CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS

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  • slinky
    slinky Member Posts: 397
    edited February 2011

    Chabba, thank you for the reassurance.  I know if I don't take Tamoxifen, I will regret it if I get a reoccurence.  I guess I have read too many horror stories about the bad SE's that I never wrapped my head around the mild SE's that some people experience.  I hope I am one of the lucky ones that will have mild SE's.

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  • annettek
    annettek Member Posts: 1,640
    edited February 2011

    Slinky - I encourage everyone to at least give them a try. That is what made me try - I didn't want a lingering doubt in my mind that I had not. There are some who have no SEs, and I wish that had been me. I am convinced our body tells us what it can and cannot take. I am a pretty tough cookie as a rule but I could not ignore my violent reaction. It is ok, at least I now know. Good luck to you.

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  • deborye
    deborye Member Posts: 7,002
    edited February 2011
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  • charmainejensenvoisine
    charmainejensenvoisine Member Posts: 369
    edited February 2011

    Hello Ladies,

    it has been quite sometime since the last time I have posted in this forum.  I was in discussion with Barbe about a delayed side-effect and/or complication of radiation therapy that I have now or have had for the past few months and she suggested that I post in this forum and see what feedback you ladies can contribute to my thread.

    I finished 25 sessions of RADS and 5 BOOSTS March 31 2010.  A few months ago I started to have difficulty with my right arm/shoulder.  From my shoulder to just down the upper part of my arm a bit I cannot raise my arm straight up....  it is completely locked in position.   However I am also feeling often pain in the shoulder and upper part of my arm allot of the time too.

    I have googled these symptoms on the net and find allot of reference to this possibly being a side-effect and complication of radiation therapy and also indications that this couple possibly happen within 8 - 10 months to years post radiation therapy.

    Have any of you ladies heard of this happening and/or has this happened to any of you.  Would appreciate any and all feedback.

    Thank you so very, very much.

    Charmaine 

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited February 2011

    Charmaine

    Try posting on Radiation Therapy, Before During and After threads or Lymphedema after Surgery.  (Or both.) 

    This is what came to mind from reading your post.

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Radiation_Induced_Brachial_plexopathy.htm

    I'm sorry you've been having such a hard time.

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  • samsue
    samsue Member Posts: 757
    edited February 2011

    Charmaine, I've also had some trouble with the arm near the radiation. I've had to go to a LE therapist and they discovered that I have cording. The pain sometimes gets really intense. I'm not able to extend the arm straight over my head without difficulty. This also could be frozen shoulder if you haven't been using the arm. Have you gone to anyone to check it out. A good massage therapist could help you with the frozen shoulder and the LE therapist can help with exercises.

    Good luck.

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited February 2011

    Charmaine...I didn't reply because I really don't have any answers.

    I hope you get the bottom of this and get some relief.

    Hugs

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  • charmainejensenvoisine
    charmainejensenvoisine Member Posts: 369
    edited February 2011

    Sharon:

    Thank you so much for posting a link to 'Brachial Plexopathy', from what I read of it sounds much like what I am reading.  If I try to lift my arm up too high and/or in the wrong way as also per the article my arm goes into extreme spams of pain.   There does not apparenly seem to be any type of cure for it and mine seems to be getting worse.  I also feel a bit of a tightness in the upper part of my chest as well, go figure?  I hate this though as I am right-handed and it is getting hard to wash the left side of my body, and to shave my left underarm, and I am starting to have difficulty with brushing my hair using right hand and difficulty holding blow dryer with my right hand..

    Hate this big time.

    I see the breast surger on the 22nd February, also gonna request a xray just to see if there is a possibility of a rotator cuff injury that may have happened from radiation therapy as have heard this happening with people.

    Thanks so much for your help.  Charmaine

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  • charmainejensenvoisine
    charmainejensenvoisine Member Posts: 369
    edited February 2011

    Samsue:

    You mention 'cording' can you please tell what this is? As for a LE Therapist I will have to see if I can find one that is covered by my Ministry Health Insurance....  as for a Masseuge Therapist I would be afraid to go to one of them unless I could find one familiar with people that have gone through radiation therapy and having the kind of problem I have.  The prices they charge around me are like $30 for 20 minutes to me that is allot of money unfortunately. :(

    Thanks for your feedback.

    Charmaine

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited February 2011

    Charmaine, I've been seeing a R.M.T. for nearly 3 years now.  Sadly,OHIP doesn't cover my visits.

    If you go to the Step Up Speak Out webside there are links where you can find a qualified massage therapist hopefully near you.  Your surgeon or rad. onc. may have a list as well.

    Good luck.

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

    About cording.

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Cording_and_Axillary_Web_Syndrome.htm

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited February 2011

    Hi All....

    I saw my oncologist today. Definitely coming off Femara next month.

    But he still wants to see me every 4 months for a year after the femara and every 6 months after that.

    And he will continue the Tumor Marker test.

    I went in with high anxiety.

    I feel better now knowing he still will be on the top everything.

    ♥

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited February 2011

    Sheila - Good news you are feeling better about stopping the Femara.  I know you had alot of concerns about that. Seems an oncologist will become our friend for the rest of our lives and yes, they will stay on top of things.  That alone is a comforting thought.

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited February 2011
    I wish I had that good of a relationship with my onc... we tolerate each other Surprised
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  • charmainejensenvoisine
    charmainejensenvoisine Member Posts: 369
    edited February 2011

    Sharon:

    I read the article on cording and what I am going through with my right arm/shoulder do not appear to be that of 'cording'.  So when I see the doctor tomorrow will bring up the other condition you spoke of have it written down.

    Thanks, Charmaine

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  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited February 2011

    its' good to read all the posts. congrats for finishing, et. al. i could never catch upo with you ladies. just know you're loved. Grannydukes, im so happy about your SIL!

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited February 2011

    DR just called. We are both very happy with my results.

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited February 2011
    Woooowhoooo Shelia!!!!!!!!!!  So happy for you! Laughing
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  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 8,046
    edited February 2011

    YAY YAY YAY---GOOD NEW SHEILA.IM DOIN THE HAPPY DANCE.XOXOXO

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited February 2011

    Sheila - Good News - Doing the happy dance for you.

                        

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  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 407
    edited February 2011

    Congratulations .. doing the hap hap happy danceMoney mouth  Sheila ...  yay!

    Vicki Sam

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited February 2011

    For Caring.....

    Good Night

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  • annettek
    annettek Member Posts: 1,640
    edited February 2011

    YEah Sheila!!!!!

    OUCH! I just got filled today to 400cc and my poor self is feeling like an elephant is sitting on it...yet, the end is in sight...i go back to PS in 2 weeks for one more possible fill..although he does not think so, then a week later my exchange. For all my bitching about the oncologists-I have to say the PS is magnificent. So cautious and caring and vigilant through this...listening to what I want, recommending what he thinks...and well, it just feels good to have mutual respect with somone who will have my life in his hands while I am under anesthetic... gonna post the pics for this step of the journey on the pic site and then try to fall asleep now that I took half a vicodin that has me not caring about the boulders on my chest....

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  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited February 2011

    get some sleep sweetie. tommorrow you'll not only look better, but feel better, as well.. 3jays

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  • Valjean
    Valjean Member Posts: 1,898
    edited February 2011

    ((((((((((((Sheila))))))))))))

    I am so very happy for you, dear sister/friend.

    ♥     ♥     ♥

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  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited February 2011

    {{{SHEILA}}}} Happy dance, sista!!

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited February 2011

    annette - Today will be a better day.  Hang in there - the end is in sight.

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  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 19,483
    edited February 2011
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  • Valjean
    Valjean Member Posts: 1,898
    edited February 2011

    In case anyone misses me, I will not have fallen off the face of the earth.

    I will be at my DD#2's home to celebrate my sweet Granddaughter's 4th birthday with her. I leave this Friday morning & will be back the following Friday.

    Be safe everyone.

    ♥

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  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited February 2011

    Have a great trip Val!!

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  • Raj20
    Raj20 Member Posts: 1,112
    edited February 2011

    Sheila ..  it is good to hear your news. Perhaps you can  arrange a big party for us.

    Val.. happy journey. Enjoy with your grandchild.. my warm wishes  for her ..

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