January 2012 rads

Ossa

WOOHOO Mags. welcome to the done side.. On with life.. Keep sladdering on the creams fopr another two weeks

itsjustme10

Yesterday I saw my RO for the last time - it feels so weird to say that - I had my final checkup, and he discharged me.  Said it was healing very nicely, and if I ever needed anything to call him, but he didn't need to see me any more.

One down, 3 drs to go... LOL...can't wait til I'm done with the MO and the 2 surgeons, but since the exchange is 6 months down the road, that'll take some time I guess.

newksmom100

Mags and Yorkiemom - YAY!!!!!  So glad for both of y'all. 

bgirl

congrats to those finishing - wish you all speedy healing.

I have had my ups and downs with tamox, but seem to be leveling out after almost 3 months on.

newksmom100

thanks to all who have made comments about the tamox, I start on Tuesday and am just kind of wondering what this next phase will bring.  I'm 51 so already have hot flashes,  so expect they may just intensify.  I'm 10 days out from rads and just in the last couple of days have noticed that it is harder and harder to get my arm up above my head and the underarm area is kind of tender and sore.  Any thoughts?  My skin is really in good shape, a nice tan and just a little dry and flaky in the aerola area.  Thanks for your input.  Everyone have a GREAT weekend.

pupmom

Thanks Ossa! One day post rads and my skin is already less pink.  

Anonymous

Congrats to everyone finishing!  Feels great to be on the healing end of it.  newsmom, I have a lot of soreness under arm and chest area, feels like muscle soreness.  I am hoping just muscles healing.

I will start Tamox later this month,  I am nervous as well.  i am 49 and wasn't in menopause yet but have been in chemopause since first chemo.  Hope everyone has good experience with it!

May the road rise to meet you and the wind be at your back today! Oh yeah, and may a green beer be in your hand or better yet, in both!  Happy St Paddy's Day!

newksmom100

Thanks Wise Sara - I'm sure that's it.  We have all been through the ringer, as they say.

NWArtLady

Yay Maggie!!!

Thanks for your comment of Tamox, bgirl. I start it soon and am wondering what it will bring. (Hopefully no recurrence!!)

newksmom, can you see a physical therapist?  Mine has me doing stretches on my surgery/radiation side. I take a pole or a cane or the like and hold it with my left hand and with my right I stretch my left arm up towards the ceiling.  It's a gentle arc towards the ceiling, being careful to not overdo it.

Ardychan

Hello everyone!

I finished RADS on Tuesday! Whoo hoo!!!  

I am so freaking tired, I can hardly stay awake.  I have been off work for 2 and 1/2 weeks, and will take another week off to rest up.  But, I am weary of starting work and then not being able to perform well (This job requires lots of physical work).  I will just take it day to day next week and if I'm not feeling any better by Wednesday, I will ask for one more week (Then there's Spring break for a week after that).  I hope I'm not being a wimp about this, biut I have never been this tired in my life!  I feel like I did when I gave birth!

 Burning and raw patches of skin are not helping any either!

Congrats to everyone on finishing. 

chef127

Hello To all Radiation Warriors,

Congrats to all who finished. I'm almost 2 weeks out and whats left of my boob looks and feels great. I've decided to have the other side reduced to match so I can get rid of the sports bras for the summer.

The fatigue is worse than it was during Tx. I'm resting and sleeping a lot. Its time to get off the couch and to start moving again. The dent from my ass on the couch is pretty deeeep, and my butt is pretty small.

I guess many of us are moving into the hormonal stage of Tx. I don't think I'm going in that direction. May your SE's be minimal and stay strong............Maureen

For those of you still in Rads....The end is coming and it is a wonderful place to be..Like Ossa says "Welcome to the done side."

Ardychan

Hi everyone,

for the past few days I have had something strange happening with my right leg.  At times, it just "gives out", or goes out from under me. I have nealry falled three times.  Today, I fell down some steps in our house (really scary) and landed face first.  Thank God the floor was carpeted. There is no warning and it doesn't hurt.  But now, as I write this, my leg seems cold and is going numb.

 Anyone know what this could be?  Could it be associated with my Cancer?  I did have a "Bone Island" on my Spine between T11 and T12.  After a PET Scan, and two MRI's, they determined that it was benign.  They took a long time to come to a consensus on it, with some Doctors feeling it was part of the Breast Cancer.  I feel so paranoid.

 Any thoughts? 

Momine

Ardy, you should definitely call the doc about that. I have had what you describe, as a kid, and it was from a bad back, but it needs to be checked out.

Ardychan

 I called the Doctor and will see her tomorrow.  I think it is related to the Bone Island perhaps pinching a nerve.  They said I will probably need another MRI to see what's wrong.  Oh Joy!

newksmom100

Prayers to you Ardy....

J-Bug

itsjustme10: That's funny that your RO discharged you. That is what I was expecting and then mine at my visit on Friday said that she wanted to continue to follow up with me twice a year to be sure there was nothing else going on.

Ardychan: Best wishes! I am following up on my PET scan tomorrow with my MO, due to high alk phos levels. I can relate to the worry. 

treegirl

Hi all, 

I am also done for 2 weeks now. Such a long time, 33 days over 7 weeks. Most of my skin issues are gone after 2 weeks but was glad to read I am not alone in the continuing fatigue and discomfort especially when sleeping. 

 I asked and was granted a waiting period before beginning hormone therapy, doc said it would not increase my risk of return if I wait a few months. I just want a normal few months and to finish out the school year before dealing with potential side effects so I will revisit the issue in June.

 Take care all and thanks to Aussie Kate for starting this board 3 months ago. May we all live long and prosper.

Ossa

Went to see my PS today. Two weeks past rads.. Fully expected him to say see you in six months for exchange surgery, but no.... He said my foob looks great ( don't hear that every day) and said I can be fast tracked for my exchange surgery. He asked whet I had been using during rads and I told him Glaxal Base and Saline soaks and as soon as rads were done I switched to Emu oil ( thanks Anafoefana) He was quite interested in the Emu oil,, wanted to know where I got it etc,, Thinking he might start recommending it to his patients,.. I also got some Latisse today.. sick of my stubby little eyelashes.. Expensive, but I decided to treat myself

bgirl

Had my rads follow-up today.  RO was very happy.  Said tightness is due to inflamation that will remain for a bit as well as some scar tissue.  Said I could exercise as I am comfortable.  Happy with skin recovery.  Looking good.

anafoefana

Hi all.  Congrats to all who recently finished.  It is great to be done with another hurdle isn't it?

Ossa, glad the Emu oil worked so well for you.  I think it made a difference for me as well.  I have been using Latisse for 4 weeks and just started seeing some results.  The few eyelashes that returned fell out again a few weeks ago.  I am definitely seeing some growth now though.  I know what you mean about the stubby eyelashes.  By the way, I read that Latisse only works while you are using it. 

Chef, I feel better this week, but I agree, the fatigue has been worse for me after finishing.  I am not as tired this week anymore. 

itsjustme, My RO said to come back in 3 months and then every 6 months.  

JBug, how did things go with your MO?  I hope all is well!

Momine

I had my post-rad check-up last week, and I am now 5 weeks past the last treatment. It itches a bit sometimes, but it is basically recovered. I don't really have any tightness, just some red skin and itching.

Kayce234

Congrats to all who have finished!!!  Was wondering how everyone is feeling from surgery?  Had mine Dec 8 and I still have a ton of soreness and can't seem to do things like rake, lift alot or do anything that takes a strong effort with my left arm.  Still getting pain in Lymph area and in partial mastectomy area

msmouse

Kayce234, I had a re-excision for margins Dec 2. My initial lumpectomy (more like a partial mastectomy) was In Nov. I did neoadjuvent chemo July-mid oct. I had a node dissection  june of last year. My incision area is maybe 2 inches long around the ouside of my areola. I started exercise with strength training Nov 1. Some sharp pains but never w/ exercise. I am lifting maybe 15 lbs using only 1 arm @ a time. My node dissection never bothered me; the port hurt worse! Only a little tan from the rads and that is fading fast.Like you, my surgery was on the left side. My lower ribs can ache a bit & under my left shoulder blade. Did you get a handout on exercises to do after surgery? If not i'll try to find the link others have posted on post mastectomy range of motion exercises. For me, they have helped quite a bit. I've seen the MO this week and am waiting for the arimidex presciption to arrive. I will also be taking a statin with it because I haven't been able to get my cholesterol in hand with a pretty restricted diet and plenty of exercise. I see the RO in 2 weeks & expect to be released from her care @ that time. No mammo or MRI until Sept. The MO is every 3 months for the next 2 years. Then every 6 months for 3 years. Te only thing that really bugs me is the partial numbness in my hands & feet. Its better than it was 6 months ago but it still bothers me not to be able to open a jar or that I have to hold on to the treadmill when i walk.

chef127

Hello Ladies,

So happy to hear everyone is doing well post rads. I'm still fatigued but I don't have to go to work everyday so its not so bad. I would really love to go back to work and be productive again..and get a pay check. SS barely covers my monthly expenses and the money will proberbly run out before..........I have a finished basement I could rent out but I don't like the idea of a stranger here all the time. My DD just informed me she is moving out, she is 25 and said it time to be independant. She's right.

I went to a Woman to Woman support group the other night and it was nice to see and talk w other woman facing all this treatment. We talked about chemo and I was asked why I didn't do chemo and I jokingly said "I didn;t want to lose my eyelashes" They jumped all over me....I was trying to have a sense of humor, but I do love mascara. Hoping your lashes come back thick and long.

I'm going to see a PS soon to have my other tata reduced. I'm really lopsided. I can't tell if the rad side is swollen. If it is I think I should wait till it relaxes???????? I was told it could shrink after time. I'll see my BS next week I hope he can tell.

Arimidex, scary. I Like my estrogen.........Farwell womanhood.

msmouse...My sister just purchased a house in Henderson. She loves the area. I'm going there soon for a visit.

Happy the rads are behind us.....................Maureen

msmouse

Chef127: I have lived the Las vegas area for 47+ years, in Henderson for 8. This is a nice time of the year Until the end of June. Then its HOT until the end of Sept. Then is mostly nice. Very rarely what the rest of folks would call really cold. Give a shout out when you decide to come out!

Not too freaked by the Arimidex SE's; I am well into lifestyle changes now and feel I can deal with whatever is to come.  

Debbie

newksmom100

Kayce, I am in the same boat as you.  My surgery was Dec 5th and I am still tender where the tumor was and in the underarm area.  Carrying anything too heavy with my left arm is tough (I try to be careful of too much weight)  and bending over brings pain (putting my shoes on, drying my legs and feet after my shower). 

Chef, At diagnosis I started making jokes about being thankful the cancer was in the bigger boob.  NOW after surgery and rads, I really am thankful as the shrinkage is starting to really be noticable.  Probably because swelling is going down as well.  I can really tell in bed at night.  Much less there to "protect".  Hope it does not get too much smaller as I never had an excess to begin with.  LOL

I started Tamox three days ago and originally came here tonight to read that forum looking for SE.  I have been peeing like CRAZY the last couple of days and wondered if Tamox is to blame.  :-)  Of course everything that happens now I blame on cancer or cancer treatment.  :-) 

Take care ladies.  I've said it before and I will say it again.  I'm so glad to have you here.  It's been a blessing and so helpful to share with others going through the same thing at the same time as me.

Kayce234

newksmom - sad you are feeling the same way but happy I'm not alone, was wondering if I tore something or wasn't healing right.  I started a March/April thread in the hormonal therapy section - come join us!

bgirl

Get the lopsided thing.  Unfortunately mine was in my smaller breast (always been 1/2 a cup lesss).  Lump was supposed to be about 2 cm, ended up being 4cmx5cmx2cm deep pancake.  More than originally thought because of biopsy reaction.  So much smaller and seeming to continue to shrink post rads.  Having trouble finding a bra that sort of covers without big gap and doesn't dig in.  Anyone find anything yet?

When I saw RO this week, she said will do first mamo in Sept and then I will see her after.  See my MO in June for follow-up (saw him in Dec).  So I guess they alternate every 3 months for first year.

chef127

bGirl,

I'm wearing the Ah Bra. really comfy but it looks like a uniboob. It's very soft and stretchy, and they come with pads that you can remove or put both pads on the smaller side. I got it at CVS pharm. 2 in a pack for $20. For the summer I can wear it with a tank top and it has a layered look. I love them. 

J-Bug

anafoefana: Thanks for asking. I am doing well. I just forgot to post my results here. I just heard this week that the PET came back clean. I was concerned because I have two other benign tumors, one in spine and one in pelvis. I went through five biopsies before I started treatment.

I just had a completely crazy week with 2 doctor appointments, 3 job interviews and over 40 hours of work, and will be working all weekend too. Can't wait to hit the pillow for more than five hours in a row!