SEPTEMBER 2008 rads group

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Also, I forgot to say congrats to the finishers!

I'll toast to armpit healing, too.  Mine is redder than the rest--  it's weird though how definitive a line the redness is.  Looks like I'm wearing a red bra.

nancy258

Thanks pattyk.

While my chest is not red anymore, and my armpit is feeling better, but still irritated, now I have a big sore half moon under my breast that is just raw.  This has been the worst week.  Hoping everything turns around in the next couple days.

Ace, we're all here for you.  Hugs.

I'm suppose to start tamoxifen next month.  I have an appointment with the onc two weeks after rads are done to get started.  I met with him before rads started and he said he would recommend I take it, but if I couldn't tolerate the SEs, he would be okay if I stopped taking it.  On the other hand, my BS feels very strongly that I protect the other breast by taking it.  I'm going to ask my rad onc today what she thinks.  I'm feeling that I should take it and really try to put up with any SEs.  I had asked my gyn 5 years ago about taking tamoxifen as a preventative, and at the time he ran me through some computer program and felt that the risks weren't worth the benefits.  Now that I've gone through this, I kinda wish I would have insisted 5 years ago.  So that makes me feel that I need to do whatever I have to to lower my risk.

mzmiller99

KAK.,                                                                               

Thanks!  I hope I'll be joining you ( I guess!) by the end of the month.  In the mean time, I'll just lurk!

Susan

redheadace1

Hi, girls. I knew I could count on you to be supportive and understanding. I feel a bit better today. I had a little gathering with a few of my friends last night, and they brought me healthy food to take home. I got a big bulb of fennel, which my friend Nancy says is really good to eat to recover from radiation. So I chopped that up and have been munching on it.

 

Makraz--I can understand your anxiety about your kids. I think it would probably be infinitely harder to deal with this disease if I knew there was a possibility of missing out on my children's lives. But I guess we have to remember that the prognosis for BC is much better than it has been in the past. How old are your guys?

 

Susan--I don't know if my cancer center has a counselor, but I'm actually going to put a call in to this counselor who was recommended to me by my doctor. I think it will help to have someone to talk to over the next few months--to be able to talk freely, and not be concerned about worrying friends or family with my fears. As far as the Wellbutrin goes, from what I've read, some practitioners think it interferes with the Tamox. I was on Celexa before, and it was working (not as well as the Wellbutrin), and I guess I could switch back to that if I had to. It's compatible with Tamoxifen. 

 

NancyD--I can relate to what you said about no one person knowing the whole of what you've been through. It's true. And know one knows what it feels like from the inside. I'm sure the empty nest thing will be bittersweet, but hopefully you can take some comfort that you did a good job raising your kids, and they will be there for you later, even if they're not living with you.  I hope you're healing up from the rads.

 

Kristy--I'm glad you got a chance to get some comfort. It does feel good to just get a hug now and then, with no advice or verbal reassurances or cheery platitudes.

 

Kathi--I guess you and I will be talking more about the antidepressant/Tamox transition. I'm sorry to hear that you had such a hard time with your mom. It must have been rough--a lot of inconsistency and uncertainty. I had some of that with my dad.

 

Rose--I hope you'll be feeling better soon.

 

Midsum and Nancy258--Thank you.

 

Thank you all so much to for the hugs and well-wishes. I don't know what I would have done without this group. It's clear that we need to be able to talk to others who have been where we've been, to get some real understanding. I am sending you all hugs in return. I'm hoping we'll all keep in touch over the months as we deal with Tamoxifen and other things.

 

I have my oncology appointment tomorrow. I'm armed with plenty of questions about the Tamox. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

Hugs to you all,

 

Ace

 

 

Makratz

Ace,

It sounds like your feeling a little better.  I'm glad your doctor recommended a counselor for you.  You should definitley talk to him/her.  I agree with you about not wanting to worry friends/family, but we do need to unload on someone.  Find that someone and UNLOAD!!!

My boys are 13 and 9, very active and keep me very busy.  I also have a husband who is my support system, I am lucky there. 

Good luck with your appointment tomorrow.  Maybe you should tell your onc how you are feeling too.  It may help just to vent.  Good luck with the Tamox, I will be with you next week.  5 more boosts left and then Tamox.

Keep smiling!

Looneymom

NaceyD - thanks for the cute photo - I hope that is what I look like in 20 years!! I am 47 now - by the time I get thru all this reconstruction - I will be close to 50 with high on the chest foobs like a 15 year old (due to repeat surgery's and rads).  Maybe I won't need a bra!!  Thank you everyone for the congratulatory wishes!      I hope to be telling you all the same  very soon.  My under arm area is peeling like a had a very very bad sunburn!  I am having to wear sleeveless  tanks or it gets really raw, but I think the worst is over.

I wanted to add my 2 cents i non the hormone issue - just be glad that is an extra step to keep your cancer from recurrence.  I cannot take hormones because I am ER/PR negative.  I know I would not like the side effects but I wish I had the extra protection in my future. . I am not in menopause yet,  but from what I have read it really gives you better chance/odds at beating this breast cancer!  So there are some positives. 

RedheadAce - I have 2 boys age 20 and 14.  I love them but am looking forward to my own time and empty nest.  I have a friend who is 49, she had decided to be a single mom ( she lost her husband to suicide 4 year ago) she trying to adopt and going thru private agency and trying to get a baby.  Since then I started noticing talk shows and other stories about abdoption and foster parenting.  There are so many children out there that would be so grateful for someone like you to look up to and be a roll model.  I saw a local show (Houston)  that had a group of 10 older teenagers and their stories.  They were great kids, and few had been adopted at 16-17 but they explained how much it meant to them even at that late age. You sound like a great lady that has a lot of life and love to give - there is someone out there for you to love and care for even if you can not go through childbirth you can make a difference in a childs life.   

Thank you all for your support, I will check around and see who is chatting on what thread to catch up with you all.    

Love & hugs - Holly  

nancy258

When the rad onc saw the raw half moon under my breast, she gave me some xeroform pads to use on that area.  They are a light mesh soaked with very yellow colored petrolatum and antibiotic.  They just stick to your skin and you cover them with a piece of gauze to catch some of that yellow goop before it gets on your clothes.  I can't wear any kind of bra now, not even the tank tops with the shelf bras.  Now I'm wearing my husband's "wife beater" sleeveless undershirts under one of his button down shirts.  I tuck the undershirt in the fold under my breast to keep the pads in place.  I fear I'll be walking down the hallway at work one day and the darn thing will fall out on the floor.

pattyk, when I mentioned the aloe and vitamin E, she kinda frowned upon it.  She told me to just stick with the steroid and biafine creams and these xeroform pads.  I think she didn't want me adding another variable to the mix.  So I apologize for giving you advice that maybe I should not have.  I've heard lots of women using aloe gels okayed by their doctors, and so I tried it and it felt good.  Anyway, you should ask your doctor.

KristyAnn

Im in SINGLE DIGITS on radiation - I think Im gonna make it!

Kristy 

redheadace1

Yay, Kristy! Of course you will make it, and we will all be celebrating with you. You go, girl!

Makratz

Congradulations Kristy!!!

roberta37

Yah Kristy - I'm right there with you - 9 to go.  I'm getting a little uncomfortable and feeling the fatigue more.  Told my boss today that Friday may be out of the question but that I would play it by ear.  I think I'm like everyone else and the part that bugs me the most is my underarm.  Mostly the scar area.  

When was the worst for most?  Was it after you were finished? 

Hope everyone has a great week. 

redheadace1

Roberta--The first treatment was rough, and the boosts were tough. I seemed to have more pain after the boosts. I finished those on Thursday, and my skin is doing well, but I'm having deeper, intermittent pains in my breast. I imagine that will fade soon.

 Hopefully your next 9 will fly by!

NancyD

OK, because princessS is supposed to finish today, and I'm not sure I will get back to the board, I'm posting her graduation picture early.

Congrats, Princess! 

This is a Royal Fizz. (I was going to post a picture of a Pink Princess, but it's not very exciting looking since it's basically milk and gin.) 

nancy258

Roberta, the worst for me with the underarm (and underbreast) started toward the end of the 6th week.  I'm at the beginning of the 7th week now, and the doc says I have about 5 days more to put up with it, then I should start noticing it getting better.  Finished regular treatments last Thursday, so it was right at the end of the regular treatments when the worst started.

pattyk

Nancy258, no need to apologize.  I did check with my dr. re: aloe and she said fine.  Didn't want me to use the vitamin e tthough. 

 For those with problems in the armpit a little info:  I am now using Domeboro soaks 3x a day (a powder you dissolve in cool water and soak a cloth in it and apply) and they do seem to help.  It seems counterintuitive because they are astringent, but it really takes the sting out and my skin looks much better afterward.  Now my techs suggested putting antibiotic ointment in the crease under my arm (where the sentinel node biopsy scar is) and trying to keep a nonstick gauze pad there all day.  Tough to do.  Today is my first day with these treatments, so we will see.  Also, my techs told me I will have to put up with this for probably another week or so.  They said usually two weeks after they stop radiating the field where the worst side effects are healing should start.  I can't wait.  I have a "sleep" bra on today to help hold the gauze in place, but at my age 63, it's not a pretty site!!

Nancy258, we must be on a pretty similar schedule.  I finished my regular treatments last Tues. and began boosts on Wed.  I should be done with the boosts this Thursday.  Then on to the oncologist next week to talk abbout hormone therapy.  I think he said something about Arimidex being best for me.  To be honest, it's very hard to keep everything straight.

 To everyone on the board it has been a huge help reading your postings.  I think I'll still check in after finishing my treatment...Unless someone has gone through this they have no idea what it feels like.  From what they can see, everything looks normal to them externally.  People at work have been supportive, at home too, but it has been so nice to share with all of you.

Thoughts and prayers to all, especially those who have a long way to go. Take comfort in the fact that there were many times I didn't think I'd be able to do this, but I did.  And I'm a wimp!  Be an advocate for yourself and take good care of yourself.  This too shall pass and better days will come.

princessS

NANCYD--I love my drink you made for me!!!!  It's perfect.  Yes, I finish today!!  It will be in the evening so you might not see my post if you are in the east.  Thank you everyone that has helped making this experience a little easier.  I felt so alone in all of this until I came to this board.  Thank you, thank you!

tkone

All,

I haven't been on much because I didn't start until September 29th so I'm almost an October Rads girl.  At any rate, it has been helpful to read here to see what I'm coming up to.  I am just halfway done as of today and am happy to report that so far I don't have a single side effect.  I know that they will come, but my radiation oncologist was very pleased that after 3 weeks my skin still looks fine.  I'll cross my fingers that it stays that way for as long as possible.

Congrats to all those who have or are close to finishing! 

Kpete

Hello, everyone, and congrats to all who have recently finished their rads.  I officially finished my regular treatments this morning, and got all marked up again to start my boosts (5 total) tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to 10/28 when I am finished, and don't have to drive 30+ miles back and forth every day.  All in all, the rads have not been too bad for me.  My worst SE now is that dang half moon under my breast like Nancy talked about it.  It is raw.  They tell me with the reg rads done, I should start healing now.  Haven't had much fatigue, which is good!

I will be hopping on the Tamoxifen thread soon.  I already have the RX to fill it, and the onc told me to start after rads, so I guess I'll start sometime next week.  I read somewhere that they started on the 1st of the month, so it was easier to remember, so I may try that.  Although my dx, surg, etc. were all on other days than the 1st, and those dates are engrained into my head!!

 Hope everyone is enjoying the cooler temps.  Here in KS, the air is turning cooler, and the leaves are turning some great colors.

 Hugs & prayers, Kim

TexanCupig

Good afternoon, y'all.

Well, I am down to 9 treatments, which include 5 boosts. 

Ace, I'll keep you in my prayers!!!  And, thank you and thank Rose, for your kind words!  Y'all have no idea how ready I've been to get home already?!?

Am I the only one that's started tamoxifen?  I started taking it as soon as I was done with my chemo treatments.  I'm still nervous about taking it, and as far as I know, I haven't really had an SEs.

I'm still taking the 'regular' treatments, because the doc said my skin looked well enough to take them.  One of the techs said something about getting the boosts done while my skin was healing, but that's not the case for the time being.

But, I have some good news...My onc said I could get my port taken out at any time.  So, I had an appt with day surgery, and I'll be getting my port taken out tomorrow some time!!!  I'm so glad to be getting that darn thing taken out, but as someone in the thread said, it's scary thinking about what I'm going to do after I'm all done with my treatments?!?

On another good note, I had a great weekend with a friend of mine!  We went to bingo Friday night, and I won $500.00!   So, I'd have to say the weekend went well!  I am thankful that we haven't gotten any snow since a couple of weeks ago, but I think the cold is here to stay.

Anyway, I hope y'all have a great week!

dancemom23

Had #19 today.  Still tender all over, and my nipple is starting to really bother me and a few twinges here and there.  Other than that and the pinkness, nothing much going on.  They continue to tell me my skin looks good so far.

I have my script for Tamoxifen, have had it since before rads started, am supposed to start it after rads are done, but I think the Onc thought I would be done before my next appointment with her.  I should be done the day before my appointment, so I will likely not have taken any until after I see her.  I filled out the order form for my mail in pharmacy and will probably mail that in tomorrow so that I will be sure to have it when I have to start.

I'll be checking in on the Hormone therapy thread to follow along but won't have much to contribute until November 11ish.

Chris

KAK

Sharon, awesome that you are in single digits -- except at Bingo!!  You go, girl!  You, too, KristyAnn.  Feels good to be near the finish line, doesn't it?

Ace, you are such a sweetheart here on this forum.  We are all better for your participation.  Hang in there, kiddo!  I'll let you know how it goes with the anti-depressant issue.  You, too.

NancyD, that Royal Fizz looks  yummy.

Susan, you can "lurk" as long as you want!  LOL

Rose, Midsumm & any other of us post-menopausal gals:  I'm already osteopenic myself so my med onc said no way to any of the aromatase inhibitors.  However, I just posted some useful links about bone-related stuff on the About to Start Hormones Group, & I'll re-post them here.  The first one is a summary about osteoporosis prevention with some good info on how to get more calcium:

http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/osteotherapy.html

Here's a citation about Zometa, an osteoporosis drug that helps prevent BC:

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/new_research/20080602.jsp

This link is for a PDF file about tamoxifen's benefits, including bone loss prevention:

http://kksphotos.com/files/Tamoxifen.pdf

Kathi

Makratz

Hi Ladies,

I had my 5th boost today.  The area being 'boosted' is redder than the rest of my breast.  When I had my first few boosts they had to mark the area with a sharpie.  Now they don't have  to because you can see the area perfectly.  My area being boosted is on the left side of my left breast.  It hurts and feels like it's burnt.  I also get jabs of pain in my breast.  I can only imagaine what it must be like to have your nipple in the boost area!  I still have small blisters all over my breast, nothing bad, just annoying.  I stopped wearing bra's and that has helped alot.  I have 5 more boosts left, so I finish on Monday.  I wish I finished on Friday.

  My onc told me to start the Tamox one week before rads ended.  I decided to wait until rads ended since I'm uncomfortable enough as it is.

NancyD  - Get the blender ready for me.  I want a frozen Mudslide when I'm done with my boosts!

Congrats to all those who have finished or will finish this week.  To those of you who still have more tx's, hang in there, it does go by fast!

See you all on the new thread!

KAK

Makraz, I'm waiting to start the Tamoxifen until my skin finishes recovering from rads & I'm less fatigued, so hopefully just a few weeks delay.  My med onc was cool with that.  I refuse to start another thing that may cause side effects while I'm still recovering from rad side effects!!!   One bloody poison at a time, for crying out loud...

Sometimes these docs make me really cross.  Ultimately, they can all pound sand as far as I'm concerned, because until one of them has actually been through what we've been through, all the smarts & education in the world cannot begin to teach them what it feels like to be on the receiving end of this.  We're the ones who each have to make the ultimate decisions anyway.  It's our bodies, our skin, our boobs & our lives, after all.

GRRRRR!

Kathi

Makratz

Kathi,

I agree!  I'm sure someone has a doctor that's been through this and it would be interesting to hear their perspective.

Do you mind me asking if your lumpectomy was in RI or Boston?  I was curious to see if we were at the same facility.  I am on the RI border.

NancyD

Makraz.

I've got one all ready in the freezer. Keeping it on ice for you!

**************

The only lingering se from my rads is a blistered area in my mx scar that is not drying out and scabbing over because the scar is lumpy and the area sits deep in a folded over area. Every other area has healed nicely, if a touch itchy.

I'm not sure what to do other than keep a Xeroform pad and gauze over it until the skin heals underneath. It's in a awkward spot that I can't keep uncovered. I'd have to force the fold open and hold it, too, which is difficult to do.

KAK

Makraz, my lumpectomy was in RI at Women & Infants in Providence.  I used to live in Boston, though.  I come from Mass.

Kathi

Makratz

Kathi,

I went to BI in Boston for lumpectomy and now have rads in Foxboro.  It sure is nice NOT having to drive to Boston everyday. 

KAK

Makraz, I sent you a PM.  Kathi

redheadace1

Hi, girls! I had an amazing visit with my onco today and want to tell you all about it, but I'm pooped. I might not have to take Tamox! I will post tomorrow with all the details. Meantime, I hope you're all hanging in there. Congratulations, Princess!

Ace 

vhqh

It's good to see everyone getting this wrapped up! 

I've got 12 of 25 brain zaps done as of today, still working and only a little fatigue to deal with.  Saw the onc today and he had me go ahead and start the Tykerb, will continue the Herceptin, Zometa and Tamoxifen.  Both onc are completely thrilled with how well I'm doing, I hope to continue to surprise them!