July 2009 rads group

Options
1…1213141517

Comments

  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited October 2009

    I'M SO ECSTATIC!!! My daughter had a girl this morning - her second. They haven't named her yet, but I'll let you know when they do.

    Grandchildren are the best!

    Leah

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dawnmrn1
    Dawnmrn1 Member Posts: 446
    edited October 2009

    Leah!  Congrats!!!!! Dawn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • maureen5
    maureen5 Member Posts: 11
    edited October 2009

    Oh Leah, what a blessing.  I can't wait to be a grandma too!

    I met with my ps yesterday and am having my exchange surgery in Novermber.  I am so looking forward to getting this skin expander out.

    Hope everyone is well. 

    Still praying for good news Helen.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited October 2009

    Leah.....mazel tov to you and the entire family.....a healthy baby and healthy mom!!!!

    Thanks, Maureen. Prayers are good.....I see surgeon on the 19th so I'm trying not to think about it too much.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MsDebS
    MsDebS Member Posts: 36
    edited October 2009

    Just went for my first mammo since dx a year ago.  I cannot tell you all how stressed I am.  The tech did the right side first and then did the left(where the cancer was found)  She was fine with the right side and then when she did the left she was clicking away like crazy and then told me she needed to take another one with more compression on the left side and needed to move out a little more where she said the breast was more dense.  I asked if there was anything wrong and she said no....she just wanted a better picture....not that there was anything really wrong with the first one.  I have a Dr appt with my surgeon next Thursday, but I was not happy with what happened this morning.  I dont think that I can go through this again.  I just finished rads in August.  The tech told me I looked stressed and should chill out.  OMG....I am not going to sleep for a week.

    Leah....congratulations on your new granddaughter!

    Deb

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited October 2009

    Deb, your doctor will get the results quickly so is it possible to call and get information over the phone? Having to wait a week is cruel and unusual punishment after everything you've been through already and definitely not good for your overall health.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MsDebS
    MsDebS Member Posts: 36
    edited October 2009

    Helen....took your advice and called the Dr. office.  A sweet young girl told me that although she has never had BC, her boyfriends mother did and had the same experience with the follow up mammo.  She then called me back and said that the results came back and she knew how upset I was so she wanted me to know that the findings were benign. Not only was I over the top with joy but so thankful to this sweet young lady for caring enough to set my mind at ease.

    Thank you for your advice.

    Deb

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited October 2009
    So glad to hear your good news, Deb. When we are overcome by emotion it is so difficult to be logical and to advocate for oneself.........you are a role model for the rest of us.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • survivorsal
    survivorsal Member Posts: 12
    edited October 2009

    Hi All.  I finished 35 rads on Aug 27th and have been healing very nicely.  I'm wondering if anyone has ever felt stinging sensations, like little needle pricks in the nipple area, from the the inside.??

    Thanks!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fmakj
    fmakj Member Posts: 1,278
    edited October 2009

    Hi Survivorsal,  I too have been having "stabbing" pains in all areas of the radiated breast and was told that this is normal.  I finished my 25 txs and 5 boosts on September 10th.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • carollynn79
    carollynn79 Member Posts: 654
    edited October 2009

    Leah- Congrats!!  I  long for Grandchildren but my boys are so not ready for any kind of commitment!

    I too have had the stabbing pains, finished Rads on August 26 and they are much less frequesntly now.  Went back for my 30 day chack today and all is well.  Still struggling sme with fatigue but it is improving.  Went to see Medical Onc today too and he told me to stop worrying about the Ambien I am on and take it as long as I needed.  If fatigue was still bothering me in another month to call him if it is better will see me in 6 months, so I get my next Mammo in early April and see both Oncs mid April.  Yea Doctor visits are really going down.

    Deb glad your results are B-9!!!

    I am going out to Albuquerque and Las Vegas to see my sons and youngest brother and family nexy week, so excited!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tpcizmar
    tpcizmar Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2009

    I had a similar scare this June and ended up having a lumpectomy and it was only a radial scar.  It was blocking their view of my breast.  Like you,  I didn't sleep well from June 11 until I found out that there was no CANCER on August 29.  It's normal to go bat crazy,  it will be fine, my best to you!  Theresa

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited October 2009

    So scary when this kind of thing happens. Seeing the onc tomorrow and VERY nervous.

    The new cutiepie is named Yael. Thank you, everyone, for your good wishes.

    Leah

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • survivorsal
    survivorsal Member Posts: 12
    edited October 2009

    Thanks for your input.  The stinging sensations have slowed down a bit although they still happen every day.  I'm glad to know they're "normal". 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • donnamariem
    donnamariem Member Posts: 27
    edited October 2009

    Good morning, ladies -  I am just wondering if anyone else is having a problem with fatigue.  I finished rads on August 24 and was told I should start to feel better in about a month.  I feel like crap!  I was so wiped out this weekend I couldn't even eat!  And for me that's saying something!  I did start tamoxifen 3 weeks ago, but I truly think it's the rads. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited October 2009

    I'm also still tired and often feel just not well, and I'm almost 2 months out of rads. I read 3 to 6 months if you don't have chemo, 6 months to a year if you do.

    I told my dh that I'm tired of feeling tired and sick of feeling sick. I want my life back!

    Leah

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • donnamariem
    donnamariem Member Posts: 27
    edited October 2009

    Leah - I know just what you mean.  I feel so awful right now.  It's always the worst in the afternoons.  I'm tired, have a headache, neckache, dizzy and I want to throw up!!!  I haven't cried yet through this entire ordeal, but I feel I'm reaching the breaking point.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited October 2009

    I am also tired all the time ... don't know if it's chemo, rads, Arimidex, emotional .....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • maureen5
    maureen5 Member Posts: 11
    edited October 2009

    I hear you sisters,  I finished rads about 6 weeks ago and I'm finding I need about 12 hours of sleep a night!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MsDebS
    MsDebS Member Posts: 36
    edited October 2009

    I asked my Onco on Friday why I was still so tired and he says that it takes a long while to get over the chemo.  I was done in June but still have Herceptin until March 2010.  I didnt buy it though.....I think it is from the rads....I am in bed at 8 every night and barely am making it through the afternoons at work.  I ache in my joints and across my back.  I did start Arimidex in Sept and was told I would ache until I got used to it.  My protocol nurse was standing with me after the Drs appt and the nurse tried to put a wristband on her for chemo and you should have seen her JUMP.  She said....I'm not the patient! I dont want that stuff.  I dont think I like her any more. I was kind of blown away by the whole scenario.  Very easy I guess to watch others go through hell but didnt want it herself.  Hope she never has to, but if she does, I hope she gets a nurse with a little more empathy.  Having now come out of the almost end of treatment....I am really proud of myself for getting through it.  I do not consider myself brave, but I have always done what I think is the right thing after I have time to think about it.  There are so many decisions that we have to make and that no one can make for us.  I dont think that the medical staff takes that into consideration because they are dealing with the physical well being of the patient.  I didnt want to go to counseling about my BC because I consider myself an educated and self reliant individual capable of handling stress and didnt want to talk to someone who knew someone who knew someone etc.  A nurse who had recently gone through treatment for BC was at the center one day and it was probably the most honest conversation with a member of my medical team that I have had.  Most of my support came from this web site and from family.  Thank you all so much!

    Deb

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • earthandie
    earthandie Member Posts: 15
    edited October 2009

    Mazel Tov to Leah and her family and welcome to Yael!!

    Has anyone been having trouble with their arm? A few wks after rads were complete my arm started getting fatigued, muscle pain weakness. Went to doc, he said didn't think it was lympedema  - have an appt with onc in a couple of wks - if it continues i will try to go sooner.  Also how long after rads did you have to wait for mammo?  My dx was a year ago, finished rads 8/24 after 3 mos chemo, so it's been a year since mammo.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited October 2009

    Thank you for your good wishes earthandie!

    I'm having tightness under my arm, and a small bit of cording. I don't think I can get an appointment too soon with an LE specialist but I don't have swelling so i don't think it'sd that. I was measured for a sleeve for prophylactic use - I'll be travelling to the States mid-Nov so need it for the flights.

    My onc said to go for mammo and u/s since I'm also coming up to a year since dx.

    Leah

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • earthandie
    earthandie Member Posts: 15
    edited October 2009

    Saw my onc today, he said that the swelling is probably inflammation from radiation.  He did not seem very concerned at all.  Asked about mammo - he said 6 mos after rads, that will make it almost a full 1-1/2 years - think i need to address this some more.  Also asked if i need a sleeve to fly and he said no.  Not sure about all of this, but I do trust him.  I have bone and CT coming up in a couple of wks and see him again - hopefully all is well ~

    Leah, give that baby girl a big hug for me!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited October 2009

    Earthandie, I think the wait for mammo is preferred when you've had a lumpectomy since the breast that had rads is still very sensitive. Since I had a mast I'll have a mammo for the remaining side (plus u/s for both sides)without needing to wait.

    I told my doc that now my mammos will take half the time.

    Leah

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NanaA
    NanaA Member Posts: 293
    edited October 2009

    I asked by rad doc about my next mammogram.  They said it must be at least 3 months since finish of rads and depending on the amount of rads they sometimes want to wait 6 months.  Since my annual physical is next month they said they would have an answer for me about when to have the mammogram done when I go back for my next rads check-up on Nov, 12.  I am not to worried since they did an MRI in July.  That is what they finally used to diagnose the cancer in the first place, so I am sure if there was anything else there then it would have showed up. They said if I need to wait I will just have a different annual mammogram date from my  annual physical date.  I am feeling good.  I still take a nap occasionally.  If my body says its tired I try to listen, but on the whole feeling good.  I have a biopsy of my thyroid tomorrow.  There is a large nodule on it the radiologist says is benign, but it is the size they usually remove, but since I have been thru so much this year, the surgeon is willing to just watch it as long as he he does the biopsy to make sure it is B9.  Also have followup CT scan of my lungs on Nov 12.  If both of these are OK (and I don't see any reason to think they won't) I will be done except for herceptin and onc appt every other herceptin until March.  I will also have to have one more echocardiogram in Dec or Jan since I am doing the hercepetin.  Considering all the time I spent at the clinic this last year this seems like nothing.  My DH and I are planning a 10 day  cruise to the Panama Canal, Costa Rica, Bahamas, and Aruba in March. We get back just in time for the last herceptin treatment.  Sounds like a good way to celebrate to me!  A cruise is a good way for me to travel and see things and still take it easy on the knees.  Hope everyone is doing well,  Hugs Annette 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • carollynn79
    carollynn79 Member Posts: 654
    edited November 2009

    Hi all,  I finished Rads August 26 and still deal with fatugue, itchyness, shooting pain, which is probably still form the Rads.  I am improvong but like Leah said I want my life back!  I think that things will be different for a long time I have been told that I can figure dealing with some fatigue for at least 6 months.  My Med onc wrote my Ambien for 5 months and told me not to worry about taking it so I don't worry anymore but do take it.  I also have some days where my chest wall and front of shoulder are very sore, Radiologist told me that may go on for a number of years, they do not know why but I am glad it is not constant and have been able to handle it.  I find the more I do pull weeds, plant, exercise the arm a lot the sorer it gets.  The Docs all reccomend walking as best exercise for me so time will tell.  Hope all are well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kim40
    kim40 Member Posts: 904
    edited November 2009

    I finished rads August 4th.  I'm still tired!!!  Some days are better than others though - how long does this go on! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited November 2009

    I heard 6 months to a year before you're back to yourself if you had chemo plus rads. Well, dang.

    I have my first follow-up mammo & u/s tomorrow. I cannot describe how stressed I feel about this. I told my dh he didn't need to come with me. I just felt bad that he would have to come with me to yet another appt. He slept in a chair by my bed after surgery, came to every chemo, came to every rad treatment, came to every dr's appt - he's certainly done his part. So now I'm going back and forth about asking him to come after all. I keep thinking that I'm so stressed that I need him. Then I think it really won't help. Back and forth, back and forth.

    Please send me positive thoughts while I have my apprt tomorrow. With the time difference it'll be 2:30 in the morning EST when I have it, so if you're sleeping remember what Mama Cass said and "dream a little dream of me".

    Leah

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nwood450
    nwood450 Member Posts: 110
    edited November 2009

    Oh Leah ... you know I will be thinking of you.  Haven't posted on this thread for a while.  I, too, am still tired but you just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  My 1st mamo is scheduled for December 16th ... the day before my original diagnosis.  All of these milestones!!!  Just got back from Boston yesterday.   I have developed cellulitis in my treated / reconstructed breast.  It's very painful and sleeping is almost impossible so that doesn't help with the fatigue. I'm on mega doses of Keflex. I had a CT scan to rule out an abcess and I'll tell you, having that test, lying on that table put me in a cold sweat.  I have a feeling we will live with this anxiety for a long time.

    My thoughts and prayers are with you my friend ...

    Warmly,
    Nancy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited November 2009

    Nancy, thank you for your good wishes.

    May you heal quickly and well from the cellullitis.

    Leah

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories