laugh or a smile. Thanks!!!
Sherry- They are making my daughter go to counseling before they will do the test. It pisses her off. She is a nurse and says it's a no brainer.
Is anyone taking Metformin? I started a week ago and I seem to get tired about an hour later. I am not sure if it's the meds or because I am making sure I eat when I take it.
Hope everyone has a good night. Diana
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Dianarose, I do hope your daughter gets prompt attention with the MRI, and that it does not turn out to be a malignant condition. With her nursing knowledge and with your range of experience, I think the two of you can navigate through this and good for her for not taking "no" for an answer. Let us know when you find out her results.
Sheryc, How is your recon holding up now?
I feel like I am destined to become one of the hearing aid people...too many rock concerts while growing up. I already seem to want the t.v. volume up a notch or two higher than everyone else.
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LOL, about the hearing aids. I went and saw my PCP last week. When I got home my DD asked me a question. I said what? She said that proves my point!!! The question was "Did you ask her about hearing aids?" (I always use the closed captions option on the tv.) The answer was "No, I forgot."
Here's another funny story from this weekend. My DD and I were going to go grocery shopping, but we were hungry. so we stopped for a couple of slices of pizza. We parked right out front, my DD was on the phone so I went in to get the slices. when I came out I was balancing the two paper plates on my arm and I tried to open the car door and managed to drop both slices on the road beside the car. I was already laughing when the owner of the take out place ran over and said "oh, give me those, we recycle here." By now I am in hysterics, leaning on the car. He says get in the car, so I obey. Then he brought us two (I think) new pieces, and handed them to me while I was already sitting down. I can amuse myself so easily!
welcome, dragongirl.
Hope everyone had a pleasant weekend.
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Dianarose,
Oh geez, for the love of god! That really is stupid but I suppose it is good for the most part that they do offer that counseling....hopefully it will be short!
Barsco....thanks for that...first chuckle of the day (it's 12:01 AM here).
Eli3_12......come on over! I've tried earplugs but it is this constant thumping and droning noise that gets through those too. I can only hear it in the living room thank god, so I'm often relegated to the bedroom early in the evening of I want to read. It goes on all day, and stops around 10:30 PM. I think he falls asleep in front of the TV. But THEN, he moves to the bedroom which is directly above mine. His bed squeeks, he refuses to put down any carpets at all on the hardwood floors, and he gets up to pee like 5 times a night. Then, at around 6:00 AM, he rises and drags the bed from against the wall to make it, then drags it back in place. On the days he goes to work he dons his work boots and clumps around all morning, then keeps them on when he arrives home that evening! Yes, I AM the one in prison!
I was thinking of cutting his cable TV line just once, just to listen to him try to figure that out. It could take DAYS for Time Warner to come! The ironic thing is I live in a complex full of Chinese graduate students who are quiet as mice. He's one of the loudest people living here! I bet the landlord thought he was doing me a favor by not putting a student up there, but the students have always been far quieter in my past experience before he moved in. Plus, he has the worst halitosis you can imagine!
Oh well, it beats the hell out of the HUD subsidized apartment building where I used to live. That was cheap but full of cockroaches (of both the insect and human variety), mice and bedbugs. YUK!0 -
Dianarose - my hair is naturally curly. I keep it under control with lots of mousse. Haven't had chemo so not sure what might happen if I ever do. Pretty sure the grey will take over though. Will be sending up a prayer for your DD that all tests come back clear. The counselling may seem like a waste of time but it is all part of the process. I found a lot of it to be over my head, but did learn quite a bit.
Dragongirl - maybe you can convince the old man to give his hearing aids to macatacmv.
Eph - let us know when you are planning a "Silence the upstairs neighbour" intervention. I'm sure more of us would love to come and help out - or just watch (heehee).
Mac - I sure hope it was the paper plates he was recycling. Too funny. Very nice that he actually gave you 2 "new" slices to replace the upside down ones.
Don't mean to brag but...................... my weekend is still going! Long weekend here in good ole Canada! However, tomorrow morning is going to hit me like a ton of bricks.
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Barsco-I have a 3 day-er this coming up weekend for Memorial Day! YAY!
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B/C apparently not sexy enough for Victoria's Secret.
Petition of 120,000 doesn't sway them, and making the custom bras is "too scientific," but they do seem to like Komen. Hunnmph!
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