MAY 2009 Rads
Comments
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Guess what?!!?!? I just made an appointment to get my hair COLORED tomorrow! I'm so excited! It came back too dark and too grey! I happened to see a blurb on an Aveda salon near UCLA in "O" magazine. I called and they had an appt just after my rads appt tomorrow. So, I grabbed it!
My hair is SHORT but now covers my entire head. SO, I'm going to try a fun color! woohoo!!!!
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we had an earthquake this morning at 3 a.m. always unnerving! i moved from san francisco to nevada one year ago and experienced more earthquakes and worse ones here than i've ever felt in SF!
i use a lot of aquaphor right after rad treatment and at night before bed. it's sticky but stays on a lot longer than the aloe vera gel, which i use for the itching. has anyone tried over-the-counter cortisone for the itching? i don't put aquaphor on in the mornings because even by 2 p.m. when i have treatment, it would still be on my skin and i guess that would cook me like a turkey.
peanut M&Ms! yes, that's where i saw all that protein. LOL
i've lost 3 pounds since i started rads, and i want to lose 13 more. i pigged out on skinny cow ice cream when i was on chemo. i'm eating a super healthy diet now, and since i can finally exercise (i didn't feel like it at all during chemo) the weight is coming off. the doc said that's fine as long as i keep up with the good diet. i've been walking, hula-hooping, and running in place on my rebounder/trampoline.
lisalisa--post a photo of your new do! my hair is coming in really quickly and i don't look as cancery anymore.
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Morning, ladies. Last regular tx today, and then 7 boosts - so Cindy, I will be done next Friday, 6/26.
Really feeling it today - very tired and boob is sore and so done with being cooked daily. I'm getting irritated skin on the side, where my arm (which is sorta still numb from lymph node biopsy) rubs it. Otherwise, not too bad, given how some of you wonderful ladies are really suffering with sores and blistering. I hope it clears up for you!
Had about 6 people looking at me yesterday as I was prepping for treatment - apparently they had some new technicians who were learning the different treatment preps, so they were all watching while my tech set me up on the table. Funny, 6 months ago, I would have been aghast at anyone seeing me. Now, it's like, sure, open the robe, here I am, yawn, okay, poke, move me around, whatever, yawn, okay, we're done, thanks.
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lol chelev--I know what you mean. I get zapped at a teaching hospital and they are always looking at me. I was more embarrassed after I realized my underpants were really hanging out throughout the whole tx session. Betcha they didn't even notice.
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Jess, I just spit out my coffee! That is hysterical. I was thinking that yesterday, gee, everyone's gathered around, and I think I'm a little sweaty under this arm . . which needs to be shaved and I can't yet . . . wonder if they notice . . . is my wig on straight? . . . are my undies showing? Can they see the hair on my legs? You are right, they probably were so focused on looking at the laser points and the tatoos and the machine . . but still . .
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Good morning Radettes! I go for #29 today. My skin has started to crack and I've got tiny scabs in a couple spots. I'm hoping they don't stop treatment. I saw the doctor yesterday but the cracking didn't start until last night.
I'd rather deal with the pain than push back my finish date!!!!
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I keep telling my self they didn't notice the bright pink sticking out of my jeans. Yeah, and I do curl my toes when they tell me to stick my nose into my armpit after a long day at work and a stressor time dealing with traffic and construction. Talk about sweat! Phew!
Maybe I should wear low rider pants and a thong! Now That's a LOL!! 53 years old and a thong! where is that bag of M & Ms???????
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Guess I've been fortunate in that respect. My underarm hair and leg hair haven't returned yet.
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Good morning ladies,
Chelev and Jess...hilarious...I was just thinking yesterday how the rad tech was a little chatty more than usual and taking his sweet time while I was lying down at the table, boob and hairy underarm exposed
, and I wasn't a bit concerned...this BC experience has really taught me patience
...which brings me to today...I was supposed to have the first of five boosts BUT...wait for it...the "boost mode" of the rad machine is broken...aaack...I think I jinxed myself 
with that barring-machine-breakdown comment...rad tech said they are waiting for a part that should come in today or tomorrow...I did get "half" of the boost TX today...rads coming from the back...rad tech said boost TX would consist of treatment to the front with a "cone" and treatment to the back...Cruise...thanks for putting that list together...my end date is now June 24th...
Lisalisa...yay for you...please let us know what kind of dye (permanent or temp) you'd be using...
I'm hoping to ditch my wig next week...just waiting for the hair in the front to grow a little bit more...I had to shave leg hair today...these hairs...only if grow where you need them...
Texas...I also found some white spots that look like the beginning of blisters...in the area where lymph nodes were taken...I'll show to the rad onc when I see him tomorrow...
Ddlatt...hope everything is OK after the earthquake...
Be well ladies...
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Lisalisa, I missed you post about the hair color! How fun!
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Hello my friends. Sorry to type with my mouth full (almond M&M's).
Number 14 today. Who Hoo! I will be half way at the end of the week.
I have not worn a bra since I started Rads. Just undershirts and loose clothes. I wear a light weight scarf that drapes in front of the girls. I have noticed that my nips are always hard. Sooooooo I take some precautions.
I saw my med onc yesterday and had herceptin infusion. She wants me to do the Hormone therapy after rads. grrrrrr. I was so hoping that I would not have to do that. Still not convinced that I will. Going for second opinion.
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Oh girls,
You have all made me laugh and improved my mood! I realized just the other day that I'm undressing on the way to the treatment table, all modesty has vanished with the amount of people who have looked at and poked about my ta ta's
I feel like I have to wear a bra, I'm just not comfortable without one. I've been wearing cammies (sp?) that don't have bra inner lining over my bra and tucking it into the bra to cushion my skin. Except for the grease stains on the cammie it works great!
I'm 2/3 of the way done!
I hope everyone who is sore and suffering feels better today. Good thoughts going out your way.
Almond M&M's sooo healthy, almonds are sooo good for you. I'm off to get a bag!
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Bold with the Hormone receptors positive, I bet any oncologist will tell you to take the hormone therapy...mines the same...can't afford to have hormones running loose in our bodies and possibly bring the cancer back............I really hate the thought of taking them too, just from the SE's I've read about but I'll do anything it takes to not have this again....I've already had a hysto so some of them won't bother me too badly..but like I said, please reconsider it..........OR just say "Shut up Deb and mind your own business!" ROTF....
Hugs
Deb
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Thanks Deb and never Shut-up!!! I love input. Heres the Rub.(OUCH) I am only 2% ER+ it is nebulous. As it stands right now treatment plans are one size fits all. whether you are 40% or 1%. The Adjuvant on line that almost all Dr. use only ask.Age, Comorbity (any other conditions), ER status, Tumor grade Positive nodes. Thats it!!!! Not pre menopause or post hysterectomy etc... Weight would factor also. You know what I mean? With all the money being thrown at cancer, are there no more tailored studies? Now you understand a bit more of the dilemma. Taking into consideration the side effects of estrogen obliteration, (joints, bones and heart) I think it should be weighted for benefit. Blah Blah Blah. You said something that is very true. Normally on an ER+ status you would benefit from Hormone therapy by as much as 8.6 %. That is nothing to sneeze at. (God Bless you.) I do not want to do anything that would jeopardize my future health and the thought comes to mind if I do not do it and it returns how would I feel? I have 2 weeks to decide. Gulp!
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Wow...who knew that licorice had protein in it...
Had #24 and 9 left...the sores are still sore..and the nurse gave me some spongy pads to place on top along with Aquafor to relieve the stress of boob rub. She said that it will get worse and that this is a normal reaction. My boob is not perky so it rubs and makes it worse....You might know the song...
- Do your boobs hang low...do they wobble to and fro...can you tie them in a knot...can you tie them in a bow...lalalala ...do your boobs hang low?
Well that describes my boobs...anyway...hope to heal fast and get back in the pool as it will heat up this week ....
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Sorry that I forgot some of our sweet Radettes .....please let me know if anyone else is missing...
Here is the updated countdown list....Looks like our first PARTY...or PAR TAY...is tomorrow for kt57.....
- kt57 - June 18th
- Texas357 - June 23rd
- margo1 - June 24th
- americanpinay - June 24th
- Ivorymom - June 25th
- Princesskaui59 - June 25th
- chelev - June 26th
- lisalisa - June 29th
- Cruise4Life - June 30th
- Genia - June 30th
- barbiedahl - July 2nd
- Facecrafter - July 3rd
- LynnVA - July 3rd
- ddlatt - July 6th
- Pringles - July 9th
- debonthelake - July 10th
- jrgolomb - July 13th
- Bold - July 15th
- Deb-Ohio - July 20th
- Snappygoddess - July 30th
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Hey there, beautiful radiators! Sorry to have been off the list for a while -- I stopped working on June 1 and am only now figuring out how to do computer stuff here at home with my boys running around. Anyway, I've missed everyone and am so glad to hear how well everyone is doing.
I'm now in the boost phase, and finish up everything on Monday, June 22. I can't believe it's almost done. I'm doing OK, although now may be coming down with the swine flu (oops, sorry pork industry, I mean H1N1), of all things! My youngest son just tested positive for influenza A, but we're not sure if it's H1N1 or not. I can't tell if my tiredness today is from the rads or flu! In any case, I have to decide whether to go on Tamiflu as a preventative; our family doc is saying I probably should. Anybody ever been on that??
I'll be thinking of everybody as I do these last 3 treatments...hang in there, all!!
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debonthelake--Love your hat
Cruise-that is a wonderful song and it made me laugh.
Bold-Good luck with your decision. I went through that with rads.
Lisalisa--What color hair? Can't wait till mine is long enough.
barbiedahl-I sometimes wear a bra, only to cover my lopsidedness. I didn't think of the scarf like what Bold suggested......duh....
Day 17 for me ---i am halfway done.
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Hi,
I finished 28 rads on June 8 and radiated skin is holding up pretty well. It's still sore and red, especially under the arm, but no blistering. The rad onc told me to keep using Aloe Vera Gel for at least 6 months after rads are done, so I still slather it on, morning and night.
Tomorrow I am scheduled for a cervical spine MRI because of neck pain that radiates up into the back of my head and down to shoulders and arms. Had a fusion for the same kind of problem in 2007 and now have a titanium plate in my neck. Hope more surgery will not be needed. Even though the onc said he does not believe this pain is cancer related and I don't think it's cancer related, it still makes me nervous and probably will until I see the MRI report.
Take care of yourselves and everyone party hardy when you are finished with rads!!
--bonnie
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"Can you throw them over your shoulder like a Continental soldier ... do your boobs hang low?"
Ha ha! I knew slightly different words to that song!
kt57 -- tomorrow's the day! Will there be a bell ringing or what?
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Does anyone know what they are wearing to the party for kt57 tomorrow? I was thinking cruise casual. Can't wait party party party.
Party girl.
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Hi everyone!
Cruise: you left me off the list. #20 today. I thought I was finished June 30th. Found out today they did not put the boost on my schedule so my last day will be July 7th.
Count me in on the Almond M&M's. My favorite.
Hope everyones skin is doing better today. Soft hugs to all...
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Hi Radiant Ladies: One more to go! Dinner with DH tomorrow night. Party on Friday with friends - on Madeline Island -- google it, it is a beautiful place. We are going to pretend we are island tourists for the day. I will celebrate and toast to you all.....
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Yes Kt57!!!
Had my "doctor day" today. He called the red under my arm area, "dry desquamation" - - it hurts. Got more Biafine, more Aquaphor, will get more aloe tomorrow. I have only ONE more "full" treatment; however, my RT warned me that it is a "bolus." I asked him if he couldn't just misplace that dreaded little piece of rubbery plastic. After tomorrow, I have five boost treatments which'll give my underarm a rest. Thank Goodness!!
I asked my Rad Onc how long I should wait for any further plastic surgery on my recon. He said a minimum of nine months, but that I could have work done on the contralateral side (to match size and lift) anytime. I think I'd like to lose my excess chemo wt. before anything. My Rad Onc said that I'll also start to feel more energetic as early as two weeks after Rads ends. The fatigue has been sort of subtle for me, but it's there.
Love & Light,
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Bkookie Thanks for keeping us posted
Kt57 Yeah! I'll break out the hula skirt and do a happy dance.
#16 of 33 for me today. No skin break down yet. Fatigue, sometimes I look like a raccoon the circles around my eyes get so dark. I was able to get a good work out in today including some upper body weights. That felt good. Monday and Tuesday I was helping Mom move stuff around so that she could get new carpet. I took a really long nap this afternoon and I'm glad I took the summer off. It's a luxury and I'm enjoying it. Next summer I'll be working my butt off doing day camp for my emotionally and behaviorally challenged young ones. It wears me out but it is so fun. It's nice to hear that the radiation fatigue will improve as fast as 2 weeks. Even the weekend helps a lot. The radiation fatigue is not near as mind numbing as the chemo was. I'm so glad this journey is coming to an end.
This site rocks. You guys make me smile and giggle.
May your boob hang low.
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Omigosh,what is dry desquamation?Sounds painful.
Okay, so tomorrow we party for K57? When should we toast? Let's set atime we can coordinate this? Let's toast!!!!! Good idea, Bold. Anybody????????
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hi all, long day! can't remember how to post a photo here. but there is a photo of my new "color" on my caring bridge. http://caringbridge.org/visit/lisamittleman
i'll chat with you tomorrow!
lisa -
Good morning, ladies. Last of the main tx yesterday and boy, did the fatigue truck hit me like a semi yesterday!! About 11 a.m., I began getting really tired, like, I could fall asleep with my head on my desk sleepy, which I did at around noon. Tried to eat lunch, have a diet coke and wake up. Nope. Made it to rads, almost fell asleep on the table! The rad tech said sometimes it hits the body all at once, and I guess that would be what happened to me! Made it home, fell asleep and barely made it through dinner. Never had this happen to me before, thought I was getting sick. Went to bed at 8 pm and then, bing! Up at around 3 a.m., couldn't go back to sleep. Figures, right??
Start the boosts today. Not as tired today, but can still feel the fatigue. Only have today and tomorrow at work then I'm off next week, so I should be able to rest. Have a lot of tenderness today, hope that will start to wear off soon too - now that I'm almost finished, I really want to start working out again and rebuilding my poor ravaged body!
Oh, and Dove dark chocolate bites - they are GREAT for your heart.
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Kathy, congratulations! Have fun at your celebration!!!
I too am exhausted all the time now. Princess, I'm glad you asked about when that would go away. Two weeks is a piece of cake! (Or Dove dark chocolate. Thanks for putting that one in my head Chelev!)
It looks like I'm starting to peel. The techs told me yesterday that my skin is holding up well but it sure looks bad to me. Guess it's all in the perspective.
Lisa your hair looks fantastic! Is it just me, or does the new hair come in my grayer than it was before chemo?
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KT57 All done, all done! Does it feel as wonderful as I imagine?? I'll bring the Prosecco to the party and a yummy crab avocado dip. Who's bringing desserts?? Have a great celebration!
LisaLisa Your hair looks great! I wish I had as much hair as you. I think I might-on my face
Cruise you are singing my theme song.
3 more regular and then boosts. I really don't want to go today, it's raining and it's a very long drive and I am totally sick of coordinating my headgear with my outfit (whine, whine, whine)
Have a radiant day ladies!
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