MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

elimar86861

HnS76, Yes, it is different, and the acronym is ABUS, check it out.  It's not even that new, and it doesn't look as expensive as your basic MRI or CT machine, so I don't know why my cheapskate Breast Center doesn't have one yet.  I was excited that one was rumored to be coming, then they did not get funding.  

kathec, As with almost everything associated with BC, it comes down to risks vs. benefits.  Most of us take the risk of getting LE because we don't want BC to go undetected.  YES, we need much better detection methods.  The day could come that imaging is so good that biopsies are not needed, or maybe screening will be a simple blood test.  No one hold their breathes on this, because resuscitation is not well advanced either.

Not everyone gets LE as a matter of course, and only a subset of all LE would be a result of mammo squishing.  Heck, they squish me hard enough to break the capillaries on my treatment side, but I still don't have LE; but because the risk of LE developing YEARS later is a possibility I have begun to "request" that they do not crank it down so tightly.  BTW, my other pet peeve (and forgive the repetition those who have heard this before) is that when they are "arranging" you, if they get a fold in your skin, they want to re-do the image.  Well, one, I hate even that little bit of extra radiation; and two, since most women getting mammos are 50+ years old, they are working with saggy boobs and armpits all day long so they should be experts at getting the folds out by now!!!!!!!!!

luvmygoats

Mine is very good about getting the folds out and making sure nothing extraneous get in the pic. like my Buddha belly top. Last time tech did retake underarm saying I know you have more surgical clips than this film showed. I also appreciate that the techs don't seem to change regularly. I go every 6 months for troublesome lefty's good - well have been. Go week after next to MO so no telling what he's got up his sleeve. First time to tell him BS has moved me to yearly but I expect not a surprise to him. They squish relatively hard but I've had much, much harder pre-BC. Seems I made the rounds in Ft. Worth for years to diff. centers b4 I somehow settled on this one that I'm not leaving. I've told you I adore my radiologist. I would follow her out to her 2nd place of business if I had to which would be a pain driving. I also appreciate that the employees of my BS have not changed in 2 years. Now it is only about a 4-5 person office but it does say something about the way she runs it.

What is that new (well last few years anyway) mammo for dense breasts? Not digital - I have that. I asked and she said no need for me so I can't remember the name. 3-D?

luvmygoats

Well, I guess it is 3D but seems not so popular. Increased radiation exposure per sev. articles I just pulled up on Mr. Google but did not read. Hmmm. I would bet my center has the ABUS but since I don't need it I wouldn't know. The 3D is "upgrade" and I think may not be reimbursed fully. I've read the lit. they have avail. there

elimar86861

luv, You might mean the ABUS (somo-v Automated Breast Ultrasound.)  There, I linked it again under its full name.

Footballnut

Hi all!

So today was round 3 of FEC and my last one. Next 3 will be taxotere and herceptin

Today was a bit difficult. Felt nausous for most of the infusion and still feel off now. I've taken my anti nausea pills so no vomiting. Dry mouth is starting already. Ugh! I've noticed that I've had some tingling and numbing in my right foot and hand. Weird! Comes and goes

Hoping that it doesn't get worse then this!!

Let's go rangers!

2-1now for the good guys. Life is good!! Lo

Me and my loving hubby!!

luvmygoats

http://www.texashealth.org/3d-mammograms

No it's 3-D mammos. I went off to read about it. This is from where I go. I don't find any mention of the ABUS there or over at the other big hospital in Ft. Worth that also has a breast center. Verry interesting. 

Lookin' good Footballnut. Cheering for the Rangers if you are. Don't have a dog in that hunt but am cheering for the Spurs (basketball).

luvmygoats

Marlegal - Been remiss in not congratulating you on Lance's birth. Bet you are on not cloud 9 but cloud 99.

Tomboy

marlegal. ditto what luvmygoats said. i am ashamed of myself.

barbe1958

I had a cyst burst once in a mammo so got to have ultrasounds for the next 2 years. Once during an US I mentioned to the tech that I had a bit of pain and indicated 6 o'clock on my left breast. She said they don't US for pain. Too bad they didn't, as that was where my cancer developed!!! I wish I knew her name........I'd go back and tell her to LISTEN to the patient!!!!! Why, oh why, do they think they know our bodies better than we do!!! 

Ainm

Hi gang - it's been ages since I posted here but I just need to say something that I know you will understand because no-one else in my life can understand why I need to say it - 

Five years ago today I had my eighth and last chemo

- then a three week break before starting radiotherapy. 

I just need to say it - thank you :-D 

I wish you all well.♡♥

NativeMainer

Ainm--Congrats on being 5 years out from end of chemo!  I hope you were able to enjoy the break before rads.  Glad to hear you are doing well! 

elimar86861

Ainm,  It has been ages since we've seen you on this thread, but I see you have been using the time well to put BC into the past.  Looking back, after 5 years (and I am almost there myself,) doesn't it seem surreal in many ways?  All those remembrances, but it can almost feel like another life too.  Hope you will have a splendid day today (but you already know that a day without chemo or rads is already off to a good start.)  I only wish the others there could tap into what you are feeling.  Transatlantic hugs to you.  Stop back anytime!

luv,  Will have to look up 3-D mammos (to see the more cutting edge imaging I won't be getting.) 

Barbe,  Yeah, the saying is that cancer lumps don't cause pain.  The trouble is that sometimes they can.  A swollen node can hurt too.  If they get too locked into the "painless cancer lump" mentality, they just pooh-pooh what you tell them about feeling something. 

I have a sore lymph node near to my sternum.  Sore before menopause, sore after.  It been in the boatload of imaging I have all all through my cancer tribulations, and it is noted as being enlarged but no one seems suspicious of it.  They tell me it is sore because it is right on my rib.  I just hope everyone is right about that because, even now, it does not feel right.

Speaking of not feeling right...My radiated breast has stayed sore and twingey all these years.  Assuming nothing cancer-y is going on, those nerves must have grown back in a very disorganized way.

Footballnut

hi all!

Waiting for my home are nurse to call for my neulasta shot. What a waste of a day!!  Hopefully she calls soon!!  Other then that sitting back downloading tunes as I deal with fatigue, nausea, queeziness and dry mouth

Still not as bad as my worst hangover!!  Lol

Thankfully my ny rangers won and live to see another day!  

Wishing all a great day!!

Tomboy

good goin' football! Almost there. it is a little rough, eh? But you are still smiling, and still going!

Footballnut

kathec I still can't complain but must admit that I am scared about the last 3 - taxotere and herceptin. I've heard do many horror stories about the taxotere but have also heard that other women have breezed through it

Hope that I'm one of those!!!!

Tomboy

it wasnt so bad for me. took away alot of my energy for awhile, but it didnt hurt or anything. i did do the claritin for bone pain after neulasta shot tho. made me hungry for salty stuff for some reason, and things i wouldnt normally eat! herceptin, i did have a break from for a while, but they will monitor you closely. And dont be afraid to tell them about any problems you might experience, they relly dont want to kill you! altho it seems like it at times. they can adjust dosages, we are all different. i think you will do fine.

elimar86861

F-nut, glad you are doing o.k. at the half way point, and with a little luck you will finish strong too.  Just remember, it is cumulative.  It may not be that Taxotere is any worse, but coming on top of the first rounds it won't be exactly the same as starting fresh so it may seem that it takes more of a toll on you.  You've been so active for the first part, keep going; but it's o.k. to rest more too.

While you are cheering on The Rangers, I'll be busy watching World Cup for the next month, starting today.  Of course I root for U.S., but they are going to be knocked out early, maybe not even getting beyond group stage.  After that, I'll be cheering on the team with the most mega-hotties.

luvmygoats

Elimar - I have a rudimentary knowledge of most sports but just cannot get into soccer. Know that sounds dumb coming from football nutty Texas and I see the similarity for durn sure. Don't understand most hockey rules but gotta love guys that skate 90 miles an hour backward. I can't even stand up on skates not that I would try with these bones. What prompts your soccer interest - your sons? What team does have the most mega hotties? Italians? Can you tell I have no idea who is even playing?

Debster

hi everbody, Sure glad I found this site. I am 52 and was diagnosed in March. I am now on Taxatere and I have to say it is kicking my rear. I only have one more treatment so that is a good thing.

Love being here where other women are right around my age and understand a lot of what is going on in my head and my personal life such as we are empty nesters and were just beginning to take trips and do all those things we have wanted to do and then screeching halt BC comes into the picture. We are still planning on our trips but gosh darn it sure wanted to do it when we wanted!

Just wanted to say hi and wish you all hugs and love

elimar86861

Greetings, Debster!   I wrote that top intro specifically because of how BC cuts into our middle-aged me-time.  Yes, BC can definitely derail some of your plans.  Around here (this thread) we have gotten pretty good at compensating for that, squeezing in normal life and fun whenever we can.  What was your Dx and what chemo did you do before Taxotere?  

luv,  Yes, it was watching my boys in the youth games.  Then, we all watched World Cup 2002 and really got into that.  Then, every male in my family took referee training (which I absorbed thru' osmosis) which adds a new dimension to viewing.  Now, the son that played it most doesn't like watching it televised.  Husband working; but other son its right here with me, rooting for the underdog team as always.  Team of the hottest hotties?  I don't know yet.  Will scrutinize closely on my big screen in the vivid mode.  Every four years new hotties are added to the crop.  Some of my past fancies are too old for it now.  In their 30s!  (Sad, right?) 

heartnsoul76

30's?  Ugh!  Haha, I may actually have to start watching the World Cup to check out the hotties.  I played it and my son played it but I'm still not that interested.  However, Atlanta just got a new professional soccer team - we had one before in the 70's that won the National Championship, and being the fair-weather fan that I am, I did follow it back then. 

So we have a brand new team now, they don't even have a name yet.  Plus my son recently moved to Seattle and they LOVE soccer there.  So I will make an effort to get into it again, if for nothing else but to compete against Seattle, hahaha.  I think my competitive streak is what keeps me going.  

Welcome, Debster!  Yes, breast cancer really puts a kink in the works.  And nobody seems to get it but the ladies on these boards, and hopefully some family members.  Glad the Taxotere is almost over. Stay hydrated and pee it all out!

Eph3_12

Here E.  A BCO bud of mine on FB posted this today.  I'm partial to #17 & #7.

Eph3_12

I should post the link probably. http://www.buzzfeed.com/mattbellassai/the-hottest-bearded-men-of-the-world-cup?

Momine

I get painfully bored and frustrated trying to watch sports. Something like soccer is incomprehensible to me. A bunch of grown men running up and down, up and down. The worst part is that the goalies don't wear the uniform of the team, so I never know which end belongs to which team. Much as I have tried, I simply don't get the point of it.

NativeMainer

Elimar--post
radiation pain syndrome is a very real thing, and the reason I had a mastectomy
after lumpectomy and rads.If yours is
only twingy, count your blessings.

Footballnut--waiting
is what we get good at during bc diagnosis and treatment, isn't it?

Momine--I never have
understood the attraction of watching grown men chasing each other and balls
around with sticks and things. . . .

Momine

Native, put that way, it does rather evoke a whole different scenario 

Debster

Hi elimar, My DX is stage 1Invasive Ductual Carinoma, I have clear nodes but showed some in my vascular so to be safer and not take any chances we went with chemo as well as radiation. I am having taxatere and cyclophosphamide treatments. I have had 3 of my 4 treatments done but the taxotere seems to be more then my body can take. My doc may not let me have my last treatment do to reactions I am having and will let me know once we get through this two weeks.

My doc gave me permission to go see my family this week so I am so excited! Good to get away even just a couple days!

Hope your day is wonderful! Hugs and love to all

barbe1958

I can "understand" soccer and admire the way they kick that ball around, but football just boggles my brain! They get the ball and then kick it or throw it to someone who has to run even further to the goal! He gets tackled and they all move further away from the goal he was running towards!! Huh?????

HomeMom

Barbe - You're confusing ME and I LOVE football! Here is the game in a nutshell:

There is a "kick off" or there can be a "Punt" depending on if it is the start of a half or if a team has to turn the ball back over to the other team. This is where they kick it away from the "endzone" (goal in soccer)  they are defending and the other team has to run it back as far as they can before they are tackled.

Each team gets 4 "downs" or tries to move the ball at least 10 yards. If they do not do it in 3, they punt the ball to the other team. The goal is to get the ball in the "endzone". 

If they throw or run it in - it is a touchdown and worth 6 points (they can kick through the goal posts (aka field goal)for another point). If they decide to try for a field goal only, it is 3 points.

There can be some exciting plays in football. For me soccer is whole lot of running around and not much satisfaction! 

By the way, I'm new to this thread. I am 53 and glad there is a message board for us! I have my second A/C treatment in about an hour. First time wasn't toooo bad. Hoping for more of the same

elimar86861

Hello to you, HomeMom!  How many A/C treatments will you get, total?  Chemo kicked me around last summer (diff. cancer) but the good part about having it thru' summer (for me) was that I could still enjoy being outdoors, resting on my deck or walking or biking a little.  They say activity helps with fatigue and I do think it helped me overall, even tho' my muscle tone was just eaten up by the chemo.  I lost weight...two main reasons:  It took a lot of calories to rebuild what chemo was tearing down and I couldn't eat enough apparently; which was because chemo took my saliva away which made almost(*) everything taste bad and eating anything with red pepper in it was just awful, while sugary things tasted like sticky gak.

(*)  Watermelon and mustard seemed to taste the same.  Good thing it was melon season.

I hope you cleared up the direction of football play for Barbe because I think she switched it around too.

Debster,  What was the Grade of your cancer?  Was it ER+?  Did you ever have an OncotypeDx test? I am trying to understand why chemo was chosen in your case.  As far as the missing the final dose...The doctors are looking at your blood work each time and that is fairly representative of how much your body can stand.  Sometimes they will delay or skip treatment entirely if you really are tanking.  BUT you are the one feeling your body so do not feel like you don't have a say about it.