INSOMNIACS place to talk in the wee hours

luvmygoats

Yay Deb - now onward to healing. You'll breeze thru rads. I worked full time drove around the city and never missed a day. My office - most of them - never knew I was even doing it - 0740 am and usually done b4 I ever got 1st call of the morning. Only one who really remembered was the overnight on-call nurse. But I do remember you had bilat. so not minimizing it. Lube, lube, drink, drink - water that is. I felt much better bound up a little bit - the jiggle hurt.

I had trouble getting the doggy park to play without it stopping and loading next part. But I thought it was hilarious and yes I caught that no dog was lost in the snow and no trees were run into by the video maker. Sent it to my DD. It played a bit better this morning. Might be d/t amt. of traffic on net at the time.

Cami - I'm not sure I can face the toothpaste this morning. Maybe more coffee will help.

Watching Trisha Yearwood make chocolate desserts. Yum.

Had to buy pink eye spray from feed store. Still red but holding it open more. Have to decide if taking her to vet Monday when it's back to 36 degrees. This stuff needs to thaw. I nearly fell on butt in their yard this am. Parts have packed down to what looks like snow but it's thick ice. Hope we get a bit of sun.

Happy Saturday everyone. OOO - I think I see a shadow outside. It might be the sun.

mdnghtdeb3

You gals are so funny on a saturday morning!  

Luvmygoats - would never ever think you were minimizing anything! thanks for the advice about lubing, drinking and jiggling! LOL! I'm guessing there are only certain lotions I can use? Not sure...but I do remember reading somewhere that you can't use deodorant? For real? That just can't be! LOL! Ewwww! I honestly haven't read up too much on rad yet. I hear it's not too bad, but can cause fatigue. I'm sure at my appt they will fill me in on the do's and don'ts, but I remember someone telling me to check with my harvard grads here for info.

Holeinone

mdnghtDeb, 

Yesterday I finished rads, every medical center has a different set of guidelines. Most places will tell you to use Toms deodorant. 

I am fatigued, but started out that way from the chemo. You will do great, I started on Dec. 23, done Feb. 7. Your length might be shorter, because of your negative node status.

I did not research the rad routine, I was so burnt out on reading hours & hours of chemo side effects, and my lobular cancer, that I just trusted that they were doing what was necessary.

luvmygoats

I've read that some RO's just don't give any recommendations. Crazee to my thinking. There are all kinds on the internet, I know bunches used plain aloe vera gel but I never tried anything but what RO said. My RO gave me a prescription cream called X-clair. It seems not terribly popular and I think more on the expensive side but RO had a mail order/call in pharm that was cheaper, I think in FL - only need her RX faxed. That and what appears to be the most recommended - Aquaphor. Yes, its greasy but feels good. I've read that it stains but did not on my clothes. I had/still have front close sports bras Fruit of the Loom from Walmart. Not the most attractive very smooshy. I wore cheap cami's over and scrubs for work that did not seem phased by the Aquaphor. I had a "nicer" bra WallyWorld also for church. Towards the end I was ready to ditch the sports bras wearing more Tshirts for play but cont. to use them for work all year. I found the more my nip rubbed - the jiggle - the worse it hurt. I got California baby calendula cream at Target for after rads and used it some. Still use it on winter dry itchy spots. Some people like early rads, some leave during lunch, some late day. The only time I could guarantee I could be there was b4 work. Made for an extremely long tiring day. I still don't remember life during April-May just barely remember some of the pts I had. Rads build up - the 1st couple of weeks really nothing you can just kinda feel it. Then middle/end tiring then 2 weeks till it begins to fade. I had a pretty good group of ladies at my tx center; had a male student with them on one day. Was asked if it was OK with me. Planning for rads is longer appts which for you will be double. Guess you will do both at once, right? Zaps are quick - I had only 2 angles. I'll see it I can find on BCO the best description of simple rads which sounds like what you prob. will have. I could count and knew how long I had. You'll get to be expert at it. Boosts done at end (I think not all have them but most do) to incision area. It was relief for my nip area. Ask away if you have questions.

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/radiation/ty...

The 3rd view cross-sectional is exactly how mine was set up. Did from the right first then arm rotated way under my left side for 2nd beam.

Oh, yeah, I cheated and used a little plain Secret now and then - bought the travel size. It was the end of May stinky. Used Dove bar for sensitive skin. Turn back to shower head to rinse - no direct spray. Let them air out as much as possible - might not be as possible this time of year. I made myself a fanny pack with all essentials so I could put quickly in locker - creams, hairbrush, tiny hair spray, my Secret.

Everyone must be out enjoying sun or sin. We are higher temp than the past week. Also think our snow may have fizzled for next week.

luvmygoats

Sassy - it was you who mentioned the 5th snowflake not making into an Olympic ring. Here's 2 stories from Yahoo this morning about it. There are tons more Yahoo stories about opening ceremonies too.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-plac...

http://siouxcityjournal.com/sports/olympics/blogs/...

Sorry the yahoo direct link just won't work for the 2nd. Try this one instead. I think it is the same Yahoo story. The gray box at bottom that is blank is a video of the fireworks.

I have ditched my sweater. Just flannel shirt with T underneath. Hope others are getting some warmth too.

Chevyboy

badger

camillegal

Love the pics.

Busy this morning girls I have been so sleepy that's about all I'm doing so if u don't see me it's nap time.

I remember rads, but I also remember not using a deordorant with aluminum in it--like ever again, well I do but I'm just saying and aloe was excellent for me--altho u can still see my skin is dark all on one side bt no one sees me anymore except medical people and I really don't care anymore. Oh wait I think they said no deordorant the day u'r being radiated maybe and no lotions, they want a clean skin to use. I think that's it. See sometimes things come back and if u get tired deb rest if u can. That all u can do, and the Dr. will check u'r skin every week so if u need anything extra he'll take care of it. I did ask for some funky tattoos of course but they said they weren't allowed to do that. Rules.

Excuse me Sas----it's snowing here so a little grey sky doesn't really concern me at this point. and

Did everyone brush u'r teeth this morning? oooooooo

badger

Cami, yes and I learned that it's hard to brush your teeth when you're laughing, what a mess!

Jazzygirl

MdnDeb3- you might also look on the BCO site for a current rads group. I joined the Winter Rads group last year when I was doing my internal rad treatments. Most of the women there were doing external radiation as you are preparing for, and sharing info on cremes and other helpful tips as you go through the treatment. You might want to check that out.

You will feel tired from the rads, so if you are working through this (as I was), be sure to try to work PT if you can so you have time to rest each day. The fatigue will leave with time.

Teka

luvmygoats, 

I mentioned that the 5th ring didn't open.

Thank You for the links!

Putin must have been boiling.

Jazzygirl

mdnghtdeb3

Holeinone- Congrats on finishing rads yesterday! That is great news! xo

luvmygoats- Wow! Thank you for all the information! ...and for the hints/suggestions! Big help! Yes, both are going to be done at once, and I was told 5 weeks to entire breast (both), and then one week to incision sites.Can I ask...does the nip area really get that sensitive for most women. Sounds a little painful, but also sounds like you had it down to a science. I know this is a silly question, but I am a bit on the thin side...does that in any way affect the treatment...more likely to have skin reactions, etc., or does it not really matter? It sounds like you did have very long days. Wow! Rads then work? You are a nurse, right? Did you work 12 hr shifts? Yikes! I really really appreciate all the info and the suggestions! Hugs! 

Blessings2011

O.K., Owlettes - be prepared to laugh....

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xjxo4b_mrs-brown-gets-a-bikini-wax_shortfilms

camillegal

Db I think it's more of the shade of u'r skin and the sensitivity of it than anything. If that helps any. Some women have very sensitive skin with any shade so they should probably use more than one cream and more than 2 times a day. My skin is OK, but I'm fair skinned so the dark is still there, cuz of pigmentation. And I think they allow for size for the rads.

I have to say Deb. u sounds so much better than when u first came here and I'm glad of that.

Teka

Blessings2011, 

I cannot get the link to work (

mdnghtdeb3

Camill - Yes, that helps! I'm a bit on the darker side...not very sensitive skin...and I always tan the second I walk out the door and the sun is shining! Well, I take that back...as far as my breast area...probably much more sensitive (not a lot of sun exposure there...LOL). So, I can expect my skin pigmentation to change once rads is over? 

Honestly, sweetie...I know I sound better because of my path results, but it is also because of all of you! xo

Gingerbrew

Please don't post Olympic results. We are nearly a day behind some countries. Our evening competition show starts only now with results some had last evening.    Thank you. 

Teka

Good Reminder!!

But so far no results have been posted.

Teka

Sweet Dreams!!

Miminiemi

Just found this group, but am awake often in the night.  I'm in the middle of 16 radiation treatments and just now starting to see some skin reaction.  My kids are adults with small children.  I understand it is hard for them to coordinate time to see me since the live an hour and two hours away.  But still I can't seem to fight off feeling sad the have only called and didn't come during lumpectomy or other scarey moments.  Friends here are carrying me through.

Teka

Miminiemi, Welcome!*Hug*

I sometimes think that adult children feel we're stronger emotionally and want to believe a-okay!

Teka

Love your Avatar!!!

PattyPeppermint

hi all. So glad to find this thread. Actually 2nd time around told me about it - thanks. Read thru ALOT of posts from here today. Y'all seem like a close family. How awesome.  Night time is the worst time for my back pain from stage 4 extensively to spine, ribs , hips.  Once I am awake from the pain than my brain starts working overtime fearing what is going to happen. I am married with 2 boys age 11 & 8. So when they r all asleep and all is quiet it is super hard.  Very excited to be able to pass the time talking with others who get it.  

Mimi what made you decide to be a clown?  My father was a Shriners clown when he was still living.  It was amazing to see how wonderful he was with children (even though he was terrible with kids when we wre young)  and too see how much money he raised for the Shriners hospital. When he put his makeup and outfit on he was transformed into someone totally different. Anyway not sure why I  rambling. Just wanted to say hi all. 

Patty

Teka

PattyPepperment, Welcome!*hug*

I'm sorry that nightly you suffer through radiating back pain.

I hope Mimi & You can exchange clown tales!

Gingerbrew

Hi Mimi and Patty.   If you are up usually someone else will come on and say hi pretty quickly.  

Mimi I think it is true our kids want to believe we are strong. One of my kids was being very short with me and I told her that I noticed that I was short with my mom when she was ill and I realized it was because I was afraid she was going to die.. My child changed tunes after that.

Patty I am sorry you have night time pain and worries. I feel sure you will find support on this thread. Welcome. 

Ginger.   

Anonymous

Blessings, thank you for the video. LMAO! 

Ginger, thanks for the reminder about the Olympics results. We're so far behind everyone here on the west coast.

mnDeb, I agrees, you're sounding much more relieved. So happy chemo not required.

PattyP, glad to see you here. Have enjoyed quick response game playing, especially during the evening hours. Night time is the worst and the loneliest time, now you have another place to go to join others. 

Mimi, your avatar is a hoot! 

Paula, so happy for you! Never thought I'd say scar tissue is a good thing, but in this case, it is.

Sassy, how many owls were in the header? I thought there were 5, only see 4.

Spookie, is it just my iPad, your avatar appears sideways.

I'll never look at a tube of tooth paste quite the same way again!

Thanks all for your funnies! I appreciate the laughs

tangandchris

I took a long nap today and now I'm not able to fall alseep....hoping the melatonin will kick in soon.

Mimi-I have a 21 year old daughter that lives at home, but most of her time is at her boyfriends. I've found myself disappointed with her reaction to all of this too. I wish she was more involved, helped me more, talked to me more...etc. But maybe Gingerbrew is onto something, maybe she is distant because she is afraid.

Patty-sorry you are in pain ((hugs)) Do you take meds to help manage it?

 

Blessings2011

Aw, Teka - Dang! It's a naughty, but really funny video from the BBC series Mrs. Brown's Boys. You can Google "Mrs. Brown Gets A Bikini Wax" but most of the Youtube videos show it in partial segments. The link I posted shows the whole episode (at least the funny part).

Welcome, Miminiemi! It always amazes and disgusts me how self-centered adult children can be. We deal with it in our family, too. We will be your middle-of-the-night friends! (And yes, we're on here during the day as well...)

Welcome, PattyPeppermint! Don't be surprised if you get all sorts of nicknames pretty quickly; that's how it goes around here. I'm so sorry you are having pain... I can guarantee that if you stick around here long enough, you will be laughing... heartily!

Ginger - great response to your child...

Tootie!!! Are you feeling better? Funny we were thinking of each other at the same time....

Tang - I have yet to try the melatonin...do you have to take it close to bedtime? Can you actually feel it "kick in"?

~ ~ ~

Busy working on MIL's Memorial Service stuff.... spent all night downloading music - stupid iTunes hates me!!! I really shouldn't be allowed to do any kind of complicated computer stuff at night... I go crazy furious. 

Tomorrow I sleep in - yay! Just have to get up for a meeting at 10:45. I may not even need to set my alarm. Well, maybe I'd better, just in case.

Nighty night, Owlettes!!! 

Holeinone

welcome PattyPepper &  Miminiemi ! ( Miminiemi ) , we are on the same rad thread, small world eh !

Regarding the reactions to our young/adult children...this is uncharted territory for all of us, we have always taken care of our kids...my sweet son has really struggled with my dx. He is a strong, confident man, & it has broken my heart to see how hard this has been for him. My daughter is 3 years younger, tough as nails, cause that's the way I raised her. She is helpful, but back to business, hard work, exercise, when do I plan on doing this, ?...

I am so lucky, my kids are great, they will push me to continue the lifestyle I used to have, that I pushed them into...but  I agree, they do not want to talk about the reality of my scary dx, stage 3... They want life back to normal...busy...