Starting Chemo March 2015

IndyGal35

Eileen, please don't let my fills worry you!!! My PS said that, if they didn't have a tiny 6 week timeframe to inflate me before rads, he would've gone 25mL every 2 weeks until I was happy with my size. If they go that pace with you, you should be set! (Even 50mL, while sore at first, would be much more manageable with a week of rest in between.) Let me tell you: 50-75mL a week was a MF. Don't go that fast unless you need to.

I did my first "twist me/pull me" physical therapy session today, and she already got several cords to break. She said that I have a lot of deep cords and even some that go below my right TE, so that explains a lot of my pain. I can't wait for my 2 sessions next week, and I'm trying acupuncture next Thursday too. I hope this helps before rads start in 2 weeks!!!

For those of you in the throes of rads or just coming out, do you have any tips for the newbies? Also, is there anything you wish that you would've known going in? Like all of my "first time" treatments, this one is starting to scare me.

Trvler

I totally get it, Leigh. For me it was those GD injections. I was counting the MINUTES until I could stop giving them to myself. That was becoming a bigger deal to me than the chemo because I was literally running out of places to give them to myself the bruising was so bad.

molly1976

Rads was so easy for me - I've been done a month and my skin looks basically the way it did before. I only had 20 treatments, though, so I realize I'm lucky. My only tips would be to carry a natural deodorant and some travel sized Aquaphors in your purse. I applied Aquaphor after treatment and once later in the afternoon toward the end when I was itchier. And you can't use real deodorant so I had Tom's of Maine, which is pretty sorry in comparison and I found to only be useful if reapplied mid-day. I just made sure to always have some with me and it was fine. Rads goes fast!

ksusan

Lee, there's a summer 2015 radiation and an August 2015 radiation thread that will probably be very helpful for you to join!

so-she-did

Lee - ask them to show you the extent of your field so that you know where to put lotion. I erred on the side of caution and slathered on the lotion over a huge area until I could start to see the red area myself. Keep it moisturized as much as possible. My RO said to apply 2 x / day but that wasn't enough for me. I applied 4 or more times. I used a variety of products but found that I liked Miaderm the best since it was light, easy to apply, and didn't leave me feeling sticky (which made the friction worse). At night I put on the Aquaphor so that it would last all night. I also liked emu oil as a middle ground between the Miaderm and Aquaphor. Near the end I went through a tube of hydrocortisone because of the itchiness. Try to keep sweating to a minimum. The most painful week for me was when I was doing a lot of sweating from heat and exercise. Once I got a handle on the sweating my skin calmed down. Go braless as often as you can. I wore a tank top or cami under my shirt that covered the area being irradiated under my arm so that I didn't have skin on skin friction. I don't know why I just wrote that in past tense since I am mostly still doing all of this. I am one week PFR. How many treatments will you have?

A typical appointment for me consisted of scanning in (they gave me a bar code to check myself in), heading into the back area to undress from waist up, put on a gown, and sit in the back waiting area for them to come get me. I would give them my birth date, head in to the radiation room, lay on the table with my arms.over my head (I had a handle to hold on to). I would put my head into the mold they made at my CT scan and they gave me a bolster for my knees. They pulled the gown down to see the tattoos, lined me up first by pulling the sheet under me, measuring a height on each side from my back to my breast, and then moving the whole table to one side a certain distance. They would clear out and the big round arm would swing around to my first position, do a long pulse (14 seconds) and a shorter one (about 2 seconds), swing to the 2nd position, do the same 2 pulses, and then return to the start position. I had negative nodes, so I did not have a 3 position right above me for the supraclavicular node radiation. They came in, lowered the table back down and I was free to go. On Mondays I had x-rays and on Tuesdays I would see the RO right after rads for a quick check in. Toward the end I had x-rays every day and some adjustments made each day. The adjustments were done remotely and the first time it happened I was worried that something had malfunctioned.

I was allowed to bring my kids when I needed to (happened twice). They were invited in to see the equipment and could watch me on the monitor with the techs or go back to the back waiting room, which was also on their monitors. At no time did they have to sit unwatched in a general waiting area.

Hope this helps!

Edited to say that they recovered my breasts for the wbi, but left them uncovered for the boosts.

eheinrich

Just had my pre-surgery mammo for my remaining boob (they are going to lift and reduce). Thought nothing of it until I was leaving and could see one of the films and thought f*ck what if they find something. 2 minutes of blind panic followed by deep breaths and I'm fine. But I'll be more fine once I hear that all is well.

ksusan

When will you get results back? I hope you don't have to wait too long.

SueH58

Love the funnies, girls.

Little Blue, we didn't hear your punch line (unless I'm still way behind)

Katy - LOVE your "opportunity" to finally be able to tell people off.

I sure love you guys...

SueH58

Theresa, I'm told you are able to go to a boob store and pick out any size and shape you want! Crazy!

ksusan

My wife offered to buy me stick-on multicultural nipples

SueH58

OK those of you who have been PFC for a while. Did any of you realize one day "wow, I was more fatigued than I thought I was?" I'm 10 days PFC and don't feel too bad, but you lose track of normal.

ksusan

No, though I went on to radiation which was more fatiguing, so it was a little hard to sort out. I have thought, "Wow, I'm not remembering things like where we ate dinner with a friend two weeks ago" that I'd normally recall.

littleblueflowers

sue- stew! Lol

Italychick

feeling happy. Just had my best bike ride since this shit ride started. I may not have tomorrow, but I certainly had today! And right after Herceptin infusion, water eyes and runny nose included.

Sue, if I have to do a mastectomy, I'm getting a bodacious pair of tits. If I have to go through the pain, I am definitely gonna take the gain! But I hope I never get there, and I feel so bad for all who do.

SueH58

Theresa - I LOVE it!!! We are all "Bosses!"

Italychick

Sue, yes we certainly are! I seem to be getting the urge to play some Bruce Springsteen music now, haha!

I have never "met" a braver group of people than the ones on this forum. Love you all!

shaz101

thanks Theresa that made me smile and puff out my chest

Italychick

Sharon, it is totally heartfelt. I feel like I know all your personalities and we haven't even officially met yet! You all hold a place in my heart. Even my husband knows all of you.

ksusan

Great ride, Theresa!

slothabouttown

I have the bracelet! Amy added a very appropriate fatigue truck charm. All of the charms are so special and I remember the pics as each one was added. I am looking forward to finding the perfect addition to commemorate another hallmark moment from our 6 months together. Hmm, maybe an anal waxing charm? Or a boob hole? Bloody nose? Dangling toenail? I've got some googling to do!

Meme117

Good job on your ride Theresa! And I love the cinnamon hair color and that cut/style is beautiful.

Congrats to those who are finishing and getting deported! My port has just started to be annoying and I can't get it out till next year.

I didn't do any research on implants so I have no idea about filling and cording, but I'm sending hugs to those who are having pain💓

I've had 6 weeks off from treatment except for surgery. My energy level is up and if it wasn't for a sore arm and boob, I'd be back to almost normal. BS has released me for rads, appointment in 3 weeks, RO on maternity leave so need to consult with her associate. Back to herceptin in 2 weeks. Lymphedema eval in 2 weeks. Cancer sucks! I did get out last night and went to Jimmy Buffett concert, loved it and don't tell but had 3 landsharks😉

Amy thanks for all the rad info, I'm gonna have to check out the thread. I have a list of lotions to buy, ordered emu oil today. So are you laying on stomach or back? Is your entire top area exposed? Not looking forward to it.

Katy I think I drove thru Springfield on Monday, is it near hellertown? And I've hear of linvilla farms but not been there.

Italychick

sloth, post a picture when you add your charm!

wpmoon

Last rads today! I don't have any doctor's appointments for 19 days! (*knocks on wood*). That's a scary but awesome feeling.

Jackbirdie

Well done, Whitney! 19 days! Wow. Try to stay out of Crazytown.

Maryellen- Hellertown is in Lehigh Valley (Allentown area). Springfield is just SW of Philly, more near Havertown. Both nice places.

T- it made me so happy to hear about having the best ride ever since the shitstorm started. 🚴🚴🚴 😎😅

Jackbirdie

Some of you may remember the quilt I was working on when dxd. I stopped in mid seam and never touched it again for months. One day during my lowest point in chemo I made myself get up, even if it was to work for 10 minutes. I eventually finished, but had to have someone else do the actual quilting as the motion requires more strength and range of motion than I had at the time and I really wanted to see the "evidence" of my moral victory. Yesterday the woman called and I went and picked it up. I wasn't sure how I would feel when I saw it but I was very happy. No bad memories even though I think of it as "chemo quilt". Here it is:

Little Tutti didn't want to be left out.

Trvler

Beautiful, Katy and it looks like Tutti loves it, too!

molly1976

Yay Whitney!

The quilt is beautiful, Katy. It's been so fun to see Tutti grow up, too. She's so big already!

slothabouttown

Beautiful quilt and such a meaningful accomplishment! And good to see it's Tutti approved !

IndyGal35

Thanks for the info, Amy! I'll get 25 rounds starting sometime during the first week of September. I'm a stellar patient, and I've been told by many people that my RO is excellent and that my skin will be great if I follow her directions to the letter. My biggest worry now is fatigue since I'm running low on FMLA hours post-surgery.

Hooray, Whitney! 19 days without an appointment probably feels like a mini-vaca. Treat yourself right, and keep celebrating your publication!

I'm jealous of the deportations too! I'm on Herceptin through next March, so I keep the port and the snot fest for a bit longer.

Love that Tutti. I need a Jack pic today too!

eheinrich

That's so great Whitney

I love the quilt Katy. It's a symbol of your strength while chewing on a great big bite of shit sandwich. Be proud.

While in the field of good news: I got put on a case for the patent company I got the freelance position with so I will be distracted from pre-surgery panic. All results are due right after surgery so I have an obvious self-imposed deadline of the morning before. Let's hope my brain remembers what this whole thinking thing is about :P

Happy weekend everyone!