Older woman w/tnbc

GLC74

I am 74 years old and need to hear from other woman my age about the choices I've made and what I will be going through.  I have had a mastectomy 5 weeks ago and had a lymph node removed.  Everything is free of cancer but since I have triple negative breast cancer I will be starting 6 treatments of chemo next week.  I don't like looking at myself and I just had my hair cut real short and it's completely gray (I used to dye it blonde).  I don't like feeling sorry for myself when there are so many younger woman going through worse than I am, but I can't help it.  Some times it's just too over whelming.  I would love to hear from any women who are similar to me and how you feel about it

evergreen9

I am 66, was almost 65 when diagnosed. Like you, I was dismayed to think my life was threatened, and if I felt sorry for myself, or angry, I had only to look at the 32 year old next to me in chemo, and think, "Give your head a shake, this young woman, my daughter's age, should be the one who is really angry!"But I think how we feel is natural, and none of us is ready to see the end of our lives.

But be reassured, your stats look good!

Re hair, I did get a wig, but abandoned it in the end. I had stopped colouring my hair 8 years ago anyway, and decided that neither my hair colour or style or headgear made a difference to who I was. But go out and get scarves in every colour of your wardrobe.'They are the telltale sign of breast cancer, but who cares? You will be comfortable.

I had a hard time with one of my chemos, very tired. But nausea is very well controlled now, by meds. So forget those old stereotypes re chemo. Get some taped books, some new comfty loungewear, a nightie or two that is comfty, some sit-down jobbies you have wanted to get to, and before you know it, the chemo will be history! And, you may be the kind of person who breezes thru it!

Good luck to you!

evergreen9

I am 66, was almost 65 when diagnosed. Like you, I was dismayed to think my life was threatened, and if I felt sorry for myself, or angry, I had only to look at the 32 year old next to me in chemo, and think, "Give your head a shake, this young woman, my daughter's age, should be the one who is really angry!"But I think how we feel is natural, and none of us is ready to see the end of our lives.

But be reassured, your stats look good!

Re hair, I did get a wig, but abandoned it in the end. I had stopped colouring my hair 8 years ago anyway, and decided that neither my hair colour or style or headgear made a difference to who I was. But go out and get scarves in every colour of your wardrobe.'They are the telltail sign of breast cancer, but who cares? You will be comfortable.

I had a hard time with one of my chemos, very tired. But nausea is very well controlled now, by meds. So get some taped books, a nightie or two that is comfty, some sit-down jobbies you have wanted to get to, and before you know it, the chemo will be history!and who knows, you may be the person who has less of an issue with chemo... everyone is different!

Good luck to you!

Anonymous

GLC I will be 62 on November 13, and was diagnosed on July 27. I'm having mastectomy on oct. 22. We've been waiting because husband started a new job aug. 1, and new insurance kicks in this month.



I wear my hair auburn and for many years I wore it in a Dorothy Hamill wedge. But three years ago after my husband & I nearly went our separate ways, I decided to let it grow. So after almost 3 years its pretty long. He loves it and so do I.

I let it air dry, then curl the ends with hot rollers. I enjoy wearing it down when it's cooler or when I dress up, but its also easy to put in a ponytail, knot, or loose braid. Losing my hair is what I hate most about this stinking disease! If my hair were still short I wouldn't give it a 2nd thought, but it took so long to get it this long.



Then again, I was looking in the mirror a few weeks ago talking silently to GOD, telling him how I don't want to lose my breast or hair, and GOD brought to my mind, the brother of a man in my church. Jim had a spot on his face that family & friends kept telling him to have checked. He put it off until it was so bad they had to do extensive surgery. Last month they removed his jaw, teeth, cheek, nose...everything but his eye on that side of his face. It started in his sinuses. Anyway, I told GOD, " I'm so sorry! I'm worried about a boob & my hair, and this poor man is losing half of his identity."



But GOD understands how we feel.



I'm very blessed in that I'm being treated at a comprehensive breast center. All my doctors, tests, & treatments are in one place. They even have a Hope's Boutique there, where they carry everything to help BC patients feel & look feminine again. Bras, prostheses, wigs, scarves, jewelry, hats, lotions.



Please keep us updated. Since I'll be starting chemo 4-6 weeks after surgery, I'm very interested to hear about your experience.



It's wonderful that your nodes were cancer free!



Blessings

Paula

Chevyboy

Hi GLC!  Sorry you are going through this... but there are a bunch of us in the same boat!  BC.org has a lot of threads for older women....

I usually post on this one... http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/104/topic/728699?page=471#idx_14121   

Also, probably a lot more threads talking about triple negative BC....  I know you will find support...so just look through the threads and hang in there!

Best wishes........ 

Chevyboy

Okay hope this works!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=533329456683917&set=a.494474013902795.133561.494469413903255&type=1&relevant_count=1, hope this works!  

And you can click through the pictures....I saved a lot to use as my Wallpaper!