SEPTEMBER 2009 RADS

Hey everyone!  Betsy..that sucks that your boob isn't getting better...maybe you should get a stronger antibiotic? 

Laura...I haven't had another muga test either but now I am wondering...the technician that did the test told me that IF there is any damage from the adriamycin that the heart "pops" back...I don't know if that is true or not....

OK..if we have the side effects from the chemo/rads for a long time...there is nothing we can do about it now..we have done the chemo and there is no going back to before....however...I still hope, hope, and believe that chemo was the best thing...and I am also realizing that we will probably all never feel as good as we did "before"...I know I was expecting to actually feel better but that really isn't happening..

Yep..we will all have our freaking out days...most of the time...though...they will be good days..not freaking out days.

I just did this today..and I'm ticked at myself..I went to last winter/spring's calendar on outlook and saw all of my appts...the first mammogram, the appt. to discuss the mammogram, the biopsy appt, the lumpectomy, the chemo appts....and on and on....why in the heck do I put myself through that????????     Do I like to make myself miserable..I need to go in an erase the whole damn year. 

Betsy - An infection ? And here I thought you were just decorating for XMAS - red boobs and green...what; what in the world would want to dye green. On second thought, maybe just get rid of the infection !

Is anyone here taking or thinking of taking Zometa as a precautionary step ? Been doing a bit of research and it looks like it's a option to reduce the possiblity of bc recurrence as well as bone mets. Since I had vascular invasion, that's my biggest risk. SInce it's only 15 minutes every 6 months it sounds tempting. Anyone have any thoughts ? 

So here a quick look at the Zometa research: a Feb 2009 study, "Zometa Reduces Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence in Premenopausal Women, Study in The New England Journal of Medicine Reports" http://www.drugs.com/clinical_trials/zometa-reduces-risk-breast-cancer-recurrence-premenopausal-women-study-new-england-journal-medicine-6731.html. And"Bone drug helped stave off breast cancer" a 2008 article at http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/new_research/20080602.jsp

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL.  MAY THE NEW YEAR BRING BETTER TIMES THAN THE PAST YEAR.

Good to  hear your surgery went well ccbaby--keep us posted-

kawee, I went to 2 PT sessions so far.  I think my armpit tightness is still about the same, but my ribs feel more sore.  At least I found out I don't have what is true "cording."  I can feel tightness over my whole rads rectangle.  In my layperson's mind, I think of it as a micro-scarring from what rads did to my cells.  If that is wrong, let's just say I don't have anyone correcting me and telling me why it does feel that way.  I'd like to try ultrasound, but am not getting a warm reception to the idea.  In any event, it can't hurt, can it?  I have read that ultrasound is good at breaking up scar tissue.

p.s. ccbaby, happy for you.  Sounds like the trip was worth it!

She showed me two massages...the light one to get lymph fluid moving, and a firmer one to loosen the scar tissue up.  She said I really don't have a fluid problem.  I think some weeks ago when I had overall sorenessin my breast area, it was a small amount of fluid buildup, but I am not feeling that now.  I never had arm fluid, cross fingers.  She gave me basic stretches, but I had been doing those all along---the one where you hang your arms and back over a corner of the bed, and stretching overhead using the door frame. 

Hi all -- I went to PT also --gave me the same regimen as elimar--some massages and stretching-- said I could start using the cybex machines at my club with very little weight to build up some back muscles and triceps to keep arms strong-- only very light weights if any--also i did get fitted for a sleeve to use when I fly to prevent swelling and she suggested using while I exercise ( which I havent as of yet) I had a lot of tightness under my arm and the massaging helped-- I am a little limited because I dislocated and FX that shoulder several years ago -- although it has been fine --( everything on my right side !!!) anyway hope the shopping centers are treating you well and everyone has a wonderful holiday--thanks to all of you --hugs to all Laura

Twas two nights before Christmas and all thru this thread,
You ladies have helped me to work thru the dread.
You've answered my questions and all shown your care
Rads would have sucked had you not all been there.

And now that we're done with each boost and each zap,
We can finally be rid of this breast cancer crap.
At least done with the daily affronts to our boobs.
Congrats to all those who now have new foobs.

We've made it thru our September rads
In a way, we're all like new minted grads.
Having studied and learned and finished our tests
It's time for a break for our poor bc breasts.

And so as we heal and return to our norms
Gone are the lotions, tattoos and xeroforms
We made it thru rads and won this hard fight
Happy Christmas to all and to all a Good Night !

Merry Christmas Ladies and thank you for being there for me and for each other !

M
Diagnosis: 6/30/2009, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

MTG...that is so cute! Thanks so much!!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Mtg..you are awesome...you ALL are!  Merry Christmas..Happy Holidays!

Hi, everyone.  Just got back in town, had a good Christmas, but too hectic.  I guess I just don't understand all the cooking, cooking, cooking, eating, eating, eating.  I guess these days I'd rather spend times playing games, decorating gingerbread house, and just talking and enjoying each other.  I'm exhausted.  My daughter was sick, so I pretty much cooked dinner for 12 people.

Anyway, the first thing I did was come to this site to see how you're all doing.  Sounds good.  Loved the poem and the ornament was beautiful. 

 BETSY - not lymphedema, yet, but could be precursor.  All I had was tightness, now that they have been messing around with me, I have soreness, tightness and fluid.  There's a lymphedema clinic in San Luis Obispo about 25 miles from here.  My  bc surgeon is the one who referred me to PT, so I'm going to ask her about the clinic.