CRAZY TOWN WAITING ROOM - TESTS coming up? All Stages Welcome.

Molly50

Thank you, Sandy. I will call my pcp. I get mild relief from ginger tea but I eat because my gut hurts and then regret eating.

proudtospin

molly, when my gallbladder went bad it was a gradual thing but greasy food were the bad first I did the 4 tiny holes surgery when everything made my tummy hurt. I am sure your pcd can get you to the right test . Best wishes on it.

Did gym yesterday so sort of chilling today, may head to coast later, salt air always ups me

Octo, if you are in a place to retire, do it. Cost of living goes down or did for me. Think about how much you spend commuting to work and on clothing and you may answer your own question. Course you need to be old enough for medicare or that is what helped me

ChiSandy

That laparoscopic cholecystectomy is "da bomb." I had four little round “spot” Band-Aids and was chatting across the fence with the neighbors the next day and going out for anniversary dinner four days out.

Freaking out right now—last night I noticed my R areola was thicker than the L, numb, and the bottom half was surrounded by a raised semi-ring. Granted, maybe I never thought to check it before. And though my radiation was mostly targeted to the tumor bed, there was a surrounding area in the field, which included the areola & nipple. I had a fibrosed seroma beneath the lx scar, but it’s pretty much gone. I wonder whether this is delayed radiation fibrosis—or maybe delayed dermal hyperplasia (accelerated growth) after months of inadequate skin-cell regrowth (radiation “burns” are from the inside-out—the skin cells that normally replace the ones we shed don’t reproduce again for weeks if not months afterward, so it stands to reason that healing is from inside out as well). My dose was hypofractionated (high-strength) because of the short and targeted course. Nothing but the seroma showed up on my last mammo in June—the next one isn’t till Dec.

Someone tell me I’m just in the paranoid CrazyTown zone.

Cubbie2015

Sandy, I have noticed that everything is sort of thicker in the radiation field. Nobody seems to talk about this anywhere, but I assume it's some sort of mild side effect, since none of the medical professionals who have examined me have ever said anything about it. My skin is also smoother and drier where I was radiated. Presumably it affected the oil glands (I have very oily skin). This is in addition to the underarm hair loss and less sweating on that underarm as well. I don't have breasts anymore, so I don't know what it would feel like for a lumpectomy patient. I wish there was more detail written about this sort of thing, so you knew what to expect.

Molly, gall bladder is the first thing that comes to my mind, too. I hope you can get a hold of your PCP today.

Iris, glad to hear you are getting to the gym, I know how important that is to you.

GmaFoley

Sandy, it's probably a bit of fatty necrosis. I had that around the scar and in fact I found another lump under my scar. I had surgeon remove it because they couldn't guarantee it was just that. It was fatty necrosis. I suspect it should go down with time.. On the other hand, as I said, I couldn't take the chance, asked the doc, they did an ultrasound and surgeon determined to take it out. Radiologist just wanted to wait and see. Hope that helps.

Molly50

I assume after nearly a year that underarm hair loss is permanent? Also I don't sweat in the radiation field either. My scar on that foob is almost non existent thanks to radiation.

Cubbie2015

I haven't heard anyone mention their underarm hair coming back at a later date. It definitely faded my mastectomy scar, too. I actually look better on the radiated side than the non-radiated side.

Blinkie

I am wringing my hands & pacing now, in the Crazy Town Waiting Room. (Tomorrow is a PET scan for me.) I'm sorry others are here but it is good to not be alone. My thoughts are not my friends right now. To get through the day I'm going to do chores and listen to audiobooks, while putting one foot in front of the other.

proudtospin

my radiated boob was sort of drier at first but now after 8 years the texture is the same e

No underarm, hair Though!

OK so just found docs at nyu med center who work on spine tumors and hydrocephyles but holding off as just got apt with nuero guy for Friday at weil cornell, he has spoken to my other doc so knows what my stuff is

Yah hoo for progress!.!,

Blinkie

Doesn't underarm hair disappear after menopause? That's what seems to have happened to me. It started before my first bout of breast cancer.

I remember being told that there is some thickening of the skin after radiation. I had numbness for quite a few years after lumpectomy in 2007. ChiSandy, I hope you can see your doctor soon so you can know for sure that it is nothing to worry about.

7of9

Hello Crazy town friends! I'm back on an unexpected visit today...second three month visit after reoccurring treatment wrap up. My darn husband came eith (hes my rock) and knew I was having questions about the scar and tissue damage around my armpit where I found my reoccuence last time. I was too aftaid to ask for an ultrasound so he insisted the doc set one up and it be sone with. Its supposed to be in an hour. Oh joy. Glad I brought the Ambien so I can fallllll asllllleerp during it this time.

GmaFoley

Blinkie, I am post menopausal and I still have a hairy left armpit and the radiated side has no hair. Been 5 years since radiation.

Blinkie

Hey, GmaFoley - I must be a hairless wonder! heehee

7of9

no hair radiated side here either...50%savings on shaving cream

in winter since ohio girls dont shave legs til spring....

Molly50

7of9! Glad to see you back and in your pocket for US. I am glad hubby is with you to advocate for you. My RO told me the hair loss was temporary...HA! I am glad in this case but I have to shave the area above the radiated area. My radiated skin is very smooth now. I used a lot of calendula for healing. I am currently doing the same on my prophylactic side. Hopefully by the time I have exchange surgery that scar will be minimized as well.

Molly50

Blinkie, good plan to stay busy.

Cubbie2015

Molly, I have the same thing - hair above the radiated area, so I have to shave less, but still have to shave. Where I save is on deoderant, don't need it on the left side. Makes the container last twice as long, right?

7of9, in your pocket for the US, and Blinkie, in yours tomorrow for the scan.

ChiSandy

Sadly, my right ‘pit is furry again and fully stink-capable. What did get thinner after menopause was leg hair—but I still need to shave them once a month or so if it isn’t shorts & swimsuit season.

My BS’ NP messaged me back and said it’s probably radiation fibrosis and maybe fat necrosis, both quite normal post-rads; and unless it starts turning red, flaky, painful or itchy, it’s safe to wait till my mid-Dec. mammo.

Smurfette26

Glad they got back to you Sandy. Hope it has eased your mind a little.

M0mmyof3

Hugs to all who need them!

Blinkie

Waiting for the medical oncologist to call me with results of today's PET scan. I appreciate the hugs and the 'pocket pals' and everyone who posts.

Molly50

for you Blinkie! Waving hi and sending hugs to M0mmy

GmaFoley

M0mmyof3

My way out of the traffic jam in CT looks like it is approaching. About a month and a half to go before my class for the semester is over!

eggroll

Octogirl, I'm overdue for my Colonoscopy also! I just called and left a voicemail for them to call me back. I have one, just one, Ativan remaining from the tiny supply I was given by my radiologist last December and I'm going to see if they will let me use it for that procedure. Although I may need it just to set the appointment! Maybe I will break it in half. Ha ha ha! Hoping you will report back that you have set the date and I will also. Then we can hang out in Crazytown until it's over.

octogirl

Thanks eggroll, yes we need a pact of some type. We can do this! Unfortunately, I confess that I am SWAMPED at work this week and traveling for work most of next week....but shall we set a deadline to call by November 7th?

Blinkie, sending hugs and in your pocket!!!

xoxo hugs to all xoxox

Octogirl

PoppyK

Geez.... I am overdue for a colonoscopy, too. I was supposed to have my first one a year ago. I saw the doctor, picked up the "preparation", but never set the appointment for the procedure. The nurse scheduler stopped calling me after I didn't return any of her many phone calls. My DH says it's no big deal. But I watched and think it is a big deal.

Cubbie2015

Please let us know what the MO says, Blinkie. Did they give you any idea how long you'd have to wait?

I go back to the MO tomorrow for my three month checkup and the results of the labs I had last week. I also need to ask him about some weird symptoms that I'm not sure if they are related to my Lupron treatment or not. I hate having to bring up weird stuff, it makes me look so crazy. Which of course I am, but I'd like to have a normal patient conversation and not a crazy town one.

Lucy55

Blinkie ..Thinking of you ..praying for great results ..waiting is the pits. !!!

Sandy ..glad they got back to you with good news ..!!!

GMA ..A hug for you too. !!

( 7of 9 ) ..in your pocket !

Molly and Robyn ..Thanks for all the encouragement before my hysterectomy ..I needed it ..!!

Well I am I am day 9 post my surgery ..snd feeling good ..I'm surprised ..in fact I have to keep telling myself I'm not allowed to lift ( even an iron 🙂 ) , or do any housework ..luckily Hubby is happy to help ...and the best bit is I got my pathology results back yesterday and they were all good. 🙂 Yay !!

Beppy ..Thinking of you and sending Hugs ..

Love to all. !

Lucy55

Cubbie ...in your pocket for tomorrow !!