Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

I second everything you have said Wren. Nuepogin is not as difficult I think as Nuelasta. The down side though is that you have to get a shot daily for seven days starting the day after your chemo tx. They are not difficult to administer -- can be done just like insulin injections. In the fatty tissues around the abdomen. Did have to take a fast-acting Tylenol about 15 mins. before the shot though. I gave myself these shots. Other than that ( and given the current situation that seems not a great suggestion at all ) I am not aware of any other remedies.

Hope you are able to get some good suggestions/answers for your Mom, tsp.

I can attest to the bone pain. I had neupogen and was able to cut the dose in half and still get the WBC nuetrofils up to where they needed to be without the bone pain. I gave myself the shots. I also had vomiting and diarrhea. The medicine that comes in suppositories worked the best because they don't go through the stomach. That way I could keep fluids down. I would get a second opinion about the need for chemo. Good luck.hugs to you and your mom.

When things are bad, we take comfort in the thought that they could always be worse. And when they are, we find hope in the thought that things are so bad they have to get better. -Malcolm S. Forbes

Cooler up here (reached 56 before it fell to our current 48) but still sunny today before the showers move in. Tonight will be our last low near freezing (they're predicting 33 away from the lake, but probably around 40 here); tomorrow chilly with a low of 38; and then by Sunday we can kiss the 30s and even low 40s goodbye. Tonight may be our last frost. So on Monday, the herbs will be repotted in larger containers and brought outdoors, and I will also buy my tomato plants. We head off to Boston (echocardiography course+all the lobster & oysters we can possibly consume) on Thursday for a few days.

May 11 is my show in Madison--first gig since Christmas. Still having wrist pain, but less than before. Still icing if swollen in late evening, then slathering on the Voltaren gel and sleeping in the brace. I think I can handle playing for an hour at a time if I use Voltaren or arnica gel immediately before and try to avoid playing barre chords. Kinda nervous, as I haven't even picked up a guitar or dulcimer (except to monitor my pain and range of motion) since I fell and then hurt my wrist opening a Tylenol bottle in Feb.

I now have a gig every weekend in June except the first one, which is Bob's 40th med school reunion in Seattle (but I doubt we'll go because it's too close on the heels of the Boston trip and I will probably need to be intensely practicing by then).

Yeah, the fried clams in New England are unlike those anywhere else--because they're whole "belly clams," not the frozen quahog strips.

You cannot fail at being yourself. A cat doesn't try to be a tiger, and you shouldn't try to be something you aren't. You are a process, not a product. Your job is to discover what you are and create that creature. You still won't be perfect, but success isn't about perfection--it is about authenticity. You are a success if you are being your real, authentic self. -Bernie Siegel

The tapestry of life continues to be woven. Occasionally a chance arises to repair an older, tattered piece of the weave. Something happens to jolt our awareness back in time to an event that resulted in tears and rips. With new, more mature vision, we see the circumstances in present time and have compassion for the unclear events of the past. While the new experience is being woven into the design, the old rip is simultaneously being repaired. All is well. -Bessie Senette

Interesting meal, Jackie. I've never eaten fried polenta with butter and syrup. Sounds tasty.

Another glorious day here. I'm not taking advantage of the opportunity to be outside. This morning I watched Sunday talk shows while doing some little chores. This afternoon I will do some cutting and sewing. A peaceful day.

Happy Sunday to all.

I like polenta with Parmesan cheese (even the little plastic cups of the pre-grated stuff that come with takeout Italian meals--good way to use it up, even on instant grits in the morning, if I don't want to waste the expensive stuff).

Still chilly here by the lake--mid-40s (got down near freezing overnight). The burbs and western parts of the city are looking at 70s, maybe even 80 by Tuesday. Forecasting 61 and windy for us tomorrow, then storms every day for the rest of the week. At least not snowstorms. We're leaving Fri. for a few days in Boston--hope they, too, have finally said goodbye to winter. (Still packing gloves, however).

Getting very frustrated with the growing limitations of my hands, partly from the spill I took in Feb. (and trying to open the painkiller bottle it necessitated) but now pain in my right index finger (the one that triggers in the morning). Been testing my L wrist daily, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt to play certain chords up the neck or barre chords. I can still do it if I ice at night and use heat and then analgesic gel before playing--the tough part is to not wince or grimace. Am performing in two weeks and then the last four weekends in June.

Beautiful roses, Lisa, but they are a big favorite of mine.

Mornin all,

tsp, I have no great advice for you and your mom, and I know I am coming in late here! But my best advice would be a second opinion, and a serious talk with her current Dr. Did he or she know about these side effects- are they common, if so, why weren’t you told? I have never heard of nueroendicrin breast cancer, and it sounds like I am not alone in that. Have you researched that here on BCO, or on another reputable source? I am really hoping you have already gotten some answers and both your mother and you are feeling better.

Last week my DD from Atlanta flew down to see my youngest daughter’s new home and especially her children. We had a good time, but on Sun, Nancy felt like she was getting a bad cold. By the time she flew home on Tues, she was miserable and I started getting the same symptoms. She had an awful cough by the time she got home and ended up at the Dr the next day, diagnosed with acute bronchitis an sinusitis. I had a clogged head. I was flying up to Atlanta on Fri, so figured I should see my Dr. She gave me steroids, and an antibiotic and told me to take mucinex, Claritin D , cough medicine and Flonase. By Thurs night I was miserable and the daughter I live with had to do most of my packing. When Nancy picked me up from the plane, I must have looked awful, because she said we had to get me home and into bed. No exaggeration, in less than ten minutes of arriving at her house, I was in my PJ’s and in bed, where I remained until yesterday morning. I got out of bed only to use the bathroom. It’s been a long time since I’ve been bedridden like this. I am feeling better but still have frequent severe coughing spells. The funny Part is hearing all kinds of funny noises when I breath. I was supposed to go with my SIL and grandson to start in emptying his dorm room. He only has one more test and one more project and he will be done with his first year of college. The school is 45 minutes away, and I don’t think being in a closed area with the two of them is the best idea

We were going there tohave lunch on campus, but I am so stuffy,I can’t taste anything- so I’ll stay put and let it them have some father/son bonding time.

Hoping everyone is healthy and enjoying some Spring weather

Anne

Anne, sure hope your meds kick in really hard for you. Thank goodness you got a bit of a head start. I do think the seasonal changes can bring on bronchial issues. You sound like you REALLY needed that rest and just hope you keep on improving.

Its another beauty of a day here. 70's today and 80's tomorrow. These temps now won't be consistent, but we should stay higher at least and with the night time temps. staying up for a change. All helps to get us thru Spring.

I am counting blessings. The other day when I took Dh to the eye Dr. at Marion, Il ( that 140 or 145 mile round trip ) we stopped part way home at a gas station. Running late before we left for Marion so all I had time for was a car wash. Well, my gas card wouldn't work right ( Dh used the wrong pin number ) and the man behind him was in such a hurry he paid for our gas. Not too bad as I don't usually let my tank get below half. My Aunt ( RIP ) always said it was easier to fill from the top half than the bottom and after all these yrs. and this newer car I've taken her advice. I was floored when Dh told me. I would have liked to have acknowledged him for the kindness but didn't know.

Now today Dr. B's wife called and said they had been given some gifts ( Omaha steaks ) and there were way too many and would I be interested in taking the excess off her hands. As we seldom even try to afford steaks here that was for sure a blessing. As well, I will get to visit with some of my favorite doggie pals too. So we will go over later and visit for a bit.

Went about three days ago and got a hair cut and perm. Wow !!! I was as shaggy as they come. Had let my hair grow for the winter knowing it would be cold this past one and so was well past due. Sure feels a lot better.

Does anyone have a good or favorite steak marinade? If you do would you mind sharing???

We did have a second opinion at The James Cancer Center in Columbus Ohio. Her current oncologist use to practice there also, so she is still in contact with them for my moms treatment. We did receive the pathology back from Columbus and it is "Neuroendocrine Cancer located in the breast", so not breast cancer. Her oncologist talked to the Neuroendocrine specialist at Columbus about her treatment also. The side effects she had her onc had never seen before. SHe just got out of the hospital Monday evening and is feeling a little bit better. She was extremely dehydrated, uncontrollable diarrhea, wasn't eating and has a hard time taking her pills. I am continuing to be the mother hen and try to get her to take her meds.

The most concerning part I guess for me was her behavior and personality change. Is this normal? She had no filter, She would call us kids at all times saying she need neosporin and bandaids, because I am sure the hospital did not have those. She continues to say her husband is mad at her and never coming to see her in the hospital, every time after he left. It was just not her and very off the wall.

She will start chemo again next Monday. They did say that they were going to premedicate her differently and cut back on the chemo drugs. I hope to goodness those work. She can't go through this again, and honestly she probably won't. Can't blame her though.

Please continue with the prayers and any suggestions you may have.

Storms make oaks take deeper root.
--George Herbert

tsp, Have them check your Mom for a urinary tract infection. Often the first symptom in older people is them sounding crazy. Easy to test for and easy to cure.