Winter rads 2014-2015

CoyoteNV

Nomatterwhat - You sure do get a smiley face.  I'll bet that you have one on your face too!  Congratulations!  Enjoy the weekend!

CoyoteNV

This is our list of Winter Warriors as of January 14, 2015 - I'll do my best to keep it current. Let me know if it needs a change. 

October / November Start

MeneK – Oct 24 .................... MagicalBean - Oct 28......... Mmtagirl - Nov 3

MarieBernice6234 - Nov 4  ... Hope50 - Nov 5 ..................  dennyvol - Nov 5

CAS4 - Nov 6 ........................ Beachbaby65 - Nov 4 .......... CoyoteNV - Nov 10 

Lush61 - Nov 13 .................... Rosa54 - Nov 13 .................  Beachlady28 – Nov 17

Nomatterwhat - Nov 17 ......... LMVerma  Nov 18 ................ katieC12 – Nov 18

Lorrilynne - Nov 18 ....................... Gongshow18 - Nov 20 .........Yikes1 - Nov 20

Birdgirl11 - Nov 23 .............  Perfectlyimperfect39 - Nov 23 Singsing1020 -

December Start

Pita119 - Dec 1 .................. SandyLovesLucy - Dec 1......... AnasNana - Dec 1

 HockeyCat - Dec 3 ................... .CanuckMom Dec 4 ........................  MeanMomto3 - Dec 4

JustJean - Dec 5 ....................... runningcello - Dec 9 ....................... carynbrit - Dec 10

eileenpg - Dec 10  ..................... ForHisGlory - Dec 10 ..................... Davida58 - Dec 10

SCMom - Dec 11.........................ILCMom - Dec 15...........................  Linzer – Dec 16

WndrWoman - Dec 16 .............. sweetbanker - Dec 16 ....................  labelle - Dec 17 

Slavrich - Dec 27........................InGodshands - Dec 18 .................... Catie57 - Dec 18

lilactulip - Dec 18?..................... PoppyK - Dec 29 ............................. kpmacmill - Dec 29 

Jlynn13 - Dec 29 ...................... gretchy - Dec 29 .............................  Bellegirl - Dec 30

January Start

reader425 - Jan 2..................... Purrrrana99 - Jan 5........................... Bippy625 - Jan 5

Cath57 - Jan 5  ................................  fossf - Jan 7 ..............................Lulubelle1 - Jan 8 

lescover - Jan 8  ................................Nancy6540 - Jan 12 ................. Saltygirl - Jan 12

Fionascottie - Jan 13

January Start Dates Not Known

Windgirl - Jan ? ....................... KGotThis - Jan ?............................... quiggy - Jan ?

Dacre - Jan ?

February Start

LARock - Feb 2

No Start Date Yet

 Shayne36 - ? ......................... knittingPT - ? .....................................Cavalier - ?

Sjacobs146 - ? .........................Beachbum1023 - ? ...........................gemmafromlondon - ?

zjrosenthal  - Rads delayed by surgery, until ? Honorary Winter Warrior

Warriors who stopped for a visit, but didn't stick around. No start date determined.  We wish them well.

Minnielee; surrrana99; Coloradocancermom; Shuf; bjeaneg

= Reported Completed

 = Should be Complete by now.

Nomatterwhat

Had donuts waiting for me at work with signs like "you made it to the finish line" and "You did it!!!".  I got a cute signed Certificate of Completion from my amazing techs and got to ring the bell.  Lots of hugs, tears and congratulations throughout the day.  When I got home, my husband took me out to Five Guys Burgers.  What a guy!!!  What a day!!!!!  I can honestly say, the every day grind was not fun, but the techs were amazing and I just love them to pieces.  I won't know what to do with myself now that I can have an actual lunch hour!!!  LOL

Cath57

My first week of rads done! I only cried the first day! So far so good! CoyoteNV , I am a muralist /faux finisher.(as soon as I figure out how to post pics here, I'll share . I can't figure out how to change the photo settings. Anyway , here is my FB pg that shows some of my work in various albums https://www.facebook.com/ImagineThisDecorativePainting. Right now I've been working on a home for 5 mos. My RO said he wanted me to not use my right arm so I'm working hard to get this last portion done : kitchen Island & built in china cabinet. We just finished a master bath in Venetian Plaster which is a workout. I am looking forward to taking some time off soon & actually rest !.

I just think that is horrible how your supervisor is treating you dacre! Stand strong!

Congrats No Matterwhat!! I can't imagine being at that point but I know I will one day at a time!

zjrosenthal , thank you for your words of encouragement!

Beachbum1023

Good morning Ladies,

I woke up to 5 degrees, and wind chills below zero! And some hot coffee!

I saw the RO on Friday, and she wants to do 5 1/2 weeks of rads. I saw the MO on Tuesday and she wants me to start chemo on 1/20. My BS wants me to see the PS for reconstruction. The RO is going to present my case this coming Tuesday to the Tumor Board and see what they come up with for the plan. My plan was, I hope my hair is back before summer to go to the lake swimming at the beach, and get a tan.

So at this stage, I am leaning towards rads just in case it could be a good thing long term. Then to chemo. Anyone else have this situation?

WndrWoman

Good for you Nomatterwhat!

Cavalier

I meet with RO Tuesday for the initial consultation. Thanks for all the information. It makes this process just a little easier. Will let you know my start date when that is established. I am fascinated by your art work. Thanks for the pictures. A good reminder that life outside breast cancer exists and is beautiful.

quiggy

Did my SIM yesterday.  Techs and nurses were so sweet.  I got through the process then, cried while I drove home.  Guess it was more overwhelming then I thought.

4-tattoos and with the sharpie marks, my chest looked like a white board, almost funny.  I'll be doing the "breathing" version; hold breath to help protect my heart.  I'll have the box outline on my tummy for the duration.  

 I start 7-weeks of rads on 1/16/15.  

Carynbrit

PoppyK

Thanks.. yes i have. i got on that back when i first started Rads... (I was too overwhelmed in oct and nov with surgeiries etc and college..got really isolated,because actually hubby was vetting calls and i never got to speak to anyone!) surgery place was 2 hours away so i knew the suport groups there were out of the question... but YAY!. the rads are local.. but the support groups didnt run in Dec here!.. however I have signed up and next week is the first one I'll go to..at least that way I'll have some outlet for the cancer there. I've' actually signed up for everything going.. the support groups, the body image group (not helped by hubbys remark about 'being deformed now) and the lymphedema prevention clinc.... the more people I'm around the better (Im a bit of a loner.) I work pretty closely with the womens shelter (because I got really down a few years ago and needed to DO something about it)..and they are with me on my 'plan' as yes..its volatile situation.. i tread on eggshells most days... its all emotional so its difficult to prove.. you know? Its a he said- she said kind of thing.. and really since going to talk with the counseller there..I've got my head on straight.. i HAVE to get my ducks in a row so to speak and leave /or get him to leave..in a controlled way. I have a daughter to think of and of course these days with the 50/50 parenting thing that most judges go for.. i need to be in as best position as possible to show I'm the best parent basiclly (harsh but true)..hence college and job.

anyway..sorry that was long! Im purging! and hey.. thanks you all for letting me vent somewhat!

Family... I'm a Brit transplant in the USA. I didn't have much family to start with and now it's just my mum over there.. shes supportive to an extent but i 'cant move back'..shes not a mothering kind of mother really.. never has been....sad but true.

. really though half the thing there legally (have daughter whose USA born..and i understand that i can just take her!t.. im not trying to be a cow about it.. maybe that's the trouble! im still trying to be fair!).. anyway..no family over here unfortunately. Constantly moving ( 11 times in 14 years..this is the first time i've been in a certain state for years.. 3 whole yearsnow!)has been a pig as far as making local friends and keeping them..and he does tend to throw 'his 'net far out with people..effectively isolating me more (its how it works..i know this stuff inside out now since going to the womne' s shelter) because 'mutual' friends doesn't work for me. Hes the perfect person when he has an audience..whats sad is that i wish i had THAT guy here at home..and it would of been okay!!!! Although now there is a neighbor or 2 whose can see how it works here..so they are in my corner ..helping (such as childcare or thngs like that. .its good to know for the future!) I found myself constantly trying to make it better here.. be better.. have done the entire marriage (also typical with emotional crap) but It's never good enough (i still occasionally get self esteem issues with that but its getting better.)

I'm being as proactive as I can though! I really am. He being the wage earner has THE say in finances..but I managed to sign up for one class this semester . I managed to make him think that it was his idea...( this stuff makes a person deceitful btw.. i've also talked about that with a counselor..you do what you have to do) and managed to explain that away. He's telling everyone he's putting me though college btw..

I'm going to shut up now! Its already a badly written essay!!!!

Rads.. im so glad the weekends here... stabbing pain in boob because of the swelling..and also that seroma area seems to do that. anyway.. and putting on Aloe as much as can.

Carynbrit

quiggly... congrats on getting through the SIM.. sometimes we just have to have a good cry to let it out!

Marking and tats.. i cant see my tats because it seems like every day they draw on you. .just a heads up! It's not even artisitc looking but you get used to it! I found esp in winter that the marks are staying put pretty well and not coming off on clothes too much..which has been good.

I started putting on Aloe the first rads session... btw.. just letting you know. Im on 21 and yesterday was the first time it was visibly red, like its been out in the sun at 80-90 degrees for a few hours.

Carynbrit

CATH.... checked out your site and liked.. its lovely! Thanks for sharing.

Lilactulip

I've been off for a week and the thread has exploded with more people! It's going to take me awhile to catch up on reading!

I'm off rads for awhile due to an abcess in my lumpectomy site. I've had it drained twice now and then again next week and it was some nasty stuff. They cultured it and think that the antibiotics should work. . .but it pretty bad.

Has anyone been on and off of radiation is it less effective?

Beachbum1023

Lilactulip, I'm new here, but I haven't started rads yet. I won't know the start date until they decide if it's rads first, or back to chemo. But I hope your abcess heals quickly so you can continue. And I'm sure you will get a lot of responses to help you!

yikes1

Hi CoyoteNV,

I am done with my radiation tx. thanks.

CoyoteNV

Cath57 - Now that looks really fun.  I love what you do.  So much creativity. Wow.

Yikes1 - Congrats to you.  I'm all smiles for you.  Have a great weekend.

Beachbum1023

Yikes1 - Have a Magical weekend! Congrats on this milestone.

MagicalBean

Holy smokes-we sure have a lot of people here. I have a lot I wanted to say but can't keep track of who I wanted to say it to-so....

Rads or not? I was not given a choice but I am not a "decision-maker" so not having the option was ok with me. I was told by my BS and my RO that rads would be uneventful and would kill off any stray DCIS cells that may have escaped during biopsy and/or surgery. I was all for killing off the little bastards and went into treatment with a "kill 'em attitude". I hope we clobbered them good. Fortunately, my SEs were mild. Just a little "sunburn" , and no fatigue to speak of.

Now-I have to decide about Tamoxifen. MO says I don't need it but I am 100% ER and PR + and that makes me nervous. I'm going to discuss Evista with her at my appt in a couple of weeks. It blocks hormones and has fewer SEs.

I don't understand how some people can be so cruel and insensitive, but I do believe in Karma. The "boss" is ignorant, and may just believe cancer is catching. Probably just scared.....or a moron. She certainly does not have the qualities that make a good leader. Wench!!! The husband-well he's just a rat-bastard. I don't have kids, but I do have a rat-bastard of my very own. I played nice for 15 years, then left his hairy behind in the frozen tundra of northern MN and never looked back.

It's awesome to be able to come here and meet with others in the same boat as we are. I live with my sister, and although we are close, she is not someone I can talk to about this adventure. Her husband died from cancer 20 years ago and she has built up such a wall that she struggles to be able to talk about this with me. Thanks for the ear. Keep warm. Bless you all.

Nomatterwhat

Caryn, What a jerk!!!!  Please remember that your deformity can be cured, but his stupidity is for life!!!  Your time will come when you can leave his sorry ass in the dust. 

Congrats to you Yikes.  It is a great feeling to move on. 

PoppyK

Nomatterwhat and Yikes, Congratulations! I would join you in a happy dance, but my big, irradiated boobs are in a stretchy bra and I don't think it would be good. Oh, heck.... I'll just hold them still with my hands. Happy Dance Time!

Caryn, I'm so sorry you live with daily abuse. Mental abuse and control is REAL abuse. It's harder to prove than physical abuse, but the effects are devastating. I'm glad you know you are important and have value and make your daughter the priority. So glad you are getting some local support, in addition to the people here on the board. Feel free to vent. No one will judge or grade your postings! I love what Nomatterwhat had to say. She's awesome!

WndrWoman

.Happy for you yikes! Enjoy this weekend knowing you have no treatment on Monday.

Caryn, My first husband always made me feel guilty when he was the one doing wrong. Trying to please him made me stop being me. Glad you have resources and a plan. I finally grew up at 35 when we divorced and now have been married to a good guy for 30 years. Keep focused on a brighter future.

Break in rads - If it isn't too long, it is no different than having a cold or flu. They told me they keep track of total exposure and sometimes add a couple of extra sessions. Your RO should be able to tell you what it means If It Is A Long break. Hope it will be short and insignificant.

Nomatterwhat

You are to funny, Poppy!!!  I can see you holding the girls and doing a happy dance -- all 5' 3" of you!!!  All I do with mine anymore is put them on the shelf when I come home from work.  LOL!!!  Thanks for the compliment that made my day.  Personal question -- do you live near Monterey?  My boys are wanting to go to Monterey in August and I am looking for advice on which airport to fly into, where to stay and how hard it is to get around.  Thanks for your help. 

PoppyK

Nomatterwhat, I don't live near Monterey, (almost 6hrs away) but I've been there in August. The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is in mid-August and brings several hundred very wealthy people to the area. This means hotel rooms will sell out or be extremely expensive. I learned this the hard way. We paid nearly $300 a night for a very run down, scary place. So book early, or go early in the month. Sorry, but I don't know that much about the area.

Cath57

thank you CarynBrit& CoyoteNV!

CongratsYikes on one more step forward!

LilicTulip, I was concerned about!missing rads in case of inclement weather , meaning ice storms here in Mo. My RO said it wasn't much of a concern skipping a week of rads as long as you get your full treatments completed.They didn't want me to "slide" into the cancer center risking my life due to snow & ice.

Caryn, please vent on girl! You need as much support as you can receive & we are all here for you! I know that I told my husband that I'm glad I can vent here because sometimes he just doesn't understand all the emotions that I deal with & gets weary of my rumblings.

MagicalBean, yes I agree that it's hard to keep track of everyone & want to respond to everyone but forget who's who . I wish this sight was more like FB where we could click " like" on everyone's comments.

Everyone have a great Sunday . I hope to sleep in in ( ha) Arimidex has not been kind to me with insomnia SE!

Nomatterwhat

OMG, Poppy!!!!  They want to go to the Laguna Seca, but I had no idea it would cost me another body part.  But on the other hand, maybe it would be worth it since they would be gone for a week!!!!!  Imagine that, no husband for a whole week.  Hmmm...

 

PoppyK

Nomatterwhat, LOL... another body part! Just try to book early. With my boys, I always try to find a place that includes breakfast. The Monterey area is beautiful.

meanmomto3

WndrWoman: The bras are Dale post surgical bras. They've been given to me by my RO. However, I looked up the cost and they're about $30 -- crazy for a "disposable" type bra. I've found that I can wash them gently and reuse them. They're very soft and breathable. I don't wear any padding under the bra, so the air flow is fantastic.

http://www.dalemed.com/Products/Post-SurgicalBra.a...

LARock

Hello all! I've been monitoring this thread for a couple of weeks and wanted to pop in to say hello. Yesterday was my final chemo treatment so I feel ready to move on and consider myself in the rads phase. My sim is scheduled for Jan 30th and I'll start 35 rads on Feb 2nd. So glad to see several familiar faces here!

davida58

CoyoteNV

The rash continues to spread, ick, and it's been getting itchy the past few days. I have RO appt tomorrow (she wanted to check the rash a week after rad was over with). so will see what she says. I'm still using the aquaphor and, as she suggested, hydrocortisone cream with Aloe in it. Does help with the itching some. But under my breast rash is spreading even more.

Carynbrit

I'm also dreading tamoxifen. I see MO this week and have a laundry list of questions for him BEFORE starting tamoxifen. One such question comes to mind is side effect of headaches. I am a migraine sufferer - thankfully those are under control. But some meds trigger them and I am already on soooooo many meds for other conditions I am very reluctant to add another. Especially if it could ignite migraines again. I wasn't able to continue HRT post total hysterectomy (that was 15 yrs ago) because the estrogen ignited migraines terribly (10-15 migraines a month is a LOT)

WndrWoman

Nomatterwhat and PoppyK you guys are cracking me up.

Nomatterwhat I went to Santa Cruz several years ago. San Francisco airport is notorious for fog. Maybe San Jose is an option. I think Southwest goes there and I know goes from KC and St. Louis.

Cath57 I slept til 8:00 this morning after my first day on TEVA brand. Placebo effect?? Lousy sleep the night before. Whatever - it was great. Hoping you sleep better.

LARock welcome

Meanmomto3 - I am really grateful for the bra info. Rather nice that they gave it to you.

CoyoteNV

Meanmom - Those bras look pretty neat.  I have found that going braless is not comfortable for me.  I went through reconstruction during my first go around with BC. The PS told me that I would not have to wear a bra again if I did not want to.  I am 38D, so a' natural that would be a requirement. After 50 years of bra wearing, going naked under my t-shirt (normal attire) is no longer "natural".  I don't need the support, just the feeling of wearing something. I did find some Kathy Ireland pull over stretchy and seamless bras at Ross' that are great, but as will all off price stores - they are not available there anymore.  Are the ones you have absolutely disposable?  BTW - I was going to compliment you on the great shape you are in, but then clicked on the link and saw that was a photo of their model. 

LARock - Welcome to the Winter Warrior's support group.  We are all here for each other and will be here for you. I am a bit of an alum and not as pertinent in the day to day going through rads information, but I am proof that we can get to the other side of them intact - mentally and physically.

Speaking of getting past all of this -  Knowing that I did not have severe skin issues like several of you, I am not complaining. This is information sharing.  I still have itchy radiated skin and a sore right side, along with occasional sharp quick pains in my armpit that radiate into my faux breast. (Makes it feel quite authentic!)  I seem to have lost some flexibility in my right arm and shoulder. The "cording" issue has subsided somewhat, but remnants remain when I reach for something on a high shelf.  I'm reading that yoga -something have never done -  might be helpful.   I have my first post chemo MO check up this Tuesday and RO and PS the next week. 

Caryn - 2 U.