April 2010 Rads Group

Sweaty - I am so agreeing with you and would like to yell and scream at the world.  I told Todd the TEch yesterday that the novelty of this whole thing has worn off.  I have 4 more to go, my boob is just plain gross and hurts.  I mildly complained to a co worker about how much my boob hurt.  She said, " oh I thought that was all over and you were fine.  I didn't realize you had to do treatment."  It was an innocent statement by her, but I was ready to explode.  I amy look good, but I don't feel good, and I don't want to go to the rads place any more, ever, forever and ever.  I'm tired of doctors and lotions and creams and advice.  I've had it with gowns and buzzing noises and appointments andbeing at the beck and call of schedules.  I need a vacation, Calgon, take me away!!!!

Katie 

Renee - Perky breasts??!!!  Jealous.

Suepen - They told me that the reason I'm getting the SEs where I am is because a) most of the rads go into fat, but that area doesn't really have any fat - it's just skin; and b) since it's the cleavage area it's gotten a lot more sun damage over the years and is now more sensitive.  So I still think while it would have been different, you probably wouldn't have completely escaped w/o any SEs.   But we'll never know.

As far as the cost goes, yes I'm going to a major cancer center in NYC so it's probably more expensive than a small place in a little town - but the hospital has a contract with a national insurance company, I'm not sure how much the amount they're willing to reimburse varies across the country.  I guess what I'm saying is that yes, it might be more expensive b/c I'm in NYC, but I bet anywhere in the US is ridiculously expensive and not even remotely close to what you pay in Australia.   It's just crazy.  I have no idea why it's the way it is.  (The hospital asks for almost $4,600/day and they actually get a little more than $4,000/day.  That's just for the rads.  There's an extra $100+ if I see the rad onc that day, fir which the ins co only pays about $20 less than the hospital asks.)

If I didn't have insurance, I'd be personally liable for all of it, and not at the discounted rate.  Lovely.

Katie - Vacation.  Exactly.  A friend of mine invited me to her 'country house' next weekend, after I finish rads.  I'm so going.

NO RADS TODAY! 

hello to all happy zappers from Bangkok! (hello of course to less happy zappers too

We are fine, safe and sound and away from the trouble, but obviously highly concerned by what is going on.

Selfishly I am really worried that if things get any worse then my final 6 rads will be delayed, and I am sooooo ner the end and getting back to see my family.  I have Sunday and MOnday off so will see what happens tomorrow..........

Love and hugs to you all

Philippa

xx

I AM DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Just finished my last treatment.  Came home, peeled off the stickies, took a long hot shower and slathered cream all over my breast.  I am not going to exhale quite yet, but so far my only SE has been the little itchy bumps.  I didn't even get pink.   (I think it's the combination of small breasts and a certain kind of skin.)  Anyway, I feel both elated and "now what?" .  

I am the one they took to the ER for an evaluation after I asked for continuation of my rads after  I needed pain meds.  Now I am having a meltdown because I did not go to a more medically sophisticated area to seek treatment.  I have had a lot of pain with my radiation and all I hear here is that rads does not cause pain.

I am also concerned that the radiation in the new clinic is covering more area.  It is several inches higher on my chest and to the back of my arm pit. I suffer a lot of skin pain.  I am concerned about the end effect-skin cancer.  I have had a lot of sun burns on the chest wall.

Has anyone else had this experience? 

I wonder how I can add that I am from Elmira, NY.  Does anyone know? 

 I just finished treatment 17 and I am more then half way. 16 to go!  I am on my second clinic. I have had my mental health questioned because of the level of pain I have experienced.  I now use Biafine three times day on my skin.  I also take 20mg of oxycodone ER every 12 hours and 10 mg of hydrocodone as needed for break through pain.  I can now sleep through the night instead of the four hours I was sleeping before I woke up in pain.  My skin is red.

No one deserves to go through what I have been through.  There certainly is a reason.  Nothing is for naught.  I really believe that.  God bless you all!

Only 2 to go for you and Katie Mom.  That is wonderful!  You wll be done on the 20th?

Spring a Champagne cork!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yea, Sweaty!!!  I am so happy for you!!  Can't wait to post the same thing... 2 to go.  By the time some of you read this, it will be 1 to go!!

Katie 

CONGRATULATIONS Sweatyspice and to all who have finished and to all who will be finished within these next few days!  Celebrate, Celebrate, Celebrate..... I am doing a happy dance for you all!!!!

I still have 5 more rads and 6 boosts to go.  My tech told me to "air out" my radiated breast by laying topless with my arm over my head in front of a fan.  So I have taken to sleeping topless with my ceiling fan on.  My Onc to a look at my breast yesterday and said my skin was holding up really well.  It's a little red and tender... but that's about it.  I took get shooting pains every so often, but they go away and are tolerable.

Feistybluegecko,

Both of your blogs are amazing!!  Thank you for posting the link.

CinCan:  Hi!  I'm Jarlwin and I just noticed that you are in front of me.  I have 15 days to go. 10 to the whole breast and 5 boosts.  For all my whining and complaining,  I am pleased for being where I am now.  I will be watching you finish before me.

These problems are temporary.  Human kindness is getting better.  The Dali Lama reported on the "TODAY SHOW'  just now.  These are good words for me as I go through my days.