AUGUST 2009 RADS

"Tha Tha-Tha That's All, Folks!"

I'm done, finito, finished with Rads.  I'd like to say it wasn't so bad, but there is no way I'll ever call that freakishly un-natural activity anything but bad.  Like dentists, but worse.  Don't get me wrong, the staff were all super nice.  I took them some muffins.  The treatment went quick, and then I was off that table with a side aerial flip.  The judges in my mind scored the dismount with 10, 10 and 9.5.  I skipped out to the lobby, RANG THE BELL like the building was on fire.  Then, as pre-planned, my sheet music of "The Merry Go Round Broke Down" (more widely known as the LOONEY TUNES theme) was played by the lobby pianist.  More skipping ensued.  (They had warned me that cartwheels were a liability!)  My check-in swipe card was flung heavenward, as I closed with the immortalized lines, "Tha Tha-Tha That's All, Folks!"

*The side aerial is fictional; the skipping all true.

Alyad--I am going to the ps end of Oct to discuss getting a TRAM bi-lat mx. I'm a little nervous about the procedure, especially the stomach part and the scars. Do they really cut your stomach muscles and how is that healing? Will I be able to do sit-ups after awhile (not that I do them now, ha ha!) or will my muscles be super compromised? Any thoughts would be great!

lemon jello

I am sending u healing thoughts,.I know the wait is awful. we are here anytime.. let us know please

ravenruth:  Losing the weight is a tough battle.  I find that I am either working out and eating good because I know that it helps the fight, but the next week I am eating junk because I feel sorry for myself and think what the hell!  Losing the weight will definitely benefit you in many ways.  Start small and build from there...you can do it!

Your burns will heal, takes time. Use lots of cream... Hang in there!  

Chris,

Thanks for the info on the Vigilon squares...will check it out. 

Ravenruth:  Hang in there...the end is near!!

Hi, Ladies.  Did anyone just start their tamox?  I went to LA today and saw my rheumatologist (I have a lupus thing).  Anyway he said I definitely need to start it soon.  He said it works in 2 hours (so I should know how it will make me feel and it's out of your system in 24.  Anyway, don't know if we need to start another thread, but would like to keep up with those just starting so we can walk thru our symptoms, or lack thereof, together.  Anyway, I had him check my estrogen level and give me a vitamin B12 shot (for all the stress I've been under).  I was doing my stretching last Thursday and felt something pop under my rib.  Thing has been killing me.  I wanted him to do an x-ray, but he said no reason.  Nothing can be done.  If it's a cartiledge or tendon it will feel better in a week, if it's a rib probably 2 months.  My gosh, I hope it's not a rib.  I am really tired of things hurting.

I have been on Tamox for a month and a half now.  No real side effects.  Some hot flashes but I had those before too so not sure if it is the tamox or just because.

Dear Elimar, You are one very funny creative writer!  LOVED your description of your last rad tx and am going to share it with my rad crew!  My last tx is this Thursday and I intend to score a perfect 30 with my side aerial flip!!!! Thanks for the laugh.

If at all possible, try to "air" the area (lie down topless).  It did the world of good for me!!! I spent an hour after work "airing" and an hour just before bed "airing" and I was doing much better in a couple days. My burn area was under my breast and I had to lie down in order to get air to it! Just try not to do it too close to the silvadene application so the air will actually hit the skin!  Take care!

hi

I am actually in the october rads as i started oct 1. .day 7 tomorrow. did anyone not get any side effects. so far i have nothing, but i still have 14 to go..yipee 1/3 of the way .

did anyone do tamoxofn at the same time.. or naturpathic meds.. curious what other oncoligists said.

Hi Jackie.  I had 30 rads including 5 boosts.  I did not get redness until the end and then mostly my nipple area where the boosts were.  I have had itching and peeling since I finished a week ago but it is not too bad.  I use Silvadene and nonstick pads to protect the area.  I started rads on August 25 and started Tamox on August 24.  So far no major se's except for hot flashes that I also had before.  At this point I don't think they are any worse.  Good luck to you.

Congrats Titan and Gramof3!!  You are official members of the PFR club!!  It is a great feeling to be done!  Enjoy...

My next steps are, first of all, waiting for this bad radiation burn to heal and Herceptin every 3 weeks until March 2010 and I will hopefully get my exchange from this uncomfortable expander to implant in 3-6 months. So, I can't wait for March to get here!! I won't be able to take Tamoxifen because I am er- pr-.

I will continue with Arimidex for the next 5 years!