January 2010 Rads Start

Debbie...he he he

It's odd, at the breast center everyone makes friends, rads not so much, we are out of the boobie zone.

First real delay today.

But, big red actually looks smaller (maybe it's the tan). Or it is possible the stitch was contributing to the swelling and the cellulitis.

Anyway, no complaining for me today.

I am in the DD's (double digits)

10 down 20 to go

Just checking in.  I finally start tomorrow and my soon-to-be-ex has finally stepped up to the plate and will be watching the twins before work.  I expect he'll probably poop out after a few weeks, but at least I don't have to worry about hiring someone for now.  I was really having a hard time finding an available sitter and was starting to stress.

As far as deoderants go, I started experimenting a long time ago with natural deoderants and none of them worked for me.  I finally found a "recipe" for making my own and I've been using it nearly two years.  Works great and the doc said it would be ok to use since we're not radiating the axilla.  It's just equal parts baking soda, cornstarch, coconut oil, and shea butter.  I leave the shea butter out because it's a little expensive and just up the coconut oil.  Using 2 TBS of each lasts me nearly six months and it's way cheaper than deoderant.  Just thought I'd mention it for those having trouble.

Sounds like most of those who have started are doing fairly well...hope it stays that way for all of us!

First real rads today, one down and 20 to go!  I imagined I was a pizza in a toaster oven....

I'm semi-retired and not working this month, so a 2:15 appointment gets me home before rush hour. The staff assured me that they would accommodate my February schedule.  The techs (both sexes) are very considerate and professional.  This center uses Sharpies instead of tattoos, so I am wearing bras and nightgowns that are mostly old and expendable.  I did buy a couple of the front-closing, stretchy cotton Fruit-of-the-Loom bras at WalMart (about $7).  They come in black!  I went up two sizes because a friend told me I would appreciate a roomy fit by the end of treatment.

The rad onc nurse checked the ingredients list on my Eucerin Calming Cream and gave me the thumbs up.  The grocery store has Tom's unscented deodorant stick on sale, so I'll give it a try.

Ladies, read your bills and insurance statements.  I was charged for an EKG in error, which was easily straightened out by the billing office calling the records clerk.  On the other hand, I spent 45 minutes on the phone several days ago explaining to the call center that there was an error in my out-of-pocket maximum calculation.  The service rep finally agreed there was a mistake and sent the claim back for reprocessing.  I hope that does the trick!  It's frustrating when the paper from the insurance company doesn't match the web site information or the provider's bill. 

Hang in there and keep posting.  It's nice to have company!

I had a consultation today with the radiation oncologist.  I liked everyone in the practice, but I decided to get a second opinion on treatment before I visited this doctor.  I will most likely stay with this practice - it's convenient, liked the staff, etc, but I would like to compare the recommended treatment plans.  This doctor would do 28 regular treatments in the prone position, plus 8 boosts.

The patients in the waiting room were very friendly, kind of felt like 'The Radiation Breakfast Club'.  One woman had nothing but praises for the staff.   I have a good feeling about something that I was very apprehensive about.  Not sure when I'll start, since I still have to see the Med. oncologist.

11 down, 24 to go. 

I'm starting to get tired.  I ened up shortening my work day today and taking a bit of a nap before making dinner.  I have a feeling this might be the wave of the future.  

omg...they were playing atomic dog where we ate dinner!

I tried to explain to hubby

not quite...love the hub.

Thought rads was like going to the beauty parlor..that I could sit in a chair and read a magazine.

I said sure you can...when they are running behind!

lol on the floor! Clean up on aisle 3.

11 down 29 to go.

1 down, 34 to go!  It was pretty cut and dry.  Did anyone else feel anything while getting toasted?  I felt a pinch that felt like it was underneath the breast, like in the chest wall, at the very bottom - far from my tumor site.  It pinched once and then I felt it again - it hurt and surprised me so much the second time that I flinched.  When I asked the tech about it he said it was probably just a muscle spasm.  Uh-huh.  Sure.  Basically acted as if I was imagining things.  We'll see what happens tomorrow!

As for the twins' father "watching" them...well, when I left he was still asleep and when I got home one of the boys was downstairs by himself with a pair of scissors cutting up a reciept I needed into tiny slivers.  This arrangement will probably not last long!

very large breasts!! I had a reduction!!!

dainty...me dainty... dainty DD's

Well due to swelling big red probably falls in the very large zone!

Good evening, glowing ladies!

I'm officially zapped.  First session today after 40 minutes yesterday for doggie simulation with arms extended...hold still...don't move.  By the end my arms were numb.  Today's session #1 was pretty uneventful....more stressful just driving into the city at 6:30 a.m., in the office by 7:30, stop, drop and roll at 2:15 to head back to the burbs for treatment.  I may have to reconsider working from home 1 or 2 days/week. 

I did have one highlight after tx was done.  When I got back to the main waiting room, there were 2 of my friends (neither knew the other was coming!), one with 3 pink carnations in a bud vase, the other came to take me to dinner!  I felt so special, it was a great Day 1.  No SE at all.  But I'm already tired...last night I got home after the simulation and crawled into bed for a one-hour nap.  I'm full of energy all day long but as soon as I slow down...crash. 

Grama, I guess the secret is out....we of the prone position are large breasted, huh?  Okay, I guess it's true...D here.

Onty, I was told also that the boost tx would be supine. 

Cookie, your dinner story was hilarious...no surprise that your DH didn't get it...I got little uh-huhs from my family who decided it was best just to humor me rather than try to understand.

TwinMom, you are a strong/brave woman to be going through tx while dealing with divorce.  I was divorced over 9 yrs ago and still remember those rough times too vividly (too bad no brain freezes on those memories!) 

DaylilyFan, it sounds like your cancer center is like mine...I'm also marked with Sharpies (big blue Xs under my arm...nothing on my boob) with only 1 tatoo that I can't even see...but it did hurt when they did it; can't imagine how people can handle REAL tatoos.  Ouch.  I'm going to meet with the dosimotrist (sp?) so she can show me exactly how the rads are beaming into me.

Update on creams and deodorant - geez that Tom's of Maine did not do it for me.  I tried it yesterday...bummer.  Then the onc nurse gave me ALRA deodorant which they give to all the center's patients...it doesn't seem to be any more effective so I guess I'll just have to get used to it (or everyone else will have to!)  Cream...she gave me a 6oz tube of something called RadiaPlex Rx gel which is a prescription product they want their patients to use.  Moral of the story....don't rush out to buy your own stuff...wait to see what the onc staff says.  I can bring in my RadX so the rad doc can see ingredients and reject/approve.  They also concluded that Lindi Skincare stuff was more for "feeling better" than for rad SEs.

1 down and 18 to go.  Sweet dreams.

Is anyone here having partial?