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

Good morning. Fairly gray out, but I hope for at least some muted sun later on. On the coolish side at 57 degrees just now. In the 60 's only today but warmer in the coming days. Not sure how much wind we had last night. Weather report said to stay away from windows though. Looking outside I only saw very small, inconsequential twigs — so small we run the lawn tractors over them.

At one point I looked outside, and it was pouring rain, but it was coming straight down. Some lightning and thunder, but not bad. So, I went to bed (window directly behind my head) took my melatonin and had a good night's sleep. It is quite wet outside. Hoping any large amts. are well drained by tomorrow when we head to Marion for all those tests in one day. So far, after that not much for Dr. Appts. One with Dr. Regan (Urologist) but it should be fine. It will only set me up for later on I think — for the yearly check.

At some point, I will go in for blood work and my 6 mo. check with PCP. Seems like we are doing 6 mo. checks now rather than the yearly ones we did have. Apparently, that may be to keep up with results of all the things we check during the year and to address results and any changes. I'll have to ask if that is what's going on. Dh is 86 in May and I'd expect it to be time for him to have 6 mos. check-ups.

Hope Carole got off well yesterday for the cruise. I hope everyone else had decent weather and an enjoyable day however you spend Easter.

owensgrandma — I know all of us here are FEELING for you, and we will be in your pocket for your results. It is a hard time, dragging on you and making time likely almost feel like it's going in slow motion.

Prayers and hope for things to go well and turn out way better than expected. Hugs and love to you.

owensgrandma (((HUGS))) and fingers crossed for good news.

One of my all-time favorites

You are goodness and mercy and compassion and understanding. You are peace and joy and light. You are forgiveness and patience, strength and courage, a helper in time of need, a comforter in time of sorrow, a healer in time of injury, a teacher in times of confusion. You are the deepest wisdom and the highest truth; the greatest peace and the grandest love. You are these things. And in moments of your life you have known yourself as these things. Choose now to know yourself as these things always.

Neale Donald Walsch

Back from Marion. It is sunny and quite nice outside. 75 to be exact. My pulmonary visit was great and really was just a confirmation that all is well. Next visit will be over the phone after a CT has been done. That will be in another 6 months. So all was fine.

Last night was not so great. I tossed my cookies three times before I was finally able to get comfy and fall asleep. No idea why. At first, I thought it was just my Gerd, and only realized once more was on the way that it was a little more than that. Did not have any time for breakfast this morning so I left the house a little exhausted and tired. Then when we got to my first appt. I found out that the girl who had made them gave me the times in the wrong order. So, we had to traverse the whole building (quite large) twice. That was not great at all. But we made it finally.

((((((Betrayal)))))

(((((Owens grandma)))))))) and to anyone else needing some.

this is my post on Caring Bridge today. No energy to edit it, but it will update all you caring ladies.

Best possible bad news

It’s been a difficult couple of days with the Pet scan last night and the oncologist this morning, but we have some answers and a plan.

The PET found that I have a large tumor in the chest wall, and cancer in one internal lymph node. 

Good news the rib is not involved, and there are no indications that it has spread to lungs, brain, bone or liver. Still, he considers it a stage 4 cancer because of the size and other characteristics. That means it will be a chronic disease and I will probably be on medication for the rest of my life.

No chemotherapy as the tumor shows characteristics indicating it would be resistant and because I have neuropathy from my previous treatment. The risk of worsening neuropathy vs the benefit just isn’t worth it at this time, but might be later if it is not responding to other treatments.

So, tomorrow I will start an estrogen blocker (aromatace inhibitor). Soon I will see a radiation oncologist and probably start targeted radiation. After that I will continue the estrogen blocker and add a CDK inhibitor, another way to stop the cancer from growing.

These medications have side effects, but everyone is different, so hopefully I will tolerate them. Time will tell. They are expensive, but the hospital has funds to help with the cost.

If the tumor responds I have the possibility of a long life, with treatment. And if they don’t, there are many other drugs to try. I am very encouraged and hopeful. No one cried today, a good sign, lol. 

Thank you all for your support and prayers. Special thanks to Paddy for being there, taking notes, asking good questions, and giving me hugs. And once again, I couldn’t do this without John. He is by my side for the entire journey and keeps me going with his love and support and all the small things (and not so small) that he does every day to make my life easier and show he cares.

Owens Grandma, While one could hope for much better, things don't sound quite as threatening at all. I have in fact, heard a few others with odd reoccurrences who felt they would do fine and ultimately just basically take their leave-taking primarily from old age. It is certainly what I could and would hope for you.

I hope you will give your friend Paddy as well as John a big thank you from me. It was heart-warming to know that you had someone so 'close' helping you down this path. We were all sending prayers, but while it's nice and I know appreciated, there is nothing like those with physical presence and support.

(((((more big hugs)))))

@owensgrandma - I’m happy you had friends with you for support. This is a tough diagnosis but it appears there is a solid plan in place. (HUGS)

Owensgrandma, I’m glad you had support while you got your results. I was on anastrozole and didn’t like it, BUT if it’s what I had to take to keep on keeping on, I know I’d do it without question. We’re all wishing you the best. ((HUGS))

Canary, now I can say it Woo Hoo! Last rads. I was off in my post days ago.

Jackie, I’m glad you made it to your appointments. There are so many bugs going around, many are sick.

Petite, glad your meds were adjusted for cholesterol and you were good to go.

Betrayal, hoping you can catch up on some sleep. I know without proper sleep, it’s hard to get through the day.

We both still have the remnants of our cold. My niece back in NY had to see the dr, she has bronchitis. I’ve been sleeping almost 8 hours, NyQuil gelcap helps. And we've been foggy headed. I’m hoping by tomorrow I’ll be back in action; maybe both of us.

We’ve set the date to leave as May 4th. We won’t be back home until May 11th; stops along the way - 3 nights in Williamsburg, VA, and regular visits with family too.

I’m hoping to put away my Easter decorations tomorrow. Maybe I’ll organize items I know I’m taking back home too. Always ends up more than I think I have.

Everyone I’ve missed, or haven’t seen in a while, hope you’re all doing well too.

Beautiful sunny morning. I think 80 or so today. Prelude to summer temps. Hope all have a gorgeous day.

owensgrandma, did they biopsy the mass? Sorry that the results were not what you expected but knowing that the oncologist has a plan for care already is a positive. AI's exacerbated my arthritis until I went on exemestane and I was on it for nearly 4 years with minimal SE's. Fingers crossed that radiation can knock it back. (((Hugs)))

cindyny, sorry to hear that cold still has a hold on you. Nasty to have it this time of year. Hope you feel better soon.

carole, I hope you are having the time of your life on your cruise.

Illinoislady, glad that you ere able to get all your appointments done in one day but not that you had to travel back and forth in the hospital to do so.

Chris, glad that you were able to wean off trazodone. Thanks for the wishes that I can get some sleep.

orknitter, hope your surgery next week goes without incident.

DD and DSIL brought dinner last night. Pierogies with potato and cheese from a local seller. They were not as good as some I have had because they had too much cheddar cheese in them. Growing up my next door neighbor made some of the best I have every had including those she made with a fruit filling. Appetite still iffy which I am not worried about because I will not waste away at my weight. I do make sure I get protein in at every meal. On iron since Hgb after surgery had dropped to 9 from the 12 it was pre-op. So this explains low energy levels, too.

Last night was a nightmare, I was up and down many times, taking pain meds every 4 hours. If I only take 1, I can dose again within 2 hours of the initial one so that's what I have been doing. I am not taking pain meds much during day and 1 is usually adequate. Skin around incision is very itchy and that's what is also disturbing sleep. There are tiny, little bumps in this skin and that's what itches. Incision scabs are starting to fall off and it looks good otherwise.

canarycat, I find it interesting that you were on an AI as you were going through radiation. I did not start on AI's until a month after stopping radiation per the protocol of my hospital system. Glad that radiation is over for you.

It is sunny, going into the 80's today which means the daffodils will die off quickly now. My bleeding hearts and hosta are up and the former are in bloom. Really too early for them because they will be gone by May now instead of July. I'll open the patio doors and enjoy the weather.

Have a great day.

How will you use the years God gives you?  Will you be remembered for being a fault-finder?  Or will you be known for your quick smile, the laugh lines around your eyes, and the twinkle deep within?  After all, God gives you your face, but you provide the expression!

Barbara Johnson

hi everyone. Betrayal. They started my radiation post op week 15 so started AI Feb 21. Pharmacist mentioned my SEmay be worse because radiation but to just plow through. Protocol here is to start radiation by the 12th week. But they were backlogged. Better for my healing I think having it delayed.

@cindyny My first round in 2015 (I think) was with the wire. That was a weird experience.

Question for you all. Where it’s legal, have you tried CBD for pain? I’m curious if it’s been helpful.