MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

elimar86861

Stary, I figured it must have been something like that to have to add the chemo in.  Well, it is a good thing that they did the mammoprint on you since, like you found out, they normally would not have been as aggressive with just that Dx; and I agree a 30% chance for recurrence would make me want to do something to get the odds more in my favor too.  When you get ready to do rads, look on here for a June Rads thread, and you will have a whole gang going thru it at the same time.  So good to compare notes and get a communal whine going when needed.  As exciting as rads might seem now, after the first week, the treatments are very routine, and luckily not very long.  About half of us here have done the rads, and can relate.  You hear a lot about skin breakdown (which is no fun at all) but keep in mind that 2/3 do fairly well and only 1/3 have more severe issues.  Good Luck to ya!

maryah930

Three month check up with my onc.  Weight stable, cholesterol up, other blood work fantastic, on focalin for the severe fatigue, NED.    She said I might lose weight on the focalin...poor me.

elimar86861

Way to go, maryah930!   

macatacmv

Hey middies! 

whoo, stable boy!!! Yay brasco. Hope your don't get too cold or wet during your relay. we had ours last weekend. It was hot, hot, hot and lots of pollen. Somehow I ended up with the debris left behind in my car, I have returned most of it, but still have a sweater that needs to find it's owner.

mary, good job with your checkup!!! whew, a sigh of relief.

Waaah, I had a hearing test this week. I have severe to moderate hearing loss in both ears. The doc said it was probably a combination of noise damage, genetics and meds. She said since I am "young" I'll get use to the hearing aids quickly. Oh joy!!! 

I'm getting pretty confused am I "young" or "at your age" you have to expect this sort of thing? 

marlegal

maca....interesting post. Anyone else have ear issues? Now that this comes up, I have! Was talking to hub one night after dinner, doing dishes, and suddenly left ear gave that "wssshhhhrrrr" noise. Made a comment to him about a weird noise. Next day, woke with a ringing that didn't stop. Went to a top Otolaryngologist and they said normal hearing loss for someone in their 50s. I still don't buy that and I friggin hate it. Anyway wonder if there's any chemo connection? never thought to research that, might be my Saturday project!

barsco1963

maryah - sounds like a pretty darn good checkup! Hope the focalin does the trick for the fatigue.

I have been having ear issues since I stopped taking an anti-anxiety med. Not sure if it's related but I often get ringing as well as a noise that I liken to having crickets in my ears with certain movement of my head. Weird

Had a good time at the Relay last night - am exhausted today. We were able to stay dry other than the heavy dew that settled on us throughout the night. Layered up and wore my mittens all night. I even played tv interviewer as a part of my work. We have a local community channel and one of my coworkers and I did some interviews with participants and committee members. Kind of nerve wracking at first but became comfortable after a while.

marlegal

Barsco, that sounds awesome. I've never done a relay...have donated to several, and thought about joining one but no buddies locally to join up with. I can just imagine that your interviewing skills were really cool

Dianarose

I went to my nieces 5th birthday party today with my youngest one Will that is in the picture with me. Chemo curls are getting longer and out of control, but it's hair . Still a little sore today. I checked the size of this dam compression bra. It says it's a 32, I wear a 34. I see the ps tomorrow. It needs to go.

 

Marlegal- There are several articles on ringing in the ear and chemo. Some kinds of chemo are more prone to cause this than others.

 

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Dianarose

My picture was there, I don't know where it went.

macatacmv

dianarose, I hate when the pic doesn't show up! I love little kid parties. Hope you feel better and get that binding bra off soon.

I went to a "70 is the new 50" party Saturday. It was fun, since they really played up the party aspect. we had bubbles, and glow wands and lots of food.

I use to hear crickets all the time, now it is a higher pitch ringing. The doc said that it is like having a phantom limb. Our brains try to make sound when we can't hear. LOL My hearing has gotten worse in the last year and a half. Hopefully the hearing aids will reduce the phantom noise. 

I am suppose to hear from my MO tomorrow about which med I get to try next. 

brasco, rest up from the relay. 

barsco1963

Diana - you'll have to try and repost your pic. Love b-day parties! Hope all goes well at the bs today. Looking forward to hearing how well the unveiling went.

mac - sounds like your party was a blast. Bubbles & glow wands?! Awesome. Not sure about the ringing/cricket thing. I seem to still have my hearing - not sure what it's from. Why are you getting a new med? Where you having trouble on the last one?

Well, rested up as much as I'm gonna be for now. Heading out for work.

Happy Monday everyone!

jlbloom

Hi everyone!  I think this may be where I fit best.  I'm on the downhill side of 40-60 ish.  Just looking to see what others have done.  On May 23, 2013 I went in for BMX with DIEP reconstruction.  I came out with BMX.  Two lymph nodes in the sentinel node biopsy were positive.  One had an extra nodal extenstion.

Now were are trying to determine the course of treatment with RO and MO.  Waiting on oncotype.  RO said it is a gray area.  MO is waiting on test results, thinks chemo might not really do that much.  Hormone therapy is a given with him.

I work from home, so I'm back to work.  Recovery went very smoothly. 

I would love to hear from anyone with a similar decision to make.

barsco1963

jibloom - welcome to the Middies! Stick around and you will find that we are a fun-loving bunch with plenty of love and support to go around. We have Pocket Parties (PP) whenever someone has an appt, tx, scan etc that they just need that extra bit of encouragement to get through it. No one is ever alone here. Just let us know when you would like a virtual hand to hold. 

Hope that you soon find out what course of tx you will be taking. It seems to help once there is a plan in place. Will you be having any scans to ensure that the nodes caught everything? Keep us posted on how you are doing. There is usually someone who has gone a similar route and will pop in to answer your questions.

Glad to hear you are doing well.

Dianarose

Jlbloom- welcome, but at the same time sorry you are here. We are a good, but crazy bunch and this is a place where you can vent as well.

Barsco- heading to the ps appointment. I have been reading that you really have to wait for the swelling to go down to really know what the implants look like. Dear GOD, if this is swelling and it goes anywhere then my boobs will be inverted. I know I should be happy to be alive, but dam it, it was the only prize out of the whole shit show.

Dianarose

Dianarose

Barsco--- The picture worked this time.

Sherryc

welcome bloom hate that you are joining us but glad we are here for you.

heartnsoul76

Welcome bloom, I hope someone comes along soon with a similar treatment/answers!

barsco - always nice to see that stable guy! The relay sounds like fun - I've never been to one, I suppose I should try to participate a little more.

mac - I love the idea behind that party!  I think I'll have a 60 is the new 40 party for my friend who just turned 59 and is depressed about it.

My ears buzz, too, but I think they did before treatment. Now it's definitely worse, though. I know Tamoxifen can affect your hearing. If it's not one thing, it's another.

marlegal

Bloom, welcome and best of luck with your treatment plan. Be sure to let us know when you have your appts so we can hop into your pockets. We bring good treats!



Diana, I still don't see any pics



Love that party with bubbles!

Starynights

I want some of that focalin !!!!

maryah930

I cut my dose in half.  Once I started cleaning out my kitchen cupboards, doing laundry, weeding, worked on reports Friday - Sunday, and didn't eat dessert at a graduation party, I figured I don't need that much energy....

Gma04

Hey ladies I just got my port in today. Will start chemo last week of this month. I'm a wimpy gal. Never been sick and now this. It's just not fair. But I should not complain I have 2 healthy grown sons and a great supporting husband and now this forum.

Just need to know where I can purchase a right boob without breaking the bank? Please keep me informed need all the help I can get .

Lots of hugs.

Gma From Texas

elimar86861

MinusTwo, Had another infusion yesterday and tip of tongue a bit numb, lips also.  But I am pretty sure mine is from the oxaliplatin, which is not a B/C drug.  Maybe all the platinum-based ones are similar.  My chemo has just started giving me visual impairment.  When I stand up, I am not light-headed, but will get some peripheral blackness for a few seconds.  A bit like tunnel vision before fainting, but spottier, and I don't feel faint.  More weirdness.

jlbloom, welcome!  I do hope that you Onco score comes back with results conclusive enough to help you decide.  While the OncoDx is a well touted decision making tool, I have noticed that many, expecially Grade 2 people, will get a score in the high teens and twenties which, in itself, is a gray area.  The thing about extra-nodal expension is that cancer was growing on the outside of the node.  Did it go beyond that, who knows.  That is the big question mark.  (I am going thru' similar right now, for colorectal, and I am having chemo; I had rads before surgery but I still had active cancer present in some of the removed nodes, so on to the chemo.)  I don't expect or want my experience to lead you one way of the other, but even with your Onco score it is no easy decision.  Work real hard to get the full info. from the docs (and other sources, as you feel comfortable with) because it will help you feel better about the decision you finally do arrive at.  Lots of women on here had their recon months later.  I don't know if immed. or waiting is better, they are just different.

Gma04,  What chemo will you be doing?  I will tell you this:  Just thank your lucky stars that you are not sickly, because surgery and chemo does take a toll on your body and the healthier you are going in, the more chance to hold up well under it all and hopefully a quicker time to rebound once you are finished.  Good to hear you have support at home.  I can't help with the foob question, but you should hear from a few who can.  When you get a chance, fill in your Dx on your profile.  Welcome!

HnS76, Could be the Tamox., but don't rule out all the maximum, rockin' concert decibels either.  It catches up with ya in middle-age.

elimar86861

OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME!

In looking ahead, it won't be too long before we reach a big thread milestone of 25,000 posts, just about 500 more to go.  Also, in the not too distant future will be the 4 year thread anniv. (Aug 22.)  As per tradition, I am sure we will have a fun "thread party" and in the past I have come up with some themes, like picnic pool party, sleepover, fantasy cruise, etc.  I won't say my brain has run out of ideas (oh, it hasn't...it will take something stronger than chemo to stop me) but I would like to hear some of YOUR ideas for a theme.  Send a PM my way, if you have a desire for a certain theme.  It's not exactly voting, but if several think of the same thing, we will probably go with that, and no hard feelings if it is different than your own suggestion.  You never know, we might even have a theme mash-up.  Theme(s) will be unveiled when the time is right, but

THE "PARTY THEME" SUGGESTION BOX IS OPEN NOW.

Remember how we like to augment with pictures, so "alternate universe' would be quite challenging.  Now I didn't say undoable, I just said challenging. 

Sherryc

Gma welcome from another Texas gal.  Where are you from.  Glad you found us here, it is a great group.

I have a age related question not bc.  I am turning 51 on the 19th.  So far none of my bdays have bothered me.  I have flown by all of them without much of a thought.  But there is something about this 51 I am not liking.  I think I feel like it sounds like I am on the downside of life.  I duh know just weird for me to think about my age.  I think it is the sound of the age more than anything because I feel pretty darn good.  I feel like cancer is pretty much behind me and I am really enjoying life.  Anyone else have these weird birthday age things?

Dianarose-how did your PS appt go?

chickydee

Gma04 - I was able to get a right foob at the same place I get compression sleeves/gloves for my lymphedema. Insurance pays for a new one every 2 years and they also fit you for bras with pockets to insert it. The bras are covered under insurance also. It is my understanding that insurance has to cover these items after a mastectomy. There are many stores that fit you for mastectomy products. Hopefully you can Google one in your area. Wishing you strength as you go through chemo and beyond. Hugs.

maryah930

Sherry ~ not strange. 26, 31, 36, 41, and 46 bothered me. In my 50's none do.

elimar86861

Chickydee, welcome, and thanks for providing some foob info.

Sherryc, I wasn't bothered by the -9's or the -'0's either.  Yes, the -1's kind of hit me, but for me after I pass the -5's of a decade it kind of seems like a downhill slide to the next decade, so by the time I get there, I am almost over it.  Now go on with your Boot Camp self!!!

barsco1963

Welcome Gma and Chickydee - lost of great fun, women, wine, and even song when you hang with the middies. Of course we do have a serious side also but like to infuse a bit of laughter along the way. Cuz if we don't laugh.........

Sherry - I found that at 40 I was ok - turning 41 got me because I was then OVER 40. Strange but true. I will be turning 50 in Oct and am planning a big party with help from DH. Have never thrown myself a party - really just look at it as another day. So, I figure it's about time!!

Eli - will have to think on the theme party. Not really imaginative that way, but I am sure I can help out with the party favours and food once a decision is made!!

Dianarose

Well you beautiful ladies were here when they told me I was stage I and again when it changed to stage IIIc. I found out yesterday I am now stage IV. Totally beside myself. I can't seem to get my shit together long enough to do anything but have another melt down. I had them take my ovaries for a precation. MO said it wasn't needed as the PET was fine. Quess what, one of them is not fine. Path report showed Lobular in one ovary and one tube. The report doesn't have any other info other than 100% er and pr positive along with a change. The Her2 is now positive. Not sure what that means. Does anyone know. The breast tissue was Her2-. I meet with the MO tomorrow. I am so not up to starting this shit all over again.

Barsco- thank you for letting me cry on your shoulder. You must be drenched.