August 2010 Rads

Love the cow story, what did the police say?  Happy to see we can all still laugh...thanks:)

bonniewe- Good to know this happens outside Texas (cows in the road). I lived in Houston for 15 years and around '98 I was driving down I-10 (one of the busiest interstates in the country) and there was a calf in the metro lane (rush hour traffic lane-can't remember the correct name of it). Anyway, this lane had a 4 foot cement wall on both sides of it. Besides stopping traffic for some time, it was funny to see everyone trying to catch the poor thing. Still don't know how he scaled that wall. Happy ending - they got him and he made the evening news. 

I'm in double digits now - today was #10 - 20 more to go.

Carole-  Do you take something to help you sleep?  I know if I didn't sleep I'd really be exhausted. I have been battling fatigue since the last third of my chemo Tx's and I finished over a month ago. I thot I'd be back to some sort of normal before now but that's not the case. I do take Ambien so I at least sleep through the night (except for bathroom breaks and an occasional hot flash). I've also discovered If I get to sleep before midnight ( best around 11) I do so much better. I've heard some people are afraid of Ambien; I have taken it for years and never increased my dose, in fact most of the time I can get by on a half to two thirds. Anyway, just some ideas from someone who knows what a good nights sleep does for her.

It's so good to hear how well your doing this far along in your tx's. Hope your weekend break is refreshing.

       Carolyn

Hi xgolfer, thanks for saying hello!  Happy belated birthday... One of my newest goals is to turn 70 and I hope I can do it with your energy!   It's so tough to care for an Alzheimers spouse.  My grandmother went through that with my grandfather- I can't imagine handling that AND breast cancer.  You must be incredibly strong!! 

I'm so glad you're feeling great today.  Glad we can be here for you.  Hopefully you'll get some rest after getting those things done you wanted to do (I know how that goes.)  Have that dinner out- enjoy!!

Everyone, congrats on getting through treatments!!  We're beating this beast!  

Have a wonderful weekend!

Xgolfer - Glad to have you here with us and so happy that you are 27 of 28 w/ 5 Bts to go!!!  It'll only be gaining from now on. I think we can relate to the mental and emotional difficulties, though our circumstances may vary a bit. But you seem to have a heavier load with your DH's Alz's. I took care of my Mother when she had dementia and it wears on you. Having to deal with it with your spouse, I'm sure is more emotional. I couldn't say it better than Lady M and I agree you have to be a strong person to tackle both BC and caring for your loved one.

Thinking of you and praying for grace to see you through.

              Carolyn

Hi, everyone!    Cannot believe it is the official end of summer.  I dub this "the summer that never was"  since I have  been so down in the muck and mire of BC.    I certainly miss my life and also traveling!   This may turn out to be my first year in 30 years without at least one trip to my beloved England, yes I am whining once again.  

againmine41, relative to how my husband is handling this, he's been supportive and there for me the entire journey, or as much as he can be.   He's not physically able to be there all the time, but he is emotionally.    (he has battled two primary cancers, kidney in 2005 and pancreatic Dec 2006 and is very lucky to be here)    He's struggling with severe pain left over from his prior cancers and had his right hip replaced July 12, 2010, so still dealing with it.    He cannot do much around the house, but after over 5 years of dealing with his cancers, I'm used to it.   He's a lovely man, funny and smiling in spite of everything.     I am the chief cook and bottle washer (as the saying goes), but that's okay, at least for me it is.   I'm thankful that I still have him with me, even if he's not much physical help.   I think the fact that I've been his caregiver (plus worked fulltime) for over 5 years has "forced" me to physically deal with my BC and care. I must add, though, that it has not allowed me to emotionally deal/work through my BC.

To all, I'm excited that this is day 28 of 33 and my concern for starting Arimidex on Sept 18/19 is growing.   Sleeping less and less these days regardless of my fatigue level.   My doctor is "weird" about giving me something for sleeping so I'm muttling through on the few Ambien she allowed me to have (30 per year).    I'm off now to push myself to at least walk (maybe a little light jog if my body will cooperate) hopefully 5 miles this morning.    I don't feel like it BUT I tell myself "one foot in front of the other.  rinse and repeat" 

Have a wonderful day, ladies, one day closer to the end of this part of our BC journey.

Day # 16 of 33:) Half way done!

I am feeling like S**t today, but still happy about it being almost over.

Anyone else have both dizziness with nausea?

thank you so much for asking about the dizziness.  I've been having a "fuzzy head" light headedness and could not put my finger on it.   Yes, a bit of dizziness.   I've had the nausea as well, but never enough to keep me from eating.   good luck everyone.  

Today was number 18 of 33 for me. I've worked the last 6 days in a row and had today off. I went to my treatment and then forced myself to go to the gym - got in a light workout tho my body was protesting or was it my mind? I really can't describe the fatigue I'm having to anyone else. It's like being in a fog or something. After my workout I came home and napped. I have never before taken naps. Oh well it worked for me. I got up and made supper. As for my husband he has been a great strength and emotional support for me. It hit us both so hard when I got my diagnosis - he said well I was hoping for 10 or 15 more good years and then I would fall apart first. I am several years older than him so I found that amusing. It was hard to get him to talk with me about it at first - it was painful but I just said look I need to talk about it and you are the one I want to talk to so he listened. Now he worries a lot and is a little over protective. He's afraid I over do things but it seems I do nothing compared to what I've always done. He has only gone to one treatment with me because of his work schedule but he took off time to be with me after my surgery and I call him after each treatment to let him know how I'm feeling. He's not much of a cook but tries to help out. My brother and Mom recently moved here and are staying with us temporarily. It wasn't a good time to have company but this was all in the works before I found I had BC. It has worked out well though. My brother does a lot of the cooking and shopping. He also works out with me and is a great encouragement too. I didn't get my flower beds in this year because of knee problems and then the BC so he dug up my flower beds and put in beautiful fall mums for me last weekend with my husbands help. One of the best gifts I've ever had. I have had two or three episodes of nausea in the last week - hope it doesn't get worse. Will be thinking about you all and keeping you in my prayers!

Carole - I forgot to add - great brother you have there!! Sweet of him to do your flower garden.

Day #17 of 33

Thank you all for the response on the nausea and dizziness.  I'm feeling a bit better today.  Chubba I think you are right about the bland food, because today I kept it bland and I feel much better then yesterday but still a bit nauseous.

I didn't take the med for the nausea hoping that it was the cause of my dizziness, I'm going to have a cup of ginger tea to see if that helps with the nausea.

Carolyn, Thanks for sharing that with me!  I feel better knowing it's not just my DH, but Dr.'s in general.  Most people think you're so lucky if you're married to a Dr., but honestly it's not a glamorous life.  I feel like I need a "Dr's wife" support group almost as much as a breast cancer one!

How's your mom? Is she still with us?  God Bless her!!

Bubbalu - That's tough news.  I'm so sorry.  I do hope they can find treatments that will allow you to tolerate the therapy.  My prayers are with you.

Hi ladies,   Been away a few days. and not doing so good right now.  Over the three day weekend my burn progressed really fast just overnight and Monday I was in a lot of pain  Tues when I went for my rad.  the tech wanted the Dr. to look at it before treatment.  My Dr in meeting so his PA cancelled for Tues and had me come in today to see Dr.  Dr cancelled rest of week to give burn a rest.  no bra, very little clothes, slather with burn cream and rest it.  I go back in on Mon to see how things are.  I only have total of 8 including boosts left and really want to get it over with so dont know how much diff. letting it rest now will make. 

Have also developed cough, allergies or cold??   scratchie throat and low grade fever. so they also put me on antibiotics.     Ok enough whining !!!!1

Arubajan05 - did you get a chance to try the bras yet?  hope they work for you.

bubbalu - hope you can continue your treatments and also handle the burn.

As far as DH reaction,  He does his own laundry, most meals anyway so I dont have to deal with that.  he went to all early appts and surgery with me but has not gone to rads.  I usually go to work right after so no need for him to go and sit and then have to take him home before I can go to work.   He will usually go to grocery store for me but i usually get my own meals.  My mom lives 5 houses away and is cooking for me a lot so my meals usually are warming in microwave and I can deal with that.  He is willing to listen and that is a big help. 

Before BC diag. I had started having my house cleaned as I can not do floors, tile, bathrooms, etc because of back so I am keeping that up now which takes off a lot of stress.

Ok enough for tonight.   Hope next week is a better week and the resting helps my burn.

good night to all  and one step at a time.

The rads are taking a big toll on me this week. went Wednesday and just broke down. My skin is raw and pealing, blisters between my breast hurt and itch at the same time. So tired but sleep not easily come by (mix of skin pain and Tamox effects I am sure). The rad tech had me take off till Monday so my skin could heal and give me some rest.

Husband issue...so up and down. Did not go to any of my appointments. Went to my lumpectomy(I was not to drive after surgery) but when I was done...the surgeon couldn't find him to talk to him.(I think he was napping or some where with his lap top looking for a way to jump online).so I was told after I recovered (I have no idea what he said but that he talked to me).  He has gone to one rad treatment since he was home that day and I was so worn out and I asked him. He still has not asked how my last path report was on my polyp removal over a week ago. He gets after the 12 year old to help and the 20 year has helped some...but he doesn't do much...in fact got mad at me when I didn't clean up the water that flooded in the wash room when he was working on putting in a new washer. (I was sewing and had no idea) He gets off work at 2pm and naps. He does not sleep with me, will not touch me or look at me unclothed (except after I had surgery and I needed his help) Sorry to vent but feel so alone with all of this..think that may be why i also broke down in rads yesterday. Just couldn't stop crying. Plus I had to stop doing our church food bank ( just me to do all paperwork, hand out food, take calls etc.very rare did I have help weekly and a driver to do once a month pick up and he is 70+) told the company we get our foods from that i was not re upping contract and he said he would be out today to get all left over foods and and last 3 years of paper work. Less then 24 hours! And I feel like total crap! So when my H called at break..I asked him to meet him at church and handle the pick up. I, thank heavens, was able to gather the last 3 years paperwork and put in envelopes. These last few months I have not been very organized so more crying went on. I feel like the flood gates have opened! 

Asked my Onc. if I could have something to help me rest since I am on Tamoxifin and no Benadrl. The nurse said I would need a psy work up to get sleeping pills. ? I have never asked before and I just wanted a night's complete sleep. He said take Benadrl once in awhile would be fine.

Sorry to ramble and whine.