Radiation January 2019

HPFULL

labmom- how is RADS going so far? do you feel tired or any pain? glad you are staying hydrated!

Dani- that is so admirable that you are working and doing RADS. I am super emotional and I am off work (still feeling guilty about that). I get the same comment "oh but you look great!" So much with this diagnosis that people can't see. I am so glad that you vented, because it makes me feel like I am not alone and that people understand. I am so grateful when I read all the ladies posts on this site, it's like I can take a deep breath.

I agree Salamandra that people don't seem to think RADs is a big deal. I feel like all even the doctors are like ok you can do everything now, and I feel like wow! this whole thing just hit me and I am exhausted. I have so many appointments for doctors in between RADS and I can't even pick my time for RADS so it would be hard to work. I am currently doing the same as you; I found a silk work tank top that I had,  and I wear that under my bra or under a sweatshirt when I am at home so that I don't feel that raw, nerve pain along the incision lines. It helps so much. I am sorry about your tattoos, I hope you can get them covered like you want Also hoping that your work week flies by for you.

Egregious Yes! Cocoa/chocolate is the answer. Thanks for making me smile. Did you have stickers for RADS? The tech told me not to moisturize the stickers, but around them. Were you able to moisturize right before RADS or do you need to wait until after. I am having it for my lymph nodes as well so I will start moisturizing me whole arm pit to my back like you mentioned.

Thank you all for sharing your experience, strength, and hope

Labmom82

hpfull, today was day 5. I don't have any pain yet but feeling a bit tired but that could also be my RA flare up who knows. Doc prescribed me some steroid cream to start using, not sure which kind as I haven't picked it up yet. He said use it twice daily. He also told me I could take my vitamin D3 my RA doc prescribed me so that is good news. Apparently once again, my test came back indicating I was extremely low which happens with RA sometimes. Best news ever though, he said I could use deodorant. LOL. The handout said not to but I asked him today if there was something I could use because hot flashes all day and no deodorant were not making me pleased. Menopause at 50 is so much fun. Well I am sure it is not fun at any age LOL.

Salamandra. I have the stickers on top of the tattoos. One came off and they said no big deal and didn't put another on so I am like why I gotta have them at all? Easier for them to line it up they say. I was told the tattoos were to help if the stickers came off but more importantly, later on if they ever need to see where I had the radiation, the tattoos would show them. They didn't give me an option.

I can relate when people hear you are just having radiation and not chemo they are like oh it is nothing you are fine. I also had really bad pain on my incisions. I had a hematoma under the incision where they took the nodes out. That has finally almost gone all the way down. I had pain for about 5 weeks and all the sudden boom it felt better.

egregious, ask for hot cocoa, YES!!!

And my regimen is 16 rads and 4 boosts, I asked today

OTMom

Two sessions in. I was surprised by how fast it was. I was pretty emotional early in the week. Better today. It comes and goes. I suppose that's pretty normal.

I also get sick of "you look great!" First of all, I'm sure that's a lie a good bit of the time. Plus I'm tired, overwhelmed with trying to balance life, work, and treatment, and am still trying to sort through the medical issues that I was dealing with before the cancer diagnosis. I am trying to pretend that everything is OK while working with my clients, but am scrambling to make things work because I don't work a normal week until sometime in March between radiation and all the other appointments, and am going to run out of time off at some point. I am having to adjust how I work with kids because any pressure on my incision area still hurts, and it's pretty front and center where it gets bumped constantly (anytime I pick up a baby, have a kid on my lap, let them pull up on me while working on gross motor skills, give them squeezes for sensory input, etc. It's constant). And that's before any pain from radiation kicks in. My back, which has always been an issue, is acting up just for kicks. But hey, if I look great everything must be fine, right?

I asked for a gift certificate to AnaOno for Christmas, so at least have a few super soft things I can wear as my skin gets more sensitive. But then last weekend I tried to wear the tank and the pressure across some of the still swollen areas hurt and then made my arm start to tingle. Surgery was 6 weeks ago today. I really thought I'd be past more of that by now.

I have tattoos for treatment. There was no option. But they're so teeny they're barely visible and they use a marker to make them darker when they're lining me up for treatment. I've got so many scars already between surgery and two biopsies that I don't really care. At some point when things are less painful maybe I'll turn it all into a tattoo. I've never gotten one, but this seems like a good reason to do it. Reclaiming my body, etc. At the same time the thought of more pain in that area may keep me from actually doing it.

Joytxs

Salamandra - I feel you about the black tattoo dots. I would have liked my first "tattoos" to be something better than dots for radiation! I didn't know there were options other than the tattoos either.

Carebearzz - Congrats on being done with rads! I am hoping it's just a bump from the rads and nothing else.

DeeDeeT - I felt nauseous the other day and it took until after noon for me to feel better. I have no idea what it was from, but a ginger ale and crackers helped. It's a wonder we all aren't nauseous every day!

Dani444 - I just finished 23rd rad and I just started blistering under arm this week. I asked the nurse today for silvadene and she said they are holding out for when it gets really bad. I have two more regular treatments and 8 boosts left so this makes me think it might get worse. Has anyone been given silvadene? Instead, I was given a Domeboro medicated soak to try. I'll let you all know how it goes...

My underarm is really dark and the blistering is just a lighter shade of dark. I'm pretty numb from the nodes being removed, but I am starting to feel the burn of the blister. I see the RO tomorrow and I'm going to let him know.

The Lindi skin cooler roll is nice to put on the hot spots. It doesn't stay cool forever, but nice. At this point, I'm looking for complete relief and it won't come for a another couple of months. Waaa, waaa, waaa.

Thank you all for listening and being here.

HPFULL

Glad you can wear deodorant Labmom:) yes hot flashes and no deodorant do NOT mix. I started Tamoxifen and I am told I will be in menopause from that within a month so I will be joining the menopause fun. Yay!!!...not

Wow OTMom you are doing a lot! That is hard working with kiddos and spectrum kiddos even when you haven't had surgery because it's so physical all the time. I think you are so strong, and amazing for that  

Joytx that sounds painful. Why are they holding on the silvadene? Is it bad if you use it too much?  

FaceForward

Had my 1st radiation today and I'm embarrassed to say that it didn't go as well as I had hoped. I've been staying so positive thru all of this and have been wanting to get these rads started and over with. I expected the session to go fairly smoothly but I think I had some weird panic attack or something. I was chit chatting with my techs and all was fine. Then the 4 of them finished up with me, walked out and there I was in that machine from outer space. It was freezing in the room and even though I had warm blankets, I couldn't stop shivering. Then my neck knotted up into a ball of pain. They had told me to just lay still, don't wiggle and to breathe normally but suddenly, I couldn't remember how I normally breathe. In fact, I could barely breathe at all and I felt like I had lock-jaw. Then my arms didn't like how they were positioned up above my head. My neck kept right on killing me and then I started to get a cramp in my foot. I tried to stretch out my toes but they had put a giant rubber band around my shoes so I couldn't move my feet at all! That's when my claustrophobia kicked in!!! In my head I was frantically trying to talk myself off the ledge when I suddenly had a ridiculous amount of nasal drip. Took me forever to remember how to breathe and swallow at the same time and then I realized my right arm was completely numb. I tried counting while breathing but I kept screwing up even that. Right when I was about to call out to them that I needed a break, the 4 techs came sashaying back in all cheery and smiley faced and I don't know why I did this but...I pretended it was all easy-peasy, no problem at all. Geesh! I'm so hoping tomorrow will be better. Other than hating "Spaceship Isotope", I've been good up to now. And it's just a table for God's sake. Why can't I just lay there like a normal person? I have never had anything like that happen before and I certainly don't want a repeat tomorrow.

So now, can anyone tell me if it's normal to burn on your very first session? I've been pre-moisturizing for the last week, extra hydrating, etc. I used Miaderm before I left the hospital but I thought I felt hot all the way home. I convinced myself I was just imagining it and still rattled from my weird episode. However, I'm obviously red now and my nipple is really red and swollen. I thought I'd be able to get thru at least a couple of treatments before this started. How am I going to make it thru 19 more sessions? Ugghhh...

HPFULL

wow facefoward that was rough! I am so sorry you went through that. So,trimester when people tell me to lay still for test my nose itches or my foot cramps but you got the whole whammy. Don’t be so hard on yourself. This cancer thing is no joke and I think some days it just all catches up to us. I am sending good vibes and a hug that tomorrow is truly easy peasy

Dani444

Faceforward- Uggg sorry your first treatment was so rough. As far as “ laying there like a normal person “ I am pretty sure there are no set parameters on how one should react to a new (and intimidating) treatment. Be gentle with yourself, none of this is easy. Maybe you could ask if your techs could not put the band on your feet. They usually just put a wedge under my knees and I cross my legs at my ankles. Do they have music going? If not it wouldn’t hurt to ask. Might help as a distraction.

You will get through this! Talk to your techs and they will probably have some great tips as well! I will say sometimes when I am laying ther I suddenly have an itch, or have been daydreaming and wonder if I moved and didn’t realize it. I hope it is better for you tomorrow

DeeDeeT

Faceforward-- there's nothing harder than being told to "act normal". But listen, you really did make it through your first round!!! Congratulations!!! Cancer is hard. You're doing an amazing job. I remember feeling warm in the drive home after my first session.

TC73

FaceForward, I'm so sorry that you had such a terrible experience today. Congratulations, you got through day one - mark it off the calendar and be proud of yourself. Hopefully things will be easier for you tomorrow.

I really believe that we do not pay enough attention to our mental health, actually I don't think anyone on my medical team has spoken to me or offered me any type of mental health care. I am very grateful for this group and for all of you who are happy to share your experiences, thoughts and well wishes.

Tomorrow is day 16 and then I move on to 5 X boosts. I'm tired, I have a rash (it's itchy), and today I have been feeling really emotional and there have been a few tears... Sometimes I need to remind myself that this is hard and it's ok to cry.

Sending hugs and positive thoughts to all of you.

Salamandra

Dani444,

Thank you!! Great find, and they are in my city! It looks like I need a note from my RO and then just contact the practitioners directly.

The return to work has been HARD. People have been so nice but my energy is just not there. The first day started off great but at noon I hit a wall. By Wednesday I needed to take a car service to work. Today... well let's just say I'm eating dinner for breakfast and hoping that it actually gives me energy to make it through. It feels like a long day and there's no great place for me to just sit quietly and recharge during my prep periods, and I need to use them to plan anyway since by the end of the day my brain is more or less useless. I'm determined to make it through tomorrow and then at least we have a 3 day weekend and then a week of testing with much lighter duties. But oh it was so tempting to call out today!

Also at least three different people, when I mentioned how tired I was and how I'd have to recover and rebuild my stamina, compared it to coming back after summer break. NO, NO it's NOT like that. I didn't really mind, cause they're trying to connect, except when it came from my supervisor...

Dani444

Faceforward- How was your treatment today? I hope it was better for you.

Salamandra- Work is definitely hard after everything you have been through, but you are showing up and that is awesome! I started back just as I started rads and the fatigue has affected how efficiently I get my job done. Uhmmmm to the people that compared it to coming back from break😤😤. It’s not like you have been lounging on a beach, your body has been pretty busy getting rid of cancer. The things people say sometimes still baffles me.Things will get better but I understand how that “better” feels a million miles away! I hope you get some good rest on your 3 day weekend.

TC73- It is nice to be heading into the boosts. It’s the final stretch. I get you on the emotional comment. It’s as if I am going to feel a little lost to not be doing something as far a treatment. Let yourself have a good cry when you need to. It really is ok to not be ok. Cancer sucks, and so does the itchy rash!

Elizabeth9

I have only had 2 of 15 radiation treatments. Have already had surgery and chemo. After only 2, I have felt nauseous after both. Like a heartburn/ full stomach feeling. Anybody else? Am having full right side, chest, armpits and collarbone radiated.

Also, I can relate to people thinking radiation is easy. It’s almost like people think now that chemo is over it’s back to life as usual. I have also just started tamoxifen. I almost feel more exhausted and alone than while doing chemo. Saw this yesterday and it spoke to me I felt very brave going to my first radiation alone. I am definitely not feeling well despite chemo having finished Dec 14

OTMom

Faceforward, I'm so sorry your first day was so rough. I hope today went better. None of this is easy and no reaction is wrong. Don't be too hard on yourself, and do talk with your treatment team. They have seen everything I'm sure, and they might have ideas that can help.

Salamandra, I can't believe people comparing it to coming back from summer break! Sure, there's an adjustment after breaks, but this is NOTHING like that. It's not like you've been relaxing and are just getting used to a work schedule again. You've been through cancer treatment! I'm sorry there's not more understanding and I'm sorry it's been so exhausting. Teaching is exhausting enough without any extra challenges. This must be really hard.

TC73, I agree about mental health. I have been impressed by my hospital on this front so far though. They had me check in with a social worker post-biopsy before I went home, she is the one that called with my results and coordinated my first appointments, she came and talked to me at my first MO appointment after surgery, and was waiting by the radiation check in desk when I arrived for my first treatment this week. I know that's not the case everywhere and I feel lucky that they're looking out for that here.

I really do think some people think once you get to radiation it's all easy from there. You look normal, so you can't possibly be going through anything hard or feeling bad, right? Somebody approached me today about coming to a meeting with her so that I could add another kid to my caseload because his OT left. I've been pretty clear that I'm not picking up new kids right now and have agreed to a few consults but am trying not to overload myself until I know how my body reacts to treatment. She stood there looking at my planner over my shoulder suggesting times and asking if I could rearrange things until I finally just agreed to something to end the conversation before I ended up in tears. Some people really get it and have given me full permission to back out of things, ask for help, etc. Others just don't.

I hit a giant wall of exhaustion around noon today. I rallied and made it through the rest of the day and through treatment 3, but it was intense. Hoping that was just a random wave of tired and not fatigue from treatment kicking in already. Seeing color changes already. It happens quickly!

Dani444

OTMom- That sounds like your hospital is doing a great job with their patients. That’s very thoughtful of her to greet you at your first appointment! My BS has a nurse navigator that I swear is an angel from heaven. I am sorry some of your coworkers just don’t get it. I can imagine how frustrating that feels.

I had my first boost today. There was an attachment they had on the machine with a cut out area. They took quite a bit of time lining it up with my scar. They the RO came in to check the set up. They put a bolus over my scar. It was like a flabby gel type thing. She said it helps to concentrate the radiation to my skin. My scar is looking pretty angry red, but I am numb across that area due to the mastectomy.

Hope everyone is well!

FaceForward

Thank you so much to everyone for all the encouragement. That was such a weird panic attack yesterday and at the time, I felt it came out of nowhere but as several of you pointed out, there were legitimate reasons for it. When my husband got home last night, as soon as he walked in the door, I lifted my shirt and said, tell me if I'm imagining something going on here. (Nothing like coming home & being flashed in the kitchen.) He took one look at me and said, "Ohhh, that looks like it hurts!" I was sooo red & swollen and tender after my very 1st treatment. I couldn't imagine getting 19 more on top of that. I went to bed feeling very depressed & sore & thinking I'd have to go thru the same ordeal today. Oddly enough, I woke up this morning feeling not the least bit apprehensive. I checked my skin and I was back to my pre-rad condition. No redness and no swelling. When I went in this morning, I said hello to all the techs & nurses, talked to a couple other patients, walked into the treatment room and climbed right up on the table without a 2nd thought. Everything truly was easy-peasy and was over before I knew it. I told my team about my whole ordeal yesterday and they were very understanding. They told me I shouldn't try to get thru anything like that on my own and that they've seen all that & more, multiple times. They're more than happy to stop and give me a break anytime and to do whatever it takes to make me comfortable. Thursdays are the day I meet with my RO so I told him about the burning, redness, swelling, etc. He said, "and when you woke up this morning it was gone, right?" I told him yes, that's right. He said he sees that happen occasionally on the first 1 or 2 sessions and it's considered more of a "skin reaction" than what would normally fall into the "radiation burn" category. After that first reaction, the skin will calm down (which it has) until the real se's start up. I can expect the "for real" se's to start once I get closer to the the halfway point.

What did I learn today? 1. I have to stop squashing things down and just feel what I feel. 2. Sharing is a good thing. 3. I'm not any more unusual than all those who have gone before me. If anyone on here has a reaction on their very first session remember, sometimes it just happens.

Thank you all again for the support and especially thank you to all who share your stories. It helps immensely and you all have my heartfelt wishes for better days ahead for all.

HPFULL

Salamandra- Denfintely NOT like coming back after summer break! Some people just don’t understand unless than have been through something similar.

Dani444- How do you feel after the boost? I bet you can’t wait to be done.

Facefoward- So Happy That today was better for you! I was hoping it would be.

OTMom- So sorry that happened with your coworker. I felt overwhelmed for you just describing that experience.

TC73- I think that is soooo amazing that the social worker met you at every stop of the way. I think there are lots of angels along the way and a bunch of them are on this thread.

Elizabeth9- I love the picture you posted. I am sorry you are not feeling well. You haven’t had any break in between treatments. I hope you start feeling better soon.

I am On day 3 of Tamoxifen and have my next RADs appointment Monday not actual rads but more set up? I guess Tuesday was my CT and I got the stickers placed.

I the BS but am told he really doesn’t do too much follow up and to see him in 6 months, And I have the plastic surgeon whom I’m not very fond of as he made that comment about touching the spot that hurts and telling myself that it doesn’t hurt, So I don’t feel comfortable with him and then I have a nurse navigator for the RO, My MO didn’t seem at all into discussing anything relating to surgery and pushed me out the door pretty quickly I feel confused about who I’m supposed to tell or talk to about the pain I’m having now. So I made an appointment with my GP. Do any of you go to your GP to tie it all together I feel so confused about which doctor to contact, when I try to discuss it I get dismissed

Joytxs

Today I had a breakdown. I've been positive and I've working every day since I started rads and today just beat me down. Today was #23 and I saw the RO today. He prescribed the silvadene and it's on tonight. Soreness, throbbing and peeling. It's miserable.

I missed my MO and BS appointments last week. Just completely missed them.

Mymomsgirl

I believe I'm joining the radiation train in January, wrapping up in February. I will have 15 sessions since I had Intraoperative Radiation during my surgery. I went for my simulation yesterday, I had to do CTs for regular breathing and then I got to learn how to breathe with a nose plug and little snorkel apparatus. Since I my cancer was on the left my RO wants to do DIBH to reduce the amount of radiation exposure to your heart. The idea is that my heart should fall away from my chest wall when I take a deep breathe. Even though I don't like the idea of having to hold my breathe if it is safer for my heart I'm all for it. I'm not sure if anyone else here is doing this, but I will say I'm glad I watched a few videos before hand otherwise I may have freaked out, I'm not a fan of having my nose plugged to begin with (probably something happened in my childhood and I'm suppressing it...lol).

I know some people have posted about their markings, well I got all 3 - lines, tattoos and marker markings. I didn't mind the tattoos too much, I have a lot of dark freckles so they will just become part of my new normal. One of the techs actually had done one on her hand so she can show her patients what it looks like down the road, now that is getting into your job. The whole thing wasn't too bad, but after laying there with my arms above my head for 45 minutes I had to have the tech help me bring my left arm down, it was numb, heavy and I had no strength to bring it down myself.

Next week I have my image verification on Wednesday where I will find out which technique we are using and things will be finalized. I'm not sure if I'll start on Thursday or if it will be the following Monday, we will see.

Good luck to everyone and thanks for all the advice you are all sharing.

HPFULL

Joytx - wow that is amazing that you are working and going through this! You are so strong. I am so sorry you are in pain. I am praying that silvadene does the trick and hoping you can find some comfort. Hugs to tou

Suzyshacklechick

Labmom, I just got back from Dr. and I had surgery 12/27 and I still have hematoma from lumpectomy and have to wear compression bra and can’t begin radiation until it absorbs in my body. My question is how ling does it take for it to go away? And do you do any thing else for it?Thanks in advance.

Salamandra

Thank you so much for the support. It's so heartening!

Yesterday was the first day I felt like myself at the end of the school day, though I still came home and basically crashed. Today it's taken me a full hour and a half to slowly get myself ready for work, that's without showering or make up and I haven't brushed my teeth yet. But it should be an easy day because grades are in already and I'm psyching myself up.

(ETA I have NO idea how you all with children are managing. HUGE respect).

Now I'm thinking about how the vegetable dye for the boosts washed off my skin so fast and the radiation gel patches barely stuck at all. Maybe my skin is bad at sticking and I'd have ended up with tattoos no matter what. That thought does make me feel a little better.

Has anyone seen my get-up-and-go? I swear I left it around here somewhere! 😛

KerLyn

2 weeks of 6 completed! I live in PA, and the weather here is awful. I was worried about missing today becuase of a storm, it wasn't bad. NOW, Monday may be a different story, we are in for a huge storm on Sunday....I'm staring at 2/15/19 and want that the be my bell ringing day SO BAD!!! Mother Nature, please work with me!

JoyTX-Let it out sister...this is a whole lot to take in. I left a bra out during a house showing this week, and then STILL left it out for another showing later that day. Like my brain is so full and swirly....someone shot me a dirty look for not having my sidewalk shoveled ealier and I hit that boiling point.....wanted to scream "SORRY A**H*** I ONLY HAD TIME TO SHOVEL MY DRIVEWAY BY MYSELF TO GET TO RADIATION BECAUSE MY HUSBAND IS OUT OF TOWN AND MY DAUGHTER TORE HER ACL, SO WALK ON THE DAMN STREET FOR ONE DAY OR STAY IN, IT'S TOO COLD ANYWAY AND KEEP THAT EYE ROLL IN YOUR HEAD".....but I didn't......maybe I should have. I probably would have felt better.

Prissy

FaceForward - I'm so glad you had a better day yesterday. I haven't started radiation yet so it is good to know that a rough start on Day 1 doesn't mean that Day 2 will be that way.

TC73 - I am fortunate that my team takes mental health seriously. At every appointment I go to I am asked a series of questions that is related to depression/anxiety/etc. I am surprised that is not standard protocol everywhere.

HPFULL - I have had a nurse navigator from the beginning through my surgeon who has been my main coordinator for all of my care. Any questions I have had about appointments or care I contact her. I'm sorry your concerns about your pain have not been able to be addressed. When is your appointment with your GP?

Joytxs - You have been so strong during your treatment! The fact that you have been working through out is amazing. I hope the silvadene is helping with the pain and that today you have seen a difference. Gentle hugs to you......

After reading some of your posts, I am buying a variety of creams to help with moisturizing. Figured I might as well go ahead and stock up before I get started with rads. I have Aquafor and I ordered Aloe Vera Gel and Miaderm on Amazon yesterday. My RO also prescribed Radiaplex Gel that he wants me to use. I haven't seen that mentioned before on the forum. Has anyone used that?

It's Friday - no rads for anyone this weekend! Hope it's a restful one!

Joytxs

HPFULL - Thank you for your words. Silvadene should help to keep infection out and “burn” contained. Just got it last night so maybe this weekend I’ll see some relief. Day 2 working from home and I just need to stop trying so hard to act like I don’t have BC.

KerLyn - I needed to let that out so thank you for reminding me what we are here for. Since you all are going through this, it’s like we are in our own club of understanding. Not a club I ever thought I’d be in! When you get to Texas, we should meet for coffee. You are blessed to have your daughter and husband to love on you. My son is 4.5 hrs away at college and I miss him!

Prissy - Thank you for your kindness. My RO prescribes Radiaplex gel and cream which my insurance denied but the nurse wound up giving me tubes of it. It is similar to Miaderm in that it is was created for use during radiation. It worked fine until my 3-4th week and that’s when the irritation really began. Be diligent with moisturizing and the more the better.

It’s Friday for those of us who are in treatment and need a 2 day break. For those who are done, rest and recover.

Thanks you all for listening when I needed it.

DeeDeeT

Today was my last day!!!! I got ring the bell and I got a "Bachelors of Perseverance" certificate from my techs. They all signed it too. I thought that was very nice. They even asked me to stop by and visit when I had follow-up appointments in the center.

I am RED. But. . .stickers are off and I can moisturize my heart's content without worrying about messing up a sticker or the timing of my next treatment. I am severely (as in, it would kill me) allergic to sulpha antibiotics, so I can't use silvadene. Ugh. I do have instructions to call in if things get too bad. Um. Things are pretty sketchy right now, but I'll call if they take a turn for the worse.

Faceforward--So glad you had a better day!

Kerlyn-I only had to scrape off my window one one morning. I can't imagine dealing with the weather you have to deal with. How dare that person even think of giving you a dirty look??!! Anyway. . .Congrats on being a third of the way through!!!!! Woo-hoo!!!!!

Prissy--smart idea to have your creams ready to go.

Mymomsgirl-- Welcome! I was in the waiting room with another patient who was using that technique. She said it really helped her to drink a lot of water and stay hydrated. She also used biotene mouth/throatspray. She mentioned that when her mouth didn't feel dry, it was easier for her to hold her breath. Best wishes to you!

Salamandra - I will say that those stickers were really annoying (at least to me). I am SO HAPPY to have them off! I spent the whole time nervous that I was going to accidentally wash or rub one off. You also can't moisturize over them, so it's difficult every. single. time. you. apply. anything. So, stickers aren't without their own set of problems. Oh, and now I have some sticky residue on my burned skin that I'm too afraid to scrub off.

---

Dani444

DeeDeeT!!!!!!! So happy for you. I really hope you heal quickly!

egregious

Hey Deedee -

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

YOU DID IT!!!!!!

Hope your path forward is a smooth one.

DeeDeeT

Awww, thanks, Dani and Egregious!!!!! 💞

PurpleCat

So happy for you, DeeDee! I remember receiving my bad news the same day you did, and now we are both done! Hope you have some special way to celebrate! You have earned it!