MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

macatacmv

e, we definitely do not think you are a "cheeto eating idiot". Made me laugh, tho.

boob shopping, A new concept for most of us. Have fun and choose wisely. I love the women at my Images Boutique, they are so helpful about sizing and fitting. I'm going to need to go back soon, since I have lost weight I can go down in size. yay!

Makes me wonder if I'll end up with fat bras and foob along with my fat jeans. lol

elimar86861

I didn't want to horrify anyone yesterday, but guess what I did?    My son took me to a picnic and I fed some baby geese.  They were very well-behaved, quiet,  and eating my sandwich bread nicely, but sure enough, the "Dad" was already trying to teach them how to hiss and act ornery.  You could tell he was thinking about flying in my face, but my son had a "goosecatcher" blanket over his arm which kept him in check.  The "Mom" was embarrassed, of course.

Just an internet pic, but something like this.  There were six in the family that I fed.

Footballnut

love the pic!

Well boob shopping is interesting!  Here I am flat on the left side from the mastectomy but I have sagging tissue from having my implant yanked from the right side. So how do you balance that out?  The woman that I see got me in a regular bra in which she will see pockets. I have a prosthetic for the left side and she will get creative to balance out the right

In hindsight I should have had a double mastectomy. Then it would have been easy to fit me. I was always flat on the right side due to my noob never developing

Oh well. I'm going to be tested for the BRCA gene so fronting on the outcome tho knows what my future might bring. Lol

elimar86861

Here's an article I enjoyed reading today, and it's written by a BCO member:

http://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2014/05/13/breast-cancer-awareness-beneath-the-pink-packaging/

Momine

Eli, that is the header.

Footballnut

elimar I clicked on the link but only got a photo. No article 

elimar86861

I think I fixed it.  Give it another try.

MinusTwo

Eli - fantastic summary.  It's more than time to move away from awareness to prevention.

Alive4Five

Hi ladies! Kind of been lurking and trying to see what's up, and where!  

Got a question... I am coming up on my 1yr. post bmx, and all has been going as well as it can I suppose. I am 52, and I opted out of reconstruction. At least for now.

But my question is this; if I have dropped like 10lbs in just a matter of weeks, shouldn't I be concerned? I am a light-weight as it is, and certainly do not need to be losing any weight! Im worried...

Thanks for any input! xoxo 

elimar86861

Greetings, Alive4Five!  I won't tell you to worry, but if you have been eating normally, not on any diuretics, and have not gotten a lot more active, then you might need to go in to discuss with doc., even if it is not time for a scheduled follow-up.  It took me about 4-5 mos. to lose 10lbs., and I was on chemo and my intestines were not even hooked up, so yeah, dropping 10 lbs. real quick could be a concern.  Notice I did not say cancer, because it could be a number of things (e.g. your thyroid ramping up, or something) so it's not time to enter panic mode.  Get checked out and ease your mind a.s.a.p.  By the way, congrats on reaching your 1 year cancerversary milestone.

Loral

Eli.....interesting article, but I already believed that BC will take my life one way or another...

Live your life today, as if tomorrow never comes............

Alive4Five

Eli, thank you for your reply. I am due to see my onc in about 3wks...BUT, I am not so sure I want to wait that long. 

I'm not on any diuretics, and although my appetite has decreased, it still is there. I just don't know what to make of it....and like I said, I was, 120. Now I'm 110! And it happened just over the past 8wks or so. I wondered about the thyroid possibility also. The only thing I can see is stress. If there is excessive stress, I can't eat...ya know? And let's face it, lol, who is withOut stress?

My mother lost to bc in 1994. age 49 and gone in one year at 50! I have already out-lived her...

Oh, and exercise... LOLOL!! Uhhh, no. In fact, I'm quite fatigued...very. Ugh...

That article was interesting,eh?

Thank you all for being here, it means alot to me! xoxo

Eph3_12

The article is very interesting, scary and insightful all rolled into one!

macatacmv

welcome, Alive4five!! Have you just come off some medication? I lost 15 lbs easily when I came off the steroids. Check it out with your doc, tho. No harm in asking. 

Very interesting article, eli. Very straight forward and enlightening and sobering. 

I'm hoping I can sleep tonight. My right knee has been waking me up with lots of pain. It doesn't hurt when I'm walking around, just when I am laying down. Bummer. I'm trying heat and then ice. But I would rather be sleeping. It's always something. Maybe arthiratis?

kah51

Hello ladies,

I am just getting started..all has happened in a two week period. More mammo pictures then ultra sound , biopsy..then mri new tumor 2nd biopsy both cancer. Bilateral mastech coming up..lymphn biopsy next week.  Reconstructn depending on  biopsy.

I think I am just now starting to realize what all this means, a little scary. All your posts have helped.  Thank you

Footballnut

good morning all!!!

Other than an incredibly itchy scalp things are going okay. Today is day. 15 for me. Next tues is blood work then meet with mo then wed round 2. 

Oh yes I also will have a consult next tues am with respect to the BRCA gene. My original appt was in nov but they managed to move me up to May!  Thankful !

Have a good day all !!

elimar86861

kah51, Welcome, we all understand what a whirlwind the first weeks can be.  You now will be seeking out tons of information that a month ago you never would have thought you would be needing.  No matter how much awareness makes you know that BC strikes 1 in 8 women, when you are that one woman, it is still a shocker.  In the beginning, lots of us have found it very helpful to ask for copies and records of all the tests and office visits, because it is hard to remember everything; and remember, it is your doc's (or staff's) job to answer your questions about what you are getting and why so you should never be in the dark about any of the proceedings.  As you get more info., you can create a profile (like what you see at the bottom of the others' posts) and then we can comment more specifically.  Hope you have good support from friends and family,  Finding BCO helps a lot too.

staynsane

kah51- As you enter into the whirling vortex that is BC diagnosis and treatment, try to take time to breathe.  My experience had me overwhelmed, emotional and stressed out, mostly thinking about the "what ifs" that consumed my thoughts.  If you take each step as it comes (try to focus only on your status) and take time to make the right decisions for YOU, it should help ease your mind.  Once I knew what I was up against and a plan of action was developed, relief was immense.  It's been two years since my MX, and I can say that I am no longer consumed with thoughts of BC.  It is an experience I will never forget and hopefully will not revisit me again, but I have gotten through it thus far and feel OK about today.  And that's all any of us really have.

Eph3_12

kah51-sorry you had to find us; glad that you did.  Questions are never dumb, boring, or annoying so be sure you ask lots-of your care team & of us, if there's anything niggling in your mind.  It's especially helpful to have BCO on those insomnia nights...usually someone else is up and roaming the boards.  Best of luck.  Check in.

barbe1958

Alive4Five, have you considered diabetes? Either way, you should be seen, but 8 weeks to lose 10 pounds isn't that bad (like I wish I could do that!) even though it's obvious you can't really afford to lose the weight.

mac, sleep with a pillow under your knees to reduce them flexing backwards when you lie down. You should get relief. 

Now to read that article!

Oops! Welcome kah51 to the club no one really wants to join....

barbe1958

Very good article, but I'm not one who believes in prevention. Our biggest risk is breasts. True prevention would mean EVERYONE should get a double mastectomy!!! Does that make sense? Not at all. I know tri-athletes who have breast cancer...did their healthy lifestyle "save" them. Not at all. I know fitness gurus with breast cancer. Did their body mass index "save" them. Not at all. Breast cancer is truly a crap shoot. I think putting the blame back on the patient is demoralizing.

What we need to learn is what TURNS CANCER ON. It's as simple as that. We all have circulating tumour cells in our systems but until the perfect storm, our bodies can deal with them. 

Awareness is overrated. I knew about breast cancer for 40 years before I got it. Did that save me? Not at all.....

Greenberg

I would like to sure my story with you.  I am Tziona, I just turning 55 this year in June (28).  I had breast cancer 7 or 8 years ago and up until now I was cancer free.  The cancer was very small, so I had a lumpectomy (Pardon my spelling).

Back in Dec. 2013 I thought that I had bronchisis, so did my family doctor.  Had an X-ray and found out I have nodules in my chest.  My breast cancer had matastised.  Luckly it was caught early and now I am on Latrozole and a study drug.  My prognosis is good.  I feel good though.

macatacmv

Hey Greenberg, glad you found us. Do you mind me asking where you are from? That is a very interesting name. I am glad your prognosis is good. We can be a wacky bunch here. (maybe I should just speak for myself) But feel free to ask questions. 

Oh. barbe, I already sleep with a pillow under my knees, a soft neck collar to keep my neck straight, wrist splints, and a mouth guard. And I have an adjustable bed frame so I sleep with my head raised slightly. I have no idea why no man wants to move right in? 

I actually saw my doc today and she has prescribed a lidocaine patch to put on my knee just so I can sleep. But when I went to the drug store this afternoon, they hadn't filled it yet. Another uncomfortable night, but tomorrow will be another day! 

Saw this on FB today and had to share it with ya'll. Knew you'd appreciate it!

Footballnut

macatacmv. Too funny. You have a very good way with words. Love ur humour

macatacmv

anything for you fbn. Love your smile!!

barbe1958

Okay then mac, get RID of the pillow under your knee. When we sleep with a pillow under our knees (I have to for my lower back) it stretches the long muscles of our legs all night and can skew our knees. If you already have an adjustable bed, I hope you have your leg portion raised as well!

elimar86861

Who's up for a CT scan today?   I'll be heading off to boredom in an hour or so and could use some company.  To keep things exciting, I will tell you that I have already strayed in taking a lesser dosage of the pre-med steroids than they advised.  Come watch elimar get anaphlactic shock from the CT contrast dye, or maybe just scratch her lips off.  (Don't worry, I took this lesser dosage last time and everything was just peachy.) 

But wait, there's more.  If you post before 10:30 ET, you will get a bonus invite to stay for an ultrasound of my thyroid nodule.  That's always fun.  (Seriously, I do like the soothing glide of the US over the gel stuff.  Relaxing!)   I don't have a speck of worry about the thyroid and, in bantering with the tech, will get her to reveal if things look good right then and there.

I have planed this appt. perfectly to get the CT results next week, after I attend tomorrow's commencement of my younger boy.  There was just no way my liver would be in a party mood if any cancer-y stuff was found in there.  So, pop the champs and let the good times roll.

Alive4Five

We are in your pockets El! xoxo

barbe, thank you for your reply...yes, I have considered that possibility (diabetes). My desire for sweets is like through the roof! I should be as huge as a fridge, lol...we shall soon know what's up though.

Thoughts and ((hugs)) to all today and everyday! 

Momine

Eli, I had to laugh at the steroids. Never have they given me 'roids before a CT.

elimar86861

For Barbe,  The author of the article (it's Bestbird, btw) is not sold on prevention either (at least not what passes for prevention here and now.  She had this comment to make, contained in a post reply on another thread,

 "...the myth that breast cancer is preventable (if we eat right, exercise
more, expose ourselves less to pesticides we'll be home-free) may lead
many of us, such as yourselves, to blame ourselves for initial
diagnosis, recurrence, and/or relapse. This falsehood does each of us a
huge injustice, as it may add a burden of self-blame to our already
overtaxed emotions and stress levels. The fact is, that since there is
currently no proven way to prevent or cure this disease, the true burden
rightly lies upon the medical establishment - as opposed to upon our
respective shoulders."

I know the article mentioned that she made some dietary/lifestyle changes.  I don't think that is in conflict with the rest of the article.  Eating/living healthier is a benefit for anyone who is Stage IV, and not necessarily trying to work the anti-cancer juju.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Reiterating my take on the "lifestyle changes" is this:  If eating, exercising, lowering stress boosts our immune systems even a fraction or cuts our body's production of estrogen, well, it certainly can't hurt; and what if a better functioning immune system can clear out some of the the CTCs that we all do have?  This has not been shown with any certainty, but who knows?  

I'm not superstitious.  My husband gave me a "lucky" four-leaf clover charm.  Bad wife that I am, I scoffed at how a stupid charm could have any bearing on whether my scans came out clear or not.  Then, I put it on my keyring.