MAY 2009 Rads

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

    Bold....I'm with you g/f.  I was overweight before being diagnosed with cancer.  I've gained 25 pounds since my diagnosis.  So over all I need to loose about 75 pounds.........grrrr.  I feel like a fat cow.  I have NO stamina and am so out of shape it's pathetic.  I can't even walk the dog to the end of my block.  I was a fitness instructor at one point in my life and I feel just awful that I am where I'm at now. 

    Diet time is right around the corner.....as soon as my rads are done.  

    Sounds like I won't be alone in the dieting......lol.....we can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • ajlive
    ajlive Member Posts: 134
    edited June 2009

    Texas:  Congrats!!!

    Four more treatments then on to the 5 boost.  Rad onc gave me a prescription today for Regenecare.  Guess it's like Silvidine.  After surviving the weekend I think I will make it to the end.  Rad onc said my skin was doing real good.  That aquafor sure helped.

    Rad onc also said after the treatments to continue using the creams for at least  6 months. 

    My cancer center seems to be big in Yoga.  Has your oncologist suggested doing yoga?

    I didn't have chemo but I sure could loose 40 pounds.  I kicked one bad habit already. I stopped smoking cold turkey when I started rad treatment.

    ddlat:  Thanks for the link to the CaringForCancer website.  Good website.

    How about adding to the list of finish dates what hormone therapy we are each going on after rads.  This will be another discussion on our journey is any SE's we are having.  From what I've been told you don't see any of the SE's till after you have been on them for a couple of months.  My medonc put me on Femera before I started rad treatment.  I've been taking it for about a month now.  No SE's yet.  Other forums are saying one of the SE's is achy bones & muscles.

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  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited June 2009

    It is so exciting to watch the count down on Cruises list.  Cruise thank you for that.  Congratulations Tex.  You did it and I loved the barbecue joke too.  I guess fate helped me a bit with the weight.  In April of 2008 my father died of an unusually aggressive prostate cancer.  We did the hospice thing and I was very depressed.  I ate a lot of comfort foods.  Dove's dark chocolates and huge bowls of popcorn.  I gained a lot of weight.  I'm only 5'4" so it shows on me really fast.  Mom really got out of shape tending to Dad so after he passed we started going to weight watchers together.  I had just started maintenance when I received my cancer diagnosis in November 2008.  I had worked so hard to take the weight off I was really worried about gaining it back.  Week one of chemo was no problem didn't feel like eating anyway.  Week 2 I was hungry and just ate what I could find that I could taste.  Week three I tried to go back on the weight watchers plan.  I also was able to walk a little the second week and quite a lot the third week.  My husband and I are in the habit of taking 5 mile walks together on Saturdays and Sundays and I was able to join him every third week.  The effort paid off and I only gained 2 pounds.  I made life-time last night.  But, I do want to take a few more pounds off.  Besides the lack of hair, ect, my biggest complaint is that no matter how thin I become, I look like I have two chins when I smile.  Sigh.....I'd love a 20 year old bod with a 50 year old mind.

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited June 2009

    Hi all!  I had my 1st boost today and it was a non-event.  Much shorter and simpler than my regular treatment.  I'm now having peeling under my breast in addition to under my arm.  So, my very cool nurse made this cool gauzy "camisole" of sorts for me to wear to keep my silvadine coated gauzes in place with no tape.  She's a genius.

    Meanwhile, my tongue has hurt for 2 days....almost like i must have bit it on accident.  Today I looked and my tongue is white.  I'm pretty sure it is thrush.  Darn it.  I had thrush 3 out of 6 chemo cycles.  How on earth do I get thrush when I'm not taking anything?  before it was b/c I was on steroids....well, I think it was.

    So, off to see my primary care dr tomorrow.  Have I mentioned lately how much I hate this?

    ugh.

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  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 288
    edited June 2009

    Congratulations Texas!  Margo tomorrow, then I'm in the triple play finish cross on Thursday!!  So, so ready for this to be OVER!

    Heard the Rad Onc RN giving a new patient the "tour" today - she said, "It's much easier than chemo."  I thought to myself, hmmm, not true for me exactly - - the end here feels just about as tough as the worst of chemo (ACx4 and Taxolx12).  I'm having a v. difficult time with clothing and getting dressed / being "presentable" right now + gained wt. and still mostly bald/very thin on top and so so peeling burnt (Whaaaa!)  

    Thanks for understanding!  

    LOve & Healing Cool

     

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited June 2009

    Ladies, I'll admit it felt so good this morning not to worry about wearing something that would give nurses access to a port, or that would go over my wig easily during rads. It still hasn't sunk in that I'm through with treatment. Okay, I'll admit I'm still worried about the next 5 years of hormone blockers and I still don't know what I'll choose to take.

    I don't have the weight problem, but I am out of shape, and my fingernails are going to all fall off twice. Maybe more times? Who knows but I sure wish my hands weren't so ugly.

    Gotta laugh. A year from now, this will be history right?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2009

    Meg, that is weird about the pale spots!  I have noticed that the skin around the boosts, especially the nipple area, is getting kind of leathery, like those old old people you see out at the beach who have spent waaaaay too many years in the sun.  I've been lotioning it like crazy, aloe after treatment and aquafor at night.  Hope it doesn't stay this way!

    Is the new pink skin tender and painful or are you okay?

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  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited June 2009

    Margo!!!!! Today is the day!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers!!!!

    Chelev: weird about the texture of the skin. I have that a little bit too and I am only at number 19 gulp!

    I am starting my research on diet and exercise that will be my new life. I guess if I ever needed motivation I certainly got it. Haten this gonna learn to love it.

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited June 2009

    DARN IT!  just got a call.  the rads machine is down AGAIN.

    they are going to call me as soon as they know how long it will take to fix it.  the worst?  i can't put any "goop" on while i wait for treatment.  could be a long day....again.

    but, i want to be DONE on monday as planned.  i'll take any time slot they give me!

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  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited June 2009

    Lisa: Hope they call you and you're are on your way soon.  I want you to be done on Monday too!

    Texas: A big armadillo hug to you!! 

    Chevlev: Nice picture -- your hair is coming back nicely! 

    Margo: hope your last one went as planned and your got your certificate too.  

    As for me.....skin is leather like, but not peeling.  I'm using Vaseline Intensive Care Clinical Therapy and it is keeping the skin soft without the mess.   First night back to couples golf league with DH tonight - weather here is awesome.   Practiced on Saturday - can swing the club without awareness that I had surgery, rads or a port -----feels so good to do normal things again.  Going to work and staying all day is a joy.   And I have been going to our Physical Therapy Department after hours to exercise.  Life is Good!

    Have a great day everyone....

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  • holtbolt
    holtbolt Member Posts: 625
    edited June 2009

    Calling all breast cancer sisters... can you do me a favor?  I know this is off the topic and I hope it's okay to post this but...I am trying to win a contest for my son (to meet his idol - Joe Perry, Aerosmith)... all you have to do is click on this link and click on the thumbs up icon to vote for our entry (legit site, legit contest, MOST deserving young man!)... can you please help me?  Just trying to bring a little joy into my son's life after all this depressing /chemo stuff... voting is only June 23-26... please vote?  It'll only take a second... help me bring joy to this boy! :)  Thank you so much!  P.S.  It says you can only vote once, but if you have more than one computer I think you can vote twice.. lol  We are only in second place by about 30 votes and voting ends Friday!!!

    http://www.aeroforceone.com/index.cfm/pk/view/cd/NAA/cdid/1177058/pid/1175576

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

    You can vote on the same computer on more than one day!!  I just did..  JUDY

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited June 2009

    Hi ladies...

    4 of 5 boosts for me today...yay...skin leathery too...feels harder especially around the nipple area...I continue to alternate hydrocortisone cream and silvadene then aloe vera on top...some areas started to peel and new skin feels tender but not too bad...

    Lisalisa...hope you get a call today...I've been there and I know how a one or two-day delay could be so disappointing especially when you've been counting from day one...

    Margo...hope your last TX is behind you...if so...CONGRATS!!!...can't wait to join you graduates tomorrow!!!

    Mostly maintained my weight during treatment but need to lose 20 lbs before diagnosis...so I am hopping on the diet and exercise train too...

    Have an appointment with med onc next week for follow up and, I believe, to discuss Tamoxifen...arrgghhh....the fun never stops...

    Take care y'all...Cool

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  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 288
    edited June 2009

    Heading out for my second-to-LAST zap now.  Working from home due to burns.  so ready for this to be OVER!  sorry for your delay Lisa! 

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  • barbiedahl
    barbiedahl Member Posts: 119
    edited June 2009

    Happy done day Margo1!

    Zapperoo #27 second boost and my skin looks okay although I have a funny red/tan line that sort of shows just where they were aiming the beams. My scar is very shiny. Last night I had a weird round swollen spot on my forearm. I kept my arm elevated all evening and I'm sleeping with my arm on a pillow every night to keep it elevated, and this morning it was back to normal. I was a little worried it might be lymphedema starting, but it does seem okay. I'm backing off strength class for the week, I have so few days left I don't want to screw it up!

    Chelev great pic you hair looks good. I thought you had a grown daughter, you look like you're twelve.

    I'm tired today, but I worked until almost 10pm last night so I hope it's from over doing and not that the rads have caught up to me. I'm going to go to bed really early tonight ( I always say that and then it doesn't happen grrrr)

    Has anyone else's doctor started them on hormone therapy yet??? Am I alone here? He was really adamant about me starting on a certain date too, gee it seems strange.

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited June 2009
    d@mn. I got a call this morning that the radiation machine was down. So, I've been "on call" for hours. Just got the call that I am CANCELLED for today. I sat at UCLA for 6 hours on Monday due to a broken machine.

    Now, I'm going to end a day later than I expected. I was "supposed" to be done on Monday, 6/29. Now, it's Tuesday 6/30. The kids will be away at camp. DH and I wanted to have FUN all week. Now I'm still tied to that d@mn radiation machine.

    I know it's only 1 day. But, it's been 9 months of "only 1 day". This SUCKS. CANCER SUCKS.

    I guess I'll go put all the goop on my dry, burning body now....I just sat here miserable for hours without my ointments.

    ugh.  am I cranky today or what!?!?
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  • barbiedahl
    barbiedahl Member Posts: 119
    edited June 2009
    Lisalisa long distance hug! It all sucks you are right. You would think for what they are charging us that they could afford to get dependable equipment! Lather up and relax as best you can. Your body is probably glad it had a day off even if you're not.
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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited June 2009

    thanks, Barbiedahl.

    to answer your question, i'm NOT on hormone therapy yet.  my oncologist wanted me to finish rads first.  i actually have an appt to see her tomorrow to discuss my hysto, arimidex and zometa.  the fun just continues......

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  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited June 2009

    Hello Radettes...

    Today was my first Boost and it was soooo much better than the Rads.  They use Neutrons instead of radiation...and it only hits the lumpectomy area...

    I did wake up this morning with blood all over my nightgown...and it sure is red, blistered and sore.  I think Rads are worse than CHEMO....at least for me.  I hurts so bad and now that the regular rads are over I really hope it heals fast.   Sorry for the PITTY PARTY....Embarassed 

    lisalisa...sorry the machine broke down....I added a day to yours....damn it.Frown

    CONGRATS MARGO1

    Here is our updated RAD DONE countdown list....I also added HORMONE therapy -so let me know what you will be taking.

    • kt57 - June 18th ....FINISHED
    • Seagan - June 22nd ...FINISHED
    • Puppers - June 22nd....FINISHED
    • Texas357 - June 23rd....FINISHED
    • margo1 - June 24th...FINISHED
    • americanpinay - June 25th
    • Ivorymom - June 25th
    • Princesskaui59 - June 25th
    • chelev - June 26th
    • Cruise4Life - June 30th.......FEMARA
    • lisalisa - June 30th
    • Genia - June 30th
    • KM47 - June 30th 
    • barbiedahl - July 2nd
    • Facecrafter - July 3rd
    • LynnVA - July 3rd
    • ddlatt - July 6th
    • carolinachick - July 6th
    • ajlive - July 7th.............FEMARA 
    • Pringles - July 9th
    • debonthelake - July 10th
    • jrgolomb - July 13th
    • Bold - July 15th
    • Deb-Ohio - July 20th
    • Snappygoddess - July 30th
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  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 288
    edited June 2009

    Hi Radettes!

    I'm now done with 4th of five boosts (phew).  Cruise, I was just telling my Rad Onc RN today that this is harder than chemo for me too! 

    I'll be starting on tamoxifen as soon as I'm done with Rads; I was pre-menopausal at diagnosis, but haven't had a period since last November now.  I have the prescription, so it's all ready to go, but I may wait until Monday.  I'm so not wild about the idea of taking a pill every day, but I am wild about the idea of being around for my son as he grows up.  I have a few more things to do in this lifetime.

    I'm happy for you Margo.  Looking forward to finish line tomorrow!

    This is no cake walk; you all are awesome! 

    oxo

    Cool

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited June 2009

    Oh, Cruise and Lisalisa...gentle hugs...hang in there...

    Chelev...I agree with Barbiedahl, you look so young on your pic...

    I think I will be on Tamoxifen as I am pre-menopausal??? although I am currently on chemopause???

    Take care ladies...

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited June 2009
    Hi Princess...I didn't see your post right before my last one...perhaps we were posting at the same time...we seem to have a lot in common...except I don't have a prescription yet for a bottle o' tamoxifen...I've been reading that thread and it scares me sometimes...Frown
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  • ajlive
    ajlive Member Posts: 134
    edited June 2009

    Margo:  Congrats!

    LisaLisa: So sorry for the delay.

    Princess & Cruise: Sorry you are having such skin problems.  It will heal soon.  Soft hugs!

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  • ddlatt
    ddlatt Member Posts: 448
    edited June 2009

    just had boost #1 of 7. i can't believe i'll be finished with this in 6 more treatments. the boost lasted 3.5 minutes in the tomotherapy machine - no different than any other day, just shorter. my rad onc told me i'm getting 14 gray with each boost, and 65 total for my treatment. i have been waiting for the dreaded fatigue to kick in, but i feel great and have lots of energy. my skin is in pretty good shape - very red, hundreds of little red spots, and itchy, but the issues i had earlier went away. i apply aquaphor right after treatment and at night after a bath. 

    i won't be having any hormone therapy because i'm triple negative. :(

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  • ddlatt
    ddlatt Member Posts: 448
    edited June 2009

    has anyone read this book yet? it's absolutely hilarious, called "Cancer Made Me a Shallower Person"

    http://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Made-Me-Shallower-Person/dp/0060789735 

    Age 54. IDC. Stage 1, 1.2cm tumor 1 millimeter from chest wall. Had ultrasound, MRI, core-needle biopsy. Sentinel node biopsy (nodes clear) and double mastectomy 11/20/08, no reconstruction. AC/ Taxol, 35 tomotherapy radiation treatments. 

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  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 288
    edited June 2009

    Thanks Ajlive!

    Americanpinay, The bottle-o-tamoxifen thread scares me a bit too, but they are supportive there and many women tolerate it really well. (We're done tomorrow!!!)

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  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited June 2009

    Hi all.  Yeah Margo!.  Another one bits the dust.  Let's sing it girls.  You are all right Cancer sucks.  It's all scary.  I understand the Tamoxifen is scary but I'm like ddlat, there is nothing exactly comforting about not being able to take it because you are triple negative either.  If I've ever been motivated to be fit and skinny it's now or never.  Whew!  I think I can do this, I think we all can.

    I'm really relieved that my skin has held up so well.  I'm a little red and itching today.  Nip is a bit red and sore but I'm over half way done now.  Today was 21 of 33, just 12 days left.  I'm not sure if the holiday will put me off a day.  It probably will.  Sigh.  I guess I'll deal with it. 

    I hope all of those skin issues and pain heal really fast.  I crashed today and took another nap.  I'm wondering if the opportunity to sleep when I needed to this summer and all the great fruits and veggies I've been eating have helped with the skin.

    Hang in there gals.  Life is not done with us yet.

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited June 2009

    Congratulations Margo!!!!  woohoo!

    Princess and Cruise - sorry this is so hard on your skin!

    DDlat - I've heard of that book and heard that it's funny but that the ending is a bit of a downer.  I won't spill what happens unless you want me to.  I'd like to read it except for the ending.

    Cruise - thanks for moving my date.  If that machine breaks down again, you'll hear me SCREAM.  argh!  But, I went to see "Proposal" today and it made me smile!  such a cute moview!

    As far as hormone therapy, I'm premenopausal but having a hysterectomy on 8/3.  I'm seeing my oncologist tomorrow.  So, I'll find out if I start with tamoxifen and then swtich to arimidex or what?  I'll also be doing the zometa.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2009

    Lisa, bummer about having to delay - to the rest of the world, it's just one day, but to one of us, it's an eternity!!! 

    Barbiedahl, thanks for the compliment!  And, to americanpinay!  I am 46 and have a 25-year old daughter.  I like to say it's all of the olive oil I have eaten in my lifetime being italian, but my mother's family, especially my great aunt, in her early 70's has fantastic skin with little wrinkles and I think I inherited it.  though, from sun damage (and now, the rads), my chest area isn't so smooth.  Maybe it's the weight - I've been struggling with the same 10-15 lbs since I've been in menopause, for at least 10 years (surgical). 

    I haven't been to my onc yet for the hormone therapy, wonder why Barbie, your doc was so adamant about starting on a particlar date.  I'll more than likely be on Arimidex, not looking forward to being on something for 5 years, but if it will help prevent estrogen production, I'm all for it.

    Only 2 more to go - and sorry, ladies, but after the hell I went through in chemo, this for me has been so much easier.  I do have the makings of a wallet or belt with the leathery skin I'm getting, especially around the nipple area, but have been adding to the moisturizing regime and hopefully it won't be permanent.  I also have still very pink skin, forms a triangle from my chest to under the boob to around to my back.  Hoping that starts to fade and calm down. 

    Cindy, so bummed to hear your skin is so raw - that had to be freaky to wake up and see blood!  Hope you and Ivorymom start healing up - the boosts will help, they aren't as intensive.

    Have a great night, everyone!

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  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited June 2009

    Hi all.  You know how those of us who had chemo we would do spacey stuff and blame it on chemo brain?  I wonder, is there something for spacey behavior for radiation?  Like fried rad brain cells or something?  So today, I get to my tx sort of early; a friend of mine drove me the hour trip because I tend to get sleepy these days.  She drove there in about 45 minutes which had me white knuckling the trip into the big city and so I walked into the cancer center, down to the rad dressing room and sort of in a "fried rad brain cell" state changed my clothes. 

    They were ready for me early and when I went into the inner sanctum of zapdom, I started to take off the bathrobe they loan me and realized I still had on my bra!!!  Of course it's the stretched out one that looks sort of old and ragged looking.  I in my embarrassment I  turn away and start to go back to the dressing room to change!!!! The rad techs are sort of chuckling at me because they've seen me half naked now for 22 days and I've gotten to the point where I sort of fling the bathrobe off and get on the table so I can get it over with!!! So, I stop and the one shields me from the other techies while I hurriedly take off my yucky looking bra.  What was I thinkin?? Well, instead of taking the bra off, I break into a sweat and start putting the bathrobe back on!!!  See what I mean???????? fried rad cells! 

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