Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

Carol.... You know what we think is best? The frozen waffles and pancakes!! I KNOW the time-consuming homemade buttermilk ones are supposed to be better, but if you put on enough butter, fresh cooked berries, syrup and sour-cream, you can't tell the difference anyway!

Nana.... you are still just scared.... we all have been there, and know the feeling.... BUT, I was more afraid last month, when I got sick with Bronchitis & Asthma.... PLUS I think fooling with the next-door chickens in their nasty coop for over a week helped me get this OTHER fungal thing from the droppings and hay.... So no-more chicken-sittin' for me....

I am just NOW feeling good again! We don't like being feeling sick and puny.... and depressed and morose.... I know that's a word......

Take good care gals!

Thank you Anneb1149 for the welcome! So glad to hear that Anna & baby should be fine. That is a scary thing for sure.

Thank you ChiSandy for your kind understanding. I have felt SO much better these weeks off the Femara that I have hope a new med will work better for me. We'll see Thursday what the Dr. says. Can't get a prescription filled until after I get the Part D Medicare complete but that shouldn't be long after I turn 65 Tuesday. (Love the Twinkies analogy!)

Has anyone here had DIEP Flap reconstruction? I watched it performed on YouTube and it was pretty scary but I haven't ruled it out. Could surely use the tummy tuck! I've read about so many failures concerning implants but know many of you have them.

I deal with the joint pain from letrozole by continuing my long-term routine (ever since a muscle tear over a year ago) of two long-acting Tylenol at night and a Celebrex in the morning (actually, generics of both drugs). Haven’t had any mood problems yet.

Linda, sorry to hear about the anastrozole effects. Have you discussed another AI (letrozole or exemestane) with your MO? They shouldn’t interfere with your current meds (e.g., tamoxifen and certain SSRI/SNRII/SNDRIs interact badly--those antidepressants interfere with the pathway by which tamoxifen blocks estrogen from getting to the tumor cells’ receptors--but AIs work differently by interfering with estrogen production). And the difference between a seroma and lymphedema is pretty huge, although the former is a risk factor for developing the latter. Seromas are essentially serum (the clear fluid in blood) with a little blood and maybe lymph, that fills the space left empty inside solid tissue after something has been surgically removed or there’s been some kind of heat or friction--a blister is a sort of skin seroma on a much smaller scale. Seromas always go away--sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. The only relationship they have to a SNB or ALND is that they form in the space where the lymph nodes were removed. Try to be patient and avoid irritating yours (easier said than done).

Lymphedema results from the lymph system being compromised because nodes have been removed. It is lymph fluid that has been directed from the cluster of nodes of which one or more are missing, to an area subject to some sort of physical stressor (heat, pressure, injury, skin break, etc.). It seeps from the lymphatic vessels (similar in structure to blood vessels & capillaries) into the interstices between cells in the tissues in the area that has been stressed, in order to surround and immobilize the injury (or perceived injury), sort of like Nature’s splint. But because there are lymph nodes missing from the cluster to which the lymph fluid would normally flow back upstream after the stress has abated, the lymph fluid tends to pool in some of those interstices downstream. Once you have it, you have it forever and can only manage flareups and try to keep the condition from progressing. The only way to reverse it is a delicate surgery that transfers lymph nodes from a part of the body where they’re less-critically needed. It’s controversial, doesn’t always work, and is a last resort--almost never done when only a few nodes were removed during SNB or ALND. Lymph fluid is neither blood, serum, nor water--it is a separate fluid containing proteins and immune cells.

Anyone know why or how Claritin (loratidine) works on bone pain? (Obviously, it’s an off-label use). If it works via the same antihistamine pathway as the other non-drowsy 24-hr antihistamines such as Zyrtec (cetirazine), maybe that’s another reason I’m not getting bone pain from letrozole: I’ve been taking a nightly Zyrtec for years. (I like it because it works better against pet dander than do Claritin or Allegra, aka terfenadine).

You guys, Nanagirl is scared.... gotta let her know we are all around her. It's okay to be scared... I remember hearing those words.... "Well it lookslikereastcancer,butwewilljusttakeitout, youwillgetradiationand be donewithit.! And it zoomed around in my head, and I went back to put my clothes on, and hit my head on the wall a couple times.... I WAS SO AFRAID!!! But then I couldn't show it.... because I didn't want my Husband or girls to know this... So I talked about it as if they were going to remove a toe-nail! Seeing everyone around me more relaxed, made ME feel better!

ChiSandy... So interesting to have you explain Lymphedema... I just had 3 nodes removed during CA surgery... but then about 3 years later, I fell & broke my left hip... same side as surgery... They put the rod & screws in, and doing okay, but I SWEAR, since then I have Lymphedema in my lower leg, around my ankle! I have to wear the compression stockings, and it doesn't swell or hurt unless I am on my feet a lot. It CAN'T be just "Edema".... And if I slowly and lightly massage my leg, starting at my ankle, and moving up my leg, the pain goes away! Most of the time I sleep with the stockings on.... and my ankle/leg doesn't swell. !!

I just didn't know you could get Lymphedema years after having nodes removed... but all that mess with my hip, probably brought it on...

ChiSandy, I was taking Zyrtec daily for allergy relief- since this latest cancer I stopped taking it because of all the supplements and meds I'm taking now- got sick of downing so many pills so cut it out- when I took the Zyrtec I didn't have this arthritic pain- maybe that's why- I took the Claritan last night before I went to sleep and I'll let you know how it goes- one thing is certain- I woke up less congested! Thank you.

Good Sunny morning from Illinois,

These are the days ( yes, the sun is a large part ) that I so dearly love. I get to come to this place and listen ( read ) women helping each other through what are their trying times. Something we all need from time to time, and at really serious times, maybe every day. Some people have links or pharmaceutical information, and some people have stories of success with what they chose or did, and some are just good listeners offering a shoulder of support.

That said, good to see you Linda and I'm glad you checked in. I am also thinking still daily of Puffin and Mike and Sandra. It is a special thing when you lovely ladies put such a large amt. of care out in the world. We all need the sensation of light that comes when we have a place to gather in acceptance of each other's circumstances so care, help, and hope can come alive.

Going to work later today ( back to the hospital ) but going to love, love, love that pretty sun while it is out there. Could become cloudy though I sure hope if so, only muted. I need that sun. The next couple of days may be a mite cooler again, then back to warmth again -- not hot heat, just nice warmth. Everything is vibrant green outside -- a bit heavy on pollens, but this is how we get to Spring so I can do it. That is what Zyrtec and Claritin were made for, though like one of the ladies said --- I'd prefer often to take less pills rather than even one more, but you have to do what you have to do.

I'm hoping you all have a wonderful day with whatever and whomever pleases you.

Jackie

I have been seeing a massage therapist who is educated in oncology massage. Oncology massage is the modification of existing massage therapy techniques in order to safely work with complications of cancer and cancer treatment. This also includes working with the lymph systems (swelling and promoting drainage). A good site to view www.S4OM.org which provides an overview of therapists throughout the country. It might provide some relieve.

Yes, I wear them on both legs... Guess I don't have to....but at least I "match".... They always tell you not to get your BP checked on that side.... along with shots, etc... So yes, putting a rod down your femur, 2 incisions, and a couple screws counts as "trauma".... But I have it controlled.... Could always be worse....

All of nature offers lessons on living, free of charge. One morning I noticed a dead tree supporting many living things--fungus, vines, lichen--which taught me that even after death we can continue to support those who live on. Living trees on our property teach other lessons. One tree has grown around a barbed wire fence. Another has grown around a nail, and a third through a chain link fence. These trees teach me how to accept irritation, absorb the pain and grow around problems. Nature teaches me how to find my place, grow toward the sunlight and bypass obstacles. To survive, we must be able to change in response to whatever is required by the challenge of the moment. Our bodies know this, but our minds often rebel when change is necessary.

Bernie S. Siegel

Hello and welcome to the new girls on this thread. It's a good place to be. Last week I wrote a nice long post and then must have hit the wrong button because it all disappeared! UGH! I just shut off the computer in disgust and haven't even been back on the site since then.

Nanagirl, it is only normal to be scared. We were all scared and anxious when we were first diagnosed and I have to admit that there are still times that I'm scared when something just doesn't seem right. It helped me to educate myself on my type of cancer and the current treatments offered for it and to talk to others who had walked the same path. I spent alot of time on here and formed many good friendships. I guess we all helped each other through it. Come often and ask any questions that you have. We probably asked the same questions when we were going through the journey. Hugs to you, dear gal!

To top everything off, I just got a jury questionnaire in the mail on Friday. That means that I'll probably get called for jury duty in the near future. I have put off answering the questions and sending it back (although I know I have to do this.). I have served on several juries over the course of time and even enjoyed a few of them but now I just don't feel comfortable making a decision that affects the life of another person. I don't multitask well and take notes even when I'm reading a book on the characters so I can keep things straight. I am sure that there are many more candidates much better equipped to do this job than me but.............. Well, this will probably be my last time to have to serve because I think you can opt out once you hit 70.

Bonnets, I am glad to hear that the gluten free diet has helped to control your IBS. I also thank you for all the info that you gave me about gluten free products. I know it helps me too if I stick to it. I think I would think twice about the gall bladder surgery. I guess I just hate the thought of any surgery unless it is absolutely necessary and then that is a different thing. I know you will make the best choice for yourself. These decisions can drive us crazy.

Hi to all of you. It's cool and dreary here today but I am going to go out for about an hour and weed around my front walkway before they take over the walk!

More later......

Rita

Hi Rita- I must say how nice everyone has been to me- last week I went for my first US and first mammo since my surgery- I left thinking everything was fine after talking to the doctor at the facility who read the results- today I got a call from my oncologist office saying that I need another mammo in 6 months- I'm concerned because my cancer didn't show on the US or mammo when dx- it only showed on the MRI- I had infiltrating lobular carcinoma -does this sound routine? Thank you all for your help getting through this

Chevy, I think you have to be 70 or older to get out of jury duty. I am not quite there yet but getting pretty close.

Nanagirl.....I would talk with your oncologist and ask if there is a specific reason for another mammo in 6 months. He or she can probably give you a good reason for it. I imagine they are probably just being precautious, which you want them to be. Like Chevy suggested, talking to them will give you some peace of mind. I had invasive ductile cancer instead of lobular. I did have mammos every 6 months for the first two years. Then it went to once a year. All oncologists have different ideas on this so just give the office a call.

My BS and MO said I should get my followup mammo in Aug., one year after the routine one that first revealed that “focal asymmetry.” I’m surprised, since everyone seems to be getting their first followup imaging 6 mos. post-op (and I’m already past 7 mos.post-op and nearly 8 mos. since that first mammo).

No one can get inner peace by pouncing on it, by vigorously

willing to have it. Peace is a margin of power around our

daily need. Peace is a consciousness of springs too deep

for earthly droughts to dry up. Peace is the gift not of

volitional struggle but of spiritual hospitality.

Harry Emerson Fosdick