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New to this forum: Who else made it through chemo (in their 70s)?
I'm pretty new here - learning and lurking until now. It's heartening to hear the stories of so many women dealing with the same or similar situations. My admiration to all!
My 73rd birthday is in September. Since I've been pretty much keeping my diagnosis to myself, which is ridiculously isolating, I'm particularly encouraged to hear from so many contributors in the over-65 demographic. I've followed the traditional course of biopsy, surgery, radiation (proton) and endocrine therapy. However, I'm left in a quandary as my current Onc, who was "on the fence" re: chemo, is now telling me, weeks later, he does not support it for me. Not because it will not provide benefit (my Oncotype dx is very high) but due to age, comorbidities (I have a mild ILD and an autoimmune) and whatever other factors he has gleaned over just 2 visits. I know it can take a huge toll on an aging body, making it difficult to judge the risk/reward ratio. I'd love to hear from those who "chemoed" and what the experience was like for you. Certainly never thought I'd be advocating for Chemotherapy for myself but here we are. I want to give this my best shot, not be left with coulda/shoulda and hopefully see my very young grandbabies reach kindergarten! Onc has never spoken with my pulmonologist or done any kind of geriatric workup. He is highly regarded in the area so I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt but aside from a lackadaisical approach (I think he may be retiring soon) I'm just not getting the vibe he is out for my best welfare. So, today I start the hunt for a new Oncologist. Apologies for the windy reply. I've been holding thoughts in for far too long!
On another note, has anyway come across any credible information on DIM supplements, the use of Curcumin, etc.
And I'd love to hear from the gorgeous women in their 70s who have successfully (hug) made it through Chemo!
Thanks for listening, Laura
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Hello Laura, are you a candidate for any clinical trials? Good things are happening in that space. Good for you to get a second opinion!
I was diagnosed with TNBC at 69 a year ago April. I had DX and taxol chemo, lumpectomy, 15 rounds of radiation, and Xeloda for only four rounds because I couldn't take the side effects. Every person reacts so differently to treatments, but you would make it through it! One foot in front of the other right?
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3 ReactionsI was 75 when I was diagnosed with a hormone driven breast cancer. I did radiation and a lumpectomy but chemotherapy was not recommended. I could not tolerate the aromatese inhibitors so went the natural route and I am still cancer free from that HOWEVER, at 78 I developed a completely unrelated breast cancer in the same breast (ductal), which is aggressive so I am in my 3rd month of chemotherapy and later will have a masectomy. The new cancer did not show up on a mammogram I had 2 months earlier. I went to my surgeon and asked for a needle biopsy of that breast because the breast was deforming. The results came back positive.
The chemotherapy has been really tough at 78. The fatigue is debilitating most of the time. I lost all my hair and my aging skin has blotches and scabs from the chemo. I will get through the side effects, but truthfully it's the hardest thing I've ever done in my life and that includes having two home deliveries without an epidural or drugs. Having babies at home seems like a piece of cake compared to chemotherapy side effects.
I made the right choice for myself in doing chemo as I feel I've upped my survival rate and most of the side effects will eventually clear up or not be a major problem as they are now.
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8 ReactionsI was 74 when diagnosed with stage 2 on the right breast. Because of Onco score of 46 I did chemo an unsuccessful Savy for 41/2 days. It was then removed and I had to do 37 radiation txs. Got through it and at the end of the chemo husband diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. He passed in 2021. Was able to take care of myself and him as well and I am still here 7 years later. You can do it and it will be successful.
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8 ReactionsGood for you for shopping around for the right fit with your oncologist. I am a decade younger and unfortunately, was not able to tolerate chemo so stopped. But that said, I saw plenty of older people in the infusion center doing just fine. I think it is an individual thing. In contrast, radiation was a breeze for me. One thing to keep in mind is that you may be at higher risk for certain side effects of certain chemos after doing rads - at least, per my radiation oncologist. Oncologists like to do the treatment in a certain order - chemo first, then rads, etc. I don't know that this is a hard and fast rule, though, but something to ask about. I have seen patients get chemo and rads at the same time.
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1 ReactionI did have chemo and then followed a month later with the radiation. I actually. a much harder time with the radiation. I have torn rotator cuffs and keeping my arm over my head for 20 minutes was more torture than the chemo. And chemo was once a week every other week for 12 treatments radiation was five days a week for 37 treatments. As I said in an earlier post now, I just pray a lot because really would not want to go through either one again, especially at my age.
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2 ReactionsThat's awesome! Your doing so well is one for the textbooks! Congratulations, and big hugs.
Laura - I think it is so sad where we are in medicine at this point. I, too, know an oncologist who doesn't do his homework and I'm pretty shocked about the impact on patients. He literally wanted to rearrange my schedule last time by seeing him first and having the tests afterwards. I said "No! What good would it do to have the tests after he's already gone for the day and I have to drive hours to get home, not knowing what my results are??" Seriously, there are many really good doctors but some really not-so-good ones, too. I am making a permanent change next week.
I'm sorry you are going through that. It never hurts to get a second opinion, by the way. Insurance will usually pay for it, at least in my case they have.