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

I so agree with you Petite. I come here every day and smile, not at the problems, but at the fact that I come visit daily where friends are. We do talk about cancer and the issues, but we are older and so it doesn't take up our whole life. We share cancer, but we also want to share so many of the other parts that friends do.

Hugs to all.

By the way anyone out there have their ovaries removed? No ER produced is better than harmon blocking . I am looking into that. Also wonder why I was not informed of this as a treatment choice? Time will tell. See the Dr. in 3 weeks to discuss.

Artwish - my understanding is that very little estrogen is produced from our ovaries once we are post menopausal and instead is primarily produced from our fat tissue. I tried finding a link to prove this but am unable to do so, so I may be wrong. The mods may be able to help with this. So removal of the ovaries once we are post menopausal does not eliminate the need for hormone therapy as most of the estrogen are bodies are producing are coming from fat.

I’m 66 and I did have my ovaries removed earlier this year in a prophylactic surgery to mitigate the risk of ovarian cancer due to a genetic mutation. Unfortunately, it was too late as the pathology indicated ovarian cancer in my ovaries, fallopian tubes and pelvic washings.

I also had Stage 1A breast cancer. While having cancer is never good, my diagnosis has a good prognosis since it is stage 1. That doesn’t mean it wont recur but it’s not a sure thing that it will recur. As I’m sure you know, the higher the stage and grade, the higher the risk of recurrence. I’m not a healthcare professional so I’m not clear on your comments regarding life expectancy or perhaps I’m misunderstanding your comments.

Everyone is welcome here and I use this thread for a sense of community and support. There is a wide spectrum of diagnosis amongst the members. Sometimes we discuss breast cancer or other health challenges and sometimes we talk about our families, pets and the fun we are having. Folks will be happy to help if they can but I’d like to understand what it is that you need from us.

Take care.

It is raining here and is supposed to rain for the next few days which is welcome due to our drought conditions. It was in the low 70's and damp today. DH drove me to grocery store and to Hallmark store since I had a birthday coupon (20% off total purchase) there and got wrapping paper for my niece's bridal shower present and all the birthday cards I need for the next few months (also Halloween and Thanksgiving cards).

Was craving a corned beef special sandwich so bought the fixings and they were our dinner. I also wanted some flowers for in the house so I treated myself to some Asiatic lilies and some roses that were on special. DD and DSIL usually bring me flowers but they have been very busy lately.

DGS called today to invite me to his birthday party on Sunday. He will be 14 and where has that time gone? He wants a DQ ice cream cake because they will put his name on it. My DS always wanted them for his birthday when he was younger. He is to call me back to tell me what he wants as his gift. He wants me to think about taking him to the Philadelphia Outlets for new sneakers and most likely a very expensive sushi lunch. Isn't that what grandmothers are for?

We will have a family party on 8/18 and he was asking about the menu there since it will be a first visit for him. He loves seafood so Bonefish Grille will suit him. It should be a nice day.

PT yesterday was brutal because she advanced me to 5 lb. ankle weights for 2 exercises and I am still using the 2 lb weights for 2 others (straight leg raises front and side). I am close to 115 degrees for flexion and hope to achieve between 120-130 by September. I am really sore today but am making myself walk so I am less stiff. Did most of the home exercises prescribed and will finish the rest now.

Bumble Bee is singing away though drowned out by the noisy parakeets. However, it does feel like I am in the Tiki Room at Disney when they are all in voice or song. He likes the music on some commercials and sings along.

I am hoping I can sleep tonight because it seems the night after PT is the real challenge for uninterrupted sleep. Will take some Tylenol and then use Norco later.

Hope everyone had a day that brought them some joy, comfort, less challenges and a sense of accomplishment.

Artwish, ladies are always welcome here in our older (usually) corner of having had some kind of cancer life. Don't know if I mentioned, I've finished treatments about 3 months ago for my 6th. cancer dx. So to be quite honest, I only asked lots of questions and support for my first bout of breast cancer. That was in 2007. I still have friends from then.

Afterwards, on all the other times I just dealt with it on a conversational basis with the ladies here. The friendship and comraderies expressed meant so much to me. Just to know someone cared and had some empathy for the state I was in. I know it may seem odd to have few questions, but I had great faith in my Dr.'s and had more need of knowing every one here cared and was rooting for me.

I hope you will feel accepted, respected and cared about here. Minus Two had good advice. about how to get around on the blogs here. I only go to two places and am computer illiterate so she is the one to listen to on that.

Know that we are all wishing you well. We will certainly respond if you continue to post here.

Artwish, I apologize for not responding to your post comparing this discussion forum to Facebook. I read the posts here daily but don't always feel inclined to chime in. Other people have already explained that this forum is about life after diagnosis, surgery and treatment. It's a "Life Goes On" discussion.

When I was first diagnosed with BC, I found a forum with women having breast reconstruction similar to what I was having. It was only later that I started reading this Oldies forum and eventually began posting. That was quite a few years ago.

I know women on other forums who checked this one out and decided it wasn't for them. So welcome if you find a reason to stay. If you do stay, you'll find people discussing topics that don't interest you. I "skim" some discussions and expect that other people "skim" portions of my posts.

We often mention weather and I will do so now. After a week of hot days our weather suddenly turned much cooler and rainy. The past two mornings we've turned on the heat pump in the camper. Even dh said last night that this "cool" is a little too cool for August. But he's a trooper. He put on a sweater and light jacket and went off to the golf course for men's league this morning. I stayed in bed until 7:30 enjoying the snug environment.

August. It's hard to believe that summer has zipped by so fast. But that seems to be the nature of getting older when you wish life would slow down just a little.

I have a new interest. Tiny little succulent plants. I bought a small planter with a wonderful assortment and transplanted the plants into two small planters with drainage holes. I scrutinize the plants daily for growth. They're out on the deck. I'll take them home and already expect to expand this interest. I'll have to post a picture.

Wishing everyone an interesting day.

Studies of volunteers have shown there is a benefit to performing acts of love for other people.  The irony is that it is actually in your best interest to be selfless.  The things you do for the benefit of others not only make you feel fulfilled, they increase your chances of living a long and happy life.   Remember that an act of love always benefits at least two people.

Bernie S. Siegel

Good morning. Carole, just amazing what a few hours can do, especially to your weather there. Good for you and cooler times. I heartily congratulate you on the succulents. I had many strewn all through my cactus garden. They were great for the variety of the often much bigger cacti full of stickers of all sizes. I started out in some cases with cacti from a 2 in. pot and before I knew it some of them were over my head. I always loved the variety of the hen and chicks' succulents. I hope you find lots of enjoyment.

Nothing special today — whatever comes as always. Will go to Jo's later. I have to get Lil Red cleaned up and brushed so he'll be charming and naturally 'cute'. It will be fun to introduce him to Jo and Maria.

Glad Cindy that your family is having a celebration of life. I think it just helps to put things into a reality niche that most people are use to. I do understand that some people don't want a 'formal' leave-taking as such and that's okay. Hope your medical visit goes well and you get relief for your eye and something for the tendinitis.

Puffin, Harley, Taco and anyone dealing with medical things — in your pockets for sure.

Hope you all have a great day. Cooler here today again. I'm a happy camper.

Cindy, not very helpful I would suppose, but I use to get eye styes and my girl friend called it a Shillelagh ( which is a word usually for an Irish walking stick) tumor. She told me to cut a potato and hold the raw slice on my eye — don't remember how long, but I tried it and lo and behold, it went away and I've never had another. That said, she was a little older than me so knew some of the 'old' fashioned remedies for things.

Maybe there should be two older BC sights. One for finished treatment and one for new old ladies with BC.

Many older ladies are new BC and the treatments are very different. We do not have as many choice of which harmon treatments to use or what surgeries are can be performed.

More older women get BC but there are few options for treatment.

Just a thought.

Artwish, perhaps you might start a thread for older women who only wish to talk cancer. I mention this because it is true the majority here have been through their 'first' dx. and moved on. Some - like me, Taco, Puffin etc. have had some sort of return, but don't wish to 'live' in questions all the time but enjoy the other aspects of life which are precious and maybe all the more so. It is not an easy thing to undergo the cancer diagnosis.

I recall having had so many "good" mammograms that I became rather complacent about cancer. Like smokers who risk cancer, I just assumed it would always happen to someone else. That thought didn't make me feel good — I hate the idea that anyone has anything happen to them that makes them suffer, but I did get the attitude - not me. Once I got over the top (meaning through all treatment pretty much) I chose right then and there to lead as full a life as I could. It is why what little advice I might have is mainly scattered memories from 2007 and generally not helpful to much of anyone with the changes that have come. I haven't looked for much help since my other and, in fact just in the last three or four yrs. new primaries taking place. I mentioned them here so my fellow travelers would know what was going on in my life, but I use the V.A. — so to some degree my options are limited to how they handle things. I've been fortunate in having great care and medical people I trusted and whatever happens now is in the hands of the almighty.

It's not a defeatist attitude in my eyes, but one for me of being grateful I'm still here after having cancer dx-ed 6 times. So, I find solace and comfort in just sharing with women who came together because of cancer, but stay together because life and all the big and little things are precious and every time I hear someone say something, about their adult children, pets, weather, car or whatever I know they are just like me - hoping to live a full happy engaging life full of all the wonderful mundane things that are a part of it. I treasure the words they say.

I really don't know how to explain it any clearer. We just like each other here and this despite having had such a terrific terrible disease brings us comfort and joy. I love hearing what friends have to say. I hope, if you like, you will stay and join in.

artwish - I was hoping the MODS would jump in since my expertise is NOT computers & actually sent them a PM. But…no such luck…. HEY MODS - where are you????

Not sure of your age, but there are numbers of discussion threads for two groups of older women. Below are the categories from the sign in page. That is in addition to the categories specific to your diagnosis, treatment & symptoms. Check it out.

Debby has past through us and weather yesterday was beautiful. I picked up 2 dozen or more pine cones dropped in the yard from the storm, and partner said he picked up just as many outside the yard on the side street.

Last night we went to a local baseball game with my niece & grandniece who brought a bff with her. They had more fun, and energy than the rest of us. Both got tee shirts from the mascot tossing them in the stands. An older gentleman gave them a ball too. Oddly the electricity went off for close to an hour. Kids entertained themselves but I could have left and been ok. We were gone after the 11th, of course they were tied and had extra innings! Home before 11pm.

Stye in my eye feels ok, but ointment blurrs that eye and I can’t wear a contact lens in it. I’ll be glad when it’s done. Jackie, I’ve done similar (potato; rubbed my wedding ring on one) but they were on the rim of the lid. This one is inside the lower lid; if I don’t pull the lid down, you’d never know I have it. It initially felt like I had an eyelash poking me. I’ve never had one like this.

I’m headed outside to enjoy the day. The deck with a book seems like a good plan. Enjoy your Sunday!

Personal prayer, it seems to me, is one of the simplest necessities of life, as basic to the individual as sunshine, food and water--and at times, of course, more so.  By prayer I mean an effort to get in touch with the Infinite.  We know that our prayers are imperfect.  Of course they are. We are imperfect human beings.  A thousand experiences have convinced me beyond room of doubt that prayer multiplies the strength of the individual and brings within the scope of his capabilities almost any conceivable objective.

Dwight D. Eisenhower