Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Comments
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"Two things that could measure who we are: The way we manage when we have nothing, and the way we behave when we have everything."
-- Author Unknown -
Crap, crap, crap!! Excuse my profanity but I, who never curse, have discovered that some words can make you feel better, especially when shouted! A cardiac CT I had recently (because I have an aneurysm in the ascending aorta of my heart) showed a thickening, a posterior nodule in one of my lungs. The cardiothoracic doc mentioned it but didn't seem too concerned. I guess he changed his mind because he contacted my breast surgeon, who called me this morning. He said in light of my breast cancer history, this could be metastasis. I'll have a follow up CT in about a month to see if they can tell more.
How much stress can a person take? I'll let you know. Looks like I'm heading for a world record.
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If things go wrong, don't go with them."
~~~Roger Babson~~~~Sandra, I'm so with you on how much one person can take. In the middle ( and it seems like the cardiac Dr. did wait a bit ) of taking care of Mike, here you are facing this. It could be ( you would need some other testing to know for sure ) pretty much nothing and some change having to do with your cancer txs, the stroke, but that is not a metastases' situation. Still -- it is tough timing no matter what. I'm betting there is not a person here who doesn't wish they were right beside of you this instant propping you up. You have just kept working and handling all that has come your way --- and yes, crap, crap, crap, indeed. As Mother Theresa once said -- "We are never given more than we can handle, but just wish the Good Lord wouldn't trust me so much"!!!!
Love, prayers and lots of blessings,
Jackie
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Sandra, How much stress indeed? With all your surgeries, it's probably scar tissue showing up on the CT. Along with cursing, beating on pillows is also therapeutic. Just don't set off LE. Hugs for you both.
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Sandra, I hope it is nothing but scar tissue. You definitely have enough to deal with and do not need any more issues.
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Oh, Sandra. That's got be like punch to your stomach. I agree that scar tissue seems to be a good bet. Prayers are streaming upward for you, Mike, and your family.
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I hope it is nothing, can that happen, i am sure you can get cancer there, but I have no idea.....baby steps....we are here.hugs
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Lately I have been trading private messages with a friend from another thread on BCO about a difficult time she's having. Fortunately I've been able to help her, which is such a good feeling. I mentioned the lung issue at the end of this morning's message to her and she's just written back. Turns out she is a pulmonary radiologist! She knows what I have and said it is no big deal, quite common, and almost never cancer. She said if she's wrong, she'll fly to San Antonio and check it out herself. I feel so much better and she's happy that she was able to help me for a change. Isn't BCO wonderful?
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Big sigh !!!! of relief that it was only "scare" tissue.
Wish that was original --- but someone else said it on another cancer blog, yet it is just as appropriate here as it was other there. I'm so very, very thrilled. I know --- it still bears some checking, since there is an almost never attached, but hopefully the pressure is way, way down now and you can concentrate of other things a bit more. 
I'm so glad you are a part of BC.Org and yes -- things like your experience are one of the best reasons to hang around after you are generally through with you diagnosis and most of the txs. Jackie
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Sandra, How wonderful that you found this resource to help decrease your fear. Will pray everything is as she suspects. I know when my daughter was going thru her BC journey I was blessed to have a contact on the Web MD BC boards who was in the pharmaceutical industry and kept me clued in to new things. It really helps. Take a deep breath and hang in. Many prayers going your way!
Jean
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Oh Sandra....hopefully things are looking up!
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Sandra, what a wonderful communication you are having with this bc.org friend. Learning of it made me feel good.
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In honor of Valentines Day and wishing each and everyone here.....as well as all of BC. Org, all a very lovely Valentines Day.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres... And now these three remain: faith hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” —Bible (I Corinthians 13:4-7, 13)
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Good Morning,
It is snowing outside. Ground is white but I don't think that much snow is really coming. In fact, sounds like it will be an off and on event for the next week never really building up much. Of course, I don't completely trust
the weather reports around here. I feel so awful for the upper East coast -- Boston is just really struggling with their snow and two more storms to get through. In comparison we have NOTHING. Dh is at work and I may get a call later on. Since we ( Dh and I ) never do much, though not liking the weather, we don't feel bad to work today. All days are pretty much a holiday to me.
Hope you all have a great Saturday.
Blessings
Jackie
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Sandra - what wonderful news.
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Sigh of relief for you Sandra and a big whoop for Mike.
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.
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Nothing more intriguing than a deleted post! Curiosity kicks in. LOL.
I'm sitting here sipping a cup of coffee and feeling virtuous after returning home from the gym. You could have shot a cannon and not hurt many exercisers this morning! LOL. It's Mardi Gras season and people are busy doing other things, like taking the kids to parades. DH is off to his monthly woodturners' meeting. He wouldn't miss it for the world.
We'll be picking up our neighbors, Brian and Arleen, at 2 pm and the four of us will drive to downtown New Orleans for the Endymion parade tonight. Brian's insurance company employer has an office building on the parade route with parking under the building and a large yard circled by a wall. Every year this employer gives a big party with catered food and soft drinks and beer. We get invited. The parade starts to roll about dark and it's one of the big ones, very colorful with huge floats and lots of throws flying through the air as the floats go by. Quite a few marching bands and also the flambeau marchers. Years ago the torches were rags soaked in some flammable liquid but now the flickering light at the end of the poles is some kind of bulb, I guess.
We don't bother to go to other parades even though there are some really good ones right here on the north shore. This is just something fun we do with Brian and Arleen. They like having my dh along as a driver. Then they can drink beer. It's fun to jig around to the music and wave our arms and yell, "Throw me something, Mister!" We always come home with huge bags of beads and doubloons and plastic cups and other throws. The last few years, lighted throws are all the rage.
Hope everyone has a good Saturday.
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Sandra, Thinking of you. Our DD after her first round of chemo and another CT was contacted by MD Anderson and her Thymus Gland was showing that it might be a cancer. They removed the Gland and it was OK.
Carole, Mardi Gras sounds like alot of fun. Never have been.
DH went to the shop this morning and drove 20 miles back to the house to give me a dozen red roses. How sweet. We got our Ford Focus yesterday, had to drive to El Paso, the old truck made it there and back.
I need to get to killing my Rats for the day. Road trips wear me out.
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Sending love to all of you today and every day for your support and friendship.
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Sandra: so happy your friend was able to relieve some of the worry for you
Carole, sounds like you have a fun evening to look forward to, I plan to just hibernate in my warm house while the wind blows its -40 wind chills outside tonight
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I see this thread has been going on for years. Great! I am just starting my BC journey at 69. Right now I have a thread going under "Just Diagnosed Lumpectomy or Mastectomy Decision Time". I am really confused so am trying to find out if I need more tests or another opinion. It's not that I don't trust my doc but I haven't even seen an oncologist yet. I have gotten some responses and I'm more doubtful the amount of info I've received. Would love to get input from us "oldies but goodies".
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Okay diane.... We are the "oldies..".... Hah! I think I would talk to the "team" that is going to be working with you.... Find out what they suggest.... See if THEY think a Lumpectomy would be enough, after all the tests are in. Or maybe a Mastectomy! It would depend on the size, type, grade, etc. And if any Lymph nodes are involved.
I didn't see an Oncologist until after my surgery.... And after the radiation. I didn't do chemo.... I had my choice, so I just didn't want to, at my age... I was 72 I think when I was diagnosed.... They will let you know, if chemo is advised.... there are so many types now!
Your diagnosis so far, might indicate your Doc might want you to think about all KINDS of things that are up in the air for you.... So just talk to your team.... Don't you hate the waiting?
Keep all your information, AND write down all the questions, and then write down the answers.... So many different things depend on where they go from here.... and you won't know for sure, until you get the final Path report.... So don't worry none.... We are always here.... and lots of these gals have gone through a lot, and are still around here talking, golfing, and just enjoying every day....
Seems like Breast Cancer for ME was a lot easier than trying to heal up from a broken hip with a rod, screws, pins, bars, shields, and pliars.... Ha! Just kidding.... A year ago today they did the surgery.... But at least it wasn't my right arm..... How would I EVER have put my make-up on, and rolled my hair every day? So see? Things could be worse.
Take good care....
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Hi Diane. Welcome. I was Dx'd at 66 with DCIS. I was fortunate to have been referred to exceptional providers along this journey.
When I met with my surgeon, we discussed treatment options. He was very kind, and took the time to explain things in detail. Because mine was small, and the MRI didn't show any other abnormality, I decided on lumpectomy. Once my surgery was done, I met with an RO and an MO. I had 33 radiation treatments with few SEs, and now I meet with my MO every 3 months to manage my medication.
It's difficult to have to make treatment decisions when you have so little experience with breast cancer. I trust my doctors and have had a "smooth" ride so far. Just take it one step at a time, and stay in touch with us. There are so many fabulous people here.
Blessings
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Luvmaui---Happy Belated Birthday! The picture of you and your DIL is great. You all look so happy.
Carol--Hope you had fun at the parade and party. We have been to NOL a few times but never during Mardi Gras. We were there during St. Patricks Day and saw the parade then.
Sandra----glad to hear you have someone that relieved your worry. Hope Mike is feeling stronger every day.Prayers sent to you both.
Magicbean----I decided on the lumpectomy after talking with my doctor and the surgeon. Then had the mammosite twice a day for a 5 days. Now taking Femara and have few SE. Good luck to you through this journey. The ladies here are super and someone is always around to answer any questions.
Had a lot of cleaning and laundry to do today to catch up with things. Last weekend was spent with the flu and had to stay home from work on Monday. I had the flu shot in October too. Thursday I had to get an MMR shot since my blood test came back I was not immune to the measles. We had to be tested for work if we were born before 1957 or did not have our records to prove we had the shots before.
Very cold and windy here today. Suppose to get some snow tomorrow. DH is having surgery on his shoulder on Monday. They thought it was his rotary cup(sp) but it is bone on bone so they will scrape some of the bone away. He will be home the same day but off work for a few weeks.
Happy Valentine's Day to everyone.
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Welcomed
Happy valentines day
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Diane,
Welcome !!! I am coming in so late. I just noticed your post seconds before I had to run out the door and get to work. I was diagnosed in 2007 so I thinking there are already lots of new txs. I also was taken care of by the V.A. so I didn't feel at the time as though I had as many choices as some of you ladies did -- but I did have a wonderful caring female Surgeon who did a fantastic job.
Your pathology report is your guide. Hopefully your Oncologist can help you choose which course of action best suits your position. There are a lot of factors to consider and he might think an Oncotype test is in order. Also, some radiation. Write down all the questions you can think of -- like any further tests that may be needed, or if he thinks you may need chemo and radiation. If so what type of chemo etc.
It is sort of a whole new language but can be fairly easy for some people. If you don't feel you have answers that feel right, by all means get a second opinion. Many women do. I didn't but my surgeon was so good I didn't feel the need. At her office I also made friends ( we email each other to this day ) with the Avon Breast Navigator. She as well provided so much information that I felt I could get my chemo at the V.A. Hosp. and feel secure that all would be well and it was. Usually when all else is done you might be counseled to take one of the five yr. pills -- mainly to suppress your estrogen and progesterone production since they were feeding your cancer.
At some place, when you have had most of your questions answered and you start to feel that you are "getting" things handled, hopefully you will be able to relax and not feel overwhelmed and know that you and your Dr. are doing what it takes to put you on the road to wellness.
Please come often, there are others here whose treatments were much more recent than mine.
Blessings,
Jackie
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Saying hi...nice long week end...valentines and presidents days.
There so many needs here and my heart goes out to those who have experienced loss, illness, accident, or anything that disturbs the peace in our lives.
Sandra, you have been on an emotional roller coaster. I hope your doctor acquaintance is right about your lung. It must be difficult to wait.Mommarch, hope better days are ahead for you. Glad you got a car finally.
We are expecting more snow in a few hours. And winds to 60 mph which will blow the snow around. I have not seen the grass in weeks. Two inches so far today.
My DD and her DH sold the big house they've been in for a year. She told the girls that they would be moving again, and also that their dad would be getting his own place. I had dreaded it for so long, and now that they have a plan, DD said that my younger granddaughter (4) was comforting her big sister (7) and telling her "don't worry, Mommy will be with us and we'll still see Daddy too"
It breaks my heart, but they have a plan and DD already found a smaller house to buy in same town.We went to see "Theory of Everything" and I found it to be a great true story.
Ahhh 2 more days off....love the long week end.
Wishing a happy week end for all.
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The smallest act of kindness
is worth more than the grandest intention.
- Oscar Wilde -
Good morning,
Well, what was I thinking -- just lost a whole post. We are sitting here waiting for the snow to begin. Six or seven inches ( I don't trust the weather people here so more or less, who knows ) , but it is nothing like the East coast and what they have had to undergo. It is almost un-believable to me. Boston with is it 6 or 7 feet of snow and expecting a minimum of another ft. over this week-end. Their Spring & Summer is going to be a precious one.
I feel for anyone with all the issues, outages, and other nightmare problems continuing inclement weather can bring. We here are only going to be in-convenienced and then likely only a very little. So lots of thought, prayers, and hopes for all those suffering from the very harsh Eastern seaboard weather.
Joan, you are undergoing as well the transition your DD and DSIL and GD's are having to make now. I am glad they do have a plan. It is something that can be successful if all the adults work at it fruitfully. Not pleasant, but the little 4 yr. old has a winning attitude. Changes seem always harder for us to accept than for young children who can make transitions somewhat easily. I hope it goes well. I have been surprised a few times myself when my kids did things I just hated and thought they were being so very, very foolish about, but in the end -- it was their life to live. I'm not thrilled to this day about a couple of things, but overall, when I let it go for REAL, I reached a place where I have easily accepted that my parents likely felt the same over a number of my choices but we all ended up enjoying life no matter what.
Just am hoping for everyone of you to be released back to the calmness of joy and contentment when the time is right.
I'm sitting here on this grayish morn with a smile inside and a Happy Light on. Di did me such a beautiful kindness. For the price of postage she sent me an extra Happy Light she had. I really wouldn't have understood that a light could lift my spirits and though gray outside I just can't sink to the doldrums I almost immediately was falling heir too with the dark weather we have had so very much of this yr.
We have our heat ( repaired twice this yr. but working so well now ) and we have the thermo coupler now repaired in our tankless water heater ( after three days of cold water for everything ) and a Happy Light where I can bask in the sun no matter what is going on outside. My world is wonderful. It was bitterly cold when I got off work at 9:30 p.m. last night to come home. Not much better this morning. Dh says he will put the snow blade on the tractor so he can keep our driveway plowed out. I think the snow ( maybe even a tad more ) will stick around for a week or so. It is sort of winter at last. We only had two brief snows right at Thanksgiving and have been without since then. This is the time when we usually look forward to heavy-duty hints of Spring -- but guess those are going to wait. Had a mild week or two before this snow coming -- maybe that was the hint and I missed it -- but more likely that I just wanted those hints to keep on coming.
Thinking of you all and wanting the best for all.
Blessings,
Jackie
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Hi, Diane. Several of our ladies have already offered good advice. Maybe you should take a piece of paper and write down the advantages and disadvantages of the two options, Lumpectomy and Mastectomy. I opted for MX with my husband's full support. I knew I would want reconstruction and the one-step was easily available. I would go into the hospital with A cup breasts and leave the hospital with A or small B cup. I would never have another mammogram or mammogram report. And I would avoid radiation, which has its own discomforts and SEs and risks.
I would NOT have avoided chemo unless I received a low oncotype number. Thank goodness, I did. My recovery was complicated by some healing issues related to my one-step surgery but I did heal. And I would make the same choices again.
Women who opt for the simple MX with no reconstruction heal quite fast. I have talked with some who are happy with their choice. They do not miss breasts. But I wanted to keep the same body shape.
There are many true stories out there. Some women who opt for MX discover there are other tumors in the same breast or in the so-called healthy breast. In my case, no other tumors were discovered in either breast. What worried me was that many women who have lumpectomies grow more tumors in future years. I didn't want that anxiety. Many women do NOT grow more tumors.
My main worry is something my BC dr. told me kindly after I had healed and was ready to go back to "normal" life. People who have one type of cancer are more likely to develop another type of cancer than people who have not had cancer. I know several bc survivors who have been unfortunate enough to be a part of this statistic. We have to be vigilant in our health care.
Good luck, Diane, in making your decisions that are right for YOU.
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