SEPTEMBER 2009 RADS

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited October 2009

    Yay Laura!  Next step..going topless!   We are such wild women!

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  • aris
    aris Member Posts: 124
    edited October 2009

    Okay, so the very weakened man from radiation wasn't even there today. I am hoping he just changed his time. I hope he's okay.....just something else to worry about.

    My vent for the day is that my in laws are here. They are very decent people, don't get me wrong, but I just had to endure about 1 hour of them telling me about all the people they know who have died from cancer or are dying from cancer. Is that really necessary? Does anyone ever think before they speak?  Not to mention that my kids (who are just 7 years old) were in the next room. Like I want them hearing about all the people who die from cancer?

     On a much more positive note, I had my first of 8 boosts today. Only 7 more to go and then I'm done! I will still have Herceptin until the end of May, but I'm so so looking forward to ringing the bell (metaphorically, of course, there is no bell in my rads unit).

     Have a good weekend everyone. Hopefully my in laws will contain their death talk for the rest of their visit.

    Pam

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  • MTG
    MTG Member Posts: 646
    edited October 2009

    Aris - Maybe they gave the guy a long weekend to recover a bit ? I know there were several women in August and September who took some time off when the SEs got bad; in fact I think one woman even asked for and got a three day weekend each week. So since today is Friday, I think it's a safe asumption. That's one of the few nice thing about radiation, if SEs get really bad, a break is ok.

    Sorry about your in-laws; maybe you or their son can gently tell them that death is an off limits topic when the kids are in the house.

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  • kawee
    kawee Member Posts: 324
    edited October 2009

    LOLLYS and APRILGIRL1 - Congrats, good for you.  Isn't it a wonderful emotional relief!!!!!

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  • nas14
    nas14 Member Posts: 68
    edited October 2009

    aprilgirl1 and Laura,

    Hip, hip, hooray for you both!!! One more biggie checked off your list. Enjoy your celebrations!

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  • MTG
    MTG Member Posts: 646
    edited October 2009
    Ohh, I almost forgot....Aprilgirl1 , Laura - Yippee for both of you !!!! Bet this weekend you find yourselves smiling when you think of one more hurdle being behind you !
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  • lollys
    lollys Member Posts: 205
    edited October 2009

    Thanks everyone--back from my delicious dinner--going to put cold compresses on my boob-lovely anyway it still feels weird to be done--Hope everyone who is traveling this weekend has a great time--enjoy the get away!! Titan I cant wait to go topless--I saw a woman at the restaurant with really really short hair maybe just a little longer than mine and thought is she recovering from treatment or is that just a cute short hairstyle-- it was weird thinking that -but it really was only a little more coverage than mine--she happened to look really cute--I just am not there yet--have a great weekend all--anyone on ariimedex--that is the next hurdle for me--Laura

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  • BetsyBuzz
    BetsyBuzz Member Posts: 592
    edited October 2009

    Laura & Aprilgirl1 - Welcome to the PFR's group...Congratulations!!! Laura, taking a trip down memory lane, I recall the day I started this thread, we were still in the middle of Taxol SE's and the end still seemed so far away. But we are done today...O'Happy Day!!!

    Aprilgirl- Do you live on Bainbridge? We have gone there as a side trip from my sister-in-laws beach house a couple of times. Bainbridge is so charming. Did you have to go into Seattle for treatment?

    Titan - Your trip sounds wonderful, you deserve it. I picture you driving down the road with your dh and hanging your head out the window shouting out everyone's names as you pass by their exits. Hey...this time you may have some hair to blow in the wind! Be sure to keep your mouth closed...bugs are not your best source of protein. Hee...hee...

    I've had at least 5 people this past week tell me I shouldn't grown my hair out. They say I look edgy and good with my chemically induced hairdo. I think it still looks medically induced but even my dh is saying he likes it short too. Length is about a 1/4 an inch - more gray than I had before but there is some natural color in the mix too. At an inch, I'll have enough hair to make a decision.

    Pam - during chemo tx is when the seriousness of our situation hit me. There was a young women in her late teens or early twenties in the chemo room. Bald as ever...her mom was with her every treatment. She was the cutest thing and all I could think of was how horrible for her and all other children and their families to face the big C. Life isn't fair, is it? I didn't get emotional through chemo...but by the time rads rolled around, maybe because I had the energy, I did start feeling sadness. You know they say after treatment we all need to be concerned about depression...not saying anyone is there but I think it probably is something for each one of us to watch out for.

    I think Mtg was right on about the topics out of limits discussion with your in-laws.

    Things are really improving for me daily on the tissue front. My boost area finally went down a notch on the color spectrum yesterday. Monday will be my two week mark. I still can't wear a bra but the swelling has gone down and most of the rads area looks more tan than red. My armpit is still black/brown but doesn't hurt as much. So what they say about tissue improvement two weeks out is holding true for me.

    We have a thunderstorm rolling in and I have to get off the computer. Have a great weekend all.

    Betsy

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

    Betsy - yes I live on Bainbridge Island - great community, but yes I also commute on a ferry and then take a bus to treatment.  6 months of chemo and then radiation not to mention the surgeries, doctor appts etc.  We moved here 3 years ago from Portland - Raleigh Hills to be exact.  I know my commute in Portland would have been, oh - 15 minutes maybe to the various cancer centers vs. an hour or more here.  I really miss Portland, but Bainbridge is a wonderful community and without the cancer, really is a great place.  Still, I would move back to Portland in a second - I have friends here, but lived there for 15 years (as a newlywed, had our babies there and moved when the kids were 7 and 9).  Okay, whining is over.

    aris - I am completely speechless about your inlaws.  I agree - their son needs to talk to them.  Very insensitive and unnecessary - I also think you should talk to them about survival stats that are really positive.

    Betsy - I have a whole new perspective on women with short hair.  I used to admire them and think - wow - such an edgy cut - she looks great - wish I were that edgy (especially some of the women who were in their 70's).  Now, I imagine a good portion of them had been thru chemo.  I admire them even more!  I guess I was naive.

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  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 985
    edited October 2009

    Congratulations Aprilgirl & Lollys!!!!! It is such a great feeling to be done!

    Betsy...Could you post a pic so we can see your hair?? I can't tell very good with the small profile pic.

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  • BetsyBuzz
    BetsyBuzz Member Posts: 592
    edited October 2009

    Aprilgirl - Small world, I use to live in Raleigh Hills in the early 1980's. I actually live in Lake Oswego now. I love it here but miss Seattle. I am from Seattle and miss the water. I can't imagine your commute to rads on a daily basis. Wow...my hat is off to you. I bet you are doing the happy dance that your done with rads and chemo.

    Christy - my computer skills are lacking but I will try to post a better picture. I'm not sure how everyone gets their pictures in their posts. My dh said he would help me. Did you lose your hair, I can't recall your chemo tx? (( chemo brain)) - I'm still soaking it for all it's worth these days! LOL

    Laura- I'm on tamoxifen not arimidex. So far tamox has been super easy. No SE's at all. I have been on it since the day before I started rads. Initially, I had intense hotflashes but I think they might have been chemo related. Now don't get me wrong...I'm still experiencing hotflashes..just not as intense. I think it's parr for the course.

    Betsy

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited October 2009

    Betsy...keep my mouth shut?  I'll try but it won't be easy!  Have a great week you guys, heal, heal, heal, grow your hair!  I plan on exposing my head to the South Carolina sun and growing an inch or two...I wish!

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  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 985
    edited October 2009

    Betsy...yes I lost my hair...I am wearing my wig in my pic. My hair is about an inch long. I do not look good with short hair, my ears are too big, lol

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  • BetsyBuzz
    BetsyBuzz Member Posts: 592
    edited October 2009

    Christy - You haven't mentioned anything regarding your tissue lately? I hope you are healing up well....no more green ooze - I hope!

    Titan - you crack me up. Thanks for making me smile through this entire process. Have a fun holiday.

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2009

    Hello again.  I know a lot of the September group has finished up, so I wanted to ask this:  During and right after the rads, did any of you have problems with migraines that linger for days?  I been through at least six different rounds of migraines since my rads began in Aug.  I don't know if it is related or if it's just my bad brain.  I'm not on the hormonal drugs yet, but I do wonder if I am having wild hormone fluctuations in my perimenopause years? I have had a few bouts in the last ten years, but nothing that was so ongoing like what I am experiencing the past two months. 

    Also, I'd welcome any tips on how to get rid of a migraine.  

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  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 985
    edited October 2009

    Betsy....I am still burned pretty bad and the ooze is now just a clearish color and I am in pain. I am going in for my Herceptin treatment tomorrow and I am going to stop by the rad doc to have him look at me. My tissue expander feels heavier than before, like a big rock on top of my chest. It is no fun. Thanks for asking about me. I still want to see a pic! lol

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

    Christy - my rad doc and nurse prepared me for what you are describing, but it has not happened yet.  Did they give you some silver sulfer antibiotic cream?  It was a prescription that they gave me.

    I'm sorry :( - it sounds really painful.  I still have some pain, but 2 weeks ago I was in serious pain and taking vicodin for the radiation pain.  Oddly, it has been much less painful the last week of rads and now.

    elimar - I have not had headaches, just hot flashes - but in general I don't get many headaches.  My sister gets migraines.  I don't know what pain meds she takes, but even when she takes advil she drink some caffeine - she says it helps the headache medicine work.

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  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 985
    edited October 2009

    yes, Aprilgirl...I am using Silvadene, then I put a petroleum gauze called Xeroform on top of it. I have been using this for a little over a week now, right after my rads finished. I think it is helping, but still looks bad and a lot of pain.  I have taken hyrdocodone the last couple of nights to help  the pain. Thanks so much.

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  • BetsyBuzz
    BetsyBuzz Member Posts: 592
    edited October 2009

    Christy - I'm hoping your pain will subside soon. It's just been in the past two days I've gotten relief. I know you are a few days behind me, so maybe by the end of the week your tissue might start improving. It sounds so painful and the tissue expander sounds very uncomfortable. Sending you a big cyber hug.

    Elimar - I had hormonal migraines starting in my late twenties and early thirties. I was a little afraid that the chemically induced menopause would trigger them again. Thankfully, I have been spared that SE, actually my headaches have become less frequent since chemo. The only thing that worked for my migraines was Imtrex. Also, rotating hot and cold packs on the base of the back of your neck helps. I would definitely speak with your doctor about it, I'm sure they will be able to help make them more manageable.

    Betsy

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  • BetsyBuzz
    BetsyBuzz Member Posts: 592
    edited October 2009

    OK = so I couldn't figure out how to get my pics into this tiny (I had a few other choice words but I'm trying to be nice) little box. Here's a link instead.

    http://picasaweb.google.com/Boca1295/NewHair#

    I hope it works.

    Betsy

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  • BetsyBuzz
    BetsyBuzz Member Posts: 592
    edited October 2009

    Oh..btw... I expect to see everyone else's pics the moment they go topless. OK!!!!!

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  • peg119
    peg119 Member Posts: 281
    edited October 2009

    I actually love your new short hair style.  I didn't get chemo so never lost mine but often wish I could wear it short like that.  Very stylish on you.

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  • kawee
    kawee Member Posts: 324
    edited October 2009

    Betsybuzz - pretty darn cute!!!  Nice to put a face with a name!  Glad everyone is coming along.  I just read what everyone has to say, don't have much to report.  My breast looks like nothing ever happened.  Don't know why, don't know if that's good or bad.  It's a little dry, but that's it.  Still tired tho, very low energy.  Have 3 drs. appts. at the end of the month.  Still haven't taken tamox.  Still trying to decide what to do.  Waiting for the results of my estrogen level.

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  • MTG
    MTG Member Posts: 646
    edited October 2009

    Elimar - I've suffer from migraines for years and know that when a bad bout hits me, I'm pretty incapacitated for days. It may be the time of year, allergy season will often kick off a series of migraines for me. Now, as to what works: 1) As Aprilgirl1 suggested, caffeine helps ALOT. I'll make a large pot of strong coffee and even get up and drink a cup in the middle of the night; there is something about the caffeine that opens up the blood vessels and reduces migraines very quickly, 2) Tylenol Migraine - works like a dream but it takes a bit longer to have effect than does the coffee; I find it's best to take the pills just as I'm starting to feel the migraine rather than waiting for the migraine to hit me full force. But, of course, ask your rad onc before taking even OTC pain relievers just to make certain it's okay; and finally, 3) if all else fails, an ENT doc can prescribe a steroid nasal spray - it works but it's steroids so not great for you; I've only done it once and that was after 2+ weeks of pain, nausea and locking myself in a dark room. I hope you find something that works for you.

    Betsy - I'm not certain which I find more striking - your very chic hair style or that stunning garden behind you. Funny how one's closely cropped and the other overgrown.  ~smile~

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  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 985
    edited October 2009

    Betsy...You look great and thanks for posting the pics! I am 15 weeks PFC and still not ready to go topless yet.

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  • AmyIsStrong
    AmyIsStrong Member Posts: 1,755
    edited October 2009

    Here I am about 9 weeks PFC. I couldn't figure out how to get the photo to appear here either. In fact, I can't even get this to show up as a clickable link. BUT if you cut/paste this into your browser, you can see me:  

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/emily_jk/3975239270/

     Edited to add: I just made the photo my new avatar so you can see me there as well. 

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  • lollys
    lollys Member Posts: 205
    edited October 2009

    Wow--Betsy you look great --I am 11 weeks out will try to post some pics soon--but not going topless yet maybe another month??!!

    Christy --hope you start healing soon!!! 

    I am really feeling the fatigue these past 3 days--it really hits around 1 pm --needing to take 1-2 hour naps everyday--I guess it gets better from what everyone says--I know it is all expected--I am still trying to walk and do some form of exercise if I can but then I really get wiped out--

    Hope everyone has a good week--stay strong--Laura 

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  • lollys
    lollys Member Posts: 205
    edited October 2009

    AmylsStrong--great picture--I am just not there yet--but very anxious to go topless--

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  • MTG
    MTG Member Posts: 646
    edited October 2009

    Good morning. Hope everyone's weekend went well. Now that most of us have finished or ar really close, I'm guessing many are already looking at hormone therapy. Does anybody know if there is any option out there to tamoxifen for those of us who haven't quite hit menapause ? I know there's ovarian suppresiion which can then open up all options but short of that ? There are just so many side effects to Tamoxifen (Ovarian cysts and cancer as well as liver issues, which I've read about on this site, esp scare me since I have a family history of both.) Thanks for any input.

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2009
    BetsyBuzz, your short 'do has some sassy style; looks very nice on you.  Thanks for the tip on alternating hot/cold packs too.
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