Anyone starting chemo in Aug. 08?

dlb823

Hi, Misty ~  I've never used it, but there's a picture icon on the toolbar for this "Post a Reply" box, right next to the smiley face.  I believe that's one way to add a picture, although I think the photo has to be uploaded to a picture hosting site first -- not just on your computer.   Deanna

Roya

Corinne, now is the time for the Bag Balm!  It will help with the blistering, etc.

Anonymous

To all my BCO sisters,

Please pray for me tomorrow as I have my rads sim, followed by 28 treatments to the chest wall. I am freaked out by all the things that can happen to you skin, not to mention vital organs like heart and lungs.

Yet for me, there is no question. I have to do it to reduce the chance of that nasty IBC recurring. After this I will swallow pills for 5 years, go to checkups, watch for worrisome and persistent symptoms and PRAY that I get as much time with Tom as the good Lord gives us.

I am so NOT encouraged by the statistics for IBC. My only hopes of being in the smaller percentage who have long term survival are my negative sentinel node biopsy and clean margins.

This was (and it had better be all gone), an aggressive, nasty tumor that did not respond as hoped to chemo. I have to go to rads to eRADicate it. I want to live and love my husband for a good long time.

Bette 

Hood1980

Bette,  I will lift you up in prayer that all goes well for your sim today and your continued treatments!  God Bless.

alibug05

Bette - I will keep you in my prayers!!! Good luck today!!!  Loves to all............

Tonya36

Bette your pics are beautiful.  I am so glad you have Tom. 

Jeannine I am glad to hear your headaches are subsiding.   I am also glad you all had such a good time on your meeting.  It sounds wonderful.

I hope everyone else is doing well.

Tonya 

TXBadboob

Bette, my prayers are with you!  You are so strong!

By the way, I thought I would mention a thread that was pretty cool.  It's DEAR HUSBAND in the chemo forum.  My DH has been wonderful for me throughout this ordeal, but there are times when this is exactly what I want to say to him and others.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Deen

Anonymous

Good evening to all!

I had my radiation simulation today, and my chest now looks like a treasure map with X's O's arrows, dotted lines in permanent marker all over. Each marking has a plastic sticker on it to prevent me from accidentally scrubbing them off . After and hour of lying perfectly still, arms asleep over my head, my rad onc decided to change the field by .5 cm which means I have to have ANOTHER simulation on Thursday and start on Friday. Arrgh!!

I have decided that rads are more scary than chemo, with all the equipment, lasers shooting all over the room and being taped into position alone for extended periods of time, as was today's experience. Tell me it gets better!

I occupied my mind with Bible verses and praise songs while I was lying there. It helped take my mind off of my physical and mental discomfort.

Bette 

Roya

Bette, regarding what you wrote about the fear of having your lungs and heart radiated.....I asked about that when I had my rads.  The techs position the focus at a transverse angle so as to avoid penetrating the chest wall in a downward position.  They position it so that they do not send rads straight down towards the lungs and heart.  Yes, it does get better!  After the first or second time, it only takes a few minutes at most to position, focus, zap, ..........and you're done.

I hope that this puts your mind to rest.

Anonymous

Thanks for your reply, Roya

Tom and I had a good laugh last night about the "map" on my chest. He is driving me to my second sim tomorrow. I have decided to take some Ativan before I go, and to focus on my favorite Bible verses to get me through. The techs did tell me that once I get started I will only be there for ten minutes.

I am trying to trust God, and not worry about this. The worries creep into my mind when I remember the hard times I had with chemo and surgery. I have registered for a college course this summer, and will look forward to that, once rads are done..

Bette 

Corinne6

Hi everyone, been really busy. Chiropractor is adjusting my back!! Doing great though!! Going to MD to see my daughter this weekend. Using aloe on my itching and blistering  Still not wearing a bra. Bette hope all is going well with your Rad's!! After they're  done you will feel really relieved!! Getting on with life. Looks like a great summer ahead!! Kids last day is Tues. (I homeschool!!) They have worked very hard even on Saturdays so we could be done. They did not fall behind inspite of my cancer. Four months ahead to catch up with them on fun things to do. I love you all dearly, Hugs, Corinne

Anonymous

One down, 27 to go!

Had second simulation today followed by treatment and SEVEN tattoos (in addition to the six they did the first time)

My skin already feels sensitive, but that may be my imagination.

Tom took me and waited for me. It was nice to walk out of treatment into his arms.

Bette 

alibug05

Bette - I hope your time goes by quickly and painlessly.  I was VERY lucky as I didn't burn or blister or anything.  Just had a tan square!!!!  I hope yours goes as good as mine did!!!!  Loves to all.................

Anonymous

Thanks alibug. I am praying for few or no SE's with the rads

Bette 

Anonymous

Woohoo! Two down, 26 to go. They put a bolus on my chest for treatment today. It's supposed to bring the radiation closer to the skin.

Tom and I signed up for a family cell phone plan and got identical new phones. I immediately showed him how to select a unique ringtone.

Lunch is ready.

Bette 

dlb823

Hi, all ~  Bette, glad your first (partial) week of rads is done!  Be sure to use lots of whatever oil or lotion you're using over the weekend. 

Karen ~  How's your Mom doing?  Joyce ~  How's your Dad doing?

When Misty, Gail, Jeannine and I got together in Palm Desert last week, we mentioned how concerned we were about some of our August chemo sisters that we haven't heard from in a long time -- Lisa, Lashon, chelli and others.  If any of you still read the boards, know we are thinking about you.  We hope that you are moving on with life after treatment, but we'd love to know how you're doing.  And Kimberlyn, many of us have never stopped thinking about you either, and pray that you're okay.

Have a good weekend everyone ~   Deanna

g94u67

Hi Everyone,

Glad to see you're pushing through Bette and counting down the RADS.

I feel the same way Deanna. I miss all our original BC sisters who've moved on and no longer post. (It's a little sad) All of you are in my thoughts and prayers always.

I'm going to a cousins 80th B-day party tomorrow.  Boy now I'm looking forward to mine! Ha ha.

Have a great weekend all,

Jeannine

TXBadboob

Just wanted to say hi to everyone.  Hope you're doing well.  Thought I'd mention the Las Vegas trip the BC gals are planning in the reconstruction forum for September.  Sounds like a lot of fun.

Have a great weekend,

Deen

Corinne6

Hi everyone, Still on vacation. Went to the White House yesterday!!! I had never been to DC befrore. Walked miles!!!  Bette, hope your se's are okay. I am still itching but doing well. Still am doing the treadmill on vacation!! Have not missed a day yet!! Tonya, how are you doing? Jeannine have fun at your cousins b'day!1 Deanna I also feel the same way that you do about past members. We do have a list and some of you have phone numbers on them. Alibug is there any contact info for any of these people? Gotta run but I will check in when I get home. Until then have a great weekend, Hugs, Corinne

Anonymous

Hello to all!

First full week of rads starts tomorrow. Already have a tan rectangle on my chest. Wearing a bra is uncomfortable, but my remaining side is so large, I don't like to appear in public without support.

Tom is working this weekend and I am lonely, and tired. I babysat for my niece and nephew yesterday it really took a lot out of me although I adore them. After the second bedtime story I was ready to be tucked in. LOL

I guess I will take a nap until Tom gets home.

Good night. 

Bette 

Anonymous

Bumping us up!

It has rained all day in PA. Have been in bed all day with a stomach bug, except for rads.

Three down, 25 to go. Saw rad onc today, and she advised to stop wearing bras. Guess I WILL be going out in public with no support.

Bette 

mamakaren

Hi girls,

Hope everyone is doing good. I had my echo today due to a low muga this is the second time this happens and i'm getting scared. My mom is ok she is starting to eat a little more and she is just keeping one foot in front of the other just like all of us. She has lost about 20lbs and will be starting chemo and rads. Not sure on her treatment plan yet but i do know that her med is called FU dont know how to spell it. Everything is crazy here in my home but just thankful that i'm here on earth to complain about stuff.

Corrine- Hope you have a blast! You deserve it.

Deanna- I miss not seeing your poems.

Wishing everyone a wonderful evening

Bette- You'll be done in no time. Every rad gets easier.

Roya

Bette, not to worry, I also went braless for practicaaly the whole time I was doing rads.  The wires can rub against the peeling, blisters, etc whatever and cause excoriation.  No one seemed to notice or care but me.....and I soon got over it

DesertRider

Hi everyone,

I'm 1/3 done with rads! Yea! - just started to feel a burning over the collar bone - they said 'cause it's the thinnest part getting zapped. 

I'm still investigating the cramping I have in my abdomen - been there for 3 months and hasn't gone away after 2 weeks with no Arimidex. So I don't think the AI is the cause.

Still exploring!

Hugs,

Gail 

Misty1

Hey Everyone,

Corinne, hope you had a great visit to DC-it sounds like you had a lot of fun.

Bette-keep going with the rads!

Gail-sorry to hear that you're still having stomach pains.  I hope you figure out what's going on soon.  Yeah for being almost to the halfway point of rads.

As for me, I am going for a 6 month mammo next Thursday, so keep your fingers crossed!  It feels funny to go and only have one side done because of the mast.  I get my next echo done on Monday to check the Herceptin effect on the heart.

I think it is finally spring here-wet on some days, but warm.  You CA girls are really feeling the heat!!

~Misty

alibug05

Just wanted to add the new picture of me and my hubby at a wedding over the weekend!!!! Although I am not "loving" my hair - I refuse to complain cause I am just glad I have it!!!!!  Loves to all.........................

Anonymous

Six down, 22 to go!

I am having neck and back problems recently, and wonder if it is due to being so "unbalanced" without my prothesis. My remaining breast is large, and I think it may be pulling on my neck. I have an appointment with my chiropractor tomorrow to have it checked out.

Meanwhile, I can't knit and can barely type due to the pain that is shooting down into my arms and hands.

My skin so far seems OK except for right under my arm where it is sore and feels like it is rubbing against something. I am using Udderly Smooth cream and have 100% pure aloe vera gel for any burny situations. I wash very gently with Dove soap.

It is a beautiful sunny, but cool day here in southeastern PA.

Bette 

g94u67

• Hello there all,

Well I'm headed to the Gyn. for my yearly pap--ooo fun fun.  This is what started my journey last year.  I was a little ticked since he cancelled  my appt. 2 X's. I also need to discuss my future Oophorectomy. Hoping this one goes well.  He's got so many patients now.  I'm thinking of changing Dr's.

Hey Deen:  I'm totally considering on attending that Vegas convention next Sept.  Are you going? It would be great to meet you.

MamaK: I'm happy to hear your mom is eating and doing a little better. I hope your Mugga Scan is all clear this time.

Alrighty Gail!  Almost done w/the Rads.  You're still having those cramps? What does the Dr. say? Keep on top of it.

Glad to hear you had a nice trip in D.C. Corrine.  My boss was just there. He couldn't get into the Whitehouse and said he wants his vote back. LOL...

Bette I hope you're feeling better.

Yes Misty it was a scorcher here Sunday & Monday.  Be glad you weren't here then! Now it's cool.

Have a great week everyone.

Jeannine

DesertRider

Hi everyone,

Well, after weeks of pushing to get information about the cramping pain in my abdomen I got a pelvic CAT scan that said all was normal (yea, sure). I finally convinced them to give me an ultrasound. (They said I didn't "need" it). I've had some shortness of breath since rads, too, so got a lung CAT scan too. Yesterday got the results of both the pelvic ultrasound & the CAT Scan - was not the best of days in terms of results. Lung CAT scan shows some damage in lower lobes - maybe as a result of the chemo. The shocker was that the pelvic ultrasound showed 2 things. 1). Abnormal endometriam, possible cyst AND a complex type 1.4 cm cyst in the right ovary. Both highly suspicious, not related & not good, they say.

Pretty scary results but somehow I'm not as terrified as when I heard I had BC. Will let you guys know how it turns out.

Love & hugs,

Gail 

Misty1

Gail, please keep us posted.  I will have fingers and toes crossed that these will come back as okay.  Thinking about you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am glad to hear that your CAT scan was normal.  Good for you for pushing them to find the cause of your pain.

~Misty