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Eileenohio
Eileenohio Member Posts: 460

I will be 74yrs before I complete my 1 yr of herceptin. I have my 3rd TCH treatment today. So far I have had it very good,no side effects other then the dreaded hair loss. I will not finish chemo until the end of May,then it is on the  33 radiation treatments along with the herceptin until Feb 2013.

I worry if my old body will be able to tolerate all this. Has anyone close to my age had all this? I think I am the oldest person on this board.  So far I feel great,in fact I am still in denial,can not believe that I have this DAMN disease.

I get myself so worked up prior to treatment that I did not sleep at all last night. I am so apprehensive about today,please wish me well.

Thanks  Eileen

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited March 2012

    Hi Eileen I can't help you on your age question as I am a tad younger (60) but I can send you cyber (((((((hugs))))) and wish you well for your next lot of treatment.  I'm so glad that you are having very few SE's as it does make the journey a bit easier.

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy

  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited March 2012

    I saw plenty of LOL little old ladies in chemo. I didn't ask there age.I think age is just a number. You may be 72 but your body may appear younger. I've seen plenty of people that look really old but are actually much younger.

    BTW I one day dream of being 72

  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited March 2012

    Eileen, you are very courageous going through chemo in your 70s. Though a lot of people must do it as the doctors' reception rooms are mainly filled with older patients. They must not be on line social networkers.



    I definitely want to wish you no major side effects from your treatment today and all your subsequent treatments. Keep looking after yourself and stay in touch with this site for support.



    I agree the hair loss is very demoralising.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 16,882
    edited March 2012

    Good Morning----U'r doing wonderfully--My sister is in her 70-'s with Stage IV-in remission and she goes every month fora treatment and she is still working, i'm pushing my late 60's and now I'm done with a few yrs of chemo, rads, etc I'm retired now kind of had to but it's all good..

  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited March 2012

    Eileen:  My BS and MO both agree that you don't consider the age of the person when thinking about the tx process, but rather the health of the person.  You must be in very good health and able to withstand the tx, or your doctors would have talked to you about it.  With you triple + bc, it is important to get the best treatment early on, so you are doing the right thing.

    Sending you prayers and positive healing energy! 

  • mkkjd60
    mkkjd60 Member Posts: 583
    edited March 2012

    Hello Eileen,

     My mom is 72 and stage iv.  She has been on chemo for 1 year, if you could imagine and she is hanging in there.  When the side effects become overwhelming, mom tells the onc and they make adjustments (she goes to Sloan).  Blessings to you. Mary

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited March 2012

    Hi Eileen.  I'm 76 so may be the oldest here.  Lots of luck with all your procedures! 

  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited March 2012

    Good luck today, Eileen!  Sending prayers for a day as smooth as possible, with relatively few SEs! It sounds like you're doing great!    Deanna

  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited March 2012

    Eileen, my mother was 78 when she did chemo for BC. She didn't have any major SEs and she and my father went on a cruise in  the middle of her treatments.

    Age is only one of very many factors that will determine what SEs you have.

    Best of luck with your treatments.

    Leah

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2012

    Eileen - my Dad did Taxol two separate times, but started when he was 82.  He actually tolerated it very well.  I am so glad that you getting through the treatment without too many problems, I know how worried you were.

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2012

    Eileen, there's a lively thread called Hello, Anyone Over 70??? where you'll find a frisky bunch of septuagenarians.

    The Mods

  • Eileenohio
    Eileenohio Member Posts: 460
    edited March 2012

    Thanks everyone..   My 3rd trreatment went very well.. Blood work was great. I feel great today so far,hopefully this will continue..I  I am 1/2 way done with chemo with only very minimal side effects.I truly feel blessed.    Thank you all for answering all my dumb questions and your continued support.

    We have a local cancer support center in Cleveland called The Gathering Place. They have just started a wig program for persons unable to afford wigs.  I bought 2 wigs and only like the one so I am going to take the other one to them today.  If anyone has a used wig that they no longer need please consider donating it . Once again my heartfelt thanks.   Hugs Eileen

  • Cindi74
    Cindi74 Member Posts: 363
    edited September 2012

    Hi Eileen,  Turned 75 today.  I suspect that the reason there are so few of us oldies on here is because so few our age live on a computer.  You are ahead of me.  I start A/C on Wed.  Am scared silly, but plan to take an anxiety pill and pain pill and pray for the best.  This website has kept me sane over the last six weeks.  Keep posting.

  • Allie32
    Allie32 Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2012

    Hi Eileen,

    I am new to this board. I am 80 and was just dx in November.  I already had the

    lumpectomy but a week later the lab said the margin was not clear so I am going

    back Dec 31st to repeat the procedure.  Before the surgery, my doctor said that

    the bc was not invasive, slow growing and no lymph nodes were involved.  She said

    no chemo, no radiation, just a pill once a day.  Now she says perhaps radiation since my

    bc is estrogen dependent. I'm staying hopeful.

  • Sabel
    Sabel Member Posts: 55
    edited February 2013

    Ellen...You are much braver than I!!! 

    I celebrated my 70th birthday in June and the following day I received the results of the u/s. Wonderful timing!!

    The lump was found during a routine physical in May, then confirmed with u/s, mammogram and finally core biopsy. Four samples were taken and all were positive for cancer. The surgeon suggested a lumpectomy in July with the three sentinel nodes being tested as well. I resisted any treatment at all because I have so many other chronic illnesses - the worst of which is fibromyalgia.

    I told my family that I didn't want any treatment after the lumpectomy - no chemo and no radiation. I met with the oncologist at the end of August and he explained that triple negative receptors (which I have) don't respond well to any treatment. That made my resolve to do nothing more even stronger.

    Our kids are doing well as are our granddaughters so no one is dependent on me at all. Here we are on February 26th and I feel fine with the exception of increased fatigue. An afternoon siesta helps greatly with that.

    I applaud all of you in your 70's and beyond for taking the treatments. You are doing what you think is best for you. I have chosen another path and still feel that it is the right one for me.

  • meghar
    meghar Member Posts: 38
    edited March 2013

    Allie how are you doing? My mom is almost 87, waiting for diagnosis this week. They are already talking surgery and probably the same treatments they'd give a younger person.  Hope you are doing well.

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