March 2009 Rads Group?

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  • Rachel_BC
    Rachel_BC Member Posts: 1,386
    edited August 2009

    Mary- cool pic!!! but you forgot to give yourself eye nose and mouth!!!!  Hey, are we wearing the same dress but yours is purple and mine is green?

  • Rachel_BC
    Rachel_BC Member Posts: 1,386
    edited August 2009

    kristi- the self- image thing is HUGE.  On another thread I was talking about the incredible difference in how I felt when I had to dress up for the reunion.  There IS something to that "Look Good Feel Better" thing.  I don't know if you can do this yet, because you are still fighting the battle with the treatment, but if there is some "girly" or primpy type thing you can do, the stuff that makes you feel like a woman... manicure, pedicure, wearing something pretty... do your make up, something... give it a whirl.  

  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 779
    edited August 2009

    I fixed it. Do I look better with a face!!!!!!!???

    Tamoxi brain

  • Rachel_BC
    Rachel_BC Member Posts: 1,386
    edited August 2009

    Oh and I like the neck scarf too!!! Very YOU!!!! Isn't is a riot how close these look to us?

  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 779
    edited August 2009

    I had fun making myself up.  I amy even get my hair cut like that again.

  • kristifromsandiego
    kristifromsandiego Member Posts: 271
    edited August 2009

    You guys are so cute....think I will recreate myself!  Kristi

  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 779
    edited August 2009

    It was fun!!!!!

  • Rachel_BC
    Rachel_BC Member Posts: 1,386
    edited August 2009

    I just checked nelia's profile, she's been banging around BC org helping folks.  She's doing great :)

  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 779
    edited August 2009

    Thanks Rachel!

  • kristifromsandiego
    kristifromsandiego Member Posts: 271
    edited August 2009

    OK guys....pray for me tomorrow, I have masectomy on the left side, in the hospital for 2 nights, then home on really good drugs.  Talk soon Kristi

  • BooBee
    BooBee Member Posts: 860
    edited August 2009

    Prayers Kristi.................

  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 779
    edited August 2009

    Prayers for Kristi.

    Good Luck and Bless you.

  • TorchSong
    TorchSong Member Posts: 348
    edited August 2009

    Kristi, definitely prayers here!

    Funny the topic is self-image when I come back! I've been really busy--conference, then a weeks vacation, then Gay Pride here--just now catching my breath. But self-image has been on my mind.

    Anyway, I colored my hair with henna before the conference (about a month ago) and let me tell you, it needs to stay on the hair for a looooooong time to get a good color. I ended up leaving it on for about 3 hours, and it probably should have been six! It does get darker over time (as it oxidizes), and now I like the color, but it was pretty orange for a while!

    I'm not getting much length...I keep getting it trimmed, but I don't feel like it's getting any longer.

    There were lots of compliments on it, both at the conference and my friends and family on vacation, which felt nice, even though I really do want it longer. People said I looked cute with this short style, but to me, it's not me. Does that makes sense?

    Also, I'm at a length where some people could think I deliberately cut this short. I've had two or three people (who clearly don't know me well, or keep in good touch) say, "Why did you cut all your beautiful hair off?" And I hate to be blunt, and say something like, "I didn't, chemotherapy made it fall out," but clearly they don't even know about the dx, or they would have figured out what happened...

    And now I'm worrying about other parts of me in regards to self-image---I'm seeing someone (yay!) but now of course I'm worried about all my scars and the way my radiated breast feels (sort of rubbery, if you know what I mean). We're not intimate yet, but I know we will be, and gads, that makes me nervous. I know she won't care, she's a wonderful person, but still.... OK probably TMI!

    Church is staying open! Yay!  

    So enough about me, how is everyone else doing?

  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 779
    edited August 2009

    Test results form bone scan  negative.

    Good to hear Torch Song. I am married and I still worry about what dh thinks of my scars, I could not imagine dating or even starting a new relationship. Best of luck to you. Of cousre we have nohad any relations for since about the end of July. I just had my ovaries removed and no nookie until dr says ok. I am still sore all around my abdomen.

  • BooBee
    BooBee Member Posts: 860
    edited August 2009

    Yay Martha!!!!  on the church and "you go girl" on the GFriend.  You deserve to be happy.

  • BooBee
    BooBee Member Posts: 860
    edited August 2009

    Mary, I'm so relieved for you. 

  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 779
    edited August 2009

    Renee here is a weebsite for you, maybe you can find some relief.

    www.hystersisters.com

    They have an online store with products like the Chillow, a pillow that stays cold, maybe they have the pj's too. Good Luck

  • Jean09
    Jean09 Member Posts: 126
    edited August 2009

    Hi Ladies,

    Could somene give me a ballpark figure of the cost for one radiation treatment?  I have to begin cobra beginning of Sept.  My last chemo treatment will be end of Aug (thank god)!!!   I am also on my husbands insurance and was wondering if cobra will be a good choice or just go to husbands insurane, but I need to know the cost of rad treament before making this decision.  Thanks for your help.

  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 779
    edited August 2009

    I guess it would depend on your doctor, how many treatments, and how much your ins covers. If you have a problem paying for tx, you could contact the ACS, they may be able to point you in the right direction.

  • kristifromsandiego
    kristifromsandiego Member Posts: 271
    edited August 2009

    Martha, it is so good to hear from you, surgery was a pain in the &#*%. (mastectomy left side with tissue expander). They took three nodes, I should get the results of those today), pretty fast since surgery was just this Tuesday.  I'm in a fair amount of pain but I at least got to come home.   Definitely not as bad as the last time (right side wth 18 nodes taken last October).     Glad to hear about the church and the potential relationship.  Both are so important, I don't know what I would have done with out them, especially this time. I also found your thoughts on self image interesting.  I know it is difficult when people think you just cut your hair short for fun.  Mine is about an inch long everywhere and it could be thought of as a hair do?  Yet it is really not me at all.  Not that I need long flowing hair to be me but between that and a manipulated body you can loose what your own self image.  I think we need to go deeper with in ourselves to make sure we stay true to who we are.......sorry about being so philosophical....maybe it's the drugs.

    Mary glad everything on the scan came outwell, hope you are healing well.

    Renee, thank you for all your thoughts

    Jean, Radiation is expensive, I was shocked how much.  There are costs for every session and then there is the cost for all the set-up.  They have to scan you, build molds for you and get it all set up to do.  I just got a bill for $568.00 and that was my portion after insurance.....but I cannot tell from the bill if that is for more than one session...I am sure it must be...hospital bills are so ambiguous.

    Have a joyful day everyone.

  • Rachel_BC
    Rachel_BC Member Posts: 1,386
    edited August 2009

    kristi- I am sorry I missed your post but glad to hear you made it through surgery OK, my prayers are still with you

    jean- nelia from this thread got medicare (I think) to pay for ALL of her treatments plus bra and things she needed. She said she paid all of $2 for all her care.  I think she got help through the social worker at the hospital.  The social worker at the hospital and ACS *should* be able to help you.  Its incredibly expensive. 

  • SusieMTN
    SusieMTN Member Posts: 795
    edited August 2009

    kristifromsandiego: Well done on getting thru your sugery, let us know about your nodes.  Wishing you the best possible outcome!  Smile

    Mary22:  WoooHoooo on Bone Scan being negative!  Smile

    TorchSong: It is important for us all to have someone in our lives that we care about and that care about us, we all need that!

    Well, I survived my 4 days of back to back doctor appointments, treatments etc.... Glad that is over with!  Had my last Herceptin treatment was today.  I will be going to surgery on the 26th for  a wire guided biopsy of my remaining breast and excisions biopsy and re-suture of my incision on other side.  Does the fun never cease!  Doctors took my off of Aromasin for 4 days due to pain. Saw the Oncologist and he put me back on and boy am I feeling a tad bit cranky!  Doc are lucky they don't have to live with US!  

    So ladies have a nice night and I off to listen to some loud music, hopefully exorcise my demons!  Laughing

  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 779
    edited August 2009

    kristi glad to hear surgery went well.

    jean, how much will you have to pay for cobra, I know that can pretty expensive as well. Since you will finish Rads at the end of Aug, and would start cobra in Sept, your rads should be covered by your ins. My rads onc submitted everything to my ins co before I started, and it was approved and pd for except for my 20%. Good luck w/everything.

  • Jean09
    Jean09 Member Posts: 126
    edited August 2009

    Hi Mary,

     I'm not sure how much cobra is going to be, I havent received the paperwork yet.  I should be receiving the paperwork within a week. 

    I will complete chemo end of Aug and begin radiation sometime in Sept.  I still have a ways to go before having all treatments behind me.

  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 779
    edited August 2009

    oops sorry I missed read your post. I read it be that you were finishing tx in Aug.

  • kristifromsandiego
    kristifromsandiego Member Posts: 271
    edited August 2009

    Jean Ohio...sad you have so far to still go, everyday is an accomplishment.  From my experience rads are much easier than chemo so the worst is nearly over.

    They took 8 nodes and thank God they were all cancer free.  I now am trying to heal, I find myself so impatient, I am still in so much pain, my intestines are all messed up, when they act up I can't even talk through the pain.  I am taking Miralax.....any suggestions?

     Susie I hope all your doctors get on the same page, it sounds like they are thoroughly checking things out.

    Mary, thank you for all your support.

    Kristi

  • Rachel_BC
    Rachel_BC Member Posts: 1,386
    edited August 2009

    kristi YAY for the clean nodes!  You're not impatient, you are very patient.  It's been a long time for you and that's not fair, it sucks.  Are you on painkillers? They're a mixed bag.. .they don't take the pain away and they mess with your mind and they are constipating as all get out, which again, messes with your mind.  But if you are in pain, you gotta take 'em.  I am not going to tell you to be patient, I am going to tell you the fastest way to get better is to rest and sleep as much as possible.  Drink lots of fluids. Try to keep your mind occupied on fun stuff.  There's a fun thread here called "Escape".  Put on your fuzzy slippers and get as comfy as possible.  Be liberal with the pain killers and sleep.

    All the best 

  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 779
    edited August 2009

    Good news Kristi. Just a suggestion, 1/2 glass prune juice and 1/2 glass apple juice mixed together and warmed. STAY CLOSE TO THE BATHROOM!!!! It should work w/i an hour or two, if not repeat the folowing day. My dd's get constipated and realyy helps.

    Good luck!!!

  • kristifromsandiego
    kristifromsandiego Member Posts: 271
    edited August 2009

    Well I am still alive...that is good news.  Everything is looking up, what I thought was constipation appears to be the other thing, so me and the bathroom have become very good friends.  I feel much better so that is good.  Only eating dry toast and bananas but that is OK.  Looking forward to every day.  Thank you for letting me whine, this is a place I feel comfortable to do that....I hate to burdon my family any more, they have had to deal with so much. 

     Thank you again  Kristi

  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 779
    edited August 2009

    Glad you are feeling better, but not about "the other thing"

    Whining is always welcome, if we don't understand who will!!!!!!!

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