MAY 2009 Rads

Options
1…910121415…54

Comments

  • Genia
    Genia Member Posts: 1,335
    edited May 2009

    Cruise.....very happy your mole was nothing!!!  We all love NOTHINGS!!!

    I watched the Farrah Story too.....cried on some parts....but really felt so connected to her.  The determination......and the I want to live feeling!   I'm not sure I would have her fight tho.....not sure I could have endured the pain and the treatments she has had.

    love to you all and have a great day and weekend.....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Bonnie, welcome!!  So, at treatment 13, how are you doing?  Noticing any side effects or concerns?  I'm at 4 down, 22 to go.  - Michele

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Majanumba1
    Majanumba1 Member Posts: 99
    edited May 2009

    There is absolutely no way I would have watched the Farrah Fawcett movie last night. Way too close to home. I think it is wonderful that she made the movie, however and I completely admire her fight.

    10 txs downand they are radiating new places since Thursday. I was really tired last night for the first time. The tech said theywill changes spots again next week. I will know more after I see the DR. on NMonday. The weather here is hot and humid but we are expecting thunderstorms later today. Then it will be much cooler in the 60's. Never a dull lmoment so I will work in the garden before the rain. Have a great weekend.



    maja









    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited May 2009

    Chelev -- Thanks for the welcome!  So far the only thing I am noticing is some mild fatigue that the rad onc told me starts earlier for those of us who have had chemo.  No skin problems except for a mild rash that doesn't itch or hurt.  The hardest part is running back and forth to the radiation center 5 times a week!  How far do you have to drive for your treatments?

    Enjoy the rest of your treatment-free weekend everyone.

    Bonnie  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited May 2009

    Hey there Bonnie! We drive 17 miles one way for my treatment. My husband goes with me 4 out of 5 days, which is nice because I can sip my coffee while he drives (my treatments are at 8 a.m.)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Hi, Bonnie!  That's good to hear - I'm hoping I don't have to deal with anymore more severe than that either!

    I've been lucky - there is a branch of the radiation oncology from my cancer center on the way home from work, so I leave around 3:30 every day for my 4 pm appt and am in and out in 10 minutes, and home in another 10 or 15 minutes.  I was concerned because my cancer center is in the other direction and it would have been more difficult if my rad onc didn't have the branch location.  this way, I work a full day and then can be home right after treatment, which is nice because I can put on the aloe, take off the bra and cruise around in a loose fitting t-shirt.  I didn't want to go in the morning and run the risk of fatigue or anything while I'm at work - my job can be very high energy and demanding, depending on what projects I'm working on.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited May 2009

    Puppers--It absolutely makes sense. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited May 2009

    Sorry about the randon note to puppers...I some how started in the middle of May rads and thought puppers had made the last comment......

    At any rate, I am so glad I missed the farrah fawcett special.  I watched the 20/20 interview of Patrick Swayze and that upset me.  I can't imagine how I would feel if I watched Farrah.  I think I had a Farrah cut too.  And yup, definately not as pretty, but it was sooooo coooool!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited May 2009

    I missed the Farrah Fawcett special too, and am glad because it would have upset me.  She's had a rough time of it and so has Patrick Swayze.  So sad.

    My drive from work to rads is about 20 minutes and then another 20 minutes from rads to my house, so the whole thing adds about an hour to every work day.  It's not so bad.

    Anyone else taking Arimidex while going through rads?  Just wondering about SEs -- I've been on Arimidex since March and keep wondering if it is making me feel sick to my stomach or if it is just a combination of things.

    Bonnie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Not yet- supposed to start on it once I finish with the rads - that or some other post-menopausal estrogen prohibitor.

    It was tough to watch the movie last night, but then I am also encouraged by the survivors of breast cancer - Sheryl Crow, Christina Applegate, Cynthia Nixon, Edie Falco, Robin Roberts - there are so many who have had similar diagnosis' to ours and they are all fine now.  Poor Farrah just has a bad combination.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited May 2009

    I didn't watch Farrahs TV movie...did she have breast cancer?  I thought it was ovarian.

    Bonnie welcome to our May group...you are ahead of most of us..so any input will be welcomed.

    Ivorymom...let it all hang out...girl....thats what we are here for....

    How can you ladies work and do rads....I am exhausted...and would have to drive an hour to work and the job is very stressful...managing mortgage loan officers...YIKES I couldn't even think of it.

    It was a least 100+ today...went into the pool and just showered to cool down...we have solar in our pool and it was 90 degrees...so we shut it off...Geeze...here comes SUMMER....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited May 2009

    I do hope to be able to manage work thru this, but I am nervous about it.  Mostly i worry the tissue expander is going to be lost and then who knows?  However, I hear from so many the rad tx is so much easier than chemo. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Genia
    Genia Member Posts: 1,335
    edited May 2009

    Farrah had anal cancer and it spread to her liver.  They wanted her to have a colostomy years ago but she wouldn't agree to have one.  And the chemo they gave her was some kind so that she wouldn't lose her hair since her hair was her trademark.  I wonder if she had done all that if it would have changed things for her and maybe kept it from spreading to her liver.  I guess she did what she thought was best for her at the time.....bout all any of us can do.....but I think I would have been a little more aggressive.....even if it meant a colostomy!

    just my 2 cents worth

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 288
    edited May 2009

    It's curious to me about how some of us are already on AI's or tamoxifen.  My Onc prefers to wait until I'm done with Rads to start the tamoxifen.  I guess the thinking is that, if there are cancer cells remaining, then they'll be more susceptible to radiation treatment if they are growing vs. if they are being inhibited by the anti-hormonal therapy.  Guess that must not be a clear cut issue. 

    Cruise, I'm here in Berkeley and it was hot here too! Took DS to 9AM T-ball game, enjoyed a lunch out with my sister and DS, then off to kid b-day party.  Now home.  Yeah.

    My job is getting a bit stressful.  Not the work itself, which I enjoy, but I have some management responsibilities that are tough right now.  A v. smart employee is feeling very taxed, partly due to covering a (small) part of my workload since I've  been on modified duty, but she's acting very unprofessional / angry and saying disparaging things about multiple others.  Another colleague who covered a much larger part of my job has also been taxed but has been much more gracious about the whole thing.  I'm feeling like I need to be back. This breast cancer treatment is such a long haul, started late last July with diagnostics and mastectomy in August.  It's been ten months and I'm still not quite done with the initial treatments; still have the five years of tamoxifen and contralateral breast surgery to match and pretty-up of reconstruction.  

    We got a note in my son's backpack this week that three kids in his classroom have lice. So far we're all clear but I got itchy on my mostly bald head just reading the note.   And, then, the Radiologist called my DH back to say that the ER doc was wrong and his elbow was broken in the attack last weekend and the district attorney sent a letter about the court date for the attackers who they caught, including that they/their friends are prohibited from coming near our house, implying that we need to be super careful about our safety.  GEEZE this seems a little much to happen all at once and during Rads!   

    Sorry for the vent.  Hope you ladies are having a good weekend.  -C

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pringles1
    pringles1 Member Posts: 59
    edited May 2009

    Morning everyone!

    Ivorymom, americanpinay- glad to know Im not the only one with three tats, but Im not starting rads till next week.. so dont know if they will put on anymore during my blocking.. Isnt it streange that some get three while others get more.. I would think it would be a standard.

    I am keeping my fingers crossed with my TE, it is in just to keep my pocket open, my original implant was 350cc,  and they stuck a 400 cc TE in .. its circumfrence is bigger and I can really see it and feel it near my sternum!.. He didnt fill it to 400 either.. only to about 250 because of the swelling at the time...R/O dosent want it filled any more because it will change the my postitioning on the the table.. so I  am stuck with having an underfilled TE which is a little bit to big for me, it isnt a good thing.. because of the rippling and constant folding can cause failure! So beside the possibliblity of failure I have to be careful that the TE doesnt extrude from the skin during radiation at the inscision site and where it is is noticalbe on the sternum.. PS wants to keep in in for at least 6 months after treatment ends. But will replaice it which ever comes first, failure or 6 months!. if I have no other issues... I thinks going to be a l o n g six months!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited May 2009

    Pringles-- I "hear" ya on the TE issue.  It's a catch 22 situation and I am unhappy about it. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Pringles1 - I had three tats at the simulation, and then received 5 more on the day of my first treatment.  They explained to me that the first three give them an idea of where they need to be in the area to treat, but the 5 more really dial it in, for the various positions the machine needs to be in during treatment - for me, it's in two positions, one really low, almost below the right breast, point upward, and the second position it is actually on my left side, pointing downward towards the right breast.  I don't know if further into the treatment they will move those around a little more or not.

    It would be interesting to see if you end up with more, or if your rad onc uses only three.  I guess each doctor / facility does it in a slightly different way.  The only thing the same for all of us is that we're getting rid of the cancer!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited May 2009

    It's interesting how our treatment can be so different!  I have 4 tattoos.  I have 3 positions for radiation.

    I have a wierd, "fate" kind of story to share.....

    yesterday morning at my daughter's tball game, one set of bleachers was moved....so spectators from both sides sat together. i sat next to a woman from the other team and talked a little bit.

    then....I went for a mani/pedi hours later and that same woman and I walked in at the same time.

    so.....we start talking, and she was just diagnosed with breast cancer 2 weeks ago. she has a 6 yr old, 4 yr old and 17 month old baby. she started crying (remember, she was just diagnosed) and she was sure that I was placed there for her.

    we're having lunch next week. i really like her and i'm glad we met but so sorry that it was b/c of breast cancer!  the world works in mysterious ways......

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited May 2009

    oh, forgot to ask....anyone having any "burning" yet?

    also...anyone using aquafor?  i'm using aloe and aquafor...not liking the aquafor....it STAINS!  yuck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Lisa, that's a great story!!  I'm glad you were there to help her - it truly does wonders to talk to someone already going through it or who has been through it, especially when first diagnosed.

    I am only using the aloe right now, no burning, but I feel a tightness almost immediately after treatment and then it goes away.  Does the aquafor stain a different color?  What does it do?  the rad onc facility told me they have lots of samples (maybe that explains why?) of it and I'll probably need it later on.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbiedahl
    barbiedahl Member Posts: 119
    edited May 2009

    Hi,

     May I join in ? I'm starting radiation tomorrow :o[ I'm a little apprehensive about it. I made it thought chemo fine, but my stupid skin is so sensitive. My doctor said she's seen people as fair as me have no trouble and some have a lot of trouble. I'm hoping to fall into the first category. The down side is that I have to drive 1 1/2 hours each way, I'll be working afternoons and into the evening to make up for the lost time. I keep telling myself it's only for 6 1/2 weeks(33 treatments) and I can do it,rah,rah. At least the weather will be nice and I won't have to drive in snow! 

    I've only gotten three meckles (my husband named them, man made freckles) My chemosabe ( my great friend who took me to all my chemo treatments) insisted on coming with me for the first treatment so it will be nice to have some moral support,not to mention a lunch buddy!

    Lisa- What an interesting story. I'm sure you'll be able to provide her with lots of support and encouragement. It's so hard when you first get diagnosed, I just wanted to wake up from the bad dream. 

    Have a good rest of the weekend all.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 288
    edited May 2009

    Barbie, Welcome to May Rads.  I love the term your husband coined; darn meckles!

    Lisa, it's great that you were there to be of support and friendship to the woman you met.  

    So far I'm using just 100% aloe gel (the kind that is even OK to drink), followed by lotion, twice a day topically.  I splurged and bought myself some very expensive lotion that smell's great and makes me feel happy at my local spa.  It's from a company called Malie that does organic Hawaiian products.  I bought the Koke'e organic body cream and it is wonderful.  They sell it online too.  http://www.malie.com/cgi-bin/malie/BBCKO.html 

    I'm relieved to find that the Tom's of Maine deodorant is actually working for me, was worried that it wouldn't.  It's a beautiful day here.  DS is playing now with DH and I get a bit of time to myself since I was "on" all day yesterday.  Tonight we have a silent auction dinner party for my son's school; they are even offering a pizza movie party for the kids at the school.  The plan must be to get us parents all liquored up and spending, LOL.  It might just work. 

    Happy Sunday!   Cool

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Barbiedahl, welcome to the May rads group! 

    Ivorymom - that is so funny - oh, here's a towel!!  They usually cover up the non-cancer side on me with a towel once my robe is open, and on Friday, they apparently ran out of towels and put this satiny pillow case over me - it kept slipping but I couldn't move.  Maybe Friday was annual "we don't do laundry day" at the rads facilities!

    PrincessKauai59 - wow, you are living in my bucket-list must visit place!  I envy you!  that lotion sounds really nice, I'm going to check it out.  have fun at the silent auction! 

    I just finished helping my DH wash both of our vehicles, and boy does a hat get hot with no ventilation!  If I wasn't dealing with this rash/breakouts, I would have just slathered sunscreen on my head and gone without, but until I see the dermatologist this week, I am not putting anything except what I'm trying to treat it with on there.  Whew.  It's a bit cooler today than we've had it lately, doesn't quite feel like the broiler, more like baking at 275.  We are going to go for a bike ride in a bit around the lake in the next community (hopefully it will be a little cooler too) and then have a nice Chinese food feast.  Momma ain't cooking tonight!!

    Have a wonderful rest of the weekend, ladies!  Back to the treatments tomorrow!Cool

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited May 2009

    Lisa, great story! I do believe we are placed on certain paths for a reason. Best wishes to your new friend as she begins her journey.

    No burning yet for me, but very tight and slightly sore because of the tightness. Hoping the TE holds out -- if not it will be a long six months.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited May 2009

    because my life isn't stressful enough...

    we just had a 5.0 earthquake centered only a MILE from my house!  2 small aftershocks.  ugh.  i have shoes and flashlights out by all the beds.  seriously....my nerves can't take it!

    Lisa

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited May 2009

    oh no, Lisalisa.........hugs!!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Lisa, is everyone okay???

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited May 2009

    Oh Princess,

    I'm sorry to hear about the break and court dates.  The legal system just drags on forever and adds to the stress.  But, at least they have the perts.  I'll be sending prayers your way.  It's hard not to feel guilty about others filling in for us at work.  It's crazy isn't it?  We didn't ask to get sick.  I'm sorry that your colleague is being so difficult.  You really don't need that.  It will take a lot of self talk. But, keep telling yourself that you are doing the best that you can. Because you are.

    Lisa,  I hope everyone is ok and your home is sound.

    I'm still waiting to hear when I start my rads.  For me waiting is the hardest part.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited May 2009

    Wow I have been out of town since Thursday and its like reading War and Peace when I got back.

    Lisa: Shake and bake! No worries we want little earthquakes they take the pressure off. (I hope) Sorry for the stress. I was watching T.V. and just rode it out. They do cause a big fear rush. I am so glad that you met someone that needed you. She is very lucky to have met someone as caring as yourself.

    We had a wonderful time. We went to Avila Beach and took Texas suggestion and had lunch on the pier with the glass tabletops. Went to a lavender farm and a wonder winery. It was the first time is a long time I felt normal. We stayed in Pismo at the Lighthouse Inn. We had a full ocean view and slept to the rhythm of the waves. We were truely "romantic" for the first time since DX. It was weird and wonderful. I know my DH was happy.Innocent

    Tomorrow is our anniversary and Wednesday is my DH's birthday. Then Thursdays SIMS. So I can get my tats and plan. Did anyone have a micro met that rad onc wants to treat?

    I soooo appreciate all the wonderful insight from those that have started already.

    Princess: You could use some relief. I pray that you get it.

    Welcome to a rad group of ladies all newbies. Funny that all the new gals are further along than me I just been talking longer.

    Still holding on to my fingernails with crazy glue. No hair here yet and most likely 2 to 3 more weeks before I even get ground cover. I am going to shave one more time so it comes in even. I still have neropathy in both feet and hands. My taste buds are just coming back. It has been 5 weeks today since I finished. GEEEEEE.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited May 2009

    hello ladies...

    welcome barbie...was nervous about the first one too but am almost third of the way done with rads and so far so good...hope it remains that way...

    princess...sorry to hear about everything that you have to deal with while in treatment...hang in there...

    lisalisa...felt the shake too...wasn't as nervous as the last one probably because I was only on the 2nd floor and not the 15th floor this time...

    bold...glad to hear you had a great time...

    9th of 33 today...still no burning...aloe vera only...have aquaphor on standby (used it for dry skin/rash on hand from taxol which resolved itself a week from last taxol treatment...thankful rash didn't turn out to be psoriasis as "diagnosed" by physician assistant from chemo clinic)...seven weeks out from taxol...hair coming back and looks like "with a vengeance"...my eyebrows seem to be thicker now than BEFORE diagnosis...wish the hairs will grow where they're supposed to be...

    three tattoos...three positions for treatment...

    take care everyone...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories