MAY 2009 Rads

It was a trip....but I enjoyed the drive.  My job was very stressful.....so when I got off work on Fri I would turn up my CD player and just hit the road....lol

There ARE those times.....I do the same thing with my regular phone.  I don't have a cell phone now.....just because I don't wanna be bothered when I'm out and about. 

I just don't have the time or energy for foolish, petty stuff anymore.

Hey Bold..congrats, nice to hear good news!  Seems like everyone is moving along, and that's great..me too 6 of 28 today. 

Good Evening Radient Radiators,

There certainly was a lot of chatter today.  lt took me forever to read through the post. 

Genia and Deb I don't live far from you guys.  I'm in central Kentucky so I feel like we're in the same region. 

Wow Bold I feel like I'm chatting with a celebrity.  Congratulations on your new job. 

Lisa Good luck on you next operation.  I considered a hysterectomy but my BRACA was negative and my cancer was triple negative.  The Oncologist said I was no more likely to get ovarian cancer than the general population.  But, a good friend of mine was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer and it is much scarier than breast cancer.  I have mixed feelings about not having the surgery.

Well 6 down 27 to go.  So far so good.  Which is encouraging for a fair skinned gal.

This is so much better than chemo.

Wonderful Bold! 

Today was Rad#14/30.  The machine went down so I had to take a break, ended finishing on a separate machine.  I'm starting to look sunburned on neck and under arm and reconstruction.  My arm swelling is way down and it shows up in my wt.  At the Rad clinic I was 164.5 lb on friday when the swelling was bad and 160.1 today (same scale).

Lisa it sounds like you're feeling good about your decision to have the big h surgery.  I'm not there yet, but am already in chemopause big time with hot flashes and achy stiff joints, menopausal hormone levels, and also had (using past tense!) a highly ER/PR+ tumor so will discuss with my GYN too.  

Not so ready to think about tamoxifen yet, but will fill Rx when Rads are over.  Would love my hair to come back a bit more first!  

C

Lisa, good luck with your surgery. I had my hysterectomy a year before my BC diagnosis, otherwise I'd be making a similar decision.

Cruise: I've lost 4 fingernails and all but one of the others are slightly loose. My hands aren't the prettiest, and the new nails have funny humps on them, but I figure they'll return to normal in time.

Today is #20/33. Getting very tanned and tight, and for the first time in my life I've got some freckles.

Weird coincidence: I finish rads on June 23rd. I was diagnosed on September 23rd. 8 months to the day from diagnosis to the end of treatment.

Thank you kindly for you congrates! (Not a real word)

Lisa Yikes huh? I am glad you feel good about your decision. I was wondering why have some women developed E+ cancer after having Hyst. The endocrine system is very complex. I have been peri-for 14 years I thought I was full on menopausal. I already went thought the hot flashes night sweats and furled brow. Then my onc told me that we would discuss ooph after rads. Well I got to say my Pathology on my tumor (now way gone.) was only 2% pos estrogen so I think that it is extreme to treat it. I am going before the tumor board to get another opinion at a different facility. I believe that my bladder fell during chemo. I no longer pee straight down grrrr. TMI?

Sorry about that chief!

A quick story. Yesterday on the way to Rads. I got a blow out on my front tire.  It was a mess anyway called the City if Hope were I go. They rescheduled me for 4:45. Nice. Then I got two new tires and made my appointment in Beverly Hills. Then only had 1 hour 45 mins to make it to Duarte in traffic. I am biting my nails worrying (glued on with crazy gle). It is raining and thunder and lighting as well. The traffic is bumper to bumper typical LA. I feared the worst that I would not make it . My Cell phone rings. It City of Hope they are having a power outage and had to cancel me. WHEW........

So I missed one and now my calender is all off with the big count down. Anyway the adventure continues. I sure feel better everyday that chemo is behind me. Come on hair 7 weeks and still nothing real.But life is good.

One more thing. My SIL a real wonderful lady. Had heaviness in her chest and pain in her jaw. A friend made her go to the ER. She is now scheduled today for a triple by-pass surgery. GULP! I thought maybe I could solicit some prayers. I am sure she will be fine but prayers have been prove to increase your odds. Thank you very much.

Morning Ladies...

Had # 15 and only 18 more to go.....yeah...almost halfway...While on the slab they had a computer reboot caused by all the lighting storms we seem to be having here in Northern CA.  So I had to lay still for at least a half hour while they rebooted the computer.  Still no SEs and happy to see that.  Met with the Rad doc and lost 1 pound...YEAH...

Bold...where do you get your strength...my goodness a tire blowout of all things.  Glad it didn't cause an accident for you. 

Carolyn...yeah...you are almost done...only two more weeks for you.

Deb - good luck!  It's going to be a piece of cake compared to chemo!!!

Texas - you probably right - those of us with estrogen (98%)+ / progesterone (97%) + more than likely had our tumors start a long time ago - it makes perfect sense for me, anyway, since I've had estrogen health related issues for almost my entire life - stage IV endometriosis, fibrocystic breasts, ovarian cysts, recurrance of endo after hyst., etc. 

Bold, you really had a fun day!  Glad it worked out - I've been stuck in BH traffic (stupidly tried to get somewhere during rush hour in the summer, tourist season!! and turned down the wrong road), so what a relief!!  Sorry your count is off - isn't it funny how we count on that number?

>Hi everyone, went for my first rad treatment yesterday, I was scared silly.  It really was easy, very easy once I got a grip on myself.  I am tired today after 11 hours of sleeping, think I was stressed out.  I was just reading that we should not be taking certain vitamins while undergoing rads. Do any of you know of this.  I really need D and am on a very heavy dose.  I will ask today.  May all of you get through this nightmare and enjoy your summer. 

Well went today and it was nothing but MORE MEASUREMENTS! AND MORE X'S ON MY CHEST! I now have 6 of them...The doc assured me though that Monday wouuld be the first treatment.....I just wanna get it going and get it over with.......

Hello everyone!  #10 today.  Speaking of estrogen, has any of your doctors told you that if you are ER+ No "Soy" or "Soy Lecithin"?  Everything I look at has soy in it.  Even tuna.  I'm lactose tolerant and have been drinking soy milk for years.

Soy thread:  http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topic/734688?page=1#idx_5

another one: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topic/726535?page=1

Watch your gel vitamins also.  I checked my calcium last night and it to has soy in it.  Guess soy is being used as a filler.  Anyway read your labels.  No vitamin A, D, or E.  D3 is okay with Calcium. 

Are any of you taking Cucumin aka Tumeric?  I read on the internet that it helps prevent radiation burn.  I started taking it twice a day about three weeks before starting treatment.   Guess I'll find out if it really works.  I also use what the rad on says to use for now "aloe gel".

Have a Good Friday & Weekend!

Hi Radiators,

Justannie -- my understanding is that D is one of the few vitamins that is ok to take.  But, it will be good to check with your doc.

Deb from Ohio.  I felt like the preparation took forever too.  I was so relieved when we finally got started.  You'll feel better Monday.

Well I had number 7 today.  So far so good.  But, it is just a bit past one week for me.

Bold I'm glad I'm a small town girl.  I don't think I'd like fighting traffic in Beverly Hills, flat tire and all.

I hear you Lisa.  I'm working hard at loosing more weight, and vamping up the activity.  Even triple negatives seem to do better with a low BMI.  It reduces recurrence by 50%.  There is nothing else left for me to do at this point so this is one thing left that I have control over.

Hi.  I am down with 7 tx, 21 full breast to go and 5 boosts. I hurt like crazy yesterday and the techies said the swelling was bad.  I tossed and turned last night and then when I went today, I felt much better and the nurse suggested I take aspirin to cut down on the swelling.  Doc said he is very happy with my progress and doesn't see any problems with the expander so far. I hope it lasts that way.

lisa - you should be fine to do the hys right after rads, unless you are having any severe rads se's that might make you uncomfortable.  I say, get it over with and get on with the healing!!  Will you be on AI's after treatment?  I don't have the appointment yet, but will be meeting with my medical onc once I am finished to start the aromatase inhibitors to prevent any estrogen from being produced anywhere.

Yes, those of us Estrogen+ have to stay away from soy.  Bummer too, I really enjoyed soy products, especially those crunchy soy nuts!!  We have to be careful of a lot of things - I've too found soy in surprising places.

Well, today will be #18 - only 7 more regular treatments after that, and then on to the boosts.  The onc nurse examined my skin yesterday and said it is holding up really well.  I've got the best tan just on that side.  She said I might start peeling, but it doesn't look like it will - maybe my light olive skin (thanks, mom and all Italian relatives!) is helping, or it could be that I slather on aloe like a maniac (hint for newbies . . .let it DRY before you put your shirt back on . . . eiiwww if you don't), or maybe I'm just getting a break.  Whatever it is, I'm happy about it!!  Some more swelling in the breast area, it's really tender, especially when I lay back or on my side and try to get up, but it is worth it.  I can see the end of this treatment road!!  I have been taking advil or tylenol back & body, which is tylenol/advil mix and really helps.