MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish
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Very good article, but I'm not one who believes in prevention. Our biggest risk is breasts. True prevention would mean EVERYONE should get a double mastectomy!!! Does that make sense? Not at all. I know tri-athletes who have breast cancer...did their healthy lifestyle "save" them. Not at all. I know fitness gurus with breast cancer. Did their body mass index "save" them. Not at all. Breast cancer is truly a crap shoot. I think putting the blame back on the patient is demoralizing.
What we need to learn is what TURNS CANCER ON. It's as simple as that. We all have circulating tumour cells in our systems but until the perfect storm, our bodies can deal with them.
Awareness is overrated. I knew about breast cancer for 40 years before I got it. Did that save me? Not at all.....
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I would like to sure my story with you. I am Tziona, I just turning 55 this year in June (28). I had breast cancer 7 or 8 years ago and up until now I was cancer free. The cancer was very small, so I had a lumpectomy (Pardon my spelling).Back in Dec. 2013 I thought that I had bronchisis, so did my family doctor. Had an X-ray and found out I have nodules in my chest. My breast cancer had matastised. Luckly it was caught early and now I am on Latrozole and a study drug. My prognosis is good. I feel good though.
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Hey Greenberg, glad you found us. Do you mind me asking where you are from? That is a very interesting name. I am glad your prognosis is good. We can be a wacky bunch here. (maybe I should just speak for myself) But feel free to ask questions.
Oh. barbe, I already sleep with a pillow under my knees, a soft neck collar to keep my neck straight, wrist splints, and a mouth guard. And I have an adjustable bed frame so I sleep with my head raised slightly. I have no idea why no man wants to move right in?
I actually saw my doc today and she has prescribed a lidocaine patch to put on my knee just so I can sleep. But when I went to the drug store this afternoon, they hadn't filled it yet. Another uncomfortable night, but tomorrow will be another day!
Saw this on FB today and had to share it with ya'll. Knew you'd appreciate it!
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macatacmv. Too funny. You have a very good way with words. Love ur humour
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anything for you fbn. Love your smile!!
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Okay then mac, get RID of the pillow under your knee. When we sleep with a pillow under our knees (I have to for my lower back) it stretches the long muscles of our legs all night and can skew our knees. If you already have an adjustable bed, I hope you have your leg portion raised as well!
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Who's up for a CT scan today? I'll be heading off to boredom in an hour or so and could use some company. To keep things exciting, I will tell you that I have already strayed in taking a lesser dosage of the pre-med steroids than they advised. Come watch elimar get anaphlactic shock from the CT contrast dye, or maybe just scratch her lips off. (Don't worry, I took this lesser dosage last time and everything was just peachy.)
But wait, there's more. If you post before 10:30 ET, you will get a bonus invite to stay for an ultrasound of my thyroid nodule. That's always fun. (Seriously, I do like the soothing glide of the US over the gel stuff. Relaxing!) I don't have a speck of worry about the thyroid and, in bantering with the tech, will get her to reveal if things look good right then and there.
I have planed this appt. perfectly to get the CT results next week, after I attend tomorrow's commencement of my younger boy. There was just no way my liver would be in a party mood if any cancer-y stuff was found in there. So, pop the champs and let the good times roll.
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We are in your pockets El! xoxo
barbe, thank you for your reply...yes, I have considered that possibility (diabetes). My desire for sweets is like through the roof! I should be as huge as a fridge, lol...we shall soon know what's up though.
Thoughts and ((hugs)) to all today and everyday!
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Eli, I had to laugh at the steroids. Never have they given me 'roids before a CT.
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For Barbe, The author of the article (it's Bestbird, btw) is not sold on prevention either (at least not what passes for prevention here and now. She had this comment to make, contained in a post reply on another thread,
"...the myth that breast cancer is preventable (if we eat right, exercise
more, expose ourselves less to pesticides we'll be home-free) may lead
many of us, such as yourselves, to blame ourselves for initial
diagnosis, recurrence, and/or relapse. This falsehood does each of us a
huge injustice, as it may add a burden of self-blame to our already
overtaxed emotions and stress levels. The fact is, that since there is
currently no proven way to prevent or cure this disease, the true burden
rightly lies upon the medical establishment - as opposed to upon our
respective shoulders."I know the article mentioned that she made some dietary/lifestyle changes. I don't think that is in conflict with the rest of the article. Eating/living healthier is a benefit for anyone who is Stage IV, and not necessarily trying to work the anti-cancer juju.
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Reiterating my take on the "lifestyle changes" is this: If eating, exercising, lowering stress boosts our immune systems even a fraction or cuts our body's production of estrogen, well, it certainly can't hurt; and what if a better functioning immune system can clear out some of the the CTCs that we all do have? This has not been shown with any certainty, but who knows?
I'm not superstitious. My husband gave me a "lucky" four-leaf clover charm. Bad wife that I am, I scoffed at how a stupid charm could have any bearing on whether my scans came out clear or not. Then, I put it on my keyring.
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Well, since I posted above, no more suspense about whether I stopped breathing or not. (Momine, the steroids are because I react to the contrast dye. I have to pop a couple dyphenhydramine/Benedryl also.)
It took about twice as long because the CT gang thought I was in US first, so didn't come to call me. Luckily, there is a big sign in the waiting room that says go up to the desk if you have been waiting longer than 20 minutes. I waited 30 min. before going up to desk. See how patient I was, seeeeeeeeee!
Anyway, the scan went the same boring way it always does. Then, so did the US but the tech was particularly tight-lipped, tho' I did get a non-incriminating comment from her, something like, "I don't want you to be fretting over this exam at your graduation event." So, read between those lines. Snort!
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Eli, ok, sorry! I thought the steroids were standard procedure in the US.
I tend to agree with you on the prevention stuff. I do exercise and eat way more carefully than before cancer. But it is mainly with the same notion as your clover charm. Besides, I feel so much better (look a damned sight better too) and that is mainly what keeps me going. If it helps keep the beast at bay too, yippee!
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Eli, yes you were very patient. 10 whole extra minutes! Good job, girlfriend. I would have been up there after 21 minutes! I'm doing the same thing with my liver markers re-test next week - timing it so I get tested BEFORE my son comes home to visit for Memorial Day, at which point there will probably be a party with some imbibing.
I've been gone for a while. So much going on including - but not limited to - a month long bout with bronchitis. Two rounds of Levaquin and prednisone before they knocked that sucker out. I think it must have been aggravated by the extreme pollen we were having at the time.
Now off to put out more fires! Just wanted to say hello and you go get 'em FootballNut! You're going to do just fine, I can tell!
Oh, that article by Bestbird! I've decided to send the part with the statistics to my friends and family who just don't get what I'm really dealing with. They're always dismissing my concerns with, "Oh, you're fine." Really? Then please tell that to cancer so that invisible swinging blade over my head will go away. Okay, generally I'm not that negative but sometimes I am.
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I saved some of that extra steroid (Prednisone) just for some go-get-'em housework! Did you save any, H&S? (Just kidding, but I got a little hopped up from taking just 15mg. this morning. The dust bunnies were safe, tho', because by the time I got home it had worn down a lot.) Good job planning your tests. Can you imagine the damper on the festivities if you have to announce, "Hey, my cancer is back?" Good Luck to you. Hopefully, both of our livers will be unscathed.
Momine, Why, I bet you could even still fit into the Marianne Faithfull skirt! You had me ROFLOLPIP (that's ROFLOLpeeinginpants) that steroids were standard in U.S. Oh, no, we just ACT that way culturally. Ahahahahahahaha!
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Eli, LOL, no, no, I did not mean it that way. It is just that American docs, because of the insurance situation in the US, tend to make a lot more CYA moves. Greek docs are far less likely to be sued, and European courts do not award gazillions even in cases where negligence is proved. As a result, they tend to take a slightly more bare-bones approach.
I did lose a lot of weight during treatment, and if I still had that skirt, I probably could fit into it. I weigh the same now as I did then. The main benefit though is that I can fit into a Danish sample size now, so occasionally I score some cool stuff in Copenhagen outlet stores.
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Hey kiddos
Since our grandson found that he liked FaceTime, he asks for us almost every night at dinner. My daughter knows that any request to talk to MomMom which is denied will cut her inheritance by 5% each time, she indulges him (me?) almost nightly. Cuts into that time I used to have on the computer. I miss keeping up with all of you, but not gonna like...David will win over you guys every time! We all know this stage won't last and my 19-month old who adores me will move on to other things. Until then, I'll be a rare visitor here. My heart is here ... you know that ... I just won't be reading/posting as often as I'd like.Love and hugs and good wishes and "in your pockets" and welcome to newbies and keep on keeping on to the rest of us.
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Enjoy your grandson while you have the chance!
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Marle, I expected pictures of your lake this weekend!!!!! I DO understand the grands thing. I don`t have a phone that sends my picture so once when my DD was talking to me, she told Zach to say hi to NaNa but he didn`t believe I was there cause he couldn`t see me!!! hehehehehehe
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Barbe, we were supposed to go this weekend, but changed plans last minute. Pics of the bay next weekend, I promise!
NativeMaine...we are. 100%. Each daughter has a son, one 19 mos, one 15 months...and he's going to be a big brother in just a few weeks! Don't know the sex of the baby yet. So yes...a busy time here.
Again, you're all in my thoughts and prayers every single day.
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Marlegal, We don't mind being second fiddle to grandkids. Not at all. Poke your head in when you can, and enjoy summer down the shore.
Barbe, I read, on that other thread, that you are doing Relay For Life. I got the invite to do the "Survivor's Lap," but what is that, anyway? Is it legit, or kind of hokey? My husband got the same invite, so is it only cancer survivors in that lap, or family members too? Wouldn't that be almost everyone? How long do I have to stay?
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I`m only doing the Survivors Lap - certainly NOT the relay!!! (I`ve paid my dues!!) We meet and have to listen to the program for about an hour, then do the walk once around the site while everyone stands along the route and claps for us. It`s ALL cancers so you don`t feel like everyone is looking at your flat chest. Then we go to a tent to get cupcakes or a piece of cake and a goody bag. One year the bag was great - it depends on the fund raisers`capability, but last year I only got a pad of paper. Kind of mortifying if you ask me. I`d rather not have gotten the `goody bag`at all!!!! Then we go home. You can arrive earlier and get a free dinner, but your spouse doesn`t get it free so we don`t do that. You do not walk with your spouse. Just the ones wearing the special coloured t-shirts do the walk. One year someone told me how important it was to see all the survivors so it showed how well the funding had done!! It also gives hope to those who are afraid. I do it to get the ribbon.....
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Hmmmm! After just sitting thru' a 4-hour (!) commencement, I'll be lucky to drag my husband along to more sitting and listening, but I would like to represent as one of the people up and moving again after two stinkin' bouts with cancer. Is it just walking, or is skipping allowed? (Kidding. But I will get some skipping in, if appropriate.)
Lately, I have been feeling like this: Some people get through the cancer and never get it again. Why shouldn't one of them be me?
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Eli, I did the relay last year. There were parts that were very emotional and parts that were very funny. Most of all it was hanging around with my BC pals.
I'm going to miss it this year. I'm in CO with my DD, she is getting hip surgery tomorrow. So I get to take care of her for 2 weeks. We're doing the pre op stuff now.
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I did one year on a cane when my back was REALLY bad. Made people look twice!! Going flat in the t-shirt has sobered some of the rahrahbra gal teams. Glad I was able to provide a reality check! There is some pink, but all cancers are represented.
e- it`s too late for you to only have one cancer!!
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I did not lust after nor eat or drink a vast amount of grapefruit before my diagnosis.
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ah, bronchitis! What would spring be like without it?
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hi Kah51! While the pace of the last several weeks has been fast for you, no doubt, I am happy there's no "delay of game" for you. Welcome to our cozy couch.
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Barbe, you are such a stickler! So, technically, can I be one of those who has only two cancers and then never gets it again? The funny thing is that after BC, I was not too worried about recurrence, always feeling that I might fall into the percentage who IS done with it after just one go round. I mean some people have to be in the "lucky" group after all. Getting a different cancer was not even on my radar. Now I'm hopeful that I can close BOTH of those chapters for good, even if it takes twice the luck!
Hello, wirdgirl118! How long have you had the pain syndrome now? Sounds terrible. Can you tell if there is any improvement at all?
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hi Elimar! There is definite improvement in the pain, both because of Neurontin and because time heals all wounds lol. Currently I have bronchitis, and the immune response of my body to fight the bronchitis is making the nerve pain elevate. But it's still manageable IMO and I have a low tolerance for pain so that is major.
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E-I've done the survivor lap since '09. In '09 it was 20 days or so after my lumpectomy. At our relay, I always stay to get the free food. I usually bid & win on something in the silent auction area. Our lap is usually @ noon, so I get there about 11, get my shirt, peruse the bidding tables, do the lap, eat, leave. Our relay is where I learned about the fly fishing retreat for survivors. Then I go back at dusk for the luminary ceremony. That is always a heartwrencher time. I don't get to go this year...a bunch of school chums & I are going to Seattle May 29-June 2 for our combined 60th birthday celebrations. I've never been to Seattle so I'm stoked. Plus 3 of us are starting out in S. Oregon taking Amtrak up & back; I have never done a real train ride either. Turning 60 appears to be a fun thing so far...I'll let you know for sure after the actual event!
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