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  • MBCR
    MBCR Member Posts: 161
    edited November 2009

    Hi Carol & Wendy: Positive thoughts are going out to you! I was diagnosed in March, had a lumpectomy in April, no nodes involved. My oncotype # was low so I just had radiation. This stage of the game is the hardest as you wait for results & see other doctors, it will get easier. Radiation was an easy process. i had my treatments at alocal hospital because it was daily. I felt more tired after the 2nd week. Work is definitely doable. I usually went to bed earlier or sometimes I wouls nap. Try to exercise, it helps w/ the energy level.I recently had my 6 month check up & everything was good. Good luck!!

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  • paigelise
    paigelise Member Posts: 173
    edited November 2009

    Shanagirl...thank you.  I have started exploring the other areas here and it has really answered a lot of my questions.  I also like connecting here on the message boards with people who understand what I'm going thru.  What a great site and wonderful bunch of people!

    MBCR....thanks for your input!  I'm glad to see I will be able to keep working thru radiation.  I just started exercising again now and know I have to keep it up.  This waiting is never ending...if it' not one test it's the next one.  You sound like you are doing well now!  Good to hear!

    Carol....how are you feeling??  Hopefully better every day!

    Wendy 

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  • CarolT0214
    CarolT0214 Member Posts: 64
    edited November 2009

    Hi Wendy and all,

    I am starting to feel better.  From what I have read in other discussions here...the node removal seems to take its toll, and it sure has with me.  I tried to stop taking the pain meds but needed to take them again once I realized I was not moving my arm anymore.  I will have the drain removed next Tuesday and see the Dr. on Dec 2nd.  The pathology report should be back by then and I will find out what comes next on this journey.  How are you doing now that you are back at work?  I am working from home "some" this week and next, at least.  Trying not to get to ahead of myself on this journey.  Looking forward to Thanksgiving next week.....everyone is coming to my house and cooking.  I will sit out on the cooking and take pictures this year.

    Carol 

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  • paigelise
    paigelise Member Posts: 173
    edited November 2009

    Hey Carol....definitely take the pain pills if you need to.  I learned my lesson years ago when I had another surgery and thought I would handle it without them when I got home...I was never able to get ahead of the pain.  So this time I made sure to take them.  Now I ususally just have pain when I wake up and an occasional stabbing pains that come and go. 

    My worst thing going back to work is that I work a 2nd-3rd swing shift and it has been very hard to stay awake at night.  When I was off I got out of a routine and just slept when I felt like it.  Oh - I am also itching really bad which the surgeon said was common so wearing a bra has been driving me crazy( I hate to even complain about it because it's bettter than being in pain).  I wear my surgery camisole to work and the surgeon said I could use Benadryl spray on it which helps somewhat.

    Are your daughters coming home for Thanksgiving?  Relax and let your family cook...they really want to help!  I am actually going to work Thanksgiving because it's double time and I need the money.  Usually I'm almost done Christmas shopping by now but I'm way behind this year so that's been hanging over my head.

    Keep me updated on your treatment plan!  My next step is a radiation consultation on Monday but he's not doing anything until I get the Oncotype test in and see the oncologist (11-30)

    Wendy

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  • CarolT0214
    CarolT0214 Member Posts: 64
    edited November 2009

    Hi Wendy....fortunately the pain was not out of control before I started taking the pain meds again.  I am very lucky to  be able to work from home at the moment.  Going to work with a drain in would be very difficult and I really cannot drive until I don't need the pain meds.  Tuesday should be the day they remove the drain...I look forward to that....I think.

    My daughters will be here for Thanksgiving and they and others will be responsible for all the cooking, setup, cleaning, etc.  I will be visiting and taking pictures....and nothing more!  My Xmas shopping may be done online this year with a couple of "short" trips to the mall when I am feeling better.  And others will be in charge of decorating as well.

    I had someone come over and wash my hair today and I am feeling more human again!  (I do not have the range of motion in my arm to do it myself yet). I am also having the "itch" issue.  I gave up wearing a bra and starting using a wooden spoon or pasta spoon to reach my back and other hard to reach places.....while being very careful not to hurt myself.  I didn't know there was a Benadryl spray, I may need to look into that!

    I have another question too.  Do you have any tips for removing the bandages?  I am seriously taped together.  I may need to try soaking the tape areas just to get it off my skin.  At this point I can't even get an area of tape to lift off my skin at all....I think someone got a bit tape happy.  I don't expect it to be completely painless but I would like to make it less painful if at all possible!

    Keep me posted on your Monday appt. and I will fill you in on my Tuesday appt.

    Carol

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  • paigelise
    paigelise Member Posts: 173
    edited November 2009

    Good morning Carol...the tape from my bandages came off easily after a few showers.  Then I just had those little steri strips I was to leave on as long as possible.  The surgeon just ripped them off me and I actually have what looks like a blister from where the tape was.  I am putting neo sporin on it.  Maybe when it can get wet soak it with warm cloths? 

    I see the radiation onc. Monday before I go to work so I will let you know what he says.  I was planning on going there by myself but now I'm wondering if I should take my husband with me.  I'm not as nervous for this appointment as I will be for the oncologist on 11/30.

    That is great you can work from home.  Don't over do it though!  I will let you know how Monday goes.

    Wendy 

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  • CarolT0214
    CarolT0214 Member Posts: 64
    edited November 2009

    Good Morning, Wendy....I was able to get the tape loose and change the bandage....yay!  /he steri strips are still in place for now.  I ran out of pain medication yesterday so I am using Tylenol.....not sure it is enough.  I would like to take Ibuprophen but am not sure if I can.  I wasn't allowed to take it for two weeks prior to surgery....for blood thinning reasons.  I may call the advise nurse today and see if it is OK to take it now.  I have never had Tylenol work for me for a headache....and this is more than a headache!

    Good Luck with the radiation onc. tomorrow....hope all goes well.

    Carol

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  • paigelise
    paigelise Member Posts: 173
    edited November 2009

    Hi Carol...plain Tylenol has never worked for me...the Advil Liquid Gels work well.  My surgeon said I can take them.

    I saw the radiation oncologist today. He is submitting my chart for a study to get the Mammosite radiation.   The good news about that is if I can get it I get radiation twice a day for just 5 days.  The bad news is it has to be surgically implanted.  But right now it is outweighing 6 weeks of radiation for me.  My Oncotype still isn't back yet re: chemo.  The radiation Dr said he thinks I WILL need a low dose of chemo because of my age (40) and the size (3 cms). 

    More waiting I guess...I should be getting used to this by now.  I see the oncologist on 11-30 and will maybe know more then.  I have been really tired lately...I think maybe it's stress.  I don't sleep well and am scared to take any sleeping pills.

     How are you doing?  I bet you are glad to get the drains out.  When do you plan on going back to work?  Oh....the radiation Dr said most people can work for those 6 weeks but he is willing to give any amount of time off as needed...that was nice.  He said the main side effect is skin issues and fatigue after the 2nd week.

    Keep me updated on your progress!

    Wendy

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  • 1marmalade1
    1marmalade1 Member Posts: 308
    edited December 2009

    Hi:  I'm IDC, 6 cm.  Head of onc is my Dr.  He has arranged for chemo first, then surgery, then probably rads after.  My lst tx is Dec. 16th.  Looking for other neo-adjuvant sisters out there - I haven't been able to find anyone yet.  Would love to hear from them all. 

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  • Emme
    Emme Member Posts: 205
    edited December 2009

    HI everyone!  I was diagnosed 11/18.  I found the lump myself while dressing and it has been a whirlwind ever since.  I am folling the holiday chemo thread too...but I haven't started my chemo yet and it is freaking me out a bit.  I am tending to obsess over everyone's SE. 

    Marmalade- my onc. has asked me to be in a clinical trial.  I am having neoadjuvant therapy too. The research nurse projects that I will start treatment after Christmas.

    I will be having taxol, with herceptin and/or tykerb.  16 weekly treatments.  Then I will have surgery, another round of Chemo, AC for 4 or 6 tx every three weeks, and then radiation...finihsing the year with herceptin.

    I'm tired just typing that out!!!!

    Stay Strong!

    .

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  • Sherri_V
    Sherri_V Member Posts: 159
    edited December 2009

    Hi 1marmalade1

    I am having chemo before surgery as well.  I've done 2 treatments so far with 2 more to go.  The next one is December 23rd.  I'm preparing myself for surgery in February, followed up by radiation.  I'm have Taxotere & Cytoxen.

    Good luck with your treatment!

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