I had a mastectomy, right breast plus chemo 19 years ago. Thought I was done with breast cancer. August of this year went for yearly mammogram. They found something suspicious....did a surgical biopsy. Ended up having a mastectomy, am now on chemo. On the plus side, I never have to wear a bra again. (I'm old and wearing a bra is just a nuisance, not a thrill like when I got one as a teenager.) Please ladies, get a mammogram when you are whatever age it is recommended to do so and even when you're in your late 70s or if you discover a lump during a self exam....and please do a self exam when you are of an age when it's recommended. Getting chemo when you are in your late 70s seems a lot harder to tolerate than when you're younger but don't let that stop you from trying to catch it in early stages.
Thanks for sharing such inspiring experiences with us to encourage and guide us!
I am so sorry for all your sufferings - especially for the recurrence issue after 19 years of the original occurrence! However, I truly admire your wisdom, perseverance and courage to stay the course under challenging circumstances to fight the disease head on, and set a wonderful example for us. Thank you!
My prayers are with you all for a better journey ahead with hope, peace, love and joy to enjoy life and loved ones!
Had lumpectomy in 1994on right breast and took tamoxifen for 5 years. 2020 lumpectomy on left breast with chemo (not a reoccurrence). Taking tamoxifen for 5 was way worse than the chemo I had, which may have been a mild dose. I was in my late 70s. Not fun either way.
Had lumpectomy in 1994on right breast and took tamoxifen for 5 years. 2020 lumpectomy on left breast with chemo (not a reoccurrence). Taking tamoxifen for 5 was way worse than the chemo I had, which may have been a mild dose. I was in my late 70s. Not fun either way.
@pollyperf I'm finding that the Anastrozole and threat of osteoporosis following chemo and radiation is way harder than those were on me. I was very lucky during treatment but am having a hard time now. Nine months into the Anastrozole.
This is my first official post. I had DCIS in right breast 30 years ago and ILC 18 months ago, ER+, stage 2, node negative, in the left. It was not a recurrence. I had a mastectomy with the first one and no more treatment. Had a lumpectomy and radiation with the recent cancer but I declined taking anastrozole because I have osteopenia and fear for my bones. I exercise religiously and eat well, hoping it helps. I’m 79 years old and don’t want to live in pain from side effects so I declined further treatment. It’s a gamble.
I had a lumpectomy in 2014–so nearly 12 years. No recurrences.
I was Stage 1 with no lymph node involvement.
I get yearly mammograms and do monthly (mostly) breast checks.
I was originally treated with oral chemotherapy and radiation.
I had a lumpectomy in 2014–so nearly 12 years. No recurrences.
I was Stage 1 with no lymph node involvement.
I get yearly mammograms and do monthly (mostly) breast checks.
I was originally treated with oral chemotherapy and radiation.
I am a 26 year breast cancer survivor with no reoccurrence. I was diagnosed the same age my Mother died of breast cancer, 47. ( I did genetic testing and do not have BRCA mutations.)
I was stage 1 ER+ with no limp node involvement. I had a lumpectomy with a very small tumor with clear margins removed. I did 30 rounds of radiation and did 8 rounds of optional chemotherapy (CMF) I joke that I did the chemotherapy so I could get a year off of work. I had very little hair loss.
I did 5 years of Tamoxifen and 5 years letrozole. Of course I had side effects from the medications and treatment but I powered through to save my life. I had 3 teenage boys ( my Mother had 3 teenagers when she died) I wanted to see my sons grow up. I did everything my oncologist told me to do regardless of the medication side effects. In the beginning the side effects are difficult but tend to ease as your body adapts. I eat a really clean diet, lots of fruits and vegetables, some meat. My suggestion is to do the Chemo if it’s an option because I believe that’s why I’m here today. Hair loss is nothing compared to life loss. My friend with BC very similar to mine didn’t and is now gone. Also take the medications, fight the side effects. Remember you are fighting to save your life. I’m in good health today at 73 with 6 grandkids.
I am a 26 year breast cancer survivor with no reoccurrence. I was diagnosed the same age my Mother died of breast cancer, 47. ( I did genetic testing and do not have BRCA mutations.)
I was stage 1 ER+ with no limp node involvement. I had a lumpectomy with a very small tumor with clear margins removed. I did 30 rounds of radiation and did 8 rounds of optional chemotherapy (CMF) I joke that I did the chemotherapy so I could get a year off of work. I had very little hair loss.
I did 5 years of Tamoxifen and 5 years letrozole. Of course I had side effects from the medications and treatment but I powered through to save my life. I had 3 teenage boys ( my Mother had 3 teenagers when she died) I wanted to see my sons grow up. I did everything my oncologist told me to do regardless of the medication side effects. In the beginning the side effects are difficult but tend to ease as your body adapts. I eat a really clean diet, lots of fruits and vegetables, some meat. My suggestion is to do the Chemo if it’s an option because I believe that’s why I’m here today. Hair loss is nothing compared to life loss. My friend with BC very similar to mine didn’t and is now gone. Also take the medications, fight the side effects. Remember you are fighting to save your life. I’m in good health today at 73 with 6 grandkids.
@grandx6 Great news, I am glad you did all the treatments available. I lost all my hair when on chemo, not for breast cancer, did not bother me at all. Had to wear scarves and hats, it can get cold without hair on your head.
I had a mastectomy, right breast plus chemo 19 years ago. Thought I was done with breast cancer. August of this year went for yearly mammogram. They found something suspicious....did a surgical biopsy. Ended up having a mastectomy, am now on chemo. On the plus side, I never have to wear a bra again. (I'm old and wearing a bra is just a nuisance, not a thrill like when I got one as a teenager.) Please ladies, get a mammogram when you are whatever age it is recommended to do so and even when you're in your late 70s or if you discover a lump during a self exam....and please do a self exam when you are of an age when it's recommended. Getting chemo when you are in your late 70s seems a lot harder to tolerate than when you're younger but don't let that stop you from trying to catch it in early stages.
@kletrinka7, good advice. I can imagine it was a shock to find something suspicious after 19 years of no evidence of cancer. What chemotherapy are you on now? How are you doing with the side effects?
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@kletrinka7 :
Thanks for sharing such inspiring experiences with us to encourage and guide us!
I am so sorry for all your sufferings - especially for the recurrence issue after 19 years of the original occurrence! However, I truly admire your wisdom, perseverance and courage to stay the course under challenging circumstances to fight the disease head on, and set a wonderful example for us. Thank you!
My prayers are with you all for a better journey ahead with hope, peace, love and joy to enjoy life and loved ones!
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4 ReactionsThank you so much. When friends/relatives ask me what they can do, my answer is "Prayers are all I need."
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4 ReactionsHad lumpectomy in 1994on right breast and took tamoxifen for 5 years. 2020 lumpectomy on left breast with chemo (not a reoccurrence). Taking tamoxifen for 5 was way worse than the chemo I had, which may have been a mild dose. I was in my late 70s. Not fun either way.
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2 Reactions@pollyperf I'm finding that the Anastrozole and threat of osteoporosis following chemo and radiation is way harder than those were on me. I was very lucky during treatment but am having a hard time now. Nine months into the Anastrozole.
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3 ReactionsThis is my first official post. I had DCIS in right breast 30 years ago and ILC 18 months ago, ER+, stage 2, node negative, in the left. It was not a recurrence. I had a mastectomy with the first one and no more treatment. Had a lumpectomy and radiation with the recent cancer but I declined taking anastrozole because I have osteopenia and fear for my bones. I exercise religiously and eat well, hoping it helps. I’m 79 years old and don’t want to live in pain from side effects so I declined further treatment. It’s a gamble.
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Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsI had a lumpectomy in 2014–so nearly 12 years. No recurrences.
I was Stage 1 with no lymph node involvement.
I get yearly mammograms and do monthly (mostly) breast checks.
I was originally treated with oral chemotherapy and radiation.
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5 Reactions@5148branelly Most people do not get recurrencies, but those are the ones we hear about.
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6 ReactionsI am a 26 year breast cancer survivor with no reoccurrence. I was diagnosed the same age my Mother died of breast cancer, 47. ( I did genetic testing and do not have BRCA mutations.)
I was stage 1 ER+ with no limp node involvement. I had a lumpectomy with a very small tumor with clear margins removed. I did 30 rounds of radiation and did 8 rounds of optional chemotherapy (CMF) I joke that I did the chemotherapy so I could get a year off of work. I had very little hair loss.
I did 5 years of Tamoxifen and 5 years letrozole. Of course I had side effects from the medications and treatment but I powered through to save my life. I had 3 teenage boys ( my Mother had 3 teenagers when she died) I wanted to see my sons grow up. I did everything my oncologist told me to do regardless of the medication side effects. In the beginning the side effects are difficult but tend to ease as your body adapts. I eat a really clean diet, lots of fruits and vegetables, some meat. My suggestion is to do the Chemo if it’s an option because I believe that’s why I’m here today. Hair loss is nothing compared to life loss. My friend with BC very similar to mine didn’t and is now gone. Also take the medications, fight the side effects. Remember you are fighting to save your life. I’m in good health today at 73 with 6 grandkids.
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Hug
11 Reactions@grandx6 Great news, I am glad you did all the treatments available. I lost all my hair when on chemo, not for breast cancer, did not bother me at all. Had to wear scarves and hats, it can get cold without hair on your head.
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4 Reactions@kletrinka7, good advice. I can imagine it was a shock to find something suspicious after 19 years of no evidence of cancer. What chemotherapy are you on now? How are you doing with the side effects?
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