Anyone start rads in October?

4tngupnblu

Morning GloFriends,

Well the holiday is over and the beginning of a new work week.  I trust everyone enjoyed their holiday and are ready for whatever's next.  Belated woohoos to Ashaby!  Layne's done on Weds. and Joanne is beginning boosts!  We're all getting there together!

Hugs to everyone!

Brenda

ferretmom

Glad to hear everyone is doing well.

I had a little setback. Last Tuesday the rad tech started to set me up for the tx.

Looked at my skin peeling and called the rad onc to take a peek.

She stopped all treatment till today.

I knew my breast was really sore and beginning to peel, but the area under my boob was really breaking down.

So, hopefully we can begin again today, but I'm not sure as my skin doesn't look much better and I have shooting pains from inside.

Told my excellent hubby it feels like it will pop if poked. ouch

I only have one more reg tx, and 8 boosts to go.

Wish me luck friends, my boob will appreciate it.

joanne_elizabeth

Hi everyone,

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.  Got my doc approval for  boosts today.  Tomorrow is my first.  Wow - is it possible I may be finished one of these days !  LOL !

 Layne, thanks for sticking with me !

Ferretmom - I hope you are on the mend and got your tx.

Joanne 

4tngupnblu

Hey everyone's drifting back from turkey day!  Ferretmom, I'm sorry to hear you had a setback.  But you've got the easy part coming up--just like Layne says---boosts are a piece of cake.  After the boosts are completed the area gets red, but it's nothing like full breast treatment.  And all of you remember to lube the boob when you're done.  Aquaphor is so perfect, as it rolls the dead skin off---and don't be picking at something that looks like it's peeling.  If it doesn't roll off, it's not ready to come off--I learned the hard way.  And those shooting pains will happen once in awhile for a week or so.  Just grin and bear it--it's a sign of being done!!

I can't help but smile.  All of the anxiety we each felt facing rads--and here we all are one by one seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  And it's so awesome!

Brenda

Helenhsm

Hi Glow-gals, nice to see you all today. Whew I seem to be having a delayed reaction to the Rads. It has been 3 weeks today since I've been done. Wow. Well I've been more tired lately. Just the other night I went to sleep at 10:30 and woke up at 10:00 AM!! Wow. Then I proceeded to need to rest the whole day. I've had probably 3-4 days that I've had to rest most of the day, in the last week or 2. It is ok, just a bit weird for it to start so late. Whatever. I am still functioning. Tomorrow is my birthday. I'll be 45.

Cheering you on - Layne, Ferretmom and Joanne! Go - go - go!! 

4tngupnblu

Mornin' glofriends,

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, Happy Birthday Helen!  And don't feel a bit guilty for resting.  I had 5 days off over Thanksgiving, except for working 4 hours on Saturday morning, and I slept them away and I had more than 1 twelve hour night of sleep.  Read a little, sleep a little.  Everyone thinks it's so great that your done with treatments, but the fatigue is still increasing, not decreasing yet, and I'm not sure they comprehend that we're not done being tired yet.  Makes you feel like they think you've gotten lazy or something.  Set them straight--it takes as long to get rid of the fatigue completely, as it did to get it in the first place.

Brenda

joanne_elizabeth

Layne,

I was re-reading these posts and I am impressed - you walk 1.5 miles in the AM then go to the gym?  That is really good.  I walk a couple miles each AM, but so far that is all I can get done. Have you decided what to do about telling your mom? Mine also had it, but about 18 years ago.  I did tell her right away, but I think it is tough on them. She is only 1/2 hour away though so there was not much choice about it.

Helen, Happy, happy birthday to you.  I hope you do celebrate. 

Got my first boost today.  I think when I am done I will run out of the place! I don't feel tears coming my way, but our high school principle always said never say never.

Ferretmom, how goes it.

Brenda I am happy to know about the fatigue post tx.  I sometimes get into the trap of thinking I should soon be able to run marathons, though I never have in my life, and it is good to hear from others sometimes the fatigue lingers and maybe we need some more rest for awhile so we aren't too hard on ourselves. 

Happy Tuesday to all.

Joanne 

bomber410

Hello ladies, we continue to make progress.  I am hopping around to other discussion and see you out there.  Tamoxifen being one of the next steps.

Ferretmom, sorry to hear about your set back.  Hopefully all is back on track.  It's hard when you get so close to the end of this entire cycle of treatment.  The doc gave me the Silvadene cream to help with the raw skin.  It worked wonders. 

Joanne,  Boosts - Yeah!  It is weird though when you look down and see this very, very red area that is from the boosts.  It doesn't hurt anymore than any other area.  Gotta keep lubing.

Helen, still tired after 3 weeks?  That's not good news but at least it does help us keep our expectations in check.  Do you feel like you are coming out of it? The rad nurse told me that I'd feel the full effects of the radiation about 1.5 - 2 weeks after final treatment.  And a very Happy Birthday to you!!! 

Layne, is tomorrow the day you kick up your heels???  Yippee! You'll miss your walk but it'll be great to get some time back. 

Although I finished with the rads, I am now doing the daily lymphedema treatments.  The good news is they are 7 AM appointments.  I finished listening to the book Middlesex.  In the end I liked it.  Loved the narrator.  Now I'm listening to Mayflower.  The drive to these treatments is serving a purpose.

Debbie 

ferretmom

Hi everyone.

Nope, no tx yesterday either. Still have the 8 boosts left.

The Silvadine is helping, but for every healing spot, a new area opens. I have some grey ucky looking skin on my rib under the boob that dr isn't too happy with.

I think it's better today, so hopfully we can get the show on the road again.

I have very odd skin to begin with, prone to breakouts.

Then there are the years of high desert sun damage, although the boob wasn't a direct hit so to speak.

Layne, I did not tell a certain family member either.

Helenhsm

Brenda, it's nice to know I'm not the only one sleeping for 12 hrs, and yes Thanksgiving weekend seemed to be a major rest weekend aside from the day of course.

Layne one more day! Woo hoo!

Ferretmom, sorry you are having issues. Hang in there!

Debbie, well the fatigue didn't START until 2 weeks after so its not like it has continued the whole time. Was looking at another thread that said people can have fatigue for 6 monts afterwards. I hope that is not ME.  How are you feeling? 

Thanks for all the happy birthdays. We are having our family celebration on Friday as my boys have scouts tonight. I bought myself a coat for my birthday - too hard for someone else to buy me a coat. My mentor is taking me out for dinner tonight.

smckgilbert

Hello Glo Goddesses,

I'm glad to see things are moving right along for all of you. Layne, Debbie, Joanne, et al,,,I'll have to take a minute to read all the posts and catch up.

It's been a while since I've been here...I had a bad respiratory infection...then I went away for the Thanksgiving holiday...and boy what a blessed holiday it was.  I saw friends from every phase of my life...childhoold/neighbors from more than 30 years ago....high school classmates...college roommates...and one of my best friends from my first REAL job in Arkansas...not to mention all the family and great food. 

Remember how the rad therapist and docs were not thrilled about me taking off...well it turned out it was a good week to take off...my skin needed the break...it turned so red it felt like it was on fire...especially under my arm...I was moisturizing so much, I was using three different creams at once.

When I returned for treatment yesterday...they decided to start my boosts this week and give the rest of the boob a break til next week. So...I'm in the single digits..8 more treatments to go .

I've missed you ladies...I hope all is well with everyone.

Sandra

Helenhsm

Woo Hoo!!! Yay!!((Layne)) Yay!! Woooot!!! Throwing confetti and jumping around! Congrats!! You did it girl!! I'm happy for you!

Sandra, welcome back - I am SO glad that you had a wonderful time and I am celebrating how you stood up for yourself and got the break you needed. Yay!! 

I'm doing well today. Still moisturizing and am starting to look more normal (aside from the dent in my boob). Still peeling. I had a nice birthday and still have my family party on Friday night.

Hugs to all the Glowgals!! 

joanne_elizabeth

Layne,

Congrats to you !  Celebrate ! Your huband sounds like he is totally devoted to you.  That is great.

I had my second boost today. The time seems longer for that one spot than the other fields, but the finish line is getting closer ! 

Helen, glad to hear your skin is rapidly approaching normal.  That will be nice. I am looking forward to wearing a bra again some day. I wonder how long it takes til you are ready for that? I am afraid to try it right now.

Joanne 

Helenhsm

Joanne, are you pretty red and peely and sore? I was red and had some soreness, and wore the running bra off and on throughout treatment. I feel weird going out of the house bra-less, but whenever I am at home (which is a lot) I don't wear one. I suppose it is different for different people. Hang in there you're almost done! ((Hugs))

joanne_elizabeth

Hi Helen,

I am not peeling - the doc said yesterday I was on the verge of peeling, whatever that means, but somewhat sore esp. under my arm.  I was going to try to wear a bra today, but chickened out ! So I sat in my cube with a sweater over a shirt and a fan on me this PM.

I didn't get riffed today - so I am okay til the next ones 1st quarter 2008!

Thanks,

Joanne 

bomber410

Layne - DONE. Woo hoo!

Joanne - still employed.  Woo hoo!  And yes, it did seem the boost cycle was longer than for the other zaps.  I noted that the first day of boosts.

Regarding bra - zeers, I have been wearing the Hanes Barely There chamisoles.  I've left my underwires in the drawer.  These bras have excellent support for the boobs but an added bonus for helping to compress the torso (lightly) against fluid build up.  The lymphedema ladies told me about them.

Sandra, see, we told you it would all work out.  So happy to hear you had a wonderful family visit over the holidays.  

Helen, yes, shorter, dented boobs but we have them.  :-)  I have started to blister a bit so peeling won't be far behind.   

Debbie 

joanne_elizabeth

Hi everyone,

4 boosts down 1 to go.  Can this be possible?  I bought the techs a big box of candy which I will bring Monday.  I can't imagine not having to race to this place every day.  That sounds like freedom.

Thanks for the suggestion about chamisoles.  I have some left over from the mastectomy and may resort to them still.

It is starting to feel a bit weird that treatment is done.  Of course like all of us I hope it and the cancer are done, forever.  Now that would be wonderful.

Sandra -  how is it going? 

Hope you all are well.

Joanne 

Helenhsm

Hey Joanne, Layne and Debbie -  nice to see you all here today. Joanne - I think you are the last one on our thread, no? I'm so exicted for you that you are so close to being done. It is such a nice relief not to have Rads in the schedule! Congrats on not getting laid off!! Woo hoo this is such great news!!!! 

Debbie, a new picture - you look pretty red - did you get sunburned? I'm also glad to have kept my breast - the dent isn't as deep anymore, so that is good.

Have a great trip ((Layne)).  

joanne_elizabeth

Helen,

Good to see you here!

Debbie I hadn't noticed your new pic - I love your smile !

Layne have a great trip and best of luck with telling/not telling your mom.  Either way is right depending on what is right for you.

I lost my breast plus got radiation. Now if I lost the cancer too I will be more than happy, ecstatic I guess.

Joanne 

4tngupnblu

Hi all,

It's great to check in and discover that everybody is getting so close to being finished.  I've been avoiding my computer, as I'm working on quitting smoking and the computer is synonymous with my bad habit.  I've had a busy week and now I'm ready to sleep my weekend away again.  Can't seem to shake the tired's--but then it's only been 2 weeks today since the last tx.  Just gotta sleep--now.

Brenda

joanne_elizabeth

Hi everyone,

It is official! I am done.  I can't believe I did 33 of these!  My skin is not great and somewhat sore, but I am done. That is still hard to believe.

I am starting to feel a bit scared though now.  It is uncomfortable thinking I am not actively doing some nasty treatment to fight this.  Hoepfully the arimidex is doing its job. I have also read that walking 30 min a day decreases the recurrence rate by 50% - which is much, much better than what rads and chemo do!  

I am so glad to have had such great company along the way.

Layne let us know how your trip went.

Brenda, how is it going?

I am so used to having a board like this to check in on every day, but I guess soon we will move on? 

Joanne 

bomber410

Congratulations Joanne!!!  You did it!  Now on to reclaiming your life back. 

It is a little scary to be flying solo.  But with all the follow ups, the medical folks won't be far away.  And we cannot be shy about letting our docs know if we are concerned about a pain or a swelling or whatever we may be experiencing.  I think the rule of thumb is if it's there for two weeks, call your doc.

We're all still here and won't be far away from each other.

Debbie 

bomber410

Brenda, you go girl!  I wish  you much success in quitting smoking.  It's one of the best things you can do for YOU.  Be well.

Debbie 

4tngupnblu

Wow!!  Joanne!  Way to go!!  Done is a purty word!!  Sandra how is it going?  Waiting to hear that you're healing and back on track.  Gotta keep the gang rolling on forward together.

Joanne, I started my arimidex and tomorrow will be my 7th pill.  I'm waiting for the side effects to hit--and swallowing these big ol' calcium pills.  Called my surgeon to notify the office that radiation is completed and they don't want to see me for a mammo until it's been six months out from surgery, unless I am having a problem.  They told me that my family Dr. should monitor with bone scans, since it was he that put me on the fosamax---okay--there's some sense to that.  I suppose I need to get a new one done, since it's been years.

Two weeks out of radiation, I'm wearing a bra--once in a while.  Seems to rub loose old skin and expose new skin and need a day in between.   And I did not sleep away my weekend---By Sunday, I was feeling like I'm regaining some control of my life------of course myself and I are still trying to convince me--not to smoke, but even that's getting better.  Thank you Debbie for the good thoughts.

I hope everyone is beginning to feel stronger like their life is emerging from the cocoon!

Brenda

Helenhsm

Congrats Joanne!!! Woo Hoo You did it !!!!! Yay!! Woo hoo! I am so happy for you. It is a relief to be done. You will enjoy all the time you will have on your hands, unless you have a ton to do for Christmas. Christmas will be low key here, as I do a lot less these past few years.

Joanne, yes it has been wonderful to come here to see how everyone is doing. Certainly we can keep in touch and send a PM to each other or keep this thread going. What stage cancer did/do you have? I'm sorry you had to lose your breast. Hopefully you can adjust and enjoy your life.

Brenda, thanks for stopping by. I hope you can learn to enjoy the 'puter sans smoking. Great to quit - but I'm sure it is very difficult. Know that you aren't the only one sleeping the weekend away.

Sandra, what is going on with you? 

My favorite preacher Joyce Meyer lost a breast to breast cancer. She also used to be a smoker. She has overcome and her preaching has really helped me in my life. She teaches us how to be overcomers.  

Keep glowing! 

smckgilbert

Hello Ladies,,,

Boy it's been a bit of a struggle...but I'm still here...I've been peeling something fierce and my nipple's cranky and sore ...but again...I'm still here.  

I've been resting quite a bit and anticipating the end of this stage of the fight.....I have four more treatment's left. I'm done with the boosts - you may recall they switched up and did the boosts last week because I was red and peeling so much.  So what's next after it's all over??? I went through that emotional trip this weekend.  I know I have to take tamoxifen...but is that enough to keep it from coming back...argggh...I've got to get THAT off my mind. Joanne...good for you you're done...but I see you're having that recurrence fear also.

You know, my treatments end Friday; but my follow up appointment with my medical oncologist until January...should I try to schedule sooner?...hmmmm.

Brenda, glad to hear you're kicking the habit...what a great gift for yourself.

Alright ladies...it's almost lights out time...but glad to see everyone is still checking in.

Sandra

4tngupnblu

Good morning Sandra,

Glad to hear how you're doing!  You've got this licked now.  Remember, I also had to switch to boosts in between tx because bad boob was--well--being bad.  I was petrified the new skin would fry worse than ever after resuming reg. tx---but the reaction was so mild with only 6 left---no big deal.  And you only have 4!!!!  You better start practicing your happy dance!!

It is scary when tx is over--Feel like a man overboard without a life preserver, but it goes away quickly, as you pick up life where you left it. 

Brenda---4 days--nicotine free--

bomber410

Woo hoo  Brenda!  4 days nicotine free!!!  Talk about a fight.

Sandra, you are almost there.  Don't worry about the next medical onc appt for January.  I think  your radiation onc will schedule a follow up 3 weeks post radiation completion.  At least mine did and I've heard that from others.

Fear will be there but just like how we attacked BC, we can combat fear.  Life is so much more enjoyable when fear isn't in the driver's seat.  One of the things I am doing is joining a post treatment BC support group.  This one is sponsored through my hospital, and the monthly topics are interesting.  I expect it will be great for reducing that man overboard feeling.

Debbie 

smckgilbert

Debbie...what a great idea...I think I will really need a post treatment support group.  I'm gong to look into to resources available to me. It's better to nip this before it gets a good(or bad) hold on me.  I'm not consumed with that scary feeling but it's rearing it's ugly head a little more than I'd like.  And Brenda..thanks for reminding me about your boosts switch and I'm soooo ready to do the happy dance.

I'm off to work...I will check in with you ladies later.

Sandra

joanne_elizabeth

Hi everyone,

I agree I think a bc support group is  a great idea. I have been trying to get to one for months now. Hopefully now that rads are done I can get to one.

Mine is stage II and hopefully stays there, someone had asked.  I had multi-focal disease however so by the time they removed more than 1 I guess the boob that would have been left wouldn't have been a pretty sight!

I am still getting used to not having to rush outta here at 7am - it is nice !

Brenda - that is great you are thru 4 days.  Just keep going one day at a time. You can do it and you deserve to be cigarette free.

Hope everyone is well.

3 weeks til Christmas - yikes !

Joanne