MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

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  • Nebraskagrandma
    Nebraskagrandma Member Posts: 263
    edited August 2009

    Hi All..............

    Hope we are all off to a good start this new week. I have spent the morning registering a team for Race for the Cure. In Nebraska it will be Oct. 4th.

    I go back to PS on Thursday, getting a little better each day. I think I have 6 stitches on the outside that may come out on Thursday. All the rest are inside and will dissolve.

    Blessings everyone

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2009

    Add me to the group too!!!!!!

    I was within two weeks of being 46 yrs old when I got my dx in Oct 2006.

    Been through several surgeries, rads, no chemo, tamoxifen, arimidex, femara......now back to tamoxifen.

    This website and the ladies here are the absolute best thing that happened to me during my bc journey....

    Best to all

    Jule

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  • msroulette
    msroulette Member Posts: 21
    edited August 2009

    Good Morning ladies! I get to see my PS tomorrow morning for first fill. Crazy, but I'm actually excited about it. Like...I finally get to leave puberty and see my breasts grow! I was never happy with the size and shape passed down to me through my oh so fortunate gene pool. Here's to the marvel of modern plastic surgery!

    Have a Marvelous Monday!

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  • bettysgirl
    bettysgirl Member Posts: 938
    edited August 2009

    barbe- like you i kind of get kicks by folks who can't quite figure it out. I don't know about you but i wish I had a dime for every time someone has said "but you are going to do reconstruction some time aren't you???" AHHH NOPE!!!

    What a great group of ladies. I hope everyone has a great week. I will try to finish reading and catch up tonight.

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  • kane744
    kane744 Member Posts: 461
    edited August 2009

    Gee, I'm 65 and felt 45 until bc set up residence in my boob.  I'm almost a year into it now and my treatment is complete but I am definitely not what I was before all this.  My energy level is not back to where it was, I have pains where I never had them, and I feel like the last shred of youth is now gone forever.  But, hey, I'm alive.  I had a lumpectomy, chemo and rads and am hoping to make it to my 90s at which time I'll start a thread for those gals! 

     Here are a few things I've learned on this journey:  Just because you don't feel like smiling every day doesn't make you a "bad" cancer patient.  There are many people worse off than me, which I discovered pretty quickly in the waiting room.  Your family is going through this too.  Accept help when it's offered and don't try to do it all yourself.  Try not to believe everything you read on the internet.  Bald is beautiful and a lot easier to "do."  No matter what you say when bald, you WILL complain about bad hair days.  Belly laughs kill cancer cells.  Rest when your body tells you to.  Your feelings aren't right or wrong; they're just your feelings.  Take someone with you to your doctor appointments.  You are your own best advocate so keep asking asking asking.  Doctors aren't gods.  You're stronger than you ever thought you were.     

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  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 897
    edited August 2009

    Hi nice to meet you kane 744, and thanks for the good advice. I am reading a book called the "Anatomy of an Illness" it is a quick read and is about the man who discovered that Laughing could cure oneself. So, I am trying to have one big belly laugh a day or more if possible.

    Paula I will be in Omaha to walk on October 4th also... I'll pm you when it is closer to the date and maybe we can say hello to each other.

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited August 2009

    Well, I have to say radiation is pretty BORING!  Yeah, I went to my first actual Tx this morning, now 32 more to go.  Oh joy.  Stay tuned for upcoming episodes like, "what treatment # will she abandon her bra?" and "honey, do these blisters make my butt look fat?"

    Speaking of my butt, I have already made some future plans should fatigue make me want to lay around on it quite a bit.  My husband really monopolizes our Netflix subscription, and loads the queue up with war movies, sword movies, and Scarlett Johansson.  I am not ashamed to say I played the cancer card to get a few so-called "chick flicks" in the line up.

    Nebraskagrandma,  Don't forget to let us know how the Race event goes. 

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  • Jo_Ann_K
    Jo_Ann_K Member Posts: 277
    edited August 2009

    Hi!

    I like this thread.  I am 54, soon to be 55 in December so I make it just under the wire. Was diagnosed almost a year ago with DCIS.  After some reactions to the radiation therapy, I'm back to "my old self" again, though with a much smaller left breast secondary to surgery and radiation.

    In a month, I go for my next mammogram followed by an oncology visit. That's the next terrifying step on this survival path.

    Regards,

    Jo Ann

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited August 2009

    Oh yeah, and my treatment room has a "peep hole" in the ceiling.  I asked them if it was a porn camera.  They said it was another laser to line things up.  I swear I better not see any of this on You Tube!

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  • spinnaker
    spinnaker Member Posts: 53
    edited August 2009

    Hi all, looks like I found the right place to be.  I was diagnosed at the end of May 2009 at age 45.  I had a left mx in late June with a TE, and I began the fill process in July.  Because I'm not very big, I think the fills are done - at least I hope so.  I see my PS this week and I hope we can schedule the exchange surgery for November.  I'm curious how he's going to get me symmetrical.  He doesn't seemed worried, but he doesn't have to lug around one floppy boob and one brick boob for three more months.  Part of me is sorry that I didn't go with a bi-lateral, but my BS talked me out of it.  My daughter (who has been my rock through this ordeal this summer) just moved to college two hours away, so I'm really missing her support.  My 16 yr old son and my DH have also been a great source of strength.  I just hate that my family has to deal with this too, but I'm so glad they are here for me.  And if all this hasn't been difficult enough, I just found out that my job is ending in November and I'll be transitioning to a new organization.  I don't have to move (thank goodness), but my health insurance will change, which is why I want to get that exchange surgery scheduled soon.  I can always count on the ladies on BCO who laugh with me, cry with me and understand the venting we all have to do at times. 

    Best,

    Karen

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  • Nebraskagrandma
    Nebraskagrandma Member Posts: 263
    edited August 2009

    WOW, I'm off the site for 4 hours and look at all the post to read !

    Welcome: Jule, bettysgirl, Jo Ann, and kane744 !

    Linda I'm so glad you will be in town for the Race ! We will have to meet

    kane744 excellent advice, all so true, Love it........

    msroulette I was excited for fills too ! Hope it all goes well

    elimar you crack me up ! thanks for the chuckles for today ;o)

    Our group is getting very big, how exciting !

    Blessings all around,

    Paula

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  • Nebraskagrandma
    Nebraskagrandma Member Posts: 263
    edited August 2009

    OMG am I slow or what before I got my post typed another has joined us ! horray !

    Welcome Karen !!

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  • Nebraskagrandma
    Nebraskagrandma Member Posts: 263
    edited August 2009

    Karen,

          I also had a unilateral mx, my left side. I totally understand your concern about the one droopy breast. I was that way from last Nov until Aug 10th. I went back to surgery and had a lift to my right side and nipple recon to the left.

         "My girls" are twins again ! I could have had the surgery anytime after March but I just had so much going on and interaction with my grandkids that I didn't want to be restricted again until later in the summer.

          I should be done with recon now, and I am so happy after the lift. Just trying to be patient as I heal............

    Blessings,

    Paula

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  • mumito
    mumito Member Posts: 4,562
    edited August 2009

    Hi ladies love the chuckles and sense of humor.I promise to keep mine as well.

    Next month I go in to have the other breast lopped off.  Did some research decided not to  do recon. Hoping after this i will not have to return to a hospital for years.I am 50 but feel much older after all I have been through.My daughter wants me to get on with life.Me I just want to enjoy my life now.Quit my job,and we (my dhand I ) intend to travel and spend our hard earned savings.

    Cheers to all of us middleagers who have gotten through this ####

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  • Nebraskagrandma
    Nebraskagrandma Member Posts: 263
    edited August 2009

    mumayan,

           Love your martini glasses, sorry you have to have surgery again. I think your plan sounds like a great one, cheers to you. You've earned it !

    Blessings,

    Paula

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  • cmharris59
    cmharris59 Member Posts: 496
    edited August 2009

    Karen and Paula,

     I, too, had a unilateral and have had one good boob and one rock since Nov 2007. My recon is being put off again due to my heart scan. I had to wait at least a year after my radiation anyway to have the surgeries. My last radiation was in May 2008. I am very nervous about my surgery. I am going to have DIEP recon. Paula can you keep me posted about your right lift. My PS wants to d o a lift on the right side to make them match better.  I am concerned about losing any more feeling. My breasts are a HUGE part of my sex life. I don't want to lose any more feeling if I don't absolutely have to lose it.

    Thanks,

    C

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  • Nebraskagrandma
    Nebraskagrandma Member Posts: 263
    edited August 2009

    C,

        I am not familar with the DIEP recon, have read a little bit about it. I had a TE in my MX left side. Exchange surgery Nov.'08, so for 9 months I had one higher than the other but the left wasn't the rock that the TE was. The lift and nipple recon was Aug. 10th, two weeks ago. Last week when I was at the PS office they took out the stitches from my skin graft aerola. She was very suprised that I could FEEL the stitches coming out. I have most of my feeling on my MX side. As far as my lift side losing feel doesn't seem to be an issue at all.

        Sorry you have so much time before your surgery, the waiting is often the worst part. I try to just stay in the day as hard as that is.

    Blessings,

    Paula

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited August 2009

    Thanks so much for posting everyone!  Pleased to make your acquaintance!

    This is post #100 (in three short days!)  I hope this thread can flourish as a "hangout" for us mid-life women who are all too up-close-and-personal with that crazy, random breast cancer.          I SEE SOMEONE STOPPED BY FOR HAPPY HOUR earller today! 

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  • footprintsangel
    footprintsangel Member Posts: 43,890
    edited August 2009

    I love to see all the people you are helping. They see the same

    way I do, I found out last week I have an enlarged heart the test

    shows. Has anyone ever got that later after having high chemo?

    God bless you all. Take care, Debbie

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  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 897
    edited August 2009

    Debbie I am so sorry to hear you are having such a complication. I willl keep positive thoughts going that it is something that can be corrected.

    Elimar it is a porn camera, and you are on a live feed whenever you are in that room! You are too funny I hope they appreciate your sense of humor. I know this is late feedback on your post but it got mixed up somehow.

    I embarassed my BS when we discussed a Bilateral Mastectomy because I said "well I guess my pole dancing days are over anyway" I think he thought I was serious(:  I wonder do they have topless bar's with dancers who are over 50?

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  • Mazy1959
    Mazy1959 Member Posts: 1,431
    edited August 2009

    elimar LOL..it is a laser..or I hope it is cause I had one too. LOL Glad it went ok for you. And I would definitly use the cancer card to get some chick flicks LOL.

    cmharris..I do remember you. So happy I helped you in some way.

    gandl..nice to meet you. I am in Illinois

    Hi and nice to meet all of you ladies.

    I go for an MRI for my back on thursday just to make sure its all okay.

    Hugs, Mazy

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  • footprintsangel
    footprintsangel Member Posts: 43,890
    edited August 2009

    Good Luck, Mazy I hope everything come out good.

    To all the other wonderful ladies here, God bless you.

    Like the prayer line here I say We are Gods Wonderful Women.

    Please take care, I need to go take a pain pill and rest. Hugs Debbie

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  • swimangel72
    swimangel72 Member Posts: 1,989
    edited August 2009

    Hugs back to you Debbie - hope the pain pill helps. OmahaGirl - your line about pole-dancing days is hilarious! Thanks for putting a smile on my face!

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  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 897
    edited August 2009

    Your welcome Swimangel, my sister and I could both loose 40 lbs and we laugh our heads off imagining our chubby selves working at the "club"

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  • Nebraskagrandma
    Nebraskagrandma Member Posts: 263
    edited August 2009

    Good Morning Ladies !

          I hope all is well, I nearly had a panic attack about an hour and a half ago when I tried to post and got some wacky note that there was a problem................ ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh  I was having separation anxiety my friends !
           I'm not driving yet so my niece is picking me up to go to the casino and have lunch with my 85 & 87 yr old parents and THEIR siblings, God Love Them ! It will be a good distraction for me.

    Blessings,

    Paula

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  • msroulette
    msroulette Member Posts: 21
    edited August 2009

    Good Morning Ladies,

     I had my first fill today. 50cc, don't look like much, but the nurse told me if she did more, I would hate her tomorrow (giggle). I also found out they will use gummies for my exchange. I'll need to do more research, as I have read some are quite unhappy with them...any thoughts/experiences would be most helpful.

    Paula-enjoy your lunch and the casino...I used to be a dealer in a casino, so if you should need hints, let me know!

    Linda-My SIL used to dance in a topless bar when she was a 20-something and MUCH more healthy...But, at 45, she'd still do it anyway!

    Here's to a Terrific Tuesday...enjoy and feel well Kiss

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited August 2009

    Treatment #2 was just as boring today, but instead of a guy and girl tech team it was two guys.

    I haven't read about radiation making anyone HYPER, but both yesterday and today I felt a little manic.  No, I am NOT BIPOLAR.  I felt a little queasy, too.  Maybe that was my migraine.  I felt a touch of migraine since yesterday's treatment.  Here we go.  Yes, I am a bit of a HYPOCHONDRIAC on rads.  Is there such a thing as a HYPER-CHONDRIAC????
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  • gandl
    gandl Member Posts: 88
    edited August 2009

    there should be

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  • spinnaker
    spinnaker Member Posts: 53
    edited August 2009

    Laura, I live in Colo Spgs too.  Who's your PS?  Mine is Liebscher, and I've been very happy with him.  I see him again tomorrow and hopefully we'll schedule the exchange surgery. My TE has been painful the last few days, and I'm surprised by that.  Hope nothing is wrong.

    Paula - glad to hear your doc was able to make you symmetrical. I'm hoping for good results, too.

    Linda - what you said to your PS about pole dancing was hilarious! I laughed out loud at my desk and my co-workers wondered what was so funny. 

    Have a great week, ladies.

    Karen

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  • mumito
    mumito Member Posts: 4,562
    edited August 2009

    Elimar I had a real rough time with rads.It didn't help that when ever I went in the techs were different.I was a nervous wreck through the whole process and after it was over I had twoweeks of hell dealing with 3rd degree burns. I have talked to other ladies that had no problems with their rads.  Do alot of deep breathing to help calm anxiety.Hang in there.

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