Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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I like the idea of an older gals forum, the issues are somewhat different. Maybe pre or post menopausal is a good definition. Even though treatment throws you into menopause if you are pre.
I'm 65, was diagnosed the first time in 2014, very straightforward, just lumpectomy and radiation plus tamoxifen/letrozole for 5 years. Diagnosed 2nd time in 2024 with triple negative, stage 3c. Had Keynote protocol - chemo, immunotherapy, surgery (bilateral mastectomy), radiation. I had to go back for full node dissection. Only had partial response to chemo. Am on Xeloda now. My husband had cancer, I was his caregiver, he passed away last year. So I am really trying to figure out what life looks like now. 2 adult children, going to be a grandmother soon. Live in Toronto. I'm anxious about what post-treatment looks like.
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Welcome, honeymoonkaminski, to the club no one wants to join. However, the membership here is supportive, open to all and kind. We share our treatment experiences and while many of us are post-treatment we listen and offer advice as needed.
You definitely barely made post-menopausal with your first dx, and the recurrence a decade later must have been an unwelcome surprise. Sorry about this and the loss of your DH last year. The last 2 years for you seem to have been difficult? Life after treatment differs for each of us, but we do seem to reach a point where we are able to discover there is more to life than BC.
The fact that you have 2 grown children and are expecting a grandchild is a plus for post-treatment, especially if your children can offer assistance as needed. The new grandchild is something to look forward to as it will provide a new focus for life.
I had my BC dx and tx, shortly after my granddaughter was born and was sad that as a newborn, I really could not hold her. She will be 11 this year and my saying to her is "I love you to the moon and back" which she has altered to be "love you to the moon and the back" since she was about 2.
Please feel free to post as often as you'd like, we'd love to have you join this forum.
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honeymoonkaminski, I join betrayal in welcoming you to this forum. Please feel free to post openly as there is no judgement here. I have four grandchildren ages six to twelve, and unfortunately none of them knew me before my dx. But I can still shower them with love and we talk and laugh together often. They are my joy and blessing in the midst of my struggle. Look for the small joys and they will help get you through.
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We will be with you through this, Mrs. Kaminsky.
We are waiting for you, Sandy.
Betrayal, I just love that pink-edged one. Agreed on the ketone testing. The books I am reading are library books. As soon as I finish reading them, I will be revising my recipe ring-binder. Residents here are going to be writing a cookbook, also.
I will be getting out of this gosh dang awful cast on my hand on Monday. Then PT for neck and OT for hand.
Just got back from doctor appt. Checked the diet thing out with my doctor. Also got prescriptions for knee pain in early mornings.
Taco, I am praying for you and Debbie and Ken. The situation has so many layers of pain and frustration.
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Taco, off the cuff - is there a way Ken could stay home to be with the dog? He wouldn’t have to travel, but I don’t know if that would add more stress leaving him.
Honeymoonkaminsky, welcome to the group. Like Betrayal said, the group no one ever wanted to be in. We make the best of it.
Concert was great! I’m so glad we went. Santana plays with such ease, so smooth. He does use a high swivel seat for a lot of it but at 78 years old, justifiable. Listening to him play, he could be a kid again.
Totally enjoyed ourselves.
Yesterday my SO son called from his vacation in Mexico, he & wife away without their 2 sons. They were calling to see if we received a package. Mail was late and SO went out to the mailbox to look, and came in with a small box he handed to me and he went to sit down. Me, feeling this was something special due to a call from their vacation, I made him come stand by me as I opened it.
Late Easter gift? No.
I had to crack the egg… we’re getting another grandchild!! Super happy news. And such a cute way to announce it. Think pink ladies! LOL Due date 10/24.
Last night we picked up niece and grandniece from the boat returning from Key West. They had a horrible ride. A storm beating on one side of the catamaran, tossing the boat (she thought it would capsize), lights were flickering, and people were getting sick. They were both very scared. Only lucky thing was the boat stayed close to shore and they had phone service. And an older couple next to them were calming them. Last night she said she’d never take the boat again. Today she said she’d take it again but not anytime soon. I was very happy to see them pull into the dock.Gf & family that didn’t get on a flight Wednesday are still here. I think she may be flying home for tax papers, and returning. Her husband is adamant he has to do the taxes (he’s 90 and SET in his ways). So who knows!
My guests leave Sunday morning. We’ll leave my house about 5:30 AM; up & back in about 1 hour. So if my gf needs a ride to the airport it will have to be Monday or later. I’ll be glad when I have no more morning wake ups.
Have a great weekend!4 -
Welcome, honeymoonkaminsky. My sympathy on the loss of your husband. Feel free to come here and share experiences, good and bad.
Betrayal, I wasn't aware there are so many varieties of daffodils. I consider them a "happy" flower.
Cindy, I love that Santana song that is so famous. I would definitely have enjoyed attending the concert. I don't envy you the hostess role but I'm sure you're very good at it. Not all boat rides are pleasurable. I know that from experience.
Taco, I also wondered if Ken couldn't stay home with the dog. My middle sister, Linda, is in the situation where she doesn't think it's feasible to leave her dh at home, even on a grocery shopping trip. His mental clarity comes and goes. On a recent shopping trip, he became convinced that the woman in the checkout line behind them had his and Linda's items in her cart. It took the woman, Linda, and the checkout employee to convince him.
Chris, I apparently missed a post when you mentioned being on a low-carb diet. Those diets seem to work especially well for men. All the research I have read indicates that they result in good blood work numbers. I read the Atkins book years ago and followed the diet for a while. I especially liked being able to cook with butter and cream, which were no-nos on WW.
My current peeve is a letter from Amazon telling me my Kindle Fire registered in 2012 and in great working condition will soon become obsolete, and I won't be able to download books on it after a date in May. I can continue to read any books already downloaded but if I want to continue with Kindle eBooks, I have to buy a newer model. I guess Bezos needs to add more money to his billions. Just for the heck of it, I will look into other electronic readers. Any recommendations?
We'll be watching Masters golf this weekend.
Happy Saturday.
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The manner in which one endures what must be endured is more important than the thing that must be endured.
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Carol, I am experimenting with it. I still have leftovers in my freezer that I collected before my hand surgery and some during the recovery. I intend on doubling down on it when I have that done. I have two bags of WW flour, Stevia sweetener, soy flour arriving maybe today, summer squash and green peppers. chickpea flour and the test strips. As I continue reading the books I will add other useful staples. To do the anti-inflammatory diet, cheese and nightshades are also banned. I don't think I can give up cheese, tomatoes and eggplant.
Yesterday, doctor gave me prescriptions for 5% lidocaine cream and Tramadol to help with sleep. She looked through the Mayo online library and could only find one article on Atkins, which was a description and claims. Extracting any new information was difficult. Just a strong warning to emphasize fiber.
I am getting tired of one-handed typing. I am pretty decent at it, but it is tiresome. Remember when I was experimenting with voice-to-print when my right hand was casted?
I read Kindle books on my phone, Carole. No tablet necessary. I love the Kindle Unlimited books. i have an Atkins cookbook for seniors. The recipes are economical and easy to prepare.
Cindy, that Santana concert had to be a thrill! And the baby announcement was cute!
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Carole, woot.com is affiliated with Amazon and they randomly have Kindles at steep discounts. I grabbed a Kindle Fire 10, refurbished, for $52 ($59.99, a discount, add tax). I didn’t care what color because I put a cover on it. I think it’s a dusty rose color. And Amazon itself runs sales, although I’m not sure when the next Prime day is.
Today was a pancake and egg event here. GN loves pancakes, and I needed to get rid of Bisquick. A win win.
Afternoon at the pool, meaning a great time for me to read. Showering to get out to dinner now.
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Most importantly, the meaning of spirituality lays the seeds for our destiny and the path we must follow.
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Last night was a pancakes and bacon event here, Cindy. LOL. I didn't feel like making the chicken dinner I planned to make. DH cooked the bacon. I made the pancakes with a mix. Hit the spot. Wonder where that saying came from.
I'll check that website you mentioned.
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Carole, I read my kindle books on my ipad.
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Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.
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Welcome honeymoonkaminiski.
I am heading back to NC to turn prep the cabin for warm weather. I am finally over the cold and bronchitis. I have returned to my usual routine.
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Prejudice is a great time saver. You can form opinions without having to get the facts.
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Last 2 days have been more like summer than spring. Far too early for this weather though it has been nice to not have to wear a jacket.
Saw ortho for last visit since TKR last April. Both knees look good though lately they have been uncomfortable and it is not the joint itself, but the surrounding tissues. Offered PT in case it is tendonitis, but I'm going on vacation in 15 days so no time to plan for that. Hoping I don't have issues while away. Will take Voltaren gel to use as needed.
We went to Bonefish Grill for a late lunch/early dinner. I had the lobster ravioli for the first time and they were quite good. DH is a fish eater whereas I am not, so he had scallops with butterfish and said it was good. I eat lobster, crab and some fish like cod, flounder and halibut, but not a fan of salmon or other fish. They had blue berry creme brulee for dessert and it was very good. The manager said they will be doing a cinnamon swirl one and he asked if I had any recommendations. I asked if they had done banana and it was a "no" so I suggested a bananas foster creme brulee.
Stopped at Five Below and Giant on our way home and found peppers on sale so I'll make stuffed peppers. I make them in the oven or microwave. They are a family favorite and quick to make. One container cooking.
Took a walk around outside to see how landscaping from last year did with the winter we had. The Lenten roses are in bloom and they look lovely. A few of the bushes look like they might not make it so I'll keep an eye on them since they are new to me. I have a list of what was planted so I'll have to look to see when they get leaves, etc.
I'll post some photos of the "hidden garden" hyacinths. They look lovely. I can't find the orange trumpet daffodils so I am wondering it they have died off. The bleeding hearts are up and some are blooming. I weeded under the bay window since the weeds in there were doing so well and were dwarfing some of the other plants. Tomorrow is supposed to hit the 90's so I may try to do some yard work early to beat the heat. I need to cut some dead wood out of the one lilac that has very small, but very fragrant flowers. It doesn't smell as nice as the purple one in front of the house which also has very small flowers and I'm hoping it will bloom before we leave, otherwise it will be a year before I get to smell it again. I wish I could bottle it.
Hope everyone had a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.
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Welcome honeymoonkaminiski.
Thanks for all your support and encouragement for DD's journey. Still in a holding pattern - no date. Paperwork supposedly got lost in the bureaucracy. Dental release was faxed to the wrong number and no one knew to whom it went.
Leaving Ken home with the dogs isn't an option. He forgets to take his medicine and really wants to see Debbie. He still is with it enough that I could never convince/ force him to have someone stay with him. I leave him during the day and he carries an AirTag but I would worry so much if he was here alone, I wouldn't be any help to Debbie either.
Chris - I quickly lost 20 lbs with Atkins and gained it and 20 more as quickly. Ken worried about how unbalanced it was - particularly no fruit. Hope you get the use of your second hand back quickly. It's been a long time for you.
Loved seeing all the spring flowers. Thanks for sharing.
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Betrayal, I'm amazed that you will have 90-degree temperature. What a change.
Taco, such a long delay in things lining up for your daughter's surgery. Your explanation about Ken's wanting to see his daughter makes perfect sense.
I have tried many diets. Atkins. South Beach. WW. The effort to lose/not gain is ongoing. Along with the effort to "eat healthy." I check in with a forum on Wednesdays and today I'm down less than a pound, which I consider maintaining.
Today my Wednesday exercise/lunch group will be going to the English Tea Room. One of the group says there are lunch choices on the menu. I have not been there and like to go to new for me places to eat. I'll see if I can check a menu online.
Happy Wednesday to everyone.
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Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.
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I hope she gets this resolved soon. Best to take Ken alone.
I got the cast off Monday. Now wearing a custom splint. OT starts tomorrow.
I got from Kindle unlimited. The recipes are very easy. I really don't want any complicated recipes while I am doing my OT exercises every three hours. Too much to keep track of. Low carb is a lifetime choice. The trick is to gradually introduce new foods until you reach equilibrium. Berries are acceptable because they are so nutritious. Taking vitamin C is advised.
We had 3 inches of rain the other night. I slept right through it. I live in an area that used to be swamp, and there are still some problems with drainage. A lot of people have pumps and hoses. Gardening is nearly useless because of the sandy soil. Flood warnings out.
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More spring blooms.
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Beautiful flowers. It has been great weather here the past few days, but it is supposed to snow on Friday. Gotta love Spring in the Rockies! We had a 75 car pile-up at the infamous Eisenhower Tower two days ago because of a random snow. People were heading to the snowy mountains and just did not know how to handle it.
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At last - Debbie's surgery is scheduled for April 28th. Was able to get a nonstop flight to Boston and rent a car there on the 26th. Couldn't find a flight to Portland, ME. Have no idea why such a problem but this may be easier anyway. One less airport to navigate although the car rental place will be more hectic. New dog sitter arranged. Will have to change a few appointments in the morning but we're finally moving forward. If we only weren't so worried about her stroke risk!
Continued crazy weather everywhere. What a horrible accident in CO. Stay safe everyone.
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If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.
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Good news about the scheduled surgery and travel plans, Taco.
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What a relief, but especially when surgery is done.
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Taco, great news that surgery has been scheduled and your plans are set. Fingers crossed that all goes well for Debbie. Ken needs to see her, so a wise decision to take him and less anxiety for you since he will be with you.
Chris, glad the cast is gone and you can get OT for your hand.
Yesterday was 90 degrees and today will be so, too. I decided to tackle the invasive vine that has canopied several scrub bushes (grow wild and I have no idea what they are) that are cover for the fern bed. I managed to get about 90% off which was a real tug of war involving multiple cuts of thick branches and then finding the source. I cut it back to the ground and will apply an application of poison ivy killer which should kill it. It had invaded a small tulip poplar, too, and was strangling it. It should recover once the remains of the vine, above my reach, rot and fall off. I was tugging a large bundle of the vine up an incline when I lost my balance and ended up sitting in the pachysandra bed. Have to say it was a soft seat and not really a fall, but a sit, and other than my dignity, nothing was hurt. Don't think I had any witnesses, lol. I did manage to get that bundle up the hill, but made sure my base was secure before I tugged this time. I pulled out some dead wood from the lilac bush that has small white flowers. I thought this plant was dying but realized that lilacs have die off of older parts on a regular basis. I spent 90 minutes doing all this cutting, tugging, and pulling and was drenched when I was done. My clothes were soaked as was my hair, so I headed to the tub for a soak due to some muscles which hadn't been used in a while protesting loudly.
I also did 2 loads of laundry and then made stuffed peppers for dinner. They were good and I did throw them in the oven to cook. We ended up putting the A/C on because it was so humid. You'd think after the warm night the night before I would sleep well in the A/C, nope I woke before 6 and could not go back to sleep. I decided to beat the heat to day, asked DH to open the shed so I could get some large planters for the dahlia bulbs I had bought at Costco. They were large bulbs and I had a dozen composed of 3 different varieties. I ended up using 4 planters and then found some small bulbs in the soil they were packed in and planted 2 more planters. A planter of lilies from last year is erupting. They wintered over so I was surprised they survived. I watered all the planters and have them close to the house to keep the deer off.
I have 12 Alcea bulbs (2 different varieties) to plant today as well. I think I will plant them in a bed that receives good afternoon sun and is already fenced in. It shouldn't take long because they only need to be planted down 1 inch.
Sent an order to Walmart for delivery today, put summer sheets on bed, washed winter ones, will fold and store in linen closet, and bed is made. Have a load of towels to do after I get washed up.
DS called to announce they got a third French Bull dog and they are seeking a name. He's cute, but they did not need a third dog. He's going to come this weekend to rototill a bed next to the driveway for me. Since they installed the walkway and flag stone walls this area hasn't been lucky growing pachysandra. So it is a weed bed at best that surrounds my Crape myrtle and a Japanese holly. I want to make sure he doesn't go near it's roots and remediate the soil to see if we an get pachysandra to fill in the area like it used to be. We can get pachysandra from existing beds to plant there and hopefully it will grow.
I'm trying to get some gardening done before we leave for our trip and while the weather is not cold. We are to go back into the 50's next week and other than some rain, it looks like I will be able to get some things done. I need to repaint some of my yard bird decorations. I bought the paint, I just need sunny days and lots of cardboard to put the on.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day and waving "hi" to everyone.
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homeymoonkaminiski - a warm welcome. I hope you will pop in and join the conversation as often as possible.
Taco - glad to hear your daughter’s surgery is finally scheduled both for her sake and yours.
Chris - are you having any flooding? I keep hearing about the Wisconsin, Wolf and Fox Rivers overflowing in central Wisconsin. Good luck with the Keto diet.
Cindy - thanks for the suggestion to use nasal spray. Not sure why I didn’t think of it. I only used it for two nights and it did help. I seemed to have shared the cold with DH and we are both feeling kind of run down. I did manage to get out on my first bike ride of the season on Monday. Got in a little over 7 miles, so I have a ways to go to reach my goal of 15 miles.
Betrayal - 90 degrees! Holy cow. It’s way too early for that. We’ve been in the 70’s and humid. We reached 80 on Tuesday. I was hoping for a bit cooler spring.
Waving ‘hi’ to all.
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There are flood warnings in 40% of Wisconsin counties. The Mississippi River at La Crosse will peak on Saturday at 7:00 am, 3 tenths of a foot under official flood stage. There is a park across the street from where I used to live that floods regularly. It is actually dual purpose, as a flood plain and a park. I am sure it flooded.
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