May 2012 radiation

Neeners815

Woo hooooo, mckenna!  Congrats and have a wonderful time at the winery!

BLinthedesert

Congratulations mckenna!!!  Yippee.  I like purple -- although I like it more on shirts or dresses than on my boob, but thats just me    -- Have fun tonight, I will raise one to you tonight!!

Funny you should mention the skin thing -- that happened to me this morning when I woke up, I lifted my arm and felt like I had torn something!  Not really super painful, just a weird "tearing" feel.  

(mckenna it is weird that your computer won't let you make smileys - but it will let you put a little tilde on you "n" in "can't"  )

Jan24

BLinthedesert I love your cushion idea lol! Mine is laying on my desk in a stack of papers ie junk and medical bills :-). Judy, I had the same nipple problem hang in there . Neeners purple is my favorite color definitely not pink. Now that my radiation is done we are on our annual road trip back to Minnesota for the summer, a month later than usual. We are in a gorgeous spot today Moab,UT I love the red cliffs. This morning we are off to try to see a few ancient petroglyphs, but the 1st thing on my mind this am is to congratulate McKenna and etheize. It is such a relief to be off the rad train. I haven't peeled yet, still really red which shows in my scoop neck t-shirt but I don't care.

Cindyl

I loved pink.

I can hardly stand to wear it now.

Infobabe

Cindyl

How about a new slogan:  I shrink from pink.

We don't want to be special.  We have a serious disease but it is embarrasing to be singled out looking pathetic. 

Seriously, we need a new organization or maybe there is another one already out there who will devote all funds to research.  I feel certain that in 10 years this period of breast cancer treatment will be the dark ages.  The genome will be all figured out and they can taylor treatment to the particular patient.  Not soon enough for us.

From my viewpoint, there is so much uncertainty about outcome of treatment.  It is such a guessing game with only statistics and chance to guide us.  Like is often said, it is a crap shoot. 

RachelsLife

I've been lurking for a few weeks (just started rads 21 May) - but I felt compelled to weigh in on the "pink" campaign. I must say that if it weren't for all the breast cancer awareness propaganda, I would not likely have discovered my bc when I did. I'm relatively healthy and rarely go to drs (unless I'm taking one of my kids) and I'm only 38 so hadn't started mammograms yet. I thought I might have felt a lump - wasn't sure, and really tried to ignore it - but honestly it was last Oct and all the bc hoopla got me thinking so I figured I might as well check it out...

Anyway, I guess my point is that awareness is a good thing - not just for us fighting cancer, but for friends and family who often feel helpless (and are most likely the ones getting us the pink swag - it helps them feel like they are making a difference and showing support). I've never been a big fan of pink - but the thought behind it, that someone cares enough about me to do something for me, I love.

Spokanellie

I'm going to have to jump in on this discussion. I wear pink and I show off the ribbons not because I want people to know I have breast cancer, although I don't hide that either, but because I want my sons, my brothers, my fathers, my nephews and my grandsons to all know how many people they love are affected by this cancer. I want the deep pockets out there to dig deeper and realize how many people they could lose if they keep assuming they aren't affected because this is a "woman's disease." I think that message is being heard, but I don't want it to become buried.

Now personally I've loved the color pink for a long time, but I don't mind that it's now associated with something I've faced, tackled and beaten. I've accomplished something that I'm proud of, partly with an upbeat, positive attitude.

This is a very personal issue for ALL of us here because we've each had different experiences, with the disease, with friends and family and with our varying treatments. Mine's been entirely positive, with wonderful people surrounding me. I respect your repugnance of all the fanfare. I also want to be sure silent readers here know there is another viewpoint.

Ellen

BLinthedesert

Spokanellie, and Rachel, I understand - and it isn't the pink that gets me ... it is the Koman ribbons (that they make a lot of money on - and while some of it goes to research, much of it goes to keeping the "corporation" humming along).  

While I appreciate that the pink reminds people (including us) that there are many who are fighting this disease, it overwhelms some of the other cancers (like colon) because they are more difficult to talk about.  Katie Curic has talked about this a little -- how it is fine to show how to do self-breast exams on TV, and yet many people get uncomfortable if you discuss how important it is to have your colonscopy screening.

So, while I am not against pink - I wish it were more inclusive - all cancer is bad, we need more research for ALL cancer ...

I do appreciate how strong all you women are ... 

RachelsLife

BLinthe desert - I can appreciate that. My dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just 4 months after I was diagnosed with bc -- and there certainly isn't as much public discussion/hoopla about pancreatic cancer. Actually, a few months ago as I was driving and yet another bc awareness commercial came on the radio, my 7yr-old said "why do they spend so much time talking about breast cancer, instead of the serious cancers" (which made me smile, because my husband and I have tried to downplay how serious breast cancer can be..) - but her point is valid, bc does get much more attention than the other cancers and I absolutely agree that the ideal would be equal efforts to raise awareness (and funds) for all cancers.

schatzi14

Awareness is one thing...overload is another!  For decades now, we have been told over and over the need for mammos and self breast exams....I guess many women are in denial until it happens to them!

I am glad that finally the same thing is happening with colonoscopies and lung cancer. A few years ago how many would actually ask for a colonoscopy as part of their routine physical? Most people I know over the age of 50, ask for one (usually every 5 years or so.)

I realize that in the U.S. many don't have the insurance to pay for one, even here if you don't want to wait for months, it will cost you $50 for a private clinic but to me it's worth it. Just like we have to pay for a PSA (prostate blood test) or a CA125(ovarian). I guess it's whatever makes you comfortable. To me it's worth the money for peace of mind. 

Perhaps this should have been on another thread???

Goodie

mckenna & etheize - I am so happy for you both! 

mckenna - enjoy your winery celebration!

Wow, the fatigue really hit me this morning and it's Monday.  ugh. I got home from treatment at 9 a.m. and I took a three hour nap!  Crazy! and I still have 10 more treatments to go!

Neeners815

I respect both points of view and don't feel very strongly about it either way as I see the pros/cons with both sides.  Thank you for sharing, Rachel and Ellen.  

We can all agree about one thing:  rads sucks!   

Neeners815

Goodie - how many total are you having?  A three hour nap - yowza.  Well, your body needed it and it's good you could do it.  Hope you feel more rested

Today was officially 1/3 of the way through for me.  The excitement of the day was that I was written on with a lighter blue pen as opposed to black.  What a nice surprise!  (I'm only slightly being sarcastic )  My armpit hurt a bit this morning after rads...I shaved with an electric shaver and it cut my armpit.  Lordy.  I thought the point of the electric was that then you didn't have to worry about being cut. 

etherize

Neeners, congrats on the run/walk!  That's a real achievement.  Congrats also on being 1/3 finished!

mckenna, congrats on finishing rads!!  Yay you!  I'm glad you weren't pressured to ring a bell. ;-)

My appointment is still 2 1/2 hours away.  I think I'll probably be getting a certificate, since they gave me one for finishing chemo. BLinthedesert, I like your idea of making a cushion out of it to sit on!  Or how about turning it into a doormat?  I'd rather not have any more reminders of all this than I already have.  

Spokanellie, good for you for speaking up for the pro-pink folks; there's certainly room for everybody's point of view here.  

Infobabe, you might want to google "think before you pink" -- it's the slogan of a group called "Breast Cancer Action," I think. They are concerned about "pinkwashing," which is using the cause as an excuse to make money but not necessarily spending funds raised on cancer research.

Oh, update on my skin -- it's already looking pretty normal!  No sore spots, the red has turned "tan," there is some little peeling. Now all I have to do is peel off these last three stickers and wash off the magic marker! 

Neeners815

Etherize - so glad ot hear your skin is doing well!  I bet you can't wait to ditch the stickers and get rid of the ink.  How awesome!

BLinthedesert

Neeners, ouch.  I used an electric razor and that is what happened to me, ouch.  So, I have used my usual razor about 3 times - not quite hitting down to the skin - and I haven't had any other problems.

They did not even marker me up this morning -- my amazingly red rash is such a perfect outline of the radiation field that they don't need any other marks 

Good luck Etherize!!   I will be thinking of you in a couple hours, happily reading your latest diploma  

Goodie, yes, the fatigue can really hit hard when it hits (and mine hit about #15 too) ... I am glad you napped and I hope you feel better for it later in the day. 

Goodie

Neeners - congrats on the walk.   Wow, that's amazing you did it during treatment!

Etherize - I think you are done now!  Yea for you!  Have a wonderful night celebrating!

Oh, I can't wait to ditch the ink and the stickers! 

I "only" have 10 more treatments left.  I've had 18 so far.  So, 28 total. 

RachelsLife

Now that I've come charging out of hiding, I guess I should stay out   I am scheduled to finish rads on 2 July (hooray!) - will be so nice to have a break in treatment (not counting Tamoxifen which I've been on since starting rads) for a while (until I do reconstruction next year). I have appreciated reading everyone's stories and tips - it really helped me be more prepared (including my huge supply of lotions..) so thank you!!

mckenna

Rachel and Ellen I am glad you spoke up. I think my mom has ordered shirts for all my little neices to wear on Saturday. She wanted to have "please find a cure before I get boobies" but my sister thought that was inappropriate. I think it is hysterical. What do you guys think?

I know I missed a lot of posts. Hope everyone is having a restful day.

Rachel I will add yourend date tomorrow. I can add a smile and apparently a Tilda to a regular post I just cant edit easily

mckenna

Forgot to tell you all you can get 3 free months membership and free personal trainer at you local ymca through a live strong program

etherize

Yay, I'm officially FINISHED!  Haven't been that happy in awhile.  I almost cried.

Got my lovely certificate (all the therapists signed it, too) and a patient satisfaction survey.  Right now all I can think of is that I'll be satisfied as long as I never have to see them again!

Goodie

Rachel and Ellen I am glad you spoke up too.  Everyone deals with "this" so differently.  I have a friend who is a 16 year survivor and she loves all the pink stuff and is very proud to wear it and have it all over her house.  Maybe I don't feel worthy yet.  I do think it's tough to have all the commercials and pink october is very overwhelming especially since I was diagnosed Sept 27th.  It would be nice for all cancers to get more attention. 

mckenna - are you home from your winery celebration?  How was it?

mckenna

I am home. It was nice. Lunch a couple bottles of wine. My mom and sisters.I even got a few gifts



Yeah etherize!!!!!! So happy for you

BLinthedesert

YEA Etherize!!  

mckenna, I LOVE please find a cure before I get my boobies -- it is too funny -- that said, it can be both inappropriate and hysterical  

schatzi14

etherize...congrats!  Now on with life!

Spokanellie

mckenna - yay for you for graduating!!! More than that, have you stopped to really look at what you started back on April 30? More than 775 posts so far, but that's not a 1/10th of the value. You created a space where a whole lot of women, strangers, could come and be just themselves. No false smiles or outside demands or having to espouse a position we'd really rather reject - at least for a few minutes. You maintained a friendly open atmosphere that allowed us to laugh, vent, rage or cry as we needed. There's been no judging, just open acceptance.



So I'm honoring you for a whole lot more than just finishing rads.



And I love the smiley sunglasses!

Goodie

Spokanelli - I totally agree with you for honoring mckenna.  This is one of the best threads I've seen and everyone is very supportive and respectful.  I love the sunglasses too!

mckenna

Goodie and spoke you are too kind. I just started the thread we all provided the support and laughs . You all have helped make the last 5 weeks more bearable and I will always be grateful.

Now lets hope 7/18 gets here quick so we will all have had our last zap.

I wish I could figure out how to post a photo on here because the kids made a sign that says thanks for taking care of our mom and you guys took care of me too just as much as the drs, nurses and techs!

jittersmom

Congratulations McKenna and ethersize

Jan24

I think you can upload a pic to Google's Picasa (?) and then post the link in your post here.

I just remembered you use the iPad which doesn't support Google