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

IllinoisLady

As I have become older, this has become easier.

May we never let the things we can't have, or don't have, or shouldn't have, spoil our enjoyment of the things we do have and can have. As we value our happiness, let us not forget it, for one of the greatest lessons in life is learning to be happy without the things we cannot or should not have. -Richard L. Evans

nanette7fl

Hi everyone 👋 I'm home. It really wasn't too bad and a million times better than I projected. PS gave me a good nerve block so no real pain just pressure. My BS came to see me this morning and I proudly showed my range of motion and she was excited!! She also said "Let's sit down and tell me what you remember about yesterday." I told her I vaguely remember hearing my cancer spread. Yes it has spread to my second set of nodes on the left. She took the Sentinel node on the right and it was clean. So it means this crap is more aggressive than the taxol and I now have to face radiation in my L armpit and the chest wall. This is not what I wanted to hear at all. I had hoped and prayed that the BMX was the end of it, but I guess God has other plans. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE METASTATIC TRIPLE+ IDC!!! I DON'T WANT A SHORTER LIFE SPAN!! I WANT TO BE "NORMAL" AGAIN!! I will see my MO in 2 weeks for my Herceptin treatment and discuss what meds he'll be adding to stop this. Someone please stop this train I want to get off now 😥

HikingLady

nanette7fl Thanks for posting this update for us. I am glad that the surgery went okay, and that it's behind you. LOL warning----bad breast cancer joke ahead----the surgery was actually in front of you. Ha ha. Now you have to focus on your good recovery, of course.

Your BS sounds compassionate and kind, to have sat down and talked it through with you. Oh, Not Fair. Of COURSE it was upsetting that they found further node involvement; I'm so sorry you have that to face, now. But, remember, you have excellent treatment options ahead. Radiation was easier on me than chemo. You'll have to just take this one breath and one decision and one day at a time, as you find out more.

As for 'stop this train, I want to get off,' OH, MY, I said those exact same words at some point. We didn't ask to take this trip; we had a completely different one planned. GRRR. You will find your inner strength, and you will get through this. Warm wishes for a good recovery and good healing.

Wren44

Nanette, I'm glad your surgery went well. Sorry it seems to have spread a little further, but hopefully those magic rays will kick it to the curb. Thanks so much for letting us know.

IllinoisLady

Nanette, I second the other two entries. I do think while anyone would rather have less treatment we, as Hiking Lady said, are on the trip and can't get off the boat till it docks. I had 7 full weeks of radiation and really -- it was the easiest part of the whole ordeal. In fact with my original dx. I was to have lumpectomy and maybe 3 days rads in total. So, things can change and throw a curve and we all we can do is the best we can.

You are in my thoughts and I'm still wishing a speedy and great recovery and total success with any other txs. to finish up.

jo6359

nanette-glad the surgery went well. Do what you need to do for your long term future. I second the above; Radiation was the easiest part. Hang in there

MCBaker

Nanette, I was devastated to see your bad news, and couldn't think of anything uplifting to write. The others have said it all.

We keep on fighting. Look at all the stage IV folks who are NED. We didn't ask for this, we all had other plans. Gratitude at all the treatment options available today is primary in my mind.

Joan811

Hi all,
I "disappeared" again...I was focused on finishing chemo (for the new cancer I had shared recently -- unrelated to my breast cancer from 2011).
Besides the accumulated chemo side effects (which had convinced me I had enough chemo and yet I kept going), I hit another bump in the road.
Probably as a result of intestinal surgery last October, I had an emergency due to a blockage in mid March. After 2 days of discomfort, we finally traveled the 80 miles to Sloan in New York City. I went through their Urgent Care and was admitted. After 7 days of nothing by mouth, IV fluids, and the dreaded NG tube, it "unblocked" which is the preferred treatment. On day 8 I tried some liquids which showed the blockage was relieved.
I went home the next day.

I have been home for 8 days now, and I am still slowly recovering from the combination of 18 weeks of chemo and 7 days in the hospital with no food or drink. I am glad to say I am eating and digesting. I am on the dreaded low fiber diet with white flour/bread/pasta, dairy, and light meats and fish. No whole grain, no fresh vegetables - only well-cooked from a short list. Fruits too - there is a short list of OK fruits. This is not what I had planned but I have to give my intestines a rest for awhile. It is just scary to have a diet with so few healthy choices.

I saw my oncologist today and he said I had been through a lot all at once. He was very happy that the doctors waited and did not do surgery. That brings its own problems.
So, I missed my last chemo and it will not happen. My MO said I don't need it. So I can finally celebrate the end of treatment.
The chemo side effects are still kicking in even after 3 weeks. I feel a little stronger each day.
I never had chemo with breast cancer, so this is all new to me.

I agree with the comments about radiation being the easier part of breast cancer. I never really had bad effects except an itchy rash.
I worked during the 30 days of rads; but ended up taking a week off at the end just to rest and sleep.

My heart goes out to those ladies here who are undergoing surgery and treatment. It is a tough combo and a life-interruption for sure.
There are so many advances and trials with targeted treatments. We can only hope that in the near future traditional treatments will give way to shorter, more effective approaches.

I just love coming here...the ladies are so inspiring and we bring many experiences to share.

Best wishes to each and all.
Joan

Wren44

Joan, Glad you're on the mend. That is really a long time with no food, but it seems to have done the trick. Take all the time you can to rest and recuperate. Hugs.

carolehalston

Hugs to Nanette and Joan. Joan, what a long ordeal you have been through. Nanette, I'm so sorry you had bad news to share. Blessings to both of you on taxing journeys to good health.

It has been storming here since I was awakened this morning by loud claps of thunder. It's very dark outside. I may skip my trip to the gym this morning and go tomorrow morning. It remains to be seen whether I will drive the 20 miles to the nursing home this afternoon to accompany my mother to bingo. The weather will be the determining factor. There has been mention of possible hail.

Yesterday was tiring. DH and I got up at 4:30 am to drive to a local hospital where he was scheduled to have a leg stent procedure at 7 am. I'm thankful to report that the procedure went well, according to the dr. But he had to lie flat until 12:30 in considerable discomfort. The nurse gave him a pain pill but it didn't seem to help much. I'm hoping that the blood flow in his left leg will be much improved to alleviate swelling and pain in that leg. The joys of old age.

Wow, you should see the radar on the tv screen. It's very vivid.

Hi to Sandy. Hope your trip is going well.

Happy Thursday to all of us.

IllinoisLady

I never tire of this one.

We plant seeds that will flower as results in our lives, so best to remove the weeds of anger, avarice, envy and doubt, that peace and abundance may manifest for all. Dorothy Day.

nanette7fl

IllinoisLady... glad your DH procedure went well.

My update... the nurse was just here we did my intake and someone will come every day until the drains come out. Looks like the right will be out soon in 4 hours there was only 5 cc of fluid. I found I can sleep on my R side with lots of pillows! At 430 am a freight train had run over me and when I got up at 8 am I think it backed up over me lol seriously not to bad just really uncomfortable I have aches in my arms and neck, my upper back and my tummy. You know we never realize how many muscles it takes to just simply sit in the dining room chair!

My bandages will be changed tomorrow... I did look yesterday when BS checked her work. At first I was repulsed but I did look again and the shock wore off. I do take little peaks at the mess on my chest. DH took a peak last night when he helped me change into a button up PJ top. He did pretty good. All in all I think I'm doing well I have good range of motion even though I'm sore... I can do the 90 degrees with arms at maybe 85% BS is happy with my ROM.

Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes 💖

IllinoisLady

Joan, I sent a p.m. You are deeply in my thoughts. Sometimes we get mighty struggles, but I'm a firm believer that we don't get more than we can handle. The real trick seems to lie in finding a good solution. That helps us move onto usually other and better plateau's. Certainly my wish for you.

Muted sun today but good temps. We could get some showers, but for now we are okay. Don't know how much rain, but too much going on yesterday to take advantage of the dry weather. We are really going to have to focus on our yard though to whatever degree because that good weather in-between will not be good on a lawn full of leaves.....so we have our work cut out.

Hope you are all going to have a good day.

ETA: Meant to say Carole, that I think we may be having a part of your storm trying to work its way in as it seems to be in much of the lower half of the country. I'd likely stay in too if I were you. Hope your Dh has lots of success with his procedure. Sounds promising for now so onward.

Yndorian

Hello Nanette. Happy to read you are not in pain, sorry about the nodes news. But you will be fine. Lot of hugges!

Stitch

Nannette, so happy to hear you did well with the surgery.  I am so sorry this bitch called BC threw you a curve ball.  Do the rads, absolutely, and keep us updated please!       

IllinoisLady

Stitch -- I just love your avatar. It's a dandy.

nanette7fl

oh my my arms kind of feel like they belong to someone else 8) I mean I know they're mine but because of nerve block they feel weird! I have no upper body strength now and I feel so helpless.

How long until they start feeling like they're mine again?

Wren44

Carole, I hope your DH's operation does the trick. My DH was evaluated but the blockage was too large to be able to stent. His problems stem from veins removed for bypass surgery 30 years ago.

HikingLady

nanette7fl I remember that weird feeling! I didn't have a nerve block. However, since a lot of nerves were severed in the surgery, I had absence of sensation all over my chest area. Six months later, a lot of my sensation was back, on the non-cancer side. The cancer side had more trauma and more carving. The axillary node excision was done from the inside, 'tunneled,' and there was a lot of bruising on that side for awhile, as it healed. That side is still rather numb, 1 year later. I have a numb-ish armpit and right foob. I feel temperature, however, and I have fairly normal sensation on left side of chest. I wasn't allowed to raise my hands above my shoulders for about 3 weeks, or lift anything very heavy for 4-6 weeks after my BMX + TE. After the restrictions were lifted on ROM, the sensation and strength came back just fine, gradually, and eventually. The PT taught me a bunch of exercises in the hospital before discharge, and they were all safe to do right away, and I continued those regularly at home. He said that doing them reduced the chance of lymphedema.

nanette7fl

hikinglady thank you. BS gave me 4 to do for now and they're harder today than yesterday. This surgical bra is hurting my pits but the nurse is to change the dressings tomorrow so that should help just to have it off for a few minutes. DH wore me out today. Please come outside and sit and watch me (reroof our shed... install the sand filter for his Koi pond...) I no soon sneak back in the house to put me feet up and poof there he is lol. Lucky me he's off for the next 2 1/2 weeks hahaha but I shouldn't complain too loudly he hasn't taken time off work in 5 years. Besides he's got a ton of "I'll do it later" projects that need doing

I found out that my BS has the PS glue all my wounds shut... and I just found out he took out my port to install the TE then port went back in. The glue is driving me crazy cause it's some what itchy 8(

Stitch

Thank you IllinoisLady! She was my daughter’s rescue dog. Didn’t realize till we saw the papers with her landlord that she’s part Pitt, soooo she couldn’t keep her. I’m her “person”. But she’ll be so sad after my surgery when she’ll probably not be allowed near me for a couple days.

IllinoisLady

Humanity is our ultimate community, and everyone plays a crucial role.

- Yehuda Berg

Stitch

Ugh.  Surgeon needs me to come in early on Tuesday and have a sonogram on the right breast now, since the MRI is showing something there too.  She "thinks" it's benign.  Trying to stay calm here.  If my breasts are this dense where things like this can hide from 3D mammography and sonograms, well..... maybe my leaning towards BMX isn't such a bad idea after all.  We shall see what happens Tuesday.  

nanette7fl

Havw any of you experienced a weird burning pain below you mastectomy site? I have these attacks of intense pain that feels like I've had someone using a hit cattle branding iron to my ribs. Happens mostly at night if I move my left arm..that's also the side where the axillary nodes were removed. Tonight I moved my right arm to search for the TV remote and that set of waves of this pain

Visiting nurse thinks it could be from a nerve that for cut during surgery... I just want it to STOP 8(

Any ideas??

MinusTwo

Nannette - If I am correct, you are only 3 days post surgery. I'm surprised that's the only pain you have. I was in the hospital for 2 days with BMX & TEs. Then I was on pain meds for almost a week. Give yourself the benefit of very little activity to allow for healing both inside and out. There are stitches everywhere. Take the pain meds your docs ordered. Sleep on your back only held in place by pillows, or in a recliner. Don't be forcing range of motion movements. Don't even lift things as heavy as a gallon of milk. Don't reach above your shoulders. Note - you will have some pain with the TEs so that's to be expected too. If the pain persists, do call your doc.

nanette7fl

Minus two thank you. Yes I'm 3 days,out,from BMX with TEs. I do have a lot aches and pain. My arms feel like they're my mine and my forearms hurt like someone grabbed me.i,feel like I have pulled muscles in my upper back abdomen as well as my arms just plain hurt.. my ribs hurt and my upper back hurts and everything is starting to itch. I don't have stitches but surgical glue everywhere... it's what my BS has used on me since I became allergic to tape. My pits are a little uncomfortable but the nerve block is still working. I try to rest but DH insists on me being outside with him while he does some long over due repairs. Finally I had to tell him NO! As I have developed swelling in my right leg ankle and foot.

I hate pain but have had to learn techniques to deal with it as I have 3 herniated disca and a slipped one in my lower back. Since Florida has made it next to impossible to get pain meds. I had to deal with it using natural and holistic methods. Now with the neuropathy in my hands and feet (from taxol) I'm going to try once again to get back into pain management and tell them no oxy as my body processes it too fast and it doesn't work hydrocodone only with anything else they want to try. Cancer exacerbated my lumbar pains and the neuropathy I already had in my R heel...I've had chronic pain for over 9 years and believe me it gets old.

I'm thankful that my PS gave me pain meds and I so take them religiously and honestly the last 3 days have been the best pain wise in the past 5 years.

MinusTwo

Nannette - I understand about the tape allergy, but inside you have TONS of stitches from the surgery. And even more holding the TEs in place. Be kind to yourself. And tell DH - NO NO NO - unless you want to just lie on a chaise lounge & watch him work. No jumping up to help. No running to get things. You should be napping at least twice a day in addition to sleeping at night. No cooking 3 meals a day. Let DH either cook or bring you take out. It's time for you to put YOU FIRST and take care of yourself.

nanette7fl

MinusTwo I might just print out what you just wrote and tape it to his mirror. He got a little upset today when my neighbor (who is stage 3 IDC) brought her daughter over so I could ask Rickayla if she would vacuum 1-2 times a week for me. She's 13 and will work for treats..her mom told me NO money but gave me a list of treats and candies she likes. She even said she'd help me with the granddaughters when they're home. She's such a good girl who survived a year of hell when her momma was diagnosed last year and had bad reactions to her chemo treatments.

HikingLady

nanette7fl I agree with MinusTwo It's important to stay still to support your healing, and rest a LOT, because healing costs your body a lot of energy. This is true for several weeks. I agree: no vacuuming or cleaning or cooking for awhile. You want to do all the possible things to reduce risk of infection and help your body heal well. This is a huge surgery, and the inside work is extensive; not just what you see as the outside incision. I think I had pretty serious pain for 5-7 days. My pain was in quite a few places, but after about 2 weeks it was much better. The way I slept was against a sit-up-wedge pillow behind me, and a lot of other pillows to support my elbows. Yes, I also had soreness all over: neck, ribs, shoulders.

My husband is a nurse. He stayed home from work and took care of me 100% for 2 solid weeks. Week three as well, although by then I didn't need him much, but we enjoyed some relax time. And, as a nurse, he was obsessive about supporting my good healing. That meant pushing fluids/drink a lot of water, DON'T do anything strenuous, have a nap most days for 1-2 weeks, not have any responsibilities except taking care of myself. My PS didn't want me to lift anything or use my arms above my head for at least a couple of weeks. Until healing is well under way, too much strenuous movement can impede healing, and lead to complications, like an infection.

IllinoisLady

One of those couldn't decide days -- enjoy.

Take time today to appreciate beauty -
natural beauty, art, people.
Slow down, breathe deeply, smile.
It's a beautiful world.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
- John Muir

Forests, lakes, and rivers,
clouds and winds, stars and flowers,
stupendous glaciers and crystal snowflakes -
every form of animate or inanimate existence,
leaves its impress upon the soul of man.
- Orison Swett Marden