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

ChiSandy

(Was that Dr. Shaikh? He's kind, sweet and not exactly chopped liver in the looks dept.). I did the 16-tx hypofractionated tumor-bed protocol, and had only the mildest of skin issues (some redness but no broken skin and no pain; the redness faded first to pink and eventually to a faint tan in a very small area--more "sallow" than tan). And I'm pretty pale and sensitive-skinned to begin with.

Even though I had clean margins from the outset, I wasn't given a choice between rads & AI--I started letrozole New Year's Eve, a little over a month after finishing rads. Only reason I waited that long (with the MO's blessing) was that we had a pre-Christmas Mediterranean cruise coming up and then the holidays--and I didn't want the side effects of AIs to put the damper on either of them. But I was only "64 going on 65" back then, so I guess they thought my body could handle both types of treatment.

They'll give you a ton of sample tubes of Aquaphor--apply it immediately afterwards in the changing cubicle as you get dressed. I also bought a bottle of 100% aloe vera gel (fragrance/dye/alcohol-free) in the center's pharmacy, and used both that and some more Aquaphor at night. Then I showered and dressed just before leaving for each treatment.

keywestfan

ChiSandy,

No,not Dr.Shaikh, but Dr. Bloomer. He was really nice,but not Paul Newman.I was unclear in my post. I meant he gave me a choice of whether to do rads or not, or whether to go directly to arimidex.In any case, rads or no, I have to do an AI. It was just the choice whether to skip radiation. In the end, as I said, I decided to do radiation. I’ll finish May 22, then go to Denver and Santa Fe from June 6-15. See MO on 17 and begin Arimidex then every other day for a month, then full time for the 5 yeays( let’s hope.) Thank you for Aquaphor and Aloe Vera tips and procedure on when to put the on.

ChiSandy

I just remembered that the aloe vera gel I bought from the KCC pharmacy was "Fruit of the Earth;' fairly cheap and came in a large pump bottle.

Wren44

I wouldn't worry about the radiation. You won't be having children, so no problem there. I figure I'm old enough to escape before anything bad might happen. I've heard that you get a fair amount of radiation from flying and I sure wouldn't stay home because of it.

keywestfan

I did buy that Aloe Vera from Amazon- 2 huge pump ottles. And when did you use it and chilled or not

keywestfan

Wren44- You, of course, are right. I nust worry about all these uncontrollable things and think the consequences will be immediate when I really should know better. It’s just it all seems like such a bombardment. It is more fun to fly to Venice.

carolehalston

We got quite a lot of rain and it was windy but the worst weather seemed to pass north of us, I'm thankful to report. Today is lovely with sunshine.

It's great that we have so much good information on this discussion forum. I have nothing to offer on rads or chemo since I avoided them both with my surgery decision, bilateral. I also avoided any future mammograms with alarming results.

Since I didn't go visit my mother yesterday afternoon because of the weather forecast, I'll go today and deliver her clean clothes. I have been doing her laundry but that will stop soon. DH and I plan to head north on May 19th for our summer in MN. We're considering making this our last summer away from home.

Beaverntx

keywestfan, it is a bombardment as well as moving into the unknown. As to skin care, I used the aloe Vera right after each rad treatment (because it didn't leave residue on my fingers for a safer drive home) and also used Aquaphor 3to4 times a day. You don't need a large amount as a little goes a long way when applying either of them. I bought a large jar of the Aquaphor and barely made a dent in it. The other thing that was strongly recommended was to have only cotton touch your skin. I wore loose fitting cotton shirts and was able to go braless. My skin did not breakdown and the "tan" has totally faded.It is doable, take care of yourself and let us know how it is going, please.

IllinoisLady

People live with themselves. . . and don't know themselves. "Know thyself" means: devote time each day to studying yourself. . . ferreting out your weakness, working at self-improvement, purifying your immortal soul.

Israel S. Lipkin

IllinoisLady

Whew !! Glad the 'negative' weather events missed you Carole. We had nothing here but the off and on rain issues. Not any real wind. That came before the rain a couple of days beforehand. Mary ( cousin ) and I am still talking this morning about the huge plateful of food from yesterday's foray into Lotta-Watta Creek. We will go again but not too soon. She didn't weigh this a.m. --- said she would wait a couple days. I think weighing today may have soothed her. My wt. was the same. My sins have not caught up with me yet -- but I feel a hot breath on my neck.

Cloudy today but lots of rain heading our way. We can have a dryer time over the week-end, but all next week looks like rain. I guess we will get the usual April showers for Spring. Well, hopefully after that period we will see it spread out a bit more. No more pour downs for weeks please.

Hope you are all going to have a good Firday.

IllinoisLady

The desire to serve others is the highest impulse of the human heart
and the rewards of such service are beyond measure.
If you wish to taste this, then just do it. Just take one step...
You will see that the tyranny of self-concern, worry, and trivial pursuits
can be released from your life with that single step.
It doesn't really matter what you do, it only matters that you do it.
- Ganga Stone

CeliaC

Re: cream to use while undergoing rads - I used Miaderm, which was recommended by RO - Non-greasy, researched online & liked the ingredients,one of which is calendula. Started using before rads even began & skin held up really well. Got samples of Aquafor, but when I looked at ingredients found out is petrolatum based - something I avoid.

kbram

Good old coconut oil did wonders for my skin during rads. Slathered it on at night and wore an old nightgown or t-shirt. I had no skin problems.

Kathy

MCBaker

I am using coconut oil on everything except my face. Cheapest and most effective moisturizer I have ever experienced. I had hard buildups of skin in patches on my arms. Started using coconut oil, got red spots where the patches were, now my lower arms are smooth from elbow to wrist. And the red spots eventually faded.

kbram

Mary, I use coconut oil on my face as well! Best "night cream" ever!

Kathy

MCBaker

I found this https://www.herbaldynamicsbeauty.com/blogs/herbal-dynamics-beauty/understanding-the-comedogenic-scale-for-oils-and-butters Coconut oil is best for very dry skin, but may block pores.

However, this https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-oil-and-skin says otherwise. I would rather use it where it is most needed, and use something else for other areas.

ChiSandy

I fry my eggs in a coating of coconut oil, and also use it to keep up the seasoning on my cast iron skillets.

MCBaker

IllinoisLady

What we hold in our hearts for others is the way we'll act toward them. A hard heart makes for hard judgments; a compassionate heart understands the humanity of the one we presume to judge.

Joan Chittister

IllinoisLady

Great info on the oils. I kept coconut oil for a bit here but then got lazy about all the many uses. Interesting -- I never even thought about a good coating for my iron cookware. Mostly the small ones that I keep handy for cooking a couple of eggs for each of us w/toast when we are not eating our steel-cut oats. You have to have some variety from the oats. Good thing I love them though. I also put 4 or 5 walnuts in the oats which are cooked rt. before the milk and br. sugar, ( towards the end of cooking cycle ) with raisins.

IllinoisLady

Claiming self-reliance represents one of the most significant turning points in a human being's evolution. It signals the crucial shift from dependence on outer authority to reliance on inner knowing.

Alan Cohen

IllinoisLady

We are going to have another really warm day ( 80's ) but cloudy or muted sunshine. As long as we don't have rain during the day. Sounds like that will come after dark. Not thrilled, but as it said -- April showers bring May flowers. So, onward we go. I have three more plants to put in the ground ( Periwinkle ground-cover ) and that will be done -- unless I decide I need more.

Thought I'd share a recipe with you that I tried a couple of days ago. My mom used to make this, but I don't recall that she kept it up. Last time I recall I was a fairly little kid.

Old Fashioned Hamburger Gravy

1 lb. lean gr. beef

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. black pepper

1/2 tsp. garlic salt

1 tsp. dried minced onion

4 tbsp.'s butter

1/4 cup all purpose flour

2 cups milk

1. Use a skillet over med. heat. Begin frying hamburger and then season it with your salt, pepper, garlic salt, and dried minced onion until done -- about 7-10 mins.

2. Add butter and let melt while stirring. Sprinkle flour over top of gr. beef and stir while cooking one or two mins.

3. Slowly pour in milk and whisk or stir to incorporate it into the flour and beef. Stir occasionally as it cooks until it thickens. About 5 mins. or so.

4. Serve immediately on any of these things. Mashed potatoes, toast, buttered noodles or rice or a combination of any of them.

I was amazed at how good this tasted. I really only had memory that my mom had made it, but not how it actually tasted. So, it was a nice surprise for us. I do made a few things that my mom did, but had forgotten this until I ran across the recipe again. This will be a keeper for me from now on.

I hope you are all going to have a really nice Spring day.

nanette7fl

I love ground beef gravy!! My 1st MIL used to make this I so prefer it over sausage gravy (no heartburn lol). I serve it over mashed potatoes but I use water instead of milk....YUM!!

MCBaker

My dad said that in the army, they called it "s___ on a shingle," but Mom's version was not worthy of that name. One of my favorite comfort foods is creamed eggs. I spice them up with curry.

nanette7fl

MARY....how do you make creamed eggs? What do you eat them with?? Sorry started PET scan and I'm STARVING haven't eaten since 5am 😥

MCBaker

Peel and slice (boiled and cooled) eggs. Make a white sauce (butter and flour, then add milk, stir and add milk until the proper consistency, add salt, pepper, and curry powder as desired). Add eggs, stir very lightly. Serve over rice or toast.

carolehalston

Never heard of creamed eggs.  Is it a Wisconsin food?  For anyone interested in cooking, there's a thread called What's For Dinner?  Some very nice people post regularly.

We've been having beautiful spring weather, cool enough for open doors and windows.  Of course, that lets pollen into the house.

DH and I spread the rest of the pine straw yesterday morning, putting it around the base of trees in the yard.  We also picked up a couple of wagon loads of sticks.  Our house sits on 2 acres so the yard is large.  It looks nice as we get ready to depart for the summer.

MCBaker

I don't know, I thought everyone knew about creamed eggs. I got hungry last night and had them on couscous. No, not Wisconsin, that would require a cheese sauce. https://www.revolvy.com/page/Creamed-eggs-on-toast It is generally an Easter thing.

IllinoisLady

You are here to evolve and make your consciousness high
You are here to dance, sing and celebrate life.
You are here to help others to make their life happy.
We are here not to compete, but to learn, evolve and excel.
We are not here to make divisions in the name of prophets and religions.
We are here to encompass the world with love and light.
- Amit Ray

IllinoisLady

Hmm, I likely will check out that What's for Dinner thread. Sounds interesting. I likely ( probably called something else ) have had creamed eggs at one time or other, as it sounds not only good, but economical too. I have decided to re-try Eggs ala Goldenrod which has a mild similarity in that it is 'sauced'. MC, I wonder since you had your eggs ( sounds good to me ) on couscous, if you could use them on quinoa as well. Maybe something to try, huh ?

A bit cooler today and not so much sun -- likely because it will rain maybe this evening if weather report is correct. Probably are since I dread more rain. Will have more than an overnighter on that too. Sigh !!! Have to remember, its still April that is usually full of showers. My friend keeps saying we will have lots of water all summer. Hmmm, definitely something that could get to me. Hope she is wrong.

Wish our yard was done, but actually the rest is easy -- I'm thinking more about those trees that have to wait to come out till it is much, much dryer. Also why my friend's prediction of extra summer rain doesn't thrill me.

Glad your yard is done Carole. Likely a few days more before you go, but I always enjoy hearing your MN. stories of life there. If you don't plan to go back after this yr. what will you do with your travel trailer. Will you leave it there and sell it??? I may be getting way ahead here but I thought you mentioned a couple or more pages back that you felt it may be your last yr. to go to MN.

Hope you all have a beautiful day.