Spirited and Lively Older Women Thread

amyjo49, thanks to you to for the valuable information.........you ladies are so wonderful I don't know what I would do without all the help I have gotten throughout this ordeal.  You are true friends.......Marlegal just gave me some great info too............you guys are the best..  I only hope I do as well as both of you have done..........you both are a true inspiration, and helping me to go into this on Monday with a good attitude, knowing I can do this...........thanks again

Good morning ladies -

Ducky, I want to add my 2cents about rads.  I also used the miaderm/emu combo last year, & it worked really well.  I also napped; ate good protein, and low-phyto-estrogen foods, and drank water like my life depended on it. 

I also was told to let as much air get to the breast as possible, so when possible I either went topless, or more commonly in a sheena-queen-of-the-jungle number with the left side bare.  It was summer and I could do this. [I live on a big lot (3 ac)  in a small town (1000) in a CA. natl forest.] I cut the sleeves out of old shirts, cut through the shoulder seam of the left side and enlarged the armhole, and let it all hang out. - with a safety pin for the shoulder seam, I was 'ready' for the unexpected visitor.  It was fun to pitch the shirts at the end.  Also, I was told to stay out of the sun, I can't even remember who told me that, but it seems like the sun intensifies rads...

Finally, check out the lymphedema forums, threads, & sites. You've had 10 nodes removed. Even though I only had two or three nodes removed, I'm not very big & noticed I swelled a little bit by the middle of rads, and my arm felt heavy and "off", so I did the early fist-pumping and other lymphedema exercises, slept with my arm elevated, etc.  When it seemed "sure" that I might be headed in that direction (my old lady arm wrinkles disappeared), got an rx from RO, and saw 1 lymphedema specialist who confirmed, but who I didn't like much; MO gave me a different scrip, and I saw a really great specialist who ordered sleeves & taught me how to manage, including exercises and manual lymph drainage - which is a great thing to know. She said I have a very mild case, but that being proactive was a good thing.  I did all that stuff towards the end & just after rads.  I still wear a sleeve if I'm going to work hard.  I truly think that rads can exacerbate any tendency towards lymphedema, and that preventative measures and exercise can help stave off trouble as the lymph system re-routes itself and heals...  I waited to start Arimidex until after rads, so I could deal with one set of side effects at a time.  MO was on board with that decision.  At one year out, all the docs are saying that I'm healing well and I feel pretty good.

3jays, family can be a pain.  My kids & g'kids are happy to get packages, but can't bother to send me a card or real photo; or sometimes even an acknowledgment.  I remember my aunt and her MIL - Aunt helped love and care for MIL for decades and never heard a kind word.  I thought aunt was a saint.  Not my style unfortunately.

Isabella, Chrissy, Alyson, Marybe, Kathy, and all... you are in my thoughts and prayers.

To all, a blessed Easter/Passover.  

Ducky, I got a lot of LE info off the BCO LE board; and used many of the links they suggested through it, to just study & learn.  You might check that forum again. 

To start, raising the affected arm and pumping the fist helps stimulate lymph flow.

There's also a site that was helpful; sorry I'm no good at links yet....

http://breastcancer.about.com/od/lifeaftertreatment/ss/arm-lymphedema-exercises.htm

hey guys, thanks for your support. i talked to someone from BCO on the phone this morning, and i feel so much better! with everything in the last few years, now, the health situation again, i kinda "derailed " again. the point is ALWAYS my kids.

   well, i've decided im gonna have to change that., and have come up with a new paln... one that doesn't actively involve my GKids as much... for now, i def. need to keep a distance. they're young enough that it should be ok; we'll see.

    the point is, for my emotional health, i can't afford another "implosion" so am doing what i must to avoid it. hearing what you girls do helps me a lot. i just know i can't change them, so gotta change ME....

     i hope every is having a wonderful holiday weekend, be it Easter, or Passover... this year its' been wild, we celebrate both here, and them being together is confusing! you dont know what day it is 1/2 the time!!!!     enjoy.........3jays

Ducky, I want to add my good wishes for your radiation Monday.  Everybody already advised about the creams, etc, so I'll just say that the worst thing about it for me was having to go everyday.  But, each day gets you closer to the last one!

Lost Creek, thanks so much for the advice to check the lymphodema section.  I only had 3 nodes removed, but I'm sure there's something I could be doing to minimize risk.  The only thing I was told was not to use that arm for any lifting, no needles or bp,  and the one thing I'm really having trouble with--not to use that arm for shoulder bag.  You said some things I hadn't even considered and made me realize I should!

3jays, I'm so sorry about the family situation, but glad you've decided to do what you have to do in order to avoid further stresses.  They're not in any danger, but you are, and it's wise of you to not go looking for more turmoil!   Like Lost said, family can be a real pain, and I know in my life, most of my major heartbreaks come from family.  Same with my sister, mother of the previously mentioned niece a few months ago.  

Marybe, I made the "groom's cake" last night, with just minor alterations---couldn't find the biscuits you mentioned so used another brand of shortbread butter cookies, and I left out the raisins and cherries.  Cook's license, since I don't like them!  Anyhow, it totally solidified and is indeed crumbly to cut.  Tomorrow I think I'll take it out of the refrigerator ahead of time and see how that works, or maybe use the electric knife to cut it. BTW, DD and I had a piece and it's very good!  Definitely for chocolate lovers, and that's me!  Definitely not a cake, though, more like fudge, as you said.

May all of you have a blessed Easter or Passover, and love to all.

Kathy

QCA.....I was told pretty much the same thing you were......I even asked for exercises, and told them my fear of LE, but was told "no" to each thing I asked about...I knew a woman who had a mastectomy with nodes removed and she was told to do wall climbing exercises where you let your fingers walk up the wall....Made sense but I wasn't doing what I was not told to do....I was told "No repiticious movements".which would be like washing windows, dusting in circles, so I listened and it appears you got the same advice.

Lost Creek......Love the lottery ticket idea.......I will make a trip to the store tomorrow to buy them, and if not tomorrow will be sure to do it on Monday....Hey might as well see if I can get some "good" to come out of this friggin cancer crap........Happy Easter All

My Easter cake.

It was so good.

Since I didn't find this thread till recently, some of you didn't share my adventure with me last year when I was honored by BCO to take part in a video they prepared to celebrate their 10th anniv'y. If you look top right of your screen, there's a link. While I have by far the smallest speaking role, it was still a treat beyond belief. I'm about midway through

BarbA, I'll be holding your hand.  Best wishes!

I'll be there too, Barbara, and you can be with me in May.

Marlegal, the cake is one Marybe posted about which is supposed to be Prince William's favorite and will be the groom's cake at the wedding, not really a cake but more like fudge.  It's made with chocolate, crumbled cookies, and walnuts, and I made it for Easter.

Kathy

ok, its 1:00 no news yet. hope all is well, Barbara... holding your hand, and my breath....     3jays

Lisa - Positivly beautiful!  

Barb - Thanks for sharing them with us.  Holding your hand tomorrow for your scan.

Thinking about you Barb.