"Elderly" TNBC Women |
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nonna1642 
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Joined: Jan 17 2012 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 216 |
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 Posted: Aug 03 2013 at 7:42pm |
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HI grateful for today.....Judy
Thanks for your caring thoughts for my surgery. I start physical therapy next week so eventually I can type with both hands & drive again. I was a little nervous about the IV going into the vein in my neck but that was the only place they could put it. No IV's or BP's in arm on mastectomy side, surgery on right arm and hand and BP & massage cuff on left leg but I survived and am on the mend.. I am keeping you all in my thoughts & prayers.  nonna.......Barbara |
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Dx: age 70 IDC TNBC Grade 3 5/10 left mastectomy Stage IIB 5.1 cm no reconstruction followed by chemo of Taxotore & Cytoxin then radiation
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kaycee
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Joined: May 27 2010 Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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Posted: Aug 07 2013 at 1:18pm |
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Hi Nana Mimi,
I am also an adoptee from a closed adoption, and was initially denied coverage for BRCA testing. My oncologist wrote an appeal letter for me, and the insurance company reversed and paid for the test. If your doctor hasn't tried a written appeal, ask them to.
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DX age 54, lumpectomy, IDC,10mm, 0/10 nodes, Stage 1 Grade 2, ER-/PR-/HER2neu-, Ki-67 74%, BRCA negative, TCx4, 6 weeks rads
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Grateful for today
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Joined: Sep 21 2011 Location: U.S.A. Status: Offline Points: 1835 |
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Posted: Aug 14 2013 at 1:46am |
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Just a FYI:
For members on Medicare, if one meets Medicare's requirements for BRCA, Medicare will now cover the BART test. ( Per information on Myriad's website: (Would have preferred to give a Medicare info reference but could not find one.) (I am not recommending where one gets the test done. I am using Myriad statement only as a reference for BART and Medicare.) "Medicare Coverage Updated to Include the Large Rearrangement Test! The BRACAnalysis® Large Rearrangement Test (BARTTM) provides a way to detect large genomic rearrangements in BRCA1 and BRCA2 that are not identified as part of the BRACAnalysis sequencing test. Large rearrangement mutations account for 6-10% of all Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) mutations identifed. As of October 1, 2012, the Medicare coverage policy states*: “Comprehensive genetic testing of BRCA1 and BRCA2 includes full sequencing and detection of large genomic rearrangements.” BART testing will be covered for Medicare patients meeting one of the criteria for BRCA1/2 testing listed in the policy which is summarized below. The complete medical policy may be accessed on-line via the link on www.myriadpro.com/medicarecriteria https://d1izdzz43r5o67.cloudfront.net/insurance/BART_Medicare+092412.pdf If there is need for correction for what I posted above, please post. Grateful for today..............Judy |
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Nana Mimi
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Joined: Jun 14 2013 Location: Framingham, MA Status: Offline Points: 34 |
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Posted: Aug 14 2013 at 8:37am |
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Hello Kaycee,
Pleased to 'meet' you! You are the closest match to me I met so far! I am encouraged to hear that you got your BRCA testing covered. I will also appeal but not sure Medicare will go for it. Did you get your results (happy to hear it was negative!) before you appealed? The way it was explained to me by Myriad - I have testing done (I was also negative!) they submit the bill to Medicare and my secondary insurance, it get's denied, then I can appeal. A few days ago Myriad called to tell me my onc wants the BART added - another $700! After talking with the onc we decided to hold off and can have it done later by another lab- maybe for less $. The chances of being positive for BART after finding I'm BRCA negative are very, very small. What worries me is the chance of ovarian cancer that seems to go along with all of this. I can't seem to just take one day at a time. I still have 6 weeks of radiation treatments to get through. Thanks for sharing. Stay in touch we us here. Nana Mimi
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65 yrs old. Dx 5/13. IDCIS. TNBC. Lumpectomy 1.1cm clean margins. SNB 0/3. Stage 1. Grade 2. 4/4 rnds TC. Rad X 33. Done!
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MaryFox
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Joined: Aug 20 2013 Location: Vero Beach, FL Status: Offline Points: 46 |
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Posted: Aug 20 2013 at 7:53pm |
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I'm 70 (71 in November) and newly diagnosed. Have not yet had surgery or other treatment - that's coming next week.
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Lillie
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Joined: Jul 10 2009 Location: Eastern NC Status: Offline Points: 3616 |
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Posted: Aug 20 2013 at 8:44pm |
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Hi MaryFox,
Welcome to the TNBC site. So sorry you have a need to be here, but it's a good place, if you need it. Please keep us up to date on how your journey progresses, surgery, treatment, etc. I will keep you in my prayers. I know what a stressful time this is for you.
Love and God Bless,
Lillie
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Dx 6/06 age 65,IDC-TNBC
Stage IIb,Gr3,2cm,BRCA- 6/06 L/Mast/w/SNB,1of3 Nodes+ 6/06 Axl. 9 nodes- 8/8 thru 11/15 Chemo (Clin-Trial) DD A/Cx4 -- DD taxol+gemzar x4 No Rads. No RECON - 11/2018-12 yrs NED |
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nonna1642
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Joined: Jan 17 2012 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 216 |
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Posted: Aug 21 2013 at 8:40pm |
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Hi MaryFox,
Welcome. Sorry to hear of your diagnosis but everyone here is willing to help you through this. I was diagnosed at age 70 also & I am still here. Try to keep a positive attitude that can do wonders. I know that is hard but we are all keeping you in our prayers. Keep us posted.
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Dx: age 70 IDC TNBC Grade 3 5/10 left mastectomy Stage IIB 5.1 cm no reconstruction followed by chemo of Taxotore & Cytoxin then radiation
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Jacinta
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Joined: Mar 21 2016 Location: Irealnd Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: Mar 21 2016 at 5:36pm |
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Read all the posts on this topic even though they are a few years old. It is great to have a special TNBC thread for us over 60s. I have had a lumpectomy on 22nd Feb and am now waiting on ACT treatment. Hoping to fare out as well as all you ladies.
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Lillie
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Joined: Jul 10 2009 Location: Eastern NC Status: Offline Points: 3616 |
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Posted: Mar 21 2016 at 8:36pm |
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Hi Jacinta,
Praying that all goes well with you as you begin the ACT treatments. This is Lillie, diagnosed almost 10 years ago at age 65. Now 75 years old and still ticking. I pray you will fare as well as us 'other' ole ladies. Love, Lillie
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Dx 6/06 age 65,IDC-TNBC
Stage IIb,Gr3,2cm,BRCA- 6/06 L/Mast/w/SNB,1of3 Nodes+ 6/06 Axl. 9 nodes- 8/8 thru 11/15 Chemo (Clin-Trial) DD A/Cx4 -- DD taxol+gemzar x4 No Rads. No RECON - 11/2018-12 yrs NED |
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Jacinta
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Joined: Mar 21 2016 Location: Irealnd Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: Mar 22 2016 at 2:40am |
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Thank you Lillie, it is so encouraging to hear that you are ten years on. I am now 65 and if I live to 75 I will be so grateful. How did you get on with the chemo ?
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Lillie
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Joined: Jul 10 2009 Location: Eastern NC Status: Offline Points: 3616 |
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Posted: Mar 22 2016 at 9:54am |
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Jacinta, the chemo was a mix of rough days and not so rough days. I did A/C every other weeks for 4 cycles and then Taxol/Gemzar every other week for 4 cycles. I did tolerate the Taxol/Gemzar better than the A/C, all though it had its own side effects to deal with. Good luck with everything and keep posting.
God Bless, Lillie
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Dx 6/06 age 65,IDC-TNBC
Stage IIb,Gr3,2cm,BRCA- 6/06 L/Mast/w/SNB,1of3 Nodes+ 6/06 Axl. 9 nodes- 8/8 thru 11/15 Chemo (Clin-Trial) DD A/Cx4 -- DD taxol+gemzar x4 No Rads. No RECON - 11/2018-12 yrs NED |
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Jacinta
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Joined: Mar 21 2016 Location: Irealnd Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: Mar 22 2016 at 11:24am |
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Thanks Lillie, I am getting the AC for 12 weeks, 4 cycles with 3 weeks in between and then Taxol for twelve weeks once a week. I went to a counselling session this morning and I feel much better about everything now. I love the fact that you are 10 years on now, terrific.
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DianeS
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Joined: Mar 06 2016 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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Posted: Mar 24 2016 at 7:28pm |
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Hi Ladies-
My mom was diagnosed with TNBC in January 2016. She is stage 2A-Grade 3 - BRCA - she will be 82 in May. She was in great shape until this. Mom had a bilateral mastectomy on February 10. No chemo before surgery. she had a port put in and had her first chemo on March 10. One week after her first chemo treatment (TC), she went in for a blood test and was running a slight fever and had a terrible headache. Despite very low white blood cells (1.2) and neutrophils (0) - and indications of infection, she was sent home. That evening we called 911 because she was running 103. She was dehydrated, had a bacterial infection and neutropeic fever. She was in the hospital three days. We've changed to a new oncologist and he says that chemo was too aggressive for her and he is suggesting no chemo or possibly Taxol for 12 weeks. Anyone have any suggestions or know anyone that was diagnosed at this age? Also, any dietary suggestions? Thanks so much, Diane |
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Jacinta
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Joined: Mar 21 2016 Location: Irealnd Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: Mar 25 2016 at 2:47am |
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Sorry to hear your Mom isn't well. I have read up on chemo and it is quite common to get a temperature and infection while on it. I am surprised and disappointed though that she was sent home. A woman of her age, while healthy enough, would not be as well able for the same chemo as a younger woman. I am waiting on chemo myself starting in April. I am 65 and it scares me to think that things like this can happen. Hope your Mom improves with time.
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linette12857
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Joined: Apr 24 2016 Location: Austin Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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Posted: Apr 24 2016 at 5:30pm |
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Hi,
I was 58 when I was diagnosed, but turned 59 when I was completely diagnosed!! I was scheduled for clinical trials, and then my nephew got me into MD Anderson in Houston. I was able to have the genetic testing and because of that I am not a carrier. I have Triple Negative Stage 3C Invasive Ductal carcinoma. I'm currently on Taxol. Tuesday will be treatment #10. My issues are that I have had numerous back surgeries & nerve damage down my left leg to my toes. So some of the side effects are bothersome. I have it in the lymph nodes under my arm & under my clavicle. I have been told I will have 12 treatments of Taxol and then 4 treatments of AC. Then a lumpectomy followed by radiation. My tumor started at 2.0 and after about 5 treatments it went down to 1.19. This Tuesday I meet with my oncologist. I would like to know things like at what point do they operate? Will they do all of the treatments? I also had a scan and was lucky enough that it hadn't traveled anywhere else in my body. They will do that again. I'm going through a drawn out nasty divorce and then this happened. I do believe this is in God's hands. It would be nice if someone had the same thing as me, but just knowing that there are us "older gals" is nice to know too!!
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MLindaG
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Joined: Feb 16 2013 Location: Pittsburgh PA Status: Offline Points: 380 |
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Posted: Apr 24 2016 at 9:18pm |
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Hi linette, Looks like we are kind of similar.........my tumor was a bit bigger and I started with AC and then went to taxol for the 12 weeks. I also had cancer in my lymph under my arm but also in my chest wall. I had some problems with my feet and it has gotten somewhat better as time has gone on.......so I'm hopeful that some of that bothersome stuff will resolve in the future!! (Did you have toe nail loss.......I lost most of my toenails). I was 59 at diagnosis and was able to get the BRAC testing and ended up negative. I went through all the chemo before I had my lumpectomy and lymph removed. I think most of the time they want to see if the tumor will completely go away so the surgery will be less invasive. If you do it between (I've heard it does get done that way sometimes but not too often) you then have to recover from the surgery before starting the new chemo, During that time any residual cancer could start to grow plus you wouldn't know if the next chemo works for your cancer. I needed both to get rid of my cancer but I did get a PCR. After the completion of my chemo (Dec. 21st/2012) I was scheduled for surgery 1/15/13.......I had a lot of fluid retention and shortness of breath the last 6 weeks of taxol and they wanted it resolved, So I ended up waiting until 2/14/13 for my surgery. I was definitely better prepared for my surgery and while I was upset at the postponement at the time, in retrospect I was glad they waited until I was physically better. If you believe in your oncologist I would go with his/her recommendations. From everything I have heard and read MD Anderson is a great treatment center and is on the cutting edge of TNBC! Good luck! Sounds like you are doing great!
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Dx TNBC 6/12; age 59; Stage 3, Grade 3; 3.5 cm, 3/10 nodes + chest wall nodes; A/C x4, T x 12 completed 12/12 with PCR, 2/13/13 lump; IMRT Rads x 33 completed 5/22/13 BRCA 1 negative.
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Minigerkin
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Joined: Feb 12 2016 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 151 |
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Posted: Apr 25 2016 at 10:48am |
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Hi all,
I'll turn 50 in September. I finished all my tx two weeks ago. I had a lumpectomy first (clear margins, no nodes involved), then 4x A/C, 12x Taxol and 35x of radiation, and am BRAC neg. I have an appointment with my MO tomorrow for a review of treatments. I am a bit nervous and am hoping for a good report!
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Minigerkin
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linette12857
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Joined: Apr 24 2016 Location: Austin Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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Posted: Apr 25 2016 at 2:30pm |
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Hi MLindaG,
Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. I was so tired last night, and I had packed my computer away so I couldn't write back. I watch my nephews house & dog when he travels & I had an appointment with an opthamologist this morning because one of the side effects I'm having is blurred vision which has scared me to death. It turns out that my eyes are fine thank God. I found out that chemo can dry your eyes out, so I need to start putting in drops 3 times a day. My toes nails haven't fallen off at least not yet! Because of my numerous back surgeries & pinched nerve I have all kind of craziness down my left leg, & side effects that feel like thumb tacks in my heel. I have had migraines for years & now with chemo my head always feels weird & hurts. I get nose bleeds if I blow my nose too. Other than that I just don't feel the greatest sometimes & this is all on Taxol. It's really nice to talk to someone who has been through it. What is the radiation like? Does it hurt? Do you get side effects like chemo? Anyway. Thanks for responding back to me. Linette
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MLindaG
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Joined: Feb 16 2013 Location: Pittsburgh PA Status: Offline Points: 380 |
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Posted: Apr 25 2016 at 8:34pm |
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Linette,
No problem! It is interesting how everyone goes through chemo differently!! The head thing - chemo brain.......that will go away when you are done with chemo - I had it as well. Some of those young women who work the whole time just amaze me!! I did have a big difference in my eye sight during chemo but I didn't know anything about eye drops helping! I just wore my glasses a lot. I noticed a hard time writing - while I didn't lose any nails on my fingers they did not work correctly but after I got out of chemo they went back to normal thank goodness! (I figured it was a bit of neuropathy) Radiation had no side effects like chemo except being a bit tired and actually I didn't have much of that really. It does not hurt at all. I drove myself to my treatments........they took about 15 min.. I was surprised that with my skin type (reddish white skin that burns very easily) that I only got burned right around the 6 week mark and because of some allergies I couldn't use the standard treatment and it took about a week to clean up the burns with the alternative treatment so I could get the final 5 boosts They reduced the amount of rads and extended my time by a couple of days. I did end up 6 months later with frozen shoulder(scar tissue in the shoulder area) which they attributed to the Rads - I did PT for 4 weeks and the problem was resolved with no surgery. Again many don't get any burns and sail right through with no side effects other than being very tired. You'll be surprised how easy it is after what you've gone through with chemo. I was lucky that my white blood count never dipped too low and I never had to postpone my chemo treatments which I was thankful for.........I wanted to get my treatments on time! Good luck as you journey forward!! Linda
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Dx TNBC 6/12; age 59; Stage 3, Grade 3; 3.5 cm, 3/10 nodes + chest wall nodes; A/C x4, T x 12 completed 12/12 with PCR, 2/13/13 lump; IMRT Rads x 33 completed 5/22/13 BRCA 1 negative.
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