SEPTEMBER 2009 RADS

lollys

THanks Betsy--I am so glad you are on this site--someday maybe we will meet-- I am not that far away from you ( SAN Jose)  I am sorryabout  your infection--we are all dealing with so much --I want everything and everyone to be alright now!!it is enough!! I am getting the same comments about my hair and feel the same as you--but now I could care less--my whole attitude has seemed to change-- I dont want to do anything I think I am now depressed-- this really hit me with a reality check-- I didnt even feel this way through treatment or even diagnosis-- maybe it is post trarumatic stress??!!! I will be ok-- I just am really scared-- as I am sure we all are I thought my life was returning to normal but now I will always have in the back of my mind wondering if my heart is ok--besides the cancer thing-- I just thought doing every thing I could to get rid of this cancer was the right choice and that my heart would be fine--oh well enough depressing talk-- hope everyone is returning to some normalcy and that the holidays will be filled with love , laughter and health and happiness-- this is my wish for every one of you !!Laura

Titan

Hey everyone!  Betsy..that sucks that your boob isn't getting better...maybe you should get a stronger antibiotic? 

Laura...I haven't had another muga test either but now I am wondering...the technician that did the test told me that IF there is any damage from the adriamycin that the heart "pops" back...I don't know if that is true or not....

OK..if we have the side effects from the chemo/rads for a long time...there is nothing we can do about it now..we have done the chemo and there is no going back to before....however...I still hope, hope, and believe that chemo was the best thing...and I am also realizing that we will probably all never feel as good as we did "before"...I know I was expecting to actually feel better but that really isn't happening..

micheleboots

Lollys, we are all scared about something...and always will it come back, will we have to  through this again...god I  hope not.

Titan

Yep..we will all have our freaking out days...most of the time...though...they will be good days..not freaking out days.

I just did this today..and I'm ticked at myself..I went to last winter/spring's calendar on outlook and saw all of my appts...the first mammogram, the appt. to discuss the mammogram, the biopsy appt, the lumpectomy, the chemo appts....and on and on....why in the heck do I put myself through that????????     Do I like to make myself miserable..I need to go in an erase the whole damn year. 

lollys

Thank you Titan 'and micheleboots--you are right the freaking out days suck-- I am going to hold on to your comment Titan about the heart "popping" back-- I have my calendar too and it is really weird to look at all the dates-- I am coming up to 1 year since I had my mammogram in Feb. where did the year go--oh never mind I know where it went--yes lets just put it all aside-- thanks all of you for listening to me freak and for being here!! we will find ways to stay strong-- Laura 

MTG

Betsy - An infection ? And here I thought you were just decorating for XMAS - red boobs and green...what; what in the world would want to dye green. On second thought, maybe just get rid of the infection !

Is anyone here taking or thinking of taking Zometa as a precautionary step ? Been doing a bit of research and it looks like it's a option to reduce the possiblity of bc recurrence as well as bone mets. Since I had vascular invasion, that's my biggest risk. SInce it's only 15 minutes every 6 months it sounds tempting. Anyone have any thoughts ? 

So here a quick look at the Zometa research: a Feb 2009 study, "Zometa Reduces Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence in Premenopausal Women, Study in The New England Journal of Medicine Reports" http://www.drugs.com/clinical_trials/zometa-reduces-risk-breast-cancer-recurrence-premenopausal-women-study-new-england-journal-medicine-6731.html. And"Bone drug helped stave off breast cancer" a 2008 article at http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/new_research/20080602.jsp

elimar86861

Stopping by with some Holiday Wishes for my rads group. 

peg119

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL.  MAY THE NEW YEAR BRING BETTER TIMES THAN THE PAST YEAR.

kawee

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!   I PRAY THE NEW YEARS BRINGS US ALL PEACE, JOY, AND PROSPERITY.

I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CARING AND SUPPORT THESE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS--YOU MADE IT SO MUCH EASIER.

KAREN

BetsyBuzz

Ho..Ho..Ho...I'm finally in the holiday mood, or is it the vino I drank tonight?? Either way, I had a productive day. I pruned the pachysandra bush I hang my outdoor holiday lights (red balls) on, so they can be seen from the street. So my funky balls are hung. It's not truly Christmas at my house until the balls are up. Did any of you see SNL, Schwetty balls skit, a couple of nights ago? LOL.

My infection is still lurking but it is better. I have a feeling I'm going to need to call my rads onc on Monday. 

You guys would laugh at our Christmas tree. We have a fake palm tree in our living room and we put lights on it. I place a Christmas blanket under it and voila...it's Christmas! Can you tell we don't have kids?

Wishing you all a Happy Holiday!  It's time to watch a Christmas Story...I just love those bebe guns...BUT remember be careful, they may shoot your eye out!

ccbaby

Hi Girls, I wanted to let you know that I had my GAP/HIP flap surgery Tuesday in New Orleans. My surgery went well and I am recovering great too. The hospital here is amazing (www.breastcenter.com) I was released from the hospital yesterday and we are staying at the Hope Lodge (free from the American Cancer Society) until after my follow up appt on Monday. We have a 12 hour drive back home then and will stay overnight halfway through.

Lollys...there is not a day that goes by that I freak out and worry about having to go through all of this again....but I think we need to worry, because it will keep us on our toes to catch it very early if something did happen. Heck, I remember worrying about getting cancer BEFORE I got cancer....

lollys

Good to  hear your surgery went well ccbaby--keep us posted-

micheleboots

CC, glad that part is over..Good luck with recovering...Take it easy and let others pamper you.

BetsyBuzz

Christy - I'm so glad everything went well and that you are in good hands. Take care!

Betsy

kawee

Christy,  glad to hear from you.  Sounds like everything is good.   Hang in there.

Ladies, remember when I told you I had that tightness and pulling under my arm?  I've been going to PT about 5 times, and now it's worse.  Now besides tightness, I have pain and fluid under my arm.  Don't know what the "heck" is going on.  Thinking about going back to the surgeon to find out what she says.  Anyone have anything like this?

elimar86861

kawee, I went to 2 PT sessions so far.  I think my armpit tightness is still about the same, but my ribs feel more sore.  At least I found out I don't have what is true "cording."  I can feel tightness over my whole rads rectangle.  In my layperson's mind, I think of it as a micro-scarring from what rads did to my cells.  If that is wrong, let's just say I don't have anyone correcting me and telling me why it does feel that way.  I'd like to try ultrasound, but am not getting a warm reception to the idea.  In any event, it can't hurt, can it?  I have read that ultrasound is good at breaking up scar tissue.

p.s. ccbaby, happy for you.  Sounds like the trip was worth it!

kawee

elimar - Did they give you exercises?  Do you feel fluid under your arm?

elimar86861

She showed me two massages...the light one to get lymph fluid moving, and a firmer one to loosen the scar tissue up.  She said I really don't have a fluid problem.  I think some weeks ago when I had overall sorenessin my breast area, it was a small amount of fluid buildup, but I am not feeling that now.  I never had arm fluid, cross fingers.  She gave me basic stretches, but I had been doing those all along---the one where you hang your arms and back over a corner of the bed, and stretching overhead using the door frame. 

BetsyBuzz

Kawee,

Do they classify what you are experiencing as lymphedema? Who ordered your PT, was it your onc or surgeon? Just curious...

lollys

Hi all -- I went to PT also --gave me the same regimen as elimar--some massages and stretching-- said I could start using the cybex machines at my club with very little weight to build up some back muscles and triceps to keep arms strong-- only very light weights if any--also i did get fitted for a sleeve to use when I fly to prevent swelling and she suggested using while I exercise ( which I havent as of yet) I had a lot of tightness under my arm and the massaging helped-- I am a little limited because I dislocated and FX that shoulder several years ago -- although it has been fine --( everything on my right side !!!) anyway hope the shopping centers are treating you well and everyone has a wonderful holiday--thanks to all of you --hugs to all Laura

Titan

Merry Christmas everyone!  God Bless you all too!  What a year this has been for us all!  The only good thng has been meeting all of you,,,,,,I seriously would not have been in the mood I am now without you all.....I feel good....looking back..well..it was hell!  But we all stuck together and here we are..done with chemo and rads...ready to start again..love to all of you

and Betsy...go Bucks!  Beat the Ducks.(but maybe we will save that for next week!  Love ya!

MTG

Twas two nights before Christmas and all thru this thread,
You ladies have helped me to work thru the dread.
You've answered my questions and all shown your care
Rads would have sucked had you not all been there.

And now that we're done with each boost and each zap,
We can finally be rid of this breast cancer crap.
At least done with the daily affronts to our boobs.
Congrats to all those who now have new foobs.

We've made it thru our September rads
In a way, we're all like new minted grads.
Having studied and learned and finished our tests
It's time for a break for our poor bc breasts.

And so as we heal and return to our norms
Gone are the lotions, tattoos and xeroforms
We made it thru rads and won this hard fight
Happy Christmas to all and to all a Good Night !

Merry Christmas Ladies and thank you for being there for me and for each other !

                    

M
Diagnosis: 6/30/2009, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

AmyIsStrong

WHAT AN AMAZING POEM!  I LOVED IT! Thank you so much for posting.  No one but us would understand.

This board has become my 'safe place' where I know I will be understood and supported. I would not have made it through without you and I mean that.

While I am doing so well now, and feel so healthy and happy, I find myself very emotional as Christmas approaches. Didn't expect to feel this way. Not sad, just teary and somewhat overwhelmed. 

What a lot we have been through. We've laughed and cried together and supportd one another. I want to thank every one of you for being there.
Merry Christmas.
And M, thank you again for the poem. You are so creative. First the cake, then the poem. What next?

Amy

ccbaby

MTG...that is so cute! Thanks so much!!

Merry Christmas everyone!

lollys

MTG--what a wonderful poem--it made me laugh and cry--thank you-- AmylsStrong I agree with you it has been my safe place too-- although I go on other sites this one and you all have been there for me --I again want to thank all of you --we really are a group-- wishing you all a Merry Merry Christmas with love laughter and much health and happiness for the New Year--hugs to all Laura

BetsyBuzz

Mtg- thanks for the wonderful poem.

Wishing all a Merry Christmas and a HEALTHY and Happy New Year!

micheleboots

MTG, love the poem..

I hope everyone has a wonderful safe holiday, which ever holiday you celebrate..

Titan

Mtg..you are awesome...you ALL are!  Merry Christmas..Happy Holidays!

MTG

All - Thanks for your kind words. Before joining this thread, I had never posted to a board before (not even facebook or ...whatever the other popular one is) and although it still sounds a little strange to me, I consider each of you as a friend. Hope the Holiday was a lovely one !

kawee

Hi, everyone.  Just got back in town, had a good Christmas, but too hectic.  I guess I just don't understand all the cooking, cooking, cooking, eating, eating, eating.  I guess these days I'd rather spend times playing games, decorating gingerbread house, and just talking and enjoying each other.  I'm exhausted.  My daughter was sick, so I pretty much cooked dinner for 12 people.

Anyway, the first thing I did was come to this site to see how you're all doing.  Sounds good.  Loved the poem and the ornament was beautiful. 

 BETSY - not lymphedema, yet, but could be precursor.  All I had was tightness, now that they have been messing around with me, I have soreness, tightness and fluid.  There's a lymphedema clinic in San Luis Obispo about 25 miles from here.  My  bc surgeon is the one who referred me to PT, so I'm going to ask her about the clinic.