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

IllinoisLady

Bonnets -- so glad your son is fine. You had probably mentioned somewhere in passing that your son lived in Vegas but I'm so forgetful I'd have never remembered unless it was last week so I'm joining you in your sigh of relief. I hope you are able to get GOOD clarification from your Oncologist about the Arimidex. I was advised I could stop after five yrs. though I do and was getting all tx. from the V.A. They tend to go with tried and true medications --- so I've had a thought now and then about the Arimidex ( generic Anastrozole, ) and taking it longer. I followed what they said and I'm here, but have only been off it for 5 yrs. So --- I guess for me the question might be what has changed and been learned between the previous recommendation and now.

My thought about guns -- who needs one that will kill a whole lot of people at once. Makes no sense to me unless you are enlisted and in a war.

Wren44

Bonnets, So glad your son is OK. You must have been terribly worried. My Onc said 5 years was enough for me. I'm 77, so if it reoccurs in 10 years, I'll have lived longer than most of my family did. And who's to say it wouldn't be a new primary? I'm not going to worry about it. Alzheimers is much scarier IMHO.

IllinoisLady

Those who humble themselves shall be saved;
Those who bend shall be made straight;
Those who empty themselves shall be filled.

Lao-tzu

IllinoisLady

May rain a bit today. It did yesterday but was mainly a minor event. It is not the rain that we sure can use to settle the deep dust as much as is possible but the dislike of too much gray. Lots to keep me busy today so it won't be as bad as it would normally be --- and as well, this is only the second gray day. It may clear a bit and break things up a little.

Everything outside has that tired Fall look to it and there are plenty of leaves on the ground. Going to be a lot more -- you can see lots of ground through them. We have trees that drop early -- so we will be into November at least before the raining down of leaves ends. I don't like to see it come but everything needs a rest --- and maybe winter will be nice this yr. We barely had one this past winter season. With the global warming trend we have dismissed predictions since they mainly seem not to happen in our section of the country. This past winter, for instance, was stated as being a brutal one for us, but it never came -- so we wait for whatever comes which doesn't mean we ignore forecasts -- but just try to prepare for anything and no matter what comes you are okay.

Hoping you all have a good day.

bonnets

Supposed to be 75-85 here today, but have a cool front coming. Some rain over the weekend. We haven't had a REAL winter in a few years. Every time snow is forecast the storm splits and we get a dusting! Glad DH isn't still in the snow plowing business! Have had a few trees loosing most of their leaves, others still green. The squirrels are going to be happy this year , as our black walnit had a bumper yer. Also my oak is making the chip monks happy!

duckyb1

Bonnets......so glad your son is ok.....hopefully that was not a concert he attended......I love country......and my favorite is Garth Brooks....if I lived in Vegas, and he was there........I would have been in that crowd.........insane moron........what I want to say.....I am to much a lady to post.........

Now anyone who knows me...knows I am not always a lady.....LOL

ChiSandy

So I got my 23andme profile results this week, and there were few if any surprises. I am 98.3% Ashkenazi Jewish, 1.6% "broad non-Jewish European," which dovetails with the story that the reason my dad's birth surname didn't turn up in any Jewish name databases* was--according to a docent at the Library of Jewish Genealogy at the U. of Tel Aviv--that it was a Gentile name and whoever brought it into the family tree converted to Judaism. After a couple of years of dead ends on various genealogy forums, a guy in San Francisco with that surname told me the story of two of his ancestors who were brothers from Alsace, where the family owned a winery and 300 yrs. ago, often traveled to Russia to sell wines (Russians were fond of French wines and Alsace was, as it is again now, French). On the way back through the "Pale of Settlement" (the part of E. Europe where the Tsars allowed Jews to settle), they fell in love with two Jewish girls--and in order to marry them they had to convert to Judaism. Assuming there was no further intermarriage on either side (until Bob & me), that 1.6% sounds about right. The other 1% is divided between "southwestern" (Iberian) and "southern" (likely Italian or Greek) non-Jewish European--could be those were somewhere in the brothers' own lineage.

(My sister & I are the only ones still alive on our father's side who know he was adopted by his stepfather after his birth father died young--his other siblings were all younger and only one was a full sibling).

I tested negative for all known variants for Parkinson's and late-onset Alzheimer's (no gene has yet been ID'd for early-onset); and two VUSes for macular degeneration and familial hyperchromatosis (the opposite of iron-deficiency anemia)--there is no actual correlation for those two variants. My DNA said I was likely to be lactose-intolerant (nope), fair-skinned prone to sunburn and with few freckles (yup), light-haired (I was born dishwater blonde before my hair turned brown during mid-childhood), and either brown or hazel-eyed (my eyes' irises are olive green with honey-brown centers).

But the most fascinating thing (for those of you who are either genetics geeks or into Jewish law) is that my maternal haplotype is one found only in Ashkenazi Jews--it is found in no other ethnic group. That one arose around...wait for it...in the area surrounding and bisected by the border between northeastern France and northwestern Germany. (i.e., Alsace-Lorraine or the extreme west of the Rhine watershed). Where does Jewish law (aka "halacha") fit into that? Well, according to Orthodox halacha, Jewish heritage is passed down only matrilineally (i.e., on the maternal side). The ancient rabbis said that was because while paternity could be ambiguous, maternity was obvious. But almost two millennia later, genetic science proves it.

I told Bob about that (his PhD is in somatic cell genetics) and he was fascinated--and determined to take the 23andme test himself because although his mom's German-Hungarian ancestry and the Scots half of his dad's ancestry was always assumed, the other half of his dad's ancestry was--according to various forbears--Italian, Swiss, Spanish or Peruvian (his paternal grandfather claimed to have been descended from Inca royalty).

At least Gordy can definitively claim he's half-Ashkenzi-Jewish. And halachically fully a Jew, should he ever decide to emigrate to Israel.

BTW, most people who claim Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry on both sides of their families are between 90-100% Ashkenazi because there was so little intermarriage over the millennia--and the reason why certain "founder" genetic mutations (e.g., BRCA 1 & 2, familial hypercholesterolemia, familial hyperchromatosis, cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs, Gaucher's, Canavan's, Gilbert's syndromes) are much more likely to be found in Ashkenazi Jews (and to a lesser extent, other more insulated populations such as Amish, Cajun and Quebecois). It also explains why most ethnic east Asians and up to 25% of Jews (Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi) are lactose-intolerant.

*all other surnames on either side of my family are in that library's database.

IllinoisLady

To be a person of true greatness...
Live with honor.
Respect yourself.
Respect others.
Act honorably.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Wren44

Sandy, I've thought about having my genes done. I know all about my mother's family and virtually nothing about my father's. I had a Native American great grandfather. I would love to know what tribe he was from. DH's cousin had his done, so we have a rough idea of what DH's might be.

carolehalston

I'm back home in Louisiana just in time for Nate! Some forecasts have the storm's path coming to St. Tammany Parish where we live. So far it's predicted not to be a strong hurricane and should move through, not linger and dump rain like Harvey did.

We departed this past Saturday and arrived home on Monday. Tuesday was a busy day putting things away. On Wednesday I got my hair cut and colored and visited my mother at the nursing home. I'm so thankful that she had a good summer and continues to feel good, despite the chronic UTI. Yesterday dh and I went to the gym. Today it's back to the nursing home to accompany my mother to an appointment with an "ear" dr. to have her ears cleaned out. She has quite a bit of hearing loss at age 94.

Nate is supposed to make landfall on Sunday.

I am a mystery fiction reader and am hoping to get some answers about the motivation of the Los Vegas shooter. I heard some numbers reported on tv that I have not fact-checked. The United States is 5 per cent of the world population and we have 30 per cent of the world's civilian gun violence. I also heard we have 50 per cent of the civilian-owned guns in the world. I don't see any reason a person who isn't military or police should own a semi-automatic gun, much less one modified to operate like a machine gun. I also don't think a private citizen should be able to amass a huge stock of guns.

Anne, good luck with getting your house back in good shape. I'm sorry you're dealing with so much pain.

Sandy, interesting information on your genetic background. Puffin has also delved into her background.

Happy Friday to all.

IllinoisLady

This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good, but what I do today is important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it! When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, and not loss; good, and not evil; success, and not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price I have paid for it. -unattributed

IllinoisLady

Sure hope all the predictions of Nate stay as they appear now. Can't recall when hurricane season is ' past ' but the last three have been brutal and I'm hoping that we have seen the worst. Glad too that your Mom seems to be holding her own well Carole. I would be surprised mostly about those who keep their hearing for a long time as I think of it as a delicate balance that can be thrown out of kilter easily. Put another way -- how long can those tiny hairs ( cilia I think they are called ) last for the most part. It seems everything has to be exercised in some way for it to work optimally.

I did Ancestry but have to keep going back to read because my memory doesn't want to retain -- but most of my ancestors were from across the pond. Dovetails with always being told we had a little bit of everything -- and a lot of truth to that.

I too think we are foolish for allowing the stock-piling of weaponry. Mainly for that type that operates in ways that is a lot more suitable to military use. I also am tired of those using the 2nd. Amendment to further arguments. I think it is not contextual in todays world -- but had the proper meaning at the beginning.

I'm getting ready to have a really fine day. I was given a gift card for a memorial for a friends deceased sister who loved animals ( just as much as my friend does ) and so every time I go feed the feral group, I envision not being alone in my smiles as the kitties scamper into place to get their ' meals on wheels ' for the day. A really great way it has been for me to start every day.

Teka

Ducky,

I am praying for Makayla (granddaughter) to receive excellent medical care to treat the cyst.

Teka

*Good Morning Everyone*

The following was taken from Facebook.

A neighbor took (2) Fall pics of the AuSable River near my childhood home.

The neighbor also took (1) Fall pic of the AuSable River near our home.

Daughter chose a lovely begonia plant that continues to bloom in the outdoor planter box.

Son thinks the begonia bloom looks like a sculpted peach.

VelvetPoppy

I saw my MO this week. I was really hoping to be able to move to bi-annual visits, but he said not yet. I still have stinging breast pain that he says is usually normal however the breast is also very tender to the touch. I am 21 months out of surgery and 17 months from radiation, this should be easing up if not gone all together. Anyway, he said he will speak to the RO & BS before my visits with them in Nov. & Dec.& my mammogram. He is thinking it may be something from the radiation because the skin is thicker in the area where the pain is.

Wren44

Teka, Lovely place. I would try to overwinter the begonia as a house plant. Wouldn't hurt to try. It is really pretty.

IllinoisLady

Positive thinking is not the destination; it is the journey. An optimistic person
will be constantly challenged--by external circumstances as well as
inner fears and doubts. Always remember that these tests are like
a ladder you must climb. As you move past each rung, your optimism
strengthens and your confidence begins to flex newly found muscle
that you might never have developed otherwise.

Montague Ewards

IllinoisLady

Poppy -- maybe once your MO speaks with the Dr.'s you will see later on, your visits can slow down. Surely having three Dr.'s putting their heads together will help you get to where you'd like to be. Hopefully some definite answers will come out of all of those visits.

Those Fall pictures are so pretty. I love the Fall colors and a number of the things that happen in Fall --- like apple cider. I just dislike gathering up two acres of leaves. The majority is our own, but we do get a few from the neighbors. Well, having to work hard in Fall probably helps me drop a few lbs. and then when I stay in more in the winter time I have a little time before possible negative effects from lack of exercise.

I hope you are all going to have a good Saturday.

VelvetPoppy

~IllinoisLady~

I hope so, too. I am surprised that I am still seeing all three, but none intend to release me for a while. I would have thought I would be through with the surgeon, but she is talking bi-annual visits for the next four years & then annually after (until I die?). I'm afraid she may try to keep me forever! The RO also is keeping me for the next 4 years because he is watching for "late side effects" of the radiation. He seems to be watching closely because the breast is still slightly red, although he says the scar tissue from the surgery is "softening nicely". I know I am with the MO until 2020 because of the letrozole. (huge sigh) I guess it will be what it will be. I feel well and the exercise workouts I now do are helping. The MO has told me I look at lot better since last year and my skin tone has brightened considerably, so I will take that and continue on with this journey.

Wren44

Poppy, I never saw my surgeon after the couple of follow-up appointments in the following few weeks. I would be tempted to ask her why she wants to continue. I know others here do go on to see the BS later. I went straight to MO.

ChiSandy

My RO cut me loose after I finished rads, but that's because I had a shorter course and the only real SE I had was enlargement of my breast seroma (which has shrunk to pre-surgery size). I'm on a semiannual schedule with my MO (plus Prolia & labs in between) till at least the end of 2020 or the end of letrozole, whichever comes first.. I'm back to annual mammos, but still semiannual with my BS or her NP. Will find out in Jan. if I'm going annual with her as well.

Most trees here in Chicago are still green, though I'm down to just 3 of the original 6 tomato plants, most of the leaves are yellow or brown (I need to crush them and add to the soil or compost), and except for one blossom that started growing a tiny tomato, the blossoms from last week's heat wave have shriveled. Including that tiny tomato, I'm down to my last 17 on the vine, all pretty small. No frost or even overnight temps below 45 forecast yet, so I'll keep the 'maters on the vine as long as they're there. All the green ones I rescued from the deck ripened on my sill, so I expect I won't be stuck with any greenies come Dec. My parsley has gotten leggy and a lot of it is dead--but after culling those stems I'm noticing a few new ones popping up, with small dark green leaves. Basil doing ok, though the holy basil has gotten leggy & spiky. Not crazy about the latter's aroma (hard to describe the undertone but it's sorta skunky/citrusy) but the spikes are keeping the honeybees happy. Thyme & rosemary going great guns. Basically. everything in containers on the deck did well--but down in the garden, not so much. Chives pretty much kaput (the hose doesn't reach that part of the garden; but it's a perennial so it'll be back in mid-spring. Mint got very leggy, but I hardly ever picked it. Birds got all the grapes, so I'll pick & brine the leaves while still green so I can try to make dolmades. Fig tree will take another couple of years to bear fruit. (I didn't plant it, so if it never fruits I won't complain like Jonah--yeah, that "Jonah"--did after the gourd that popped up spontaneously then suddenly withered and died. The night before Yom Kippur I actually dreamt the same thing happened in my garden, only with broccoli and lettuce).

Cloudy, rainy & warm-ish all week--it's 79 as I type this, still T-shirt weather.

VelvetPoppy

~Wren~

I have had issues with my BS & nearly fired her after the follow-up after radiation, because she tried to tell me I no longer needed my PCP or the RO. She was going to be my doctor of record and would handle all of my medical needs!, but my MO talked me out of it. He just laughed her off & told me to keep on with what I was doing. He would coordinate my care through my PCP, the RO (he actually wants me to stay with him), & the BS. She is considered in the top three for breast surgery & reconstruction in this area & the MO said I would want her if I should need more surgery. I have to admit she did a good job with my surgery, was caring & compassionate the day of, and scarring is minimum & barely visible. When I complained about they way she spoke to me, he told me she could be controlling & opinionated, but to let him talk to her before I made any final decisions. Anyway, she calmed down & back-pedaled when she talked to me after that. She will tell me what I "need" to do, but softens it with "but that's your decision". I can smile when she asks, "Are (PCP) & (MO) still helping me with your care. No mention of RO. Her issue is with the RO. She doesn't like him, but still recommended him to me when her first choice for me was 72 miles from where I lived. She tried to scare me off by saying he was crabby & would be unwilling to work with me. She was so wrong & I let her know it! My MO is aware of all this drama & has said the RO knows how she feels about him & he doesn't care. As a matter of fact, the RO was surprised she had recommended him to me. He is the head of the Cancer Center here. That tells me a lot. I can deal with her now. I will continue to see her until I have finished with the oncologists unless the MO tells me otherwise or she makes me really mad.

duckyb1

Hi Teka......

IllinoisLady

Real success requires respect for and faithfulness to the highest human values--honesty, integrity, self-discipline, dignity, compassion, humility, courage, personal responsibility, courtesy, and human service. -Michael DeBakey

Teka

Ducky,

I went lurking again on the *CRAZY TOWN WAITING ROOM - TESTS coming up? All Stages Welcome.* thread.

I am pleased that Makayla (granddaughter) has a fluid filled cyst and no tumor. You and Family must have been so worried, but now can breath easier with the upcoming surgery.

Teka

Wren,

Thank You!! )

I once tried to overwinter an outdoor geranium causing an infestation of spider mites on the houseplants. Luckily, able to treat the houseplants with rubbing alcohol. I learned my lesson. ;o)

Anneb1149

Hi all,

I miss joining in each day, and hearing about what's happening, but my life is still so chaotic that it's bedtime before I know it.

The good news is that one side of the house has new floors. I really like them, but still cannot put my pictures, candles, etc out because the baseboards have to be painted and installed. There is still more than half of the house to do. I still haven't found a roofer yet. Called the most well known roofing company in the area- their quote was $5-6000 more than the other 2. There are 2 more that are supposed to give me quotes. It's hard because they all say different things, and I have no clue about which is right.

I am shocked by how quickly we have spent the check from the insurance company- which still hasn't cleared the bank yet. We have actually only paid for the flooring so far, but have been getting estimates for the rest of the stuff. I told you I was redoing my closet. I was pleasantly surprised that it is under $750 to do. I am allowing $20,000 for the roof, hoping I don't have to use it all there. I am getting an estimate tmrw about changing 2 of our sliding glass doors on the patio into French Doors. I will have to wait for a definite price on the roof before I can do that.

Ron's brother has been helping him each day, but has to go back to his real job Mon, so Ron got one of the guys he works with on the cruise ships to come help, but he can't come till Wed. Ron said he would do some of the other jobs Mon and Tues, like switch out the TV in the family room that was damaged in the storm with the new one I bought 2weeks ago, fixthe kitchen sliding windows that haven't worked since I redid the kitchen last MArch. I also want him to put my bedroom TV on the wall, etc, etc. The list grows daily.

My niece is flying in Thurs to spend some time with her Dad. I am hoping Ron has the guest room done by then. Her two brothers are arriving 45 min apart on Sat morning, and the four of them are driving straight from the airport to Universal in Orlando for 3 days. It will be the first time in a long time that it will just be the four of them. Usually, there are some if not all significant others with them.

I bought one of those electric scouring machines the other day. I wanted to try it yesterday, and my bathroom floor really needed a good cleaning. It did a very good job, but after you use it, you have to wipe up the wet dirt it has released. I was so excited at how well it was working that I bent down repeatedly to wipe the wetness off the floor. Thank God it is a relatively small bathroom- my back was so sore by the time I finished. I immediately put ice on it. Still a little sore, but better than yesterday. Not being able to bend down makes the most ordinary chores impossible for me to handle.

Hope all is well with everyone,

Anne

carolehalston

Such pretty pictures, Teka.

I still see my BC surgeon once a year. Actually I see her NP. The first couple of years I went every six months. She and my recon plastic surgeon are the only doctors who oversaw my surgery and recovery. They are husband and wife and share office space.

We were very fortunate not to have any bad weather with Hurricane Nate. Now I wish a cool front would arrive and bring some relief from the heat and humidity. I have outside work that needs to be done.

DH and I are watching the baseball playoffs with interest. We're Cubs fans. This is the only time of year that I watch baseball.

Sounds like your house will be really nice when you're finished, Anne.

Hope Chevy and Cammi and all the other absentees are doing well.

Happy Sunday!

Teka

Thank You!! )

Snazzyiron

Hi, I am 67 and being treated for BC. I just noticed your forum and wanted to join it. Best wishes