Roll Call

JudyO

Glad someone started a thread for us "older" ones....Often we have different issues than the "youngers". Let start a roll call like the other threads...

JudyO

age at dx 56  May,2008

stage 3a...2.2 cm...grade 1...7/14+ nodes...ER+ PR- HER2-...ILC

Mas....4AC/4Taxol...25 rads....arimidex

Comments...never missed a mamo...darn ILC doesn't show on mamos...found a small shadow and it was there....tell your friends if they have dense breast be over cautious

tos

Diagnosed at 56 and 60 the second time.  Both Triple Negative IDC, 6 & 8 mm tumors, 1 node, lumpectomy, bilat mastectomy, brca 1+.  AC&T & rads, then Taxotere x 6 no rads.

Both times tumors were found on mammos.

Dense breasts, I always thought that pertained to younger women but was told when I was 60 that I too had dense breasts.

Pam

klp

Dx at 73..found on annual mammo  ....clear the year before.

5graces

Dx at 58,  found a 'dimple' in my right breast ....waited 6 months before I went for mammogram (dumb!) I am now 61.

NancyD

Nancy...dx at age 56 in February 2008.

IDC, Stage IIIa, ER+ PR+  Her2-

mikita5

Kathy (Mikita) dx at age 56 in Jan 2009. DCIS, comedo neucrosis, ER+ Found on annual mammo. Told in 09 that I had calcifications in 08 but they'd grown and multiplied in 09. No one told me I had them in 08!

ritajean

Rita (ritajean) dx at age 59 in Nov. 2006.  IDC, Stage 1, Grade 3,  ER-, PR+, Her2-.  Did 6 CMF chemos, 33 rads, and am now taking Arimidex,  I found the lump myself.

swimangel72

Kathy - dx at age 53 in Jan 2008 - found nodule on routine mammo (couldn't be felt). Older films showed calcifications since my very first mammo at the age or 37 - Like Mikita - no one EVER told me I had calcifications!   I was at an extremely low risk to get BC so I casually skipped 3 years of them after we moved to a new town. If even ONE of the radiologists had sent me a written report (which, btw, I've read they are REQUIRED to do by law) it could have saved me from all these problems! Anyway I am happy that my new ob/gyn got on my case - I'll never skip a mammo again!

SoCalLisa

HI there..

I am 66 now, DXed on my 58th Birthday...

IDC,DCIS,LCIS, lumpec. one pos node., six months CMF. 2B..

another DX

IDC in same breast, Mastectomy.

Tamoxifen one year

 In the remaining breast  ...

Another Lump..Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia

Arimidex, Four years..finished 3 years ago...

Just had a Mammo on Tuesday and it was OK...

My problem is the chemo was toxic to my liver so

I have to deal with severe liver disease

They are keeping a close lookout on my remaining breast..

GramE

I was the lump queen,  many lumps, some aspirated, couple of needle biopsies -- all benign until May 2, 2008.  Annual mammograms from age 30 since Mom had bi lat mast back in 1962.  I was told over the phone by my ob/gyn on May 2, 2008 that I had cancer.  Age 62 a dx.  

PhyllisCC

Dx Oct 07 with extensive DCIS, comedo necrosis, grade 3.  Age 56 No symptoms, mammo after dx showed "normal" too. No lump, but bloody nipple discharge.  (I actually tried to talk myself into thinking I had somehow cut myself...my sister insisted I see my ob/gyn who referred me immediately to a breast surgeon for biopsy) Rt mast Nov 07, exchange May 08, implant revision Oct 08.  Still "working" on my implant, but my "real" side is checked..and showing "normal" - So am grateful about that.  I am currently 58.

FACECRAFTER

Dx with IDC during a hospital stay in Aug 08.  Was 62 in Sept. 

4 A/C   12 Taxol  (10 down 11 is tomorrow)
Mx on 4/14  then rads
Decided to do BiLat Mast  even tho it is only on one side.

Northstar

Always had dense breasts, but yearly mammos and checks by PCP and GYN never showed up anything.  I found a hard "ridge" one morning and said to myself, "Oh, damn," went to my PCP right away, who said it would be a good idea to check it, had a mammogram two days later (showing nothing), then ultrasound, which showed a typical star-shaped pattern.   The radiologist and I sat there and said to each other, " yep, it looks like cancer..."   He did the biopsy immediately and I got the names of surgeons from him--didn't even wait for the results--knew it was cancer.  Saw the surgeon two days later and scheduled bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction by expanders just a week or so after that.  

Turned out it was only in one breast, but I didn't want to have to worry about the other one, since lobular so often shows up in the other breast later.    Did radiation, didn't have to do chemo (low Oncotype score), and am now on tamoxifen for two years, then will go onto 'Aromasin.

I was diagnosed at 65 and am now 66.   Am having more fills in my expanders and will have the exchange probably in June.   

mzmiller99

61 when dx'ed last spring.  62 now.  No bc in family - found on regular mammo.  My daughter calls it "old lady cancer"! 

Susan

Ina

Diagnosed with calcifications 3 yrs. ago. US, MRI, radiologist recommended biopsy. Went to cancer center which did digital mammo--they said it was not cancer. Mammo here in November 2008, breast biopsy showed DCIS. Age 56 in Dec. 08 at diagnosis, turned 57 in January. Had a lumpectomy plus sentinel node biopsy 2/6/09--nodes negative, stage 0, BUT margins positive. Now I am deciding between a second excision plus radiation, which may or may not work, or a Mx with immediate reconstruction. My surgeon is not pushing me strongly one way or another, but she does think a MX might be better because of the way the DCIS looks. DIEP is not offered here in NM, so I am planning to travel to either Houston or Seattle for a second opinion. 

My mother had post menopausal breast cancer, as did my maternal aunt--they are both still alive and kicking. 

Whew--you all make that look easier than it is--stringing out the facts like that in shorthand. I am glad I found all of you!

tdbear

Just checking in! Karin AKA Tdbear

First DX was  March 2002. IDC stage 1 grade 1 With in a week of my mammogram I was scheduled for surgery! I opted for mastectomy w/ SNB, besides "just wanting it gone" I didn't want to do all those weeks of RADS after a lumpectomy!  Was ER+/PR+ HER2-  0 of 4 nodes Very clean margins. Took 1 week off work, no problems!  Was put on Tamoxifen.

April 2006 I found a lump on the mast site. Told my surgeon not to bother w/ biopsy just do the surgery & get it all. In my mind I knew what the results would be..... Yup Dr called to set up appointments......And most of you know how I spent that summer!!!! Dr's offices and labs AND CHEMO!!!! Then add RADS for the fall!  Started out on Femara but am now on Aromasin

LAM2009

It sounds like some of you so called "older ladies" have simular stories like my mom. 

 My mom is 62 never missed a mamo since age of 37.  HX of cycts (sp) in breasts went to BS every 3-6 months until memopause to check lumps and have needle aspirations on them.  Always was negetive for any BC.  

After menopause (age 57) lumps for the most part went away, and just got yearly mamos.  In 1/09 had yearly momo and further momographic examination was suggested, she went again one week later to have more images taken and a sterostatic biopsy was recommended.

After the biopsy they did another momo and another spot near chest wall was found.

Another biopsy was done a week later and she was DX ILC

Her DX is ILC stage 2 grade 2 3.5cm. 0 nodes after a SNB.  BLM two weeks ago.  ER+ PR- Her-

I kept wonder how it was able to grow to such a large size when ILC is typically slow growing. And she has never missed a momo.

I pulled her medical records and was suprised by what I found.

The first mamo she had this year 1/5/09 the radiologist states "some calcifications could be seen on prior mammographic examination of 12/07, but not on 10/06.  

The second momo she had done in January one week later the same radiologists states "some asymmetry in this region DID exist on prior mammogram dating back to 10/06"  And that its appearance is extremely worrisone, appered irregular and stellate.

My question is this:  if the radiologist (not the same one who found the BC in January) in 2006 saw a change from 2005 to 2006 why wasn't further immaging or U/S recommended?

  Furthermore if a change from 2006 to 2007 was noted the next year, shouldn't further work up have been suggested?  Especially since that would be 2 years in a row that she had changes on her momo, especially given her HX.  To me this seems like a delay in treatment.  Her momos have been at the same hospital for 25 years.  I feel like the radiologist dropped the ball completely.  

She had BLM when maybe two years ago maybe she could have had a lumpectomy and RAD.  O

Sorry to vent.

Ina

I hope your mother will be well and make it through all this fine.

JudyO

Lam2009...If you go to the ILC thread you will see that your mother's case is not unusual. I had ILC and never missed a mamo since I was in my early 30s...am 57 now....Mine was 2.2 cm and hit a lot of nodes. ILC just doesn't show on mamos. If you go to the ILC thread you will gain a lot of knowledge...

pomegranate

Started mammos at age 50 (yes, I know should have started at 40). At 53, calcifications found on mammo by radiologist. Saw PCP, she sent me to BS. Sent for stereotactic biopsy. That was a Friday, and had to wait till Monday (day after the worst Mother's Day in my life!). Got the bc talk and discussed options w/BS. Had lumpectomy & SNB a month later. Rads 6 weeks after surgery. Had cellulitis infection in breast and excruciating pain through rest of 2004 (finally diagnosed as Lymphedema in Nov 2004. In March 2005, had mastectomy and TRAMflap reconstruction. Developed Truncal Lymphedema in breast (yes, recon'd one), abdomen, rt back, rt arm and hand.  Have been in treatment for Lymphedema issues since November 2004 to present. Will live with my condition the rest of my life. I am unable to return to work (to a job I really loved) and will spend the majority of my time keeping my LE at bay! Don't know how it's determined, but I always go by Mother's Day (cuz I can remember that event) and on this Mother's Day of 2009 I will be 5 years NED!! 

Pomegranate 

Anonymous

Hey Ladies,

I think it is great the mods started a forum for you!  Just a suggestion?  You might want to ask the mods to 'pin' this thread to the top of your forum so it will always be at the top so anyone new to your board will be sure to see it.  Just private message the moderators if y'all want this thread 'pinned'.

BTW, I don't think of y'all as older.....just wiser!

Big hugs,

Bethie

tos

Hi Pomegranate,

So sorry to see you've had so much trouble over the last few years.  But congratulations on your upcoming 5 yr mark, that is fabulous!

I think too little is said about the side effects and problems so many of us have to deal with after treatments and hope that turns around.

Some will stay for a few months, a year or so and others are with us for life. 

Sierra

Morning Judy:

I was dx 2000, lump NOT found

on mammo or by exam .. with GP

I just had a gut feeling

did chemo (aggressive) and rads

nodes removed and 1 pos

er-pr-  GR 3

at 9 years today, and very lucky indeed

sending out positive and

bright light to all at this forum

I keep in touch, and help those

who want and need support

and some days, even though

9 yrs out, need support in different areas

myself...

Namaste

Sierra

barbe1958

Rusty discharge from left nipple June 2008 at 50, finally got rush mammo on October 1st. Bled all over machine. Got ultrasound 2 weeks later where they were able to express the discharge. Had MRI 3 weeks later and it showed vascular activity. Then, believe it or not, a SECOND mammo 2 weeks later where they concentrated on right breast. I kept saying no, left breast. They said microcalcifications and architectural changes on right, don't worry about discharge. Then SECOND ultrasound same day where I made them look at left. They saw the lump and did a core biopsy immediately. Came back inconclusive. Had to have lumpectomy a couple weeks later on left. Came back December 10th, as Papillary Carcinoma. I said take them off. My surgeon and I had already discussed this as I have had 3 other surgeries in the past for cysts and tumours. Had a bilateral mastectomy 6 days later and here I am.

This had been an area that I told them during ultrasound for the last couple of years that I had pain in. They said they don't ultrasound for pain. The tumour was at 6 o'clock right against my chest wall so there wasn't a hope in hell of mammo picking it up. Right breast ended up showing atypical hyperplasia and those infamous microcalcifications.

I had NEVER had a normal mammogram. They always wanted more shots or ultrasound so I believe something was there for a while before my nipple finally produced a discharge which apparently had nothing to do with the cancer! Angel? I believe.

Deb-from-Ohio

Went to GYN thinking I had a breast infection, breast was swelled and hurting, she sent me for a diagnostic mammogram, I was Diagnosed on Oct 23, 2008 with DCIS and IDC. (On my daughters birthday and the day before mine!)  Was originally told a Stage 2, new oncologist told me Stage III.. Tumor was 3.5cm in breast, not sure about one under arm. Don't know yet how many nodes are affected. Have had 4 every other week treatments of A/C, just did #10 of 12 weekly Taxols yesterday. Have an appt for April 6th with the breast surgeon, Am getting a Lumpectomy, then God only knows how many Radiation trips, then 5 yrs on Arimidex. However, after 4 A/C's and a few Taxols, they can no longer feel the tumors in my breast or under my arm.

Deb

LuckyLady

Answering the Roll Call!  I'm 58 and completed chemo/rads treatment last April.  Lymphedema progressed immediately after surgery and became worse after radiation.  Took Femara for one month exactly -- became weak, depressed and in pain.  Not on any hormone therapy for now and feeling wonderful living a life of nurture, nutrition and excercise.  Lymphedema has receded dramatically and the better I feel the more content I am with my decision not to take Tamoxifen... at least for now. 

You ladies look marvelous!  Over 50 and proud.... however, you are NOT old.  When you turn 80 (God willing - that's my goal), then you are considered OLD!  We are simply well-seasoned.

"It is not what lies behind us or ahead of us that matters as much as what lies within us". --- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hindsfeet

LuckyLady...I agree. We're not old...well seasoned. I'm looking forward to being 65... to get on Medicare. Cancer is expensive. When first dx 10/07 I chose only lumpectomy thinking that I wouldnt have a recurrence before 65. One year later it happened again, 10/08 except this time it was 100% multifocal. I thought about a mx but couldn't afford it..so I did another lumpectomy only (high grade)...I'm hoping I won't have another recurrence before 65! So there's advantages to growing older.

I have a 23 and 25 year old  adult children. I am also the bread winner, which means I'm constantly under stress in that I own my business. I do have a good life...but haven't quite shaken my recent bout of cancer...I am not sure they got it all...or is my doc as my margin was narror.

With the economy, I can't think about retirement. I keep trucking along hoping I'll stay healthy and take care of everyone. Meanwhile I'm staying positive, and taking a lot better care of myself.

GrammyNancy

Another well seasoned lady joining in.  I just found this section and am so happy!

DX 2/07 at 58

ILC Stage 2B 2cm 1node micromets

ER+,PR+, Her2+

TAC x 6

a year of Herceptin completed 7/08

now on Arimidex

Brenda_R

I was dxed at 50. IDC, Stage3 (originaly told stage4), 3.7cm,1 positive IM node. ER-PR-Her2+

A/C x4   35 rads Herceptin 1 year.

I am now 53.

Jenniferz

I was 55 when diagnosed in May, 2006. Had left mrm, and because tumors were so small and with margins and lymph nodes "clear",  no chemo, no rads. Femara for what will be the next 2 years.

Jennifer

EllieD

"Old" is always 15 years older than you are

I was diagnosed at age 56 in 2007 during a routine mammo.  I had IDC, stage 1, grade 3.  Had a mastectomy with immediate latt flap reconstruction.  Oncotype of 27.  Had chemo - taxotere and cytoxan.  Then started on Arimidex. I couldn't tolerate the SE's, went to Femara and then to Aromasin.  I'm now on Tamoxifen and tolerating that well.

Just had my mammo - NED!