For Older People with Sense

Yesterday the Christmas spirit hit our quilting group.  Can't believe last year I was still recovering and waiting for exchange surgery.  To all who are now in the middle of treatment--it gets better with time.  Loving the cold weather and the excuse to wear huge Irish sweaters.  Everything is calm at the moment--my husband's cancer, the family and grands.  I can't help thinking this is the calm before the storm, but what storm?  It's probably best that we don't know.

Someone once asked me what my ideal fantasy life would be and I said "The kids are raised, the house is clean and I can sit and knit."  Now I actually have that and I'm wondering how I got so lucky.  (Sorry--it's a "deep thought" kinda day!)  

Dragon 

Lisa, my 15 month old Granddaughter just smiled and smiled looking at your orange butterfly. Thank you.

I received my diagnosis today, it's IDC, low grade 1, stage 1.  That's all the doctor knows...further testing is being done to determine the rest.  I will meet with him next week to go over everything and get treatment options, but he mentioned a lumpectomy and radiation.  Did not mention chemo, but I won't do that anyway.

I'm disappointed, but had prepared for the worst, so now I just have to deal with it.  I dread telling the kids, and my boyfriend is in shock because he refused to believe it was anything.  

Thanks again for all the support everyone has given me as I've navigated through this dx.  I don't think I could have stayed as calm as I did without it. 

Kaara,

Sorry to hear of your dx, but at least now you know. The not knowing can be maddening. Stage 1/grade 1 is very good news, though. Keep us posted, and peruse the boards. You'll find lots of useful information and support. 

The two websites I always refer people to for accurate information is cancer.gov (NIH) and cancer.org (American Cancer Society). Reliable, accurate and current information. 

((Marybe)) {{Lisa}} So sorry.

Kaara, you have a great prognosis so hang to that and jump on the treatment wagon. You can do it!

Thank you ladies for your comfort and support!  I know I'm just beginning this journey, but already you have made it so much easier to bear!

Kaara, alot of support and hugs from us..just take it one day at a time...one step at a time..

I have a friend whose been with us 7 years since her lumpectomy and rad treatments and has had no sign of anything since. Though the surgery wasn't comfortable and the rad treatments a bother with the care needed she's doing great. She's been to China and Peru since her surgery and is doing great, So happy they spotted it early and you had the strength and fortitude to follow through. No one that loves us wants to believe we might have something this serious. Sorry to hear you have to share these things with family but they can surprise you with their sensitivities. We're with  you.

Thought I would put some of my flowers on here, the garden is looking lovely just now

Hope you all have a happy day.

Ginger we do grow some annuals but they are better further south but saying that some of mine are doing OK, even my lilac is covered this year - cold winter.

The red rose is divine and the smell, ahh its beautiful.

Would love to find the name of the white rose it has a perfume as well.

Thanks for the well wishes everyone!

Alyson:  Flowers are beautiful...I have a garden in NC where we go during the summer. 

I think those that mentioned Kaara's stage were also in a similar stage. Ah communication on the internet, so difficult.

Barbe you are so right, we can go so low, back into depression, I did. Stopped brushing my teeth depressed.

What threads would you recommend Barbe for a newbe who needs support? Maybe one for the month she will begin Chemo or Rads which ever one or both she will be in?  I found good support in those threads myself.  Of course this is a great thread too!   I love my older peoples hugs.

Love Ginger

Ginger, the depression thread I am on may be too much for a newbie! I'd do like you suggest and find the ones that coincide with Kaara's treatment. I just hate hearing fellow cancer patients say "oh good! you have a good prognosis" or whatever because NO ONE knows!!!! I have seen more stage 1 gals move on to stage 4 in the 3 years I've been on these boards. Stage 2 and especially 3 get way more aggressive treatments and stage 1 girls are hitting the big #4 a lot more often than the higher stages. I'm so sick of seeing it!!! We've lost a lot of ladies this year that started out at stage one....

Kaara:

Hang in there!  I too had a stage 1 diagnosis. It took a while to digest and it is difficult getting a cancer diagnosis at any stage.  Yes, it is true, we must be ever vigilant to make sure we don't have a recurrence. I do know that I decided on a more aggressive treatment plan than my Dr. recommended at first because of my family history and other factors.  I chose BMX and it was the right decision for me.  My BS supported me wholeheartedly in that decision.  Because I went this route and did not have anything in my lymph nodes, I did not have to have chemo.  You are the only person who can make that decision for you. I had my reasons for my treatment choices and you will have you own.  You have to feel comfortable with what you decide. Get second opinions and take your time to weigh all of your choices and then make the right decision for you.  I talked to medical oncologists, another BS, 2 PSs and my sister, who had breast cancer 20 years ago.  She was stage 1 too and has not had a recurrence in 20 years. I will tell you that I cried for several days when I found out.  It may have been the hardest medical news I had ever heard. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Phyllis