MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

elimar86861

Women who got rads, this one is for you...Do you notice that your BACK muscles are much tighter on your treatment side?  Mine are, only my treatment side is my dominant hand side, so that could be it too.  They told me that rads didn't penetrate thru' to the back, but then every rads s/e I have ask about was denied, so I can't automatically go by that, can I?  Anyway, I got a massage yesterday and feel so much better.

Massages...love them!!!  Don't treat myself often enough. In my town a one-hour massage costs from $65-$85, with a half hour being $35-$45.  When I was out of town, I found a coupon special for a $15 half hour, and it was good too.  So, who has the least expensive massage prices in the nation?  Ladies, this is a POLL (so I can know who to be jealous of.)  ??????????

barbe1958

$75/hour for full body massage. I used to get a massage EVERY week for 5 1/2 years!! When I couldn't afford it any longer I was on a cane!!!

BarbaraA

65/hour for a full body massage here. I bought a Groupon for 35/hour, Should have bought bunches. Just bought another Groupon for a micro dermabrasion tx for 49.00. I'll let you know if I look younger.

neecee

I am so glad I found this forum!  You all make me laugh out loud - for real!

reesie

I need a massage now. Spending 16 hours in the last 48 in the car.



Sorry elimar I only had rads to humorous and tibia for bone mets so far so I can't help you there.

leisaparis

My rads went from the front and also from the back. So, yes very tight and also am right handed, which sucks. I still have pain they can't figure out where or what's causing it. But it is exactly where the rads was shot into me from the back.

leisaparis

Going camping this weekend so hope you all guess the mystery pic if one gets posted.

Sherryc

my rads really messed with my pectoral muscle and the RO said it would take 2-3 years for my muscle to settle back down.

Paula66

Well if my anxiety level isnt high enough with breast cancer.  Now I have to go have a biopsy for my cervix. I had an abnormal pap smear so they want me to see a gyno.   I know this is a site that is suppose to be about breast cancer, but Im upset.  I just get done dealing with the fact I have no boobs and having gone  thru chemo.  Wham now this.  OMG!  I know God doesnt give me more then I can handle, but this has really put me to the test.  When I found out I had breast cancer that was a shock.  Well 2 days later a very close person reveals a secert and moves to Alaska  Then a week later my husband was laid off.  This is really putting me to a point of madness.  I know that it can be nothing, but now I have to start the waiting all over again and its just not fair. Thanks for letting me whine.  Have a blessed night all! 

neecee

{{{{{Paula66}}}}}

NativeMainer

Paula--whine all you want/need to, that's what we're here for.  It's not fair.  It's absolutely not fair.  Praying for a B9 result!

 elimar--my pect muscle got so much damage from rads that, if I don't do the stretches every day, it tightens up so much it pulls the back muscles and causes back, neck and leg pain as well as headaches.  Massages help immensly!  I get a 1 hr massage every other week, $75.  There are places where I can get the same about $10 less, but my massage therapist has an office within 10 miles of my house, better than a half hour drive to the nearest "big town"!  

BarbaraA

(((PAULA))) Hugs gal pal.

jo1955

(((Paula))) -- We are here for you, whine/vent all you want.  Hoping for B9 results

elimar86861

Paula66, clearly you are still on overload from all those events comin' at ya.  As far as the PAP, try not to worry too much.  As you already know, it could be a number of things having nothing to do with cancer, but the main thing is that cervical cancer takes a while to develop and goes through other "pre-cancerous" changes first.  If you have been going for regular PAP tests, then you have the best opportunity to catch it in the pre-cancerous, and highly treatable, phase if it actually is something developing. Hope the holiday weekend will take your mind off it a little.

elimar86861

Thanks for the comments about rads to the front managing to effect the back as well.  I thought as much.

Those massage prices seem about the same as mine, so maybe I won't have to move after all.  I like how chiropractors sometimes have a massage therapist right on their staff now in recent years. It is only like that in some places of the nation so far.  My area is not quick to be that progressive unfortunately.

jenn3

Sorry, I checked out for a while.  I've been a little under the weather. This chemo combo (Gemzar/Carbo) is knocking my blood counts down and giving me the blah feelings.  

((((PAULA))))

I love massages, but my nerves have been so sensitive that I'm afraid to get one.  I had a massage in 09 at a beautiful hotel that my sister and I were in for a mini vacation.  I lucked out and had a massage therapist that had experience with cancer patients - to this day it was the best massage I've ever had.

Love the double rainbow picture!!!!

marlegal

Rad issues - seems to me that I hear so many stories of things resulting from rads that our docs didn't tell us about - or maybe, being kind, they don't even now. I have no trouble believing that rads given to the front can affect the back. My radiated breast shrunk by at least 1/4 if not more. It was my surgeon who finally told me what I had thought - that rad changes can take up to 5 yrs to finish. She gave me the name of a company that takes a form of each breast and then builds a bra based on those forms so that you'll look even. I haven't made my appt yet but will very soon.

Massages - I can't lie on my stomach so unfortunately can't enjoy that type massage, but love facials where they do the upper chest, arms, neck and head. Some places even do hands and/or feet with a facial. I go twice a year with my daughters - my Christmas gift to them and their Mother's Day gift to me, and anytime I travel I seek out a spa near or in my hotel. I just love that pampering.

Leisa, we're at our trailer at the jersey shore this weekend - came yesterday actually for a longgg weekend My first time here this year (hub once on his own) and it's just that aaaahhhh feeling when I come in the door. I am very, very lucky to have this little oasis and I don't take it for granted for a minute.

Hugs buddies.

jo1955

Here are some more rad issues we probably weren't told about.  I have had a burning/stabbing pain for the past 5 months.  Went to a pain doctor yesterday and found out that it is nerve damage from rads - was told whenever a body part is radiated it can damage nerves.  So now I am taking Elavil and already am feeling a difference and getting good sleep - the last part is a bonus that I will take.  If I knew then what I know now, I would have made some different decisions from the start.  Gotta love hindsight.

Paula66

Thanks everyone!  I'm still stressed and to add this on top of it is just abit much.  I keep telling myself that I dont know anything yet.  Your right Elimar, I just need to calm down and look at the big picture.  It can be a billion other things.  I am still reeling from all that has went on.  Im dont drink, so I made me some comfort food and that made me feel so much better along with you gals.  Thanks so much!

marlegal

Paula, the most important thing Eli said is how cervical cancer is a slow grower so most things which cause abnormal paps can be dealt with easily in the grand scheme of things. I've had several gyn issues and the most "serious" treatment I needed was a D&C which wasn't bad in the overall scheme of things. I hope that's the worst thing you'll ever need too hon

elimar86861

Did someone say comfort food?

                                               

Picked up my weekend snacks at the store today.  I had to put aside my first love, Cheetos, in favor of a slightly lower calorie third cousin of the Cheetos:  Puffcorn.  But you can see it is sanctioned by our favorite Cheetah, so I haven't gone maverick or anything.

marlegal

Oh wow, that looks good!!!  I didn't go down that aisle today with my eyes open - went right to the sourdough pretzels (the big ones) and the reduced fat kettle potato chips. I admit to being hooked on them on the weekends. Will have to compare them to that popcorn if I find that in a store near me, I'd love that!! Aaahhh, weekends   Love love love that mine started last night. Getting an extra couple days now and then just lifts the soul and spirit. That nasty side comes out too, saying "I'm not working and lots of others are"!!!!  Sorry, but that just feels good sometimes! Hope lots of you get a jump on the weekend too, I'm willing to share

reesie

I know what you mean elimar. I think I need to start looking for the low cal options for everything I eat now. I seem to gain weight every week now. I lost alot of weight in the beginning of my diagnosis but believe me I had it to lose. My onc said it's a good sign to him that my appetite is good and I'm gaining weight. Then he proceded to tell me he had to adjust my dose of abraxane - "more weight equals more chemo" I quote. When I went in the infusion room the nurse asked if he gave me my orders - I told her no he said he had to adjust my dose cause I'm fat. Her mouth dropped and she said did he really say that? I laughed and said not in those exact words.



Then to add insult to injury when she took my bp it was higher then when I first got there (it usually goes down - white coat syndrome) she said really? Let me try the other cuff. I said see - she told me I'm fat too. Ugh I've graduated to the bigger bp cuff. Time to start exercising!

marlegal

Reesie, unless that's a really old picture of you, it doesn't look like you are anywhere near overweight. Please don't stress a pound here or there - if you feel you're eating well and making good food choices, relax and work back to exercise gradually. I know excess weight is bad for us on many levels, but stress over the inability to lose weight can be just as bad, or worse, as a health risk. Overdoing things on either end of that spectrum can lead to trouble.

reesie

The pic is from January and I've gained 25 lbs since then. I'm also a good Italian and carry my weight low lol. But don't worry I won't be stressing too much about the weight. Just trying to control my eating - I think it's a chemo SE (told the onc that). I feel like I'm on steroids (and I'm not) - hungry all the time.

sunangel27

neecee.... welcome

(((((((((((Sherry))))))))))) And hugs to your mom and dad too! I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers!!! 

Meece

(((Paula))) I also has abnormal paps after my tx.  I had a couple of cervical bx's and was watched with paps every 3 months until I got clear paps 3 times in a row.  I wasn't put on any meds, just watched carefully.  It took about 2 years, but finally I am back to annual check ups.

I like the puff corn, but I think I could even eat more of that than the real thing.

jenn3

Paula - I remember during my first round with chemo in 09 having some issues and the GYN said that our immune system is knocked back and it happens.  It wasn't anything major, but did give me worries during all of the testing.  (((hugs)))) Jenn

elimar86861

Hey, for those of you who haven't made big plans for the weekend, I invite you to stop by the "Middle Aged Memories" thread, and post a memory from your long lost childhood.

That sister-thread came from the many reminiscences of people on this thread, but then it spun off to become its own topic. It used to move right along, but has been slower lately.  People losing their memories?  Maybe it just needs some new people to give it a kick-start.  So stop by with a memory if you get a chance (and if you have chemo brain, stop by to see what you might have forgotten!  Ha!)

                                                          Middle Aged Memories

Sherryc

Paula66 ((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))) and praying for B9

Everyone have a great weekend