MAY 2009 Rads
Comments
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Kathy wow. That is a lot to process. I am so sorry that you have to go through that. That being said there is a power in knowing what you are fighting. You together with your docs will get a optimum game plan to ensure a long and happy life. I am glad that you have choices. I am upset that they did not get your results in enough time to forsake radiation. But it is what it is. The most important aspect of this disease is to hit it hard in the beginning and that is exactly what you have done. I do not think that it would of changed your chemo regimen. The fact that you are node neg stage 1 is just wonderful. I wish all the best and you are in my prayers. You can do this and win!!!!
I went swimming yesterday and it was heaven. I slathered up with aquafor and went for it. I am none the worse for wear. I took a shower right afterward and slathered again. It felt sooo goood as it is really hot right now. Nothing compared to having the humidity some of you are experiencing. It is about 92 with only 28% humidity. I love summer and this one even more.
Only 4 more to go and then the real healing will begin. I just can't wait. I am going to look at this as a fresh start to all the things that I need to do to make myself as healthy as I can and to get ready to fulfill my destiny. I think that that I shall approach my life with more verve.
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Hi everyone! I see that most of you on this thread are almost done with your rads . Congrats! I will be starting rads in few weeks and was wondering what everyone was using for cream, lotions, or whatever for their skin to prevent redness and rashes? I got some free samples of My Girl's Radiation cream and will probably go ahead and order some before my rads start. Also, what are your other main side effects and when did they happen? I appreciate all the help I can get.
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ccbabY: Get 100% aloe vera. Fruit of the Eatth is a good brand. You can get it at Wal-Mart. Start using before treatments begins. Most rad docs want yo to only use that until you start having problems. I didn't use My Girl's but heard it is good. Some of the creams get pretty pricey. I used udderly smooth. You can but it at Wal-Mart. It's about $4. Not greasy and puts a lot of moisture in your skin. The last two weeks is the toughest. that's when you really start turning red especially in the armpit. Eucerin Aquaphor ointment is really good to use the last couple weeks of treatment. Put it on at night before bedtime. Wear a worn out t-shirt. Ointment is messy but does help. Everyone is different you may have no skin problems at all. SE's is fatigue. Hits everyone differently. Will need to get extra rest. Naps help. Make sure you drink lots of water.
When you go for your simulation don't wear good clothes. They mark your skin up with permanent marker and it will get on your clothes. Get some sports bras or loose fitting bra's. I would put the aloe vera on right after treatment. helps soothe your skin.
Take care of yourself. You may have no skin problems at all. You can do it. The last week before boost was the hardest. My skin held up pretty good.
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Yeah, I'll agree with the advice -- especially on old comfy bras. The ones I wore are ink-stained and grease stained from the moisturizer I had to use.
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debonthelake, jrgolomb, and Bold: This is your week coming up. Time to celebrate!
Kathy: Soft Hugs to ya. Sorry to hear the news.
Ivorymom: So sorry to hear about the osteo. There's other options besides Fosomax. Find out which one is best for you. All ER/PR+ have that to worry about now to. I have osteopenia which is early stage osteo. I took Fosomax had SE's from it. Then was put on Evista. Got taken off that due to the BC and being ER+. I'm on Actonel now. Double up on Calcium and Vitamin D3.
I've heard Boniva is also good for those that have osteoporosis. Forteo is for those that have severe osteoperosis. My dad was put on Forteo due to asthma medication deteriorating his bones. He kept having back bone fractures. They finally did a bone density test and found he had severe osteoporosis. He has been taking it a year now with no more bone fractures. You will still need to take Calcium and Vitamin D along with which ever you decide to take.
Texas357: I've been on Femera for close to three months. No SE's yet.
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Heloo Rads girls. I am done tomorrow!!!! Feeling good about it. Hugs to all and thank you so much all of you for your help and suggestion as i grapple with the anxiety issues. I have definately set up an appt with a psychologist next week to deal with the problems I am experiencing.
I'll talk more later!! HUGS!
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ivorymom - I kind of feel the same way. While I am thrilled to be done with active treatment, the fear of going without checkups for months at a time is rather frightening. Also, since I am triple negative and don't have any drugs that I can take, I continually hope that I've done enough to prevent a recurrence. I'm hoping we can keep this thread up so that we can all support each other as we find our "new normal" in life.
On a happy note, congrats to jrgolomb and Debonthelake! Yippee and a big toast to you both!!
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Awwwwww Ivorymom--You are not a downer.
Carolinachick- you are right on with the fear factor we have to face. This who bc CRAP is not fun.
Thank you all, I am heading out the door in about 45 minutes.
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jrgolomb and debonthelake! Pims and diet ginger ale toast to you! Two more have made it to the beginning ( the beginning of having our lives back!)
Three left to cross the line. Keeping creaming and resting everyone. My Rad doc said it can take two weeks to fully recover.
gentle hugs!
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Barbiedahl, I love that we are making it to the beginning. I am going to steal that. Thanks
jrgolomb, Congrats to you!!!! you have the hardest name for me to remember. You are off and running. I know that we have beat this disease. Remember that you are still early stage and have a much better % of a complete cure. It is time to celebrate!!! Clinky clinky!!!!!!!
Debonthelake, This is a great day for you!!! You kindness and caring has been and will continue to be a wonderful fabric of our thread. Be good to yourself and party like an animal!! Clinky clinky!!!! Hic!
Carolinachick, My buddy that was assigned to me when I went through surgery was a trip neg gal. She was 6 years out and on top of her game. You are stage 1 this is a good thing. I believe that you are at no more risk than anyone. You are going to be fine. I know I do not have a magic ball, but statistically you should find comfort. I believe that with cancer if you hit it hard in the beginning you have a really good chance of beating it. It seems you have done just that,LIVE!!!!!!
Deb from Ohio how are you doing? I have been thinking about you and hoping that you are healing at a ecellerated rate.
4 left. Today going in early. Can not wait. I went swimming again with no problems. Hope it stays that way. I just have the rash and a bit itchy but manageable. I am also very tender internally, I think this is all to be expected. Its weird to drive everyday to a place that is going to burn you voluntarily. I will be scheduling my bone density and echo cardiogram today. I am feeling stronger and stronger. To bad I don't have enough hair to go out in public yet. When I do there will be no stopping me. gulp!
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Meg, good luck at the doctor today - I hope they can get you something to reverse and stop the bone loss. that is one of our big fears after all this treatment!! You are not being a downer - we are on the roller coaster of life and these big drops and swoops really stink!
Bold, yes the internal soreness takes a while - I am STILL sore, especially at night, for some reason, and when I lay down.
Kathy, so sorry about your news - know that we are here for you!!
Deb-on-the-lake - You are finished today - yahoo!!!
Everyone who is closing in on the end - just keep the faith (and moisturized) and we're all here for you!
I know I am almost back to normal, energy wise. I am on furlough this week, and my mother is coming in tomorrow for a week's stay (oh fun!), so I am trying to get things done beforehand - this morning I did 45 min of yoga, ran errands, picked up and threw down 5 bags of mulch, 2 loads of laundry and am now finishing the vacuuming. Sometimes I don't know where these bursts come from, but might as well take advantage of it! I'll be pooped tonight.
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Good morning ladies...
KT57...sorry to hear about your news...hope you find a lot of comfort in the fact that you'll be doing the best you can to avoid recurrence...
IVORYMOM...you are not being a downer...I was kind of anxious too this weekend and whenever I go to this board, I find a lot of comfort that I am not alone...I do not want to think of it as "misery loves company" but rather we are here for each other...
CHELEV...wow...that's a lot of stuff you accomplished this morning...I feel pooped just reading...
CONGRATULATIONS to JRGOLOMB and DEBONTHELAKE! A toast to you fabulous ladies!
CCBABY...aloe vera, prescription-strength hydrocortisone and silvadene helped my skin a lot...
Take care everyone...
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Good afternoon all,
I too am up and down lately. I saw my medical oncologist today. He looked at the rash, but is not sure what has caused it. It has spread down both arms - although it appears to be clearing up around the radiation field. He told me to see the dermatologist again. I have an appointment for tomorrow afternoon.
He also gave me a prescription for Tamoxifen today. He told me that I can delay the start of the Tamoxifen for 2 - 3 weeks, while I get over the rash. I think this is why I am down this afternoon. I am afraid of the side-effects. I am so sure that I'll have every one of them
But, I think I will wait at least until the rash goes away, to start taking it.I too am still sore and not sleeping well at night, without medication. I try to get by without it sometimes, but other nights, I take it so I can get some rest. I'll be glad when the soreness subsides.
Congrats to jrgolomb and debonthelake.
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Bold I had to go back today, doc wasn't there so they weren't sure what to do because of the burn under my arm, so they called the nurse in...she said go ahead and treat, if the doc wanted to stop it, she could tomorrow...so now I have a new place under my arm right next to the old one that has cracked open and is bleeding...I have literally had it. No doubt reburned inside that was healing too...grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..............see the doc tomorrow...I think I might lose it with her.
Hugs
Deb
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Oh, Deb, that just stinks!!!! I am so sorry you are now raw in two places and bleeding again!! I hope you are able to get some rest tonight - start poppin' that vicodan!
Good luck tomorrow meeting with the onc - and try not to beat her up too much!!
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I am seeing my breast surgeon tomorrow for my post-rads follow up and need to mention to him that I have been having discharge from that breast - which I've always had, and which I blamed on an inverted nipple and what I'm finding I should have mentioned much sooner, because it is something that should have been looked at and I never gave it a second thought. However, it's had quite a lot of discharge lately and now I'm a little nervous. Anyone else have any discharge from the nipple on their treated breast?
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debonthelake & jrgolomb: Congrats!
You are done! Celebrate.DebFromOhio: I am so sorry. Bet you wanted to wring that nurses neck! Why couldn't they have waited until you could see the doc? ((((( soft hugs )))))
Chelev: Discharge? That doesn't sound good. Let us know what the surgeon says. WIll be thinking about you. Don't overdo it getting ready for you mom's visit. Sounds like you did a lot in one day.
Bold & RoseP: Sore and tender internally. Same here. I know a lot of mine is nerve endings are still raw. It will wake you from a dead sleep. Some days very very sensitive to heat or cold. Especially now when our temps are in the low 100's and I am in and out heat to air. Makes me want to put a blanket on my boob when I go into a very cool room. I've heard it could take months for the cut nerves to settle down. Scar tissue doesn't help either.
Ivorymom: My osteopena is more in my hips than spine. I have an appointment with my med onc the end of the month. Will be asking him then if there is another test that can be done besides the bone density test since I can not have another one until next year. I think I will call my insurance to see if they will cover a test due to the SE's of medication we are taking. What women have to go through.....
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Ajlive, thanks - I will keep everyone posted after my visit with the bs. When I was in the shower, I noticed the dried up discharge and thought it was just the peeling skin and realized it was a combination.
I only overdid it with the mulch . . . I am usually pretty busy like this, I get large bursts of energy and I need to go go go. But, I am now sore - both my back and my boob are telling me to stop, so that's probably all i'm doing this week anyway! My mom loves to shop, so we'll probably be doing some retail therapy.
Have a good night ladies. Everyone get some sleep!
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I had that once Chelev, I had an infected boob...LOL..it was a dark discharge..at the risk of sounding gross, you could squeeze the nipple and it would come out...cud be with all the junk we smathering all over our breasts that maybe some got inside...the gyn who treated me for it said we all have a tiny hole in the nipple and anything can infect it..............just a thought honey!
hugs!
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(((((Deb-from-Ohio))))) hope you feel better soon...
Chelev and Ivorymom...good luck with your doctor visits tomorrow...
Gentle hugs to everyone who is sore and tender...hang in there...
Nite everyone...
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Deb, could be! It was kind of ****okay, to the squeamish, I'm sorry, don't read any further, warning, warning**** sticky. I've had discharge for a long time from this breast, so maybe it is normal, but while I'm there and he'll be poking around anyway, I'll definitely have him check it out.
Hope you are feeling okay?? I feel so bad that you are having such horrible skin issues!
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Chele....I've had that same thing in my good breast. It was *****warning***** a dark color and sticky too. I still don't know what it was.....and that was years ago. I would tell the Dr.......but try not to worry much......I would think after all the scans if it were something they would have found it.
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Deb, Damn!!! I was so hoping you would be better. You have only a few more to go and then it will be over. I support you in anything you want to do. I would by hook or by crook get through the rads. Even if it means more of a break it is huge with node + gals to complete. The Dr. will suggest whatever is in your best interest. I am just soooooo sorry that you have to go through this. Use your drugs to thwart the pain.
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Deb so sorry that you are having so much trouble. That must be so painful. My worst pain was over the weekend, a very raw nipple but it's over now. Yeah. I felt kind of sad over the weekend. It felt so strange for my life to be in transition again and I've really enjoyed staying with my Mom during the week this summer. But, it's back to work tomorrow. Today I felt truly happy and peaceful. My Oncologist assured me not to put myself in a high risk group. He said my tumor was very small and that the aggressive treatment should make my chances of recurrence very small. He did agree that good diet and exercise was a good idea. So that's my treatment from here on out. I lost a pound every week that I've been receiving radiation. Of course I've also been working out nearly an hour every day and trying to eat right. I'm sure I'll stabilize soon.
My Mom has Osteoporosis. But, her medication has really helped her regain bone mass.
Congratulations JR. We did it. Now on to good health and healthy living. You guys have been such wonderful support during this journey. I cann't tell you how glad I am that I found this site.
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Thank you Debonthelake---You are right; we did it. Now it is truly wonderful to be able to plan my summer days without the worry of tx.
Deb-Very sorry you are having trouble. Hope it all clears up soon.
bold- You are a great writer. Just call me Jay R-----if that's easier to remember!
Chelev-yes, definately have it checked out. I had a lump checked out and am so glad I did. DOc did FNA- and said no issues!!!!! What a relief.
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CONGRATS TO JESS & DEB ON LAKE our latest GRADS!!!! Your strength will soon return-it took me until last week to really feel 100%.
KT57-Kathy-this was a recurrence for me and I was dumb-founded. What I was told was if it is going to come back, it will be in the first 5 years in bones. (My 1st DX was in 2000). I don't know what's worse-thinking it's gone after 1 year or 9 years?
Deb-from-Ohio-I read your earlier posts and felt the same way myself. I took a few extended breaks during my treatment. The first on the Dr's advice and the second on my own advice!
Speaking of weight-I had better watch it too-I should loss 5 lbs, but I feel like we've never gotten our summer here in the Northeast and are moving right into fall!
Anyone else notice a greenish-yellow cast to their skin as the "tan" is fading?
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Jess-Cyber clink Stoli & Cranberry!!!
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Hi Chevlev - - As I understand it, the discharge is red flag; it means that some follow-up investigation is needed. Please do keep us posted.
Congrats to jrgolomb and Deb-of the Lake!! oxoxo Yay!
I went for an interview with a therapist who'll be starting a bc survivor group this Fall. She herself is a bc survivor. I'm a little on the fence, but it seems like a good thing to help navigate this stage of the after treatment phase.
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CONGRATULATIONS to Jess and Deb!!! so happy for you!
I haven't been on the board in a few days....trying to focus on my kids
though the cancer reality came back to hit me today. I scheduled my PET/CT scan for THIS FRiday.....right before I leave on vacation. ugh. In some ways I want to get it over with but not sure I want any news while on vacation kwim? -
Deb from Ohio I'm so sorry you are hurting. The only good thing is that it will end soon and you will heal quickly. Eat lots of protein to support your body through this tough time. Have they given you any cream that helps at all? gentle hug
chelev be sure to ask your doc, but I'm sure it's fine.You were a very busy girl. Can you imagine even doing half of that a few months ago. Isn't it amazing how we are getting better? I have a friend visiting so I think we may indulge in retail therapy as well.
lisalisa have a wonderful vacation. Don't let yourself worry about anything.
We can't waste time worrying. I've just spent the last nine months dealing with BC and darn it I'm not going to spend another minute of time thinking about it. I will commit to exercise and a better diet to support my health, but I can't control what will happen in the future. If I do have a recurrence (no thank you God) I will deal with it then. I have done everything they've told me to do, even when I didn't want to. I've endured quite a lot and come through the other side still me, okay I have a scar.
I refuse to let BC make me fearful, or unhappy.These past few months have not been easy or fun, when you think about all that we have endured we should have signs on us that say "she is amazing" The treatments are behind us and all that is in front of all of us now is life and happiness.
Remember to rest and treat yourself kindly today, don't forget you are wearing an amazing pin!
hugs!
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