MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

elimar86861

JoC, I also think that you were lucky not to get clobbered on the noggin. That was a close call.

Hope everyone gets to enjoy Thanksgiving week without any B/C drama going on. I always tried to avoid making my doctor appts. too close to the holidays if I didn't have to.

Special note to the Stage IV Middies here... I don't want you to think I am insensitive with all the talk of my freedom from cancer. (Who knows if it will even last?) I do realize that not everyone gets to make that physical leap away from cancer (as so nicely shown in the sculpture, which I will repost here so it can stay around more than a few days.) But I do hope that you mets-sisters are able to get times of mental freedom where other things in life can be at the forefront of your minds. You know my feelings: that we just CAN'T let cancer take everything good away from us. That is what fueled my mental fight thru' the worst times, anyway. So, let us all break free in whatever ways we can!

Anonymous

nice point, Elimar! I read more into your picture, could be freedom from anything (including BC) that has us trapped until we release the worry. And sorry if I'm cynical, but sometimes even us stage 1's aren't totally "free" from cancer. That's what I truly believed after first mx and chemo, that I was completely free from the beast. Almost 16 years later, surprise, it's b-a-c-k (well, not really in my case, it's a different one, a cousin if you will). Trying to psych back into "it's completely gone again" mode, but who really knows? What I have learned from Stage IV ladies (here on BCO) is to live each day because nothing is ever guaranteed. Enjoy and be grateful for all the wonderful things in my life both big and small.

wyo

I have thought about the whole "survivor" and being "free" from cancer a lot myself. I have a son with type 1 diabetes and I am trying to approach this breast cancer thing more like that- he is such an example for me. Its a disease and I can manage it and do things to improve my chances of having fewer problems. It has been humbling to see my son since age 15 administering his insulin, testing his sugar and analyzing his diet. Now 27 is just part of who he is HbA1c is lowest its ever been and BP is low so with good management he is doing well. If my kid can deal with self-management and regulation I want to be able to do that too

Sherryc

Elimar I love your post. I feel so fortunate to feel free at the moment. When I was doing every 3 months MO appt I felt so much like I was on a roller coaster. When I finally went to to every 6 months I felt freedom from this disease.

Momine

Wyo, I also think of it as being very similar to diabetes or HIV. At the same time, I agree with Eli that it is important to resist being imprisoned by it.

elimar86861

Sherryc, I forgot to post yesterday that it was good to hear from you, and that you are doing well and enjoying life with family.

Val, I already know your holidays are kicking off wonderfully with the visit to the grandkids. Like you, I am thankful for all the support I have received here.

barsco1963

mac - so good to hear of your great results!

val - sounds like you are up for a fantastic time with the family and those extra special grandkids.

Eli - wonderful heartfelt post. As a stage iv gal, I can say that I have never ever felt that you have been insensitive on any level, at any time. As a matter of fact, I celebrate along with anyone who is able to share the good news that a scan is clear, test results are negative, surgery was successful etc. It is the commonality of bc that brought us all here for the same reason - to share, to give and receive support and to be here for one another through the good, the bad and the ugly. I personally like to read more about the good than anything else - so keep it coming!!

marlegal

Here's to all of us, whatever our present health situation may be. Eli, your way with words never ceases to amaze me. Work is still taking up way too much of my spare time, but know that I read all posts even if I don't post for a few days. I wish you all the joys that Thanksgiving can bring. We'll be at dd's with other dd and both grands so I'll be in my glory.

To those who are feeling less than blessed at this point in your life, you have my prayers that things will improve soon.

Hugs all.

jocanuck1951

LOL Eli, is THAT what the sculpture represents....I had a aunt that regularly ran the streets like that but we had to put her in the loony bin as the neighbors were complaining and winter was coming! It's a GIFT when you can drop by, float in and out with friends, pick up on threads with no judgements and come out looking tanned and gloriously nakkid.....big hugs my friends, so happy to be here! Xoxox

Val, good point...could've been bug juice by now Lol!

heartnsoul76

Haha, Jo! Darn neighbors can't let a gal have her fun… The crazy relatives are the gems! I love the phrase "tanned and gloriously nekkid". The sages of the internet need to add that to one of my favorites:

macatacmv

Hey, everyone!!!

It's a little nippy to be running thru the streets nakkid as you say!

Yesterday, my DS said to me that I should expect to feel old because I am old. He said I didn't take care of myself when I was younger so what do I expect? So am I skidding into the future?

jo, what a great pic and must have been a glorious vaca. That looked like a beautiful day to be out on the water. Yes, you are one lucky lady to not be hit on the head by the boom. Also I love the avatar pic with the rabbit ears. lol you got a funny hubby.

thanks for all the celebratory wishes for my good scans. I do feel like that statue breaking free, until I get tired and have to lay down and take a nap.

Eph3_12

I think that if my doctor said something like that to me that person would be my former doctor, macatacmv! 

heartnsoul76

Hope everybody stays warm & bundled up! Looks like a lot of us are getting our first big wintry storm. Be extra careful if you're taking a trip. My brother left today to go see his son for Thanksgiving - he said there were so many accidents that it took hours longer than expected and he will have to stay at a hotel tonight.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I like this Thanksgiving-ish quote:

When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them. ~Chinese Proverb

marlegal

Maca, it's never to late to start taking better care of yourself. That doctor is an ass in my opinion!

HnS I like that quote too, hope I remember it

wyo

I am not up on the abbreviations and thought "what is DS" I came up with dear son....so okay maybe not

Hope all who are traveling have safe journeys. I finish my rads tomorrow so am staying put and just "being"

Happy Thanksgiving

elimar86861

Eph & mar, What doctor????? Wasn't mac referring to her SON? Did I miss something?

My kids like to remind me that I am old too. That's what keeps me doing cartwheels.

luvmygoats

Sounds like something my DD would say for sure.

Happy cooking everyone. That was what Jacques Pepin always said.

Johnetta

Hi Ladies. I just came across this thread and am wondering if it is open to newbies. I have just completed radiation (following lumpectomy and chemo) and am looking for a good group of positive ladies to share this continuing journey. At least it feels like a continuing journey for me - even though I have completed active treatment and currently have clean scans. I have found many of my friends now see me as "finished" with breast cancer. I would LOVE to also feel that way, but simply don't yet.

I am 48 so hope I fit the criteria! :-) My name is Johnetta. I am married with 4 children and 1.5 grandchildren.

wyo

Johnetta- we are a very inclusive group!!! Welcome- newbies are always encouraged. I am just finishing radiation tomorrow so am sure not ready to say "well thats done" but am opening a different chapter in the breast cancer book of life.

People without breast cancer even good friends don't understand what active treatment and the aftermath feel like- its different for everybody. Even during my rads my co-workers were scheduling meetings and I had to say "i have an appointment" can you give me time to at least shower and put on deodorant hahahaha.

Can I be nosy and inquire about the .5 grandchild?

Johnetta

I am an open book, ask anything and I will never call you nosey. :-) My daughter is due with her second child in Feb.

wyo

lol now I get it but maybe you have 1 and 2/3 since she only has 3 months left to go hahaha.Congrats on another grandchild- what a blessing

Eph3_12

well hush my mouth and paint my behind - I read DS as Dr & jumped to conclusions! So I guess I'd say wash that boy's mouth out with phisohex!

wyo

lol eph- I was thinking Lava soap- remember that one gritty and yucky green. I guess the stress of childbearing and childrearing does take its toll mentally and physically forever hahah.

Momine

Johnetta, welcome! I was also 48 when I finished rads. I know what you mean about others thinking we are "done" with the stupid cancer, but meanwhile we are taking pills, running to doctors, getting scanned and what-not. It is a little bit difficult to forget about it when the danged docs remind you every 3 months .

How old are your kids?

barsco1963

Hi Johnetta - newbies are always welcomed. Glad that you found us - not crazy about the reason you had to come looking though. The gals here are super duper! Feel free to post, lurk, vent, share, support, encourage. We often travel in packs especially during pocket parties, so if you have an appt, scan, procedure or just need some company let us know and we will be there in a jiffy! That's the beauty of the virtual world.

elimar86861

Johnetta, welcome! The thread was, is and will be open to newbies always. I even wrote that at the bottom of the opener up at the top. I'm going to put that in bold for better visibility. You are right about people thinking our active treatment signals the end of our B/C, but anyone here can tell you what a big, fat error that is. Besides the anti-hormonal drugs and follow-ups, some of us even have nasty side effects that linger on, so how finished is that? Still, we are all happy to move forward, one step at a time and celebrate the small milestones that move us further away from D-Day (diagnosis day, I just appropriated the phrase!) when we got the B/C bomb dropped on us. How did your skin hold up through the rads?

Momine, Your use of "dang" in a sentence...You are so American, it is scary.

wyo, Good point. The kids are responsible for at least a couple gray hairs, aren't they?

elimar86861

I'd be slacking if I did not post the classic turkey pose for our newbies who just finished rads...

The turkey definitely should be the animal mascot for Breast Cancer. Who else gets their breast meat carved up just like we do?

Maybe they should have re-thunk Pinktober and went for Pinkvember instead.

Sherryc

Welcome Johnetta, I was also 48 when I finished rads. Tamoxifen leaves me with side effects even though they are not near what they used to be so it is a daily reminder.

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving. We had a very large one last Saturday and then will have a smaller one but still a house full tomorrow. Then Saturday I have to drive my mother to Houston so she can make her yearly trek to the cemeteries to put out poinsettias. I don't quiet get the thrill that she does out of this but I do like making my mom happy.

Eph3_12

Gang 'o mine!  I leave early AM to drive 6 hrs to my DB's house for the holiday. 

I wish you all the bestest holiday despite or because of your current situation(s).  Peace to you all!

Loral

Hope you all have a blessed day.......Loral