MAY 2009 Rads

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

    Hey all! Congrats on the new winners who have crossed the finish line!!!!!!!!!!!!! CELEBRATE!!!!!!!!

    I see my radiation oncologist this morning because my skin had a couple of small raw spots. I've had a little more peeling this week, but the good news is that my energy is definitely starting to return.

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

    All this clinking and celebrating, I'm starting to feel a litle tipsy!!!  Congrats all, we're finishing the last leg of the treatment journey, and for those who have herceptin to go--you're almost there!!

    3 MORE TO GO for me...and I'm cured...it's over...hard to believe...after chemo, and a blood clot that lasted for months, and the BiMX , and the rads....I made it.  .DONE.

    JUDY

  • carolinachick
    carolinachick Member Posts: 387
    edited June 2009

    Congratulations to Lisa, Cruise and Genia!!  Woo hoo!!  Enjoy the fireworks this weekend as you celebrate INDEPENDENCE!!

    My treatment was canceled yesterday due to the machine being down.  Bummer!  So now I'll finish on July 7th instead of the 6th.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm ready to put my sunglasses on!  Cool

  • ajlive
    ajlive Member Posts: 134
    edited June 2009

    Cruise4Life, Lisalisa and Genia:  Congratulations! Smile 

  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited June 2009

    Good afternoon ladies...hope all is well...

    CONGRATULATIONS GENIA!!!  You made it.  A cyber toast to you!!!

    BARBIEDAHL...thanks for the Tamox info...I thought I read somewhere that there is a test to see if one metabolizes Tamox...did you do that test?

    CRUISE??? LISALISA??? Are you done?  If so, CONGRATULATIONS!!!  Hooray!!!

    Take care y'all.

  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited July 2009

    As we all enter into the hormone therapy (or not). There is an interesting thread called has anyone ever refused tomoxofin. There are some exceptionally bright people one who is a MD and anther thats a onc RN. Anyway makes for some good reading. I think that they are discussing low grade cancers and the supportive research. I have a high grade soooooo. GULP!

    Anyway. I told my techs today that I am going swimming. I am having no real skin issues. I only have 10 to go. So the count down begins. 5 reg 5 boosts. Oh Boy a 3 day weekend with DH and a party at my house on the 4th!!! Lobster, shrimp and giant scallops on the BQ made with pesto butter then placed over Alfredo noodles. Grilled asparagus tips (only the baby ones) and zucchini with garlic and a touch of Romano and Parmesan. Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and pineapple. I think gelato and aperitif  for desert.  Thanks for working that through for me. Tongue out I am getting fat just typing it!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • barbiedahl
    barbiedahl Member Posts: 119
    edited July 2009
    Bold  you neglected to include your address and time! I think I gained just reading your post, my thighs thank you
  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited July 2009

    Hi Radiators!

    I'm home!  I'm DONE!!!!   I'm celebrating MY Independance Day early :)  I'm FREE from that machine! And, shockingly, my skin is in pretty good shape.  I dropped the silvadene and am just using aloe and moisturizer.

    I brought red white and blue cookies to the rads techs.  They gave me a diplmoa!  very pretty with flowers all over it LOL!

    On the way home, I stopped at a garden center and bought tons of things!  I have a community garden that is pretty bare.....tomorrow is planting day (I'll bring my umbrella, etc. and sunscreen).

    Meanwhile, I'm not off too easy.  I meet the endodontist tomorrow to look at an old root canal to see if it needs to be re-done before zometa.  Thursday, I have a bone densisty scan.  Maybe next week I'll have a "free" day LOL!

    Congrats to Cruise and Genia too! 

  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited July 2009

    Yum Bold.  Most of it's pretty healthy too.  Just watch the butter.  Have a great party!

    Big 9 for me today.  8 more to go.

    Congratulations KM47 and a big toast to Lisa, Cruise and Genia.

    Yeah!  A Toast to living every day to it's fullest.

  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited July 2009

    Holy WOW -- sure miss alot if you skip a day here.....

    Congrats to KM47, Cruise, Lisa and Genia!!    Hmmmmmm.... what to toast with...... MIMOSAs!  We need a little Vitamin C!

    I, too, understand that tamox or AIs are most important in recurrence risk reduction for ER/PR+ bc.   I hope it's true the SEs lessen over time -- can tolerate the aches and hot flashes, but sure would be nice without them.

    Booked a trip with DH and friends to Playa del Carmen in Oct - Halloween.   Went last year around the same time... with a suspicious mammogram and pending biopsy. Lots of meditative thoughts on the beach about preparing for possible surgery, chemo, and radiation ---- now it's all history and I survived to drink tequila in Mexico once again!!!!! 

  • margo1
    margo1 Member Posts: 56
    edited July 2009

    BIG CONGRATS TO THE RECENT GRADS OF  MAY RADIATORS.  (DRUM ROLL)  KM47, Cruise4life, LisaLisa, & Genia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah!!! (CYMBOLS, CHEERING, CLAPPING).

    Champage Cyber Toast (Clink, Clink)

    It's been 1 week for me-energy is returning and only a few small blisters remain-YEAH!!

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

    Lisa - Yay, you can run, not walk away from that machine!!  Congrats!!! 

    Cindy, are you finished?  Still celebrating??  Woo hoo - you made it through this too!!!  Way to go!!!

    KM47, Genia - If I already said congrats, well . . . congrats again!!!

    Bold, that sounds like a fantastic dinner - gave me some ideas for my own bbq on Saturday . . . and yes, I am reading the comments on the refusing hormone therapy site . . . doing research and looking at options.  Will talk to med onc tomorrow.  Just don't know what I am going to do yet.  Stomach-twisting confusion!!

    I've been slathering and slathering my skin with aloe, vitamin E oil and olive oil cream and it is healing very well - still a few itchy blisters, but it feels like the luggage-skin is softening up.  Still very tender, can't lay on that side for long.  But, started doing my yoga stretches last night to get ready to jump back into it, and I was so happy I could fully extend both arms all the way, and get those deep stretches.  Boy did they feel good on my shoulders and back muscles!

  • barbiedahl
    barbiedahl Member Posts: 119
    edited July 2009

    Hi to all my Radiant friends,

     Today and tomorrow and then...... 4 extra hours a day for the rest of the summer, no more filling up the gas tank every other day, no more silly hospital gowns, no more anything medical. Oh boy I can't wait.

    Americanpinay I haven't had any test to see if I'm metabolizing the tamox. It's sort of odd I asked my doctor if the dosage would change if I lost weight (I'm a big dreamer!) and he said no everyone got the same dose which I thought was strange. I'm just trusting that he is more clued in than me about these things and I want to to whatever I have to do to help prevent the chance of recurrence with is sort of high with me.

     Have a great day everyone. Cream, heal and relax!

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

    Congratulations to the newly finished! Woo hoo!

    My radiation oncologist confirmed that I did have 3rd degree burns but they are healing nicely. Even the scary stuff goes away, right?

    I just wish my eyes would start to improve. They are still watering like crazy because of the taxotere. My tear duct surgery was June 11th. So far the only thing it's done is to add itchy tear ducts to my list of things I have to deal with.

    Rejoice ladies! If we can handle what we've gone through this past year, we can handle ANYTHING life throws at us!!!

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

    Thanks for all the well wishes and congrats!!!  SOOOO nice to not have to go ANYWHERE today unless I want to.  My skin is doing great......turning a nice tanned color......looks strange compared to the rest of my chest.   Guess I'm gonna have to go topless and tan the other side to match!!!  lol

    Good to see so many completing their treatments.  We are on that last leg.....except for our continued hormone and herceptin treatments.  

    Cruise.....where ya at g/f????  

  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited July 2009

    Morning Radettes....

    So sorry I have been MIA.  Monday after treatment we drove down to Monterey to pick up my granddaughter Meah who will be visiting with us for two weeks. This is my granddaughter that my husband and I raised. We had guardianship of Meah (at the age of 3) after my son passed away 4 years ago. Meah is such a spirited young lady she is now 7 1/2 and keeps me very busy so I may not be on the board as much and I hope to post late at night if I don't fall asleep first...LOL 

    I AM DONE...FINISHED...YEAH....YIPPEE...HUUURRRAAYYYYYY.....

    My rad team gave me a "Graduation Diploma" and I gave them all a beautiful card with a starbucks gift card inside to thank them for being so patient with me...LOL...

    Good news...I even wore a BRA yesterday...yep...I am completely healed....

    Congratulations to KM47, lisalisa and Genia....YEAH girlfriends we made it!!!!

    Here is our updated RAD Graduation countdown list....

    I also added HORMONE therapy - let me know what you will be taking when the Rads are done.....

    • kt57 - June 18th ....FINISHED...ARIMIDEX
    • Seagan - June 22nd ...FINISHED
    • Puppers - June 22nd....FINISHED
    • Texas357 - June 23rd....FINISHED...FEMARA/TAMOXIFEN (50/50) 
    • margo1 - June 24th...FINISHED
    • americanpinay - June 25th...FINISHED..TAMOXIFEN
    • Ivorymom - June 25th...FINISHED
    • Princesskaui59 - June 25th...FINISHED..TAMOXIFEN
    • Alohagirl - June 25th...FINISHED..
    • chelev - June 26th...FINISHED..ARIMIDEX/AL
    • KM47 - June 29th..FINISHED.HERCEPTIN/TAMOXIFEN 
    • Cruise4Life - June 30th.....FINISHED..FEMARA
    • lisalisa - June 30th..FINISHED...ZOMETA/TAMOXIFEN
    • Genia - June 30th..FINISHED...TAMOXIFEN/HERCEPTIN
    • barbiedahl - July 2nd...TAMOXIFEN
    • ddlatt - July 2nd
    • Facecrafter - July 3rd...ARIMIDEX
    • LynnVA - July 3rd
    • carolinachick - July 6th
    • ajlive - July 7th.............FEMARA 
    • Pringles - July 9th
    • debonthelake - July 13th
    • jrgolomb - July 13th...TAMOXIFEN
    • Bold - July 16th
    • Deb-Ohio - July 20th
    • Snappygoddess - July 30th
  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited July 2009

    Only TWO MORE !!!  CAN"T BELEIVE IT !!!   Countdown..2 to go!!!

  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited July 2009

    You are almost there Judy.....It's an AWESOME feeling...not having to drive anywhere and enjoying your OWN time...LOL

  • Deb-from-Ohio
    Deb-from-Ohio Member Posts: 1,140
    edited July 2009

    13 more to go.....and am fried..........and Cruise will be taking Arimidex...........

    Hugs!

  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited July 2009

    Good morning ladies...

    Congratulations again to CRUISE and LISALISA!!! A margarita toast to you wonderful ladies!

    BTW, CRUISE...cuuute shirt...

    BOLD...BBQ sounds delish...I think I gained weight just by reading...

    To all who will be done soon...hang in there...as has been said many times before...this too shall pass...

    Thanks, BARBIEDAHL...are you taking 20 mg or 40 mg of Tamox...I will ask my med onc about that "metabolize" test when I see him tomorrow...

    Anybody here done a full body PET scan?

    Be well ladies...Smile

  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited July 2009

    American - my tamox is 20mg, once a day.  I start on Monday. (but, I'll switch to Arimidex after my hysterectomy in early August)

    I took the tamox metabolizing test and I'm a "good" metabolizer.  the name of the test is CYxxxx  can't remember the rest.  You can google it!  It's a simple blood test but it takes a few weeks to get results. 

    Tomorrow I'm doing a bone density scan (DEXA, I think is the name) and then I have a PET/CT scan in about 2 weeks.  I'm glad my onc does all this testing.  I like to know where I stand Cool

  • carolinachick
    carolinachick Member Posts: 387
    edited July 2009

    Bold - The barbeque sounds so yummy! 

    Cruise - I hope you enjoy the visit with your granddaughter.  That is such a fun age. 

    My treatment is now scheduled to end on July 7, due to the machine being down one day last week.  The end is in sight!

  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited July 2009

    Thanks, Lisa..I googled the CY test and it looks like it is not (yet?) recommended for everyone...yikes, I hope my insurance covers it...I have HMO...grrr...I should have gotten PPO...I'll check with my med onc tomorrow...

    I did bone density scan (hips only) during chemo...my med onc has mentioned PET/CT scan a couple of times before but he wanted to wait until after rads to do it...I think he said he wants to make sure I've healed from chemo and rad treatments as those two could produce false positive results???

    Take care.

  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited July 2009

    American - it is not yet "standard of care".  i have a PPO and my insurance approved it with no problem.  My onc says it will likely become standard soon!  How sad to take tamox and not know if its working for you!!!!

    i also heard the same as you with the PET/CT and that's why I have to wait till mid to late July to have mine done.  Luckily, the bone density scan can be done now.  I want a baseline before I start tamox and have my hysterectomy.

    so much to know!  so much to do!  wish i could take a vacation from all of this! 

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

    Nary a doc has said anything to me about a pet scan or a cyxxx test.  Iam gonna ask about it so I can be assured the tamoxifen is working.

    One more day , then a 3 day break then six more days and I am fine!!!!!

  • ddlatt
    ddlatt Member Posts: 448
    edited July 2009

    my independence day got pushed back, because for the first time since i started radiation, the machine is down for the whole day! there's a very slim chance i can go in this evening for treatment. if not, then my liberation day will (hopefully!) be july 3rd. only 2 more to go! i'm chomping at the bit to end my cancer blog (www.ddlatt.blogspot.com) and stop feeling the need to check these boards every day, and move ON! 

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

    Ok everyone, I want you all to stop this rain we're getting in Florida, because I want to go to Busch Gardens to celebrate my freedom...so everyone think..RAIN STOP BY FRIDAY......JUDY

  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited July 2009

    Big 8 today.  7 more to go.  Cruise you can put triple negative by my name instead of a hormone.  I believe there are three of us on this board. 

    ddlatt  I read your post on the triple negative board just wanted to let you know I support you in believing in your doctor.  That was quite a debate you had going there.  I decided to stay out of it.  It was kind of a downer. 

    It is so neat to see everyone graduating and healing.  Yeah.  It won't be long now.

  • ddlatt
    ddlatt Member Posts: 448
    edited July 2009

    deb - thanks.  i keep that debate going when i have to, because there's one woman on that board and who is also on many others, who is such an alarmist and scares so many people, i try to balance it out. i think sometimes people who have recurrence(s) just want everybody else to be as scared and miserable as they are, and they have decided they have all the answers for everybody. ridiculous! 

  • ajlive
    ajlive Member Posts: 134
    edited July 2009

    Hello everyone!  Have a Happy & Safe July 4th weekend.  Heading out of town for the weekend after my treatment tomorrow.  Celebrating early....Smile

    Sending early congrats to barbiedahl - July 2nd and ddlatt, Facecrafter & LynnVA - July 3rd

    Bold:  You made me hungry.

    Facecrafter:  Send some of that rain to East Texas.  We need it badly.  Its very dry here....

    Cruise:  Have fun with your granddaughter.....

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