thought I had a slipped disc but then....

sueUK

Sorry..me again....how do do the sort of search I need, for posts with the zometa in them for example...I cant figure it out?

Sue x

otter

Hi, Sue ... this is otter.

I don't think we've met, but I have been following this thread.  I hope you don't mind.  (The main reason why it caught my eye was because my back was bothering me last week, and I am hoping it is "just" arthritis or a bad disc.)  This thread is brimming with love and concern, and strength, and humor.  I think it's a wonderful example of why these BCO Discussion Boards exist.

There isn't much I can say that your "sisters" here haven't already covered, but I did see your question about doing a "search" for information on zometa.

Scroll to the top of this page, and you should be able to see the word "Search" in the upper right-hand corner.  (You might need to re-size your screen if the word has been pushed off the edge of the page, like it is sometimes on my laptop.)  "Search" will be just underneath the words "Log Out" (assuming you've logged in), and just to the right of the link for "Community Rules."

Click on "Search", and you'll be taken to a search page.  There, you can type any keyword into the keyword box -- "Zometa", or "zoledronic acid" (which is the generic name for Zometa), etc.  You can also indicate which Category/Forum you would like to search -- e.g., "Chemotherapy", or "Stage IV", etc. -- although that isn't necessary.  It does narrow the search a bit.

I just searched for the keyword "Zometa", and the reply says "17,484 Posts matched your search."  So, Zometa is a popular topic, isn't it?  I have not been on Zometa (yet), but I've followed some of the discussions about the drug because I am on Arimidex and it can cause bone thinning (which can be treated with Zometa).  From what I've read, the first infusion often causes flu-like side effects, even to the point of vomiting.  Yuck is right!

You remind me very much of one of my May '08 chemo sisters, who is from Tasmania.  I think it's the sense of humor that you share; and I love it.  I wish you the best, and I hope you find relief from your pain very soon.

Hugs...

otter

sueUK

Hi Ottter, what a cute name lol! I finally spotted the search thingy and found 'a few' references to zometa as you said. Lots of useful information I have to say, and this is one of those nights when I am just SO glad that popped on by! I tend to find myself avoiding Stage IV threads, or much else other than this comfy little space I made for myself in 'not diagnosed yet......' even though I now have been. Just cant face it, in denial...call it what you will, but hey, whatever makes things remotely easier to deal with eh!

I hope you are in a good place just now Otter, meaning successfully coping with treatments and all, but any twinges or worries....always get them checked out. Peace of mind is a wonderful thing and little worries turn into big worries until you get the reassurances that you need. Here in the UK you really do have to jump through hoops before you actually get to the tests that will identify a real problem - they insist on you working your way through various meds, physio and allsorts before getting to what they should have done in the first place..MRI/CT scans - very frustrating! Having said that, once things are found then I cant fault the service (so far) - treatments happen about as fast as you can cope with, and at least I do not have the worry of whether or not insurance will cover drugs and things. I know that is a very contentious point in the US right now and I can see the good and bad in both sides of the argument...but for me, right now....Im glad I do not have that additional concern. Oh dear...sorry for wandering onto dodgy territory...and there's me, supposed to be keeping you all amused!

Now then, it is gone 2am and I have to get up at 7 so that I will have time to unravel my body before heading out to the hospital!

Thank you as always for great information and most of all reassurance and lots of good wishes!

Hugs, Sue x

sunnyhou

came to check on you Sue. Sorry the Zometa was so unkind to you!. I hate hearing that. How can a woman as sweet and cute as you have to deal with this? Lord only knows. I do hope the second round is not as mean. God Bless Sue!.. you are a dear!

squidwitch42

Awwww Sue,

Boo on the side effects, it sounded so terrible. I sincerely hope there will be a way to make this better for you. Linda has such great advice regarding pain medication. Methadone is wonderful at managing pain, is not costly, and well, maybe not so many fairies on that one either, as it is good for extended, even pain control. Sue do you have pain managment specialists there? Ours are usually Anesthesiologists, but they are pretty super at getting what's right for you. I am just so sorry you have been through what you have these last few days.

guess what? I totally forgot what I was going to say. Lucky You!!!

I am playing the lottery again tonight (I had a typo that said I was paying the Lottery tonight..irony), and once we get you squared away, we'll take you on a trip K? And this is a come as you are board, so just let it out. I check on you daily, as the other ladies do to, so we all are wishing you better days, so that your smile will come back.

Big Hugs From Us All ( I do feel confident talking for all of us on this point

Traci

dsgirl

Hi Sue, Traci and everyone

I too have back problems so this thread caught my eye this evening- wishing everyone pain free days- and treatments that rids you of the beast called cancer

During my radiation days I was visiting with a lady who received the Zometa infusions, and she told me her first was absolutely the worst experience she ever had, just like Sue's, however she was told to start drinking lots and lots of water the day before the infusion, and continue that for 2 or 3 days more, and her 2nd infusion was alot easier on her. She did not know why, just knew that it worked for her. Worth a try, water can't really hurt us right ?

dsgirl

sueUK

Hi again girls, its the sweet dream fairy here....except its probably the middle of the day with you....never mind eh!

I will certainly take the advice about drinking lots of water when my next visit to Z-land comes around... from what I have since read, that can make a big difference, not only to side-effects but also making it easier to find a darned vein to work with in the first place....ooo....mine see those nurses coming and hide!

Methodone I believe is seen here as nothing more than a heroin substitute for addicts, Ive not heard of it used as a pain relief method before....I will ask about that, and hope I dont get any funny looks!

Ive had a good couple of days comfort wise....as long as I dont want to walk...same old story with that - leg is either broken or will snap at any moment, so weird! Turning in bed too is a mare, but at least sitting here at the pc or lounging on the sofa are pretty comfy and Im grateful for that!

But hey girls, the big guns are being loaded and my radiotherapy begins next Wednesday...yay! I went today for the assessment...tattoos and wotnot, and at first she said my first treatment was going to be today....uh? But then it turned out to be an error in communication (mmm...we are familiar with those are we not), and Wednesday it is. My ovaries are going to be put to sleep on Monday, so my body is going to have a busy old week next week! Excited & scared of course, but so glad that we are getting the show on the road.

The worst trauma of my day today was my Dads driving...oh, he really shouldnt be allowed, but my sister couldnt get me there today. He is impatient, right up to people bumpers, attempts to pull out of junctions at the most dangerous of times, goes up curbs...oh, I could go on and on and on about his terrible driving, but today really took the biscuit! My foot ends up aching trying to apply my imaginary brake, and I could certainly do with a neck brace to deal with the many incidents of whiplash along the way!   I would sooner have walked...even in my state!  lol! He of course thinks he is the best driver in the world....aaaaggggh! It really did take me some hours (and a valium) to get over to experience when we got in and I decided absolutely never again! Luckily my sister will be on radiation duty...and if there is a problem with that, I will call a cab!  

Well, that trauma aside....your good advice of the last few days along with no additional bad news at the hossie today, has put me in an UP mood again...woohoo!

My question of the day today, if anyone has had a similar experience or can point me in the right direction is....regarding the radiotherapy in terms of pain relief, how soon should I feel the pain is subsiding during or after this procedure? I did ask at the hospital today but all the nurse could say was...one, that the bad side effects, ie: sore skin, cystitis, etc could go on for a while after radiation finishes (just a tad off the original question!), and pain could get worse before it gets better - no time scale at all? As pain relief is at least initially our main concern, I would have thought there should be some kind of answer to that query? So of course, I thought...well begger you lot (the health carers), I will come home and ask the experts...you lovely ladies!

Righty, it might be the wee small hours of the morning here in Blighty, but Im sure I can harvest a few crops over on facebook before taking to my nest....and I will pop by here again before I head up.

Big hugs and oodles of sparkles, Sue x

LRM216

Sue:

So glad to hear the the plan is finally beginning to roll forward!  That is great news.  Lol at Dad's driving - I can so relate, we just had to take the keys away from my 86 year old, but very sharp, mom.  She caused an accident, and although no one but her was injured, it happened just a block from her home.  She is understandably very upset with my sister and me, as she feels we are trying to "cage her in."  It's sad, but in a way, we are.  But safer for her and certainly all those on the road while she is driving.

Re the methadone.  Yes, it is used to wean addicts off of heroin, but it is also a wonderful pain medication, used here by pain specialists for many years.  Quite common for pain her in the States, as a matter of fact.  That said, even if they do not use it across the pond, there must certainly be something else to switch you to, other than the ghastly morphine.  It's a wonder for some people, and makes so many others to sick to even bother to take.  With rads starting soon, I am hoping your pain is knocked right out.  I can only recall others with mets to their bones and hips stating on the Stage IV forum that the rads did away with their pain wonderfully.  You may want to hop over to that forum and get that info first hand.  The gals will help you with answering that question.

Going to turn in now, a bit tired tonight and will get back to you tomorrow.  Have a good night to you Sue, and to everyone reading this.

Linda

LRM216

Friday - early afternoon here - just wanted to let you know, Sue, that on Stage IV forum there is an active thread "Zometa Side Effects" that you may want to read.

Linda 

squidwitch42

Hi Sue,

Thinking of you and your sparkly twinkly personality. I'll be back later to chat at you more, hoping today is a better day. (PS, your father's driving, holy guacamole!)

sueUK

Hi ladies, I hope you are all having GOOD days today!

Thank you for the tip about the zometa thread Linda, I paid a visit and have saved it in my 'favourites'.

Hi Traci....oh my, my Dads driving is rather legendary around here - not that he is aware of that fact...as I say, he thinks he is perfect! As for me, I have decided it will have to be something very desperately urgent to get me a car with him driving again...Im still feeling wobbly at the thought lol!

Today has been a very good day. My youngest son, his girlfriend and their doggy Marley popped in for a few hours and it was such a treat to have such a lot of cheerfulness in the house! it was very good therapy, as even though I did of course keep on top of my meds...any discomforts were easily forgotten today....lovely! I realised that I had spent way too many days, and even weeks, thinking about little else but all this horribleness, and it was fabby to have a day off! I will have to work on getting me some more of those!

Im now all dosed up with my hottie ready in my bed for when I decide to go up, pillows plumped, a bowl of sugar puffs eaten, meds taken...and now its pc time until the eyes go all droopy!

I do hope you are all doing just fine and have nice weekends planned. It will be lots of rest and relaxation for me ahead of my busy week to come!

Will pop back in a bit, but am off to do some blog hopping for a while....see what all my crafty buddies have been up to!

Hugs and sparkles, Sue xxx 

squidwitch42

Hi Sue,

Really great that your son's visit took you away from "this stuff" for awhile, and checking in on your crafty buddies is another great sign!

Speaking of crafty things...

I would LOVE to learn stained glass, but that's probably expensive and requires a lot of gear. So my next thought would be Bonsai. There are some ladies that sit outside a Church nearby that sell them, so I am considering buying one. I guess I would start to learn with maintenance. I once checked out a Bonsai book and it was amazing. There were little forests, and they were even seasonal! One had this beautiful fall colors, maple trees changing with the seasons...really awesome. Perfect if one was a fairy If you ever want another escape, check out tree houses. They have come a long way since we were kids.

It's great to take days off, and even if it's an hour or two, that's wonderful.

So I have a question. I don't know how populated it is where you live, but is your Dad legendary for his driving in your whole town? Do people jump into bushes when they see him coming? Oh, that reminds me (childhood trauma story coming....)

I had a wicked wicked bus driver. She probably sipped whiskey from a flask the whole time she was driving because she hated children, and was crazy. Those are the best kind of bus drivers. Anyhoo, I grew up in a VERY SNOWY city, Rochester NY. One day, she dropped me off, and I had zero clearance between the bus and the snowbank, so I dove in headfirst, folders flying and snow boots up in the air. I told my mother when I got home, and she called the Principal. I didn't ask her to, because I knew the wicked busdriver would retaliate. Sure enough, the next day, I go to get off at my stop, and she keeps the door shut, and says to me before opening it..."I heard your mother called the principal..." and I looked at her snarling face. She had no intention of hiding her contempt and hatred for me. I stammered something, praying she would let me off the bus. Well, she did. Right into the snowbank I went again. Zero Clearance. I'm sure she was cackling all the way home.

HUGS and SPARKLES!!

Traci

sueUK

Im sorry, having had a couple of really HIGH and fabulous days...today I have crashed and burned. How the heck do I stop this horrible feeling of 'no hope;??? Is it just time, I dont know. Im not sure the highs are worth it if this is what payback feels like - a very bad day today.

Hugs, Sue x

LRM216

Sue -

I am so sorry you are feeling down today, but I think under the circumstances, it is totally expected.  All the hullabaloo that went on waiting for appointments, doctors' calls, test results, setting up a plan of action, all kept you whirling and spinning.  Now that things are settling down and the plan is going to be put into motion, it's just having to go through it all again that makes you feel hopeless. The only advice I think I can give is to tell you that this too shall pass, just ride it out the best you are able to.  Things will look up again, the pain will abate and things will "normal" out again - yet another new "normal" that no one wants to undergo, but with this beast we all have, that's about the best we can hope for.  I no the hopelessness I oftentimes feel and I haven't been pushed to the wall yet, but God knows, it could be any time, any day, and I think that's what happens upon our intitial diagnose.  Hope as we knew it before diagnose is a horse of a different color now.  I really think, along with this thread, since we have all been there with you from the onset of this and want to continue down whatever path is necessary with you, that you still need to go to the Stage IV Forum and get the healing and hope back that they can so readily give you.  Please don't cut yourself short as there are gals there that have walked your very foot steps and can take your hand to guide you back into the light.  I have always read (don't post there though) the Stage IV forum right from my signing up here, as there but for the Grace of God go anyone of us.  They are wonderful experts at knowing what you are now feeling and will take you to a better place.  Please don't short-change yourself of their help.  We are here for you and will continue to be, but you need more than just our arms to hold you up and they are here, waiting to help.  This is perhaps a bad, bad day, but your tomorrows will be better.  You have to believe that.  You have the benefit of being Hormone positive and your options are many.  There is a gal on Stage IV that has bone mets - for 17 or 18 years!  Your future is still bright, the sun will shine again.

Hugs,

Linda

squidwitch42

Sue,

I could not add anything more to what Linda has so eloquently said. I am so sorry that today is very bad. And you do need the hope of those who have been through your treatments, and to be able to bounce ideas and questions off of them. We will always meet you here for Hugs and Sparkles, and I do believe you will have more good days, but it must be hard to imagine that right now. We love you, and only want you to have the best, all around.

Great Big Hugs,

Traci

sueUK

Thank you Linda & Traci for your very wise and kind words. Im sorry that I came along and dumped my last post on you like that - talk about wrecking my happy-go-lucky reputation! 

I took your advice and hopped on over to Stage IV (that is still so hard for me to do!), and sought out as much positive stuff as I could..and added my own tuppence worth of course! It has certainly helped knock the edge off todays yukky feelings - I so hate that when you simply cant escape from the horrible thoughts in your head, no matter how hard you try. You have no choice but to wait for it to pass, and I could feel it going off a little earlier, and was then able to go and have a good read as you advised.

All I kept telling myself earlier was that 'this WILL pass', but at the height of the crisis it just doesnt work Im so grateful that it did ease off and I didnt have a whole evening and night time full of it! I am at the docs tomorrow for my first implant (to shut down the ovaries), and I will ask for some diazapam...I usually have some in and they do help nip things like that in the bud, but I am all out of them just now. If I have some in then I will be prepared for next time...as there will no doubt be next times..I just need to learn better was of coping with them!

Thank you for being there girls...I know you said that it was difficult for you to give me the help I was needing, but help you did by kicking my butt over to the other bits of forum!

A big week coming up and its good to know that I have such lovely ladies behind me!

I hope you both have a lovely week ahead, which for you Traci simply must involve embellishing something with tinsel lol!

Love, hugs and sparkles, Sue xxx

LRM216

Sue:

Do not, I repeat DO NOT feel that you cannot post whatever you are feeling - EVER.  That is what we are here for, and God knows, the day may come when we will be needing your strength and arms for extra hugs.  You must feel what you need to feel, as downtrodden as it may be, it is all part of the process of healing and what better people to share it with than with us.  That is the only reason why Traci and I are suggesting you also go on over to the Stage IV sisters, because they have been there and came out the other side again.  At this point in the juncture, while you are so raw, they are the stronger and wiser guides and will help you out of the sinking mire.  We will always be here for you and with you, and to share in both the good times and the bad.  This, just as it was when you were first diagnosed, is the worst of it - it will get better.  We gain strength as it is needed, but having some one who has traveled the same road as you are now on and knows of all the curves and bends is a blessing to be added to your life.  That's where our Stage IV sisters enter the picture - to help you heal from this latest blow and guide you safely back on the path, just as they had to do.  I just want you to have as much support as possible, God knows, we all need it, even without all that you have recently gone through.  

Doctors, family, friends, even my boss, all advise that I stop coming to the BC forums, that they can only do more harm to me than good.  I am so tired of defending my need to come here to those that, although they care, what the hell do any of them really know about what we go through and what we have to face each and everyday of our lives - be they long or short. The fear we all have to push aside everyday is as dangerous as the cancer.  We all lost our "innocence" upon diagnose - we were forever changed from that moment on.  The old "I could be hit by a bus tomorrow" syndrome is always rebutted by me by reminding them, that, yes, so very true, however - my bus has a busdriver that knows my address.  I could never NOT have you wonderful women in my life and expect to live it as I now do.  Such a port in the storm this site is, what would we do without it????  I just want you to avail yourself of even more help right now, especially since it's already here awaiting you.

Love and hugs,

Linda  

squidwitch42

sue,

what linda said! i'm a little off my game too with tissue expander rebellion, so please excuse my writing without caps. i do talk about the boards and i am sure its only a matter of time before i get the finger wag from someone. they have no clue. what do they know ? i'm not afraid, they are. i wouldn't know half of what i do without bco and that includes my spiritual growth. i learned about my LE from here and caught it early. my friend's LE was poo poo'ed by our mutual oncologist, and she lost valuable time getting diagnosed. all things benefit from balance, but what about people who are homebound? don't they get a chance at human contact? my guess is your doctor may not be willing to come over in the middle of the night to give support, unlike our 24 hour boards. ppppfffftttt on them.

see sue, i'm not always glitter either

sueUK

Good morning girls...just gone 9am here

Traci, I think we all become rather 'homebound', even if only emotionally, when hit by this particular bus dont we! I agree with you, the amount I have learned on here over the last couple of years has been invaluable and life saving probably - sanity saving definitely! Mostly in the early days, I found I read the bits that related to my situation, ie: just plain old easy peasy to 'cure' breast cancer 2 years ago (you know I am being ironic or something there dont you!). Then when I was lucky enough to be 'cured' I felt safe enough to venture about the boards a bit, gathering information and just learning more...for what reason, I dont know...maybe I always knew I would need it at some point?!? 

I recall the moment of my first diagnosis - I knew something was wrong but I didnt expect bc. As I lay there being mauled about having biopsies and wotnot, with this man saying things I really did not want to hear.....and it was like my wanting badly enough should have shut him up and stop the nightmare developing around me, to me the words breast cancer meant an instant death sentence...that was the extent of my 'knowledge' at that point.

Fast forward a couple of years, having learned so much about this club I found myself belonging to, and the incredible positivity that abounds within it, there I lay again with the next bus approaching! Only this time, bone mets blah blah blah....did not instantly make my world fall apart, and only because of what I have learned here. If not for this site I really cannot imagine where I would have been emotionally.....as the weekend tells, it can be crappy enough even with the knowledge and reassurance, but without that - boy, the thought is truly horrifying! I had already learned that if I ever heard the words bone mets...and lots of other possibilities too, that there was much to be done and life still to be lived.

I have all all the wonderful ladies who are generous enough to contribute to these forums to thank - money cant buy what we can come along here to share!

Im sorry that your are having expander issues Traci....they sure sound like painful beggers! I had my lat flap recon without an additional implant so havent had the joys of the expander! How long have you had it in place and how much longer before you are free of it? I hope today brings more comfort for you.

Ah well, it must be time for another cuppa, so I shall send you all lots of daytime sparkles for a change and go get ready for my day.

Big hugs, Sue xxx

squidwitch42

good morning sue...

I enjoyed your post, and agree with the priceless info, laughs camaraderie I find here.  I have had my expanders for a Year! most have them for 4-6 months (I think) They ended up giving me rad that we had not planned on, so I am told one year after rads, for a grand total of 18 months. they feel like two turtle shells I havn't had the kind of pain that I had last night I am in a sling, so that will keep things quiet I hope at least the throbbing changed not sure if my new LE exercises set off the firestorm, but I do have an appointment that I already had on the books to see PS tomorrow, few! one finger typing at it's finest. so I will yodel later, and I hope you have a Good Day Sue!

jacksnana

Hi  Sue,

 I am so, so sorry you are going through this and am grateful that even with all that is going on you take the time to post and keep all of us who care for you updated.  Sounds like this will be a big week for you and I am keeping good, healing thoughts for you.  It's true, I think, that most of us with this diagnosis feel that other shoe out there just dangling!  (I don't think it's just me feelling that way!)  Today is my 3 month checkup and labs and if I'm not careful I can turn into a crazy, neurotic mess just over that.

It is so great being able to have a place to come to have a little giggle, cry, rant, express our deepest fears, just whatever and be supported, understood, and never judged. I always find a lot of hope here. You're so right, no amount of $$$ can buy that!  Have a good day, and I hope you get lots of relief from the meds and procedures you're having this week.  Be easy on yourself...Veda 

sueUK

Hello to Traci, Veda and all who pass by

Oh Traci...poo to those expanders! I have to admit that it was a consideration when choosing which recon I would opt for. Although the lat flap was a much bigger op at the time (and I wont be sauntering around in any backless ball gowns any time soon), to me it was one op...get over it...done and dusted. Where the expander procedure seemed endless, lots of potential discomfort/pain/agony - Im sure all options are experienced at one time or another, never mind the trecking back to the hossie 'every five minutes' for fills! Oh my lovely, I do hope you dont have much longer before you can swap them for soft and bouncy!

Veda, I hope your 3 month check up went without a hitch and you are able to relax a bit now. We just dont seem to get checked over so much over here in the UK. After my mastectomy, I went for the path results 2 weeks later - all was good, so here is a prescription for tamoxifen...see you in a year. Never at any time did I have MRI or CT scans of other bits of my body. And even at that year check up, it was only a feel around - no scans, bloods nothing. It was two years before I had my next mammo to check the good boob...then it would be come back in another year for another feel-up!  It would be very easy to get angry and bitter, just thinking about how much earlier this lot could have been picked up, but it wouldnt change anything now would it so whats the point. But I say to you gals across the pond...grab all the check ups you can get - yes, the waiting for results is a begger, but the peace of mind which WILL be the result of most of your check ups is priceless!

Anyway, today it was onwards and upwards with treatment for me. I had my first Zoladex implant. That needle was a big sod and it was a bit yow, but in the big picture of things....whatever! lol! The nurse gave me my flu jab while we were about it. I said I had only avoided having it as I felt I was dealing with enough side-effects already without adding any more. But she said that once I got into the radiation, my imunity would be shot so it would be wise to get all the protection I could...so I did. And so far so good, no ill effects from being punctured twice today! Best of all, she rang up to my doc and got me a prescription for diazapam...phew...they have seen off my ghastly feelings good and proper! The receptionist at the docs was being so awkward...I had rung about 3 hours ahead of my appointment to ask if she could get the doc to do the prescription ready for me to pick up. My doc has told me that I am to tell them that she said she will do this for me even when they start arguing that it couldnt be done. Well, i still made no impression on her..the moo, so I begged the nurse for mercy when I got in to see her. She was lovely, it was no problem at all and I was all sorted. So.....I had a GOOD day today, and even finished off the little crafty project I was working on. I will pop that on my blog in the next day or two. 

So...note to self - GOOD days will always follow bad ones!

Hey, despite swearing that I would never get in the car with my Dad again...I felt just that bit too wobbly to drive so I did ask him to take me today. Just the one near-miss, but we were nearly home AND I had the right pills to calm myself down when I got in...so all was well lol!

Oh well, 'a day off' tomorrow, no prodding or poking, just relaxing and hopefully feeling good...gearing myself up ready for my radiation which begins on Wednesday...yay!

Gentle hugs for you Traci, and sparkles to see off the expander pain, and all-purpose hugs and sparkles for the rest of you!

Sue xxx

sueUK

Hi girls, just checking in to say hi...and Traci...wishing you relief from your discomforts.

My first radiation tomorrow (okay..technically later today!) - am already guzzling water to prepare and hope to minimise SE's. I will prepare a nest for myself on the sofa before leaving the house so that I can slither into that when I get home and just chill!

Mr nasty - prepare to be ZAPPED!!!

Big hugs and lots of sparkles, Sue x

squidwitch42

Sue,

Are you there in real time?

squidwitch42

Am I backwards, or is it 4:30 in the morning over there? You are going to be floating away!!! I'm hanging in there Sue, thanks so much for asking. I may have some Lat Flap questions for you. Swap them full and bouncy! You are so funny

squidwitch42

Sue,

I am wishing you the best today...You may be home already, you are on your way, oh crafty one

sueUK

Hi Traci! I dont think it was quite as late as 4.30 am when I was typing away last night...but pretty late yes...I wait until my eyes are drooping before I head to my nest then I know I will have no bother nodding off.

Time check UK - it is just gone 2.30pm and I will be being zappity zap zapped at around 3.40....not long now! Ive just been reading up what side-effects to expect and what questions to ask etc...be prepared! If you know what is normal, even if unpleasant you can just go with the flow eh, but I wanted to find out what might not be normal and if and when I should seek help. Does any of that make sense...I have my waffly head on just now! I am thankful that 'in my head' I am feeling pretty cool just now - its the messing the with head stuff that I find unbearable, I expect we are all similar in that respect.

I am rather naughty and dont tend to eat much during the day, but today I have had a big bowl of cereal in case I cant face eating later...at least I will have had something. Im alternating between cups of tea and glasses of water.....I do like my cuppa it has to be said! Obviously it will be my lower regions that are likely to be complaining later, so Im making the most of enjoying my cuppas now lol! 

How is that 'boa constrictor' doing clinging to your chest today Traci? I hope he has fallen asleep and is not bothering you so much today. Does any pain relief help with that at all? I dont think you said how much longer you have to put up with those darned expanders...or do you not know yet? We will have to have a virtual 'soft and bouncy' party when you are done!

Ah well, my lovely sister will be here soon - she is going to be my chauffeur for the next few weeks, and she makes a lovely job of looking after me generally during the inevitable waiting around. I hope I will be able to check in later and let you know how things have gone, but meanwhile, you all take care of yourselves...okay!

Big hugs & lots of sparkles for a happy Wednesday, Sue xxx

LRM216

Wishing you all the best, Sue - and no side effects.  After the rads, may your day be a very good one.

hugs,

Linda

flash

How wonderful that your sister can help you.  I hope it all goes smoothly.

hugs,

flash

sueUK

Hello my lovelies, I hope you have all had GOOD days!

I am glad to report that my day has gone SO well, a perky mood and no side-effects so far from my first radiation....oh, other than an irresistable craving for a big mac on the way home...Im sure they dont mention that side-effect in any of the literature I have read lol! Not exactly healthy eating I know, and normally I am not bothered with McD's...but it really was an urge I couldnt ignore...and a very yummy one too!

The treatment itself was a breeze, it only took a few minutes and in fact I wasnt aware of anything happening at all. My hip has felt very stiff this evening, but I suspect thats more to do with resting too much as once I get going it does ease up a bit.

I know any bad side-effects will come as the treatment goes along, but for now I am a very happy bunny and more than anything, full of joy to know that the begger is getting its just desserts! 

As always, thank you for your good wishes...they do keep me going, and I hope my sparkles give you some comfort in return!

Round two tomorrow....I wonder what I will be craving for this time??? lol!

Big hugs, Sue x