April 2010 Rads Group

CinCan, here's a thread from the Lymphedema forum about a way to work a tight ring off your finger. Before you try it, though, try elevating your arm for an hour or so -- on the back of the couch while you're watching TV, for instance. Drink plenty of water (to dilute the lymph fluid so it flows readily) and take some deep abdominal breaths (stimulates the lymph system). If that doesn't work try the "string method on this thread:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topic/345963?page=1#post_1309943

And here is another thread that's pinned at the top of the Lymphedema forum that has pictures of arms and hands with descriptions of how to identify the swelling of lymphedema (but keep in mind that the heaviness and aching of lymphedema usually comes before any swelling is visible). 

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topic/751566?page=1

And finally, there's information about reducing your risk of lymphedema here:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/riskreduction_for_lymphedema.htm

Early treatment of lymphedema means getting it under control more quickly, reducing risk of serious infection, and easier on-going control, so if you suspect lymphedema get a prompt referral for evaluation by a well-qualified lymphedema therapist from any member of your medical team

Hope some of that helps! Be well,
Binney

Back from my perfect weekend away, and into real life again.  : (

Suepen, I'm finally getting under the breast problems.  My whole breast was surgically altered, so my fold isn't really normal anymore, it's quite severe.  There's chest wall and then there's floppy breast, it's not like it's gradual in any way - like it used to be.  Anyway, the crease itself (which as I said is a pretty severe crease compared to how it used to be) is now getting really itchy and painful.  And the parts of my skin which had the most serious redness are getting slightly better, in that the itchy bumps are getting better, but the skin itself has the texture of crepe paper.  I hope this heals, but I'm not so sure it's going to.

Of course, the whole thing still looks like I was scorched with a big square iron.  Which I guess I was.

Anyone else who's finished got weird skin stuff going on?

It was lovely to sleep late this morning!!! 

REALLY tired!  Arimidex.

I had my last RAD tx today -- yah! So far my skin is holding up really well, only a little pink, but the effects will not peak for another week I've been told. I used Glaxal Base Lotion and recommend it.  I refused tx to the regional node areas (due to risk of lymphedema) and that may have made a difference. (I only had one positive node and had just finished chemo so thought that was enough).

As for the above discussion, It's my understanding that Arimidex worked only marginally better in studies than Tamoxifen for ER+ post menopause women, so it's not a great deal to select one over the other if cost or potential side effects are factors.

I will be seeing my med onc tomorrow to see what hormone therapy I'll be taking -- Arimidex has been suggested, but whether or not I'll go through with it will depend on the results of the bone density test I had last week. I don't really want to take drug on top of drug unless I really have to, even though Armidex will be covered at no cost in my province.

CONGRATS to Kathy044 and hopbird!!!!!!

And also to anyone who has finished who I may have missed....

I'm now peeling in the crease below the breast.  The swelling seems to be gone, I wonder how much I'll eventually deflate...  And, I noticed yesterday that I seem to have a much more normal/higher energy level.  

I've been struggling through a book since the beginning of rads.  I was finally able to read it at a more "normal" pace.  Which is good, because the library is VERY angry with me. 

MNLinda - I loved the book 'The Help'...I whizzed right through it too.  My sons gave me a Kindle from Amazon after I was diagnosed with BC.  It has been the best thing for me... I've downloaded and read so many books:)  It's great not having to go to the book store or library, especially when you aren't feel well.  I take my Kindle with me to all my appointments and treatments.  After watching OPRAH yesterday with Julia Roberts and Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love), I downloaded her book...I want to read it before I see the movie.  I absolutely love my Kindle!!!

Back to RADS.... I had my first boost today and the area on my boob that is being treated with the boost is hurting, throbbing actually.  Wondering if this is normal...

Suse64 - Reading on the Kindle doesn't hurt my eyes.  Yet, when I'm on my computer my eyes do get very tired also.  When I was getting Chemo my eyes really bothered me, they actually hurt especially when on my MacBook or watching TV (I was very sensitive to the light on the screens).....but not on the Kindle (it's different).  You can take the Kindle outdoors and ready it in the sunlight, unlike the MacBook.  I can also make the print larger so that I am not straining my eyes when I'm reading...it's actually easier for me to read on the Kindle than the actual books.

Thank you for your reply about the Kindle, CinCan, I think now I may look into getting one, I love to read a good book.  I work at the airport, the time between flights in our small town can be quite a long time, and I need something to occupy my time. I was just worried about the eye strain, but it sounds like it isn't an issue.  How long does the battery stay charged?  I'm sorry, I should just go read about it....How are your boosts going?  CONGRATS TO ALL WHO HAVE FINISHED OR ABOUT TO FINISH ..... the red skin around the incision was sure easier to take than whole breast redness. Other than the color being darker, it is blending in better at my breast bone. Again, good luck to everyone!!!!!!   When I had my last boost, they had me ring a dinner bell, and yell horray, and they all hugged me.. LOL it was something.

CHEERS to you BossyRenee!!!!

Suepen- Happy to hear you are healing!

Suse64 - 4 more Boosts.... 1/2 of my nipple is in the zap zone and is very burned, sore and painful.  Anything that touches it really, really hurts.... if only I could go topless all the time it wouldn't be so bad.  As for the Kindle, it has a very long battery life.  I go weeks without charging it and I never turn it off (I keep the wireless mode off and only turn that on when I'm ordering books so the battery stays charged longer).  The Kindle automatically goes to sleep after a few minutes of no activity and you can wake it up with a push of a button and opens to the page of where you left off.  It's really worth the investment!  I tell my sons, "it's the gift that keeps on giving"....that's how I feel every time I order a new book.

They gave me a whole bunch of gauzy things which are impregnated with antibiotic and vaseline (to stick under my breast fold), and then some "regular" gauze to put on top of that (to protect my bra).  I seem to be getting used to it, but it was itchy and annoying at first.

I hated being back there.

Filled my Tamoxifen prescription.  I've been having endless drama with the Pharmacy, they had the wrong birthday on the account and when I had them change it to the correct birthday the coverage would be refused.  I asked my ins co (BC/BS) about this months ago, they had the correct birthday on file.

So today, in another round of this discussion at the Pharmacy, it was determined that the insurance plan was an Oxford account.  I've never had Oxford in my life.  They said Oxford had paid for all my prior claims.  Well, OK, fine.  If Oxford wants to pay, I guess that's OK with me.

This time Oxford refused the coverage, saying I was ineligible.  I again explained that I've never had Oxford and that I'd had BC/BS since 2007.  They then decided that another store in their chain, probably one close to my former office, had merged the files of two patients with the same name.   

Then they took my ins card and called the cust svce number.  Lo and behold, YES I AM COVERED AND MY BIRTHDAY IS WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING IT IS FOR OVER A YEAR.  So they made a new, separate account for me with the PROPER ins info.  And then I checked out.  And the bill for my Tamoxifen was ZERO DOLLARS.

So I guess I have better insurance than the other person with my name, and, since I've never had a zero balance due before, I'VE BEEN PAYING NEEDLESSLY FOR PRESCRIPTIONS FOR 2+ YEARS.  Or I just got lucky on the Tamox.

I hate egregious incompetence.  And it took me a very long time to get in and out of the store!!!

I guess the Universe really wants me to take the damned pill, if it's now coming to me for free. 

*sigh* 

I am definitely going to order a Kindle from Amazon. What size did you get CinCan?  Thanks for all the info about yours, I am excited, I love to read............SUEPEN....I ran out of room for anymore books, I need to have a yard sale and sell a few dozen.  It is the most beautiful weekend in Northern Michigan, and hubby is working with the neighbor to get the dock, and boats in, so intending to go boat riding this afternoon and tom. ....calling for rain on Monday......  but we do need the rain, there have been a few forest fires in the north in the last few weeks, so hopefully a little rain will help.  Have a GREAT WEEKEND everyone!!!!!   Susan