February 2010 radiation starts anyone?

Yes, the gray area. The oncologist who requested the test gave me the option of chemo/no chemo. I felt I didn't have enough info to make that decision so went to see another oncologist who said I should definitely have chemo. Unlike you, I had two positive lymph nodes, so I think the chemo decision was the right one for me. But at least the score of 18 showed me that the cancer wasn't as agressive as I thought it was.

20 down, only one left to go on Monday!!!!!   I'm excited!

Karen 09 - Please tell us how it feels to walk out of your last rad?  I think it must be great and somehow a little disconcerting.  Did your onc lay out a plan as to what is next?  Are you done...done?  I mean now do you just go for check ups once a year?  Oh, the thought of having long stretches without seeing a doctor's office sounds heavenly.

Thanks ladies!  I'm quite excited about tomorrow!  I'm not sure if they have a bell or not.  I haven't heard of that. 

I'm pretty much done now.  I can't do hormones because I'm triple negative but I'm taking Zometa to hopefully keep the bone mets away.  I had my first dose the other week and didn't have any side effects and I'll get it every six months for 3 years. 

You're right Chinablue - no appointments for awhile sounds so nice!  I have a couple doctor's appointments coming up in the next couple months but that's such a change from so many for so long! 

Hang in there everyone! 

Lieberman1,

Encourage your mom that what's 'normal' varies by the individual.  I too was very tired even at 3 treatments out and I'm in my early 50's, if that helps.  Now at 12 / 28, I'm still tired just about the same (not really any more).  I try to get out and walk daily for 1/2 hour and that seems to help (yep, I rest before and after the walk...).  Encourage your mom to hang in there...soon we'll all be like Karen...celebrating being done!

Hang in there Jacee! I am so sorry to hear that you are hurting.  Don't feel guilty about taking a pain reliever (advil, motrin, whatever your doc advises).  Try to treat yourself to quiet moments of mindless TV, meditation, or stupid magazines.  

Geez .. mammo, colonscopy, port removal...you really know how to live it up!  

You have been through so much.  Do something you love (after 4/14/10).  We will celebrate with you online. 

Colonoscopy done!! Everything normal. I love good news. The best thing was, I got a report the minute I woke up. Every test should be that way.

They had to use my port to access a vein after blowing out 2 in my left arm. Now I'm wondering if I should keep my port???? But my recon surgeon wants it out by surgery time.

Had my first haircut since chemo last night. Hair is only about an inch long, but cut some of the white "down" stuff off that grew first. It's so nice to have some progress.

Patty...you are right about all the skin recommendations. My techs finally told me, there isn't really one thing that works better than another..just to use whatever feels good to me. I use oils on weekends when I don't have a treatment and they can stay on the skin longer. And Calendula feels the best to me, otherwise. But my skin is so red and bumpy..I dare say, nothing is really working. Knowing I'm almost through makes it all bearable. 22/30 done.

Joni

jerseyjean: That's a beautifully low Onco score. You must have been so happy when that result came back! I don't know anything about aromasin. Maybe someone else will chime in on that.

SoCalDawn- I also am on the TOMO machine and I agree with the sound it makes.  I count 21 times going around me and my treatment for the day is done!!  I was told by the RAD Oncologist that she doesn't use the TOMO machine on other breast cancer patients.  Because of having a lymph node positive in the mediastinal node is the reason.  They also use a Bolus on me that is suppose to direct the radiation closer to the skin area-- she said they treat it like they do skin cancer.....

Only 3 more to go after today!  I will celebrate St. Patricks Day this year for sure!!  I am usually the last patient they have at 6pm -- so I am going to Ring that bell really really good!! 

My DH also said that I have little red dots on my back -- I guess the radiation beams go right through you?  

Even using Silvadene Cream and a Petrolatum mesh applied at night-- I still find my upper chest itchy!!!  Maybe I should still use Hydrocortizone 10?

Happy Weekend Everyone!!

Loretta

1/2 way done as of yesterday! Woo hoo! 9 more full breast treatments and 7 "boosts" at the end. My doctor says people always hear boosts and think more powerful, but it's actually a narrowing down of the field of radiation to just the area of my tumor and a little bit around it. 

I have a pretty red painful area directly under my breast where skin contacts skin when I'm not wearing a bra. I've been told to keep the area as dry as possible, which seems to help a bit. Otherwise, no complaints.

Mary 

YramAL,

That area below is also a hot spot for me. Forgive me if I have already suggested as I am posted in 2 areas on this subject. My dr recommended cutting up an old soft t-shirt and placing the fabric underneath to prevent skin to skin contact. That has helped me a lot.

I am 20 down out of 34. Itchy...very appreciative of cortizone.Tender. Ready for that to go away.

Have a beautiful Sunday, ladies!

First - thank you all for sharing updates on side effects...I'm of course, hoping I don't get skin breakdown as I'm anxious to get that tissue expander replaced (the proph side removed d/t infection) But ps will not do surgery if any significant skin stuff for fear of acquiring another surgical infection - which I understand, just wanted to be sort of done by summer...

As with many of you - it's been a looooooooonnnnggggg year!

Patty - and others ?'s re: hormone suppressant  - I'm no expert and haven't done any research myself, but my onc is young, progressive, thorough, super intelligent, and very caring....

In regards to Tamoxifin vs. Arimidex (or other names) That hormone levels should be checked prior to the start of the therapy and periodically throughout the duration if not yet menopausal - when menopause reached, should switch form tamoxifin - according to her, drug no longer effective AND risk for use continue ie endometrial cancer.

Again, I don't understand all of this, but I do ask alot of questions - I was planning on possible hysterectomy with exchange surgery due to endometrial ca risk involved with Tamoxifin - she tested and said I'm currently high end menopausal range, will check again prior to starting med, but if menopausal - will not take tamoxifin.   And if I do start with it and have the hysterectomy, she would take me off at that time and switch to Arimidex.   I really wonder about this....I know many women who've been treated entire time with Tamoxifin and had hysterectomies either prior to being started or sometime during treatment....

So many possibilities.........

16 down 12 to go!

Has anyone noticed breast shrinkage?  My foob from diep reconstruction seems to be getting smaller. Ug!!  I have a d cup on my natural and now less than a b cup on my foob.  Heavy sigh. 

MaryNY-

I have a cramp in my neck these days. I'm sure it's from holding my arms over my head and holding so still every day. My fingers don't hurt though....

Today was #19 for me. I'm still having trouble with the sore spot under my breast, but the anti-fungal medication seems to be helping some. It is way more comfortable for me to wear a bra than not because it keeps my skin from touching skin. Overall, my breast is turning a lovely salmon color.

Mary

Michele - Speaking as a lumpectomy lady, so far my skin is doing great.  (17 down, 11 to go)  My rad Onc said it is really difficult to predict who will have problems and who won't.   She said  it is sometimes related to how much breast tissue there is... the more tissue, the more reaction.   So that could support your theory that non-breasted (LOL) ladies get by a little easier?

MaryNY - Sorry to hear about your arm pain.  Are you holding your arms/hands really tensely during the treatment (like isometric exercise)?   Are they using supports to help your arms stay in position without the muscles doing all the work?   It doesn't seem quite right to me that you are having this much achiness.

Mary - I've also got a very nice pinky tan going.   Too bad no one can see it (without getting arrested that is!).

Patty