SEPTEMBER 2008 rads group

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

    Good morning, y'all!  Here I sit with a couple of the high schoolers, trying to relearn geometry with them!  I think I've learned more, just sitting here then I did in high school???

    Rice crispy treats sound good to me!

    Seems like my other half is dealing with the whole cancer thing now!  I'll ask him to check my right side, to make sure all is okay...lol...then he'll check the left side, to make sure my boob is still intact!!!...LMAO!!! LaughingSurprisedEmbarassed  Anywho...it seems like he's just glad that I'm home!  I'm glad to be back here, but I SURE could do without the snow!  It was heck trying to walk to school this morning!

    Have y'all got your Christmas shopping done?  Are y'all ready for Christmas?  I've done neither, and I'll probably wait until the last minute, as always!  AND since we're not close to civilization, I'll be shopping online!

    Well, I hope y'all have a great rest of the week! 

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

    Hi Sharon,

    Geometry, Ugh!  I have a 8th grader and can't do his math anymore!  I used to really like doing math!  I think I'll take a Rice Crispy treat too.

    I'm sure your hubby is very glad your home.  Enjoy each other!

    Shop on the net, there's nothing like it!

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  • jap
    jap Member Posts: 172
    edited December 2008

    Hi everyone,My radiologist at the last moment of our second meeting decided to radiate an additional area nea rmy shoulder -- although I have no node invovlement there.   Has anyone had this additional radiation?   If so, any SEs?  

    Thanks,

    Jo Anne

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

    Jo Anne, did they call it a boost?

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  • jap
    jap Member Posts: 172
    edited December 2008

    No, it is not a boost but part of the 30 treatments. 

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

    jap,

    I didn't have that, only 10 additional boosts.  Make sure you ask why.  Always ask LOT's of questions.  Best of luck to you!

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

    jap, it might be the best angle to get at some other nodes.

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited December 2008

    I had 4 areas radiated and my only positive node was an intramammary node - I think they also went by other cancer markers etc and the risk factor. I am still dealing with two itchy areas- one near my neck that was the first to develop folliculitis and then the area on my back that was radiated. The skin looks fine just gets really itchy at times during the day.

    Kristy

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

    Good morning, y'all!

    It's SO weird; my skin looks all but normal, but I'm STILL itching?...seems like the hydrocerin cream works a bit, and I'm sure it looks strange when I'm scratching my chest?!?...lol...LaughingEmbarassed

    Well, I hope y'all have a great weekend!  We're now dealing with rainy weather, so y'all could imagine...I'm slippin' and slidin', walking to and from school!

    Take care!Wink

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  • redheadace1
    redheadace1 Member Posts: 212
    edited December 2008

    Hi, everyone. It's nice to hear from you all about how things are going. I think I'll join in the clamor for a Rice Krispy treat. Boy, does that sound good.

    I've been having a crazy time: first, I had lice (ugh), then some kid backed into my car, then my furnace stopped working (it's ok now, though, I think). I've been running around like crazy trying to deal with all that.

    BUT--I started dating someone, and that's a happy thing (and probably why I haven't been on the board as much--a bit infatuated).

    Just wanted to let you all know I'm thinking of you. The holidays are coming, and then a NEW YEAR! It will be a good one for all of us, I'm sure.

    xo,

    Ace 

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

    Ace, take care with a wonky heater. Please make sure you have CO2 detectors along with fire detectors.

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  • vhqh
    vhqh Member Posts: 535
    edited December 2008

    I've been down with some weird virus for the past week, stomach was queasy all last week but I blamed it on the Tykerb, then the chills started and finally the fever came Sunday night.  Of course by then I'd exposed all my family and coworkers thinking it was only SEs!

    Fever finally came down today and I'm going to try working at least part of a day tomorrow.  Weird thing is that it was exactly 1 year ago to the day that I came down with the flu during chemo! 

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  • redheadace1
    redheadace1 Member Posts: 212
    edited December 2008

    Thanks, NancyD, I will. vhqh, I hope you're feeling better soon. You've been through a hell of a lot recently. That is weird, with the one-year thing.

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

    Good morning, y'all.

    I have a couple of questions for y'all...1st of all, does anyone know when the itching stops?  2nd of all, I think since I've been diagnosed, I've had maybe a handful of sleeping through the night; what about everyone else?  I thought I'd be sleeping better since I've gotten home from rads; that's happened ONE time since I've been back, and that's because I took a xanax and was able to sleep.  Seems like my onc doesn't like prescribing such drugs, and I don't know why.  I surely don't feel anxious, but taking that pill helped.  The only thing, when I was taking it for more than a few days, I got really depressed!Cry

    Anyway, I think I'm finally ready for Christmas...I ordered Steven's presents online...hopefully, they'll get here on-time?  I even ordered myself some beads, for Christmas!  

    Well, it's my last day, here at work...Frown

    I hope y'all are doing well!

    Take care and God Bless...AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! 

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

    Sharon, are you taking an antidepressant?  One of the things they do is help you sleep (just not instantly, but by helping you have enough seratonin, which controls the sleep cycle.)  Your saying that a sleep aid made you feel depressed made me wonder if you'd be better with an antidepressant.

    I was still scratchy even last week.  Couldn't use a loofa or even my very soft scrubbie on my chest where the radiation was because it was too tender for that, but I didn't even realize it.  I think it takes moisturizing & healing for a while.  The effects of rads supposedly continue for up to two years!!  I've been massaging my scar tissue with Palmer's Cocoa Butter lotion for stretch marks & slathering it all over, so I'm better. 

    Are you off now for the rest of the year?  I'm jealous!

    Hi vhqh, Ace, everybody!! 

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

    Sharon, Truthfully, I can't remember sleeping through the night since I had my first child 23 years ago. Definitely haven't since I went into menopause about seven years ago. Just one of those things I've learned to live with.

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  • nancy258
    nancy258 Member Posts: 162
    edited December 2008

    Sharon, my rad onc told me to continue to put a good moisturizing cream on 2x a day for the next year or so.  She said best is something without scent like we have been using.  She even suggested that olive oil was good as the skin is so thirsty after rads.  I've been using Vaseline Creamy formula during the day and Aquafor at night.  I didn't sleep well at all during rads and had to take xanax, but about a week after I finished rads I started sleeping much better and no longer need to take anything.  Maybe it will take a little time.  Hope you adjust soon.

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited December 2008

    Sharon,

    I am still itching too- finished rads Oct 31. I have one area on my neck where I first got folliculitis and then on my back where radiated that still itch every day and are usually the reason I wake up in the morning. I am using a Vitamin E cream (from Sams), Vitamin E oil or Shea butter twice a day- I am SO ready to stop itching!

    I dont sleep really well but I usually wake up itching so Im blaming that right now!

    Kristy

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2008

    Season's Greetings Ladies!

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  • Looneymom
    Looneymom Member Posts: 144
    edited December 2008

    Hi girls I am just checking in and reading past posting to see how all my Sept rad buddies are doing.  I am doing great, not really any pain, if I pull or push my bra strap in my rib area I feel a little pain there but that it.  I have even helped a friend of mine do a paper route for the last 3 weeks.  I have actually folded, bagged and threw  between 1500 and 2000 of this small 10 page neighborhood new paper a week.  Sounds weird, I never thought I would do something like this, my family is making fun of me, my 14 year old thought only poor people had paper routes.  But it is actually fun, I have never had a manual labor, don't have to use your head much job.  If you get up to speed you make about 12.00 -16.00 an hr but I am not there yet.  But it has been good exercise for my arms - I throw left for a while then right listen to books on tapes and happy music from my past while driving and throwing. .  It so funny the things that you find out you might enjoy!  I would have been to much of a snob or thought I was above doing this 5 years ago. Recently  I was worried that I could not do a part time xmas retail store job due to lifting etc... so did not apply. Now I know what I can do.   Things happen for a reason I guess.  I have missed reading the forum and felt the need to reconnect with my BC buddies because they are the ones that really knows what it is like.  I actually have had almost 3 month with no doctor appts.  All my Fu with Rad doc, Breast onc. and PS I need to sched. for Jan.  It has been great to feel good and not have to go see any doctor. I am actually going to fly and go out of town for 4-5 days visiting for xmas, I was afraid to do this 6 months ago, thought I had to stay close to home and doctors.  I am growing in so many ways.  BC in not positive, it has put us through a lot for H%LL, but I have made many new friends and done things I would never have tried before.    Love and hugs to you all - Happy holidays!  Laughing

    Holly  

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  • mzmiller99
    mzmiller99 Member Posts: 894
    edited December 2008

    It's good to hear how you're doing. 

    I'm feeling well, also.  Arimidex is giving me some aches I'd rather not have, but that's a small price to pay.  My next checkup is in Jan., too.  I haven't missed all that attention as much as I thought.  It was kind of scary at first to be let loose, but I guess we all start to relax.  I hate to get too complacent, though.

    I'm told I no longer have that "deer in the headlight" look, so I guess that's good!  Looking forward to Christmas...another reason to celebrate life after cancer!!

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

    I just saw my onc and bs this week. I guess I have to schedule another appt with the rad onc next month. I need to get them all in sync so I'm not going to someone every month, LOL. I'm still on a two-three month follow-up routine.

    Plus, now I realized I haven't been to my gyno in a year or my endo in almost two years! I have to fit them in, too. I need a secretary just to schedule all these.

    But feeling good, otherwise. I agree with Susan that the Arimidex is probably causing a few extra pains, but they're defnititely not affecting my QOL, so I can thankfully live with them.

    Ditched my wig this week and started going to work with just my natural regrowth. It feels great. I'm going to wash the wig and pack it away this weekend.

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

    Good for you, Nancy!  Progress!  How long is your hair now?  Is it still curly from chemo?

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

    Kathi, it's about an inch on average. Some a little shorter, some a little longer. Not curly, yet, but I have a few cowlicks where the hair wants to go one way (and not the way I want it to go). My daughter bought some pomade to slap those babies down.

    The length isn't a big issue, but the coverage was. I had some thin spots a month ago and was concerned that they might always stay bare-ish. But they've now filled in nicely.

    Coloring it back to what I'm used to took a little trial and error, though. My usual color (Medium Auburn) came out way too light and bright. I looked like I had a pumpkin on my head. So if you are going to color your hair, plan to do it a few weeks before you are ready to ditch your head covering because you may have to go a few rounds before it comes out right.

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

    Congrats NancyD.  It must feel so good to have your hair growing again!  That was a nice Christmas present! 

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  • mzmiller99
    mzmiller99 Member Posts: 894
    edited December 2008

    NancyD - good for you!!  Just in time for warm fuzzy hats!!  We just got another 12" of fluffy snow.  At least, it'll be a white Christmas!

    Makraz - how did you make out with all the snow?  I'd rather chew off my own foot than to drive in Boston in the snow!  Good days are bad enough for me in Boston, 'cuz I'm from the mountains of upstate NY, where the most traffic we see is moose and squirrels!

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

    HI Mzmiller99,

    We got about a foot of snow too!  In fact it's still snowing now.  We are also supposed to get another 6 inches tomorrow!  UGH!! 

     I called the genetics doctor on Thursday to see if I coud reschedule due to the snow and they said yes, but it would take several months.  I then told them that they already cancelled my kids school for Friday due to the snow so I would be bringing the kids with me.  (Not really, just trying to twist there arms!)  Of course they said fine.  Within an hour, they calld me back and reschedule my appointment for Monday!  Isn't that funny!  I bet the genetic counselor did not want to get stuck in the Boston traffic in the middle of a snowstorm......either that of she's heard about my kids!  I am also NOT from Boston, infact the town I live in is so small that we don't even have a traffic light anywhere in town.  I love small town living but am very happy to have Boston and all the wonderful hospitals and doctors relatively close by incase I need them.  The thought of New York really scares me!  We have deer, turkeys and fishers in my backyard.  I'd give anything to see a moose!

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

    We're buried in snow, too!  Even Virginia is getting snow!

    Nancy, I'm sending you a nice warm hat that one of my patients handmade (she's a knitting teacher) to keep you cozy.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2008

    Hi Ladies,

    Season's Greetings!

    I hope all of you are doing fine.

    How long did it take for the lymph surgery site to heal - I had trouble since day 1 with the stiches. I still think I have stiches that never dissolved. It hasn't healed like my lumpectomy incision site.

    How is everyone doing??

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

    Hi Rose,

    My lumpectomy site healed faster than the lymph node site too. I think the lymph node surgery was more painful than the lumpectomy!  My stitches were under the skin, and the disolving kind as well.  I think they "glued" the skin that was above the stitches back together.  It felt thicker, like a lot of scar tissue.  I am now 6 months after surgery and it feels great.  If you are in doubt, check itth your doctor.  You want to make sure you don't get an infection.  Take care!

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