Over 70 years old starting Chemo

shortshot80) Nancy, Well now I am 84 and have just started chemo. I would like to think that the chemo will help distroy the cancer in my leftt lung. It won't help the other lung, But it might slow it down so I can live a longer life. I was informed I had the two kinds of lung cancer in January 2016. Mesothelioma in my left lung and plain old cancer in the other. I had radiation on my right lung. Well the radiation shattered the cancer in the right lung, cause ing me to have a
really bad time of breathing. Doc's put me on some breathing medication and oxygen at night. I have had just on treatment of chemo, I believe it has helped and along with the other medication. I am happy I can "breathe" I hope to live a long time yet, but if the chemo is the way.....So Be It" I can still do many things and still keep out of trouble...I will have my second treatment on November 28. I am happy to attend this life saving treatment. Nancy

MaryKay63, I am shortshot80) I am so sorry that you have this disease. This stuff isn't for sissy's. Hopefully the path will be a little easier for you in the future. I know that my status will change for me as I go through the next chemo on the 28th. But I have to look at the basket on great, beautiful, crazy hats that friends have given to me. By golly I will wear a diffeernt hat to anything I go to. I wear them to church, and guess what I get another hat. I think my count is 38 or 39. and none match anything, but I don't care. When I found out I had the lung cancers (2) I cut my hair off. Talked to my pastor, have the support of the church and friends. I don't need my hair to define me. Also I found I had skin cancer right in the middle of my forehead. That was removed a week ago last Monday. I will have all the tiny stitches out on the 27th. One thing that has helped me not be so tired is the oxygen at night. That might be a thought for you to check.
Blessings and Power to you MaryKat. Just don't give up! Fight the whole way! (shortshot80)Nancy

Hi Glori
I live inCape Town South Africa. At 70 I was diagnosed with aggressive ovarian cancer which had spread to lymph nodes and my omentum.
I had a hysterectomy and 6 sessions of chemotherapy with three weeks in between each session.
I was surprised that getting the chemotherapy through a drip for two hours every three weeks was fine. I sat in a lounger reading or chatting with fellow patients in a big light room with experienced caring nurses. There is no pain associated with it.
The next days or so I was tired and sometimes nauseous. They give you anti nausea pills to take with you. You can also take medical marijuana if your state allows, against nausea.
It is a journey that has an end point.
I also went on a diet, which I am still on, of no breads, milk products, sugar products, preserved or smoked foods. Also vitamin c drips every two weeks and anti cancer supplements.
I have just come home from hospital after a preventative double mastectomy because I and my children carry the BRCA2 gene.
I am now 72.
It is easier I think if you have a support system.
Go for if you can.
Life is a precious gift. I want to know that I have done as much as I can to preserve my life, when I die.
Wishing you strength
Love from across the oceans
Dawn

shortshot80) Nancy, Well now I am 84 and have just started chemo. I would like to think that the chemo will help distroy the cancer in my leftt lung. It won't help the other lung, But it might slow it down so I can live a longer life. I was informed I had the two kinds of lung cancer in January 2016. Mesothelioma in my left lung and plain old cancer in the other. I had radiation on my right lung. Well the radiation shattered the cancer in the right lung, cause ing me to have a
really bad time of breathing. Doc's put me on some breathing medication and oxygen at night. I have had just on treatment of chemo, I believe it has helped and along with the other medication. I am happy I can "breathe" I hope to live a long time yet, but if the chemo is the way.....So Be It" I can still do many things and still keep out of trouble...I will have my second treatment on November 28. I am happy to attend this life saving treatment. Nancy

I am 70 years old and was diagnosed with metaplastic squamous cell carcinoma in my right breast last July. I should add that I am BRCA 2. The tumor was stage 2 grade 3. I received a second opinion from Mayo and received great information. I chose to have a lumpectomy which was done in August at Mayo. I found an oncologist locally who would collaborate with the Mayo oncologist who recommended adriamycin and cytoxan after an echocardiogram to evaluate my baseline heart function. I am having 4 rounds of chemo over three months. So far I started losing my hair during the first round, somI had my head shaved and I either wear a wig or hat —-friends have bestowed many hats and I love them all. During the second round, I experienced nausea almost the whole time—which was not fun and I lost my appetite. Carnation Instant Breakfast was my friend! During this third round I have had no nausea! The consistent side effect has been tiredness but it is manageable by taking naps and recognizing that I have energy limitations. During round 2 and 3 I had acupuncture the day after chemo. I also have had a massage during the first week after treatment. I will have a series of 20 radiation treatments at the University of Iowa starting the middle of December.
Hope that helps.