January 2011 Rads

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  • Mariposa109
    Mariposa109 Member Posts: 61
    edited February 2011
    Thanks Jo and Sherry. I guess I will see how my skin is doing towards the end of treatment and see if they can do the 2 week follow up in a week instead. Being far from both my husband and son is taking a toll on me emotionally and the sooner I can be done with it the better!! Laughing
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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2011
    You girls have got me sniffing my arm pits Surprised
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  • Mariposa109
    Mariposa109 Member Posts: 61
    edited February 2011

    to sue: Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha I did that too!!!!!

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  • Omaz
    Omaz Member Posts: 5,497
    edited February 2011
    suepen - Well, you KNOW you are in trouble when you DON'T have to turn your head to sniff!  You know you are sunk when you are on the rads table and your head is TURNED AWAY and ......
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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited February 2011
    You guys crack me up LOLTongue out
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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2011

    Ok - so maybe the crystal stick is working after all. I can't smell anything and it's already really hot today :)

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  • Omaz
    Omaz Member Posts: 5,497
    edited February 2011
    suepen - its so funny because you talk about starting your day and I am just getting ready to wrap up mine!
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  • Victoria67
    Victoria67 Member Posts: 44
    edited February 2011

    I've been using organic baby wipes to swipe under my armpit before I go into rads, sometimes even in the change room which the nurse said was ok (I'm not having my full armpit zapped). It has helped I must say. The rad techs say they can't smell anything but i think they are good liars!  I'm also trying a new aluminium free roll on deodorant and I'll see how it goes.  So far so good!

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  • Ondagrow
    Ondagrow Member Posts: 349
    edited February 2011

    Hi All,

    I hope everyone is in good spirit... (as good as can be expected)

    I want you to know, you all are in my prayers...

    I did 12 out of 28... Fatigue fatigue fatigue... (I am a hyper person, so my brain is moving and my body is uuuggghhh... lol)

    I cannot wait to treatment is complete... This has been a grueling process...

    I know God is going to be gracious with all of us...

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  • Teklya
    Teklya Member Posts: 435
    edited February 2011

    Only 3 rads left and then I am done!  Can't wait!  It will be fabulous to finally "heal" and start to feel better.  This past entire year (almost a year for me) has been about surgery and treatment, chemo and then rads.  Sheesh.  No wonder I am so pooped!!!

    You are the most courageous and amazing women I have known and I thank you all for everything you have done to help me on this path.  You will NEVER know how incredibly awesome this has been to have your support, wisdom, advice, concern and empathy.

    Take good care and just breathe. . .

    Teklya

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  • Omaz
    Omaz Member Posts: 5,497
    edited February 2011
    Tekyla - (((((Hugs! ))))))  So glad you are just about done with rads!  I am following along behind you and can't wait.  What are you going to do to celebrate?
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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited February 2011

    Tekly you make me want to cry ((((HUGS)))

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  • rachel5738
    rachel5738 Member Posts: 920
    edited February 2011

    Teklya....thanks for that post. Like you, I am a year since being diagnosed.....what a long haul. No wonder my body is so tired..... ;)

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  • Pennythoughts
    Pennythoughts Member Posts: 81
    edited February 2011

    Oakley - When I finished rads last week, they gave me a sheet of paper and my rad techs were very careful to warn me about not exposing the radiated skin to heat/sun, especially this year, so close to rads.  When I saw that you were going to DR right away, I thought of that.  They told me to either make sure the area was well covered or to use a LOT of sunscreen.  Did they tell you that too?  I was surprised to see that the RO said there would be no problem, but maybe you just weren't saying anything about it.   It was another thing that nobody told me before I started rads.  She said I would ALWAYS have to be careful in the sun, which really bummed me out because I love the heat, and I love the sun.

    Our first ever winter holiday was two years ago to the DR at the Catalonia Bavarro resort in Punta Cana, and we absolutely loved it.  Had a great time, although the food left a little be to be desired.  But we didn't go hungry, and the weather and surroundings were so amazing, that we didn't really care.

    Wishing you an wonderful holiday and congratulations on finishing rads soon!!!  Happy dance . . . Smile

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  • oakley
    oakley Member Posts: 206
    edited February 2011

    Penny - thanks for the post.  I was told I have to be careful in the sun.  We went away over Christmas and I kept a swim shirt on the entire time, even though I was under the umbrella in the shade.  I know I will have to do that again now.  What I didn't realize was that it was FOREVER?  Really?  I too love the sun, even though I know how bad it can be for us.  I honestly was worried about other things creeping up while I was away - things that were not skin-related - that had to do with radiation, and the RO said there was nothing to worry about.  I hope that's true because I don't want to end up in a hospital there, regardless of how beautiful the place is!  I've heard it has beautiful beaches.  We are also going to Punta Cana - to the Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real.  Never did an all-inclusive, but it seems just so easy, which is what I need right now!  My DH and DD and her friend are going.  Thanks again.

    Sue - you are so funny!  I hope I didn't cause you anxiety about the smell by talking about it.  I actually tried the Crystal again - this time doused it under cold water and then put it on (instead of just patting it with water) - it seemed to have worked last night.  And I also used the cornstarch again.  I just can't use that stuff before rads treatment.  I keep thinking of what Sherry said about the glands shutting down, but no such luck for me (probably because it was only half under my arm that was radiated.

    ((((Teklya))))

    Off to do some cooking for Super Bowl! Laughing

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  • lestwin
    lestwin Member Posts: 83
    edited February 2011

    hi ladies:  Had my 5th rad Friday but Saturday I was not feeling good at all.  I was so tired (I am a lot older that most of you guys) and I have a lifelong medication that also makes me tired (one of the side effects) so that may have been why.  I also got a UTI and an upset stomach and felt like s--t yesterday.  Today, I feel so much better.  Can you take anti-biotics while undergoing rads, or is that a dumb question?  I try to do everything right.

    Been to the DR at an AI and sorry to say got sick for almost the whole 10 days.  Take diarrhea medicine with you just in case and don't drink tap water even to brush your teeth.  Went to Negril Jamaica at an AI and loved it, got slightly sick (meds) but overall it was great.

    As for the sun, I am a 3 time veteran of melanoma surgery, live practically on the beach, and love to read, have a few beers and relax in a chair and swim.  I stay about 5 to 8 hours, whenever the temps are over 78 degrees so have learned to cover up.  I mean cover up.  I use 70+ sunblock, wear surf shoes, long pants and a long sleeved shirt, hat and sunglasses and sit under a huge umbrella that has an spf rating.  I swim in a tee shirt too!  I will not give up the beach even though my doc said not to go after 10 am.  I can't live my life like that so we learn to adjust and I never get suntanned. It is do-able!

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  • raincitygirl
    raincitygirl Member Posts: 3,143
    edited February 2011

    32 down, 3 to go!  I can't believe how quickly this has gone, but I will be so grateful to have a day when I don't have to go to treatment.  Will miss the team though, a lot.  They are amazing as are all of you.

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  • saturn
    saturn Member Posts: 139
    edited February 2011

    Woohoo, raincitygirl!!! I am excited for you!!! 

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

    raincitygirl - Sounds like next week will be filled with parties for those finishing rads.  WOO HOO!  I am liking these kinds of parties.  Glad to see several are at the finish line.

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  • oakley
    oakley Member Posts: 206
    edited February 2011

    Yay raincitygirl!  I am 3 behind you - racing to the finish.  Even though I like my techs and all, I won't miss anything about it.

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited February 2011

    raincity will be waiting at the finish line for your as well!!!!!!!!!!woohoo

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2011

    Ah well, 5 down, many more to go... Just starting to get sensitive on neck skin, and starting with sore throat. But, the nodules also seem to be getting smaller, so here's hoping it is all worth while.





    Take care, y'all.

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited February 2011

    hang in there and hope that this improves your nodules.

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2011

    Well, I'm half way at last but I got a flat tyre on the way. Stupid me kept driving to get there (not far) but I've ruined the tyre. I couldn't stop as I was on a very busy road. Called the roadside assistance man and he came and changed it for me. I stopped at the tyre place near home and ordered a new one - should arrive tomorrow. I just do not need this expense right now!!! One little bit of good news - I reached the safety net (our complicated government funded medical system)when I paid last week's bill, so from now on, it won't cost me much each week.

    Skin still looking good!!!

    Sue

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  • LuvMyLab
    LuvMyLab Member Posts: 82
    edited February 2011

    Yay Sue (not the flat tyre).  I got a bill today for around $1,400 and got around $1,300 back, but can't have reached the safety net as I think it reset on 1st Jan.  Anywho, was glad to get that much back.  My bill last week was for $2,700!!

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2011

    The safety net resets on January 1 - you have to spend $1157 out of pocket and then it kicks in. Why are you paying so much? My planning session was $1511 and that's the biggest one. They charge $134 for each treatment, Xrays are extra. The new tyre is costing 216 - trust me to have jap imports.

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  • sunangel27
    sunangel27 Member Posts: 310
    edited February 2011

    Hey Sherry!  So glad to hear your treatments are finished!!!           I haven't been on here in awhile. Don't know if you would remember. They had started me on rads in Jan. then after an MRI and two treatments the surgeon's office called and told me to stop going......  Well, an update. I am still not going. Surgeon talked to the Dr. that did the MRI and at the end of Feb...or first of March they are going to do an MRI biopsy...they found another spot.    It's been so confusing, (the surgeon's office said the rad dr. had mis-coded me and I wasn't suppose to be having rads......  They did send me for another opinion, and that dr. said no rads.  So now I have sat and waited and will wait longer till they do the other biopsy.  They said I had to wait for atleast four weeks to have it done because of having the rads.  He even took me off the tomoxifen for now..wants to make sure nothing interfers with the MRI biopsy. Will go back to him after the biopsy is done.

    Hopeing all is going good or as good as can be expected for you and all 

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  • elaineg
    elaineg Member Posts: 198
    edited February 2011

    I guess i start rads in February. But hear y'all are a friendly bunch here care if I join in?

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2011

    sunangel - I'm glad you got another opinion and especially glad they stopped the rads. As someone who had 3 suspicious spots show up on MRI - I can relate. They couldn't get at 2 of them (the other one was biopsied using ultrasound and was cancer) and they aren't experts at MRI biopsies, so they used MRI to mark them with titanium clips. The surgeon removed them and they turned out to be ADH - not cancer. What category did the MRI report give to this new spot? Mine were Category 3 - probably benign and that's what they turned out to be.

    Good to hear from you,

    Sue

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  • oakley
    oakley Member Posts: 206
    edited February 2011

    Hi elaineg - welcome!  Of course you can join here - this is a group of wonderful, strong and courageous women who have given a lot a guidance throughout this battle.  Learned so much from this board.  You should also join the Feb rads board so you can chat with people who are going through it the same time as you.

    sunangel - good luck with the MRI biopsy.  ((((sunangel)))) 

    5 more to go for me!

    Big congrats to Granny today for finishing!!!  Waiting to hear from you!  Laughing 

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