APRIL Rads Anyone?

I finished rads April 8th, but yesterday I had one of those days.  I work 2 jobs and was supposed to go from job 1 to job 2.  I had all I could do to stay awake during job 1, so I didn't go to job 2 - I was too exhausted.  I went home and went right to bed.  Of course, I had to set my alarm clock for 8 o'clock so I could see the American Idol finale.  I thought I was done with this but, apparently, it can come back without warning.  Don't try to rush yourself.

No hair and no sweat glands either, I don't think.  However, I have an incision that goes all the way into the middle of my pit where they took out a bunch of nodes.

WOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I'M DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES COME ON!!!!!!!!

My skin is fried. my armpit is ugly, but I am done with rads!

Sue

Susan - Debbie   Congrats!!!!!     I finished up today too!    

My armpit is fried and I am getting a little fried where what is left of my boob hits the chest (thanks to gravity lol).  Doc said the skin is breaking down there too. So hope it doesn't get too bad. My rad tech today said she wasn't going to peel the sticky dots off as she was afraid it would take skin with it. Said to just let them come off in the shower. Sounded like a plan to me!

Tried the domeboro soaks yesterday and they actually made the fried skin feel better for a while, skin was less tight. But by the time I was headed to bed, I was too tired to try them again as you have to keep the gauze/cloth on for 15-30 minutes. Just got home, so will try them again tonight. But am not making the three times a day the doc mentioned by no means.

I have to tell you that as I was walking out of the medical center to my car today, I started to cry. I had been hearing congrats and saying goodbyes, and my nurse gave me a hug when I saw her on the way out. Not the deep heaving kinda stuff, but the silent, tears running down your face kind. I cried almost all the way home. Considering the amount of times I haven't cried since this whole thing started, I guess I was due. It's amazing how quickly you can feel attached to a group of people. But I guess when you see them for 30 days every day, it is a natural process. Although I hope to hell I never have to go back there, I will miss them.

Saw a lady today in the waiting area near the rad room who was just coming in to get her whole rad process started and it felt good,  I had made it to where I am today, and now I was the one who was answering instead of asking all the questions. It's only been a six week journey that really in the sceme of things went by pretty quickly, but it seemed like a major milestone had been reached and I was so glad to be there.

My sister is taking me with her for a manicure and pedicure tomorrow to celebrate. Never had a pedicure before, so it should be interesting.

Weekend looks like it will be pretty nice weather wise. Don't have my kids this weekend though, so it will be a little lonely and quiet around here. I suspect I will need the down time to pull off the birthday party for my daughter next weekend lol

Hope everyone enjoys the holiday weekend!

ONE to go. Have the holiday weekend to rest up.

School starts on Tuesday. It will be exciting, and also a little scary to be back. I was going through the whole Dx process during summer session last year, but did finish my course.

Everyone have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Bette 

I went for my 6 week check up today.  The rad onc said that it all looks as it is supposed to.  She said the "tan" will fade over time.  I also got my prosthesis today and I feel a lot less self-conscious than I did before.  I almost look normal, I think.

Susan Debbie and Bethaib--I'm joining the club too!  DONE!

Bethaib...I hear ya on the feelings about the rads team.  I got attached to mine, too.  I bought them these gourmet cupcakes from a local restaraunt that was featured on this Food Network show called Throwdown.  I spent more time there saying goodbye to everyone...exept my rad onc...who wasn't in because he pulled his back.  It was a little awkward seeing a new onc for my final check out...ah well.

I can sort of feel that emotional thing starting to come on again too.  I think it has to do with the mental side of the fatigue.  I'm just going to "let it ride" this time and acknowledge it for what it is.  I had this fatigue, both mental and physical just before rads, and it really did a number on me.  Not going to let it happen this time (I hope).  Just have to remember to eat and stay hydrated.  But yeah, it sucks a little bit to be able to be done with txs...but still have those niggling side effects.  I can handle the tired aspect of it...but I hate that feeling of just not being motivated...about anything.

Also, no hair under the one armpit...but the sweat glands a are definitely working...and some days Tom's of Maine just doesn't cut it.

Also, tossing this out there for the pet owners--My cat just had xrays that were clean last week, but suddenly this bump has appeared on one side of his back.  It's doesn't appear to cause him any pain, but it came out of nowhere.  The vet's ofc is closed for the holiday, so I thought I would throw it out there...  It's OT, I know...

Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend.

Catherine

Bette -- enjoy your day off tomorrow and congrats in advance for finishing up rads on Tuesday!  You'll do great in your summer college course!

I have tomorrow off too, and DH also has to work.  Ten more rads for me, starting Tuesday.  The end is finally in sight.

Bonnie

Congrats everyone who has finished rads! 

I am back to my normal schedule... even though that means up at 6am and out the door at 7 and a long commute to work... it's a normal schedule!

Elaine+Robin-What kind of coloring are you using?   I need to do this soon, but not sure what to use. I read that we shouldn't use a regular hair dye for at least6 months after chemo. I'm not yet 3 months out.  I saw at Wegmans yesterday an "herbal" color, almost bought it but I figured I'd wait and see what others are using.

Bette-Congrats on today's last tx!

Sue

Thanks Elaine, I'll go there this week!  You have to show us your new color!   I'm debating... to go lighter or darker than my original.  The back of my hair is still very thin and some scalp is showing, so I'm thinking if I do it a lighter color it'll look even thinner....

bethaib--You started getting hot flashes on Tamoxifen?  I started getting crazy hot flashes after my last TC tx.  I've been on Megestrol for it for about two months now.  I won't be starting Tamox until next month.  I wonder how that willl work with the megestrol, which is progesterone based.  I just assumed that the hot flashes would stop after my ovaries kicked back in.  Hmmm...

Catherine

Well Elaine and Catherine I want pics of the new hair color... next week I'm doing the same, just haven't picked out the color yet!

Beth-I start Tamoxifen next week, but I am already getting hot flashes from hell! They have robbed me of my sleep every single night since about February. I sure hope they don't get worse! OIE!

The skin under my breast (aka expander) is very tender and my underarm... OUCH. I can't wait for it to start feeling better.  The raw spots have peeled but the part near the back is almost purple in color and very tender.

Bette-YEAH for finishing!!!

Sue