May 2012 radiation

sbelizabeth

McKenna, I used to volunteer as a camp nurse for a week every year.  When the week was over I looked forward to it again for the next 11 3/4 months.  I've never had more fun, ever.  The kids all had a ball.  Swimming, hiking, horseback riding, friends, food.  Wish I could go back!

BLinthedesert

Hello Ladies!  I have missed you.   Neeners, cover the girls, the rest of you - be amused, not afraid. here is a conversation (and a little lead-in) for you:

Friday night we arrive in Salt Lake City -- I have my chest covering that seems to reduce some of the itching, and you can't see the huge red welt now (but it only covers about 1/3 of my boob - since that is the area that had the horrible rash) ...  I take off my top and WOWSER my boob is BRIGHT red - I mean fire-engine red, really really glow in the dark red - and my nipple (very very sore as soon as I take off my bra) is blue-grey with huge white spots.  I screamed, "YUCK". Dean said,  "wow, that looks horrible" -- I said, "man, I hope my nipple doesn't fall off".

Now, fast forward to this morning (2 days later):

ME: my boob really hurts, but it doesn't look as bad as Friday night.  I guess I can't really complain, it hasn't been too too bad until this week. But  it looks pretty nasty.  I guess in the big scheme of things it isn't that bad though.

HUBBIE: yes, it hasn't been too bad ... I guess ... as long as you don't lose your nipple.  Of course,  I guess you don't really need it for anything.

ME: hmmm.  laugh.  I guess you are right.

[pause]

ME: you do know this coversation is going to go up on the message board don't you?   

------

hope you are doing well, despite the pain, blisters, and ugly colored nipples. I did not want to scare you guys -- but I wondered if any of you had this "nipple problem"?  

Good news: the wedding was awesome -- up in the ski area in the mountains (Snowbird).  It was very low key.  Her Dad looked like Sting.  I was able to run both Saturday morning with my friends and this morning.  I only have ONE more treatment YES!!!!  

Bad news: my nipple looks horrid ... and hurts something aweful.   I had to leave the wedding pretty early - because I was so tired.  I couldn't run in the race because I between the fatigue and the altitude I was just too out-of-shape.

Cindyl

My nip turned white.  Paper white.  It looked awful and it fell off.  Well the skin did.  It's has recovered some of it's normal color a month after rads ended.  It hurt like the dickens for a week or so, but it's better now.

mckenna

Oh lord white nips that may put me over the edge.

Bl I am so proud of you for getting away during rads. I am starting to freak out about driving 5 hours to Chicago for a moms weekend in August. I don't want something to happen and be far from my treatment center I realize it is totally irrational. We are going to a Mexico/carribean type vacation in november with our whole family (8 kids & 11 adults) ok may not be much of a vacation but I think it is going to freak me out.

Neeners815

I'm hiding righty from all this blister conversation.  We'll see if she's sneaky and took a peek...  Here's hoping for fast relief for you ladies!

mckenna

Bl & Elaine Congrats. Smilies will be posted tomorrow. I decide just to stay home the whole day. They cleaned the blister areas well and said skin is growing back despite what it may look and feel like. The are going to watch the area with the pus. But said to keep doing what I am doing.



Bl I am anxouis to see what they said about white nips. I have some spots turning white and they said that is new skin?

happy last week to those finishing up this week and here's to the next 5 days moving along so the rest can be 5 days closer to the finish line.

Goodie

BL and Elaine - We are very happy for you to be done!  What a great feeling! 

I'm hoping for fast relief for you ladies too!  Take is easy!

Neeners815

Today I'm finally at the top of the hill, looking down (50%).  Going to the normal doctor tomorrow about the face numbing thing. I'm not too worried, and my RO didn't seem that worried, either, but now we have to get every little thing checked (and frankly that makes me very angry!) to be safe.

mckenna

Yeah for 50%!!!!!!!

So today I realized I have lost all modesty. After the nurse cleaned all the blistered areas she started getting aquafor on all the pads. I needed my bra which was across the room. I just stood up walked across the room topless and didn't think twice about it. Up next topless beach but only after I get my new boobs

BLinthedesert

YEA YEA YEA ... DONE DONE DONE

Oh Ladies, I couldn't have done it without you.  Thank you so very much.  It was weird leaving, and knowing I won't have to go tomorrow, sort of a sense of loss - but over-layed with such a relief.

Today I distributed chocolate covered strawberries (no, I did not make them myself) to the nurses and front office staff and personalized M&Ms to the techs.  The two guy techs were there today -- and both of them gave me a hug (which was sort of weird since I was wearing my "gown" - but what the heck, they have been drawing on me for 6 weeks now so there is not much "surprise" left in our relationship  ).

 
My RO was not at all impressed with my grey nipple -- she said it is dead skin, it will be fine.  She also was not worried about the pain in my sternum.  She did think that my comment to Hubbie about wearing a t-shirt to bed in case my nipple fell off (so we wouldn't have to look for it in the covers) was pretty funny.

___

This is one of those times when being "over-the-hill" is a good thing Neeners.  

Ha ha ha ha, weird, but for some reason I was thinking about your new boobs on my run yesterday mckenna -- well, not actually thinking about "them" -- ha ha -- you know what I mean ,  I just think that is such a good idea!

Thank you so much Goodie.  

 Cindyl -- that was so funny, seriously, I was in the airport and I laughed out loud! 

So, tonight, at 7PM Pacific time -- please toast!!!   

Spokanellie

Yay, BL! So happy for you being done. Dizzy, 4 more for you and me. Happy, happy!

Strong & brave - the Femara's going fine so far, knock wood. Some mornings are ibuprofen mornings, but only about 1 day out of 3. The other mornings, the treadmill seems to work out the kinks. And I was worried about getting a double whammy in the fatigue department by taking it at the same time as radiation, but no problem there either.

Started boosts today. Very different from regular rads, with four different angles. I like that there's some variety. :-)

Have a good week all.
Ellen

Neeners815

Holy crap somehow I missed that white nipple conversation. Again:  HOLY CRAP!  I can't even imagine.

BL - HUZZAH HUZZAH HUZZAH!  You're dooooone!  SO happy for you  How did that wedding go?  If I am awake, I will definitely toast!  If not, I will pre-toast  

BLinthedesert

Neeners, the wedding was awesome ... it was very low key, everyone wore cotton summer dresses and sandels.  It was at the Snowbird resort, outside, and it was a beautiful night.  The brides Dad looked like Sting - I sort of have a crush on him now  ...  The best part was the view - seriously, it was something else.  There was still a tiny bit of snow on the mountains, but it was about 75F and sunny ... spectacular.  

In the morning they had a 5k race -- some of our friends ran the race in bridesmaid looking dresses (and they still were really really fast! the 4 of them ran the 5k in relay style, each of them took turns running laps and they ran 12.5 laps in 15 mins and 10 seconds).  It was a blast.  I felt so lucky that I felt good enough to run a little with them (though I did not race).  

I will admit by 10PM I was exhausted, and am still super tired today, but it was worth it, and I am still happy that I was able to attend.  

mckenna -- I forgot to mention, I know how you feel about being nervous about being away from your medical team, very weird feeling, I felt it too.   

silviazara

BL and Elaine - congrats on finishing rads!!! Now this is the most awesome feeling, isn't it?

I am two weeks post rads and my skin is healed. It got much worse the first week, I got fever and bleeding blisters.. but it healed very fast. My new skin is smooth and one shade darker at the area where the bolus was used.

I have my energy back which is great. My husband said he is so happy I am going out with friends for drinks at night Lol .. cause it means I am back to my old self. Anyway, he threw me a suprise party yesterday for my 34th birthday. Looking back half year ago and everything that was ahead of me at the time, this birthday seemed almost unreachably distant. And here it came and funny enough, it didn't feel like I turned one year older, but I feel younger. I just have this feeling of happiness inside. Life is precious and beautiful even with it's hardships. There is always somebody or something to make it meaningful.

I wish you all a great day and fast healing!

BLinthedesert

Silvia -- happy belated birthday.  I am so happy you are healing and have energy again (and it gives me hope that you are drinking again )!!  It is a wonderful life!

Jan24

BL and Elaine I thought of you ladies when I woke up this morning being June 25th!!!   I am in Central Time Zone now but not too late to toast.   On my final radiation eve I had told friends to lift a glass at 6.  One of my old grade school friends was playing in a horseshoe tournament in Idaho.  She asked her partner to let her know when it was 6 as she didn't have a watch.  When her partner yelled the time others wanted to know what for.  When she told them my/our story all of the people raised their beers & drinks and yelled 'To Lynne'  A goofy story but for some reason it really touched me.  I could just picture all those people with horseshoes in one hand and a drink in the other toasting.  With that being said I will be here toasting.  

I remember posting about my nipple problem a long time back and I was embarrassed.....ha we've come a long way ladies yes we have.  Silvia I love your positive thoughts, happy BDay and many, many more.    I am 2 weeks out and my skin is still really red in the boost area.  My armpit peeled not sure if I mentioned that prior, otherwise all is well.  Anyone have any idea about how long before redness disappears and skin appears normal color?

BLinthedesert

Thank you Lynne!!  It is never too late to toast!  I hope you are enjoying the land of lakes!

Goodie

Neeners - congrats on 50%.  That's a great feeling too to get over the hump!

BL - I will try to stay up and toast to all of you are finished.    I am truly very happy for all of you!

Silvia - happy birthday!  Your post made me very happy and hopeful.  I too am glad you are doing well and have energy. 

I'm down to my last 5 treatments (ugh tech called the house today to say the machine was down this afternoon and may not be working in the morning - I'm going in first thing anyway and getting in line).  LOL  It's is a bit emotional with all of the procedures we've been through these past 9+ months! and more for some of you.

OMG - at least I don't have a nipple to worry about changing colors or falling off!  I couldn't imagine.  I hope it isn't too painful.   

jittersmom

A toast to BL and Elaine.....hip hip hooray! cheers

Neeners815

A toast!  I have my spritzer!  Congrats you wonderful ladies

mckenna

Goodie bring a book and camp out I wouldn't want to postpone one day when you are this close to the end.

Jan glad to here things are on the mend. No idea how long it takes to get back to normal but I cant wait.

Silvia happy birthday glad you had a night out with the girls

Bl I laughed out lid to read you were thinking of my boobs please think of the new ones because the current ones are nothing to write home about.



A toast to bl & elaine

BLinthedesert

CHEERS Ladies -- thank you all (and thank you mckenna for starting the thread) -- clink -- 

Jan24

Clink, Clink hooray

Goodie

Ladies I'm enjoying my wine with you tonight!  Cheers to all that have finished especially BL and Elaine! 

Oh, I am camping out tomorrow.  mckenna my DH said the same thing for me to bring a book and my water!  I do not want to postpone at all! 

I think I've read somewhere that we should heal okay but it just takes time for the new skin to grow.  That's what it sounds like here too.  Here's to some speedy new skin growing!  

silviazara

Thanks for BD wishes!

And CHEERS to BL and Elaine! ( I have Corona, hope it counts!) :-)

Spokanellie

Raising a glass of red to you, BL - and to you, Elaine, who I missed in my morning post (was typing from my phone; missed a lot!) Two more days, Joanne; three more for you, Patty! 

I'm working on how to honor my techs on Friday, who've been pretty pleasant all around. I have to figure out what I've been craving and make that so I can keep 1 and get rid of the rest. Hey! Who says altruism is dead?!?

There's a patient I've been visiting with each day whose appointment follows mine. She's really sweet and starting last week she's been really hurting. I strongly recommended Miaderm and she ordered some on Amazon, but today she said she has "tears" (as in rips, not eyeball precipitation) all over the breast. I advised her to check before using the Miaderm and related the story about absorbing too much hydrocortisone through large open areas. Anyone know if that's an issue with Miaderm? She said her doc already has her on a new cream - $50 after insurance. I'm pretty sure the Miaderm has saved my butt - okay, my boob - but she didn't start putting anything on her skin until she was two weeks into all this. I thought maybe I'd get her a small bouquet of flowers on Friday, my last day. Do you think that would be odd or make her feel awkward?

My entire areola's been grey for most of this time. I just figured that's how it goes. So normal dead cells, eh? Okay. Add it to the list of really FUN new experiences.

AEM47

Who ever suggested Saran Rap is a Genius!!  I'm pretty burnt and peeling now and very grey.  The RO had suggested that I may need a 3 day weekend come friday.  Or possibly just go to boosting this week instead of next.  Well out of desperation I tried the saran rap...covered everything with lube and boy what a difference this morning in coloring - you ladies are so much smarter than these doctors !!!...now I gotta figure out how to do this during the day ??

Neeners815

Well, today I had my first male tech.  He popped in yesterday when I was already on the table holding on to the pegs, but he didn't say anything to me because the woman in there was doing the adjustments.  So today he was in the room waiting for me.  I just stood there like a deer in the headlights!  He introduced himself and shook my hand.  I said hello, gulped, and took a big breath and got on the table.  He drew on me (of course!) and did most of the work with me.  I felt humiliated, until after when he covered me up (the other tech never does), helped me with my shoes (the other tech never does), handed me my purse (the other tech never does), and patted my shoulder and told me to have a great day and see you tomorrow (the other tech grunts).  It *almost* made up for the humiliation.  ALMOST!

Today I go to my regular doctor about the numb stuff.  Maybe it's just sinuses. 

BLinthedesert

The grey is so freaky looking isn't it?  

So, the magic dressing that I got for my rash is http://www.metromedicalonline.com/mplgsfall.html

This won't work for your whole breast, it works best for smallish (4 inches max) areas of red rash (even if it is "weeping").   It is magic.  I did not get any more yesterday  from my RO, so I ordered some off of the internet ... I think it gets worse when I run (as one of you had suggested) so this stuff really helps keep it dry.

I am so glad you got some relief AEM!! 

Neeners815

I forgot to say that when I felt uncomfortable with the dude there, the song on the radio?  "Roll With It".  Yep.