MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

barsco1963

I participate in runs, walks etc and will be holding a small fundraiser this Oct 13 to raise awareness and education about metastatic bc. I agree also that there is a lot of misinformation out there. I hope that I can do my part to help spread the word that bc is NOT to be taken lightly. I also submitted an article to the local paper regarding "think before you pink".

I am not an "in your face" type of person, but I do take opportunity to let others know that we have a long way to go in finding a cure.

I have purchased pink products in the past and will likely continue to do so (depending on the item). However, I am much more careful and I am certainly more aware of the pinkwashing and cause marketing that is out there. 

I have always liked pink as a colour to wear. I now think twice before I don a pink article of clothing because of the association that it has with bc. The first thing I think of when I see a pink shirt, scarf etc is bc. Maybe it is because of my dx - not sure. The link below is a song by a Canadian artist that describes how maybe one day pink can be just a colour again.

http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/artist_songs/357458

barbe1958

elimar, I "invented" Foctober for another thread that wanted "sayings" for how we felt about the month of October. I'm pretty proud of it, to be sure.... some have re-spelled it FOCKTOBER, but mine is the pure form...

mumito

LOL

elimar86861

Credit where credit is due, Barbe.  Shame on me for not observing the correct spelling.  If it ever gets into really wide usage, spell check will take care of that.

Sherryc

Marlegal can't wait to see your photo of the newborn.

chacha I had to have an MRI before my BMX.  Mammo's never read well on me and the BS said if they found anything they would do a SNB at time of BMX.  If they found anything in pathology after the fact you do not have enough breast tissue left to shoot the dye into for sentinial nodes.  I hope I'm not too late for the pocket party

elimar86861

Sherryc,  You are not late for the PP.  In fact, I just took my raisin cookies out of the oven.  They are kind of like the old Sunshine Golden Fruit cookies (that no longer exist.)  So enjoy!  Still warm in the pocket.  In going with the squishing of chacha's mammo, these cookies get squished flat before baking.  I didn't have the giant sugar, so mine just have the regular size sugar on them.

                                                                        

                                                              

Sherryc

I loved the color pink before BC so I'll keep wearing it now.  Since BC I am much more aware of the pink retail out there.  I don't usually purchase items as i don't really now where their money is going.  I'll graciously accept a gift from someone as it is more about the thought than where the money is going.  That being said I think awareness has come a long way and even though people pass on their mammo's I don't know of anyone that is not aware they should have them so I would like to see a shift and more money go towards research on finding a cure and better yet a vaccine for BC.  I know they are in a trial study right now with it so maybe it is on the horizon.

Since we all know how important mammo's are I'll put a plug in now for colonoscopies.  Screening is everything in finding cancer early.  I am thin, eat healthy, exercise, and no family history of any kind of cancer.  I just turned 50 so was a good girl and went for my colonoscopy and low and behold I had a pre cancer polyp.  Would not have turned out well if I had ignored what I knew I needed to do.

luvmygoats

Elimar - OOH.  Would you share the raisin cookie recipe?  Have some bookmarked but personal recommendations are better.  Or are they "virtual" cookies?  I think they might have cookie sprinkles in giant sugar crystals.

elimar86861

Points For Being Timely Dept.:

I made that comment on the last page about maybe getting to skip the mammo squishing, since my Breast Center is getting an ultrasound screening tool.  Well, lookie here, at this BCO article which is all about what I had mentioned.

Ultrasound Screening

Points Taken Away Dept.:

Well, looks like this will be in addition to the mammo squishing for dense breast people, so no getting out of the squishing.  However, did you see that this is not for use on breasts that have HAD SURGERY.  That let's all of us poor squished sisters out of the equation, doesn't it?  Big breakthrough for the young dense breast gals getting their first images, not so much for dense and scarred up little ol' me (or you.)

barbe1958

elimar, didn't read the article as it has the word "screening" in it. We are ALL beyond screening!!!

As for people who skip their mammos, it's like others who continue to smoke knowing the risks. We are all adult enough to decide for ourselves what risks in life we are taking. 

elimar86861

Barbe,  At five years, I hope to be back to annual screenings again, me and my scar tissue that is.

luvmygoats,  I got it online, when I was trying to find out where one of my favorite cookies disappeared to (and it turns out to be the fault of those darn Keebler Elves!)  Here's a link:

Golden Fruit Raisin Bars

luvmygoats

Elimar - Thanks so much. That is not one of the one's I bookmarked. And from KIng Arthur Flour Co. I see raisin biscuits this weekend. Are they difficult to form? Not a patient baker, LOL.  Again, thanks! 

Sherryc

Eli the cookie look wonderful.  So maybe I won't eat healty today, haha

After BC and before my BMX I was alternating mammo/US and MRI every six months on both breast becauce of dense breast tissue and mammo's did not read well on me at all.  Hence BC was not found in mammo.  when I had the US done mammo missed the lump in my good breast but US found it so off they came, tired of the worry of what was being missed.

elimar86861

luv, Not difficult but a little time consuming.  Go by the tip of all good bakers:  Wear white and flour all your surfaces well.

Sherryc, Turns out my "good breast" has been harboring a fibroadenoma and a cyst for probably over a decade, ONLY revealed by handheld ultrasound screening.  (Or at least these were never mentioned to me after the MRI.)  Those are being left alone.  They don't bother me, I don't bother them.

Anonymous

Thanks for the pocket party!!!.....and Eli....those cookies were wonderful! 

I "ass"ume that the Mammo went well.....I kept telling myself this is the LAST one I'll have and that if anything was obviously wrong they would have sent me directly for an US.  So....check that one off my list!

RE: Pink October.....Pink has always been one of my favorite colors....I still like it and wear it when I have something I bought in that color....but I dont buy anything just because its pink for BC awareness.  Well....to be honest, I bought a bright pink travel bag when we went to Italy after my mastectomy.  I appreciate the awareness month for several reasons, one of which is to bring awareness to areas of our world where there is inadequate screening and treatment options for women.  My avatar change is San Felipe, Baja CA where my DH and I live several months out of the year.  The arches are normally white but they are lighting them up pink for the month.  We have both been very active in the Cancer Walks "Caminata Contra Cancer" for the last six years....way before I had the personal situation.  The medical resources are VERY limited there, and it is through the generous donations of time and money from the non-native residents (US and Canadian citizens) that a Cancer screening center was opened there.  Prior to the Cancer Center, women had no access to screening unless they went to Mexicali....so most didn't get screened at all.  It is still a awareness issue for the Mexican residents and over the last six years we've had more Mexicans get involved in the walk to keep the Center open and provide services to those who are dectected to have BC (transportation, medication, etc).....so although none of the money goes to "research"....it all goes to fight BC in San Felipe.....and any attention we can get to keep the services available is well worth it.  I'll be walking in the fundraising walk in February for the sixth year and hope to raise money to continue to keep the center open.

Valjean

Just stopping by to see how ya'll are doin'.



Why am I talking that way?!!? I don't know......



Wednesday I have my 6-month Onco check. Blood-work, TM results...the usual. Trying to remain calm; not working very well for me. If everyone would keep good thoughts for me, I would really appreciate it. It means alot to have hidden angels.



As for Pinktober, I guess if the advertising gets at least one person (notice I didn't say woman as men get bc, too) to check themselves & to get their mammogram, then I guess it is worth it. (what price on a life?) Lots of money involved though and I really would prefer to see more money go into research than pretty signs hung up everywhere or pink labels on everything from cinnamon rolls to t-shirts.



And speaking of mammograms, I scheduled my yearly just this morning for this Oct 18. Oh, how I dread that...

barsco1963

Valjean - Hang in there - we'll all be with you on Wed. Perhaps a PP is in order?

elimar86861

Good Luck today Valjean!  I know we "talked" about this before, but even tho' you and I are similar in Dx, my MO never does Tumor Markers for me.  I don't know if he just does it for mets women, or maybe Stage III's too, but he said he doesn't do TM on early stage.  Seems like something you would want to "catch early" if the numbers started to rise.  On the other hand, one more thing to trigger anxiety.  You've always checked out o.k. in the past...what ARE your TM numbers?  They must be LOW ones.

elimar86861

Seems like my post got submitted at normal speed today, however, my bookark for my home page didn't work.  BCO must be doing more maintenance.

cmbear

Did some one say PP????? 

Valjean sending you nothing but positive thoughts and negative results!!!! I have my 6 month tomorrow so we are on the same doctor pattern. I'm having bloodwork(--but don't know if TM are included), chest xray and a dexa scan. Not sure why onc ordered the dexa, but I'm 51 so i'm due for my first I guess to get that baseline. Both of my dad's sisters have osteo pretty bad so I know its not something I want to mess with. 

Chacha glad your mammo went well, sorry I missed the PP. You were in my thoughts. I'm 4 months out from my Diep and 3 weeks from stage 2. Still have at least one more to add the areolas and nips and some more fat grafting and tightening up the prophy side and. . . it never ends!

Marlegal--baby??? Yet???

As for PINK, my bedroom growing up was always pink(we moved alot so I had lots of different pink styles) In hs I even painted the walls an OBNOXIOUS hot pink.  And then when I moved to Florida, I started collecting pink flamingos. Yeah, really tacky. Now, I advoid it like the plague. Maybe cause I got it out of my system earlier or maybe cause I just don't want everyone to think I'm making some kind of BC statement. Whatever. I am wearing my pink wristband for the month. Its my reminder of what I went thru and if someone asks--I'll tell them to make sure they get their scans. Be diligent. And then Nov 1, it'll go back in the drawer till next year. 

olgah34

Hello, everyone!

I had an appt with both PS and microsurgeon about my future reconstruction. They both agreed I am not a candidate gor the DIEP...So Latissimus is an option for me. I still have another opinion next week in Duke university. Then I will schedule it..Probably January...Sick and tired of operations ( my TE failed twice, I still have TE on the right and nothing on the left), but I am sooooo tired of trying to stuff myself everyday....

Beckers

Cmbear, mmmmmm looks yummy! How did stage 2 go? I have mine Dec 27th. Then I am scheduled to go to work Jan 14th. I work in hospital so would be doing lifting and pushing wheelchairs. Do you think I would be able to after two weeks? Just based on how you feel physically. I'm having lipo, fat grafting/fixing hard spots on left and scar revision on both.



Olgah34, that must be so frustrating!! I hope you can have the flap and recover once and for all!!

cmbear

Beckers, that's what I had. Much quicker, simpler surgery. Had a couple of days out of it, mainly from the fat grafting host area being sore. Couldn't sleep on my sides for about 2 weeks. Two weeks out, you should be able to work, but the lifting is still restricted. They lifted my prophy side so they opened two scars and those have healed. They did revision on my ab incision and that is STILL healing. My little problem child. They fat grafted on rads side and now they need to fat graft on the other side since they revised it, now they have to refill it. It never ends. 

Beckers

Cmbear, Oh my! One of these days I need to work again before I forget how! Something tells me it won't be mid Jan. So, now they have to put more in your other side? If they keep it up, you may end up with some big foobies! luckily my abd scar seems ok. I hope that's it for your problem child.

Valjean

Well, everything went well at my Onco appt today except....

My TMs are up slightly, to 23.7 from previous 12.6. Before that: 13.6; I have always been <12.0 ~ though one time 12.8. The NP told me not to worry, she has questioned small increases such as this before & "they" (?) have told her not to worry about it, they don't give it a second thought. (doesn't make me feel any better, though.) She did say, "Now, if you were a 60-something & it jumped to a 90-something, then it would be checked into further."

I know it is only an 11.1 increase, but still........ guess I'll have to do some research. The NP scheduled me to see the MO at my next 6-mo ck-up. (I was afraid to ask if it was because of the increase - to calm myself, I do remember I alternate between the two, sort of: NP twice in a row. Then MO once. Then back to NP.

All the other blood-work is good, some up/some down as usual. Minor changes.

Any thoughts?? Advice? A sister/friend has suggested I call the MO to ask her about it. Or do I not stress about it and just wait for the next appt?

I hate having the TMs done, it causes SO much anxiety for me. My BP was up: 133/84 (pulse 85) Sheesh! I'm ususally fairly normal on everything. BP: 112/70 ~pulse: 64 is normal for me. Yes, E, from what I know, ususally TMs aren't done on Stage 1 or 2. Doctors discretion, I guess.

Fairly normal. What the H*ll is fairly normal anymore???!!!

Thank you all so much. I feel bad that I don't check in as often as I should & then when I need you, here I am. And, you are always here.... Thank you for the PP. Other than the actual appt, I had fun!! (I wore a sweater that has different orange colors in it along with white and red - something to hide the Cheetos dust!)

Yeah, BCO is finally working a bit faster for me, also.

later......

♥

Sherryc

valjean sorry your markers are up but mine go up and down all the time but are always in the normal range so MO does not worry about it.  He says if there is a steady rise that is when he starts to get concerned.  I am early stage as well but he does them on all BC patients. 

I go Friday to see the MO.  I am sure everything will be fine as I am feeling great these days.  When I am finished at the MO DH and I are going to meet a BCO sister and her hubby from VA that is traveling to San Antonio for breast reconstruction.  Her surgery is Monday and she is having DIEP and very nervous about having to travel away from home. IF I don't forget to take a picture I'll post it.  Let's have a wild a crazy PP and bring on the cheetos!

barbe1958

Jill, I think what you guys do with your locally raised funding is EXACTLY how it should be spent!!!! Enough has gone to research for heavens sake!!! If they haven't found the cure with the BILLIONS they have gotten to date, it ain't going to happen!!! It will probably be a 17 year old high school drop-out that one day will go "So what do you think if we try this....?" And voila!! THE CURE!

Anonymous

Haha, Barbe, you are probably right...and it will be so simplistic that all will wonder how no one thought of it before.

Valjean: so happy your appt went well! My MO was not happy that my PS ordered TM tests for just the reasons given. TMs are unreliable and cause a lot of unnecessary worry. He also said that elevated numbers could be from ANY stress or inflammation, but once they go down that road, as long as they are elevated, they continue to test regularly. I was told anything under 40 was not abnormal.

Kd6blk

What are TMs?

elimar86861

Kd6blk, TMs are Tumor Markers, something in the blood (proteins?) that is present, and elevated, when cancer is present and they can be specifically identified.  We have them even if our tumors are removed, but the numbers should be quite low for us then.  As Val said, sometimes non-cancery things can cause a slight increase too.  The markers all have names, and I know the ones for breast cancer ar CA-27/29 and CA-15.  Maybe there are some more, but those two are common.  Guess you could Google for more info. on that.

I agree, Barbe.  So much money given already, so much still unknown.  Maybe it will be somebody's dumb luck that stumbles upon the cure.  Wouldn't be the first cosmic joke.

Valjean, You are not quite my Dx twin, but I always felt like we were on the same track with our follow-ups.  I always feel better when you have nothing to report, but I doubt those numbers are anything to worry about.  Me, I will try to stay blissfully ignorant about what any of my markers are doing.  I usually have the same BP like you do, on the low end of normal, but in the last few (Tamox./menopausal) years, it has crept up to the 120/80 level.  Yes, very normal, but for me that is showing an upward trend.  I don't like that.