January 2010 Rads Start

hello everyone and welcome to the weekend - I asked if the drs. always started radiation treatments just a couple of days before the weekend in order to allow 2 days of experience and then 2 days to come to terms with this new life arrangement.  They said "nope, you just started on Thursday by chance."  Well, I'm glad, because I can definately use a couple of days to get resettled with this.  Noone at my rad. place has said anything to me regarding the use of deoderant.  If I use it will it mess up my radiation results?  After day 2 my breast feels kind of hard and achy, but its hard to separate that from post surgery since its been a little hard and achy for about a month now.

Anyway, lets all have a great weekend! maybe see a movie?!  Feel well girls!

Well I have managed to get ahead of myself again with the Doctors.  Back in October I had set up an appointment with the med onc for today.  I know when I did that he knew I wasn't going to have radiation until January.  Well when I saw him today he was surprised that I had just started the radiation.

We discussed what AI I would be on once I finish the radiation and he wrote the script.  He told me not to start it until after the radiation treatments are done.  I will be on Aromasin and boy is it expensive.  According to my prescription program it is around $960 for 90 days.  Good thing I have insurance between the radiation and medication I will definitel be meeting my deductible this year.

Just 23 more to go.

debbie, are you trying to blind me with that mental picture of your out in public with no top on? lol  I may feel the same way in about 5 weeks, when I have had several weeks of rads.

taggarung, my rad onc said they would give me a some creams and stuff and wanted to know of any thing I was planning on using.  Glad you have two days of rest from the tx.

Kim09, I knew the meds would be expensive, but OMG, there is nothing that should cost that much.  I also have pretty good insurance and I will take Arimidex and it should only cost me $50.00 for a 90 day supply.  I met my deductible last year and I don't think I will have a problem meeting it this year either.  I just think of all the other things I could do with all that money.  Oh well, I guess I shouldn't do that.

sophie, I love your name, my grand-baby is named Sophia and we call her Sophie, she is 8 months old and one of the lights of our lives.

Hope everyone has a great relaxing weekend.  A good break from all tx.  Try to stay warm, it is very cold everywhere.

Juannelle

bow wow wow....yippie I yippie Aye...we are the atomic dogs.

Swelling was lower by time I got to the hospital, saw the nurse and resident, figured she might be more responsive than the rad onc.

But no, she says it's a normal se, keep taking anti inflamtories, and don't worry(bug them) unless I have a fever or blisters or sores.

I have a feeling I am swollen up again tonight, but I have a turtleneck on and I don't want to look!

Receptionist at least seemed to understand how odd it was to have major swelling after reduction...says breast is not out for revenge.

Did see accupuncture doc, he at least believes he can help, but my app is not for a week. But at least he sees it as a problem.

Seeing my med onc is one more option. He is head of the whole shebang and only sees patients one day a week, so I would prefer not to do that. I do have an app with him in a month.

Tooothpaste....is SF 5000 plus. 

7 down (or up in my case) 23 to go!

One-L - I have a $1,500 deductible and a maximum out of pocket $3,500 (in-network) (deductible plus copays).  So I know I will be meeting my deductible probably by March between the AI and the radiation treatments.  The doctor had warned me that the medication was expensive.  

My insurance requires that I meet my deductible first than I have a 20% co-pay till I meet my out-of-pocket limit, then everythings is 100% covered by the insurance company.  Prescriptions, office visits, treatments, surgeries all count toward the deductible.

Are we glowing yet?

Tx #4 went smoothly, the roads were clear and at home, the furnace went out.  DH made a fire in the fireplace, we baked a pie and finally got someone to get the furnace running this evening.  The house is almost back to a comfortable temperature now.

Cookie I hope you have better luck with your acupuncturist than I did mine.  Unfortunately Peoria has limited resources and all the practitioners are also chiropractors here.  I went to one doctor to get help with the SEs from chemo and $200 (2 appointments) later he presented me with a $1200 "detox" treatment plan that also included $30 phony detoxing "ionic" footbaths.  I was so disgusted that I never went back.  I really missed Los Angeles because at least there I could find dedicated practitioners.  

Have a great weekend everyone!

Love, Sido

Good Morning again,

I have a question...My hospital offers a course of 6 one-hour alternative therapy sessions along with the radiation treatments.  The alternatives offered are acupuncture, reiki, reflexology, massage, and clinical hypnotherapy.  I can choose one of these to complement my radiation treatments.  Does anyone have any suggestions/experience with any of these?

Thanks again!

 Pat

Dear Onty and Cookie, I laughed out loud at the "atomic dog" - that's what we call my grandpuppy Ozzy (a lovable 1yr old bullmastiff) when his energy level is in overdrive...too funny.  When I told the rad onc that prone had a nickname of doggie style, he said he'd not heard that one.  Well, he's heard it now! 

Cookie, I hope that swelling gets under control....makes things even more complicated, doesn't it?

Debbie, I opted against the Lindi stuff as it really didn't seem to be that focused on radiation therapy...more for hydration for chemo.  Shop lady swore by Aquaphor so we'll see.  I'll start with my Radx and go from there.

Everyone, have a restful weekend.  And if anyone can tell us newbies how to get our treatment notes into our signature, please do! 

Juannelle,  mine are at 1:45 because when classes start I'll be teaching from 9-10am and 11am-12pm.  I haven't really felt any fatigue outside of the risidual from chemo, but my breast is beginning to feel sore.

Pat you are so lucky to have those options.  I've had massage therapy and have heard good things about reiki.  I know acupuncture can really help with chemo SEs, but I haven't heard anything about radiation.

Sophie, I'm starting to agree with you about the Lindi lotion.  It feels nice at first, but the effect doesn't last.

Cookie, sounds like your guy is legit.  I'm glad the swelling is going down.

Precious, the ACS sent me a dvd of arm exercises to do after my SNB.  I just sent it back in a pre-paid envelope after I was finished with it.  You could contact them and see if they can send you a copy.

Karenanne I tried the Tom's of Maine too and so far it's been working

Stay warm,  Sido

One-L - My appointment is at 3:30 (which is their next to last appointment for the day).  I could have done 7:45 AM but that was too early for me especially since there might be ice covered roads at that time of day.

unklewifeonty - Can you tell me about your experience with Zometa? Did you take it prior to radiation or during radiation or during chemo?  

How often do you take Zometa? Is it given with IV or orally?

new nickname for ol' lefty.

Big Red!