MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish
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Just checking in with you all, after a few weeks doing holidays and having company over Christmas week. I love hearing from Eph again, but sorry you had to deal with melanoma. Yikes. Please keep us posted as the wound heals. Diana, you asked about Taxol, and yep, I was on it weekly for almost 5 months. I was pretty sick from it, but it got easier as time went on. It was the first time in my life in which I took so many meds to ameliorate side effects. Nausea, stuff, heartburn stuff, constipation stuff... god, I felt decrepit! Taxol really whacked things back, however, which made it worth the hassle. You cannot imagine how much I wish for your response to to be positive!
I have settled down after a rocky few weeks after Thanksgiving, am taking Aromasin and adjusting to it fairly well. Its keeping me in a remission, not yet ned, but more like nrd, or "no rowdiness detected." I'll take it. 💃💃💃
Wishing you all some peace, quiet and as much fun as you can stand
xo Mame
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Dianarose, those are beautiful scarves you made! Got any Dusky/smoky purplish/gray? Is purplish a word? I am sorry to hear about continuous taxol,,yuck, that one did kick my butt. If your tests of her 2 are equivocal, can't they just DO Herceptin for you? I was equivocal by all three different types of test for it, but they decided to give it to me. I guess I am alright now, but I am freaked out about tests coming up. I quit tamoxifen in august or september, I couldn't prance anymore...that lady must live where no one can see her, but she IS weirdly compelling to watch. Even in my 40's, I was still brave enough that I would sometimes spontaneously break out into skipping, if I was out for a walk. Now that is fun. But I really love to dance, altho I barely do it anymore, now why is that? I need to let myself have more fun.
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Tomboy, Tomboy, Tomboy, I know you don't go far enough back to have seen my post(s) regarding my love of skipping, so that makes your post above even more precious to me. You have proven yourself to be a kindred spirit in not just BC. Way back when, on my last day of rads, I had a full blown skipping outbreak of joyful skipping in the lobby of my Cancer Center. Now that was mindful, even pre-planned skipping, but I have since skipped numerous times just for fun. It is so much more low-impact than running, which I really cannot handle anymore, and so much more FUN. You are absolutely correct about that. I have, in the last year, held hands with my husband and skipped...down the street of my subdivision. (After that day, I am sure our identities switched from "the Mid-Age biking couple" to "that weird, old skipping couple" but only from my more repressed and jealous neighbors. Skip haters gonna hate.)
Picture me with one of Dianarose's long scarves trailing behind me as I reach top speed.
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Oh. Elimar. You just now made me so happy. Skipping! It's true, you just can't help smiling if you skip, even if only for a couple yards! It's good with your man, or best ever with a woman friend. Guaranteed to brighten an already good moment! Because sharing a walk is great, but sharing a skip? Oh, my. Thanks elimar , you made my heart so happy just now
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Your skipping posts are wonderful. One of my favorite things - post BC - is skipping in the swimming pool. That's some good exercise on top of the fun.
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I got the paperwork for my bone and Ct scan. Both the same day. They want me to drink 24 oz of the clear contrast over 15 minutes. Seriously! My stomach can't handle that plus last time I threw it up after three swallows. This is really stressing me out! To some it probably seems silly but I hate scans and all the crap they put in your body to do them.
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Tell them that DR! I drink a ton of stuff in a day, but 24 oz in 15 min is pushing it for anyone!
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Dianarose, What day are you having the scans? I don't think the drink has anything to do with your bone scan. For that, they like you to drink a lot afterward so that you will pee out the radioactive material used for the scan. So, you must be talking about contrast for the CT. I looked it up and while the amount is not unusual (I read that 3-4 cups of drink/contrast is called for,) it does seem that the 15 minute time period is not exactly the norm. I am sure it depends on exactly what they are giving you for contrast, but why not ask if you can have a bigger window for getting it all in? If they are asking you to drink what you cannot possibly drink so quickly without trowing it up, it sounds like the scan could wind up less than successful, possibly a waste of time and money. Speak up about that. Through communication with the docs/techs, maybe you can come up with a better plan to ensure that you get all the contrast in for a good result. Maybe if they give you 30 minutes to drink it all, it won't even make a difference. Check it out.
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El- I don't think it's the amount or time to drink it but that my body rejects it. I drank 3 sips last time and started vomiting. Sometimes I wonder why I am putting myself through all of this. After 12 1/2 years I am way beyond over this cancer crap along with chemo. Just so tired.
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For my CT, they gave me the contrast thru' an IV, and I am sure it was to look at all the usual organs. Wonder why you are getting the drink instead of the injection?
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oh Diana, I feel for you!!! ((((hugs)))) yes drinking that contrast sounds horrible for you! Is there a nurse navigator or social worker at the center that could help you thru the scan day? A good friend or hubby that could be an advocate for you? When you are tired and sick everything feels like too much!
I've been MIA for about 3 weeks with an awful cold that settled right in my lungs. Was in the hospital for a day and night. Then dxed with asthmatic bronchitis. So had to do the week of prednisone (which I hate with a passion) nebulizers, and now an inhaler. All of which conspired to give me thrush. Which I also hate with a passion. I think I just got so knocked down emotionally and infected with some germ, that it grabbed hold of me and doesn't want to let go. Of course, having a horribly compromised immune system doesn't help at all. Anyway I am starting to get a little energy back. That ate up a lot of my January.
I have a couple of exercise DVDs. They are QIGONG. Which is about all I can handle. Even then the Crane walk is to much, ha ha. Anyway, one is called Dynamic Woman and talks all about the Uterine Place, but the instructor has such a camel toe I get really distracted. Don't they screen these things before they make them into a DVD that will last forever. It says on the cover
Be Strong Supple Sexy (well, I am none of those things) The other one is Wise Woman "Build Bones, Balance, Beauty" Needless to say I have not even looked at these on the shelf for 3 weeks. Maybe tomorrow............
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e, I have had a CT both ways. The one that I had to drink the drink was for my digestive system.
by the way, I love the picture up top!
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macatacmy- makes sense where I have mets in my abdomen. Going to ask today if there is something else I can take. Going today for chemo round ten. Would much rather stay home lol.
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Drose, oh man I would want to stay home, too!
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so I asked about the contrast for the Ct scan and told them it makes me vomit almost instantly. She said I can just drink water . If that is the case why do the have anyone drink the crap to begin with? Had the nausea shot again yesterday and it felt like a puncture wound. Asked the nurse the gauge of the needle and it's a 16. That explains it, ouch😢. First two weeks of February I have the bone and Ct scan, naphostomy tube exchange and two more rounds of chemo and then all the results. Looking forward to second half. DH is taking me on a mini vacation to Pennsylvania for our anniversary 💕. Got tickets to see Brad Paisley while we are there.
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Great anniversary plans to look forward to!
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Diana...Happy Anniversary, enjoy the concert you deserve it.........
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D-rose, I kind of figured they must have a "plan B" about the drink. Not like you would be the only one who would barf up that crap drink, so they had to have a few other ways to get the job done, didn't they? Agree with NM...it's nice to have something good waiting at the end of the scans and chemo, and you sure deserve it.
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Dianarose I don't understand why anyone would need to drink the others if they can do it just without. The things you learn as you start questioning medical standards. Elimar I love your skipping idea. Even if we can't literally skip we should skip in our hearts. Wondering if anyone has been prescribed Prolia (twice a year injection). 8% bone loss in my spine, so oncologist wants me to start. Insurance has a waiting period, which gave me a chance to do a bit of research and scare myself to death. But then I did a search of the side effects for Boniva and they are the same. Just wondering if anyone here has taken.
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I just joined this web site and was scanning the topics when I found this one. I'm 54 and was diagnosed at the end of November last year and had a double mastectomy two days before Christmas, and I am waiting to start chemo in about a week. To say I feel cheated about all of this would be an understatement! I am the person who never smoked, never drank, eats spinach and drinks carrot juice and does workouts every day. I have been a health/exercise nut most of my life. How did I end up here? I have worked 25 years at a job I really don't like that is male dominated, but can't quit because I am single and pay all the bills myself. I was just seeing light at the end of the tunnel as I could retire in about 4 years, but now not sure as I will need my medical coverage more than ever. I've yet to decide on reconstruction as I don't want to put my body through even more torture, and I can't help thinking that at my age reconstruction probably isn't important. But, the way I look right now really bothers me. I was planning a trip to Greece this year, but that's on hold now, too. I'm hoping that as time passes, and I get past the treatment, that the anger will fade and I will have a different outlook, but right now I'm struggling with everything.
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Zaranth, I think we all feel kind of like we got cheated at first. I went through the same lists of good behaviors with my oncologist (minus the health nut one) but all the rest, not a drinker, not a smoker, blah, blah, blah. My oncologist just looked at me and said, "the two most risky behaviors breast cancer patients do is being a woman and getting older. If you could have avoided those one of those two things you'd likely not be sitting here." So there we all sit. Check out the "starting chemo" boards as well. I'm sure they will help answer any questions you might have. Any board I've been a part of has been a real help to me, not just in answering questions, but in the fact they are, or have been, where you are now. Welcome, and wishing you all the best
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Zaranth, welcome! For what it's worth, I put off reconstruction for various reasons, and now it has been 5 years, and I really can't imagine ever doing it. It is definitely an adjustment, but you'll get there. As for Greece, make the trip! Dh and I went to Paris between my 5th and 6th chemo and it was great. Besides, you can visit me! Be happy to show you around.
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I total agree with you Zaranth, it is an unbelievable injustice that we are all here. I too, had to go through the stages of grief. For that matter, I still go through them from time to time. Allow yourself to do this, it is your right. But know you are not alone and people just like you are here to find a safe place to fall. I had a lumpectomy because I wasn't able to reconcile a mastectomy, three years later I am facing a recurrence and am regretting that decision. Recurrence is not comfirmed yet and I pray it isn't so, this is why I'm on these boards, because no one is my "world" quite understands my fear, my anguish, my anger, except maybe you. Hang in there
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Hi to the new members. I share your rage. I had regular mammos, but my C was never detected because it is "occult, amorphic" which means hidden, without shape. You can't even see it on digital mammos. The only way it was dx'd was thru dye infused CT scan. So, the beast had been living in me for God knows how long, and by the time I started having crippling back pain, I was too far gone. C is now in my spine, hips, pelvis, ribs, liver, pancreas, kidneys, abdominal wall, etc.
Pissed is the understatement of the century as I did everything right too. I had to quit a job I had for over 20 years because the pain is too much now. I'm only 58, but I feel like I'm 88. I have lost 2 inches in height because cancer has eaten up my spine, and I have to use a walker and canes to get around. I've also suffered several compression fractures in my ribs and spine.
Despite this living hell, I'm still here after almost a year. I just returned from Joshua Tree National Park (even tho it took a lot out of me and I had to camp out in my La-Z-Boy massage recliner for 2 days after), and I'm trying to make the best of whatever time I have left. Hopefully I will live long enough to see my DD graduate from college. No boyfriends on the horizon yet, so I might not make it to her wedding.
Pondering my compressed life...
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kkuziel - yes, there are quite a few of us on Prolia. There are several threads with details & questions & stories on BCO. I just had my second shot the first of this month. I have no discomfort or SEs from the shot. I did research and had any major dental issues taken care of before I started, and I understand I shouldn't have an extraction or an implant w/o waiting 6 months until the drug is out of my body. So far, so good. Of course since we can only get a DEXA scan every 2 years, I won't know for awhile if it's working. It's my understanding that the benefits/results take a while to show up anyway.
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Lita57, I don't even know what to say,wow? I hope your pain is controllable,I hope you continue to have the strength to do as much as possible. You are an inspiration to me, to say the least. ,
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Omg, if we could just drink water why do they make us drink that radioactive crap!
It's like at my 2nd pelvic ultrasound the tech says to me, oh honey you don't need to drink as much water as they tell you. You are too full! Sheesh!
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Kayla, thanks. Pain is getting worse. Next scan will tell the tale in 2 weeks. hope things aren't growing too much.
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Lita- you are my inspiration 👍. We have all been cheated! I was 43 when first diagnosed. Today is 3 days since my chemo number ten. I ache all over and my skin hurts over my entire body. Feels like a really bad sun burn. My fingers are stiff but I am determined to finish the scarf I am crocheting for my little grandson.
Zananth- do you know what kind of chemo you will be doing? I am on Taxol indefinitely 😢.
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Momine, I can't imagine travelling in the middle of chemo, good for you! I would probably catch some bug like I usually do on a long international flight. I will get to Greece some day, but it's going to take longer than I thought.
Lita57, you are amazing, and I don't think I would have the same courage or perseverance. You are an inspiration.
Kkuziel, thanks for putting it in perspective for me, you are right, cancer doesn't care what kind of life you live it will still pick you. My surgeon had a sense of humor about it when I complained about the not drinking/smoking he just laughed and said maybe you should have, then added "well maybe not the smoking".
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