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

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  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Posts: 2,107

    martccrn, I am with you on all the false alarms. Mine were all with one side. Began with lumpy at the age of 18.

    Reader, I should be writing, but I constantly find myself roaming on the 'net. Is there any cure?

    Betrayal, bitter cold, barely above freezing? It is now 28. Sunday's low will be 2, Wednesday's will be -1. Five inches of snow expected tomorrow. Enjoy!

    My silverish coat with a hood is permanently dingy. My blue coat is bad after sundown, and doesn't have a hood. I bought a matching hood for it, and realized that our wintertime bedtime potty walks are very brief and do not cross any streets, so the silver is retired.

  • cindyny
    cindyny Posts: 1,580

    We are booking PR for next week. To save $500 or more we’ll be flying out of Fort Lauderdale - an hour and a half from home.

    In addition to $ savings, Fort Myers has no direct flights either, we’d need to fly way north and add 4-8 hours on to a short trip.

    Hotels charging up to 22% for resort fees, some hotels are next to the airport to boot, or landlocked near the major highway.

    SO trying to work deals on points etc… I’m done, just book something on the beach.

    Martyccrn, sorry you had to join the group. We chatter on just about everything under the sun. Ask away and one of us may know the answers. Some of these ladies were nurses too.

    Reader, the desserts looked great.

    Betrayal, the luminaries sound great. Post a picture once they’re up if you can.

    Chris, it sounds very cold where you are! Keep warm.

    Bloodwork was easy, the tech was very good. I ate my Cliff bar and sipped my seltzer as I left. No results yet. It was 53 and felt 43 this morning as I left.

    I’m heading back outside to get some sun and read my book. Enjoy your day ladies!

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Posts: 2,107
    edited November 28

    I'm sorry about the Tippy story. I gave you too long of a leadup to the punchline. Last winter, he had the zoomies after a bath, and rolled around on the carpet where a sewing needle pierced him, probably in the belly. He passed it in a BM the other day. It wasn't arthritis after all!! Yes, poor Tippy. He is so much happier.

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 5,622

    Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have.

    Margaret Mead

  • canarycat
    canarycat Posts: 170
    edited November 29

    teka I love your piggy bank photo. Says it all. I bought myself a new vanity for my powder room. So my piggy is looking mightily scrawny too.
    I hope everyone had a good thanksgiving. Ours was in October as we celebrate the harvest. My sisters birthday is Nov 21 so I get really into the holiday spirit after that. Still needing something for mom. She’s impossible to shop for. Doesn’t ever like any clothes we get her. So I’m hoping for something in small appliance realm that she will like. I started putting put my Xmas stuff yw and Dusty is posing like one. Welcome to the group Marticcrn I’m also a nurse there’s a bunch of us in this group. I retired from teaching in 2018 but have always worked in the community or acute care my areas are ER and mental health and addictions Im currently working parttime in a harm reduction clinic.

    IMG_5562.jpeg
  • cindyny
    cindyny Posts: 1,580

    The day flew by. I slept in later than normal - I was shortchanged the night before, 7+ vs 5. SO slept in way beyond me. I had laundry done, and the robot vacuumed everything except our bedroom, because he was still in it.

    I took a gf crockpot back to her house; she’s still in Illinois. I had used it on Thanksgiving, put it in the dishwasher so it was nice and clean. It was taking up space on my counter. They’re big and bulky, so ours is stored in the garage.

    We called Norton, computer security, to do a tune up on SO’s laptop. I still need to buy a SSD drive, before they can do my laptop. I was told by them my HDD is full. My computer skills are limited, so I may buy an external SSD and put all my photos on it - basically empty file storage on to it. Maybe a cyber Monday sale will help me out. I barely use it, but I do our taxes on it so by February I’ll want to use it. SO’s is running super fast now, he’s quite pleased. Total for calls, being transferred etc, was 55 minutes.

    Tomorrow we’ll pack for PR. I’ve started a list, and will buy whatever we forget to take. I’m hoping it’s super relaxing. I looked up the Don Q rum tasting in old San Juan, and it’s closed. But we can take the ferry over to Barcardi, and enjoy the ride. I did see online Casa Barcardi now charges for the tours ($40), they’ve added a rum tastings ($80) and even a self pour to make your own bottle ($198) - all to increase their profits, which was inevitable.

    Bloodwork results were in very early this morning. Everything is good. Cholesterol 184, but the PA notes say my LDL was high. This is my normal, a low hdl offsets my higher ldl; some ratio thing. She wants it retaken around 2/28, and include a urine. I laughed - test my A1c after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years - that should be interesting. (wire my jaw shut lol)

    That’s my story. High today was 79 but didn’t feel hot. There was a breeze, rolling clouds moving through. I sat for a bit reading in my driveway, letting the sun light up the page.

    Hope you all have a good weekend.

  • 1946taco
    1946taco Posts: 385

    Martyccrn - Glad you found us. "Age is just a number." It's my understanding that this group started mainly because we weren't raising children and were looking forward to or already retired. Anyway, we do chatter about a lot of things but will try to answer any questions you have on this journey. Fingers crossed that yours will be a false alarm. Waiting is one of the hardest times.

    We had a nice Thanksgiving Day. I played golf in the morning and then we had dinner at a friend's home. We took a family corn casserole and pecan pie. Had leftovers last night. Beautiful weekend - morning lows in the early '50 and days in the '70's. I played golf again this morning. Ken just turned on the Northwestern/Illinois game and it reminded me why we suffer through the summers.

    Low-keyed weekend for us. I've been researching Mom's family line but plan to switch to Dad's in 2026 so doing some last minute clean-up. Also looking for pictures to add to our StoryWorth account.

    Hoping your football team wins. I've about given up on mine!

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 5,622

    Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.

    Yehuda Berg

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Posts: 9,032

    We arrived home about 3:30 yesterday afternoon. Traffic was probably the worst I've ever experienced but we had no close "encounters" threatening death. A few miles short of the tunnel in Mobile, AL, traffic came to a standstill and we inched forward for about 30 minutes. There had been an accident. At another point in the journey, traffic stopped again. I forget where.

    Our visit was pleasant. We are treated well by dh's nephew and wife. We have our own guest quarters, bedroom and bath. Their home is modern and new. You step from the open concept living area out onto the pool pavement. Their living room furniture is a large sectional facing the fireplace with a huge tv over the fireplace. DH and I find the sectional very uncomfortable seating. We're happy to get home to our Yours and Mine chairs. LOL.

    The meal was delicious, catered by Whole Foods. Traditional dishes. Now on to Christmas. We stay at home and drive a short distance to my younger sister's house for a meal with a small gathering. Not everyone in her family will be present. When my mother died, our whole-family gatherings ceased, as expected. She was the reason everyone made the effort.

    The weather in the Jacksonville area of Florida was cool for Thanksgiving but mainly sunny. No dipping in the pool or sitting in the hot tub. Here at home we may get some rain today and the cool temperatures will continue into next week.

    Hope everyone enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday season in one way or another. Now on to the pre-Christmas season.

    Welcome to any newcomers. I caught up on posts but didn't take notes.

    Happy Sunday.

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 5,622

    carole, glad you made it home safely and that you had an enjoyable time with your DH's nephew and wife. We have a Whole Foods near us, but I find them to be expensive and am not overly fond about their takeout platters. We do like their desserts, but they tend to be overpriced. We have not tried their Thanksgiving meal though.

    Taco1946, had to look up StoryWorth to see what it is about. Sounds intriguing but I am not sure I could answer all the questions to complete a story about anyone but myself. I'm glad you have been able to do your mother's line though.

    The weather here is so gray, it is depressing. It is 40 degrees so the snow shower we had this morning did not last. It was followed by rain, too. The storm in the midwest area is working its way towards us and is expected to be a problem on Tuesday. I m not prepared for the gloom of winter yet.

    I have a mammo appointment tomorrow and my pulmonary appointment on Tuesday. I am hoping we do not get the predicted snow, because I will have to cancel the appointment. I have a 2 PM appointment, so if we get snow it would not be advisable to drive there nor back. We live on a hill and the driveway is a problem when it snows. I don't care to try to drive on the driveway (near impossible due to pitch) nor hike up it in snow. With osteopenia, I don't need a hip fx.

    I decluttered one section of my closet yesterday and rearranged 2 other areas. One still needs further evaluation, but not now. Today, I want to sort through what used to be work blouses that could use some culling. I want to keep those that either have a blazer or a cardigan that corresponds to it. There are some that can go because of the brand as well. I'll keep the better brand ones that have a corresponding jacket or sweater, but even try to narrow that down as well.

    I am trying to eat a mango and hate how difficult it is to get the meat off the stone. Love them, but not how difficult they are to eat.

    Hope everyone has a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 5,622

    You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'

    Eleanor Roosevelt

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Posts: 9,032

    Betrayal, it's gray here this morning, too. We have a chance of rain during the day. I have no plans for today except to go to the gym for exercise. I will probably attend the senior class at 11:30. I have been too inactive for a number of days because of Thanksgiving travel and the holiday itself. I can tell that my weight is up because my wedding ring fits so tightly that I can't slide it past my knuckle. Fluid retention.

    It's good to be home, sipping coffee and reading on my laptop. After I scroll though the news, I'll do Wordle and start on Spelling Bee. Hope everyone else is enjoying a morning routine.

    I

  • intolight
    intolight Posts: 2,873

    @marticcrn Sorry to read of your dx. We are here for you so let us know if we can help.

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 5,622

    marticcrn, sorry to read about your news. I hope once you have a plan in place, we can offer comfort, support and assistance. The nurse navigator should be able to assist you with getting the appointments you need for follow-up. ((HUGS))

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 5,622

    Horrible day because it was my annual mammogram and it was a real shit show again. I had mammogram and then 3 spot films of area where they performed stereotactic bx last year. Then radiologist decides I need an ultrasound. So there was an inordinate amount of waiting even though initial access was the fastest ever. The rooms are very cold, so the techs have to supply warmed blankets which unfortunately don't stay warm for long. By the time they finally came to get me to escort me to the ultrasound, I needed blanket 3. She said her room was warmer, but she wasn't truthful. I arrived before at 1:40 and never got out of there until 3:30. Thank goodness, they do provide free parking though you have to go through getting it validated by office staff who had left by the time I was ready to leave. So I had to go over to the adjoining building's MRI desk to get it validated. Left with letter saying I need another dx mammogram in 6 months. That will push me into my 10 year anniversary year of being diagnosed. I have to reach out to MO to get her to order dx mammogram, so I sent her an email via the portal. I won't see her until January, but would like to order now so I can get an appointment. We had a major hospital chain (4 hospitals) go belly up in the past 6 months, so their thousands of patients are scrambling to not only find physicians, but also to get appointments.

    Then I went online to the portal of my other hospital system to get a copy of my Dexascan report. I could not access the portal, was told I needed to change my password and every attempt at that took over an hour and I got nowhere. I called tech support and he said he was sending me a link via email, but it never came and he tried several times.

    I just paused to check my inbox and his link never came through but I did get a valid code to sign in, changed my password and sent an email to my GI doc who I have been trying to get an appointment with in 2026 since May of 2025. They keep telling me she has no openings in her schedule, and they will contact me when she does. So seven months later, I am still in limbo with her instructions to see her in a year. So rant over now,

    It was a sunny, but very cold day with temps barely over freezing. I ran to Staples after my mammogram to buy replacement pages for my desk organizer. I do put appointments in my phone, but find it easier to keep track in my book where I can look at a whole month, and then leaf through for other conflicts. They were shorthanded and I was in line with a purchase wedged in between others shipping packages. He did ask and finally got someone up to run the register. I normally don't like self-checkout, but might have welcomed it today. So all my appointments for next year, dates of planned trips, etc have been duly entered.

    My appointment for Pulmonology was canceled this morning and rescheduled for Thursday afternoon. We are expected to get that snow storm that has been sweeping in from the midwest starting tomorrow morning. I am reluctant to trust that I could get there and back if we get any coverage. Our driveway is very steep, faces north and ices easily. I don't dare hike up or down now for a fear of a fall with my osteopenic hips. Better safe than sorry. This way she will have a weeks worth of data to analyze as well.

    intolight, I loved Colorado Springs in the summer, but don't think I would like it in the winter. Felt the same about Jackson Hole, but did brave a January trip there to see the Elk preserve. Felt like an icicle the entire time and like an onion, I had multiple layers. I felt like the Michelin man in all the layers and doubted I could have righted myself if I fell.

    carole, sorry about the fluid retention post -Thanksgiving feast. There is so much salt in prepared foods today and sugar, too. DD brought a lattice topped apple pie that the bakery added sugar to the top crust. It was so sweet, I could not eat it and peeled if off. DSIL offered to get rid of it for me, meaning he was going to eat it and he did.

    cindyny, glad blood work was good. Are you pre-diabetic? Was wondering about the A1C's.

    Guess that's about it for today. My feet feel like blocks of ice and I am cold in spite of having a fleece 1/4 zip top on. I'll add another layer and look for my warm slippers.

    Hope everyone had a better day than me. Waving "hi" to everyone.

  • intolight
    intolight Posts: 2,873

    @betrayal So sorry about your crappy day. What a horrible experience. I forget where you live, but four hospitals? Ouch! All of my drs except for my pulmonologist and dermatologist are in the same system. They have four hospitals in the Springs and more in Denver, with labs and dr offices scattered all over. If they ever go bust we are in big trouble. Even my DD works for UCHealth although at Children's Hospital branch which is physically connected.

    Very cold today with 2" snow on the ground and more expected Wed night.

    Got a message from MO office wanting to schedule a PET scan since my TMs are still rising even though CT scan was good. Feels like hide and seek!

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 5,622

    intolight, it was one major hospital system with 4 physical sites, one of which was the only trauma center in the county. So we are down to 2 ER's for the entire large county. Nearest trauma center now is near Philadelphia, in Philadelphia or in West Chester, none of them easily accessible.

    The remaining hospitals, 2, are part of a 2 separate hospital systems (one small and the other larger, but scattered acrossed 3 counties) and they have been overwhelmed by the deluge of patients seeking new physicians, physicians scrambling for new places to throw their hats, and not enough physician practices/office space to provide coverage. It is a nightmare caused by corporate greed. Hospital system from CA bought hospitals, ran them into the ground, sold the land under them and forced them to lease it back at exorbitant rates, and then declared bankruptcy once they bled them dry.

    Two of the hospitals had been in existence for over 100 years, but had been rebuilt over the years. One was where I used to take my nursing students for clinical experience and it was the first one they abruptly closed. I took students there for over 24 years starting when it was a stand alone hospital, and before it was bought by the chain. It went downhill once it was brought into the chain because they kept taking its revenue to use elsewhere. Only 4 hospitals in the county provided maternity services and they closed two of them. It is horrible what they are doing to healthcare.

  • intolight
    intolight Posts: 2,873

    Wow… so far I feel fortunate. There are two large hospitals in the UC system that I visit regularly, and the other two are smaller but fine. The older one is known in the city as the best cancer center here (unless you want to travel to Denver) and is where I attend my oncologist's office. It was bought by the UC Health system and is the oldest in the city. The other one is newer but also has a cancer center, a good infusion center and both have scans, etc. I live about midway between the two , about a 30 minute drive, so I go to the one where I can get the best appointment. Sometimes the nurses, PAs, etc., float between the hospitals. There are three other large hospitals in different systems within the City too. Colorado Springs is growing rapidly and like everywhere else, finding medical doctors is tough. We moved here four years ago. I found my oncologist because I got sick as soon as we moved, went to an urgent care and the doctor there referred me realizing I was already into six years of being mbc. It got me in quicker. I took the first oncologist who accepted me in two weeks thinking I could always change, but I am happy with her.

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Posts: 9,032

    Marti, welcome to our group and best of luck in the months to follow that you get good medical advice and excellent results. My first year ordeal started in 2009 and I'm a surviver.

    Betrayal, what an awful day you had, made worse by cold weather misery.

    Sandy, stay safe and as comfortable as possible.

    I have a dentist appointment today for a cleaning. I don't look forward to the experience or the expense. We are out of pocket with all dental expenses. DH is having a problem with the roof of his mouth being so sore that he can't wear his partial. He has an appointment today with some specialist dentist.

    We're experiencing Louisiana winter weather but, thankfully, no snow and ice. It's low 40's outside, dreary and windy. DH is skipping golf and it has to be unpleasant for him to make that decision.

    Hi to everyone. Hope you enjoy your day.

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 5,622

    What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.

    Ralph Waldo Emerson

  • teka
    teka Posts: 23

    H & I did plenty of shopping on Cyber Monday.

    Christmas cards are in the mail.

    We're looking forward to supporting local stores while shopping for stocking stuffers.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Posts: 13,806

    Oh my goodness Teka - I feel so guilty. I have purchased my Christmas cards, but not begun to think about addressing. And I usually have my gifts not only purchased but wrapped by this time since 95% of the family lives in far flung states and they have to be mailed. I just have piles on my guest bed.

  • petite1
    petite1 Posts: 2,448

    Hi, All I am dealing with home repairs in Florida and crawl space basement insulation install in NC, I don't know if I am coming or going. My labs show hypothyroidism. Last time I showed that low was during radiation. The new doctor lowered my levothyroxine and now needs to increase it. Not a good first impression.

    Welcome Marticcrn

    My friend pierced my ears in high school.

    Nice photos Cindy

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 5,622

    Petite1, sorry to hear your new doctor changed your dosage and now you have to increase it to reach stable. My sympathy about home repairs at 2 separate sites. I am dealing with a guest room that is on chaos due to A/C leaks damaging the closet. Clothes are strewn on the bed and also in DD's old room. The HVAC people are coming next week to make repairs in attic. Once they are done, we can have guy work on closet walls, so we can then paint the closet and install an organization system I found online. It is shallow so finding a system was a challenge. The ceiling in this room needs painting as well.

    Dining room needs ceiling and walls painted. I have been unable to find a company that will take drapes and valance down, clean them and then rehang. I may just take them down and drape them on living room furniture. I have to take contents of China closet so it can be taken apart and moved.

    The rugs for the dining room and living room are still rolled up after cleaning. They are in the living room for now. I will open them once dining room is painted. Just organizing this is causing stress. I find myself avoiding the rooms.

    I bought a Christmas tree from Balsam Hill. I haven't had a tree since 2015. That was the last year I celebrated Christmas as I had in the past. That is when all the BC bullshit started with abnormal findings, and then a slew of tests with no final dx until January 2016. Yesterday's issues with another abnormal mammogram, triggered all those old feelings, so I am hoping I can proceed with decorating. It's hard for some to understand how I felt then and now.

    Teka, you sound so organized. I am hoping my Christmas cards are in the attic, because I have no idea where they are.

    Sandy, nice to hear from you. It sounds like your Thanksgiving was very nice. Sorry to hear your house was not adequately insulated by the restoration company. I hope sealing the windows works.

    Hope everyone had a great day. We got freezing rain and it was very gray. Waving "hi" to everyone.

  • cindyny
    cindyny Posts: 1,580

    We arrived today.

    IMG_2742.jpeg IMG_2747.jpeg IMG_2752.jpeg

    Ready to fall asleep sitting up. Hotel is great. Meet a bunch of different people today- drinks with some, dinner with others.
    Very enjoyable time

    I did read all the posts but took no notes. I’ll get back on tomorrow to catch up

  • harley07
    harley07 Posts: 581

    Betrayal - I’m so sorry to hear that the mammogram needs to be repeated in 6 months. (Hugs)

    Cindy - enjoy PR. Are you there with a group?

    Canarycat - good news on your test results

    Marticcrn- a warm welcome. I’m sorry you had to join us but we are happy to offer support

    Waving hello to all.
    A few pictures from our trip.

    Seville Cathedral. We climbed the 343 ft Giralda (Bell Tower) on Monday

    IMG_7420.jpeg

    Hiking Caminito del Rey

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    Christmas decorations in Seville

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  • marticcrn
    marticcrn Posts: 9

    well, dear friends, I am official. Grade 3 TNBC T3aN0. PET scan on December 18.

    KEYNOTE 522 starts Monday. She will re-MRI every six weeks and if the tumor is clinically gone, I get to go to surgery (so let’s hear it for complete response) and quit chemo.

    I have my heart set on DMX but I haven’t had surgery consult yet. Since I’ve lost 40 lbs (thank you Zepbound), my boobs are just loose skin with very little contents. The tumor is 5cm, so resection would be deforming and I don’t want scanxiety. I’m also terrible about getting screenings done, as evidence by the fact I missed last year’s mammo. So …


    telling people has been awful. I had my manager send out an email generally saying marticcrn has breast cancer (I’m a nurse) so people wouldn’t wonder/talk. My hair stylist cried when I told him. I haven’t told my adult kids yet and my 7 year old just knows Mommy had a lump tested. Gonna get there later this week. I really hadn’t anticipated how bad telling people would be.

    Port soonish, but chemo starts first. I need your nail care tips, your skin and stomatitis tips. Alll the hints pls.

    Hugs to you all.

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