December 2009 Rads Group

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Congrats a million times over Adrienne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  So sorry I didn't get on last night to congrats you then, but I share a lap top with my 20 yr old daughter and anyone who has kiddo's should know how that is!  lol!!

Jewly "somanywomen" nice to finally know your name after all these months!  Happy 10 yr anniversary!! and a Blessed one!  May it truly be the best one you've ever had considering all you have been through this past few months.  I feel you on the sore boob and bumpy scars. I still haven't started any oral meds yet.  I go back to see the Med Onc on 2/23/10 and I'm sure he wants to start me on Femara then.  Still contemplating taking that med or Arimidex either, I'm very leery of their side effects, ie... wt. gain, joint pain, etc.

I was wondering for those of you that have been done a few weeks or months with rads... have you noticed a distinct change in the size of your breast since the swelling has gone down?  I still have some burns on mine that is drying up but I can tell that it is definitely smaller than it was and there is a definite difference in the size of my right breast compare to my healthy left breast.  I am considering going and seeing a plastic surgeon maybe in a month or so about having them evened up and lifted if my insurance will pay for it. The way I understand the BC law is that insurance is suppose to pay for it, but you know insurance companies if they think anything is cosmetic and not for our self esteem they will try to get out of it.  I know right now my bra's don't fit correctly one side is right and the other to big.  lol , I would never have thunk it!  O.k. enough of that now I just wonder when the pain and pings will go away?  Anyone's Rad Onc mention anything about that to them?

Bonnie - Like I mentioned earlier I still have some healing burns that are drying up.  And I still have that seroma that is causing me some pain.  Yeah I have truly had a rough go of it!  And to think when I started this I thought it would be easy.  Huh, boy did I fool myself!!  Oh well, this to shall pass, I just don't know when.  Right now I am having the pings and pains in my SNB site and in my breast.  I may have had them the whole time but was so swollen from rads I just didn't know it.  Now the swelling has gone down (almost all the way) I actually have a normal armpit again I am having these funny sensations.  Oh well.  I keep telling myself it will be o.k. 

Renee

Adrienne I totally agree with this and it is what I am also looking forward to...Things I'm looking forward to:

* Breathing a sigh of relief two weeks from now, when I'm sure my skin won't do anything funky.
* The redness and burning feelings going away.
* What a great day it will be when I'm not constantly reminded of my radiation treatments.
* Two weeks from now, stopping the routine of washing and basting my breast three times a day.
* Driving somewhere other than to the oncology center.  (I updated it because I don't bicycle) lol

I only hope and pray that my breast is completely healed in 2 weeks.  At the rate it's going I'm afraid it may take more than the 2 weeks you have listed, but I'm all for the goal of 2 weeks!!!  As for the SNB, I had so much other pains I didn't notice that it was still hurting if it was.  But it sure as heck is hurting now!  It's gotta get better, right?

Renee

Renee, I'm not expecting to be totally healed in 2 weeks (although that would be lovely), but I'm expecting no skin "surprises" after that time. It's been 2 weeks today since the regular treatments ended, but the non-boost areas aren't back to normal yet. In fact, they were very red and burny on Wednesday night. Of course, the heat and irritation in the boost area might be affecting the rest of the breast, so that might not be a fair test. 

I hope your, my, and everyone's SNB incisions quit being annoying soon.

Jules, thanks for the cheer.

Sorry about your weather: I can totally understand why you worry about your husband in blizzard conditions. Hoping for Spring for you.

Veggy, did the snow interfere with your treatments?  

Me: I'm feeling grateful that I no longer have to go to the oncology center every day. These last two days of freedom have been a joy. I'm also grateful for our mild weather. We've had some sunny days and some rainy days lately, but no snow. Flowers are blooming everywhere, and Spring is soon to come.

adrienne 

I had treatment #4 done today. The onc said that I will need to make some of it up since I was off of it for so long. I just want whatever is right for the cancer. I don't want any "Should of's", "Could of's" or "Would of's " if it happens to come back some time down the road. I want to know that I did all I could to get rid of it now. There won't be any question in my mind. The breast is a little pink today and every so often I get a twinge of pain in the nipple. I won't complain yet, maybe later. I'm trying to hang in there. You guys have helped me quite a lot. Thanks!!!

Well, I really missed the boat on finding this site! I have read through all your posts and am honored to be amoung such strong, caring women! I finished Rad 2 weeks ago and could really have used all your wonderful information while I was going through it with you!  I had 27 rads and 7 boost. I had small watery type blisters on my chest wall that then became leathery and needed creams. I am very large breasted (DDD) and the breast itself tolerated the rads very well, I got pink only. My problem was the fold under the breast. The skin there broke down very badly and actually bled at times. I started out rolling baby wash cloths and lining the fold with hydrogen 10, gauze and then the wash cloth. This worked for a few days, but then any movement caused rubbing from my bra and pain. I teach elementary school, so going braless was not an option! A friend gave me a great product called A SHOWER HUG (www.showerhug.com) which was designed for lactating or post surgical women to wear in the shower to prevent pain from the water pressure. It is a wrap that velcroes in front. I turned the velcro around and wore it under my clothes like a tube top. It gave me plenty of support and really did feel like a ((HUG)) when I needed it most! The other piece I wore was from Women Within's web site and it was like a tight camisole with built in bra with no underwires! It felt like I had my bathing suit top on and was very comfortable. I did find that during the most painful of times I preferred to sleep in one or the other.

Now that I am almost 2 weeks out of rad. I can say that I am healing nicely. I have Irish skin that burns easily, I have had both basal and squamous cell cancers removed before so I was very nervous. The skin is still peeling but the new skin ispink and shiny.

I did also have a part of my lung clipped by the radiation. I developed asthma type symptoms that the rad onc did not seem too concerned about. After more than a week of wheezing I started coughing constantly so I went to my Primary. That lead to an antibiotic, Advair, rescue inhaler, and 30 days of steroids. YUCK. I have terrible insomnia from the steroids, but everything seems to be clearing up. Sometiimes I get dizzy and have terrible hot flashes. I think it is from all the meds?

I did my treatments before Christmas at 8:00 and went late to school. No problem as far as feelign more or less tired because it was so early on, except I am NOT a morning person. After the holidays, the 4:00 slot came up and I took that. I listened to a great book on cd in the car on the way- The Help- and it made the trip to and fro enjoyable.

I was supposed to see onc. 2 weeks ago but he cancelled, then last week he cancelled me again, then we have had 2 feet of snow and he closed office for 2 days this week.(This was timely as we had 2 Snow Days that but up to a 4 day Presidents Weekend to relax and build up more stamina!)

I am nervous and would love to see if anyone can tell me about the drugs we are about to start taking? I am overweight but in good health. I am about a year since my last period. I have had terrible hot flashes since diagnosis. Not looking foward to more SE. What have you all been told about the drugs and what to expect?

Mimi- I can relate to the seroma thing! I had a big, very painful one after my first surgery. It actually leaked at one point, closed up and then a week later exploded- the stuff just poured out of me and I was out of town visiting my poor, traumatized parents. Had to drive 3 hours back to surgeon, he tried to get an OR, but there were none until 10pm so he opened it in his office! I never felt a thing- sort of like having a stitch removed and then RELIEF- it felt sooooo good! I would recomment the shower hug for soaking in a warm shower or tub and to wear dry to keep it from hurting. Good luck!

 Congratulations to all of you who have just finished! Yeah! Feels great, huh?

 To those of you who are still going through the drag of rad. it will all be over before you know it and just be a unfavorable memory. I feel I learned a lot about myself going through the experience. Think at the end of every day all you had been through that day and congratulate yourself for all you have done. I worked all the way through rad with special education kids in grades 1-3. I was a work aholic in the past and I had to put in a lot less hours now writing meticulous lessons and being on every committee, but I pulled from what I knew after 30 years experience and  taught from my heart. It may not have been my best year, but I knew I had done my best every day. I was renewed to be able to be ok with that. 

 God bless everyone in this club we never thought we would be members of!

Renee, you're on the healing side Yippee!!!!!....I just want to say that I shop at Walmart also (who doesn't?)..anyway the real change for anti-cancer foods are simple....Whole foods, red cabbage, brussel sprouts, brocolli, sweet potatoes, fresh berries, citrus etc....Mostly staying away from as much manufactured foods as possible (all canned, boxed foods)...It is basically eating what your grandmother would have eaten 59 years ago before all of the crap was put in our food.....I buy organic when available, but if not I just wash my veggies real good....Buying organic is mostly importan of foods that you would eat the peel (apples, pears, etc) but you can always peel them before eating....My Walmart has minimal processed red meats and chicken (and they are hormoone/pesticide free)..We eat mostly veges with a much smaller amount of meat....We eat a lot of cold water wild caught fish....I know what you mean about having a kid (he's 19, would not appreciate me calling him a kid) but my son lives at home and drives 45 minutes to UCF to college and believe me, his car is full of empty Burger King, Mc Don's, Taco Bell bags so he is reluctantly eating some of my new dishes...I am trying to do what I can to give him a better health future, I no longer buy any sodas, I buy organic chips, cookies and snacks...My husband was much easier to change because he has read some of my books and thinks it all makes a lot of sense to just eat healthier.....Sounds like your husband would really benefit (heart attack and all)....Like I said before my husband and I have lost 10 lbs, my blood pressure has dropped from the 140's to the 130's, and my cholesterol went from 232 to 230 in four months...

Welcome Ellen, healing time for you now too...Yippee!!!...I have been taking Arimidex for one month and so far have not noticed any se's....Do you know what your doc is going to put you on?..I started mine day after rads, why the delay?...

Renee, when do you start meds? and which one?

Best of health to all....... good luck on your healing Adrienne, and Veggy we are here for you!!!

Renee, I was born in Kingsport very close to Bristol.....I love Ashville....sounds like a plan.....Just stay away from all those bisquits and gravy...YUMMMMM...(Used to be my favorite)..

Hey Ladies!  Wondering where everyone is on this thread?  Not many of you showing up lately.  I guess since rads has finished and not many of us have started our oral meds there is not much to compare.  Well just a quick up date.  Adrienne, I have almost completely healed in 2 weeks!! No one is more surprised than I.  I have only one very small, less than a quarter size pink area.  My breast is peeling ( most of it has actually peeled off ).  It is a little itchy and cream or lotion helps that.  It is still minimally tender but most of that is from the seroma and that is not bad.  I'm really happy I've healed so fast.  I hope all of ya'll do too.

Renee

Hello, you sweet people! I hope you are all doing well, and enjoying your lives.

Renee, I'm so happy to hear that you are nearly healed up. I imagine that there were times during treatment that you thought this would never happen How great that you're almost "normal" again. Happy, happy.

Veggy, aren't you glad that you're finally moving through rads? Before you know it, you'll be done. I'm glad that you are doing so well. Keep your skin well oiled or creamed, minimize friction, and you'll do well.

Regarding being tired, I found that getting exercise (mostly walking) minimized that for me. Yeah, it sounds weird, but the doctor said that her patients who exercised during the course of treatments had much lower levels of fatigue. Walking helped take my mind off rads, too, and that helped.

Me: I've been done for just over a week. I had some surprise burning sensations Sunday and Monday, but since then things have calmed down. So far, I've had no peeling at all, for which I am very grateful.

Take care of yourselves,

adrienne 

Runswithscissors - I remember you! It's great to hear from you again.  Nice to know you are finally healing and able to wear the "old" bra again. I'm going to PM you I have a question.

Adrienne - glad to hear you are not peeling.  Sorry that you had some more burning... that really stinks!  My poor little boobie looks like a shriveled up prune right now. LOL!  :=)  But I guess it's my prune.  

Veggy - WAY to go on number 8 !!!!! you are getting there!!!!!!!!!!!!! you'll be done before you know it we'll keep cheering you on.  

Jewly - I ordered my Cancer foods book from Amazon and I'm waiting on it.  Thought it would be here by now, its taking it's sweet time!  Can't wait for it!!!

Renee

Ellen, I'm sorry that I missed your post. I'm also sorry that you have to be here, but I'm glad that you found us. Congratulations on meeting all the challenges you have faced recently. You are due for some good times, for sure.

Jules, it's good to hear from you again. I'm right there with you regarding PINK. I may change my mind later, too, but I'd like to spend some time NOT thinking about cancer for a while

Runswithscissors, congratulations on getting through all the pain and getting closer to "normal" life. 

Renee, treasure that "shriveled up prune." You worked hard for it. 

To all: I'm sending you all my best thoughts and wishes. You mean a lot to me, and I'd never have gotten through this without you.

adrienne 

Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement - I need them.Last night I cried from the little amount of pain I was in. Today I have a friend driving me to my appointment. Hopefully we'll have each other laughing.

I met a lady going through rads who just finished chemo. It was theraputic reassuring her that your hair does come back and the numbness in your toes and fingers goes away. It made me feel good reassuring someone else rather than being the one being reassured. 

Jules you are not alone. I hate pink. I hate pink ribbons. I hate anything that says I have/had breast cancer.  After this is done and over I want to forget this. For now I keep fighting like a girl.

Congratulations to everyone who is done or almost done. I am so jealous!  In a couple weeks it will be me. Can't wait!

Renee, my irradiated breast is definitely smaller than the other, too. Didn't you say that you would be going on a diet? If so, your other breast may get smaller without surgery, and maybe the irradiated breast won't change as much. Just a thought. Or maybe you'll be like runswithscissors, and your prune will plump up.

Veggy, I have plenty of hugs for you. Rads was an emotional roller-coaster for me, too. The good news is that there will be plenty of good days mixed in with the bad, and soon this will all pass. Hang in there. 

We're all getting closer to "normal" every day.

adrienne 

somanywomen - I'm glad you won $400.00 that is better than not winning anything at all.  lol   Also, the most important thing is that you had a great time with your DH and was able to spend a weekend without thinking of the BC beast!  Glad those biscuits and gravy were "yummy"!    Isn't is funny the things we do to ourselves as women to look good and to stay healthy...

Adrienne - in response to your post about losing weight and my good breast shrinking to match my rads treated breast, I don't thing it's gonna happen... lol!! I actually got a chance this weekend and pulled out and old bra I had from before I gained weight, I once wore a 36 B anyway the B cup fits my rads breast perfectly of cours it is small for my good breast and it falls out over it because it is still a healthy full size D cup.  I'm definitely lop sided hahaha!!! At least I can laugh about it.  I'm afraid if I lose weight my rads breast will shrink more and it will go down to an A cup and I won't have any breast at all...   Anyway I guess I will ask my surgeon for a referral to a great plastic surgeon just for an evaluation to see what he thinks.  It can't hurt.  I'm sure I will probably have to wait for reconstruction.  I think I read somewhere that you have to wait at least 6 months after rads?  maybe it's a year I cant remember... maybe you don't?   I'm going to go see that weight doctor hopefully this week if I get the o.k.

Renee