December 2010 Rads

jo1955

Welcome AustinNana & elenalb.  

AustinNana -Sorry to see you here but the ladies are so supportive. You are in Austin, I am about 5 hours south of you in the Rio Grande Valley.  Live between McAllen & Harlingen.  Have been here for 11 years and before that in San Antonio for 10 years.  Retired out of the Air Force In SA.  Been to Austin more times than I can count.  Have also eaten at the Gristmill in Gruene.  Sorry your sister has had to deal with the beast.  Hope you do not have the same problems but let us know.  I found this thread is a good place to vent. I started on the Nov thread and moved to this one.

elenalb - Sounds like the beast has given you the ride of your life.  So sorry to hear that.  I did not go through chemo so I can't imagine how difficult that was.  Then additional surgery and rads.  Bless your heart for being strong and getting through this.  The ladies here are very supportive and will help you get through this.  

Sherryc

Welcome AustinNanna and elenalb.  Sorry you both have to join us here but it is a great place to be where we can give each other support during rads.

AustinNanna I live in Gonzales just an hour south of you.

 Elenalb bless your heart you have been through the ringer and to top it off that you will finish rads at the same time your husband has knee replacement.  You are right should be an interesting Feb.

FireKracker

finally going on tues to see the rad.onc.for the schedule.im nervous now that its finally here.

wish me luck sistas.i have been draggin my feet so long on this i just hope its not too late.

hugggggggggggggs

k

Sherryc

grannydukes good luck on Tuesday and we will be here waiting on you. ((HUGS))

jo1955

grannydukes - Lots of luck on Tues.  You will do just fine.  Ask lots of questions.  Let us know how it goes.

yellow78

Good Morning everyone!

Tomorrow I go for my simulation.  I am getting anxious about it.  I am just starting to feel pretty good  since chemo and hoping that rads won't be too bad.  Hope all his well.  Jenn

starling

Jo1955 - Glad to see you are staying with us even after your "graduation" !

Toni30 - I finishedf one week of my "abreviated" rads and so far I am doing ok but I can def feel a difference in the radiated area. Its a little tender, but manageable and also very pink. It got a little paler pink from my 2 off days from the weekend, and I am slathering on the lotion my rad onc gave me like crazy. I sure hope it works! If it does I am very lucky because they give me all I want without extra charge.I am also noticing I am a little more tired than I was before I started, but I haven't been sleeping well.

One other thing is I notice the area is really quite large. Goes from almost to my neck down across my breast and down to  my midriff. Then across from about the middle of my breastbone past my armpit and even affects my upper arm that must be in its "path:" Is this common with you gals? I was surprised that it was such a large area.

jo1955

starling - My area was just about the same size.  Mine did not go up as far on the neck.  I think it depends on the size of your breast and wanting to make sure they get the whole area. You may want to ask your rad onc why is going so high up towards the neck.  Keep using the creams, you will thank yourself later for it.

How many more do you have to go?  I know the further along I got, the fatigue hit me more and more.  On top of that, I never sleep that good anyway - the darn hot flashes keep getting me up. 

Thinking about you today 

ebann

Good Morning Sisters! Will I started rads on Wednesday. I am experiencing nausea, diarrhea, & am tired. Just as the Dr said I would. I have pills to help me out. Still have pain in my bones but the Dr did say the rads would help w/ that. I still have not heard from my ins in regards to my chemo. I am hoping today I will. Otherwise I am talking to my onc about what my alternative is. I have been waiting for 3 weeks now. There has to be something they can do! The waiting is so hard to deal with. How long did you all have to wait for permission to start chemo?

Yellow78: I completely understand how it is to feel good & then have to start some more treatment after that. I felt that way about getting cancer again. It  took me about a year & I have been exercising, eating right, & making each day count. Which I am continuing to do. Just I have to do light exercise. Which is better than nothing.

Starling: My rad was that long too. It has been 1 1/2 since my rads and I still have a tan there. Dr told me it will probably stay there. I really do not like it. It is just a reminder each day.

toni30: I understand about the arms above your head. I really dislike doing Pet scans and MRI's cause of that. Your in there for so long. I had an MRI & I was in there for 2 hours cause there was so many to pics to take.

MrsNice: I hope your schedule works out for you. I think the hardest thing for me was the fatigue. I just wanted to sleep. I did not work but did volunteer at the church. Which I continued cause it made me feel good doing something.

rachel5738: I to wish I was done and I have not even began chemo. Then lifetime maintanence is such a scary thought for me. Yay for you being almost done.

maggiesmom39: It is so hard dealing with recurrence. I am dealing with that now. Mind has spread to my bones. Hoping these rads and chemo work. I hope the best for you as well.

AGeorgiaDeb: I think it is wise to tell your child about being sick. The ladies here gave some really good suggestion in dealing with how to speak to her about it. I use to be a teacher. Children are so much stronger than we think. Cherish your moments. I sure do w/ my grandchildren. Congrats on finishing chemo.

Tammyg: What a blessing.

Nancy31355: Thanks for the tip on deorderant.

Cincilady: I have never heard of castor oil packs. Do you have to special order them?

Wow this group is really growing. How sad and great is it is. Love having the support here. Will off to rads I go. Please pray chemo comes through.

Sherryc

Off to rads, I'll see if I have any SE today.

starling

I am very freaked out. Ever since I was diagnosed with BC, I have felt a sort of bond with Elizabeth Edwards who has been fighting the beast since 2004. I don't know her personally of course, but she lives not far from me in North Carolina. We all know her story so I won;t go into it here, but a few minutes ago I wondered whether there was any update on her condition and I did a google search. Before I could even click on a link, I heard on the TV (I had the news on) that there was breaking news that she was in serious condition. That the cancer has spread to her liver and her doctors have advised against further treatment and she is resting at home surrounded by family and close friends. I am both heartbroken for her and feeling a sense of fear I don't usually feel for myself. I so hate this disease! I just needed to reach out to you ladies - I need a shoulder. Just feeling so so sad tonight.

Barbcard2

Adding my name to the list. Radiology "conference" tomorrow; may begin 30 rads around Dec. 15. Diagnosed Nov. 3, already had lumpectomy, am still in shock over this awful turn of events. Doc, who has the empathy of a stick of wood, said 1.5 cm. tumor was "aggressive" but still considered DCIS.  Terrible news re Eliz. Edwards...I have very little support at this time: 2 grown kids far away, ex-husband who lives fairly near me in Wash. DC area couldn't bring himself even to send a Hallmark card, let alone a flower or two.  Yes, I'm angry.  Old hurts returning after 20 years! The only good thing so far is I wrote a rather nasty short essay which I entitled "Cancer Flowers" and just submitted to a couple of literary journals. (I'm a retired English professor and well-published author of poetry, fiction, etc.)  Oh yes, another good thing is discovery of this board. Good luck all.

jo1955

Barbcard2 -  Welcome - hate to see you here.  You will find lots and lots of support here so feel free to vent anytime you feel the need. I was diagnosed in Aug and am still in shock even though I have had the lumpectomy and finished rads.  Don't know if I will every fully accept this beast we call BC.

Please, please ask any questions you may have.  You will get lots of information here and we will all help you get through this.  Sorry to hear you doc has the empathy of a stick of wood.

ebann

Insurance approved my chemo I start Wednesday. Welcome Barbcard2 I am sure you will find lots of support here. The ladies are wonderful.

starling

ebann - So glad your chemo is approved! I hope it knocks the socks off your cancer.

Barbcard2 - Welcome to our group, sorry you had to find yourself here, but as Jo has said you will find tremendous support here. Glad you have an outlet in your writing. And come here as often as you need to vent. We are all here for eachother.

Sherryc - hope your rads went ok today. I went for #6 six today - so far so good!

QCA

 I just wanted to encourage each of you here on the December thread---you will all get through this phase of treatment and it will end!!!  I finished rads on November 17 and I'm doing fine now.  The skin issues have almost disappeared and only a sort of tan remains now, well, except for some lingering blue discoloring on the SNB injection sites.   Had a bit of fatigue starting about halfway through tx but still could do about all I had to do, and naps helped a lot.  Advise everyone to use skin creams as well as that nasty aquaphor--my rad onc gave free samples of the aquaphor, but if yours doesn't, you can get a generic big tube of the same thing very cheaply at the drugstore or Walmart. I used the non-petroleum based Eucerin during the day and the aquaphor at night, and my only issues were a little peeling and a LOT of redness.  And the day of your last tx you will be almost giddy, I promise!

Kathy

jennyboog

@ starling....Add me to the list of sad tonight. I also had the news on and heard about Elizabeth Edwards.  I too live in NC and just felt for her after I saw her in an interview after I was diagnosed.  In the interview she said she wanted to live to see her son reach 18 years old and then she could feel like she got him to manhood and see what type of man he'd be.  After I heard the news that line kept replaying in my mind and I've done nothing but cry for her and for us all.  I know her diagnoses is not ours but you can't help but feel like "it could be me".  Right here at Christmas too that has to add to her sadness right now.

susantm

So sorry to hear about Elizabeth Edwards. I admire the woman and was so disgusted by what her husband put her through, when he should have been supporting her.

starling, I had #6 today also, along with an xray to make sure nothing has changed that requires adjustments. (It hasn't.) All went well.

Had a bit of a tiff with husband today, although I think it is cleared up now. He is trying his best to support me, I know. He offers to help cook. However, I like cooking. I would really prefer if he would offer to help clean house or write the Christmas cards. I suppose I need to be more forward about it and just ask.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed right now, as I have taken on some extra tasks that perhaps I shouldn't have, but I didn't think I could turn them down. Like interviewing and writing for a man I know who is dying of cancer and wants his life story written. Since I am the only writer he knows, he asked me, and how can you say No to a dying man? But now I feel pressure to get it done while he is still around to see and approve it. That, along with work, the usual extra chores of this season, and the stress of my live-in sister-in-law, is putting me on edge--also, trying to get things done now before the fatigue of radiation settles in. I know if I make a list and just get to work on it, it will all get done, but it's still a pressured feeling.

Sherryc

startling so sorry you are so bumbed out today.  That is awful news about Elizabeth Edwards.

Barbcard2 sorry you are having to join us here but this is a great group of ladies that will lend support

Eban woohoo on insurance approving chemo, no you can get started.

Just go back from radiation and I am having stabbing pains from the outside of my breast in and my nipple is very sore.  Had a bad pain under the nipple on the way home and it went away.  I don't know what is going on cause I should not be having these things at this point.  Will see the RO tomorrow so maybe he can give some insight as to what is going on.  This was just #3.

Barbcard2

Thanks for the welcome to this club none of us ever wanted to join!  A silly question for now:

How do I indicate diagnosis, etc. on my site?  Thanks.

starling

susantm - we had the same thing today. I also had an xray to make sure they were zapping me right. I guess ok, Sorry you are feeling pressure. I guess having cancer doesn't change some things. Feel free to vent away. And let me know when you figure out how to get your husband to clean I could use some advice on that one! Mine doesn't even cook! (But I love him all the same

starling

Barbcard2- Go to My Home at the top and then you can edit your profile and your diagnosis.

toni30

Hello Ladies: Starling and others - Yes, the news about Elizabeth Edward made me sad, too.  But yesterday I saw an interview with Martina Navratilova who is doing well - and it reminded me that most woman do pretty well today after a BC diagnosis, so I am trying to hold onto that. Ellenalb - What a story!  Hang in there and come to us for support. Sending you hugs tonight.

jo1955

Sherryc - I had the same stabbing pains you are having and had them early.  They will continue off and on until you are done.  They are really annoying but doable. Start making those X's on the calendar and watch them add up.

susantm - Sorry about the tiff with hubby.  Hope it gets smoothed over quickly.  I do like to do the cooking and wish he would help with the other chores.  Things are going to get hectic with the holidays coming.  Been wanting him to decorate the house.  Just don't have the energy for it.  Wish I did, because I really enjoy lighting up the house.

Hadn't heard about Elizabeth Edwards until I got home from work.   Soo sad, had to stop making dinner to listen to the story and found it hard to get back up again.  She has been through so much but keeps going in spite of everything. 

Exhausted tonight.  Having trouble keeping my eyes open right now.  It was super busy at work and had to send my office help home - she was so sick.  Told her I could not be around her - did not want to get sick myself.  Now it seems the fatigue has kicked in twice as bad.  Hope I can get some sleep tonight - been having episodes of insomnia which really sucks. 

susantm

Jo, I hope you sleep well tonight and get over the fatigue soon. I do recall reading that it can get worse when you first finish rads, but improves after a week or two.

I think husbands can be clueless at times. When I mentioned feeling overwhelmed and listed the reasons, he concentrated on the ones he couldn't help with--like my writing--not seeming to think that if he cleaned and helped with Christmas cards, it would give me more time for things he can't help with.

Sherryc, I had a few little pains in the breast today, too, for the first time. They didn't last long, at least. And I notice it's a little sore under my arm, around the SNB site, when I lift my arm high. Nothing more than a slight annoyance so far, so I just ignore.

jo1955

susan - Thanks.  I could use 12 hours about now.

Ditto on the clueless husbands.  Mine helped for a few days right after surgery.  I think I made the mistake of trying to do too much all at once.  When he figured out I could manage things he quit helping unless I got nasty.  He is like a big kid and sometimes I just want to give him a "time out"

Gonna shut down the computer for the night and get between the sheets. 

Sherryc

jo hope you get a great night sleep.

jo1955

Good Morning Everyone - Boy, did I sleep good last night.  First time in I don't remember when.  It has been a rough road for sleep.  My BC is on my left side and that is where I am most comfortable.  Has been really challenging.  Most of the shooting pains are gone and not having hot flashes as intense at night.  Hope that does not change once I start Femara.  I could get used to the rest.

 

starling

Good Morning Jo ! So glad you slept well. Getting a good nights sleep sure is a challenge these days!

Grannydukes - Good Luck today!

AustinNana - Today is a great day for you because it is the start - and you have to start so it can end - we are all here with you! Use a cream that your onc approves of - you can get through this! I am on day 6 today and my treatments are all boost-like I think because I get in 19 what usually is done in 33. I am a little pink, but staying on top of it and you will too!

Elenalb - so sorry for all you have been through! You sound like a fighter and I know you will get through it too. We are all here for you and eachother.

julie_dee

Hi, Ladies. 

 My first post on this board - I had my first radiation session (of 33 total) this morning, and knew I would find a community here.  Thanks for being part of it! 

I have been lucky - my lumpectomy was straightforward and required little recovery; no chemo based on an Oncotype of 12 - and so it seems a little surreal.  I imagine that the effects of radiation will change my "well" feeling, and help make having cancer a reality - but it is nice to get started, and as someone said, begin putting thoses "Xs" on the calendar.

 I wish good progress for all of you as well, in exactly the ways that you need.

 Julie