Hi everyone!
I’ve finally decided to add something to the site. I’ve been looking at eveyone’s messages since I was diagnosed in April (after a mammogram) and found them helpful and inspirational
I am 72 and probably one of the e
oldest contributors to the site! (or am I?) In many ways I feel guilty to be so worried about myself when so many of you are very young with families and careers etc. After all I have had a good and happy life so far.
However I want to be around for a bit longer yet to enjoy my family and see my grandchildren grow up.
I have been diagnosed with HER2 type and have had a mastectomy. I am fortunate that it has only spread to the sentinel node. I will be treated soon with Herceptin, FEC and Taxotere.
If there are any ladies who would like to share experiences I would find that really helpful.
With best wishes to all
hi daysy im 60 dont know if there is eny ladies of the same age as yourself but i to was diagnosed in april ER+ HER2- nodes clear didnt have to have mastectomy tho just waiting for rads to start got ct scan tomoz then i should know when thy start am on tamoxifen for 2 years then aromatase inhibitor for 3 years and yes i to felt guilty bein so worried about myself seeing how many young ladies with children were on here but no matter how old we are we still dont want this bc and want to be around to enjoy our children and grandchildren for along time hope ur treatment is going ok and use this site thy are very helpfull pam x
Hi Daysy
There is a post on here " More mature women post menopausal" It is in the undergoing treatment section and has quite a few ladies in their late 60’s posting on there. You should pop on and introduce yourself. I am sure you will be made most welcome.
Jill x x x
Hi Daysy,
I am 61 and have had mx, 3 Tax with Herceptin and 3 FEC and I am now on 3-weekly H until December. I started a 5-year course of Letrozole in March. Had no lymph node involvement but am still exhausted from chemo.
Good luck with your treatment and try not feel guilty. I, too, want to see my grandchildren grow up and that is what keeps me going. One day, I will be able to play with them without feeling drained afterwards. It is a long road…but we will get there.
Best wishes, Liz.
Thanks for messages. Will have another browse around the site.
Can I add you as a friend Pam?
Don’t know too much about using the site but I’m sure practice will help!! Thanks Jill for advice
Joycexxx
yes u can had me daysy. im new to this site myself like u just looked at the comments at first but am geting used to the site myself now pam xx
Hi, I’m 63 and was diagnosed in March. Had WLE and SNB in April which unfortunatley showed 4 further tumours. Had mastectomy just over 2 weeks ago and will now be having rads and Letrozole. Again when I read of all the younger ladies on here with young children I feel quite lucky that I have got to this age, but would also like to be around to see my 3 lovely grandchildren grow up. Patxx
Hi, Hope you don,t mind me joining you as a mature lady, I too would like to see my lovely grandchildren (and 1 great g.son) grow up), I am 2 weeks from my 67 birthday. DX with BC cancer and given date of surgery the day I went ‘with my lump’ in March, after triple test consultant found 2 lumps close together. I started on drug trial same week for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery. MX in April, results Intra Lobular BC grade 2, with 1 lymph node involved, ER +, HER -. Had axillery clearance in May but YIPEE no further spread, now waiting to see onc. 3 July for discsussion on chemo etc. Re. chemo could someone tell me what a ‘cold cap’ is, and how soon do you start to suffer hair loss? One of BC people (don,t remember who , I have seen so many, bit of a whirlwind at first, now down to a steady long wait) said I may be given the option, but if so don,t know how I would decide, can anyone say for or against? It seems quite a long wait from initial surgery to having any more hormone therapy so I do worry that any bits of cancer left may still be getting fed by hormones, Am I wrong in thinking this? My mother had BC (at same age as me) , had MX but no chemo, we lost her to secondaries just 5 years later, my sister went through the same at same age, but had the chemo, but sadly we also lost her to secondaries, again at just 5 years later, so one minute I say yes to chemo and in the next breath say no. Sometimes I wish I had kept my lump to myself and done nothing, I just don,t know from one day to the next! sorry , but thats how I am feeling at the moment. Pam
Hello My3girls
Welcome to the forums, this must be a very worrying time for you, I’m sure the users of the site will be along to support you soon.
Whilst waiting for replies maybe you would like to talk things through with a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.
Best wishes
June, moderator
Hi Pam (my3girls)
Glad you’ve joined the thread. We can be of such support to each other. So tragic to have lost both mum and sister to BC…but treatment is improving all the time. Have you got a good breast care nurse you can talk to? Or a MacMillan Counsellor. I expect different parts of the country offer varying services. I live in the North West
I too would like to know a bit about the “Cold Cap” I have said I’ll try it. You don’t have to carry on with it if you don’t want to. I’m told it isn’t always effective anyway. I’m going to get a glamourous (well not too!) wig. I don’t know when my Herceptin Treatment or Chemo will start but I see the Oncologist next Thursday.
Tomorrow I’m having a Heart Scan to make sure the old ticker can stand up to the treatment.
Sometimes I can’t believe I’ve actually developed BC. I’ve always been so healthy and fit. Just shows you should never take life for granted! I was on HRT for about 12 years and I guess that contributed to my BC developing
Best wishes to all you great ladies
Joycex
hi ladys well had me ct scan rads start 17th july oh and got me tattoos as well lol sorry my3girls u lost your mom and sister to bc i also lost a sister to bc she was only 46 but like daysy said tretment as improved alot pamx
Hi Girls, thanks for all your replies, sorry for slow reply, OH has taken me away for a few days complete with lap top but poor internet connection. I will ring the helpline when I get back, and hopefully kep in touch with everyone. good luck with all your treatments. Pam
Hi Daysy, I am 62 and am having chemo right now. I was first diagnosed at 39 but have had BC for 23 years in total. NOT that I am trying to win the Guinness Book of records…but wanted to tell you that there are a few of us older ladies on the site and you are not alone. I have no grandchildren yet as my two daughters seem to prefer cats! Oh well…I am sorry that you have had to join us but just wanted to say Hi. Love Val
Hi Scottishlass
Sorry not to have said hello before now…not been on the site for several days. It’s lovely to have your support and it gives me a lot of confidence that things will work out well in the end
I saw the onco. last Thursday and I’m now awaiting dates for chemo. I.e. 3 sessions of FEC and 3 of Tax and then 12 mths Herceptin! He even mentioned rads as well. It’s going to be a long year but just the chance to catch up on all those books I always said I’d read.
I’ve done well from 2 lots of surg. MX and Lymph Nodes removal And just have some pain and a burning sensation in my arm. Nothing to grumble about.
I hope your daughters live near so that they are able to visit and give moral support…though it sounds as if you are an old hand at chemo. Do you have any SE.?
My daughter lives 60 miles away and my 2 sons are in London (I’m in the NW) But they will all come up for a day or two if I need them. I’ve been a widow for nearly 28yrs so I’ve grown independent But there are times when only family will do!
I still feel the senior member of the thread! Or am I?
Good luck with the chemo. Appreciate your message. Would be pleased to hear from you anytime.
Love Joycexx
Hi Daysy- i’ve only just joined this thread: been posting for nearly 4 years since my diagnosis in 2008 but haven’t really come to terms with this new (and very slow!) website.
I’m now nearly 70 & after the usuual grotty treatment year (2 ops FEC & Tax & Rads) finished treatment in 2009. I’m now on Arimidex (hot sweats etc) but am otherwise OK apart from very thin hair. (well I’m half bald really!) .
I also have a daughter whose had bi=lateral BC (when she was 32 & 36) She too has done well thus far and is now 42 so we have much to be thankful for.
The original “Older Ladies” thread seemed to be taken over by younger woomen- ‘Older’ to me is Pensioners!
Very happy to offer support/share expereinces etc - I have found the forums very helpful to me - particulaly in the early days .
Hi Topsymo
Sorry to be so long responding to your kind message. Pleased to be in touch with you.
Good to hear positive news.
I did try to reply earlier but my message disappeared but no doubt it was my fault! I’m getting used to the forums but still a bit puzzled by some of the abbreviations used. But I’ll learn! I come from an era before computer and text “speak”
I’m still waiting to receive my chemo programme which will start in the next week or two.
Going out tonight for the first time for ages and am back driving. Yippee. Good news!!
Thanks again for your support. Will be in touch again
Best wishes Joyce
Hi DaySy/Joyce and topsymo,
I have one daughter who lives within walking distance but my elder daughter lives in South west France. My husband is such a suppost and always has been. I do not know if I would do so well without his love and help. He even changes the beds and does the ironing sometimes and he is a dab hand at cooking too. Tomorrow is his day off ( he is retired!) as he is going out walking with 2 of his friends. I cannot walk very far so this is when they can walk for mies and miles without me hindering him. They usually end up having a pint at the end of the walk and if they want dropped off at the start or end of the walk I am onoy happy to oblige.
My Mum died on 21st June and she was in a nursing home for a long time. Dad is still at his home and I have been bust doing all the things that need to be done after a bereavement. I am quite good at paperwork so not finding this a difficult task. My Dad sked me if I woud do it and was pleased to be abe to help. But now he is causing me extra work as he has started to do things I have already been dealing with and made an appointment with a Solicitor without asking me if that day suited me. I am on chemo and was in hospital all day yesterday having a blood transfusion so feeling moderatly irritated with him right now! He seems to think things need to be done NOW even although I have told him there is no rush and things are being dealt with. He went to the Bank the week after Mum died and they had him in an interview room for an hour! He was on his own. He doesn’t know what they told him except that he needed a Solicitor. He is deaf and didn’t have his hearing aid in! What can you do…oh well it wil sort itself out in the end. Oooooh Men! Love Val
Must be more tired than I htink. Sorry for all the typing errors. Night night!