MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

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  • washingtonwoman
    washingtonwoman Member Posts: 19
    edited April 2013

    Jo, I too am cheering you on for getting good results on Wednesday! Waiting is so hard sometimes, take good care.

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  • heartnsoul76
    heartnsoul76 Member Posts: 1,648
    edited April 2013

    Oh Val! I'm so happy to hear about your TM's - and I'm sure Mel was there watching over you! That's the same thing mine did, and I hope if it ever happens again I will be much more calm about it because I hate worrying about all that stuff...

    Speaking of which... Elimar, those tests of inner strength actually do seem to work like real exercise for me.  Next time I get scared, I can handle it better than the last time.  You know how I waited weeks and weeks and weeks for the bone scan results?  Maybe it's that compartmentalization thing again, the way guys handle emotions.  I hope it gets easier for you, whatever your chosen method of coping is.

    So glad to hear your odds are so good!  I hate the feeling of "I'm scared NOT to do it." That's how I felt about everything that came my way. You're right, I would definitely do it for that 15% - that's a lot. 

    Jo - hope you get good results on Wednesday! I never pay attention to the tech's reactions anymore and I never listen to my results from anyone except my doctor.  Twice I've had physican's assistants get things all wrong and I had to just tune it out until I saw the doctor.  

    Hopefully, you'll get that boob and wig slapped on in no time before long. Oh, the things we have to do!  And of course, the next thing on my mind is, "Men don't have to do this."

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited April 2013

    Eli, those odds are similar to my BC odds with and without chemo etc. Like you the mental part was often harder than the physical bit. Thankfully I was in fairly good physical shape at DX, so I tolerated all the stupid treatment better than so many other people do. What really helped me was walking, by myself or with dogs, in pretty places (we have the old Royal Gardens nearby, as well as the Acropolis) and making a conscious effort to think about something other than the cancer.

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  • barsco1963
    barsco1963 Member Posts: 2,119
    edited April 2013

    Val - happy to hear that those markers have gone down for you. The tears are understandable after holding your breath for so long. Glad the wait is over and results are good.

    Eli -  80% over 65%? Yep - I like those odds better for you also. I think the mental aspect often takes over the physical. Our minds tend to bring about thoughts that cause us to call on that inner strength in order to get us back on track. Easier said than done. Just remember that when you do start chemo that it is always "a good day to kill some cancer!"

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited April 2013

    Val, That is such a relief.  Think I will put up a little happy dance for you.  Yes, sometimes we have to be reminded.

                                                                        

    Barsco,  Thanks for reminding ME that my mantra going thru' radiation can still serve me well for what's coming up. 

    Welcome, washingtonwoman!

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  • staynsane
    staynsane Member Posts: 213
    edited April 2013

    Jo- I'll bet you never envisioned a shopping spree for expensive items that will give you that feeling of "looking normal!"  Yep, our sprees have changed for all of us...Used to be that I bought (or more honestly, my husband bought) a stupidly expensive sexy bra and panties set to set the mood.  Now we buy stupidly expensive bras (forget the matching panties) that offer the right kind of construction that pads or supports whatever revised landscape we have up top without pinching, tugging or, God forbid, flattening our look. My how things have changed...

    For all you ladies who have had or are about to start chemo treatment, I must admit that hearing from my oncologist that she did not recommend it for me brought me to tears.  That was my biggest fear in my BC experience so far!  And I know that had chemo been recommended, I would have had it and I would have gotten through it, just like you have.  But I have empathy for all of you, because I had truly envisioned my chemo experience, and did not like what I saw.  Your strength and compassion for others are amazing!

    I think the fear of waiting for test results and mind spinning at the variables is universal.  Once a plan is in place, for me anyway, things got so much better.  I pray for all that your results give you hope and that you have the strength to keep fighting this awful disease.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2013

    Just checking in to say HI!  Good to hear all the positive outcomes.....and yes its the waiting that always seems the worst.  I've been enjoying some beach time down in San Felipe and not thinking too much about BC.  We return to RC in May and that's when I'll have my overdue Embarassed 3 month (more like 5) check with my MO.....and see my PS about getting Stage II revisions.  Blessings to all!

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  • jocanuck1951
    jocanuck1951 Member Posts: 1,003
    edited April 2013

    Yes Eli, this is what's left of my eyebrows, (i had thick ones) pic just taken 20min ago, a tiny bit of lashes left but that will all disappear soon I guess. When I put the wig and boob on to go on a date nite my brows are noticeably patchy so I dab pencil on my brow ends as they are extremely sparse....gone. And now I wear lipstick and blush as well to dimish the chemo look....my nails have gone funky..bumps, soon they'll go to, can't fix that....95% of the time I look exactly like my new posted pic. I near killed myself trying to wear earrings again but they got infected...Inwaited to long so I'll go with clips if the need arises, rings are fitting again, face is swollen yuk!.....Humpty Dumpty lol!



    I'm very happy with the boob as summer is coming and I have (had) x-large boobs so with a t shirt I will hopefully blend in, of course with the wig on as well. But we go shopping, restaurants, cosco etc. BALD so it is what it is. Not happy with Hercepton, it's sucking the life out of me...but no estrogen = no food for cancer.....sigh



    Staynsane, your right, I just want a part of the old me back, at least I can wear my pre-cancer clothes again....



    I'm so happy with your odds Eli, makes it all worthwhile! Xoxoxox

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  • barsco1963
    barsco1963 Member Posts: 2,119
    edited April 2013

    Welcome washingtonwoman - Sorry I missed your entrance earlier. Hope you stick around. It's a fantatic group!

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  • Valjean
    Valjean Member Posts: 1,898
    edited April 2013

    Thanks for all the YaYs! due to my lower TM's. Keeps me goin'.....

    E ~  I like those additional percentage #'s. We'll take every dang little bit we can get, right??!! And thanks for little dance!

    My DD#2 has been down from her far north home in the snowy (still) frozen tundra with the Grandkids. We did lunch & shopping after my Onc appt. Friday - fabulous day! While the DD's drove & talked in the front, I sat in the back seat between both kids, that was fun (& I mean that in a 'good' way!). I could lean to either side & whisper little nothings in their ear. I think they think this Grandma is nUtS!! Yes. I. Am. They are headed home tomorrow. Cry Miss Mackenzie cried....Grandma, too....

    (I remember, h&s, you telling me your TM's went back down after having gone up & I said a little prayer that would happen for me also.... thanks for the pep talk!)

    JoCanuck~ Eyebrows or not, you are a beautiful sister, inside & out!

    Chachamom~ Beach time, sounds lovely. I just bought a new pair of Nike flip-flops, I'm halfway there!

    barsco ~  staynsane(love that name-we all try to, don't we?) ~ Momine ~ washingtonwoman = Hey, all!

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited April 2013

    Hurrah! Hi! Welcome! 80% most definitely better than 65%!

    Went to P-town & saw Shovels & Rope perform! Awesome concert.  What's the status of the Hob-nobbers?  I am up to being able to pick "Love Me Tender", so guess that makes me a hunk of burning love!!Wink

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  • barsco1963
    barsco1963 Member Posts: 2,119
    edited April 2013

    Way to go Eph! You are rockin it. I haven't gotten very far on my self tutorials. Still just trying to move my fingers up and down the frets. Sure takes fome stretching. Have never heard of Shovels & Rope, but glad you enjoyed the show!

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited April 2013

    Most people haven't heard of them.  Blue-grassy, rock-a - billy type stuff, husband & wife duo!  Awesome performers!

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  • marlegal
    marlegal Member Posts: 2,264
    edited April 2013

    Have caught up reading. Welcome to new ladies, congrats on good test results to a few others, and hugs Eli as you get ready to fight again. Work is crazy busy, spilling over to nights and weekends. Losing a member of our dept still hurts but they're not going to change that, so we soldier on.



    Hope those still waiting for results get good ones, and those going through treatment have as few side effects as possible.



    Love and hugs.

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  • heartnsoul76
    heartnsoul76 Member Posts: 1,648
    edited April 2013

    Eph - looks like the Hobnobbing Heads is going to consist of a solo guitarist (you!). I have slacked off practicing the drums. I still have my Groupon with the professional lady drummer and I have to use it soon, so I'll get on track again. So we can play in some bar somewhere!

    Barsco - I just never could seem to bend my wrist over the fret, but since I found that guitar I like so much I need to get on those self-tutorials, too. Especially while my son is here. He can play some, so maybe he can help me.  If I actually did what I said I was going to do, by the end of the year I could play the guitar, piano and drums! Yeah! That's a pretty big IF, though.  Focus....focus...

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  • maryah930
    maryah930 Member Posts: 322
    edited April 2013

    I'm getting ready to go on a business trip to Omaha.  While I was waiting for site files to download, I came across a BC risk questionnaire and decided to answer the questions.  The only one I didn't answer truthfully was whether I had BC, the rest were honest responses. According to the questionnaire and based on all other questions, I have a 5.9% Lifetime risk and a 0.9% 5 year risk of getting breast cancer. Good thing I don't gamble... Tongue Out

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited April 2013

    maryah930, What with getting cancer (twice) and never even able to win a buck on a Scratchers ticket, I know better than to gamble too.

    Lifetime risk (avg.) for all women = 1 in 8.   Since WE all got into the unlucky minority, are 7 of our closest friends safe now?

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  • HumbledBug
    HumbledBug Member Posts: 17
    edited April 2013

    Im turning 40 next month with 2 small children aged 11 and 9 and just recently met the man of my dreams (9 months ago) life couldnt be more perfect. Finally sharing it with the people I love. Then something felt different pain in my left breast, In january/13 saw my Dr she found a lump, went for an unltrasound and Mammogram Feb 14/13, Dr said it looked benign but sent me for another ultrasound in 6-8 weeks. That was friday and im just waiting on the results. very worrisome and stressing myself out until i hear back. I just talked to my mom the other day and said * I went through hell and back for my kids, now im finally where i wanna be ...happy* why now? UH!! the Irony! 

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  • staynsane
    staynsane Member Posts: 213
    edited April 2013

    HumbledBug-

    Nothing about BC is predictable and as mentioned previously, not many of us here gamble with the odds, because we all lost at BC roulette.  But you may very well have a benign tumor, and waiting for test results is the worst part.  You should hear something soon, and when you do, if something still doesn't feel right, take a deep breath and advocate for yourself. If you have questions or concerns, don't allow them to be pushed aside with "you'll be fine.  We'll wait and watch some more."

    If it turns out that you do have some form of BC, this is a good place to come for comfort, support, and even a bit of humor.  You are safe to post any reaction you have here.  We've all been in your shoes.  And what the mind does while waiting truly was the worst part for me.  Take one day or challenge at a time.  This experience will not ruin your "happy" life, and if needed, you will find strength you didn't know you had.

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited April 2013

    HumbledBug, You know, there are actually more instances of breast lumps being benign than there are of them turning out to be cancer, so don't let your mind "give you cancer" before really knowing.  Just a heads up...you just may hear that your doctor wants to do a biopsy.  If so, don't freak out.  That, in itself, still does not mean you have cancer but it is the only definitive way to really rule cancer out so it may come down to that.  You are fortunate to have found a site where there are A LOT of us who know exactly what you are going thru.  Waiting on results makes us all so nervous (almost the worst part of the whole deal) but we'll be hoping that you get some good news about yours.  Let us know.

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  • Valjean
    Valjean Member Posts: 1,898
    edited April 2013

    HumbledBug,

    You have received some wonderful support already.

    Someone is here 24/7, so feel free to "shout out" to any one at any time.

    Please let us know how things work out.

    Keeping good thoughts for you.

    Val

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited April 2013

    staynsane, Elimar, & Valjean have given you all the recommendations I would HumbledBug. May your wait be less time then it takes for leg hair to grow!Laughing

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  • HumbledBug
    HumbledBug Member Posts: 17
    edited April 2013

    Thank you all :) no news today lets wait for tomorrow i guess. 

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  • raehyg
    raehyg Member Posts: 85
    edited April 2013

    Jo good luck...positive thoughts. The tech's response probably has nothing to do with you......maybe he was texting during the scan and his girlfriend broke up with him. Try not to panic.

    Rachel

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  • jocanuck1951
    jocanuck1951 Member Posts: 1,003
    edited April 2013

    Jeez, we're on our way now to onco....have not had good feelings about this appt. well know in an hour. Took an Ativan...

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  • maryah930
    maryah930 Member Posts: 322
    edited April 2013

    Hey Lucy (Jo) ~ Ethel is in your apron pocket and thinking of you...  {{HUGS}}

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited April 2013

    In your pocket Jo

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  • Valjean
    Valjean Member Posts: 1,898
    edited April 2013

    Hey, guys, can you move over just a smidge?! I wanna get in, too! Just one more leg ... okay .... I'm in.



    We're with you, Jo.



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  • luvmygoats
    luvmygoats Member Posts: 2,942
    edited April 2013

    Jo - Just feel the weight in your pocket.  That's all of us along with you.  Valjean made it in just before me.  HUGZZ and PRAYERS. 

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited April 2013

    I have been down in the bottom left corner for HOURS!  My mouth, nose, eyes & ears are full of lint.  Jo, you are as bad as me at cleaning out pockets.  I put on a jacket the other day & found a movie ticket stub from '10 !!!!!!!

    Fill us in a quick as you can!

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