More mature post menopausal women

[Jenny065]

Hello Poemsgalore,   Lovely to see you on line,  I don't come on so often now.  Sorry about the aches and pains,  but good to hear that you are still plodding on. I go to have my tattoo colour topped up sometime soon- very happy with the outcome.  Just had an epiduarl into my spine this morning, so hopefully will get less pain in the back or is it that I am a pain in the neck now for my long suffering husband. Just have to see my GP as the Doc today said I need a bone density check.   Mmmmm   anything else ?/    O and my lovely new car  of  5 months  has a faikled air con system.  It is all hot and boythered.

Take Care everyone,  as always sending some warm Huggles to those that need them.

Jenny/

[Jo_BCC]

Hi Poems!

Good to see you back posting on the forums.  And good to hear you're keeping 'plodding on'.

Take good care of yourself.

Jo, Moderator

[poemsgalore]

WOW, recognise many of the names on here. I've just noticed my last post was last year!! Haven't been on these forums since them. Hope everyone is reasonably well. Apart from another Bronchiectasis exacerbation at the end of April, beginning of May, I'm still plodding on. Lungs not as good as before, joints not as good either. Mysterious pain in my spine, ribs and hips. I think it might be the Anastrazole causing it. Hope so anyway as there are so many worse things it could be. 

[Kayteeb53]

I came off Anastrozole because I ached all over. My hands were cramped all the time. Doctor put me on Letrozole but that was worse as my hands became numb. Now 2 weeks on tamoxifen. Hands not recovered yet but maybe a bit early x

[minimouse54]

hi ladys , im on anastrozole for 7 months and  the pain iv had and heart feels like its racing .iv had a word with my surgen and iv stoped taking it for two weeks need  something different as anyone felt like their heart was racing on anastrozole? love too know  happy new year to you all xx

[Kayteeb53]

Hi Melena, how you getting on with Letrozole? Am swapping from anastrozole to Letrozole due to bad joint pains x

[Melena]

Morning All,

How is everyone? I am not liking these dark mornings and short days, still it will soon be Christmas and I will have my beutiful grandson to cuddle. He has not been well, they think he is intolerent to lactose so he he is on a new milk for a while.

We have all been down with a virus but are on the up again now thatnk goodness.

I have finally lost 7lbs after about 6 months, I am really pleased with myself. At this rate I may have lost a stone by this time next year lol.

I still get the flushes from taking Letrozole but does anyone find that they get hot often?

bye for now

Take care all

[venice25]

hi poemsgalore

how are you doing ?Gill

[Melena]

I try to get cuddles but granddad gets there first lol. Hope your results come back ok.

[Jenny065]

Hi Melena,  Congrats. thats wonderful news, hope you get lots of cuddles. Of course he is gorgeous, -just like his gran. 

Hope evryone is ok.

I went for my annual mammogram & MRI on Friday,  now playing the waiting game for about 2-3 weeks.

So think it is a bit foggy in my tunnel just at present. but my gorgeous g.kids soon cheer me up.

Sending lots of Huggles to everyone.

Jenny. x

[Melena]

Morning everyone, hope you all remembered to put your clocks back.

Well I have good news my grandson Oliver James has arrived. He was born 23rd October and weighed 7lbs 13oz. Ofcourse he is gorgeous He is the light at the end of our tunnel.

[poemsgalore]

No itching Jenny, which is wonderful, as you can imagine after 15 months of sheer torture.

Gill, thank you for your kind thoughts. Sadly there is no recovery for RA or Rheumatoid Vasculitis, it will be here forever but hopefully kept under control. I am gradually coming down from the infusions, but will be on steroid tablets at least until Jan/Feb along with DMARDS including Methotrexate injections on a weekly basis. 

BUT NOT ITCHING ANY MORE!! YAY!! 

[venice25]

Hi Poemsgalore

Glad to hear from you, hope your recovery is speedy with good results love Gill    

[Jenny065]

Hello Kath, What a week you must of had, just hope next week is a better one for you. Is the itching still easier, bet that helps a lot. Just take it easy and enjoy a cup of tea. 

Huggles, Jenny.x 

[poemsgalore]

I have to say that having 3x1,000ml infusions of any drug over 3 days (3,000mls altogether) has left me feeling very weird, extraordinarily tired, with episodes of 'roid rage'. But I'll get over it...lol

[Melena]

Hello Poems, glad you have not many side effects, hope this continues. Just keep on going on, we are all with you.xxx

[TaylorJ]

Hi Kath, glad to hear that you have had no nasty side effects, hope this continues. Also hope that your new cocktail of meds brings you relief without any issues. Great news that your itching has stopped, take care and keep us posted.

[poemsgalore]

Thanks ladies, two infusions down one to go. Yesterday I felt a bit hyper, with a metallic taste in my mouth. Didn't expect to get much sleep, but did. Today I have no side effects as yet, and hope to sleep well tonight too. No hospital tomorrow, back on Thursday for the final one, then back on Prednisolone tablets 30mg (6 a day), along with Methotrexate injections weekly when they are delivered, folic acid every day except methotrexate day to prevent SEs from that, 20mg Leflunomide daily, 30mg Lanzoprozole and at the moment, Co codomol as I have sciatica too. 

Good news is - I DON'T ITCH ANY MORE - YAY!!

[Jenny065]

Hello Kath,  Hope all goes well tomorrow and Tuesday, i will be thinking of you,  Take care,

Huggles- Jenny.x

[venice25]

Hi Poemsgalore

thinking of you tomorrow hope all goes well love Gill

[Kayteeb53]

Bless you Kath, hope all goes well and you are fighting fit in no time x

[venice25]

Hello Poemsgalore

really sorry to hear about you having more treatment, but like you say this may sort your problems out. I do hope the infusions dont come with too many side effects wishing you well and thinking of you let us know how your feeling love Gill 

[Jenny065]

Hello Ladies,  Well this more mature lady is up on cloud 9,  I put in for one of the tickets for the BCC Fashion show  AND  can't believe it- I have been lucky to get one.  Do you think this justifies a shopping spree for a smart dress ?  I have never been to anything like this, what an experience, I am so lucky.

Hope you are all good, Jenny. 

[Melena]

Sorry to hear your news. I hope the treatment sorts you out.

[Jenny065]

Hello Kath,  so sorry to hear your news, but lets hope that the infusions help and that they can get it under control for you,  It has been such a long time that you have not been well.

take care and let us know how things go.

Sending lots of warm Huggles  Jenny.

[poemsgalore]

Thanks Taylor, 

Got my head round it now, but it will seem odd having infusions again - bit like chemo - with similar side effects too. Not looking forward to the sleeplessness bit. xx

[TaylorJ]

Am so sorry to hear your news but hope that the treatment finally gives you some respite. Take care and keep us posted. Xx

[poemsgalore]

Bad news for me this week. Rheumatologist tells me I have Vasculitis which is causing nodular prurigo and lichen simplex (itching) and can also affect my kidneys and other organs and could prove fatal. I have to have 3 Methylprednisolone infusions on Monday 29th September, Tuesday 30th September and Thursay 30th October, then start 20ml Methotrexate injections weekly. Not happy. I was supposed to have an appointment with my oncologist on 30th. This has had to be cancelled and another one made at a later date. So fed up now. But hopefully this might sort all my ongoing problems that I've had since chemo ended on 23rd May 2013 - yes, i've been sufferering for that long!!! 

[Jenny065]

Melena. So pleased your check went well, and also that you are feeling a little better, 5lbs in 6 months, that is about my rate as well, very frustrating especially when some ladies  loose 3 0r 4 lbs a week etc. Just felt like giving up this week, but have tried to be very careful, we did go out for a lovely carvery with friends last night and I did have dessert and 2 drinks. I get weighed tomorrow. hopefully the 3 hours gardening today will offset the dessert etc!!   I am hoping to hear about the gym referral this week, but won't be holding my breath, it has taken weeks . 

Take Care everyone,Huggles- jenny.

[Melena]

Poems what a beutiful poem. Jenny keep going with your weight loss. I know how you feel I battle with it all the time. It has taken me at least six months to lose 5lbs. I am begining to feel fitter at the moment so find if I walk as much as I can I lose a little more.

Went for my check up this week and all fine. i go back in six months, so thats one less worry at the moment.

[Jenny065]

Poems, that is so beautiful, and what a lovely name, I bet she is a gorgeous girl. 16- don't they grow up quickly. 

Melena, you sound as if you have a wonderful family, 

we have just one daughter, and 4 grandchildren, She was fantastic all through my operations etc,and the grandchildren give me such pleasure, as you say, keep me going.. we have the 6yr old this evening, I have done my reading and practised my spellings..

I thought I had reached a good  point and was moving forward, and putting the BC and evrything linked to it behind me, but had a bit of a hiccup again,  have been trying to loose weight, worked hard at tracked everthing I ate last week and did 2 days in the garden, only to find that I had put on a lb. felt really fedup, just feel that it is a loosing battle, my GP has suggested a gym referral, but that was about 6 weeks ago,so far not heard anything.- frustrating as I had got myself ready to give it a go. ( Ooops sorry for winge) . 

Huggles to you both.

Jenny.

[venice25]

hi poemsgalore

love your poem, my daughter is 26 no signs of marriage she has just bought a dog I hope this isnt going to be a replacement grandchild lol

[poemsgalore]

Jenny, my Willow is 16 and extra special as she has learning difficulties. I wrote this poem for her:

Willow

So fair and graceful, the Willow Tree,
its beauty and gentleness, all can see.
Its slender boughs trail by the waterside
serene and restful, brings joy to my eyes.
And yet there's no Willow that grows by water
as gentle and kind as my granddaughter.
With dark, dark eyes and tendril curls
she sweetly smiles, and fills my world
with love forever, and grandmother's arms
will always hold close her treasured charms.

[Melena]

Hiya Jenny and poems. hope your x ray comes back ok Jenny.Thanks for your kind words.

Yes Jenny he will be our first grandchild although my son has two step daughthers. They were teenagers when they met. One is 16yrs now and the other nearly 21yrs but they are lovely girls and call us grandma and grandad. the oldest has a little girl so we are also step great grandparents. We enjoy seeing them and love them but I think your very own are special especially the first and we seemed to have waited such a long time for one. Our daughter who is having the baby is our youngest and will 31yrs when he is born. It is also exciting.

When I was going through the treatment my son and his partner got engaged and will get married next August so that gave me hope. Then our youngest daughter got engaged at the new year and now the baby so it has been a roller coaster of ups and downs over the last year. Our oldest girl has been a tower of strength.

Take care all xx

[Jenny065]

Hello Melena,  What lovely news, is that your first grandchild?  as Poems says, it is a very special moment. Hope mum and bump are both ok , and do let us know when he arrives, I have 4 grandchildren and get lots of special moments with them .Today we had the 2 boys for a few hours, and had to drop the 8yr old off at a party. Grandad went to walk him in, I said about going as well and was greeted with -quite politely, well if you have to Gran.-think someone is growing up. so of course I didn't embaress him.  The other two are girls- one almost 11 yrs, the other just 8 months. 

Hope all goes well on the 19th. 

Poems- so nice to hear from you, bet your grandaughter gets spoilt with  6 boys. but isn't it  a joy.

Hope you are ok, 

I get my chest x-ray results on Weds - if they have been sent to GP. 

Huggles to you all,

Jenny.

[poemsgalore]

Hi Melena

Congratulations of the forthcoming birth of your grandson. It's a very special moment, and one you will never forget. I have 7 - 6 boys and one girl. 

Wishing you good luck with your checkup. My second mammogram is in December, with breast check in January. Not even thinking of it right now. It's good to hear you are feeling well - long may it last.

poemsgalore xx 

[Melena]

Morning everyone, I am feeling pretty good at the moment. I go for a checkup on 19th at the breast clinic, only with the breast nurse this time.

I think sometimes our heads play tricks with us. I think we shouldn't feel this good but I do. I look back to last year when I was diagnosed and remember when I heard the name cancer. I thought this is it my life is over. However I am here. I imagine you all feel like me sometimes when I wonder if it will come back but those thoughts are getting less and less. Hopefully I am here for a few years yet.

I wil be a granma in five weeks and can't wait to hold my grandson in my arms.

I wish you all well and hope things are good for you all too.

Melena xxx

[Jenny065]

Hello ladies, Can I spread a little cheer- I   had appt with my consultant on Thurs,  he is very pleased with how things look, scars reducing nicely and shape good- his words, he was also very pleased to see me smiling, last few visits I had been in tears, ,  he does not need to see me again, except in about 6 months to sort out a bubble and dent in left side- lipo on the NHS- unbelievable. I have appt with my GP on Tues- bit apprehensive, and appt with my lovely counsellor on Friday- hopefully last one.  so finally starting to feel like ME  old or new.  Ribs have mended and I ventured into the swimming pool with grand children last week, even the baby,   .  So I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, it has been a long and bumpy journey, and couldn't see this day even a few weeks ago, it just seemed dark and endless, but with a lot of help from my wonderful team at the hospital  and all my lovely friends on here I have found the sunshine, (well not literally as it is very wet and windy outside)

I do hope that you are all ok, and   as always sending warm huggles .

Jenny.

[poemsgalore]

I was given my follow up appointment on the day I got my surgery results. The mammogram letter arrive by post closer to the  time. Surgery was December 12th 2012. Mammogram was in December 2013, breast check in January 2014.

[CassieB]

I've been told that my first mammogram will be 12 months after my op which should be Feb 15. I've already got my follow up appointment booked for March 15 but no date for the mam.

[venice25]

thanks busyanne for the reply.It is 6 months since finishing rads now I,will just have to wait and see

and when I do get the appointment I will be a quivering wreck Regards Gill  

[busyanne]

Venice25, I was diagnosed in Feb 13 had the works and radiation ended around November 2013.  I had my first mammogram post treatment in May 14 as you need to have at least six months margin since radiation as the mammogram is also a form of radiation.  Timescales may differ from area to area but on the whole there  needs to be at least a gap of six months following radiation ending.  Regards

[venice25]

hi not sure where i should post but here goes i was diagnosed june 2013 had WLE,chemo rads and on anastrazol . I havent got a date for a ist mammogram my bcn says it will be 1 year after finishing rads which will be feb 2015 is this correct regards Gill

[Annie62]

Hi Sheelagh, (and hello again Poemsgalore!)

I too had an mx last June plus chemo and rads.  Have had my first year check ups but still waiting for the mammogram results three weeks on!  I'm on letrozole as well, and have found that taking it around teatime seems to stave off the lows and helps me sleep better (although up at least twice a night for the loo...)

I'm 63 and have two granddaughters.

Will keep looking in as it certainly is good to hear from other more mature women in our position.

Annie

[poemsgalore]

Hello Sheelagh,

Welcome to the land of NED, older post menopausal women and grandmotherhood. I have 7, 6 boys and one darling girl. My five children are aged between 31 and 44. I'm on Anastrazole. You will find this thread sometimes disappears down a rabbit hole as we don't tend to post that often - too busy leading full lives, or just sleeping lol.

[Melena]

Hiya janet,

I am 60yrs old. I had a mx last June  and also had chemo and RADs I have had my first year check up although I got a scare as they recalled me but luckily all was well. I am married have three children in their 30s.

I am taking Letrozole and some days it makes me feel down but am doing ok. I am going to be a grandma for the first time this year and am really looking forward to it. Life is good at the moment. It is good to hear from mature ladies.

Sheelagh

[Jenny065]

Hello Ladies, I have just found this thread, and would like to join you as I'm now 66, (some days I think the numbers are upside down--99 )   I have just read your letter Poems, -brilliant,  I have been writing down some of my thoughts and feelings over the last few weeks,  so may do the same.  

Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine,

Huggles Jenny xx

[Kayteeb53]

Thanks Poems

[poemsgalore]

I've written a letter to my body, if you'd like to read it, you will find it here:

http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/body-image-after-breast-cancer/write-letter-your-body/write-lette...

pg xx