Hi @honeym I’m so pleased that you had a good outcome even though it involved a mastectomy which can be very upsetting. I also had a good experience with the clinical staff, in 2022, who were trying to catch up after the COVID lockdowns. The admin side of things was absolutely shambolic however and I felt for anyone not as assertive as I am and for those for whom English is not their first language. But I got through it and out the other side and have two more annual mammograms to go before being signed off. I wish you all the best with Tamoxifen. I did 3 out of 5 years on Letrozole but gave it up at 70 due to cognitive decline issues. Sometimes you just have to retake a gamble.
1 Like
Hi, I was very similar to you. Diagnosed Oct 2024 when I was 68. I had a lumpectomy and 5 sessions of radiotherapy. Just turned 70 last month. I was on Letrozole for about 8 months, then had 3 months off after bad side effects, then on Tamoxifen for about 4 and a half months now, but have just sustained a mysterious knee injury while crouching down to a cupboard which is the culmination of fairly bad leg pain in both legs. How did you fare with it?
Hi Elli and everyone.
I had shock news in January this year. I have Lobular Breast Cancer. It was not picked up by the routine mammogram. It wasnt a lump. So it got big before I noticed it. 9cm. Then it was 4 weeks from GP to mastectomy on 19th Feb this year.
Huge life changer. But it explained the chronic fatigue that I had been having for months.
Still waiting for my treatment plan. Started with saroma (fluid build up) at the weekend. So I swish around when I move. Very odd feeling. This could hinder Radiotherapy I am told. 
. Fingers crossed it goes.
I live each day as it comes. At 63 funnily I never missed my breast going. The scar is neat. At my age who needs breasts anyway
.
Ive been very realistic. I live on my own. I rest when I need to. My friends have texted me every week. Some pop in regularly. Many have health issues to cope with themselves. Or they have other relatives/friends who need their time more. So I dont worry or get annoyed when they cant come round. Some days I tell them not to visit, as I just want to rest. Id rather go out for a coffee. Get away from four walls. Better than having to tidy up and make the coffee 
Im not fooled by fluctuating energy levels. Nor mood swings. But I just bow down to all the young ladies having to go through this. At my age its easier to just “get on”, “stiff upper lip”. I was brought up in that era. But goodness, to have young families, to want to marry, working full time, paying bills, having all the modern day pressures I never had to care about…social media??? Losing a breast, going through treatment is beyond huge. I understand the anxiety, the worry, the unknown. The worry about so many things that “are so real, so painful, so frightening”.
I can stay in bed and sleep. I can leave the housework till another day. I dont have to get up and go to work, be there for children and husbands. I can be totally indulging. I dont care if I am lopsided. But my heart reaches out to all of you who do.
I have my battles, my tears, my sleepless night. But I do my exercices. Eat well. See friends. Watch films and eat chocolate. Life is not always good. Other problems come to bite us hard. Thats life.
But goodness, I want to give everyone a huge hug. But especially to those young ladies who have so many other challenges, worries, fears. I understand how anxiety inducing this whole thing is. Losing a breast at 30 must be devastating. The unknown re jobs/future, is scary. I understand how completely different your experiences must be to mine. My hat goes off to you all. You are true gems.
The shock of diagnosis?? We can never plan for that. What gets me through??? I plan. I research. I learn about what works, what are the pitfalls. I face my worst fears with defiance/caution/respect/acceptance. I meditate/deep breath nothing heavy. I relax. Be kind to myself. Im human.
I said goodby to my breast. I checked out other ladies experiences. Wow. I admire all you ladies who are going through tough times.
I dont need to be a martyre. I am fine if I cry. Or get angry. Or feel stressed. Its tough. Its scary. Its anxiety inducing. Its just turned our lives upside down. Theres no shame in saying it is hard. Noone fails. We are all strong women, even on our bad days. We can beat this.
Sending hugs and strength and kindness your way.
5 Likes
Hi all, just reading this thread. Lovely to meet you all, and I have posted on the HER2 buddies thread, and the Feb chemo starters,
I am also an ‘older’ lady (65), and whilst I live with my daughter, she helps when she needs to, but works long hours, and stays at her Dads a bit, so I have a lot of alone time, which I don’t mind. I have wonderful friends who check in daily, and do the chemo stints with me, and come to appointments. I am so lucky to have these very special women in my life.
I have a T2 N0 cancer, but as we know as we go down the cancer road, nothing is a given.
I found the first chemo round brutal, I am on TCH with zolendronic acid, and I’m dreading number 2 tomorrow. I estimate my hair will be gone in another week, and Ii have a nice wig to pick up on Thursday.
So hello older ladies! Love and healing from Angie xx
1 Like
@poppy261 thank you for sharing. Respect for your honest and authentic reply. Let’s all rock on!
@angepange1 how was number 2? Hope it doesn’t get any worse
Hi @ellie2 , well, I didn’t mention that I have controlled Atrial Fibulation, well, it was under control until last night! I ended up on NHS 111 call around 7pm and had to go to the UTC local as heart rate was so high. Anyway they were good, dealt with me quickly because of the chemotherapy, and I was home again in 2.5 hours. It was caused by the chemotherapy, and I always knew it would bring my AF back, as they warned me it could. So, whilst I’m still in AF, the rate has now dropped to something sensible. I’ll get more calls tomorrow no doubt. I think this is what makes it more of a challenge physically when you’re older. The chances that you have another health condition that causes issues. Anyway, I’ll keep you posted! You’ll be sick of my tales! No sickness yet, but we will see! Lots of love xx
1 Like
And I agree with @poppy261 , the challenges faced by some of the younger ladies, with the mental health issues this must raise must be devastating. I just can’t imagine how hard that would be. Loads of love to everyone going down this road. Xx
1 Like
@angepange1 must be very worrying. I hope it settles down. Sending healing hugs.
Please tell me about your tum pains and throat.
And please WhatsApp if you want to.
I’m just laying in bed so not busy!
Haha.
Xx
That could be on a thread and not a pm.
I’m a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to the phone!
Xx
Sending all you lovely ladies a huge hug and hope all your extra health challenges settle down soon.
Make sure you rest and are kind to yourselves.
Thinking of you all. 