So pleased to find some older women here, just diagnosed
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This discussion was created from comments split from: New diagnosis.
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I am pleased to find some other older women on here. I am 72 (don't feel it), diagnosed a couple of weeks or so ago and had surgery last Friday. The first days until core biopsy results were an absolute blur of fear, sadness and disbelief. Once I found out that the tumour was considered quite small and that the U/S didn't pick up anything in the lymph nodes I became a bit more rational. Post op biopsy showed clear margins around tumour and DCIS and clear nodes - good news! I am Oestrogen+ Progesterone- but unfortunately HER2+ and a grade 2/3 so it looks like I don't have a hope of avoiding Chemo. I was/am dreading it but seeing posts on here saying that side effects can be handled really well has given me hope that I have a good possibility of handling it despite my age. Not looking forward to the lack of hair but I guess it will be a small price to pay for the chance to live to the ripe old age I always anticipated. I am saddened by seeing so many young women facing this rotten disease and realize I am lucky to have avoided it as long as I have so shouldn't complain too much. It is still rather unreal and it is hard to see my loved ones worrying and of course fear of the unknown manages to surface regularly but taking it one day at a time and trying to stay positive. Next step is seeing an oncologist. I have read a lot of the posts and would like to thank all the ladies on here who have shared good advice and hope. It helps to know that I am not alone.6
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Sorry to see you here, @kamada - but you are in the right place for support and info - throw up any questions you may have. Great that the nodes are clear.
Where abouts are you (town/city?) as some of our members may know of support groups (or even live there!) It is great meeting up with our online buddies!
All the best with your oncologist meeting - do you have someone to attend with you, for support? Or record it on your phone as well?
Take care xx
@Giovanna_BCNA - maybe a separate thread for @kamada's story ?
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Hi @arpie! I am on the northside of Brisbane. Got a copy of final pathology report and all is as above except that a grade 3 but staged at 1a.
It is good to know exactly where I stand so a happy lady tonight. I am well supported at appts and have notes from them. I forgot to ask how long I should continue to wear my glamorous 😜post op bra after the lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. Could anyone give me a rough idea? Thank you for your time xx
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@kamada I only wore my 'post op' bra for a couple of days - but I am not 'overly endowed' and have never been a bra lady either. Mind you - I had my radiation 'on my tummy' (boob hanging thru a hole) as my tumour was behind the nipple - so that was interesting (and usually saved for 'well endowed' women!) I've only ever been a 34C! So it is totally up to you. My surgery scar was minimal as well, so not much rubbing there either. I had more pain from the sentinel node removal than anything (which was pulled out, not surgically removed, as I understand it!) It was Very numb under the arm for a while & more painful than the actual surgery site!
Try not to worry about the chemo too much (assuming you will have it.) Some don't lose all their hair (my husband's thinned badly, but he didn't lose all of it with his stomach cancer.) They have 'cold caps' these days as well! They are better at delivering doses now & some people even 'work thru it' as well!! I was lucky & avoided chemo - just having surgery & rads - but others will be able to help you on the chemo front, I reckon, as they find your post.
Yep - try not to overthink it - as you say, just take one day at a time. Keep busy doing stuff that you love doing - and it keeps your mind active.
Take care & alll the best xx
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I wore mine for a couple of days then switched (when I had to wear something) to a Kmart AhBra knockoff.1
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All options will be presented to you after the surgeon and a few oncology doctors have gotten together to figure out what is the most suitable treatment to go on with. It's not just the decision of one or two, there are usually specialists from neighboring treatment areas as well. It is your choice in the end.2
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@kamada I have copied this text from the BCNA website about the berlei post op bra: It is designed to cover the post surgery period of up to 12 weeks and can be worn during radiation treatment.
I had a lumpectomy in Dec '17 & my scar is right under my boob. My surgeon also took some tissue from below my breast to fill in my gap so the area under my boob is still a little sensitive. This is why I still wear my post op bra as it is sooooo comfortable. As i have always been small breasted, i usually get away with crop tops at home which are also very comfortable but I still use the berlei post op bra when I need to.
Good luck & take one step at a time. You will have many friends here that have been through it all so you will always be supported by those of us who have 'walked before you'. Love to you xx1 -
I'm still only wearing my Berlei bras 😂😂 my poor husband. LOL. I bought their surgery sports bras too!1
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Thank you ladies! @arpie I also had a smile at your description of your radiation pose because I immediately had a mental picture of me in that pose 😳 - I could be described as well endowed! 😂 It looks like it is a personal preference as to how long to wear the bra so I will go with that. I suspect I will end up like @Anne65 and @youngdogmum - I’m enjoying the comfort and not missing wires etc one little bit. This warm welcoming community that reaches out to
help others while dealing with their own illness really demonstrates the best side of human nature - you are all pretty special people. ❤️4 -
I am also 72 I'm up for surgery on Tuesday no-one has mentioned wearing a bra to bed, I am rather heavy and I can see the purpose of it. I know it is only panic rising at the moment as I have been madly searching for, how wide is a clear margin and it was 2mm now my mind is running free with senarios. Good to hear your doing so well looking forward to being the same.1
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haha, @kamada - the funniest bit was that I kept trying to get off whilst the machine was still high up in the sky (to get the machine underneath to access my boob!) They threatened to put a seat belt on me (cos I would 'slide off' face down, feeling for the floor with my feet, rather than trying to sit up & spin round - cos my arthritis made that difficult!)
We also have a couple of humorous posts here, that will give you a giggle - feel free to add to them with anything that tickles your fancy!
You will find many 'silly situations' that you get into like this that will bring a smile to your face now & then!
All the best for your surgery on Tues, @Pip47 - I wore my bra to bed for the first couple of nights, as 'wound protection' as much as anything else! Here's a few things to consider taking with you to hospital - the ear plugs & eye mask were essential as hospitals are full of lights & very noisy, even at night!
Comfort in bed - if still cold- Fluffy blanket or wrap or large cotton scarf to keep your shoulders warm
- Favourite pillow or triangle pillow - great to support the affected arm
- Ear plugs to block out noise and eye mask to block out lights
- Zip front jacket or track suit
- Easy to slip on shoes or slippers
- Light dressing gown & Button up PJ's/night dress
- Loose comfy pants trousers - easy to put on the next day.
- Facial wipes to freshen up without a shower
- Dry shampoo is great until you can have a shower and wash your hair
- Lip balm for dry lips in air conditioning
- Nice body wash or soap and moisturizer
- Small manicure kit and small mirror
- Medications you are currently taking in their original packaging
- Drink bottle with a sipper top (easier than cup and straw)
- Snacks for in between meals
- Your preferred tea bags/coffe etc
- Note pad or diary and pen to record your experiences
- A kindle or magazines/puzzles
- IPad/iPod with music, movies and games (don't forget earphones and chargers)
- Phone (charger and extension cord so can reach if on charge)
- Meditation app on phone
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Hello @Pip47 and welcome! My surgeon told me to wear a post op bra day and night for at least the first five days after surgery to aid healing. I bought a Berlei Y130W post op bra and found it really supportive in the first week or so especially in the car. I have some target wireless soft bras that are fine now that I am further along with the healing. Good luck with the op - I found it very easy. I didn’t even need pain killers afterwards. As everyone here says it is waiting for those definitive pathology results that is the hardest bit. I kept saying that nothing I did or felt was going to make any difference to what they would be and telling myself that they have very effective treatments for all scenarios now. It did help most of the time. I also look forward to hearing that you are doing well - we 47ers have to stick together! As for your added details @arpie I had a good giggle. I can just picture it happening! 😂
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Yes, @kamada - the waiting for everything is the 'worst'! And clutching the pillow to your chest as you are driven home is great advice, as a shock absorber! Also, being VERY aware of any 'rough roads' when you ARE allowed to drive again - I used to clutch my boob in known 'pot hole areas' to minimise pain from bouncing for some 4 weeks after surgery.
Using a small pillow to elevate the 'affected arm' (if you sleep on your side) can also assist in getting to sleep, as sleeping on your tummy is usually restricted for some time post op!1
