October 2010 rads
Comments
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Well, I'm here too. I actually started about a ten days ago but it seems like forever. I was originally dx'd in 2006 and now I have a recurrence under my arm. This is my second time around with rads.
The femara seems to be working well. I feel that the radiation is doing its job and I am glad to be getting it. But I am getting so bored with it. I calculated that I have whole nother month to go!! That seems like double forever.
It will be nice when I can sleep late again and not worry about getting to my 9:30 appt evey day.
Bo
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Count me in. I'm scheduled to meet with my rad onc on the 29th and hope to begin rads the following week so I can be done by Thanksgiving (body-willing).
I've been reading the Sept Rads board and gaining much info to prepare myself for this next phase. Geez, it's almost as scary as chemo. The one thing that I read is that rads can minimize recurrance, but not necessarily overall survival due to the potential for collateral damage to other organs. That scares the bejeezus out of me. Has anyone heard anything about this? I've already been told I will more than likely have some lung damage and there's conflicting answers as to whether there will be "heart splatter" whatever that is!?!?
Sorry, didn't mean to start on such a downer. It's just once I start a new phase I overload myself with info and then try to filter things out. Not sure if this is something to be overly concerned about.
Angi: Your girls are adorable! I took a peek at your caringbridge site. I have one, too. I found that the communication part was surprisingly difficult at first (who to tell, how much, how often) and caringbridge sure filled that need. I'll be thinking about you on Thursday.
Bo: So sorry to hear you are serving double duty on this cancer thing. I'm amazed at your attitude. Reading between the lines I sense you are a very strong woman with a positive outlook on life no matter what comes your way.
I look forward to sharing this experience and have a feeling we will all be learning a lot from each other. Sending good thoughts your way.
Lorraine
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I'm another one joining the Oct. group. I went for my tattoos last week, and am supposed to start on Sept. 27 - 25 tx plus 3 boosts.
I understand about the radiation anxiety. I was not this nervous before chemo or surgery. I think it is the long term effects of radiation that bothers me the most, plus the fact that they will radiate my lymph nodes, which increases my risk of lymphedema to 20+%. I am really not looking forward to this, so I am glad to have others here to share the experience with.
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Quiche, I wouldn't worry about radiation. It's peanuts compared to chemo, and IT WORKS. I had cancer in my right breast and radiation and nothing ever came back there. If you have radiation in your left breast, they have to be a little more careful to avoid the heart. You do get tired, in fact I'm already tired, but you recover. Thank you for that very sweet and kind remark about my character. I think I'd like to think of myself that way.
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Hi I would like to join. I just did my simulation today. Will start rads Oct 11th and end Nov 12th. If I didn't have chemo brain I'd be able to figure out how long that is. Feeling very antsy about more treatment. Have already had BMX with silicone implants and 4 rounds A/C and 4 rounds Taxol. Ended chemo last Wednesday.
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Bopeep: Thanks! That makes me feel better especially hearing it from someones who's "been there, done that" and still appreciates it. I have to keep reminding myself of the alternative.
1marmalade1: Glad you're on the board. Lymphedema is always lurking at the back of my mind too. I had bilateral dissection and will have rads on one side. I remember thinking, "Great, I'll beat this cancer thing and then have to deal with L for the rest of my life, but then again . . . the alternative. I did check out the lymphedema board and there is some great support there on the chance I ever need it. My onc doesn't seem as concerned. Just keeps saying, "Don't worry about it, we see fewer cases these days". Yea, but . . . I've had to take this bull by the horns myself. Once again just getting as much information as I can. Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst.
JFV: Welcome. I finished chemo last Wed too. 3 rounds FEC and 3 rounds Taxol. It's taking awhile to sink in, but I'm finally starting to think about my hair growing back (wonder what surprises that will bring:-), no more meds, no more needles. I'm still working through this round of SEs, but I'm beginning to feel a small weight being lifted.
I wish everyone good days ahead.
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I would like to join your thread as well - I was in the July Chemo group and went into the September Rads but then someone wonderful started this one - I had a lumpectomy June 4 - started chemo on July 16 - 4 cycles TC and finished up last Wed -Sept 15 - have worked full time through all - I am a business manager with a mainly desk job. I went yesterday for my markings and simulation - expect to hear back from them next week and get started beginning of Oct - 26 w/ 8 boosts - can be done by Thanksgiving! Yeah - then on to Tamoxifen. Did not have serious SE from chemo - just frustrated at the fatigue level - especially in my legs - they feel like they weigh 100 lbs a piece when trying to walk. But I hope Rads will be a bit easier than chemo. Enough about me - hope all of you are doing well and we can go through this part of our experience together.
Bopeep - sorry you are doing this again but your insights and experience will be an inspiration to us all.
Everyone have a great day!
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I would like to join your thread as well - I was in the July Chemo group and went into the September Rads but then someone wonderful started this one - I had a lumpectomy June 4 - started chemo on July 16 - 4 cycles TC and finished up last Wed -Sept 15 - have worked full time through all - I am a business manager with a mainly desk job. I went yesterday for my markings and simulation - expect to hear back from them next week and get started beginning of Oct - 26 w/ 8 boosts - can be done by Thanksgiving! Yeah - then on to Tamoxifen. Did not have serious SE from chemo - just frustrated at the fatigue level - especially in my legs - they feel like they weigh 100 lbs a piece when trying to walk. But I hope Rads will be a bit easier than chemo. Enough about me - hope all of you are doing well and we can go through this part of our experience together.
Bopeep - sorry you are doing this again but your insights and experience will be an inspiration to us all.
Everyone have a great day!
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Well guys..don't be too proud of me. I'm wimping out already. It has been a chore to drag myself out of bed in the morning to get to the appointment everyday and fatigue has been setting in. Last night I just felt like a needed a day off. Car wouldn't start this AM ( a very, very unusual event in my life), so I had to call a friend to take me. I talked to the nurse about my fatigue and we decided to skip the zap. I had my bloodwork done though for tomorrow's appointments. The main things we need to know about are tumor markers and liver enzymes. Last time they weren't so good but I am expecting that things have improved.Came home and slept for most of the day.Tomorrow is a very very big day for me. I get the results of a liver biopsy and bloodwork from my radiologist (whose a real sweetie), meet with my oncologist who I haven't seen for six weeks (whose not). It's time for a treatment plan!Bo
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Hang in there Bo. Maybe the fatigue is the stress. Waiting for results from a test is horrid. Sending you good thoughts and hugs.
Joan
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Thank you Joan. There's been a lot of anticipation here for weeks and weeks. My oncologist started out by making some rather negative assumptions, so I don't think there is anything tI'm not prepared for. It's just that I would simply love to prove that he was wrong!We just took a walk and I'm already sleepy again. Women, do you remember how being how a day outside in hot sun for a long time could make you sleepy? That's how radiation is. It's actually kind of a pleasant feeling...you can sleep and sleep all you want. Insomnia is not a problem on rads.Bo
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A friend sent me this quote the other day. I thought I'd pass it along:
"Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next" ~Gilda Radner
Bo: You're in my thoughts. ((hugs))
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Hi would also like to join the group. I was part of sept. rads, but was delayed bc didn't tolerate chemo well. had BMX with expanders still in place. did 4 rounds of TC-wiped out wbc eavh time, temps etc, hospitalized, port infection and every poss side effects but am done and 2 weeks since last chemo and beginning to feel better again. need 1 more expansion before I go for tats and simulation so that will happen 2nd week of Oct and will start 1-2 weeks later. I agree that rad is scary, but have also heard that it is not as bad as chemo. I am also concerned ab heart and lung damage, but wont know how close heart and how much lung tissue will lie in rad field until the do next step.I too am concerned ab lymohadema-had a little bit the other day after expansion, so am hoping it was just a side effect from that and not something I will need to deal with during rads. It feels as though cancer took control of my life and now that chemo is done, I am beginning ro feel like I am in control again. I look forward to hearing your experiences as we go through this process together. I have gained so much info from the sept. group.
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I would like to join as well even though I will be starting the end of next week. Figured there would be more people going thru this during the same time as mine.
Going today for the CT Scan/ tatoo's. Probably will have simulation next week and maybe two radiation treatments will start next week. Doing 33 treatmentst, 6 1/2 weeks. Should be done around Nov. 17th.
Background--2003 DCIS Stage 0 Grade 3 no lymphs, double mastectomy, no rads, no chemo, no meds 2010 same breast IDC 1.8 cm with DCIS stage 1 almost 2, grade 3 ER/PR+ Her- Oncotype 33 Finished Chemo Sept 9th 4 X TC
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Quiche: I love your quote!!
CT: Sounds like you had an utterly miserable time with TC (taxotere+cytoxan). Were you getting Neulasta or nuepogen shots? They are supposed to make a big difference. When I took TC in 2007 I had a terrible time with infections--UTIs, respiratory infections. My insurance didn't quality me for Neulasta and the Neopogin shots which were supposed to be 5 days sequential after infusion never happened as they should because the clinic was not open on weekends. I was sick and frightened a lot. Thank God you are done with it, for good I hope.
I am considering taking taxotere again, but this time my insurance will pay for neulasta. It's supposed to be one of the most toxic chemos out there, but one of the most effective and produces the most longevity. But at what cost? I will have to consider that as well too.
Welcome here and I promise, the worst is over!
Welcome Roberta: I missed your post while I was typing mine. This is a new group, but a nice friendly one. I already have a very positive feeling here.
Bo
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Welcome to all who have joined in the last day or so - I am trying to get over the fatigue from my last chemo last week - still feeling it in my legs especially - going to do the Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk - one here this Sunday in Corning NY and one next Sunday up in Syracuse NY-my daughter is in med school up there and her class formed a team to walk for me - so I and my sig other - we are not married - will go there. Hope I can walk far enough - LOL I had TC - and the Neulasta shots each time- my Onc ordered them and my insurance paid for them- they did cause some flu like achy feeling but kept my blood counts up the entire time. My question is - has anyone had their port removed? What is it like? Mine was a godsend for chemo to go IN but never worked quite right for blood to come out - and I still can feel it when I lay certain ways, etc....I want it out of me. Thanks for any input and good luck to all this week!
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Cindykaw---I just had my port removed on the 17th of this month. Not too bad. Initially when I woke up from it, I expected to be sore but instead it was a burning sensation which the nurse said was normal. By the time we drove home, the burning was gone plus with pain medication she gave me helped.
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Roberta2- did they put you out to take your port out? I was under the impression that they use a local - I meet with my surgeon on Monday morning. Thanks for the info.
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I wrote a note at the top of my October 2010 Rads duplicate, hope that will corral everyone over here!
Sounds like once the chemo is done, a lot of us are dealing with the 1,000 lb leg feeling. Me, too. And, I don't know if this is "normal"--what the heck is around here--1.5 weeks after my last TC and I'm just really weirdly bloated. I'm up a lot of weight, and I feel like it's fluid. Very bizarre, doing everything else pretty much exactly the same. My stomach is still bizarre, too. Some foods still really turn my stomach. Seriously, it's the good ones, like vegetables and beans.
I'd love to hear what you all plan in the way of creams. I have a script for Biafine, doc recommended aloe. Hearing mixed things about its efficacy.
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Hey Gals,
I got my news and it wasn't at all what I wanted to hear. I think..I hope I will be switching to chemo soon. I may be able to get in 4 or 5 more zaps. I am not going to miss those 9:30 appointments every day or the fatigue!
Creams: our nurse just told everybody to buy Aloe with no alcohol. I never needed any, this is my second time around. My skin just kind of turned a slow tan.
Bo
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Hi Everyone,
This really feels like a supportive group.I start rad from 6th Oct and am really apprehensive about its effects..have to do 33.had the tattoos and CT Scan done earlier this week. The onc. suggested Lubriderm or any other cream with aloe.
Am on Tamoxifen,it has been almost a week since i started so that is the other thing am worried about - is there anyone taking T and starting rad?
Am HER2 negative, the signature hads the wrong info, hav eto change that.
Quiche-really liked the quote.
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Hi-
ranafazal- I will start Tamoxifen Oct 1st and rads Oct 8th. Asked rads onc if that was OK and she said yes.
Bopeep- Sorry about your bad news. Hugs, hang in there.
Trying to decide when to return to work. I am a Teaching Assistant at an elementary school. My mind and body are not ready for work but my credit card bill is! Aiming for the middle of October unless the radiation does something funky to me. In general my energy is improving but I cannot imagine working a full day yet. I tend to still vegitate alot everyday.
I am 10 days out from my last chemo and still have numbness and tingling in my feet and toes. My taste buds and digestion are still off. I am day dreaming about having hair. Sometimes I think I am the old me with hair and then catch sight of myself in the mirror. Always a suprise to see my bald head!
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bopeep
sorry to hear your news. Thoughts are with you.
Roberta
Had my port removed-it became infected after 1st rnd of chemo. had a little IV versed and slept through it. Sore but not as uncomf as when it was put in and really felt much better in a couple of hours.
JFV
am 2 weeks out from last chemo and am starting to feel better. energy coming back, metallic taste is goneno nausea or abdominal pain. Starting to feel more like me. My onc said good 4-6 wks. Hopefully radiation will be easier to tolerate-praying I see little bits of hair coming back.
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ranafazal
I will be starting tamox also but not sure when. Was hoping I might get through rads first so if I had SEs would know which was causing them. How do you feel on the meds?
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bopeep
I did have a rough time with TC. Did not get neulasta after rnd 1-they thought I would be fine because it was every three weeeks. However 5 days later wound up in the hospital for a week with almost no wbcs. did get it after the last 3 and it kept me out of the hospital, but I still dropped white cells really low and ran temps each time, so was on antibiotics after each round. Tried Claritin after shots and it seemed to help quite a bit. Took pain meds to help with bone, muscle and nerve pain. For me, it took ab 2 weeks after chemo to start to feel better again, however if the chemo dropped my counts that low, I have to assume that it also was just as tough on the cancer cells. Have you decided to do taxotere?
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Hey Gals,I am going to continue to post here anyway, you are such a nice group!I don't know what klnd of Chemo I am going to be taking. They don't like to repeat chemos, so I probably won't do taxotere again which is little bit of a bummer because I've heard lots of stories from other women on this site who have liver mets completely cleared with that treatment. Xeloda might be an option. In any case, I am meeting with an oncologist at NCI accredition research hopsital who has great credentials, and I am sure she's going to have some good ideas. My liver mets are behaving as though they are not ER+, though my breast tumors were. Apparently this happens sometimes.I think I am going stop Radiation as of NOW. My radiologist felt that getting on chemo was more important than continuing and it is important to start chemo in good shape. I have had a cold since I started Radiation that won't quit..the worst part is a hacking cough. Last night I had a very bad attack of coughing that lasted 6-7 minutes; I couldn't breathe & it frightened me. So I went to Emergency and they gave me a breathing treatment, an inhaler, and some prednisone. I really hope this works. I want to be in good shape to start chemo next week if possible. I think I'll also need to get my teeth cleaned.I feel so much better this morning. After the chemo gets the liver mets wiped out (and I am planning on this!!!) I'll come back and finish the rads.BO
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PS--Yall need some pictures here to add a little more character to your identities. My pic was taken back in my Boston days---ages ago!! It doesn't matter what you choose...that the you choose something.
I have NO idea why this post appeared three times. I think I was trying to edit a typo. Sorry for the wasted space.
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PS--Yall should add some pictures here to make it easier to recognize your identities. My pic was taken back in my Boston days---ages ago!! It doesn't matter what you choose...just something--Meryl Streep, your cat, your dog, or even YOU!
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PS--Yall should add some pictures here to make it easier to recognize your identities. My pic was taken back in my Boston days---ages ago!! It doesn't matter what you choose...that the you choose something--Meryl Streep, your cat, your dog, or even YOU!
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I am 12 days out from last chemo - tastes starting to be better - I can eat some meat and veggies a little bit - still have the draggy feeling in my legs - should hear on Tues when rads will start - my onc does not start me on tamox until rads are over - here they recommend aquaphor for dry skin etc and baby cornstarch powder - they actually give you deoderant some lotion and powder - if problems will go from there - I figure since they see you eveyday - they will see any problems I have. Best to all - I am off to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk - not that I really feel up to it - but some of my friends are going as well - and it is going to be a beautiful sunny day so....outside I will go.
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