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

nanette7fl

oh I love that!! So true

karen1956

I've never owned a cat, but true - and true of a cold wet dog nose - they are our 4 legged children

IllinoisLady

Do find the same is true of dogs. Our dogs and cats are together in the house and there is mutual respect between them. They rub against one another and show affection together as well as to us so we are all fairly satisfied and content with how things work.

jo6359

My dogs and cats get along great with one another. My older cat Diamond likes to hang out with the dogs but she definitely does not want to be bothered while she's sleeping. She wakes up with an attitude.

carolehalston

More yard work for me today.  I used to be able to weed both front flower beds and mulch them with pine straw in a single working day.  I am on the third day today to accomplish the same.  Even though I go to the gym regularly, I get stiff after the yard work since I'm obviously using different muscles and making different movements like bending over.  Probably the main difference between before and now is lack of initiative.  DH and I are talking about finding a yard worker person to do a couple of days of yard work in spring and in fall.

On a positive note, I'm thankful that I can still do some physical labor at age 76.  DH is almost 80 and he was busy yesterday in the yard for more hours than I worked.  

Happy Tuesday to all.

IllinoisLady

A thin line separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt. Our lives constantly walk that line. When we slip off on one side or the other, we're taken by surprise. But who said there wouldn't be surprises? Knowing God just means that all the rules will be fair; at the end of our life drama, we'll see that. We never know how things will turn out, but if we know with certainty they will make sense regardless of how they turn out, we're on to something. -Barbara Johnson

IllinoisLady

I have noticed that too -- being sore and stiffer in places after yard work in Spring. I've decided my sore arm is more something done in the class workouts we do in the gym from the NEXT class. It's okay. Likely a strain and I'll have to be careful till it passes. We have already decided to go into the 'exercises' for older people that the coach provides twice a week. If we can stick with it ( sure hope so ) maybe we can keep doing a lot of the things it takes to live out here.

Carole, I agree ( we are having to get help for some things already ) that providing some help is a good answer. Some of the harder things especially or things that start to take up a lot of time. You seem to have always been busy with caring for your Mom and all the prep work to go to Minnesota every yr. I do know that the more we stay active is overall better. Bodies were designed for movement and not keeping in as much shape as you can hastens problems we don't like. Balance, endurance, wt., and it all matters so better to keep moving either in an exercise situation or work around home. We chose the up-coming class which is mainly simple things as much for doing something on a consistent basis as anything else. We seem to have trouble making ourselves focus on these things if it is left up to us exclusively. So, maybe two days a week in an hour class and we might be able to do something more on our own. The warmer weather should get us out walking more. I do look forward to that.

I hope you are all going to have a really pretty day. Waving hi to Joan, Chevy, Anne and all those who haven't posted for a few days.

nanette7fl

I saw my PS this morning. PRAISE be to God ALL the areas of concern over skin necrosis have healed and are once again nice pink healthy tissues!! But on the down side I still have another 2 weeks of restriction ... he said "stop doing things no matter how small... stop the arm exercises you need to let it all heal so the drainage will stop. Maybe in 2 weeks I'll be taking the drains out." Disappointed to say the least. The drainage is well under 100cc in both but I'm still really sore. He did prescribe a muscle relaxer and renewed my pain meds.

I'm excited for all the gardening going on in your yard. I feel that sense of accomplishment with you...I'll be spraying weed killer with DH or DD doing the work under my supervision lol around my various gardens to keep the weeks from creeping in. Florida has weird weeds and they creep in when your not looking lol

Ok off to lay down with my compression vest off for a little bit so it can get washed.

((hugs)) to you all and thanks for letting me live vicariously through you for a while 🤗

keywestfan

Well, surprise of surprises. After my re-excision, with negative margins, my MO, who had been opposed to radiation in women over 70, stated that because the newly excised tissue contained 3mm of invasive ductal carcinoma and there was a tiny foci of LVI close to a clean margin, that I would be safer with radiation after all, though I am 85. He thought that was a safer option than waiting and having another lumpectomy and then radiation in case of local recurrence. I meet the RO on Thursday. I’ve lurked on the Radiation forum but I still do nknow what questions I should ask. I do not know whether I am stage 1 still because of those 3mm and MO says he doesn’t know whether it was part of the 1.9 IDC or a new foci. Do not know if hypofractioned rads would be available. I’m just sort of terrified venting here.

Wren44

Keywestfan, I understand your dilemma. That was really a curve ball. I doubt it changes your stage. They found the same thing when they did my re-excision. In my head, I thought there were more they couldn't see, so I decided on mastectomy. They said there would still be a possibility but they decided it was clean enough and just gave me hormones for 5 years. One question to ask would be if you're eligible for the shorter radiation or would need the full course. Of course it comes down to how much risk you're willing to take. I was 71. In my case radiation would have been expensive so I was really happy to skip it. Of course I had their blessing to do that. Ask the RO's opinion as well. Good luck and hugs.

keywestfan

Thank you Wren44. This whole thing has been a curve ball. I will ask about shorter or partial radiation. I’m so happy your decision turned out to be the right one for you, Hugs back

HikingLady

keywestfan I had radiation. Takes time every day for those weeks. Some burning, like a sunburn. Tired midway through and need more sleep for a few weeks. Good idea to eat extra protein (80g per day) during radiation to help body rebuild cells. A few weeks after it's over you're back to normal on energy. So sorry about this news for you, but if this treatment plan gives you a better chance to beat this, then it will be worth it. Sending you warm support.

Cowgirl13

Keywestfan, I had the shorter protocol which was 18 days for me. It was a piece of cake...my skin was fine. I didn't find it bad at all and the nurses were great.

Cowgirl13

I have question--why don't they like to do rads on women over 70? Thanks!

MCBaker

Older skin is generally more fragile?

MCBaker

Older skin is generally more fragile?

carolehalston

I had the same question about the protocol for radiation on older women. Keywestfan, hoping for a good outcome for you.

Ordered more bales of pine straw that should be delivered today. Jackie, I agree that some housework and yard work are probably good for the body. In my case, I'm lazier than I was when I was younger and hardly ever sat down, except for lunch, during the day. There was always something that needed doing. I guess after years of doing those chores, I got tired of the temporary nature of the improvement.

I must do some food shopping for Easter dinner at my sister's house. I'm hoping to find a smoked shoulder ham, which my mother always preferred. She boiled it and the meat was juicier and more flavorful than the now-more-popular shank hams that are baked and can be dry. I don't like eating ham because it always makes me retain fluid for days afterward.

Wishing everyone a good Wednesday. The straw was just delivered.

Beaverntx

Cowgirl13, apparently being over 70 is not always considered a deterrent to radiation. I was 77 when diagnosed and treated and the plan was always surgery, radiation, and antihormonal. I never heard any equivocation about the radiation and came through it with skin intact, in spite of having very fair skin. It's an interesting question!

IllinoisLady

Forgiveness is unlocking the door
to set someone free
and realizing you were the prisoner!
- Max Lucado

I can only have peace of mind
when I forgive rather than judge.
- Gerald Jampolsky

IllinoisLady

I never heard the things about radiation and the effects on older women/skin. I guess due to being a bit younger when I had my 7 full weeks of it. I was about 62. Now 73. I would think Keywest would have way less but the major thing I would think is to really use the recommended lotion/cream on the radiated tissue. I would think in terms of over-doing it. I hope all goes well and that all your concerns Keywest can be addressed beforehand. I'm hoping for only the best.

keywestfan

Illinois Lady, thank you. Inever saw the post on older wonen/skin, but I would think it would be harder on an 85 year old. I did buy tons of lotions and creams suggested on the Radiation forum and will slather them on. I do remain panicked about tha accelerator and the whole process. I’ll ask lots of questions tomorrow when I meet the RO , and about the hypofractionated rads

p

nanette7fl

hi,everyone. I saw my new RO today and I love her personality!! She's going to do Photon Ionizing Radiation on me. I go on 5/2 to get fitted for my shell to keep me in place. Do any of know about this type of Radiation? She said full 6 full weeks Mon-Fri and about 15 min each.

DH will go back to work on Monday...work 2 weeks and then he wants to take off for my Rads. RO said she'd give him a note for work!!

OMG 6 weeks and I'm having hard enough time with him home for these 3 weeks lol Any how I think the neuropathy (from taxol) in my lumbar spine is wearing down as today I have awful back pain 😭

Hooe you all are having a great day!!

MinusTwo

Nannette: The Photon radiation is supposedly great because it is targeted and doesn't hit other areas. Yes, it takes more time to get there & get changed than for the 'zap'. I drove myself every day for 5 weeks. The only major side effect was fatigue, but you can nap before & after. If you're comfortable driving, I'd tell DH to come the first time to make sure you're set and then get back to work & let you be.

KeyWest: I was 71 when I had rads. Be careful you don't have anything on your skin when you go in for the treatment. Lotions or creams are for after. Also talk to you RO and find out what he/she specifically recommends. Each doc is different. I got a little pink after 5 weeks but didn't have any other problem - except fatigue as I mentioned above.

jo6359

keywest- My RO provided a prescription cream which I started 3 days before radiation and put on every morning and every night. This cream was okay to put on before radiation. I never had any itching nor dryness during radiation. Some pinkness.. I didn't feel fatigue from the radiation. I had six rounds of chemo before I started radiation. You will do fine.

keywestfan

Thank you Jo6359. I. will ask about a cream and thank you also for the encouragement. I am so glad it is going well for you.

carolehalston

We have dire weather forecasts for bad weather this afternoon. High winds and possibility of tornadoes. We're off to the gym this morning and I will stay home this afternoon and not go to the nursing home.

Hugs to those at the beginning of the bc journey back to normalcy.

MCBaker

I have a 9:00 appointment for Herceptin at the hospital, and it seems like half the roads are torn up for sewer and water upgrades. So I am going to be a bit late. They are relaxed about things there, and know about the roads thing. I'm still frustrated.

IllinoisLady

Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it.
Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure.
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
-Helen Keller

IllinoisLady

Rained through the night and as well, we got up to rain. I went with my cousin to St. Louis ( Siteman Cancer Center ) for her yearly mammogram. I hope it turns out fine, but like most she has to wait for notification to come through the mail. We stopped at LottaWattaCreek for lunch. Mary had never been there. They serve delicious food, but really only lumberjacks should go there. I ate all I could of my order of a fish basket, brought the rest home, and Dh had 'lunch' and there is yet still some left. Here's the kicker -- I ordered from the menu that serves smaller portions.

Still it is okay. I really enjoy the food there and while I won't go often, a treat now and then I can deeply appreciate.

Downside of going -- it rained off and on and was a couple of times fairly heavy rain. I hope it is dryer tomorrow. Hope Carole that you got through the possible storms with no dire events.

keywestfan

Met RO for first time today. A big surprise. He said margins were clean after re-excision, but that, as I knew from path report, there were 3mm of residual ductal ca 2 cm from the margin and some LVI about 1 cm from inferior margin. The surprise was (and I don’t know whether this was age related or not) he said I had a choice- I could go straight to the AI( 30% of women stop taking it,according to MO’s, RO has talked with) or could do rads. We talked for over an hour. He said if I was the kind of person who would worry I hadn’t done everything I could and would regret then I should do rads and sleep more easily. If, I woudn’t worry excessively, I could go straight to the AI because with clean margins I was cancer free and the pill might very well kill off any rogue cells.I asked about hypofractionated and he said that’s what he would do- 16 sessions to the tumor bed. I said I’d heard that maybe if there was a recurrence after the hypofractionated another lumpectomy and radiation could be done. His answer was why do radiation again if it failed the first time. Just do the lumpectomy..I told him every fear I had about rads and he listened very respectfully, predicted there would be very little skin effect, not much fatigue.. So,with this maybe soft sell, I got set up in the simulator and we start tx on April 30 for 16 days.. Now, of course, being me, it’s sort of like buyers remorse, and I ask myself, did I make the right decision? DH and son say yes, but they’re not getting all those grays and x rays shot into them..