For those of you interested in reading about famous people with breast cancer, here's a link to get you started:
ranker.com/list/famous-peop...
Not wanting to be too morbid, I hasten to point out that the link will also connect you to other lists such as those who survived breast cancer.
Thank you, Hazel! My aim and goal is to reach ninety and none that I could see, did that. I am not sure how it makes me feel.
Hi J-J,
Your reply prompted me to go through the list mentioned (all 312 individuals). I too didn't find anyone who made 90, but there were a few over 80. The best was #120 Jeanne Bates who was 89 when she died, but was still working as a movie actor in her 80's. The second best at age 88 was #259 Eleanor Dapkus, who originally was a pitcher for an All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
It seems these famous people all have write-ups on Wikipedia but the few I read did not mention when they were first diagnosed with MBC, or BC, for that matter.
I too am aiming for 90, but would be pleased with anything over 80. As I'm currently 75, this only means another 5 years. I'm mainly concerned with the quality of my remaining years so am being very cautious about checking research on any treatments prescribed for me.
Thanks for your reply,
Cheers,
Cindy
Dear CindyI may be the oldest living thing on this forum. When I was seventy-eight, I thought I was the healthiest person that I knew. That included my kids. Then, boom, in 2015, I was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer with twelve HER2 lymph nodes involved, treated with chemotherapy, targeted therapy and surgery. Also, there was a lesion in my liver which , more recently, grew at an alarming rate to be diagnosed as MBC, over a year ago. Five weeks ago,, that lesion which had been reduced by Letrozole therapy, had suddenly grown again and was removed by microwave surgery. I have a host of side effects. So what! I am not taking any cancer drugs for a while to give my body healing time. I consider myself to be cancer free although the doctors insist that I am still MBC. I may not restart therapy for a while. I have told everyone, family and friends, my aim and goal in life is to die of old age, not cancer. I am eighty three, pushing eighty-four hard. My birthday in April 16. I own a small motorhome which I drive myself,. I go wherever I
want , often solo.. I have two international trips booked. Before covid13, I lead a very active life. Today, the second vaccine dose will set me free. I will get back off my couch and I will try to take up my wonderfully active life again. Now you know why I scanned all those dying ages so carefully. I am aiming to defy the odds. How about you/?
jersey-jazz,
All I can say is .... WOW! GOOD for you, for having such SPIRIT!
Happy “84th,” a wee bit early!
Best,
Colleen
Thank you, Colleen~. I appreciate all the good wishes, vibes and prayers I am fortunate to receive. I need all the help I can get because I've been sitting on the couch way too much during this pandemic.
jersey-jazz,
Yes, me too. I cannot even tell you how many knitted items I have made this year, during the quarentine. My doctor commented that I need to walk more, which is challenging since I am also recovering from a very severe case of Guillan-Barre’ Syndrome. I know that movement and exercise are very important in preventing cancer. I was VERY active, like you, before my GBS. I intend to drive again also.
Stay strong! Are you in/from New Jersey?
Best,
Colleen
Dear Colleen I know about Guillan-Barrre Syndrome disease and it does not take any prisoners. One of my best and continuing friends had a severe case about twenty years ago. She was transported to a hospital in Edinburgh where we visited her. She asked my husband to pick up her right leg and move it over to the middle of the bed! Her mobility was impacted permanently. but she carries on. I'm sorry that you are suffering from it along with MBC. What a bitch!
Yes, I am from NJ. I grew up in Ridgewood, lived in Scotland for many years and now reside in Sussex County, NJ, happily.
Dear J-J,
I wonder whether you are the oldest. When I ask this site to sort members similar to me, your name doesn't come up. It seems those "similar to me" are all in the same decade?? Do tell me if you find any closer in age to yours. It seems that you were already 77 when you were first diagnosed! Was it called MBC then, given the liver lesion, or were you treated for early breast cancer? My last CT scan showed something suspicious on the liver so I'm now scheduled for yet another MRI, and a possible liver biopsy thereafter. Microwave surgery has not been mentioned, but, since I wasn't even offered radiotherapy this time around, I'm not holding my breath.
I much enjoyed your reply! I like the idea of your giving your body "healing time". Before all this push to put everyone on drugs, women did die of old age, and cancer was sometimes found in their bodies after the fact. Some of us do have "indolent disease". As I mentioned above, the quality of my remaining life is my main concern, not simple survival. I have a husband, no children, so my "grandkids" (there are three girls and a boy, five to seven years old) are all described as "adoptive". They might miss me a bit, but they also have "real" grandparents.
I too wish to resume international travel. I haven't booked any trips yet. Where are you headed? I also have some writing I'd like to accomplish before I pass on. I left quite a few tasks to old age so I too want to defy the odds! It's great you've now had both vaccine doses. I'm going for the first one this evening. Happily, Saskatchewan got its act together, and is busily innoculating everyone over 70.
Regards,
Cindy
Sorry for the delayed reply. Luckily, I am having a reaction to my second Moderna vaccine, yesterday. My thigh has a big swollen knot in it which shows that this mama has some fight in her immune system. (I had my vaccines in my thigh because of lymphadema in both upper arms). I am also quite nauseous. Answer to question #1, I was seventy-eight when diagnosed.
Answer to question @2., about whether it was BC or MBC, the doctors would say, "Yes and No but don't quote me.". The liver lesion was there when I was found to have bilateral breast cancer with two different types of cancer going on at the same time and with probable HER2 cancer in axillary lymph nodes. The lesion was there when the diagnosis happened which was done when I showed the doctor the lumps in both breasts. and she found the lumps in my right arm pit. Then, when, in December 2019, the scan showed a doubling in size of the lesion/tumor in the liver and the New Year's Eve biopsy revealed malignancy, both oncologists mentioned that I probably had Stage 4 from the beginning. Maybe yes, maybe no.
Answer to question #3, about travel, a subject that I can think, plan and talk about all day. I have a cruise for Nov 30 2021, from Santiago Chile to Buenos Aires Argentina. In July 2022, I am planning a trip from Newark or NYC to Istanbul to take a trip that I have longed to take for many years which is to go around the Black Sea. I want to visit those wonderful cities that are on the Black Sea and are in five different countries. The Black Sea part begins from July 30 and is booked. The trip from the USA is not booked yet but is in the works.
Since I am late in answering, you will have your first vaccine dose. How did it go? Did you breathe a big sigh of relief? Are you having any reaction?
I like your way of welcoming a reaction to the vaccine. Surely, if positive outlook carries the day, you are a winner! Congratulations to New Jersey for getting second doses out efficiently! It may be up to four months for the second dose here in Saskatchewan.
I think it is likely a positive in your case that you were 78 before being diagnosed, but then to have such a range of types! I wonder if some day, the conclusion will be that some forms of cancer are in keeping with the aging of the body. We really do have to depend on the biologists to figure out how the human body actually works! Certainly, our physicians are doing their best, but they simply don't know, and only follow oncological guidelines.
Outside of long car trips in North America, my husband and I left most international trips until I retired in 2013. We did go to Italy on our own in 2009, and took two separate tours to Switzerland and Turkey in 2012, but the remainder were between 2014 (Budapest - Airbnb, Croatia-yacht tour) and 2019 (Amsterdam-Airbnb, Poland-tour). In between, we were in Paris, India, Portugal, and Ecuador. They were all good trips, but the most memorable tour for me was the three-week one I did with Road Scholar, without David (he wasn't interested), to "the Stans" and Iran in October, 2014. The people of Iran found our group (me & 13 Americans) fascinating, wanting to hear about life in North America.
The trips you have planned both sound very interesting. When we were in Turkey, besides Istanbul, we visited (by bus) Bursa, Ankara, Nerseher (whirling dervishes), Goreme, Ozbonak, Antalya, Ephesus (Mother Mary's house), and the Gallipoli penisula, but didn't go east to the Black Sea. We've only been to Ecuador in South America. There is so much world to visit that I really regret being so preoccupied with work, house and family most of my life.
I'd be interested in hearing more about your planned trips.
Regards,
Cindy
Dear Cindy. Believe me, NJ does not have it together as regards the vaccine. I and anyone I know including most of my grandchildren could have organized it better. It is so catch as catch can. I had to resort to acting as if I were very old, decrepit, confused, and wasn't sure that I could turn on the computer that they knew I had. Once you get the first vaccine, though, the second one is booked three or four weeks from that day. I would really like to swap stories with you about Turkey and other places you have travelled to.. It is so wonderful that we both have had such good fortune to be able to travel as much as we have.
Now that I think I know your name is Francis, I also think we should trade emails. I've not figured it out yet, but I think there is a way of doing this privately via HealthUnlocked. Let me know if you're interested😊😊. Cindy
Dear Hazelgreen. This shall be done! XXX OOO
I had to laugh at your description of what it took to get your first vaccine appointment. Saskatchewan has decided to give the first dose to as many people as possible before worrying about second doses. Apparently, we might wait up to four months before hearing about second doses.
Ironic. I had my first Pfizer injection on March 17th. I did it online (large chain drug store) and the online scheduling made you set up for 2nd shot. I just realized the other day that my second shot is scheduled for 4/14 and I thought with Pfizer you have to get it 21 days after (Moderna, 28 days) so I was worried and called (and was on hold a long time) only to be told that 29 days is fine.
I live alone and have nobody close by so I was thinking/hoping that bc my body is on Verzenio and the injections that maybe I would not feel the side effects as much. My friends that are healthy and had their vaccinations before me (they worked for Board of Education or in a hospital) most of them were knocked out by the second injection with an average of two days. I was thinking bc they were healthy that their immune systems were full force trying to fight it. Well, I guess I just have to make sure I have food in the house bc I am going to be alone. After all this time, I can deal with two days of feeling like crap to wipe this virus out.
P.S. I agree with you that the older you are, the slower the cancer grows and also the more cancer you are likely to get. That is what I thought but the liver lesion grew at an alarming rate.
Aren't you worried about medical expenses overseas? I read it is very very expensive and obviously my US medical would not work overseas.
For some unknown reason, I am not worried about medical expenses, overseas. Before any travel out of the country, I intend to try to get health insurance coverage.. If that is not possible, then I will go anyway.
Hi Jersey-Jazz,
You might be the oldest but you are also probably the spunkiest. I think your decision to let your body heal and not do any more drugs is a brave one and probably a really good one. If you believe you are healthy and feel okay then you are probably healthy. Our doctors don't seem to believe we can heal. I still believe we can. So I hope you have many more wonderful years on the road enjoying your motor home. You are such in inspiration. Hugs and happy trails. Marlene
Thank you, Marlene! As of 2/11/21, I have the added issue of pernicious enemia which means that I have shot of B12, every week. So, to my knowledge, there is no other variable weighing in on my energy level. On Tuesday of this week, I was able to get though the day without collapsing around 3pm or 4pm and having trouble actually getting back up for rest of the day. I am continuing to feel better. The B12 is working and I am feeling human again without Letrozole! Thank you for your good wishes. That motorhome is within my sight and beckoning me.I am in total agreement with you that the body wants to heal itself and, often, it can.
XXX OOO
Hi again Jersey-Jazz. I am looking forward to you sending up up dates on your travels in your motor home. Hugs and good wishes will follow you if I know where you are going. Stay in touch. Hugs Marlene
Dear Marlene. That is so sweet! I am busy booking rallies here in the States and will let you know my plans. Thank you for being interested. Where do you live? Perhaps you might be able to join me for a little camping trip.Frances
Hi Frances,
I live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. It is so kind of you to offer that I join you on a camping trip but right now I don't go far from home. Most of the time I feel quite well but I do get tired easily and always feel safest close to home. Of course, the COVID virus has further hampered my desire to travel. But my husband and I will be vaccinated soon and will be taking short jaunts to see how that goes. We now have our covid vaccine appointments so will feel safer.
Frances, if you ever plan to come to Vancouver Island let me know. You can come and visit me. You are such a dear inspiring soul and I would love to meet you. Hugs Marlene
Maybe, Marlene, if Francis visits you on Vancouver Island, you can suggest that she should visit me in Saskatoon along the way....👍👍
Frances, I just read an interesting article in an old Eat Well 2005 magazine about the health benefits of watermelon. I always thought of watermelon as fairy food - just delicious to eat but mostly consisting of sugar water. Well apparently this is not the case. I print this blurb for you and all our other wonderful ladies who wish to get well and stay well. I know that many of us are all taking an interest in our diets in the hope of defeating cancer. And I suppose others in by gone days also wanted to be healthy. Because apparently Mark Twain praised the goodness of Watermelon. According to Mark Twain "Watermelon is the chief of this world's luxuries, king by the grace of God over all the fruits of the earth. When one has tasted it he knows what the angels eat". I don't know if Mark Twain was aware that watermelon was nourishing but he obviously loved it. A blurb in my old Eat Well magazine says that 'watermelon averages 40 percent more of the cancer fighter lycopene per serving than tomatoes. And the lycopene in watermelon is bio-available without cooking. It is relatively stable when the fruit is stored in the refrigerator. A 1-cup serving of watermelon also provides 10 percent of the daily value for vitamin A, 12 percent of the daily value for Vitamin C, along with vitamin B6, beta carotene, thiamin and potassium'. So I am now going to treat watermelon with more respect and eat lots of it. Apparently, 1 cup has 46 calories, 0.2g of fat, 11g of carbohydrate, 0.6g of fiber and 12 mg of Viatmin C.
Many years ago my husband and I went to Costa Rica for dental work. The hotel we stayed at served watermelon juice every morning with our breakfast. It makes a lovely drink but I never thought of it as particularly nourishing. Now I plan to make it at home. Now it can take its place on my breakfast table.
So with summer on the horizon I think all of us should include this wonderful, nourishing food to our diet. I am also noticing that since I am asking my body to heal I am finding mysterious messages turning up like the one about watermelon in an old magazine. It is as if the gods are helping and guiding me. I like to think that is what is happening. I am letting go of my rigid thinking and asking my brain and body to go to work for me.
Hope you don't mind my rambling. Hugs and kisses to all you spirited ladies. Marlene
Thanks for sharing this interesting reading, Marlene!
This interesting and welcoming entry prompts me to comment about the wonderful writings, and writers, we are so lucky to have in our group. It's too bad watermelons are out of season. You may have put a run on the market. You made my mouth water for watermelon.
Thank you for your invitation. My husband Duncan and I were camping in Vancouver Island back around the mid-nineties. They had slaughtered the trees and put up convenient signs excusing themselves and explaining how more trees would grow in their place. I would love to revisit the island again to see the trees replenished. It is a dream of mine. I would certainly take you up on your invitation if I ever did. Because my husband Duncan has passed, I am only half a team that got on planes with their tent and their Coleman stove, the same team that drove an eighteen year old VW camper van all over Europe and N Africa. It probably won't happen but I continue to dream. Since I was young, I have wanted to drive up the Alcan Highway to Alaska. Twenty years ago, I printed up all the ferry crossing timetables for the ferries on the inland waterways. Three years ago, I traded my big Class A Winnebago for the smaller Thor Siesta with a diesel engine. It is good on fuel milage and very easy to drive.
This is a real ramble, off the subject of MBC which is always the darkness n the back of our mind.
You are living how I believe to be the best way to live even if you are diagnosed with MBC. Live in the moment and sounds like you have a great positive outlook. Covid hit us all hard. I cannot wait to get my second vaccine and even then it may be a while, but I cant wait until we no longer have to wear masks and that NYC is bustling again. I would have no problems traveling, I just didn't make alot of good financial decisions and didn't count on getting cancer so no money for trips anymore but I am sure I could not afford the cost of medical to go overseas. Now, just having a barbecue with friends in their backyard and not having to social distance or wear masks will be such a treat.
Also, many of those ladies it was years and years ago way before all the new drugs that they have out now. Can't compare it. Years ago, women did die quicker bc they did not have the treatment options and meds that are available so I would not even compare myself to them. It goes to show you how far they have come with MBC.
It would have been interesting if the author had broken down the results by decades to see the decline in numbers. Just as a representative population, the “famous people” who have succumbed to this disease has undoubtedly been reduced by early detection and advanced treatment options. I was surprised at how many I remembered while growing up or in early adulthood and had no idea that they were gone or that they had died of MBC. Also interesting that the female bodybuilders died at very young ages, as compared to others. I’m guessing that steroid use was a link.
Thanks for sharing!
I agree with you that this list could have been more informative. Statistics do suggest that more people are living longer even with MBC, and, for sure, with BC. Early detection helps! I suppose that I could go through the list, and write down their dates to have some idea whether their life spans have been gradually increasing in modern times....there's also the list of survivors on the same link....it's hard to sort BC from MBC, however. Interesting thought you had about the bodybuilders!
Thanks for the conversation!
Cindy
I’d guess that anyone listed as a survivor did not advance to MBC. But it’s also interesting that the survey of those who died sheds some additional focus on MBC. The more light on this disease, the better! 👍👍💗💗🙏🏻🙏🏻
Sadly, these are talented people who died of breast cancer. I actually met Lynn Redgrave when she was performing at a local theatre and worshipped at our church. It's always harder when it's someone you know. We can all hope that ours was caught in time, and although we may eventually die "with" breast cancer (from other causes), we won't die "of" breast cancer (primary cause).
I like your way of putting it - indeed, we hope to die "with" breast cancer, not "of" breast cancer. Did Lynn Redgrave impress as intelligent as she seemed when reading about her?
Thanks for your reply,
Cindy
She was charming and sweet, I didn't go into stage business with her because it would be asking a professional to work during their personal time. She did a wonderful performance at the theatre!
Thanks for your reply, urthmothr. It makes sense that you didn't encroach on her personal time!
Cheers,
Cindy
Thank you Ladies for you wonderful comments. Reading this forum let's me know I am not alone.
For sure, you are not alone, ktopaz! Welcome aboard. There are 4139 of us in the same boat.
Take good care of you, and stay safe!
Slightly off the subject, but do you have hazel green eyes?
I do indeed. I thought for decades that my eyes were hazel, but one day looked up the meaning of "hazel", and realized that my brother's brownish eyes could be called hazel, but mine really were more green than hazel. However, some of my ID still says hazel...
I was shocked when I heard on news that Kelly Preston died. They were able to keep it very private. But I could not find what type of breast cancer she had since she died two years after diagnosis. They are scientologists so not sure if they went full course with treatment. She was beautiful and I felt so bad but she must have had triple negative which is harder to treat and faster growing.
Great MBC Retreats
FYI re October 13 and MBC awareness 
