MARCH 2010 Rads Group

1…1213151718…39

Comments

  • cabmom
    cabmom Member Posts: 388
    edited March 2010

    Charmaine, congratulations on finishing......I know you must be so HAPPY. 

    Ladies, not sure what's wrong with me but I am feeling so BLUE today.  Today was half way point and I should be happy but for some reason....just don't feel happy.   What's wrong with me....I should be happy that this is almost behind me. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • grama5
    grama5 Member Posts: 81
    edited March 2010

    This is not going to be a good week for me the way it has started. yesterday was #14 and

    1:I am starting to feel a real rritation under my arm, cortizone is not helping it.

    2;On my way home after treatment I had a flat tire (new tires) Poring rain (1.2 inches) I pulled over and went in to a dry cleaner to ask for a phone book and the asian lady just pointed up the street to a phone booth.Went to the booth and book holder was empty.Went back to dry cleaner and asked again for a phone book. She gave me one and I called a tow co. they said 1 1/2 hrs, I looked down and the lady had already taken the book back and walked away. Asked that tow co. for # for another tow co. and he did give me one. What happened was a tire weight had come off a car (big one 4 inches long)  My front tire hit it and propelled it through my back tire, the weight was inside my tire. tire store said happens once in a blue moon. Any way warrenty covered road hazard and I got a new tire but tow co. to change the tire was $65 3 hrs later I got home.

    3: Went to work this am and then rads appt after only to find out the machine was down and they were just trying to call me. One more day longer  to be done with rads. Bummer!!!!

    I wonder what is next. I hope the last two days have been better for the rest of you and have a good evening all.

    Flo

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited March 2010

    HI ALL

    FLO

    Sorry about all that but all i can say is SHIT HAPPENS

    Slammed dunked #7 today i think all good boob is still sore .Sorry havent got time to read up on every one everybody in my house wants there dinner , so hope all is well and ill catch up later

    Lots of hugs

    JOJO

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • etk02038
    etk02038 Member Posts: 150
    edited March 2010

    Oh Flo, sorry for your bad day. I have been feeling Blue this week also,cabmom. I think it is our weather. Days of pouring rain...flooded basement. We need to rip up the floor and replace it with money we don't have

    #7 done yesterday with no real bad SE.  Good luck to all today.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • c2will
    c2will Member Posts: 91
    edited March 2010

    Charmaine - congratulations on finishing rads! 

    We're finally getting sunshine in NJ, I hope it stays for awhile.  Between days of rain, and layoffs at work, it's been a challenge to not mope.  But I keep in mind that I'm past treatment, and that lifts my spirits.  Still dealing with some fatigue, perhaps I'll go to the fitness center at lunch time. 

    Good luck to everyone today.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited March 2010

    Raili - chocolate is one of the joys of life, so go for it!  I'm also a lover of dark chocolate, especially ones with espresso flavor added.  YUM!

    Congrats to those who have finished rads.  I'm happy for you!  Now on to the next phase...

    Flo, what a nightmare you went through!  Hopefully today will be a better day... 

    Cabmom, I'm also experiencing some blue days.  Not sure why, but I'm optimistic that they too shall pass.

    I'm getting a massage tomorrow, can't wait!  Fortunately, my boob is not too sore, and I asked them for the most relaxing sort of massage, rather than something harsh like deep tissue massage.  I haven't had a massage in over 10 years, so I'm really looking forward to this!  

    #8 today, and no pinkness or skin problems yet.  Thank goodness!  To all of you experiencing SE's, keep on rocking, you'll get through it I know you will!

    Blessings to ALL,

    Shelby 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AndreaS97057
    AndreaS97057 Member Posts: 46
    edited March 2010

    #8 down, and over the hump for this week. 

    I'm starting to get pretty red already on top of the swelling.  Bummer.  I was hoping to glide through this gracefully, but I guess that's not my way.  At least my life outside of radiation is relatively calm.  I feel for you who have to deal with moving, flat tires, flooding basements, responding to work-jerks, etc.  It's not what you need right now - I wish you all strength.

    3monstmama - hey, we're in the same neighborhood, weird spring weather and all.  I'm going to SCCA - convenient, and I like the people. Cabmom - I can relate to the blue cycles.  For me, in the morning, things seem fine and this whole process seems to be moving along so that some day I won't have to think about it all the time, but by evening I'm pretty glum and it doesn't seem like the process will ever be done.  I'm not sure what there is to do about it, other than know it'll cycle back - radiation seems to be a mental marathon and I don't think there's any way around the emotional swings. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cabmom
    cabmom Member Posts: 388
    edited March 2010

    Thanks ladies for all the responses and I'm feeling a little better today but still not myself.  I feel like all I do is wish time away all the time....I know it will get better!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited March 2010

    7 zaps down, bunch more to go.  Still no signs of side effects.  Looking forward to a holiday on Friday and a 3 day weekend with my monsters.

    AndreaS  and look at today's weather!!!! so very very wacky.  My office looks south.  I can't see Rainier anymore [could when I walked in from Swedish] but its still so nice and blue with poofy clouds. wish I was out there instead of in here.  Hopefully it will still be sunny when my family comes to meet me for lunch. 

    I have been okay mood-wise.  I am taking off an hour early every day so I can spend time with my kids.  I'm also getting LOTS more sleep than usual and drinking more and avoiding the coffee [maybe 1 cup a day].  I think the combination of things is keeping my mood up and is also keeping me from getting tired.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited March 2010

    I was wrong, forgot a week in there somehow, so I just had tx #13.  Almost halfway there.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mommaof2
    Mommaof2 Member Posts: 112
    edited March 2010

    Today was my third treatment - it's amazing how fast my appts. are.  I think I am in the actual treatment room for ten minutes top.  So far, so good...the techs are all really nice and I feel so much better about the treatments than I did a few weeks ago.  Only 27 treatments to go!  Undecided

    Raili - I admire you for giving up refined sugar - I keep telling myself that I need to give up sweets, but so far I haven't been able.  Maybe after all of my kids Easter candy is gone. 

    Hope everyone is having a good day - only two more days until the weekend!  YEA!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited March 2010

    Mommaof2 ...Sorry, I don't get on this thread very often, because I finished my Rads with the MammoSite Device...but yes, I buy our Aloe Vera at Walmart!  They have it at Sam's Club, for a little cheaper, but the taste isn't the same!  So any of you gals with stomach problems or heart-burn, it really DOES work, either in tea or juice, or whip it up in a smoothie! 

    And Flo....Grama5....I read your post about your tire & that awful experience getting home, soaking wet!  That must have been awful!!!  You know, a few years ago, I was driving down a main boulevard here in Denver, & my TIRE went nuts!  I pulled into a shoppette parking lot, & I had run over a 6" wrench, & half of it was stuck in my tire!  Man I was scared!  But I called my Husband, & he took care of this "emergency!"  Ruined my tire, though!  And there is no way to know, when these things happen!  It can be so dangerous!   I'm just glad you are alright! 

    Mommaof2....Our Daughter used to live in the Springs, on Cheyenne Mountain!  Our Grandsons were just little at the time, & we got to see them a lot!  I LOVE  the Springs!  Maybe because of all the memories, but it was/is such a beautiful city!  They moved to Orlando when the boys were older, & we go visit them there now, but such beautiful, fun memories of the Springs!

    Well, get well girls....One day at a time! xoxoxoxo Jeannette

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MzJ
    MzJ Member Posts: 31
    edited March 2010

    I get my boosts next week..will it feel different? The techs said the treatments will be even quicker than they are now.  The doc said I need my boosts directly under my nipple. Since I haven't had any discomfort or burning in that area (just very tender under my arm) he said the boosts will go directly into the nipple (rather than the side of my boob).  I hope the boosts don't irritate the nip' :(   

    Woo-hoo MaryNY..we've got 23 down, 7 to go!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited March 2010

    MzJ: I started my boosts today, I will have a total of eight boosts. I'm guessing you are having five boosts? Yes, the treatments are really quick now. With the full breast rads, they had to swop the board out each day for the one with the breast cutout and then add the cast for my upper body. Then it always took a while to align me properly using the laser beams. As of today, I'm lying face up and there is no delay in setting up or positioning. Usually I was about 10 mins in the radiation room. I think today I was about four minutes.

    Nurse and onc said that my breast (outside the boost area) would begin to heal now.

    The markup field for my boost includes the nipple area. It is centered on the incision which is along the edge of the areola. I'm wondering too if the boost will irritate the nipple. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • etk02038
    etk02038 Member Posts: 150
    edited March 2010

    #7 done. Starting to get pretty pinkish...the nurse gave me some cream for it. The sun is supposed to come out tomorrow finally! I am sick of this dreary weather and a wet basement.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • grama5
    grama5 Member Posts: 81
    edited April 2010

    15 down and my underarm is feeling a bit better today. I relly hope it stays this way but I guess that is wishful thinking. Thanks for the thoughts ladies, I got my new tire on yesterday and all is back to normal. I think that before BC I had a lot more patience with things, now it is like I don't need one more thing on my plate "THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!" but I do get over it.

    Jeannette; That wrench had to have been picked up by your front tire just like the weight did on mine, it is scary. I am going to try again to get a pic of max posted but if I still can't do it, I'll pm you the pics and maybe you can get them posted for me. I have fri and sat off so it won't be till then.

    Flo

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CTMOM1234
    CTMOM1234 Member Posts: 633
    edited April 2010

    Happy April Fools Day Tomorrow Everyone!

    Looking forward to SLAM DUNK #19 tomorrow -- woo hoo, then just 6 more zaps before we bring on the  boosts!! fyi: Someone left a used gown in the changing room I used and I almost slam dunked that one, too, because I love slamming cancer in the face (but then thought it best to not pick up someone's gown).

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Raili
    Raili Member Posts: 435
    edited April 2010

    Okay, crazy question.  Is it air-ee-OH-la or ah-REE-oh-la??  My surgeon says it the first way and rad. onc. says it the second way.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CTMOM1234
    CTMOM1234 Member Posts: 633
    edited April 2010

    Raili - I say it the first way. Not sure if that is correct, but second way sounds weird to me.

    fyi: Your posts always put a smile on my face, and you are the original inventor of the slam dunk.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • charmainejensenvoisine
    charmainejensenvoisine Member Posts: 369
    edited April 2010

    Flo I am replying to your comment in reference to your feeling a real irritation in the area of your underarm from RADS and that the cortisone cream is not working for you.  I had the exact same problem.   I discussed this with my Radio Oncologist and he gave me another prescription for a topical antibacterial agent called 'Silver Sulfadiazine Cream' (generic name Flamazine).  I am using it today for the second time...  check this out with your doctor.  I also purchased a bottle today from the health food store for 99% pure Aloe Vera Gel and use this in between the Silver Cream.   Charmaine

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • charmainejensenvoisine
    charmainejensenvoisine Member Posts: 369
    edited April 2010

    MaryNY - I had the 5 boosts and they were centred from around the nipple area to incision on the right.  Yes I did get quite irritation in the nipple area and areola (sp) and some swelling too.  Wish you luck here. 

    Charmaine 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited April 2010

    I agree, the first pronunciation is the right one (for areola).  I've never heard it another way.

    grama, i hear you on the impatient feeling.  It's like we already have so much to deal with, and now it's rads every day so you can't really "forget" about bc with that daily reminder, so don't give me any other problems!

    I just started noticing a little pink underneath the bad boob.  Nothing anywhere else though.  The tech gave me some Aquaphor to use 4x a day, as she said the skin problems would probably be starting up soon.  I'm still hopeful that my skin will hold up!

    Peace to you all,

    Shelby 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Raili
    Raili Member Posts: 435
    edited April 2010

    Oh good, I like the first pronunciation better, too!  I think I pronounce it that way because of the song "Sparkly Queen Areola" by a singer whose name is probably not an appropriate one for this message board, but you can Google it. :)  It's too bad "areola" means what it means, because it almost sounds like a nice name, doesn't it?  Maybe for twins, Arianna & Areola.

    CT, did I really invent the slam dunk thing??  I don't remember that! :D  Now I'll have to go back through posts, haha!  I only remember that I was complaining about having to wear the gown, wishing I could just go into the room in my normal clothes then take my shirt off to get zapped.  And I think someone else suggested I slam dunk the gown at the end because that way there's something positive about the gown experience.

    Yesterday when I was lying on the table and the techs were lining me up, I asked/commented in a worried voice, "The tattoo on my breast is so tiny that it looks like a mole..."  One of the techs laughed, "Honey, we do it that way on purpose!"  Meaning, they TRY to make the tattoos subtle...but I added, "But I have a couple moles so close to the tattoo and just about the same size, and..."  They chuckled some more, and assured me they know which is the tattoo because it kind of glows blue in the light whereas my moles stay brown.  But one of them offered to draw on me with a sharpie for extra reassurance, and drew 4 small lines all pointing to the tattoo and then covered it with a clear sticker.  I feel much better now!  I think the reason they were so amused by me is that many women have the opposite concerns - they want less tattoos/marker lines/stickers/etc that don't show as much, whereas I really WANTED my tat to be extra obvious!  (Tit tat... HA.  Sounds like a candy bar.)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • peggyo
    peggyo Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2010

    Hi - I am new to this thread, but started my radiation in March so thought I would join in. I will have #11 today, so 14 to go - almost half way there. I was feeling great until yesterday when I noticed a bit of a burn afterwards, plus incredible fatigue last night. I am feeling a bit blue today cause I guess I thought I might be one of the lucky ones who just breeze through this with no side effects. Not sure if I'm just feeling sorry for myself (it does get a little tiring trying to be upbeat for my family and friend's sakes!) or if a little depression is a normal side-effect. Anyway, have been using Calundra (?) ointment regularly since the beginning, have cornstarch at the ready, and have heard aloe straight from the plant really works. Glad to have this site cause it really makes me feel much less alone! Thanks!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • June2268
    June2268 Member Posts: 1,202
    edited April 2010

    Welcome Peggyo you will love all the women on this thread as they are great and funny too......I too have #11 today and so far so good as far as no SE as of yet.....shhhhh I hope I didn't speak too soon......lol  I have a total of 30 treatments so you will be done before me.....I have been using pure aloe vera myself.......

    I too also thought Rali started the slam dunk....hmmmm, gonna have to check that one out......

    Here's to #11 and 1 more day to the weekend....yay!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited April 2010

    Eight down, bunch more to go.  Not counting in that fashion--makes me fixate and I don't want to do that any  more than necessary.  As I lie down on the table each time, I remind myself that this is the thing that will make sure I see my 12 year old son sail solo around the world, my 10 year old daughter graduate from medical school, my 8 year old son become a world famous chef, that this zapping is the thing that will make me able to dance at their weddings and travel the world in my retirement.  And then I make the ZapTechs crazy by humming tunelessly while the breathy thing is in my mouth.

    No big side effects yet though yesterday I was in hot flash hell but given my age, I can't necessarily blame the Zaps for that.  I was wearing a black t-shirt, no bra [my white under ts were all in the laundry] with a fleece shirt over it.  Fleece shirt off, fleece shirt on, fleece shirt off until I got crazy.  Then I still felt hot and sweaty to boot.  I stuck tissues under my boobs so I didn't rub skin but nothing worked.  Finally I made sure the blinds on my office window [corrodor not external, I'm on the 28th floor] were shut tight, put the lock on my door, shut the door and pulled up my top Laughing !!!   Yes, thats right, for the last 2 hours of the day, I sat in my office topless and toiling away........well not topless because if someone knocked I would have had to let them in but barechested none the less.  Note to self, put stash of cornstarch in the office.  I find the cornstarch really helps with the chaffing.

    I will be on Zap and Board vacation from this afternoon until Sunday evening.  When my schedule was set-up I had two 3-day weekend getaways a week a part already on my schedule.  My ZapDoc didn't want me to miss two days so close together [would have been 3 zaps, miss +weekend, 9 zaps, miss+weekend] but one miss was okay [8 zaps, miss+weekend]. 

    Hope everyone has an excellent weekend and happy Passover or Easter or whatever is your preference for celebrations.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited April 2010

    About the pronunciation of areola:

    I've always pronounced it a ah-REE-oh-la. I'm Irish so I presume that's the accepted British English pronunciation. But Meriam Webster also lists a pronunciation that sounds like ah-REEL-a. I haven't heard that or the pronunciation air-ee-OH-la before. But the other day when I mentioned itch around my ah-REE-oh-la to the nurse, I thought she looked at me funnily, so maybe they pronounce it differently. 

    See Meriam-Webster definition and pronunciation of areola. To hear the pronunciation hit the two loudspeaker links.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sugar77
    Sugar77 Member Posts: 2,138
    edited April 2010

    emonstermama - I hear you about why we're doing the zapping. I have a 10-year-old daughter and thinking of things like her graduating, getting married, etc. keep things in perspective for me...one more reason why I'm sporting a wig these days!

    peggyo - welcome! Glad you found us.

    I'm sure Raili started the slam dunk.  I think of all you ladies when I "slam dunk" my gowns each day. What a laugh!!

    Charmaine - on Monday (Apr. 5th), there is a get together for ladies from BC.org in the GTA and surrounding area at Pickle Barrel at Yorkdale at 12:30 noon.  If you're up to it, you should go. There's a thread about it or I can give you details if you're interested. Let me know.

    My cancer centre is closed tomorrow for Good Friday so I'm looking forward to a 3-day zap break.

    Sherri 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • charmainejensenvoisine
    charmainejensenvoisine Member Posts: 369
    edited April 2010

    Sherri (Sugar77) -

    I have been really ill as of late.  Are these breastcancer.org get togethers often? Is there a place on here where I can follow these type of GTA and area get togethers.  I have been really ill the past few months and have not had allot of energy, however I would really like to get out to a future get together with other women such as myself, and you....

    Thanks for letting me know, Charmaine

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MariannaLaFrance
    MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2010

    Hey all,

    I guess I had #11 (or is it 12?) today. Not feeling too many symptoms, though some nights I go to sleep much earlier than normal. Today, I feel like my normal, energetic self.  I sure wish I was working out, but with work and treatments, I just haven't had the opportunity. Maybe a yoga class this weekend.


    peace to all of you!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories