MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

elimar86861

OMG!  What do I know about girls?  What a challenge!

Yes, I did manage to get my boys out of the nest and into college life.  The biggest news is that I think I have survived "Teen Wars."  I hope I am not speaking prematurely, as one is still a teen, but at least we have reached a detente and no actual blood was shed.  I enjoy them a lot more lately.  (Or is that the Effexor talking?)

Sherryc

Just thought I would share this.  I have not done Christmas cards since 1994.  My son died in 1995 and I just could never bring myself to go back to sending out Christmas cards with family pictures.  Anyhow this past Aug our kids all came home at the same time which has not happened in so long I can't remember.  I had a photographer come and take photos.  I actually sent some Christmas cards with a picture of DH and I, just a few but hey it is a start. I have been in PT for the last two months and it has helped so much with my breast pain that I have a completely different attitude.  I am not consumed with pain any longer.  I still have a month left and hope that they can get rid of the neck pain that was caused by the pec muscle that pulled on my shoulder that pulled on my neck.  Anyway I am feeling so much better and what an attitude adjustment. I am really looking forward to Christmas this year

justmejanis

Sherry, I am so happy to see such improvement.  A positive outlook is wonderful.  Glad to hear you are looking forward to Christmas.  Despite all the problems, it sounds like you have so much to be thankful for.  Happy for you sweet lady!

Valjean

Nice to see you again, StJude!

Sherry ~ I am so glad for you that PT has worked. And that this Christmas is a happier one for you.

Here is a picture of the Christmas stockings I made for my Grandchildren. I made my DD's ones when they were very little & they have told me they look forward to seeing them every year when I hang them. I haven't yet come to the point of letting them each take them to their own homes - not yet.

"

BarbaraA

Val, how cute! I am so un-talented and un-creative.

WaveWhisperer

Here's my most embarrassing moment:

Some years ago, I went back to my hometown -- a small place, where everyone knows us -- to take care of my mom for a month or so. I always drink Diet Coke for breakfast, so she had some cans for me in the fridge.

One morning, I was in a rush to get to her bank by 9 and then to an appointment at 9:30. I grabbed my drink out of the fridge, hopped in the car, drove to the bank and sat in the drive-thru lane, waiting for them to open.

Just as the bank window shade went up and a bank clerk I knew said hello, I grabbed my drink and took a long swig. And nearly gagged. Instead of my Diet Coke, the silver can I grabbed was a Coors beer!

stjude10

Thanks Valjean, and the stockings are adorable!

Barbara, I'm with you...untalented and uncreative.

WaveWhisperer...too funny!

Had my 4th and final AC on Tues. So far, so good!

cmbear

WW-too funny, inadvertant drinking and driving! Hope you didn't spew all over the car! Val, what beautiful stockings! I imagine some pretty wide eyes when they see them for the first time. Sherry--so glad to hear the clouds are lifting a bit, hope Christmas for you is painfree!

Loves Christmas--hope your check-up is all good. Bringing along some yummy christmas cookies--cause there is just too much at my house

 

elimar86861

stjude,  AC was scary and unknown at first but you got through it.  Now some days to let it circulate and settle down.  Are you a Hannukah or a Christmas?  Either way, hopefully you will be feeling pretty good next week.  I know Taxol is coming up, but most do say those S/E's are easier.

Wave,  Don't be too embarassed about your bank boozing.  That teller probably had a shot of Jack before she went to work  Did you ever notice how garbled those drive-thru' tellers sound?  It's not the machine, they are drunkenly slurring their words.  Now please tell me you have something speck of nutrition to go with that Diet Coke for breakfast!

Val, You already know I like the stockings.  So cute.  I like sparkly too.

Sherryc,  Yeah, no matter how you look on the outside after surgery and rads, the inside is put back together differently and that tightness can turn into lasting problems for some people.   It really upsets the muscle balance of the body, I think.  Getting some prompt PT is the best thing.  Glad you are feeling better

elimar86861

The truth about Cats and Dogs at Christmas...they love it!

Sherryc

Wave Whisper I have to say that is funny!!!!!!!!!!! drink & drive

KittyGirl2011

Very funny story WW!  Sherry, all my very best thoughts for you and glad you are feeling a little more spirit of the season.  Valjean you do beautiful work, very talented.  Eli the kitty is SOOOO cute under the tree!  Ours loves to sit there too and she doesn't disturb any of the ornaments.  I think she sees herself as our present under the tree and I think shes right! 

Went to my RO appointment today and had nothing but good news.  Don't have to go back until Feburary for my first mamo since diagnosis.  Yippy!  Only thing that would make the holiday season even better would be my oldest DS being able to come home for awhile.  He lives in Houston area and military so its hard for him to get up here very often.  Just a wish really.  Kitty

justmejanis

Valjean the stockings are just beautiful!  You are very talented.

Wave that is way too funny!  Morning drinking no less, LOL.

Eli the kitty and puppy are so cute.  My cat Pistol loves to lie under the tree.

Kitty I know what you mean about kids.  Since we moved so far away we don't see ours often.  I have not seen my oldest son in almost two years and it is hard.  My youngest came last year for Thanksgiving but he is very busy this year.  We can't afford to travel so it is just the two of us again this year.  I would love to have my kids around.  Like you, just a wish!

3jaysmom

val jean; i had lanned on doing them for my grands thhis year, but am not up to it.. when i saw yours, i thought.. i know.. i'll get them at an after christmas sale, start doing them, this year, when im missing them!!!then, pack them, i'll be ahead in my shopping/projects for NEXT year.. sounds like a plan  Elimar, love the new header.. thanks for the loaner.. i love the "hulk" on this one GS would love it!!!.3jays

Paula66

Kitty and Janis I know what you mean.  Even though my DD came for a visit I still miss her something horrible.  I still remember as I was giving her the hugs goodbye I told her that she can change her mind and stay.  It was so much harder letting her go this time compared to the last time. My mom always said I was the stubborn one, lol!  Its all her fault that I was stuck by from the Schwans man for months, lol.  We had got into a huge fight and both of us are stongminded and when we lock heads look out its on.  The poor man came to our house at the wrong time, lol.  We were at the heart of our blowout and even my husband and son left the house.  They always did that when her and I went at it, big chickens, lol.  I know this next part sounds crazy but I miss those days.  Cause in the end her and I would finally cool down and hugs big time and cry as we were saying our sorries.  I miss her:-(

Eph3_12

WW-thank you so much for the hearty laugh!  That Coors story was priceless!

barbe1958

Val, beautiful stockings!! I'm just finishing one up for George. I'm not putting his name on it until they get pregnant again.....

Ceeztheday

Hi ladies. I have my 3 month checkup with the MO on Monday. Just "routine", but still nerve racking (as you all know). I will appreciate any good vibes you could send my way. Plenty of pocket room if you're available.

Valjean

OMG! I just wrote this long post & what do I get when I hit submit?!? "Internet Exlorer cannot display the webpage". Unbelievable!!

Well, it will be shorter this time because I'm sure I won't remember everything I wrote.

Anyway, thank you everyone for the compliments on the stockings.

Yes, 3jays, hit the after-Christmas sales for stocking stuff/kits. I finished up Jackson's last month. They did not include enough beads in the kit (why do they that?!!) & even though I had kept the leftover stuff from Mackenzie's stocking, I still did not have all that I needed. I substituted, but was not happy with the final project, so hunted around & found something to change it to. So, I removed what I didn't like & added the new. (that's me!)

But, since I have been on generic Aromasin, the SE's are much worse than I had before; my hands go numb at any given time (carpal tunnel?!?). Never had it this bad on original Aromasin. I had a hell of a time working with the tiny beads & sequins.

But I enjoyed doing them & each stitch is filled with love.

barbe, I hope you will share a picture of the one you are finishing up with us. I bet it is beautiful!

Ceeztheday ~ Let me be the first to jump in your pocket for Monday. I do know the anxiety. Oh, yeah.... Sending a hug.  

Sherryc

Ceezetheday I'll be in your pocket along with valjean

barbe1958

I'll be there for you Ceezetheday, too!! It meant a lot to mean to know that you guys were in my pocket. Silly as it sounds, it does make a difference!

barsco1963

I think I've missed a couple of PPs  - really need to get back into the swing of things.

Count me in for Monday Ceeztheday!

Valjean - the stockings really are terrific. I've tried my hand at creativity a few times with minimal success. I did make some nice "green" arrangements last week with cedar, evergreen etc.

macatacmv

Hello All, I just found this thread. And I can relate. I am 59, but had my kids later in life and they are 26 and 24, just out of the house and I was starting to travel. I had just said that I thought maybe it was my turn now and I got dianosised on Dec 8th. Needless to say no holly jolly Christmas cards this year. I am having my lump &SNB on thursday the 22nd. My sister and mother both had BC and are both gone now. My father just passed in March. I have always taken care of everyone and run a business.

 I had an abnormal mamm. in Oct., they called me back but I was on my way to visit my daughter in CO. so put it off until I got back, had second mamm. on Nov 16th and then biospy on Dec 2. I am so glad I went to CO. I had such a good time and so much fun. Now when I ask my BS when I can plan my next vacation she says you can plan it just don't buy any tickets.

So my daughter is flying east to be with me for the surgery and my son is coming home from college to be here too. This holiday time is hard. When I say my kids will be home for  Christmas people who don't know what is going on get so excited for me.

I woke up this morning with a pain behind my right breast (maybe a rib?) This is the BC breast, could it be left over from the biospy?

Anyway I need some people to talk to,

BarbaraA

Aww, macatacmv, so sorry you are joining us. This is a fine group of women who will hold your hand each step of the way. I had some pain after the biopsy but not to worry, soon it will be gone! I was fine after my lumpectomy and didn;t even need a tylenol! Keep coming here for support!

Ceezetheday, I'm in there, too!

LovesChristmas-Barb

I'm sorry you have to join us macatacmv but welcome. These ladies are wonderful....they understand when no one else does. I also had some pain after my biopsy because my lump was deep.

I'll be in your pocket too ceezetheday!

elimar86861

Welcome, macatacmv!   Sorry this means you will be having a Breast Cancer Christmas this year.  If all goes well, you may not be feeling too badly by the 25th.  The lumpectopmy surgery is not terrible.  Most women have a bit more pain in the SNB area, probably because moving your arm pulls on that surgical area, plus you can get some temp. numbness or nerve twinges in that area too.  Plan to have at least 24-48 hours of down time to let you body get rid of all the general anesthesia that stays in your system. 

Do whatever you need to do early in the week, then just rest, relax, enjoy the decorations and most of all having your family around you.

Kay_G

Welcome macatakmv! Sorry you are here, but we will help you through. It will be all right. It des suck though, especially at this time of year.



Ceezeteday, I will be in your pocket on Monday. I have an echo on Monday at 9, and am nervous as well. I hope it will be back to normal, I don't know if I want to get back to the herceptin or not, but I do want normal heart function back. I'll worry about the herceptin later. I have been feeling my heart beating faster (is that what heart palpitations are?), so I am not sure what to think of that. I didn't notice anything like that before the last echo, but maybe I was just oblivious to it.



Have a great weekend everyone. I think I am going out shopping soon.

Ceeztheday

Thanks so much everyone! Hugs.

elimar86861

Have to mention that my hot flashes have become more managable, since the beginning of December.  I am definitely going to back Kleenex's theory about humidity playing a big part in the severity of the hot flash.  Last year, I got a break Nov. thru' Mar., but this Nov. was warmer.  

What does this mean to me?  Well, I had cut back my Tamox. dosage to 15mg. since about June.  My doctor knows this too.   I have recently gone back up to the recommended 20 mg. because I can tolerate it again. The only thing I have to watch out for now, is overeating.  A giant meal can set me off too.  It doesn't matter what I eat, but how much.

Are any of you other Tamox.-takers noticing a Winter decrease in your hot flashes?

Kay_G

I am not any help, I just started tamoxifen a month ago. I must be the only one alive who likes hot flashes, but they are very quick and I don't sweat at all with them. Jalapeño peppers definitely bring them on, and I am eating them like they're going out of style. I can't get enough of them. I like that little hot burst that comes and goes quickly. I keep waiting for a bad one to come, I did have a few really bad night sweats on AC, but haven't since.