SEPTEMBER 2008 rads group

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  • vhqh
    vhqh Member Posts: 535
    edited November 2008

    My copay appears to have worked out like Nancy's, the difference with mine is that I first saw the rad onc back in Nov 2007 and that is when I paid the single copay that I have received a bill for.  I was subsequently found to have mets so I did chemo before surgery to clean up the margins and it was August before we got around to doing the rads.

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  • KAK
    KAK Member Posts: 1,679
    edited November 2008

    Ouch, Nancy258!

    And ouch, embmom!  Hives??  Good grief.....

    May I just say that I think it bites that we have to deal with all this medical insurance crap while we're trying to recover from being mutilated, amputated, poisoned & zapped!!!  I just about have the wherewithall to plunk all the pieces of paper I have collected since having BC in one area of my kitchen table -- they're all in a carton that I used to buy canned dog food!!   How do these folks expect us to be bookkeepers on top of everything else?   If it weren't for the fact that I set up e-payment for most of my bills ages ago, my mortgage would probably have been in default by now because I've been so worn-out & overwhelmed by all this!

    Okay, just had to get that off my chest -- what's now left of it!   I feel better.

    Kathi

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  • nancy258
    nancy258 Member Posts: 162
    edited November 2008

    Thanks guys, and thanks embmom.  It gives me a little comfort knowing I'm not the only one and also to stop that nagging thought that there is something seriously wrong.  However, I'm sorry you've had such a hard time with your blister over the month since you've been done.  I'll just try to be patient and let it heal slowly, arrgh!

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  • dancemom23
    dancemom23 Member Posts: 56
    edited November 2008

    I'm only one week out from my last boost, but all of the skin issues I have had occurred after my last weekly visit with the rad onc.  I do not have blisters, but the skin is breaking down - my problem is the position, under my boob, so it is constantly rubbing against something - either skin against skin or whatever I happen to tuck under there.  Anything that touches it is coming away with attached skin.  She told me this would happen, but I would expect it to be getting better by now.  Actually the part that started breaking down first was not in the boost area, and that seemed to happen one day before my last boost.  Now it seems to be the boost area that this is happening to  - almost one week to the day, so maybe by next week I will be fine.  It is not bothering me nearly as much today as it did this weekend.

    As a bookkeeper(ish) by day, these duties at home are indeed suffering for me as well - I am receiving EOBs and bills for co-pay, etc, but not really doing anything with them.  When I went to the onc the other day, they told me about my "balance due" - and I told them I'd mail it in...but I left out this part: when I get to it.

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  • KAK
    KAK Member Posts: 1,679
    edited November 2008

    See, Chris?  Even you find the paperwork a pain.  That makes me feel better.  Sorry you still have skin breakdown.  My worst skin issues occurred after rads were done also, the very worst being along the edge of & in the middle of my armpit.  OW!   It did calm down a lot in 4-5 days, then took a few weeks not to be red.  Now I have a faint tan line there.  Good luck.   Kathi

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited November 2008

    Hi Everyone,

    I havent posted in a while- been totally swamped at work. My skin is healed but sitll itches- my oncologist suggested using Vitamin E oil or to break open the caplets people take as pills and rub it all over the skin- that seems to have worked well for my skin.

    Was supposed to have the hysterectomy today and it got caught up in the Insurance appeals process- insurance denied it and my docs had to appeal it- got the approval after lunch today (aww the irony since surgery was supposed to be 7:15 this morning). The next available surgery date is December 18- the day before I will have 5 children home fulltime for the holidays- I told them I really dont think I can do that- it would be a really tough recovery situation coming out of major surgery. I have a call in to the doctor to see if anything else can be arranged.

    Kristy

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  • mzmiller99
    mzmiller99 Member Posts: 894
    edited November 2008

     Kristy - Did your insurance assume it was unneccesary surgery? Don't you love it?  Yes, folks, I just thought I'd enjoy having another surgery just for the fun of it.  Not! 

     So, now you can do it and spend your holidays recovering, while your kids take care of you?  Not! 

     Don't you just love how crazy something not too complicated can get??  Good luck with the doctor and the surgery.

    Susan

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  • dancemom23
    dancemom23 Member Posts: 56
    edited November 2008

    Geez Kristy - nothing is easy is it?  Glad you got the approval - hope you can get a workable date.

    Good luck.

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited November 2008

    Oh Kristy, that is a pain! But one of your kids is college-aged, right?  Maybe it's time for a little more responsibility. My parents raised seven, and I'm the second oldest. I remember coming home from college and babysitting my younger siblings while my parents took a quick trip or two. Granted, it was usually no more than a long weekend, but still, I could drive the younger ones anywhere they needed to go, and knew how to cook and do the laundry. Refereeing fights was the hard part.

    Maybe have a visiting nurse come by for a while after the surgery? Sometimes, the reality of the situation doesn't sink in to the kids until they see a professional involved like that. And the nurse could reiterate your needs everytime they're there...bed rest, no lifting, etc.

    Couldn't the older ones could take the younger ones out for the day?...to the park, or something like that if you needed quiet.

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited November 2008

    Hi Everyone,

    January is looking really good for my surgery- I told them I wouldnt do the Decemeber 18 date- that is just a recipe for disaster or me ending up back in the hospital for a nervous breakdown. I really dont mind January at all- more healing time from the chemo and rads etc and its not like I wont hit every out of pocket limit again in 2009 so just that was not a complete motivation for fitting it in before the end of the year. There is still a chance they might find a 2008 date but probably not at this point - I would like the added time to prepare for the surgery- working on ab muscles even more than just walking- things that would help in recovery. Onc is the only one not thrilled with waiting until January because she wants to go ahead with the hormone therapy and it has to wait until after surgery!

    Kristy

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  • mzmiller99
    mzmiller99 Member Posts: 894
    edited November 2008

    Kristy - Good for you!!  One less thing to deal with over the holidays!  Which, of course, are a stress-maker all by themselves!

    Take this time and get your abs of steel going!  (Mine are more like abs of jelly.)  Yell

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  • sunshine787990
    sunshine787990 Member Posts: 147
    edited November 2008

    Radiation side effects???  I have finished my 33 radiation treatments 4 weeks ago..this past weekend I started having a burning --- electrifing  pain in my right arm and down into my armpit. (same side of radiation) The pain comes and goes but boy does it get my attention... Anyone else have anything crazy like this?

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited November 2008

    I have something similar, but it's more on my upper back, just behind my armpit. I'm feeling it right now. But it's not enough to even take any med for.  It's gone already.

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  • sunshine787990
    sunshine787990 Member Posts: 147
    edited November 2008

    I'm guessing nerve endings waking up after radiation??? First time it hit me like an electric shock...lasted about 20 minutes then gone! Crazy Crazy

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  • gubinski1
    gubinski1 Member Posts: 4
    edited November 2008

    I was just diagnosed with DCIS in my right breast and had the lumpectomy. I am meeting with a Radiation Oncologist tomorrow to discuss Radiation. I am very nervous about the treatment and also concerned because I have breast implants. I was told that the Pathology report showed all margins were clean.

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited November 2008

    guinski1

     good luck at  the rad onc tomorrow.  I assume you did not have chemo.  Radiation is scary at first, but it's really not that bad.  Please ask us questions if you have them.  I don't know about implants, perhaps someone else does.  Best of luck tomorrow.

      http://www.armyofwomen.org/

          Dr. Susan Love is looking for volunteers as seen on  Good Morning America.  Check out the link and please sign up as a volunteer.  Tell your friends, everyone you know!  Together we can find a cure for breast cancer.  Check it out.  It only takes a couple minutes to sign up. 

    Spread the word!

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  • nancy258
    nancy258 Member Posts: 162
    edited November 2008

    That lingering blister I had for 3 weeks turned out to not be a blister at all but an infection!  Two weeks ago over the phone my rad onc told me it was normal and would heal.  When I saw her yesterday for my one month follow up, she immediately called my bs and sent me over there.  My bs took a culture, cleaned it out and put me on antibiotics.  I'm going to hate taking the bandages off tonight and see what kind of mess I'm left with, but warning to all.  Do not let doctors tell you over the phone that anything is normal.  Make them look at it!

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  • redheadace1
    redheadace1 Member Posts: 212
    edited November 2008

    Hi, all. Sorry I've been out of the loop for so long. Lots of stuff going on in my life, plus I think I needed a little break from thinking about BC. Kristy, good luck with everything!  Sunshine--I had the worst pains AFTER rads were over--really sharp, stabbing, deep pains. They lasted for a few weeks after the radiation, and it kind of scared me, but now I hardly ever get them. Hope you start feeling better soon.

    Happy holiday, all!

     Ace 

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited November 2008

    I got my surgery scheduled for January 8, 2009 - its my oldest brothers birthday so I am taking that date as a good luck omen.

    Kristy

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited November 2008

    Hi Redheadace - glad to hear your life is getting back to normal and your pains are diminishing.

    KristyAnn, Horray for finally scheduling it.  It will be here before you know it.  Now you can sit back and relax and enjoy the Holidays.  All your kids will be home, right???  Let them wait on you for a change!

    Happy Thanksgiving to all.

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  • sunshine787990
    sunshine787990 Member Posts: 147
    edited November 2008

    redheadace1

    Thanks for sharing with me...they scare me too and sometimes they hurt so bad they make me cry! So glad to know they go away...You have a Happy Thanksgiving! 

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited November 2008

    Makraz,

    The 3 younger kids will be back in school so gone during the day- college age kids (2 of them) will be around at that point- it will be nice having college daughter around to help out and talk to me while I am down and out for a few days.

    Kristy

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  • KAK
    KAK Member Posts: 1,679
    edited December 2008

    Kristy, your surgery date also happens to be Elvis Presley's birthday!  Is that a good omen or what??

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  • KAK
    KAK Member Posts: 1,679
    edited December 2008

    Susan, are those the kissie- gooses you referred to elsewhere?   Very cute!

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  • sunshine787990
    sunshine787990 Member Posts: 147
    edited December 2008

    ok..I'm 5 weeks out of radiation..15 weeks out from chemo...Had a lumpectomy in April 2008. My arm feels really tight and numb...like it did right after I had surgery...do these symptoms just keep on keeping on ?? Also have lots of burning in the same area...

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  • mzmiller99
    mzmiller99 Member Posts: 894
    edited December 2008

    KAK, Yes, that's my boy!  When one of my friends sent that picture out over the network at school, I was given the name "Mother Goose", which was OK with me since I teach kindergarten!

    Susan

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  • KAK
    KAK Member Posts: 1,679
    edited December 2008

    Susan, does he guard you from marauders?  One of my friends had a couple of geese & they were absolutely fierce about protecting her from strangers!

    Sunshine, you might want to look into getting a prescription for PT.  You probably need some massage & some stretching & strengthening exercises to get that part of your body back to normal.  Try to go to a PT who's good at really working on scar tissue & soft tissue adhesions.

    Kathi

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  • TexanCupig
    TexanCupig Member Posts: 1,539
    edited December 2008

    Hi and Happy VERY belated Thanksgiving, y'all!

    I'm still working, at least until the 11th...and get THIS...the other teacher aide is going to be training for the village health aide, so she just recently resigned her job!  My boss didn't EVEN offer me her job!  And even though I have seniority over her, I told her that I'd go ahead and get laid off so she wouldn't lose her job...AND THEY DON'T EVEN OFFER ME HER JOB!  Is that a kick in the head, or what?!?  That's allright...I'm still knitting, well, not right now...I kinda got burned out making the last cap I worked on, so now I'm beading and making bracelets for my rad techs!  I told them that I'd be slow AND late sending them, but they were okay with that!

    It's been pretty darn cold out here the last couple of weeks, but it warmed up, ever so slightly, and snowed, last night!  

    My skin still itches a bit, and it felt like I was getting shingles again, but THANK GOD, it's not shingles!  I've been having a bit of nerve pain too, but other than that, I think I'm doing allright!

    Our thanksgiving meal was basic, as ever, but it was good!  I think we're all turkeyed out, at least until Christmas!

    Since I've been back, my other half complained about me getting too much attention, you know, from being diagnosed, so I've been told that men are not TOO terribly vocal about explaining their jealousies???  Does that make sense?Embarassed

    I've been kind of complacent about taking the tamoxifen too...I finally called the clinic to get the refill...so I'll be back on...again Frown  I just wonder if I'm going to have to re-adjust, yet again?

    Anyway, I hope y'all had a great Thanksgiving, and hope y'all have a great Christmas, coming up...ALREADY!!!

    Take care and God Bless! 

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  • KAK
    KAK Member Posts: 1,679
    edited December 2008

    Sharon, it's great to hear from you!!  Listen, men just hate it when they find out they're NOT the center of the universe!  LOL

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited December 2008

    Rice Krispy treats to all tonight- my youngest, Joe, and I made them and he covered his half of the pan with all kinds of sprinkles.....

    Enjoying the time until surgery- got a foob and mast bras, trying to eat healthy and exercise to up my readiness for the January surgery!

    Kristy

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