MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

barsco1963

Hi Marlegal - Barsco checking in!

mumito

Goodmorning Middies I forgot and need to wish you all a healthy and happy new year.

barbe1958

Okay, I'm going to try jumping back in (again), but y'all have to stay on mortal earth here with me!! No new avatars added to the top, so I guess I could have stayed since Marybe......

Happy New Year to all my peeps!! 

elimar86861

When the cold North wind blows, the Canadian women come out to play, with a special gust carrying Barbe back to this thread.  It has been a while, so feel free to throw in some updates on yourself.  Good to see Mumito again also.

mar, In the past day or two, I looked in but had nothing to say really.  I was glad that no one reported any particular B/C anxieties.  A lot of us regulars are just in our follow-up phase and wisely had nothing scheduled over the holidays.  That being said, we are all well primed to bestow loads of attention and support onto any new Middies who might want to join in here.  I am just biding my time visiting with my son (last week til he heads back to college) and doing damage control on the usual holiday dental mishap.  (My crowns know ALL the holidays, when my dent. is out of the office, and they plan their escapes from my mouth accordingly.)

Johnetta

For those of you on Facebook:

I have created a facebook page - IDCFacebookFriends. I have found that these boards are great for information and support, but it seems hard to REALLY get to know the others here. I think becoming facebook friends in this way will allow us to more easily share happenings in our lives (not necessarily breast cancer related) and get to know each other on a deeper level. I would so love to know more of you on a (real) and personal level Do you have kids? grandkids? hobbies? etc. Let's share them on this new facebook page (and pictures too!) I have found that many of my friends and family see the end of active treatment as the end of cancer. (True in many respects, but as we who have been through it knows, it stays with us in some way for the rest of our lives).

Log in to your facebook and look it up. It is brand new so there won't be many at first, but let's see how it goes. If it is hard to find, enter the e-mail address in the search bar.

IDCFacebookFriends@gmail.com

A place where those affected by the breast cancer diagnosis can be a part of a community who understands. A place where friends are made. A community of people who "get it," who can offer support, encouragement and help to each other. Spread the word!

Furfriend2

Elimar,

The cruise sounds divine

Furfriend2

Happy 2014 BCO!!!

elimar86861

Thanks for the invite, Johnetta.  You are correct that many people think of us as being "over" our cancer once active treatment ends, when the truth is the physical and mental impact extends long beyond that.  I've seen a few others mention their Facebook pages, and as people make friends here it often carries over to their Facebook as well.  I think it is very possible to meet new friends on BCO, if that is a goal, although some people are cautious (or guarded) on here because it is a public forum. 

Are you only interested in others who have had IDC then, since that is in the title of your Facebook page? 

MinusTwo

I hope everyone doesn't pull away to Facebook.  I've considered myself very fortunate in meeting like minded individuals on these boards who have generously shared their lives.  And they continue to give back to others in every way.  Thanks to all of you.  Hope it continues!!

Johnetta

Anyone is free to join the facebook page and I would never want to replace this forum. It has been my greatest support through this! I just find facebook easier to share pictures and such, easier to share daily life happenings. I know friends can be made on this site as I have made them here as well. The facebook page is just in addition to, not instead of.

I hope everyone's new year is starting out grand! :-)

Eph3_12

Barbe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome back to middie land!

barbe1958

Hey ladies!! I am back to work after being on disability for 2 1/2 YEARS. Worked my way all the way up to Fentanly patches for my back pain. My spine bone is growing over the areas where the nerves come out and pinching them off. I cannot describe to you how painful that is. They can't operate unless my legs go numb as the odds of paralyzing me are too high. So, it looks like the bone has stopped for a bit or I've gotten used to it, or whatever, but I can walk without a cane or walker now. My job had no position for me so I had to find a job at 55!! I got a position as a personal banker and so far love it. I can walk, sit or stand whenever I want and learning new things has always been my thrill. I am currently studying for my Mutual Fund license and hope I make it on the first write (average is 3 attempts but I'm a keener). Took me months to find a new job at my age and I've only been there 2 months. I'm glad I've had the holidays around Christmas and New Years to recoup as it's been very hard physically and I've had two HORRID colds since I started! Training was a whole month and now I'm on my own but still content. Much lower pay than I had (by 1/2), but it's local and I've been living on 1/2 pay for 2 1/2 years now anyway.

Have finally financed a tub-to-shower renovation that took out our old tub and made it into a glass-doored walk-in shower. I can finally shower feeling safe, but I still use the medical seat when in it. Did y'all know I got a pacemaker last year? Yep, it's been a long haul......  I was blacking out and when I raise my head in the shower I begin to get that sensation so had to sit down. I was using the seat in a regular tub which was SO crowded and the sides are sloped and I never felt safe.

All three grandsons are doing well and I have another one due January 23rd. Another BOY (brother to George, shown in this pic at his house on Christmas Day)!! I wanted a pink one, but I'll take what I can get. I love playing with the boys on the floor and they know I'm a sucker for building stuff with Duplo!! heehhehehehehe I LOVE how they watch me and copy (or try to!) what I do. They move the animals/cars/men in and out of the buildings I make so I know they "get it". I cannot believe I can sit this way, and was stunned when I saw this picture, but it's the only way I can be comfortable on the floor. I want to do this as long as I can so they have a memory of NaNa down on the floor playing with them. My grandparents didn't play with me, and my parents didn't play with my kids, so I think this is a powerful memory to give them. This little guy, George, is a one-woman-man (Mommy) but a few minutes after this picture he went behind me and I felt his arms around my neck and he hung his little body on me like a piggy-back and I knew it was his way of saying "thanks!". I will never forget that feeling....the first spontaneous gesture from him (he's 3 in March).

elimar86861

Barbe,  The pacemaker sounds familiar, so maybe you had posted it here last year.  Congrats on the recent job acquisition...something else that can make "new normal" feel a bit closer to old normal.  I like your photo of Duplo fun (with George is sitting almost just like you there.)  I remember when you were awaiting his birth, and now you have another GS on the way!  Did the time really fly that fast?  All I can say is, whatever name they end up giving the new one, you just know ol' Kate Middleton will come along and probably copy it.  You know how she is.

barbe1958

I DID realize that I got NO new stitches last year after I posted above. In fact, my New Year's resolution last year was to get NO new stitches and I made it!!! So, yep, sorry, that was old news.....I had just kind of looked down my body to see what was new and that news stuck out. So it's been a "low medical" year for me. Though they are watching some nodes in my neck and axillae which are just under a centimetre. I have to see my onc more often to stay on top of them. I just wish they'd biopsy them and move on.....sigh.

The new baby will be called Thomas. George was kind of named as a joke...like bump or something as we bugged them to give us his chosen name before he was born. We called "it" George for so long that he stayed George when he was born!! So let's see what becomes of Thomas this year in the names.

carollynn79

Happy New Year to All,

I know I don't check in as often as I should but I do lurk and am active on another food thread.  I am going to be a first time Grandma in May and am excited, sad the grand baby will be in Las Vegas, but we will be fine.  I am leaving my job end of January due to job, stress, health, travel time etc.  Hope all goes well, but it is time.   Doing well, still regressed back to 6 month checks, but all the biopsy's etc last year were negative so hopeing for a good year as have to spend time doctoring on back issues now, oh well always something!!  We are redoing our bathroom also to remove the tub and add a walk in shower, getting too hard to step over the tub with my hip and back, I am not old yet but my body does not seem to be getting the message!!  Hoping all have a healthy 2014!!

marlegal

phew...glad things are back to active

I see room for FB and BCO Boards. I met some women from bco without being Fb friends, and vice versa. Somehow it seems we're able to connect when we really want to. I wish the new group on FB well but I don't think I can join one more thing right now.

Hugs buds

barsco1963

Barbe - I like that you reached your goal of no new stitches in 2013! Looks like the grandkids keep you busy. How great is it that you can get down and play with them on the floor. My DS still speaks of times spent with gramma when he was young. So important for them to have those memories to hang onto.

carollyn - best wishes to you as you "retire" from your job. You do need to take care of #1 right? Expecting a first grandchild must be very exciting. All I have at this time is a fur grandbaby, which is just fine as DS is only 20. You are right about our bodies not getting the message that we are NOT old yet. Hope you can get that back issue resolved and are able to enjoy your free time without pain.

elimar86861

carollynn79,  You might be retiring, but sounds like you have a busy time ahead with  the bathroom remodel (hope that is stress free,) then a brand new grandbaby in May, not to mention maybe a little celebrating by reaching your 5-year mark in the same month.  Congrats on all counts!

p.s.  My body tried to tell me I was "old" but I went down into the basement anyway, found my cross-country skis from antiquity and gave them a whirl for the first time in 10 years.  No one else in the family has a pair, so the only time I get them out is when the streets are white with snow and then I just circle round the neighborhood.  It was a lot of fun, good exercise too and, afterward, my body sure did feel it but I was still "young" enough to get out there.   Guess that is why I am a Middie.

Eph3_12

I would love to see a picture of the pink dog on cross country skis!!

luvmygoats

Joni - ?pink dog on skis?

carollynn79

El that sounds good, I bundles up and took pictures, but for some reason can't post any not sure what that is all about the flicr made changes and I can't figure them out!  I have been riding my recumbent bike until my but hurts too much HA HA, and yes excited to make my 5 year mark on the BC this year!  Glad to hear you are out and at it!!  I agree with Eph the pink dog would be cute!!

Eph3_12

Luv-E said she was on skis-her avatar is a little pink dog.  I was trying to be funny & ask for a picture of E on her skis...

SchoolCounselor

luvmygoats

Oh I get it. My confusion. That would be funny.

Sherryc

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, I spent most of mine in bed sick with the crude.  Moved from the bed to the chair Christmas Eve and we had company.  All family so it did not matter what I looked like and they all made themselves at home so I did not have to do anything.  Christmas Day I finally took a shower and got dressed.  The family came again, but DH and SIL fixed all the food so I did not have to do anything.  maybe I need to be sick more often at Christmas, LOL  I got lots of Netflix time in.  I had my 6 month MO appt on Dec 27th and everything was great.  All my bloodwork was perfect.  Told DH for the first time since getting BC my bloodwork was all normal 6 months ago.  I just knew with being sick that it would be out of sorts, but it was not it was perfect.  I really struggled with my WBC, it was low before BC and lowered more with rads and I did not think I would every get it back in the normal ranges.  Did a bunch of homeopathic stuff that I think worked, and I feel great now.

elimar86861

Welcome, SchoolCounselor!  It must feel good to have finished your last chemo round, and it will keep getting better as the poison works it way out of your body over the next few weeks.

elimar86861

Eph,  Sorry, event not recorded for posterity (and you know I could have even protected my anonymity because I did have a ski mask on my face.)  Maybe I can remember a photo the next time I go skiing down the street.  You don't mind waiting 6-8 years, do you?

SchoolCounselor

Thanks elimar, I have bee following for a while but middle aged at 45 is a tough pill to swallow!!!!

I am looking forward to the poisiions working there way out and my body rebuilding. This 4t chemo was a doozey. I am so wiped out by it!

elimar86861

SchoolCounselor,  Your B/C was on the small side and you didn't have any nodes involved, plus being ER+...I am wondering why you needed the chemo?  Feel free to eat extra protein now to help your body rebuild (and it won't be too difficult because it isn't long before things start to taste good again.)  Believe it or not, your chemo is considered "chemo lite" because you did not have Adriamycin in the mix, which is not to say that you have not had plenty just with what you got.  Did you lose your hair?  Did you get numb hands or feet from it?  I did a different chemo, recovered quickly from it but am left with numb feet now after five months of being off it.  I have my fingers crossed that it is not permanent.

Sherryc,  "I spent most of mine in bed sick with the crude" ...  My first thought was, I think she means "crud."  My second thought was, if not, then she might be sleeping with my husband!    (You know we are not above going into hysterics over typos around here.)  Seriously, I'm glad your Xmas day got a little better (I love Netflix,) and that is always great news about a nice uneventful follow-up.

SchoolCounselor

My MO recommended chemo and I went to Memorial Sloane Kettering for a second opinion as we, which confirmed chemo. The reasons were my age and race primarily. Most of the studies including oncotype were done on older people and mainly Caucasians. I also wanted my recoccurence rate as low into the single digits as possible.

I lost my hair, my nail beds are darkened, and I have developed a weakness in my back that makes it difficult for me to walk. PET can on Friday for that.Fun!!!