SEPTEMBER 2009 RADS

elimar86861

ccbaby, The commercial ran a lot in Sept., it may not be on anymore but it was just for the Radiation Oncology practice.  My tech has a shaved head and was shown in the exact treatment room I used.  They run a lot of commercials that feature certain docs or groups.  Over the years our PCP was in one and my son's orthopedic specialist also.  We now joke that unless a doc has been on t.v., we can't go to them.

lollys

Betsy thank you for posting that site--I just watched it and loved it!!!thanks Laura Happy Thanksgiving

elimar86861

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you...Just as I went in for my Rads check up, someone was ringing the bell in the lobby.  An older lady had just finished her treatment.  A old man sitting there asked his buddy, "What did she ring that bell for?"  His buddy had a blank look, so I blurted, "Cause she's so happy that she's done with her radiation that's why!"   I felt happy to hear it ringing again too.

BetsyBuzz

Michele...no worries...man do I remember chemo brain, it does get better. I'm 4.5 months PFC and other than occasional bone pain, I'm doing great. The fog has lifted TG.

Elimar - After this thread I will always think good thoughts when I hear a bell ring. Sort like...It's a Wonderful Life. Our own special heaven...survivor heaven!

peg119

I was just wondering if any of you are on Effexor.  My onc gave me a script for it to help with the tamox hotflashes.  I got it filled yesterday (I have had the script for a month) but still not sure I want to start taking it.  It is an antidepressant that they start you on a very low dose of.  Just wanted to hear from anyone else that might be on it.

AmyIsStrong

Peg - if you go to the "Bottle o' Tamoxifen" thread, there are many ladies there who are on it and will be able to help you.

peg119

AmylsStrong - thanks for the advise about the thread.  I will check it out.

ccbaby

Elimar...that is cute what you said to the men at the rad office!

MTG

Ladies - Out of all the wonderful women I've met on this site, I am most thankful for  you all, my Freshman class. I wish each and everyone of you a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving.

MTG

PS, not certain if this bird went thru rads with us; she's certainly as crispy as many of us were!"

Titan

Crispy?  Bird??  Please explain..the only bird I know is the one of Christy flipping it to the chemo room and the one I'm going to chow on tomorrow!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  God Bless Us All   (or is that a Christmas move saying)...anyway love you ladies  ..enjoy the day

kawee

I too, want to thank everyone for being there when I needed someone.  My family lives far away and didn't really understand.  You ladies got me thru this, and I am so grateful for all of you.  I just stumbled on this site and it was one of the greatest thing that ever happened!!!! 

Have a great Thanksgiving, and eat alot -- you deserve it.!!!!

micheleboots

MTG,  Nice breasts...looking hot and juicy.

elimar86861

I don't feel right about cutting my turkey's BREAST off this year, so I'm going to try a mash potato reconstruction.  That bird above got better cosmetic results than I did!!!

michelleboots,looking at your current avatar (wig) makes me want some cotton candy.

Beggy

I only joined BCO yesterday and have already received an amazing amount of support and advice!  I have yet to make my final decision on whether to have chemo or not (onco score 17), but thanks to all my new friends in this wonderful "sisterhood" I'm getting close.  If I decide not to go the chemo route, rads will start in about 1 week.  Can anyone give me some tips, advice and encouragement to help me get off on the right foot so I know what to expect?  I want to make this next stage of my journey as tolerable (and less scary) as I can!

MTG

Sally - the ladies on this site are amazing. Welcome !

Ok, some radiations tips:

1) Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize - check with you rad team as to what's allowed; there are also lists here of products we've used - aloe and calendula are really popular

2) put away bras for the duration and switch to camisoles, t shirts or undershirts;

3) Buy an extra gentle soap and use it (I used Cetaphil Gentle);  also, when showering, dont let the water directly hit your radiated breast (I switched to baths). 

4) Go topless when ever possible to prevent rubbing and allow the air to get to it.

5) If your Rad team oks it, I found soaking a washcloth in 10% Apple Cidr Vinegar and 90% cold water, really, really soothing.

I'm sure you'll get many more tips ! Please keep us posted on your progress and decisions.

Titan

where in the heck is Michele? 
We probably scared the poor girl off...MTG..YOU ARE SOOO BAD!

I told her I was the only sane person on here and you are proving me right!    That turkey is disgusting! 

Oh well...blame it on chemo brain...I always do..so far it is working..not sure how long I can milk it though.

MTG..you are so bad!   And you maybe me laugh so hard!

BetsyBuzz

MTG - Love your bird! I was definitely darker but your bird looks as greased up as I was. LOL.

Titan- I plan on milking chemo brain for another year or so. On a serious note...did your eyes change? I've been having a problem with my vision, popping in and out of focus. It's very annoying. My onc said not to go in for glasses until after month 5. I'm not sure I can wait, as I can't really see at night.

micheleboots

Don't worry ladies you didn't scare me off...I too have a warped sense of humor.  I had a treatment yesterday and didn't get to much time for guilty pleasures...I live this thread, you gals rock..

Michele

ccbaby

Betsy...I had heard that the chemo can cause changes to your vision. I think I read it on one of the discussion boards here a while back. I noticed that my vision has been a little off too since chemo started. 

Titan

Betsy and Christy...normally I'm blind as a bat...but I do notice some changes also...plan on going to the eye doctor in December to see what is going on....haven't worn my contacts since last March...wonder how they will feel?  Thinking I may try them soon..but dang..still have soo much forehead...keep thinking that glasses take up a little but of the face! 

Betsy..bone pain?  Could you describe it just a little more?  I walk 2 miles per day..feel just fine..then get like fall out of the car when I try to get out when I get home...do you think that this is from the taxol..I also get stiff (don't go there MTG!) from sitting to long...sometimes I feel like an old woman...walked for HOURS at the mall yesterday...felt fine than had leg pain at night...could it be 50 years old!  Even my rear hurts now sitting on the floor typing this..(on my DD's laptop)....All I can think is bone cancer...damn...do I always have to think the worst??

See the chemo onc on Tues...kinda excited to see him..he is a sweetie...going to talk to him about the aches/pain...going to ask him about the h1n1 shot also.

I am also getting a belly on me..!!!  Never had one before...told my DH that maybe I'm pregnant...and seriously he about fell out of his chair!   I said it would be a miracle baby and he said that it would be a dork!    Wouldn't that be something...guess I feeling the empty nest syndrome....!  

lollys

MTG loved the turkey--how in the world did you do that--great plasstic surgeon

 Well I went back to work today --only 4 hours though --and a good idea--i am tired--8 months off- wow reality --re entry a little tough--going to take a nap --also I got an upper respiratory thing going on since thanksgiving even though I thought I was safe I wasnt-- going to rest-- hope all are doing well-- 

MTG

Lolly - Congratulations on returning to work ! That is a huge step to getting back to whatever "normal" is. And thanks for the turkey (done with 2 half lemons under the skin but not by me, just found in a recipe)

Re: eye problems. According to this site's tratments and side effects pages, at http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/vision_probs.jsp

Vision and Eye Problems

Though not a common side effect, breast cancer treatment may affect your eyes, including your vision.

Eye problems may include:

• red, itchy, or dry eyes
• watery eyes
• conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• blurry or double vision
• seeing dark spots

Breast cancer treatments that may cause eye problems are:

• chemotherapy
• tamoxifen, a hormonal therapy
• Fareston (chemical name: toremifene), a hormonal therapy
• Aromasin (chemical name: exemestane), a hormonal therapy
• Avastin (chemical name: bevacizumab), a targeted therapy
• Zometa (chemical name: zoledronic acid) and Reclast (a different formulation of zoledronic acid), bone-strengthening medications known as bisphosphonates

Some pain medications also can cause eye problems.

Managing eye problems

If you have vision problems, it can be a sign of a more serious medical condition. Call your doctor right away if you notice that you're having trouble seeing or if your vision changes.

If your eyes are dry, red, or itchy:  Try to blink frequently, especially if you spend long hours looking at a computer screen. This can help lubricate your eyes.  Ask your doctor if artificial tears or eye drops would help soothe your eyes. Consider wearing your glasses instead of contact lenses -- not wearing contact lenses may help ease eye irritation.

 To help reduce your risk of getting pink eye or another eye infection: Avoid rubbing your eyes -- you could spread germs into your eye or make any irritation worse. Wash your hands before you touch your eyes.

peg119

It seems like there are a lot of side effects to all of this that I never thought about.  Tamoxifen can cause eye problems, joint pain, cramping.  I never realized that until I went to the O'tamoxifen thread.  Sometimes it makes you wonder if it is worth taking.  I have been having a terrible time with my back and now wonder if it is connected.  X-ray just showed some minor arthritis.

BetsyBuzz

OMG - I didn't recall reading eye SE's with Tamox. too. Thank Mtg. I'm pretty sure my problems are residual SEs from chemo. My eyes go in and out of focus and are definitely blurry. I got new glasses mid way through chemo since chemo rendered my old lenses useless. I've already had one lens change since then. Now I'm going to try a new eye dr. and see what they say. They kept telling me it's ok to have my eyes checked during chemo...which I thought was so strange.  

Titan - my bone pain feels like left over neulasta bone pain. It doesn't travel like the pain I had on taxol. It's deep and mostly just achy...rather than true pain. TG I don't need pain pills with it. I've been taking aleve when it gets real bad. It almost feels like it is pressure related. When the weather turns...I'm achy. Jeesh...do I sound old or what? I seem to feel better after working out...one more reason to get my butt in gear. Now that my arm has healed from my blood draw, I have no excuse.

Laura - Congrats about going back to work. It's been a long haul...huh? On my last visit my WBC was still below normal so my med. dr. gave me an H1N1 shot. I didn't ask for it, she sort of pushed it on me. My onc. recommended it...so I guess it's ok. If my WBC would have been normal, I would have refused it...but since I'm still low I figured what the heck.

MTG

Peg - I'm on the Tamoxifen thread alot. I know the Side Effects are intimidating; they certainly are for me ! Just keep in mind 3 things: (1) not everyone gets the same side effects or the same severity and  no one gets all the side effects, (2) most side effects, if they occur, can be mitigated in some way and (3) almost all the side effects - if they occur,- will go away almost immediately upon stopping the pill.  Joint pain, eye dryness and cramping all stop. The ones that are possibly more permanent seem to be (i) the possiblity of cataracts (not a huge issue in my book) and (ii) ovarian cysts and thickening (more serious - sometimes leading to D & C and other surgery but the risk can be minimized by semi annual monitorings with Transvaginal ultrasounds). Many women - myself included - take a try it and see what happens attitude.

If you're seroiusly thinking about skipping T, check out the Natural Girls thread. Although some there (like me) do take T, it seems that the majority of women are taking herbal supplements instead of Tamoxifen. It's a lot of work (studying, reading, buying pills) but they seem very happy with the course they've chosen.

It's a tough decision. And one you dont have to rush into. Search the various threads, maybe start a new one asking for feedback, read whatever you can find and ask questions. We're all here for each other.

kawee

I know some of us have talked about having pain under our arm after radiation.  Well, I went to the physical therapist today.  She explained how that happens after radiation (don't ask me to explain it--I don't quite understand it myself, something about webbing overlap, yada, yada, yada).  Anyway when she measured my arm it is slightly larger from the first time they did it before rad.

I spent an hour with her while she massaged my lymph system on that side of my body and stretched the muscles under my arm and around my lymph node incision and the left side of my breast.  It hurt like @#!@.  Anyway, she said you can't let it go, because it will just get worse.  She set me up for appts. 2 times this week and 2 times next week and then said we would go from there if necessary.

 So, if anyway is experiencing pain and tightness in their armpit and around it, it should be checked out.

Titan

Kawee..I have a little of that tightness...it seems the further away from chemo/rads I get the more I feel things...maybe coming out of the fog?

HO HO HO..saw the chemo onc..today..checked things out..he said I'm doing very well..everything looked and sounded good.  YAY...got a copy of my recent mammo...things are CLEAR!  Yay again!  He said I have dense breasts..said they were "young"  breasts...I asked him when the heck they will be "fatty" breasts...he said soon..now that I"m through menopause...young, dense breasts are not good to have..I want OLD FAT breasts!  PLEASE!

Lollys..good luck back at work!  I worked the whole way through..can't say it was easy...sometimes I wonder if I really got anything done!   But my boss was very supportive...I would come back from chemo and he would just stare at me...I think he took it easy on me...but it doesn't happen anymore!

peg119

MTG - I am on the tamox.  Started August 24 just not really happy with it but don't really see much alternative.  I am having trouble with my back right now and cramping in toes and feet.  I am trying the soap in the bed for the cramping feet but haven't really done it long enough to know if it helps.  Unsure if the back problems are related to the Tamox or not.  will just have to do the wait and see thing.

AmyIsStrong

I saw my rad onc today for my final visit. It is a shame because I  like him better than EITHER my onc or my BS. But he said that if I keep him around, I will suffer from "TMD" (too many doctors).  He checked my skin, said it looked great and shook my hand, said it was a pleasure to have me as his patient and said "Consider yourself cured." And that was that! (If only it were that easy....)
I stopped to see my rad techs and they were so excited - all gave me hugs, showed me photos of one of the tech's new baby boy, fussed over my hair, etc. It  was lovely to see them. End of a chapter. I left and thanked the receptionists and walked through the waiting room, where there were bald women, and other people in various stages of their journey. I felt really triumphant  - I came, I saw, I conquered. A good day!