November Rads 2009

Lauren3

Deb, I get tingling in my hand on the radiated side if I'm carrying my son and then put him down.  It's really strange.  After I work out, one of my toes on the left side gets numb, but I think that's actually from chemo.  The NP said she thinks I need new sneakers but I know it's not that.  So I'll mention it when I see my onc. next month.  I really hope we get to meet up at the conference!  I'm soooooooo excited!

EngTchr

Gilly, I was on the June chemo thread.  It's not getting much action anymore, either.  Guess that's a good thing!  So glad we're all finishing up.

Becky

mmsmom

I've never posted before, but I've been reading all the posts since my diagnosis. I always felt that I didn't have as much information as the rest of you. My doctor's would never really stage me. I was diagnosed in July 09, first with DCIS, then with LCIS - switched surgeons and a final diagnosis of ILC. Had neo-adjuvant chemo (4 rounds AC), partial mastectomy, and I just finished a clinical trial for radiation 15 treatments instead of 30. It's protocol in Canada and England, still in trials here. I would highly recommend it. I really don't know what to expect next, I guess tamoxifin (although I'm not sure, yet).

Thanks to all of you for sharing your stories.

gillyone

Thanks for posting mmsmom. It is always interesting to see the different treatments everyone gets! Please keep posting and let us know how you are doing.

buccaneersdj

Lauren3, I have 3 toes on my left foot that are completly numb and 2 fingertips on my left hand....my onc. said it is from my chemo and may or may not be permanent. I have also noticed that my toenails are separating from the nail bed...onc said to cut them very short and try not to get them caught on anything and maybe they wont fall off...yuck! This is also from chemo....isn't chemo great......only if it kills the cancer cells!

gillyone

Lauren and Donna. I had neuropathy from taxol in fingers and toes. I finished chemo in October and my fingers are fine now. However I syill have numbness in three toes. Time will tell! I have lost 4 fingernails so far. Not too bad as the new growth was at least half way grown each time. As more time goes by, the ones that are going to come off look not too bad as there is more and more new growth.

Lauren3

I'm not losing fingernails but my toenails are kind of weird now.  Wonder if it's the beginning of them falling out???  I cut them really short last night, thanks for the suggestion bucaneers.

Niknak0320

went to the YSC conference this past weekend and got to room with Lauren3 and hang out with DebNYC, it was a fabulous time!  Here is a picture me on the left end, Lauren to my immediate right and Deb on the right end of the photo:

Lauren3

Trying to post my picture but can't???

Lauren3

Testing...

Niknak0320

4 months out from rads and my armpit is flaking - anyone else?  I'm still using Toms for deodorant and ivory soap.  haven't had to shave it much, heck I could pluck the few hairs that actually have grown on both pits LOL!

DIEP is in 35 days and I'm just hoping that this peeling is minor and doesn't escalate into something more.

gillyone

3 months out from reds and no hair growth in armpit at all. Radiated boob is incredibly firm compared to other. Good luck with DIEP.

gjlanders

I have not posted in a long time but I wanted to throw it out there.  I had my first mamogram and ultrasound after treatment and it was negative.  I was so happy I cried. 

Lauren3

That's wonderful news gjlanders!  I had my first one also, and I have to go back in 3 months to "confirm stability" due to a few cysts that were seen.  Not the news I was hoping for but not bad for now. 

Nikki I have been noticing the hair under my arms is a lot more sparse than it used to be.  Even in the non-radiated pit.  Weird right?

debnyc

yea gilanders! and lauren, omg, that must have been so scary. and your right, the news isn't bad for now. keep your chin up!

i had my first mammo too, which came back clean. however, the next day i wasn't so lucky at the gyno. they found some suspicious stuff, but so far, it's only suspicious. i'm back in next month for another look. may all just be side effects from tamox.

i swear my radiated boob is still cooking. my skin is itchy and dry again. also seemed a bit bigger for the last few weeks, now shrinking again. it's definitely firmer than the other, and the scar tissue freaks me out. it's lumpy and bumpy and ever changing. i totally agree about the hair in my armpits. so weird that the non-radiated side was affected too???

Lauren3

It was super scary.  After 2 separate mammograms (the first one being inconclusive) I had an u/s and the tech called the radiologist into the room to perform the u/s herself.   I had a complete meltdown right there in front of them both.  I was so hysterical that the radiologist actually spent a good 10 minutes calming me down.  I'll go back in July, the fun never ends!

Deb I had something show up on my pelvic ultrasound too... some calcifications on the ovaries.  I was freaking out about it but when I went back in a month it was unchanged. 

Lauren3

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing!  I'm having my follow up mammo next week and then the week after (if all goes well at the mammo) I'm having my exchange!

buccaneersdj

Wow, all I can say is I have the incredible shrinking boob! My radiated boob is so much smaller than the other, is anyone on else having this happen? 6 months PFR now and very lopsided.

Lauren3

I'm very lopsided but it's because one is a foob and one is just a regular old boob. 

Mammo went good today (phewwwwwwww) so I'm set for my left exchange and right lift for 13 days from now.  Wish me luck!

buccaneersdj

Hi Lauren, congrats on the surgery date...sounds weird to say but I guess because it symbolizes the end of a long journey! Good luck!

also, speaking of "lopsided", I had a lumpectomy with 6 rounds of TAC and 35 rounds of rads, my rad  dr. told me my boob would have some shrinkage but wow does it. It is so much smaller and firmer than my other boob you used to be able to tell only when I was naked but now it's quite obvious even in a bra. I am currently trying to loose some weight and I wonder if this will help at all?? Is anyone else having this problem?? {{{HUGS}}} Donna

buccaneersdj

I just realized I already posted this question...wow...chemo brain, sorry ladies!

EngTchr

Hey, happy anniversary, everyone!

Becky

Lauren3

Wow, you're right!  I started rads 1 year ago today!  XOXOX everyone!

Lauren3

Just popped on here and thought I would check to see how everyone is doing?!

EngTchr

So far, so good here.  Hope all's well with everyone else!

Becky