MAY 2009 Rads

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  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited April 2009

    I'm taking my break periods as they come.  Some break - healing from a BMX...
    It's OK though, I live in paradise and the weather is awesome! 

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  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited April 2009

    Good afternoon everyone,

    I'm day 2 post chemo 6 the final one.  Now that I'm loaded with Solumedrol I'm feeling much better than yesterday.  The fever is gone and my stomach has stopped cramping.  I've had a mix of diarrhea and constipation which varies a bit with each treatment.  Mostly today I'm just wearing out easily.  I've been taking off week one of my chemo cycles but working the other two.  I've also got a lot of heartburn.  I have to be careful about eating or drinking anything that is somewhat acid.  This learning to deal with chemo is a real challenge.

    Lisa - I voted for you.  Good luck

    Facecrafter - welcome - I get my rads markings on May 11th too.  I'll be thinking of you.  I hope to be starting my radiation treatment the following week.  

    I live on the lake, not the ocean.  The ocean is great, but, if you live inland the lake is very nice.  We have over an acre of land and plenty of trees and enough sunny spots for some organic gardening.  I'm putting out asparagus, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, herbs, beats, swiss chard and my new favorite fennel.  I also have strawberries and blueberries planted.  Looks like I'll have a small crop of each this year.  I won't be moving much this week but, perhaps next week I'll get moving again.  Prior to taking the solumedrol pack I would get so short of breath and felt so nauseated.  Taking that pack the first week after chemo has been a life saver for me and made the chemo so much more tolerable.  I was worried about it causing me to gain water weight etc. but I believe the chemo side effects caused me to be much more puffy than the solu medrol has.

    Hang in there ladies.  We've made it this far.  Well, kick this thing yet.  It's nice having rad friends.

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  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 288
    edited April 2009

    Judy, Sorry!  I didn't read your post carefully enough to realize that you'd had your BMX after your chemotherapy!  I had my mastectomy last August.  Glad you can enjoy your piece of paradise in the world!

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  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited April 2009

    Well good afternoon ladies...

     I saw my Rad Onco today and it was a great two hour session...he went through everything with me and my DH ...We felt really good after meeting with him.  He did say something that was a bit of concern...he said that reading my DX it showed stage 2 but he was thinking since the tumor was close to the top of my skin - hence underneath the nipple that it was more of a stage 3.  Then he circled back and said because of the size and what they found it was more like a 1 to 2.  So that was a bother....But HEY  ...good news...he said that the PORT needs to GOOOOO.....YIPEEE...and I have an appointment tomorrow to get my similation started, get my mold and tattoos...I will be given 33 sessions and all about 10,000 Rs during the process.  I am ready...BRING IT ON....

    I may have mentioned that my Butt crack was itching...well...Today I called my Onco doc and went to see him...its a yeast infection brought on by the chemo...So I am taking Fluconazole and he gave me Nystatin powder to put in my crack.  Just want the ITCHING to go away....its driving me crazy...Sorry if it is TMI...but maybe someone else has had the same thing going on...

    Debonthelake...I am post day 6 and the SEs are still there...but hang in there and what keeps me going is the fact that we don't have to go to anymore CHEMO IV's.   YEAHHHHHH...

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited April 2009

    THANKS for the votes ladies!!!  Keep them coming!  I appreciate it.  Voting ends on May 1st. 

    Cruise -I go for my simulation and tattoos tomorrow too! 

    And....I had thrush 3 out of 6 chemo cycles.  Ended up with a bit of "diaper rash" too.....so, yes, I had itching too.  I took nystatin first, then diflucan. It cleared up quickly for me!  hope it does for you too!

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited April 2009

    Hi ladies. Hope everyone is well and hopefully it's not too late to join you. I had my simulation this morning and I think it went exceptionally well. Got my tattoo marks and it was painless. Three little pricks and that was that. My first of 33 rads will be on May 6th. The radio onco recommended pure aloe vera gel and mild soap. Take care y'all.

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited April 2009

    Hi Americanpinay!

    welcome to our group!  i'm in the LA area too and i go for my sim tomorrow.  i'm being treated at UCLA....where are you?  how funny if we met up at the same place!

    glad to hear the tattoo marks were painless.  My radio onc also reco'd pure aloe gel.  He told me to refrigerate it too!

    Lisa

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited April 2009

    Thanks, Lisa. I'm getting my rads at the CHMC Donald P. Loker Cancer Center in downtown LA. I work and live downtown so it works out great for me. Good luck tomorrow. On traffic that is. The sim will be a breeze. :o)

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  • Neblin
    Neblin Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2009

    Can't stay overnight, I have to go to work everyday and I have a child.   I just have to get through it.  

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  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited April 2009

    Lisalisa...Great news for you too....Tomorrow is our SIM day...Good Luck and tell us all about it....

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  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited April 2009

    Hello beautiful sisters: We are all doing so well. I do not see my rad onc until next weds. I am HER2 +++ so I go in for infusions every three weeks for a year. So this comes to an end in Jan. YIKEES. I feel grateful for this wonderful drug. It is saving my life. I am only 2 o/o E + and P- so I have opted not to take an estrogen blocker however I need to loose weight and that will stop the production of estrogen from FAT. UGG I hope that after meeting my rad onc we move quickly into sims. I want to start and get this over with and go to a spa and detox.

    Welcome Americanpinay: LAwoman: I changed you name. just kidding. I am also a CA girl I live in Glendale and going to City of Hope.

    Cruise: What is up with your DRs. Geee Your staging is not that big a mystery. Just remember you are going to be just fine. Early stage. I also had a little cancer under the nipple and the tumor was close to the surface. I was wodering if they are going to radiate the nipple. OUCH. I never had any yeast infections while on chemo. Sorry that you have to go through that. But everday we get better.

    Lisa: I voted. Good luck . All of the sudden my text is huge. Sorry??? I have no clue why. I was wondering if you posted on any other thread and ask for support. I want you to win!!!

    I am back to normal now. what the???????? I am moving past some of the SE, however I have such bad pain in my feet and hands from the taxotere. I am still hoping to hang on to my fingernails and toenails. UGGG! I get pretty wiped out pretty quickly. I want to get my garden in order but I can get very much done at one time. Maybe I've just gotten lazy. I still love to shop? hmmmmm? Hope everyone has a great day!!!!

    Cheers

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited April 2009

    Bold - you are too funny!  Your type got so big b/c you are so excited for me LOL!

    I posted on this thread and my chemo thread.  I'm off to the dentist now....will come back in a bit and post on some other threads.  BUT WHERE?

    WHICH THREADS get lots of traffic?!?!?!?

    Be back in an hour or two....have to see if chemo did any damage to my teeth!

    Lisa

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  • ajlive
    ajlive Member Posts: 134
    edited April 2009

    Lisa:  Voted for you.  Hope you win.....

    Cruise4life:  Hope your rad consultation went well.

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  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited May 2009

    Good Evening Ladies...

    Well I had my radiation simulation today...it was a non-event.  I got molded and tattooed in two spots.  One on my breast bone right in the center and one on the left side of my breast under my arm at the bra line.  Two purple Dots.  Looks like my other moles...LOL

    I do have some good news to share......Yesterday during my consultation my Rad onco doc thought because my tumor was close to the skin area that it looked more like Stage 3 than a Stage 2 which concerned me.  This really worried me last night as you could imagine.  Today my doc came in to make the markings and said to me that after we left he went over my pathology report and analyzed everything and said that after his findings he has catagorized me at a STAGE ONE....It made my day for sure...I am so excited I can't stand it....

    My rads will begin on May 14th at 8:45 in the morning for 33 sessions and will end on June 30th.   Hey...getting there and almost done....

    Bold...I sent you another PM..You know what you are doing...for sure!

    lisalisa...How did your appointment go?  Good I hope.

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited May 2009

    Hi Rad friends!

    I had my simulation today!  Here is how it went...

    • Naked from the waist up.
    • A team of 4 MALE doctors/radiologists measuring everywhere on my upper torso.
    • Lying down in the same position for a long time with my arm taped above my head.
    • Run thru a CT scan with lasers everywhere.
    • Then.....
    • 4 tattoos to mark my radiated area.
    • OUCH!  (actually 2 weren't bad.....2 definitely pinched!)

    The fun continued...

    • I left UCLA to go to the dentist:
    • Got my teeth cleaned after 6 months of a no flossing rule due to chemo.
    • I need 3 minor fillings to fill some gaps between my teeth & gums. 
    • I also need an old crown to be looked at/maybe re-done before I start on Zometa.

    GOOD TIMES!  Not!

    As for radiation, I go back for a trial run, called a "verification simulation" on May 12th.  My first radiation treatment is on May 13th.  Each session will last about 15 minutes and the driving will take about 2 hours LOL!  

     I feel like I'm on vacation until then!!!!

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  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited May 2009

    lisalisa...we posted at the same time.. Sounds like yours went well too. 

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited May 2009

    Cruise, we even start rads within days of each other!  I need to go figure out my end date.  I didn't get my entire schedule since I asked for some time changes so that I can make all my kids' end of school plays, parties, etc.  CRAZY!

    I'm so happy for you!  STAGE ONE!  what an awesome feeling that must be!  CONGRATS!!!

    Lisa

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  • Puppers
    Puppers Member Posts: 59
    edited May 2009

    Count me in - I had my simulation today, and will begin radiation on Tuesday, 5/5 - bright and early at 7:15 am!  No chemo for me, as my oncotype score was 18.... I am thankful my doc went the extra mile trying to decide if chemo was right for me or not althought it was hard waiting for the test results.  Love to you all - ((((((May Rad Sisters)))))))

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  • Carolyn2008
    Carolyn2008 Member Posts: 202
    edited May 2009

    Hi Ladies,

    I would like to join in as well i had a left mx Feb 12/09 with expander put in and they didnt get one margin clear so now i need rad as my tumor was 9.2cm for all of you that have had chemo glad you are all doing well keep it up and we shall make it with rad's as well.

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  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited May 2009

    Welcome Americanpinay, Puppers, and Carolyn 2008,

    It's great to be alive!  I'm day 4 post last chemo.  Feeling a little better everyday.  Still have side effects but knowing that this is as bad as chemo side effects are going to get and that my body will be gradually detoxing is a wonderful feeling.  Now I've just got to get ready to glow in the dark.  My sims are the day after Mother's Day.  Planning to have the family up to the lake to celebrate life.  I have a friend with stage III ovarian cancer.  She had her first of 6 Taxol infusions one and one half weeks ago.  We brought carry-out lunch out to the lake and hung out being droopy and chatted each other's ears off all afternoon.  It was a wonderful day.

    Thanks Lisa, lisa for the blow by blow of sims.

    God Bless  Deb

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  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited May 2009

    Congrats on Sims Lisa and Cruise:Being naked with three techs would be the most action I would have had for a long time. (my poor DH) I need to get my mojo back!

    It looks like Rads are going to be a part time job for all of us. I want to start the count down, But I do not know when I am even going to start yet.

    Carolyn: What an amazing story your tumor is very unusual. I am so happy for you that it was not invasive. Sucker sure got big. Did you find it yourself? May I ask how old you are? I have a medical background and of a curious nature. You do not have to talk about it if you do not want to. We are all going to do great with this part of the journey.

    Welcome Puppers!

    I read through the entire April Rad site learned a lot. Yep this is going to be easy compared to Chemo!!!!!! Thank God huh?

    Debonthelake: 4 days post and not complaining? You must be one strong woman. I always had and still have stuff to complain about. Chemo is not for pussies. I am so proud of you, Glad to have your attitude in our wonderful group. I will put your friend on my prayer list she sounds great too.

    Yippie its Friday!!!!! My DH is off today! Although it looks like rain today I want to work outside for a few hours with him to help with the heavy stuff.

    Hope all is well.

    Peace

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  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited May 2009

    Hello Americanpinay, Puppers, and Carolyn 2008 and welcome to the RAD PACK....

    We will all learn together...

    Puppers...you are near me...sort of...LOL  Welcome!

    Nice avatar picture Bold....is this your new hair or how your hair was????

    Sure can't wait for my hair to come in now that chemo is done....that is the first question friends ask me...."When will your hair grow back now that you are done with chemo?"  Wish I had the answer.....Frown

    Have a great weekend ladies...I will check in again later....

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  • Carolyn2008
    Carolyn2008 Member Posts: 202
    edited May 2009

    Hi Bold I am 39 yrs old well this is how it all happened i was sleeping and was woken up with a pain in my breast thinking maybe a bee sting or something like that the next morning my breast became very red a swollen and sore so i went to the hospital and the doctor said i had mastitis and asked how old my child was i said he is a teenager not breast feeding gave me antibiotics and away I went the redness and swelling went down then this big mass was left behind i went to my family dr to see about this he sent me for a mammogram and ultrasound the results came back with nothing clear so my family dr didn't even examine me and away i went sooooo then I still had this big mass and I returned to my  dr as something wasn't normal so I asked him to send me to a breast specialist and at that time he said no reason to send you to see a breast specialist as all my test were fine.... I said maybe you should have a look at this big mass he finally did then was very concerned and sent me right away to a surgeon then had a biopsy and here i am....these dr are really something else i am very small A cup the tumor was 9.2cm so you could see the big mass if you just looked at it as it was the size of my whole breast.

    Thanks for the welcome every one 

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  • ajlive
    ajlive Member Posts: 134
    edited May 2009
    Hi Everyone.  I had my simulation today and was going to start rads on Monday until I saw my medical oncologist afterwards.  He wants me to have four sesions of chemo before I start radiation treatmentCry.  That did not make me a happy camper.  First treatment will be on the 14th with the second to follow in three weeks.  This will delay my rad treatments until mid July.  He scheduled me for a bone scan on the 5th.  I hope and pray it comes back with good results. Guess I'll have to join in on July or August Rads group.  Wish you all well.Smile
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  • CHER07
    CHER07 Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2009

    Hello May Rad Starters:

    You can include me... Southern Belle.. Visited my onc. today... last ct showed no change . so gonna try rad . Had my last chemo tx april 17th . It was #12. Scheduled for my consultation with Radiation DR. on Wednesday May 6th.

    Trusting rad will not be as difficult as chemo. LET's stay positive and make good results happen.

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  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited May 2009

    Carolyn2008: Unbelievable!  It just goes to show how we must be our own advocates.  The chemo treatments were a snap for me- my onco gave me good anti-nausea meds and I never had any SE's to speak of.  Let's hope yours is the same.  I will starting my rads on 5/26 or so, so just handing out here till then.  Good luck everyone!  JUDY

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  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited May 2009

     Welcome Cher07...good luck with your consultation and keep us all posted.

     Ajlive...Good luck with your chemo...and your doc knows best..there will be plenty of time for your Rads...Pop back in so you know what to expect when you get on with Rads...

    Carolyn2008...My gosh...our bodies can tell us so much...and we are our own advocates...Good thing you were persistant...We are glad you are here and we will be in your corner.

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  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited May 2009

    Good Grief Carolyn,

    I cann't believe you had to fight so hard to get diagnosed.  I'm tired right now just walked a mile very slow 5 days post last chemo.  You would have thought I'd run a marathon but it's a start.  It should get easier from here.  I'm glad to be on this end of chemo.  Wish I could say I'd had no side effects.  But, I cann't.  I had them but once we figured out my main problem was an allergic reaction and he added extra steriods I've done much better.  Not good, but better, much better.  And now it is

    OVER!

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  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited May 2009

    Debonthelake:You ere DX 2 days before me. I am 20 days post TX. Thank God. When will you start Rads. Don't answer that reread you prior post. Sims after moms day. Got it. I meet this weds. with rad onc. Guess I find out from there. Glad we all have each other.

    Carolyn.What a story. Bizarre! Do you think it grew overnight? I am grateful to God that you perused you Dr's. It seems that it was very aggressive. Gone now! Gone forever!

    Ajlive: Seems very aggressive treatment for DX. You Dr. is taken no chances. I wish you great success.

    Cher07: No worries. I think we are all going to get through this unscathed.

    I hope every one is having a wonderful weekend! Lisa heard its raining at the beach. Some sun inland today.

    Peace and Happiness

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  • Carolyn2008
    Carolyn2008 Member Posts: 202
    edited May 2009

    Judy    yes we sure do  glad to hear your chemo went well and the rads will to

    Cruise4life   we must listen to our bodies as they are good indicators I am soooo glad I was             persistant or who knows what might have happened to me 

        Debonthelake    I cant believe it myself but that part is now over thank god
     well I hope your walks become easier they will

    have a good nigt allWink

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