MAY 2009 Rads

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  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited May 2009

    Oh Princess, what a drag!! I am so sorry. One more stupid thing to put up with. It will get better.

    Genia, Breakdown already I don't like that at all. They need to give you a better cream. I can tell from your pic that you are delicate. I will say a prayer that your beautiful skin can handle this part of the healing.

    Texas: I can so relate my left leg is still swelling considerably and I am 7 weeks out. I ask for diaretics and my onc gave 3 pills. Can you believe it. I can see it now I will be in diuretic rehab. Come on. I hope that you feel better and better.

    Pinkstar: I love your name. I am horrified that you have to do this again. I am sure it will be the last time. No matter how cruel this stupid BC seems to be I am so grateful that it was once again caught in the early stage. That is Huge. It looks like just in the knick of time. Me too. (gulp) Is it in the same breast as original? Did you have a Lumpectomy? Chemo rads? You are in my prayers stay strong and rest and heal.

    Barbiedahl: I with you I love flowers sooooo much. I have every square inch of my garden blooming.Me and miracle grow are close. I wonder if I could use it on my head.

    Well tomorrow Rad #3 of 33. Yikes!!!!!! Make it go away.

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  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 288
    edited May 2009

    Morning everyone. Thank you for the support, means so much to me.  The swelling came down considerably with the wrap on Friday and the pain has lessened along with the swelling.  A mom of my son's friend does massage for a living, and she did some lymphatic massage on my wrist and forearm Friday night and that helped too.  I'm wearing an isotoner glove and wrap tube, +/-  ace bandage, until I get my sleeve made.  It looks a bit freakish, and folks ask concerned, "what happened?" but it does help.  

    Genia, I'm sorry to hear about your skin.  I heard about a product called Biofine that I may ask for if mine gets to that point.  I'm at tx 11 with 19 more to go, so right behind you on this rad journey.

    Texas, I think mine started with the edema after chemo too and when I went on a plane ride to Florida in April without a sleeve.  I was in denial; you're smart to have gotten a sleeve early! 

    For anyone who has had a mastectomy with more extensive lymph node dissection, please consider getting a sleeve made early, even if just for plane rides.

     Happy Sunday! c

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  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited May 2009

    Blessed Sunday May Radiators.

    Cher07 I still get some headaches post chemo myself.  I call them withdrawal headaches.  I'll go several days to a week and then the ear ringing and aches will return for a day.  But, it keeps getting better.  I'm out from chemo 33 days now.  Yesterday I did a lot.  Went Kayaking and worked in the garden and didn't take a nap.  Now today I'm sore, tired, ears ringing and a bit of funny taste in my mouth. I took a 2 hour nap.  Fortunately I can do that.  The only problem is that sometimes when I nap like that it interferes with going to sleep at night.  Like I say withdrawal.

    Well I'm just on the 3rd treatment.  So far so good.  But, my skin is very fair and I won't be surprised if I have some skin break down.  I know silavadeen cream sure takes the burn out of burned skin.  It is really messy but, if one is hurting from a burn it is really worth the mess.

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  • Puppers
    Puppers Member Posts: 59
    edited June 2009

    Happy Sunday afternoon sisters!!

    Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I've been dealing with a couple of other health issues for the past few weeks (severe shoulder pain in my right shoulder, same side as my lumpectomy - seems I irritated an old rotator cuff injury by sleeping the first few weeks post-op with my arm raised, and now raising my arm for radiation every day!, and also nausea all the time for the past two weeks from where I don't know!  Doc did lab work on me Friday and is sending me to GI as I do have history with Crohn's...) 

    Anyway - I will have rad #18 tomorrow - officially over halfway to #33!!   I'm thinking maybe my last day will be June 22.  Friday in the rad oncologist's office a man came in with a huge bouquet of flowers for the staff as it was his last day of radiation - his graduation he said!  It made me smile and think towards when we will graduate from this phase of treatment ourselves!

    My skin is doing well so far, just reddened/pinkish in a perfect square over the treatment area - just really noticed it this morning!  My breast is more tender now, but not painful.  Aloe really helps the skin part, and I'm also using a steroid cream prescribed for the red bumps I was getting earlier (they are healed up now)

    I'm praying for ALL of you this coming week - can you all believe June starts tomorrow???

    God bless you all with better weeks this week!!

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited June 2009

    Hello, all,

    Just wanted to pop in and suggest this website for lymphedema information. The pages on Risk Reduction, Finding a Qualified Therapist, and How You Can Cope may be especially helpful. Quality treatment early on is your best assurance that the condition will remain manageable and not move into more advanced stages.

    www.StepUp-SpeakOut.org

    Also, please feel welcome to join us "swell" gals on the Lymphedema After Surgery board here at bc.org. Lots of shared experiences and solid answers from women who have been there!

    Be well!
    Binney

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  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited June 2009

     Hey- I had to share.  I'm a Pink Angel, the first one for a magazine called WQ.  A friend, unbeknownst to me, nominated me and I won!  I get a day of pampering and my 'story' on their magazine's website.  Cool. 

    If you want, the story is posted at 
    http://www.wqmagonline.com/forum/topic/show?id=2298959%3ATopic%3A13506

    just look for me and the Pink Angels picture!  If you copy and paste the address it easier. JUDY

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  • seagan
    seagan Member Posts: 166
    edited June 2009

    Hi, all!  Happy June to everybody -- I guess we're June 2009 Rads now, too. 

    Puppers -- sorry to hear you've had other health issues on top of all this.  It sounds like we're on the same schedule:  June 22 is my last day, too.  Getting there!

    Facecrafter -- very cool, congratulations!  Enjoy that day of pampering!!

    Here's a question for everybody:  where does your mind go (if anywhere) during the buzzing?  I sometimes count "1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, etc." and oddly enough, never finish at the same time, which shows what a consistent counter I am.  Other times I've sort of sung along with the buzz in my head -- it seems to go up and down a scale (sort of).  I realized last week what a blase old pro I'm getting at this rads thing when it occurred to me I hadn't even noticed the buzzing one day -- I just laid there thinking of what else I had going on that day, and suddenly they were telling me it was all done.

    Hope this June day is as lovely elsewhere as it is here in Minnesota today -- it's gorgeous out there.  Take care!

    darcy

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  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited June 2009

    Good June to all Rad sisters! It is June Gloom in Ca. Today is only #3 out of 33. I am 7 weeks out of chemo and getting better everyday. Wishing I had hair but not really happening. I still have tastebuds issues.

    I hope that everyone saw the news about Tamoxofin and antidepressants. I don't take either but found it very interesting.

    Be well be happy!

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  • Puppers
    Puppers Member Posts: 59
    edited June 2009

    One of my first days of radiation I counted the seconds, to see exactly how long each session is - that passed the time at first. 

    Now I just think of what I have on my plate for the coming day, and also look at a beautiful picture of a forest with trees in all different colors of autumn.  The picture is on the ceiling of the radiation room, it is actually 3 light covers made into one big picture with light coming through the back of the pictures.  Nice to look at, better than looking at plain ceiling tiles!  Have a good one!

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited June 2009

    Hi Rads friends,

    Today is day #13 of rads for me.  And, its my 12th anniversary.  Wow.....I was just looking at wedding pictures and wish I was still thin like in the photos LOL!

    During rads I usually just listen to whatever CD that have crankin'.  I really listen to the words and think about the message.  Sometimes, I just stare at the ceiling or recite something in my own head (lists of things to do, the ABC's, whatever).  But, mostly I try to keep occupied so that I can breathe normally LOL!

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  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited June 2009

    During the clicking of the Rads I imagine a giant white sun filled with all the love of God and all the people of the earths love collected into this luminous ball. Then it is transferred to my breast to love me and heal me. I know what your thinking like Oh Boy we got a winner here. It helps me visualize my healing. Hope it works!

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited June 2009

    There's a beautiful woodlands scene that I stare at during the buzzing. It's over so quickly that I truly don't have time to let my mind wander too much.

    Tomorrow I start the first of 8 boosts, then go back to the last of the regular treatments. I'll be glad to get the boosts over with since the ink they used to mark that area is still bleeding onto my clothes.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2009

    They must have had a run on those things - I am looking at the stream, and the woods in spring.  Nice, except that would never look like it in Florida!! 

    #14 today - wondering if it will be the regular treatment or my first boost.  I'll see in a little bit. 

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited June 2009

    Good June morning to everyone...

    17 of 33 for me today...yay...officially past the halfway mark...nothing to report except getting more brown/red spots on treatment area...

    Puppers...sorry to hear about your other health issues...take care...

    Lisalisa...happy anniversary...enjoy the day...

    Seagan...during buzzing...i just concentrate on trying not to move...they did not create a mold for me and those blocks are not that steady...

    Take care everyone...

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  • ddlatt
    ddlatt Member Posts: 448
    edited June 2009

    there's nothing to look at inside the tomotherapy radiation machine. i'm inside the machine and only about a foot away from the circular band where the radiation goes around me in a circle. it doesn't "buzz" but it sounds like cards shuffling as the leaves inside the circle open and close. i get a CT scan first, then 4.5 minutes of radiation, so i don't have much time to think about anything. mostly i just enjoy the music they're playing in the room. i'm glad for the warm blanket because it's freezing in there.

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited June 2009

    Facecrafter...congratulations on the Pink Angel article...you're such a brave person...take care...

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  • Puppers
    Puppers Member Posts: 59
    edited June 2009

    Way to go Facecrafter!

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  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited June 2009

    Hi Ladies...

    Had # 12 today and still no SEs...only a little feet swelling but as noted I think its from my chemo injections....I just put them up for a couple of hours and it goes away.  Just looks funny and my sandals are a little tight.

    Princess...so sorry you are having some lympho trouble...hang in there and it will soon be gone.

    Genia...you too!  Hang in there...and get some cream on those spots.

    Judy...thanks for the explanation...I was hoping that Latisse was topical...as I just could see my bikini line hair coming in full force if I swallowed a pill for it.  LOL

    To all you beautiful ladies.. hope you all have a RAD SE FREE week!!!!

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  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited June 2009

    Facecrafter congrats great article.

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  • Genia
    Genia Member Posts: 1,335
    edited June 2009

    Nice article facecrafter......good for you having it published!

    I went in to have my treatment today and they had me go see my Dr.  She gave me some cooling patches.....and sent me home until Weds because I am burning.  Weds I'll have a regular treatment, but then Thurs. they will do the measuring and markings for my boosts.  I'll have 10 of those....then I'll have to have my four other regular treatments at the end.  She said my skin on my neck would be healed by then, because the boosts don't hit my neck area.....just the scar and scar tissue. 

    This is very uncomfortable.....and raw!

    Hope you all are doing good today.

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  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited June 2009

    Facecrafter...what a nice thing to share with us...great article.  We have a lot in common...Cruising, Event Planning and Art...

    We have those wonderful pictures on the ceilings as well...they cost a pretty penny as I asked if they can be changed for each season...spring, summer, fall and winter...looks like a summer river with trees and a stream...but in and out of there so quickly I can't remember what else.

    One of my techs just got back from scuba diving in Honduras...during the earthquake they had there recently....So glad she made it back safely.  She said it was very scary.

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited June 2009

    Nice article, Facecrafter!

    There is nothing interesting to look at in the room where I have rads, so I count the 11 buzzes and take big breaths/swallow in between.  Today they were playing an old Abba CD -- Dancing Queen -- and counting buzzes was better than listening to that.  Just 5 more rads for me and no major problems with my skin yet.  I'm on Cipro for a bladder infection and feel crummy from that.

    Hope all of you wonderful ladies have a week that is free of SEs.

    -bonnie 

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  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited June 2009

    It's nice to be able to share with those who are going thru it as well..  And let's not forget a sense of humor- it gets us thru a lot....JUDY

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  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited June 2009

    Nice article Facecrafter.  Enjoy your day of pampering.

    Happy anniversary Lisa.

    Healing and health to all.

    Today was day 4 of 33.  I'm one ahead of you Bold.  So far so good.  I had a great and active weekend.  Today I'm paying the price.  I feel like I've been beat all over.  But, the fun of doing and moving is worth all of it.

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  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited June 2009

    Hi all.  I am day four of 33---5 of which are boosts. 

    ddlatt--Your tx sounds interesting.  In Nevada, in a tx room with cards shuffling!  (no pun intended???)   I like it!!!!  LOL

    Lisa--congrats on your anniversary.

    I hope you have a nice day of pampering Facecrafter.

    Bkokie--I have three different buzz series-one is about 7 seconds long, another about 20 seconds and a third is about another 10. 

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  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 288
    edited June 2009

    Nice article Facecrafter!  It's so cool that you've turned your art into your livelihood!

    Seagan, I sometimes picture a walk in the beautiful hills around here; very specifically, in my mind's eye I do a walk that I did while at a 2 day meditation retreat between chemo and rads. <http://www.spiritrock.org/&gt;   Sometimes, I'm not as good and I lay there and worry that the "buzz" seems to be going on way to long...   Then I get back to breathing normally. 

    Cruise, Thanks for the good wishes.  I had a melt down after work in my parking garage because my hand and arm were more swollen again.  I called my sister and just broke down crying, "I've been tyring to hold it all together, but this is just too much." My sweet sister said where are you, I'm coming over.  So I went home and fixed dinner for my husband and son and my sister came over and kept us company and then told me to take a bath and then she did a lymphatic massage on my arm and really got the swelling down again.  Now it's all wrapped up again for now.  I still haven't had my meeting with the LE specialist PT so don't know how long to keep it wrapped/not.

    Today was tx #12/30 for me Cool this too shall pass.  Love & Light Ladies :)

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  • pringles1
    pringles1 Member Posts: 59
    edited June 2009

    Morning Ladies...

    been about a week or so since I posted... had nuber 7 of 35 yesterday.. still to early to detect any problems .. but all looks good.. same for the TE.. since I started in the May group I will stay with it until I finish in July...

    Hope everyone has a fine day ...Cool

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2009

    Morning, everyone.  Had #14 yesterday.  I'm noticing getting a little red/brown under the breast as well, I guess from laying with my arm up.  It's like a band, like I was in the sun but only on that side, both above and below.  Have been noticing underarm tenderness, will mention it when I see the rad onc today.  Still rib tender and some tenderness in breast, but if I am careful with myself and don't bump into anything, it's not too bad.  They are doing my regular treatment, #15 out of 33, and then doing the simulation for the boosts to check the cutout they made from Friday.  Once the doc approves the setup, they will start mixing in the boosts with my treatments.

    I asked my rad techs if they ever played music and they said no, it would interfere with their equipment.  I think thats a lot of hooey - they are just too serious to enjoy the music!

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  • barbiedahl
    barbiedahl Member Posts: 119
    edited June 2009

    Hi everyone,

     Yesterday #10 so far so good, because I have no SE to speak of at this point my doctor and I talked about flowers for awhile. I hope we just talk flowers the whole time!

    Seagan I guess I'm sort of like Bold, I just relax completely and imagine the energy going into me and then out of me. I keep my eyes closed and honestly I don't really hear too much, I'm sort of in my own head. I did ask them to play music THAT YOU CAN'T DANCE TO, the first couple of times they played music that made me want to get up and dance. I don't think they want me to do that. A few times I've found myself so relaxed that it sort of annoying that they come back into the room!

     Facecrafter great article. Smiling and laughing will always get us through.

    Princess We all have low time, good for you for reaching out to your sister, and bless her for being such a wonderful sister. I hope this clears as the treatments end. It is a lot to deal with, but take each day one at a time and know we are all pulling for you:o)

    Have a great day everyone! One more under our belts (or bras) after today! 

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited June 2009

    First boost today! Plus it's "talk to the doctor" day and I get to show her the light rash that's started. I'm so excited to be nearing the finish line. 18/33 today.

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