Anyone start rads in October?

Helenhsm

Hi Glow-Gals, well it looks like we have 2 still on the home stretch. For some reason I thought Joanne was last. You are almost there Brenda and Sandra.

Brenda, good for you to quit smoking. Keep it up!! Thank you again for your reminder to lube the boob. I am almost back to normal in terms of skin damage now, so that is great.

About the fear, maybe I'm in denial, but I don't feel afraid. And as to finishing Tx I'm like you Layne, dusting off my hands and moving on. I go to see the cancer risk person on Friday, so that should be interesting. My mom died of cancer when I was 19 so for years I had a fear of cancer. One time while praying this fear completely left, and hasn't come back. When I actually GOT cancer - I had such a great progosis I wasn't totally fearful. Having surgery was scary, and the first days of Rads was too. But other than that fear hasn't been a big issue.  I hope you ladies can find peace.

Great to see you all here today. ((Hugs)) 

joanne_elizabeth

Brenda, hope you are keeping up the good work of not smoking, if not, quit again.

Helen, maybe the stage has something to do with how fearful one is with this? I know since I was a stage II I do have fear and it is frustrating they have not develped a test for errant cancer cells though I understand a co. is ready to go to market with a blood test soon.

Layne glad your trip went well and you got to spend time with your mom.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I do go thru ruminations such as this is my first Christmas with breast cancer, will I be around to see my 16yr old graduate college? This is a very scary disease to me. I guess all you can do is follow their treatments, don't drink milk,etc  with hormones and pray, alot!

Joanne

Joanne 

Helenhsm

Joanne, yes the stage of cancer for me makes a difference. The prognosis isn't the same for each stage. I feel for you, as I imagine your prognosis different. Did you start Tamoxifen? How scary to think maybe you won't be here next year. ((hugs)) Try to think positively - there are probably many people in your case who end up just fine!

I am still kindof in shock that this whole bc scare came and went. My husband wants me to do the cancer screening - genetic testing. Now THAT I am afriad of. Sheesh, just leave well enough alone. BUT my sister tested positive for BRCA 2 so I have a 50% chance of having it. The issue for me is that my mom died of Ovarian cancer  and her sister died of BC so that is why I'm at increased risk and so am going to do this thing. Going tomorrow at 2 pm.

The Tamoxifen is sitting in my cupboard. I think I'll start it in January. Still waiting to see if these other meds I'm taking for CFS will help! My fatigue is a bit worse than usual, but not horrible. 

Layne - I wish I could help you with the irrational fear. My main cure for fear has always been through my relationship with Jesus, prayer, my community of faith and the bible.  Sending this off with a prayer for you (and Joanne as well) - for peace.

XOXOX 

ferretmom

Good morning all.

Recieved last boost on Tuesday. My rads team gave me a *Terrific Patient* card, and a Purple Heart Award. Too funny, and very sweet.

 That same afternoon I got a call from the Humane Society to do a animal rescue pickup. My love, my life. What a terrific way to end treatment days.

Then yesterday I get a call from a Agricultural station in CA,

A consficated ferret (iligal in CA) needed to be picked up.

So off I went in the seasons first snow storm. Made it back in 4X.

This morning we have about 4 inches of snow on the ground here.

If rated on a scale of 1-10 of concern for re-occurrence, hmmmm...

0

I just feel the slice, dice and light saute' took care of the problem for me.

Now it's back to my life, so long cancer.

joanne_elizabeth

Ferretmom, great to hear you are done.  We have a ferret as well as a cat and dog here. I didn't know ferret were illegal in some states. They are very unusual little creatures. We also have a bit of snow and are due to get more today.

Layne, hope you are doing well.  I am hoping as time passes the obsessions pass as well. I think this is a scary disease since you read of women with great prognoses succumbing and then others with a gazillion positive nodes living for decades. My surgeon told me has a couple like that.  All these numbers are statistics and hopefully we each survive a long, long time.  

We have all done the recommended "treatments" and let's hope they really have boosted our survival advantage.  I still look at the clock around 7AM each morning and think - omg I have to rush to rads. I am sure by next week that will pass.

Back to some work and wishing I could get motivated to wrap some presents.

Joanne

ferretmom

Hi Joanne

How long have you had your ferret?

I've had them since 1990, and now volunteer for rescue and education for these misunderstood, wonderful little animals.

I just wish they wern't so medicaly needy, my vet bills are as bad as my own.

I currently have 7, and two fosters going to a forever home tomorrow.

smckgilbert

Glow Goddesses...I am done! I"ve done my happy dance and cried like a baby. 

During my last treatment today...I kept saying "I'm not gonna cry"...but treatment started...I looked up and the tears started flowing and didn't stop...they were tears of joy of course.

My team gave me a radiation certificate  and some wildflower seeds...how sweet!

Much love to all of you - those who have gone through and are still here and those who have more treatments to go - hang in there.

Gosh...what am I gong to do when 4:30 comes around on Monday!!!

I'll check in with you ladies soon.

Sandra

joanne_elizabeth

Ferretmom, we have had our ferret about 3 yrs now.  The oddest part of having one is my DH is more attached than my kids.  Go figure!

Sandra, congrats to you! That is awesome you are done.  It is so nice not to have to rush out every day for a zap.

Joanne 

Helenhsm

((Sandra)) and ((Ferretmom)) congrats on being done!!! Woo Hoo!! Celebrating with you. Yahoo!! Enjoy your free time and I hope you heal up well.

I guess no one on this thread is considering BRCA testing? Let me know if you are. I will get the blood test this week and will get my results in 2-3 weeks. I was pretty shook up about this, but I had a long talk with the Lord about it, and feel MUCH BETTER now! Whew.

Hugs to my glow-gals. 

joanne_elizabeth

Helen,

What made you consider the testing? My sister said a doc is considering it for her. I would do it, if it were indicated. I have no daughters, but do have sissies and nieces and my mom had it postmenopausal as well.

How long do you women plan on doing the lube ?  The nurse told me my doc recommends lube/lotion for 2 yrs since the massaging decrease the amount of scar tissue that forms.  

Ah glorious weekend.

Joanne 

Helenhsm

Hi Joanne, well my mom died of ovarian cancer and her sister died of breast cancer, so my sisters and I are at increased risk. Not sure what motivated my sister, but she had the testing done, and tested positive. Since I am her sister I have a 50% of having the gene as well. So they recommend increased survelliance for breasts and removal of the ovaries if found to be positive. Ovarian is never caught before stage 2 and is often fatal. So that is the reason for the testing. If you have family members with BC or Ovarian, it is something to consider. My oncologist referred me to the Genetics counselor.

Wow, lube the boob for a year? Whew. I am trying to do it 2x a day still, though I have very little skin left that is peeling. 

ferretmom

I will get the BRCA test next week.

My mother died from cancer at age 58. We do not know if it was BC as by the time she was diagnosed it was in her liver and she died in less than a month.

My onc suggested testing even though he feels my risk is low.

Helenhsm

Ahh Ferretmom, let me know when you get the results - I will get mine in 2-3 weeks. My mother died at the age of 58 as well. How old were you? I was 19, that was a very painful season of life.

Joanne, perhaps you can ask your oncologist if s/he would suggest it in your case.

Helenhsm

Hi Layne, so nice to see you here. Thanks for stopping by to say hi. I am happy to hear that you don't have the BRCA gene - Yay!! I hope Ferretmom and I can say the same thing. Although I had a weird thought - if I am negative that means the cancer was caused by "enviromental factors" which makes me think it is my fault that I got cancer - ie not eating right enough or exercising enough. Doh! Whatever, what can you do? I am probably just having vain imaginations.

Great to hear you are healing nicely, Layne. I am as well, mostly back to normal now, with a tiny bit of peeling remaining. I go to my 6 week follow up tomorrow. Hard to believe how fast the time has gone.  

joanne_elizabeth

Your fault Helen?  This is precisely what they want us to think in America, the old blame the victim mentality. It is our fault cause we had kids too late, boobs too dense, didn't pray enough. How about the governments culpability for not harnessing the polluting corporations or funding enough prevention strategies instead of "treatments"?

You will find every type of woman with cancer, those who are skinny enough, had kids young enough and breast fed (my mom), exercised, ate what was considered well at the time.  It is time to point the finger elsewhere and find out the real causes for this.  Check out this book. As countries become industrialized, breast cancer increases.  They expect a surge of this in china in the next 10 years.  Even if you could "blame" our diet, the gov't subsidizes sugar and wheat, not organic vegetables.

http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/69775/?page=2 

joanne_elizabeth

Layne, I am also happy yours came back negative. They discovered I think another 4 or 5 genes over the summer which are linked with bc. Not sure if they can even test for this. We all have some genetic susceptibility for this or we would not have it in my humble opinion. I will try to get tested just to warn my nieces if it turns out positive. It I have it then 1 niece would have the genes on 2 sides of her family.

I am healing as well. I am starting to forget to loob and wore a bra all day to work yesterday. Hooray! 

Helenhsm

Thank you ((Layne)) and ((Joanne)). Whew, I guess I needed that. You are sweeties. Our brain sure does weird things sometimes, doesn't it? Always wants to blame something. 

Layne, you are right, we are very blessed to live in this day and age where there are so many advances. I will check out that article. I had my 6 week follow-up and said so long to my Rad. Dr. YAY!!

Yes, baking is happening this weekend as well. Yum.

Hugs back. 

4tngupnblu

Hello ya'll,

I feel like a deserter, it's been so long since I've tuned in.  But I'm 14 days smoke free--and the computer in the evenings triggers my worst desires to smoke.  I am going for my post-rad check-up today.  Congrats ferretmom on finishing tx--u sound like me--spaying my brother's cat, who lives next door, so that I can quit adopting the kittens.  The kitten population growth at my house is now 0!!  Can't feed anymore.

Layne, have confidence in your Dr's.  I have a friend in Calif. that had a diagnosis of DCIS 13 years ago, who had surgery with single mastectomy, with no rads and no hormone medication, as that wasn't accepted treatment back then.  She's never had any hint of a recurrence.  She just had her mammo yesterday and the x-ray tech was a 15 year survivor.  Please, everybody, concentrate on positive thoughts.  It's done, you've beaten it.   Turn your worries into celebrations of life. 

Sandra, Congratulations!!   

I find I am still tired on the weekends and skin is close to normal.  Joanne, I've been on the arimidex for 15 days now and just recently felt a little achey--enough to go take an aspirin.  But it is tolerable.  The hard part is trying to make certain I get enough calcium into my body.  My onc dr. recommended I go to my family dr and have another bone scan done for a comparison, which I will do in January, when conveniently it is also time for a renewal of my fosamax script.

How are you and your arimidex getting along? 

Hugs to everyone!  Reminds me again how grateful I am to each and every one of you that got me thru rads.  Thank you,

Brenda 

Helenhsm

Hi Sandra, thanks for stopping in. Congrats on 14 days smoke free! Keep it up. I am still a bit on the tired side as well.

Hugs, 

joanne_elizabeth

Sandra,

You are  doing really fabulously with your stop smoking.  Don't forget, one day at a time and the days keep adding up!

I feel achey knees often from the arimidex.  I still walk and do everything else, but if I do knee bends for instance, I am not sure if I am doing myself a disservice or a good deed. I wish they knew if this were permanent or temporary.

I just read today they put post-meno. women in india on tamoxifen then AIs. I wonder what the change in benefit would be? I will ask Monday.

Helen, how are you feeling, survivor woman?

I made dough for those peanut butter cookies with the kisses in the middle this AM. Am hoping to get inspired to actually bake them later today.

Joanne 

Helenhsm

Oh Joanne, those are my favorite kind of cookies!!! I am going to try to make a gluten free version of those this year, but I forgot to buy kisses when I was just at the store! Doh! I've made dough as well in the past couple of days - will do some baking tomorrow. Cookies are a lot of work, but only home made will do, eh?

I am feeling pretty well. Kindof up and down. I hope I have a lot of energy this weekend - we are going to see our adopted grandparents for a Christmas celebration on Sunday and on Monday my kids have a practice day Speech tournament. My husband is taking my sons to a Debate round robin on Saturday - so it is a full weekend. My dd and I will bake cookies and wrap presents and work on her Speech on Saturday. Whew. It will be fun, though.

Joanne you are post menopausal, I assume since you are taking Arimdex? I will start Tamox. next month - I hope I don't have any side affects, we shall see. Layne, are you having any side affects?

I hope you all have a nice weekend. 

joanne_elizabeth

Layne,

Now that is impressive - 10 different kinds. I think I have made maybe 5 but I think I may be done for awhile here.

Glad to hear Verizon got you back up eventually. What a company!

I also am fatigued. I exercise, do my work, housework,etc, but really like a short nap here or there when I can.

I am hoping I have the endurance to do all the company and cooking next week.

Saw my onc today and she wants me to get a mammo and ultrasound in April( just had an MRI) I asked about genetic testing and I may get it, but one of my friends asked for what - which I guess could be a valid question.  I have sisters, but since my mom and I both got bc I would think they are forewarned.  I will have to see how I feel when the time comes in Feb.  

Joanne 

Helenhsm

Hi Layne, welcome back to cyber-space. I go thru withdrawls if I have to be offline for very long! I'm wondering if your fatigue is from the Tamox, I heard that was one of the SE's. How many weeks are you out from your last rads Tx?  Wow 10 kinds of cookies - you are a maniac! Ha ha.

Nice to see you, Joanne. It is a big decision to get tested. One reason I'm doing it, is to see what my risk is for ovarian cancer - then I can take preventative measures by having my ovaries out.

Hugs 

Helenhsm

Hi Layne, nice to see you! I'm so glad you don't have the BRCA gene. Ahh I am hearing you about the fatigue - probably is as you say. My energy isn't back entirely either. I'm working on being content with that. I am having a good season so far, I shopped a lot online this year and we're not doing as many gifts this year, so that makes it easier. We had a party last night for our small group from church. It was really fun. I couldn't do it without my family - my kids cleaned - I made hot apple cider - kids and hubbie cleaned up afterwards. They did all the work and we all had fun, so that is great. I LOVE singing Christmas carols, they are so meaningful to me.

We have wrapping and a bit of shopping to do and baking. Whew!  

joanne_elizabeth

I everyone, hope you are getting done with all your Christmas chores.

Helen, I am impressed your kids clean. My 2 teen sons have been doing a tad more, but it is an uphill battle.

It is getting down to the wire now so I really need to come up with an easy vegetable to have with Christmas dinner, fast. I am not the world's most creative cook.

Merry Christmas!

Joanne 

  

4tngupnblu

Good morning GloFriends,

It's the missing in action, Brenda--the non-smoker for 24 days now--if I make it to 11pm this evening----Joanne, how about a corn casserole.  I could eat the whole dish of it by myself---and it's so simple.

I'm glad that I checked on ya'll this morning.  I feel better about taking a nap at 6:30 Friday evening--I guess we're all still feeling the tired's.  Shopping is done, wrapping is done-now to make it thru cooking the dinner.  Merry Christmas gals!

Brenda

Helenhsm

Hi Joanne, nice to see you here today. Well, I started my kids out cleaning when they were young - it was part of our home schoolig. I figured if I was going to make the sacrifice to home school them - part of the work needed fall upon them. I also believe it is good training for their future. It can be much harder to get a teen to clean - but it is possible, for sure!

As to an easy veggie Joanne - I make asperagus. Sautee some garlic and butter, add the asperagus and a little water - steam coverd for 5-10 minutes. My family loves it. 

Brenda, nice to see you and congrats on almost a whole month smoke-free! Keep up the good work, one day at a time. Yes, we are all still tired - but functioning.  

My son and husband were sick yesterday - son was throwing up all last night. I am hopping it doesn't spread to the rest of us and ruin Christmas plans. But that does happen sometimes.  

Merry Christmas Glo-gals!  

Helenhsm

Hi gals, just wondering how everyone is doing. We had the flu over Christmas, so that was a bummer, but we've had a good season, with some fun parties and family time. We are going to a movie tomorrow - a holiday tradition. We will probably see National Treasure 2.

I'm feeling pretty good, maybe back to normal CFS, not sure? Will start Tamox soon - the new supplements that I was trying for CFS don't seem to be helping my energy. Oh well. I will get my BRCA test results probably this coming week. I will let you know. I hope someone comes back to see this.  Hugs and Happy New Year! Here's to a cancer free, healthy 2008!

joanne_elizabeth

Hi everyone,

Helen, sorry to hear about the flu, but hope you managed to enjoy the holiday despite it.  Let us know when you get your results.

Layne, I did the string beans almondine and a tossed salad for Christmas as well.  Twice. My brother came into town about an hour after we cleaned up the first round.  Then we had people over Wed and Fri nights for buffet type dinners. Phew it is making me tired just remembering it.

Haven't heard about the RIFs first quarter yet.  I guess they will let us know  closer to the end of February I am thinking.

Here is to a happy and HEALTHY 2008 for all of us. I am still lubing 2x a day when I remember. The rad onc said it decreases scar formation. Who knows?

Hope everyone is doing well, we need to celebrate the year of cancer treatment is done.

Joanne 

Helenhsm

Layne and Joanne! I'm so glad to see you here today! Yay!

Layne, sounds like your dh is easy to please - ham and applesauce. I can't think of an easier meal! lol I agree, rolls and veggies are necessary! We had ham as well, mashed potatoes, rolls, Mandarin green salad w/ home made poppyseed dresssing, and asperagus. Yum!! We ate it the day after cmas when everyone felt better. I'm glad it was only a 24 hr type flu - hits real hard but left quickly. Wow you are going on a month long training. I hope it goes well Layne! I hear ya, I'm a homebody as well.

Have been having thoughts about the uneven-ness of my breasts - in shape and size. Doesn't bother my dh a bit. But it has bothered me some. A friend offered this idea to me - she said think of it as the faithfulness of God that you are cured of cancer. Like a sign left behind - that I indeed had cancer and now it is gone! I like that interpretation better than the story that was going through my head that said I am deformed now. Whew.

Great that you are still lubing Joanne. I do only occasionally. Wow sounds like you did a lot of cooking. It can be SO exhausting. My kids help alot! 

No job yet for dh, nothing happening over the holidays, of course. We are still doing fine financially - though I really would rather not go through more of our retirement savings then we need to. We did have a low budget cmas this year, which was fine.

((Hugs))