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

Feb 23, 2009 09:45PM JO-5 wrote:

 Veteran Warrior Women -- I like that mzmiller99!

 Jan,

 About the dietary changes -- just try to eat more veggies/fruit and low fat. I gained 12 pounds soon after starting Arimidex and can't lose it. Just before dx. I did the Atkins diet and lost 18 pounds. Can't do Atkins again - it makes me sick! I lose 5 lbs / gain 3/ lose 2 / gain 4 and on it goes!  I take calcium w/ D. and fish oil. Multi Vits. make me sick and I've tried them all.

I had a normal bone density a yr. before dx. After being on Arimidex for 1 year the Dr. said it was one of the best he had seen in a long time. I am due another one next month to see how my bones are ---- before I begin taking Arimidex longer.

My Dr. thinks taking Arimidex is a good idea for those of us who had a highly ER/PR positive tumor. He says longer use of Arimidex has not proven to be a problem. He said there are problems with taking Tamox. longer than five years and that is why a lot of ladies switch to Arimidex after Tamox.

klp,

When I first complained about the SE's of Arimidex my Dr. didn't have a problem if I wanted to switch to Tamox.  I had done a little research and learned that some women on Tamox had more issues w/ heart and possible strokes, and eye problems. He agreed, so I have learned to treat the SE's and put up with them. I still think the side effects are easier to treat than cancer. I also know ladies that have no SE's w/ Tamox.

anomdemet,

I have cold flashes and Dr. says my thyroid is fine.

Bonnie,

Hello again --- good to see you here! and --- yes to the LE but a mild case according to the therapist that I finally got to see. The breast LE is the worst and harder to treat. I wear a vest most days and do the drainage, of course ---- I have an unusual problem w/ my breast as you might remember.

Got to get off here and go to bed! Still don't sleep well and refuse to take sleeping pills ----- .

Way to go, ladies --- keep this going!

God bless us all!

JO

Feb 24, 2009 07:19AM JO-5 wrote:

  Linda,

I was so tired when I posted last night that I didn't answer your post but thought I would tell you now that I do have the high cholesterol and bp. My cholesterol was a little high before dx but I was able to control it w/ diet. I take meds for bp but not cholesterol. (reason being that in 86 I had liver damage from a pain med. -- off the market now -- and since cholesterol is known to sometimes harm the liver I am really afraid of it.) My ratio is really good - so the Dr. is letting me try to get it down --- I lost 5 pounds but have gained it all back but 1.

 Do any of the rest of you have problems w/ weight and cholesterol?

swimangel,

So sorry about the MRSA. That scares me, too. I have a cousin in rehab right now with MRSA from hip replacement surgery. Noyone is allowed in her room without a mask and gown! Since I seem to get everything - she has said that I should not come - so I don't. We talk on the phone. I wish you well ---- and let us know how you are coming along with your surgeries and treatments. I'm not sure where you are - but here in Ohio our hospital is very careful about the MRSA and Staph.

Sierra,

I am married (wonderful man!) We have three daughters (grown and married) 6 grandchildren and as of Saturday 8 great grandchildren. New baby boy 7 lbs / 20 inches.

JO

Feb 24, 2009 09:19AM - edited Feb 24, 2009 09:23AM by klp

Jo

I have high cholesterol and high b/p...I am controlling the cholesterol with a natural product. I was on a statin for awhile but discontinued due to possible SEs. I was also controlling my b/p with a natural product until I started radiation. The rad doc wanted me to discontinue because they weren't sure if they would interfere with the txs. As of now I'm taking a b/p prescription..I think Tamoxifen raises b/p so I'll probably continue with the b/p prescription rather than going for the natural one again. While discussing Tamoxifen with my onco she said the chances of a blood clot or stroke was about 1% so I'll take my chances. I gained about 5 lbs. that I intend to take off soon. Have to increase my exercise and cut down on my calories..easier said than done.

BTW Jo..Congratulations on your new addition!!! 

Hugs to you, Sharon

I have 2 girls and 1 boy, 5 grandchildren and 2 gr-grandchildren...one grandson is in the Army and another in the AF..I live alone with my dog and cat. 

 Looks like there are quite a lot of interested "older women" coming here...

Feb 24, 2009 09:55AM klp wrote:

Jo,

It is called Cholesterol Complete and I order it online at Seniorhealth.com...I also take fish oil. How much do you take?

Feb 24, 2009 10:41AM klp wrote:

Jo,

The main ingredient is policosanol which blocks the absorption of cholesterol. There are no side effects.

The fish oil I take is from Puritan Pride..I only take 1000 mg(1 capsule)/day..enteric coated, no fishy taste

Feb 24, 2009 10:48AM klp wrote:

You're welcome, Jo....one of my daughter's is named Josephine and I call her Jo. I can PM you the link to the site if you want.

Feb 24, 2009 11:39AM klp wrote:

Well Jo you sure know a heck of a lot more about the ingredients then I do...I know niacin helps to lower cholesterol. I had asked my rad onco what he thought about soy in foods. He said the jury is still out on that so he didn't think anything was wrong with a little soy. I do believe the AMA and drug companies would prefer to keep us on prescription meds rather than safe, more natural products IMO.

I can't blame you for being super careful with different ingredients, products. My only allergies are to penicillin and sulfa...

Feb 24, 2009 12:00PM PaulaLS wrote:

Hey Jan,  Keep in mind my photo is a very small one so you can't see all the wrinkles and hair color is wonderful.  I admire you working in the recovery room - that's a very important job.  Guess we are both reluctantly becoming BC experts.   MRSA is frequent in the schools now.   It's definitely out there - everywhere.

Saw the PS today.  Had my last drain removed. YEA!   I continue to have some healing problems - a little epidermolysis problably due to the fact I used to be a smoker, my age, and the skin sparing mast with immediate implant.  PS assures me it will heal - just slow.  Just gotta keep any infection away!

I enjoy this thread and love the ladies on it.

Feb 24, 2009 12:03PM - edited Feb 24, 2009 12:04PM by PaulaLS

Feb 24, 2009 12:26PM - edited Feb 24, 2009 01:01PM by Binney4

Ooh, Madalyn, belly fat cells!

I can identify! Sooo depressing, and every pound I gain goes right there. In fact, even if I don't gain, every fat cell in my body seems to be doing a mass migration to the belly. It's a regular stampede!

Anybody have any suggestion for exercises that target this problem without causing back problems?

As for Dexa scans, my gyn orders them every two years because of the past AI treatment. Also discovered a few years ago my vitamin D levels were low. Supplements have helped, but not as much as 10 minutes a day of sun exposure. (Harder than you'd think here in Arizona where the sun shines almost every day -- we have months of triple digit temperatures when sitting for 10 minutes in the sun is torture!)

Sierra, it's so good to hear from you. In answer to your question, I have a wonderful husband and we have nine kids (mostly adopted), two of them at home always due to disabilities (they're the joy of my life--couldn't have made it through all this without them!) We have 11 grandkids, but our family is scattered all over -- Alaska, Tennessee, D.C., etc.

Gosh, hanging out with you guys makes me proud to be the possessor of so much "life experience!"
Binney

Feb 24, 2009 02:57PM Marple wrote:

I'm 53, I assume I qualify?  Was post meno before my dx at age 50.  And ladies, it looks like this IS the forum for us post meno gals. 

Mzm, what a gem your Mom is.

Feb 24, 2009 03:02PM Marple wrote:

Hahaha, thx klp, hot flashes, belly fat, arimidex and all.

Hugs.

Feb 24, 2009 04:34PM mzmiller99 wrote:

Snowbird - Braaaa Haaaa!!  Cranial sproutage!!!  And, woo hoo for being one treatment away!!

Hmmmm, what to call us?  Post-mens?  Sounds like something my kinders would say!

Feb 24, 2009 06:27PM samedaynurseJan wrote:

*laughing* you guys are GREAT !!!! I too was going to thank NorthStar.....and where has she gone too ? Im still giggling bout cranial sproutage.....great news for the end of treatment Snowbird....are you a Snowbird from somewhere up north ???? What was your criteria for needing chemo.....the ILC or the size ? There are some things I still dont quite get.....

I am seriously smiling all the way through *our* community thread...between weight gain and cholesterol and Arimidex do-si-dos we are one amazing and funny group.....and all of our *seasoning* seems to really help keep our outlook and attitude light.....speaking of which....Im still so new on this journey.....how do all of you handle *test and Dr visit times* I had my last test a couple of weeks ago, my bone scan which was negative, and I feel like I have huge weights lifted off for at least a time, but come March its oncologist visit and June its first mammo.....I hated that horrible fear that was a part of my every moment all of Dec and January.....I have been told time and again things should be very good for a long and healthy future but somedays I believe it better than others.....thoughts ?

I have struggled for almost 10 years to lose 80 pounds and then the high point of my bc was the additional 18# that I lost.....now a good deal of that is creeping back with no terror to take away my appetite....but I am still down nearly 95# and I SO dont want to give any of that back thanks to Arimidex. Im a big fan of South Beach......I too control cholesterol on my own and have a very good ratio but I wonder if next year I too will have to consider statins.....I did a little research and found that the purest and best supplements are sold at GNC.....I dont know if any of you have GNC nearby, they have one great supplement that combines the perfect dose of Ca, and Mg and Vit D.....they also have the purest triple strength fish oil you can buy, and they DO have sales fairly often. I check your posts on all that carefully JO cause you have really done your homework.....

Paula, I still think your pic rocks ! I did 26 years of Pediatrics and then when kids were hospitalized less I moved into the area of same day surgery and recovery room cause it seemed to be a growing field.....now I have to just hope I can stick with it til the Medicare comes into play...ridiculous thing to have to worry about eh ?

My husband and I are married 39 years in June but we shared a locker together in High School so we go WAYYYYY back, we have one married son and three delightful *busy* little grandsons that are huge lights in our life ! We moved closer to them after my husbands accident and are so happy we did....Im still going back over the posts from today and thinking what wonderful women have stepped up to cheer on the *seasoned citizens group*

Love to each of you.....

jan

Feb 24, 2009 07:03PM - edited Feb 25, 2009 05:46PM by JO-5

 Hello Ladies!

I really did log off and get some things done - not much - but did cook a good low-fat w/lots of veggies supper!  LOL

I just had to come here and take a look before going to bed! 

 Jan, I still, after almost 5 years have the heebie jeepbies whenever I go for my mammogram, etc. I had my 5 yr. one last Friday. Every time the phone rings I check the caller ID to see if it is the Imaging Center!  This was a screening (not diagnostic) so I have to wait for results. If they find anything I will get a call back - otherwise I will find out at my appt. March 6th. I don't think we ever get over that. Most times BC is on the back burners and not thought of 24/7 -- but it doesn't take much to bring it forward!

I am a reader and before I had the Internet I would read everything I could get my hands on about any medical problem, now it is much easier to find what I need to know...... and let me tell you, dear hearts, I've learned more about breast cancer than I ever WANTED TO KNOW!  LOL

btw -- I'm a member of the belly fat group, too and when I got married I had a 21 inch waist line - almost as small as Scarlett O'Hara! 

I think most of the posts on this thread have a lot of good old humor in them along with the advice and help ----- and that is a good thing. Through the years we have learned  to smile through the tears!

Eventually, I look forward to learning everyone's stories!  I bet there are some good ones here!

I see a new "member" almost every time I log on and YOU ARE ALL WELCOME - WE NEED YOUR THOUGHTS AND KNOWLEDGE.

God bless and Good night!

JO