Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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I'm so blessed to be a part of this forum. Jackie your words wash over me and calm me down, Chevy you sound just like me when I'm my old safe; short and sweet and to the point; Nash and Carol, (((hugs))) right back at you.
Our appointment with my surgeon is at 10 a.m. My husband will come along. I'm glad as I'm bound to forget some of what's being discussed. He is the same surgeon who took care of me 23 years ago, so I'm in good hands.
Blessings on you all.
Catherine
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Oh Nancy! So glad you are here with us! Tomorrow, eh? So now we worry until you get back with us.... ! We are all in your pockets, and keeping you warm and happy!
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Cool, write them done, it will b ok, we will b in u r pocket, let us knowcwhat happens
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Catherine/Nancy,
Now that you know it is a new primary you will soon have a plan and it becomes doable and you will no longer feel like you are in free fall. You have the support of all these wonderful ladies.
Paula
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One year ago, my life changed. Nothing I did this past year was on my bucket list, so next year will be MINE!
Today I got through a nuclear stress test just fine with just a little discomfort.
I remember having a terrible time learning to read ( dyslexia was yet to be part of anyone's vocab) but started really reading after 4th grade...Nancy Drew, Trixie Beldon, all of Albert Payson Terhune's dog books.
Nancydrew - thoughts for you
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NancyDrew: remember to record tomorrow, either with a smart phone or iPod. Surgeon is going to be throwing a lot of info at you and it can be overwhelming.
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Teacher, I read all of Albert Payson Terhune too. My folks wouldn't let me have a real dog.
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This is hysterical!
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When we recognize that nothing has to go right for us to be happy, that people do not have to behave for us to love them, our walk home can be surprisingly simple. We have enormous power not to manipulate the world, but to be happy and know peace.
Hugh PratherGood morning everyone.
Nancy Catherine -- thinking of you and sending positive energies for your meeting with your Dr. this morning. So glad you will take someone with you. Stressful news and major discussions about it need willing open ears. Hopefully you have written down a lot of questions, but even at that -- different twists and turns of those questions are easier to figure out if you have more ears listening.
Very cold here -- with the wind chill -- about 22 degrees. Brrr, I say brrrr. Well, the good part it I did know it was coming. So, I am somewhat prepared though sure can't say I'm thrilled. I really will have to get out and find some straw now for the feral cat houses. I put that off as our weather was holding up -- but now it is definitely have too time.
Seems that my BC. Org is moving very slow this morning for some reason so I'm including my note along with the quote - Normally I'd rather separate them but for such a slow load...hmm, I think I need to do it this way. Also hoping it gets faster and I can then go back and look at Chevy's links which I'm skipping for now -- drat.
Hope you are all going to have a good day -- not too much cold, great health, or good news or whatever will keep you going and looking forward.
Blessings,
Jackie
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OMG I just can't keep up and I'm sorry--I stopped a few threads I was on cuz it was so hard nd I'm still having trouble. My DD2 has started school PY, not that I have to do anything but Joey spends more time with me now and we go over homework every night anyway and it's probably the weather but I'm kind of busy with work--so I can't keep up with my job let alone much else. I just hope everyone is doing OK. I';; try to read over some posts. Just wanted to let u know I think of u gals often and Anne I hope u'r BD was great.
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Cammie -- so great to see you. I'm sure we have all been missing you somewhat. I'm saying it in hesitant fashion as I don't want to put a burden on you. You sound like you have so much going on right now. But, it is good to know that you are just working hard -- and haven't forgotten us. I hope things will settle for you. I have kept my favorites list very, very small so that I can try to keep up a little easier all the time. It does not and then get a bit difficult. Also, I guess I feel like in order to really help people understand how much I care, it is easier ( my mental functions being what they are ) to limit the number of voices and ideas and feelings that come through.
Still hoping that my slow-down here is temporary. I don't seem to be having the experience on other parts of the web -- so maybe BC. Org is updating in some way. If I stay slow I guess I'll have to check in with the Mods.
See all you wonderful pals later.
Still sending positive energies to Nancy Catherine as well as saying hi to every one else.
Jackie
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Back to say after all my carping that it seems BC. Org has speeded up
again for which I am most grateful. I was hating being below speed it seemed even from my old dial-up. Just amazing what we all started with as far as home computers and what we are able to have now. Sure makes one SEE how much better they have it when some 'burrrrp' somewhere changes things for a little while. Thank goodness -- I restrained myself from picking up any part of my computer and tossing it out the window. Fortunately if I ever do -- my window is not far from the ground and if I am a truly fortunate person -- I can pick up the pieces and put them back together with some success. I know this is possible because before I wished up to sliding something over there .... my frisky cats knocked my tower ( I have had the smaller version for some time ) off my desk and onto the floor. When I got through having a hysterical total melt-down Dh had most of the computer back together and in short order -- plugging the thing back in to all ports -- it took off and worked fine. I don't recommend allowing that to happen, but sometimes the end is not really THE END.
I take precautions now and have a bookcase at the end of my desk that keeps the tower pretty well protected. This tower is newer though so is not the one that hugged the floor for a while.
See you all later.
Jackie
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Got back a little while ago - boy, am I exhausted all of a sudden. I'm very encouraged by the consultation. Some of the pathology came through while we were there: IDC, ER+/PR+, the HER2 is still pending but he is 90% certain it will be negative. That should come through either tomorrow or Friday. I'll be relieved to overcome that hurdle, as well. He is guessing the size is 1cm or under, but won't know that until surgery. Caught early.
Treatment: Mastectomy and I requested a double. Surgery scheduled for December 12, an overnight and home on Saturday. One drain only on each side as no nodes involved- they were removed 23 years ago. He said I should experience less pain and stiffness without the node surgery. If the HER2 is negative, then no further treatment would be necessary, but that would be up to discussions with the Oncologist. I asked him if he would remove any muscle and he said no, just removal of the breast and a horizontal scar.
Everything seems to be a carbon copy of the first cancer 23 years ago; actually, this one is smaller in size.
DH asked if it's any more serious coming back in the same breast and the answer was "no". It's a primary. Their machines last year were only three years old, top of the line. This year they went digital. The surgeon said, just this week with 60 mammograms, 32 have come back malignant. Wow! That's what caught mine.
I was told not to make grandiose plans for Christmas as I will be very fatigued for a couple of weeks and was asked to make sure that I rested.
While there we got the blood work and EKG out of the way so I don't have to drive 45 minutes to get there.
I'm sorry, dear ones, for being so fragmented. I just wanted to make sure I got everything down.
Love,
Catherine/Nancy
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OKAY!!! GOOD JOB NANCY! You made it this far, and you are well on your way to having all of this behind you! I had my surgery on Dec. 4.... 5 years ago!
I'm glad you are going for the double M. Sounds right to me.... And that eliminates a lot of worries and problems I think.... Your DH was with you.... that makes us happy! He just wants YOU.... he doesn't care if you look like you did 20 years ago.
My DD#1 told me "Have them both off" when I told her I was having a Lumpectomy.... And honestly it kind of hurt, but she said "I WOULD RATHER HAVE MY MOM, THAN HAVE HER WITH CANCER."
But I went ahead with the Lumpectomy, because my surgeon advised me, that was all I needed at the time, plus my age, and it was only about as big as my little fingernail, and finally no nodes were involved.... so I'm happy it all went well!
You guys, I found my WATCH! I somehow mis-place it over a month ago.... My pale pink Invicta porcelain watch with the magnified lens, and I was just bummed! So today, I cleaned off my desk once more, and moved it over a little, and BAM! It had fallen in between the desk and stand, and it fell on the floor, and I FOUND it! I even prayed to St. Anthony... So I rightfully thanked him.... Ha!
Okay.... talk to you later!
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Nancy Catherine -- you are doing so well. I hope now you can lay down and take a little nap. I don't doubt you are exhausted -- look at all you have had to deal with and think about lately. I think IDC is usually ( if you could use that term about cancer ) somewhat easier to deal with and the fact that it is small certainly adds some bonus points in there too.
From your statement and how I feel about it -- I do think that at some point digital machines will be how hopefully all mammograms are done. I think it can be especially helpful for women who have really dense breasts ( my problem ) , but better for all as it shows far more detail.
I applaud your decision to go B-flat. If I felt I had to ( it was tempting even back then ) have a breast removed back in 2007 -- I would have went for having both taken. My surgeon at the time ( they only knew about a very, very small primary ) told me that the surgeons like to do breast sparing surgery where possible ( meaning usually lumpectomy ) but if I wanted would take the whole breast. As temping as it was.....because it was on the left and I had a stroke a few yrs. before the cancer diagnosis --- and because my left side is weak, I opted to not do anything to further weaken any muscles, tendons or whatever else might be hanging around on that side.
It ended up that while removing the first very small tumor, my very extraordinary surgeon ( female ) Dr. Ryan actually found a second very aggressive tumor which had been hiding under a bruise and no one knew about, and that is what threw me into the 6 mos. of chemo and 7 full weeks of rads.
That made me REALLY get that I had more work to do here and that it definitely was not my time. In fact, there were a number of events that took place to get me where I was, and being taken care of by the people who saw me through my diagnosis and tx.
Looking back is interesting to see how each twist and turn of your life got you to where you are now.
Anyway without further ado -- good for you. Take a nap, get refreshed and know that you seem to really be in the best of hands.
Blessings,
Jackie
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Oh Chevy -- how fantastic that you found your watch. Now you have learned and will know ( if it were me I'd be forgetting what I just learned so easily and quickly too -- that before you panic or spend hours chastising yourself for losing something that you like and need so much --move the furniture to make sure it didn't slip beyond where it could be easily seen.
Why does it always have to mock you, huh ???? But, then, if that is what it takes to get something you really love back and available to you.
Yay, oh yay for you.
Jackie
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just lost a post and am not redoing it. Will just say Hi! to all. Here's a pic of surf today. Too big to swim for me....
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NancyDrew: isn't it such a relief to have some answers? Hope the rest of your tests came back with good results for you.
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Hey - I'm all FOR a group for we "senior" women! I'm 63 & newly diagnosed. I'm on the computer ALOT during the day (retired) & am computer savvy enough to figure my way around the keyboard & what-not
!!Maureen
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Nancy, your dx sounds very similar to mine. I opted for bmx and immediate reconstruction with silicon implants.
Winter has arrived. It was windy and chilly today. Supposed to be colder tomorrow and even colder on Fri. with a freeze tomorrow night. It's very cozy inside tonight with the fireplace full of pretty flickering flames.
Cammi, so good to have you pop in. We love to hear from you when you get the chance to pipe up and say hi.
Wishing everyone a safe, comfortable evening.
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Jackie, I LOVED that! "SHE BELIEVED SHE COULD, SO SHE DID!" Beautiful!
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MoJim, I so glad you found us. We here are a well-seasoned group who care and love about each other and feel most complete when we are able to enjoy fully the give and take that we find here. There is a little bit of everything including some cutting up from time to time. We are VERY serious when we need to be, but share on many levels about many, many subjects. For me, each person here is a VIP and I always get a 'thrill' when I open this out of my favorites and see the list of names of the posters.
I come in the mornings ( or try to and manage it most of the time ) to leave a quote to help everyone start their day. It is always a huge hope that our days will go well and that despite any dreariness outside -- we will feel a warmth and completeness by sharing with each other whatever it is we feel a need to.
It may be a joke, a recipe, a new treatment, or just pointers on your oncology visits. Whatever it is ( though sometimes a bit slow -- age you know ) we are here to help you along this path and journey and always but always care about you -- the person we always hoped we'd never HAVE to get to know but here you are and we have a spot from you around the fireplace. Grab a chair, put up your feet and relax a bit.
Hope you will tell us a bit about yourself -- I think a good deal of us have info at the bottom of each of our posts that show you about where we are in this journey. I am something of an old-timer -- hoping to get a whole, whole lot older while NED ( no evidence of disease ) but we are all in different places. Nancy Catherine just started with us -- you and she may be quite close together right now.
I hope you will come often and feel at home.
Blessings
Jackie
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GG, I wouldn't go in that water either !!! Is it as cold as that picture makes it feel ??? Bearing in mind of course, anything under 70 is getting possibly iffy for me !!! I don't mind cooler temps a lot of the time, but to be around a lot of water ( when I lived in So. California -- being near the ocean -- I was within a mile -- could be mighty chilly and at several times during the day. Here where I live now ( in the town where I was born ) I can take cooler, but my love is between 70 and 75 with no humidity.
What are you doing for Thanksgiving this yr. ??? I'm waiting to see if I'll be home or working. Got lots of food to buy at the last minute if I'll be home.
Jackie
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Hi MoJim, yes we old ladies have to stick together! NancyDrew, good news for you. Wonderful relief. Jackie, love your new red rose avatar. Carole, we've gone from 79 yesterday to 33 expected tonight thanks to that cold Canadian air. I'm not at all prepared and still have tender plants blooming outside. Tomorrow it will be 32 they say with a high in the 40's. Winter has come early to south Texas. I never did see fall! Everything is still green.
This is the first month in the last 22 that I haven't had a doctor's appointment. Amazing! The calendar shows a few for Mike instead. He has to have his twice yearly prostate biopsy (he's had prostate cancer for 6 years) next Tuesday. Last week he saw an ophthalmologist who said he needed cataract surgery so that's scheduled for Dec. 1st. The surgeon says he will have to wear protective wrap-around glasses 24/7 for two weeks and won't be able to bend over, open tight jar or do any other kind of straining, or lift more than 10 lbs. Have any of you had cataract surgery lately? Anything we should know?
Chevy, could you go upstairs and find my glasses? Two weeks ago I had them on but they never made it downstairs. Can't imagine where they are but it's probably likely they fell behind something.
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Passed the stress test. I'm considering I got an "A" because it showed no change. It was a huge relief. Today I had a bit of time before my workout and I went into a new games and calendar store and bought the grandgirls "Frozen" activity totes. I have a feeling they will be occupied for am hike on Christmas
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IllinoisLady: Thank you for the warm welcome! I've joined a couple of other BC groups, but this one seems much more informative & has many members. I'm so glad I found all of YOU! All I know at this point is that I have DCIS I guess the stage & grade will come after my Lumpectomy next week? Since 2001, I've been an Advocate & Caregiver for my husband's 4 cancers. Now, it's my turn to Stand Up For Cancer for myself. More will be revealed as I find out my path results.
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Teacher, wow, good for you. Sometimes a few of us hold our breath just a little bit. I'm relieved. I hope you keep having stress tests that you always get a A on. Was the test on a treadmill. As I recall the one I did on the treadmill went fairly fast. Sure glad it went fine.
Jackie
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Yay teacher
Welcome mo jim
Down the shore didnt go the beach or ever see water dont care not home
hi jackie
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Maureen, yes -- your stage and grade of DCIS will come after your lumpectomy in the form of a pathology report. There will be ( shame on me as I never use these places ) an information section here at BC. Org which will fully explain how to read and understand your path report. I had an Avon Breast Navigator who carefully went over my path. report a long time ago. But, I did look through the one here ( skimmed would be more descriptive ) once.
As to DCIS -- a lot of people I think consider that to be a good time to "find" your cancer. It does not seem by description to be in a highly active state yet -- but it most certainly needs to be dealt with all the same. It is likely going to become much more active -- the question would be when.
I hope this is your only foray into having cancer personally and I TRULY hope your Dh ( Darling husband ) is done having any. We have just been talking about digital mammograms and the fact that they seem able to detect tumors much better as they can see through bodily tissue much better.
As you have now lived with cancer ( though it was your husband's ) for a long time now -- you are probably not quite as timid and fearful, but it is always a bit of a blow. We can have a lot of illness in life, but there is something about cancer that just removes the wind from your sails for a bit. I think a lot of us went through the years when a lot of people found out late, and if they did get treatments they were harsh -- somewhat highly debilitating, and even then the success rate could be small. A lot of breakthroughs have come and we can thank so many, many women for that, but I almost think for some of us ( for me it was that way ) when you hear those words -- you can't help but think dire thoughts that you may be leaving this earth sooner than you had hoped -- by quite a lot.
Lots of brave caring women, and certainly those who got into trials opened a path and made life much easier with a lot more successful treatment for us. I am so grateful that they cared.
At any rate -- we are here and we will keep you company and do our best hand-holding and cheer-leading that we can.
See you later.
Blessings.
Jackie
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-hT018rpBs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry-LwxR746s
