July 2010 Rads

Julie50 · September 2010

Brenda-Hope you are feeling better today....

Karen-Again so happy all turned out AOK, I know what worrying can do to one....Happy Dance for you

Sonia-Don't feel bad about what you say about your "dad", believe me I know how you feel. There were times I would be mean also, not that I wanted to, as its not like me, but the old can really push you. Like I told my mom yestersay when she said to me "Why did you put me in the nusring home", I told her "I did not put you here, your body did"....Its hard---Caregiving is a very hard job.

Kim-I'm still pealing also, and that smell, what is with that smell...Its so gross. Plus I get a lot of pains in my arm, and breast.

Oh icining on the Cake Stepped on a bee and of course it stung me, never had a bee sting b-4 my god my foot still hurts this morning, and its on the bottom of my foot....

When 2011 rolls around I think I will just stay in bed where its safe with rubber padding all around me.

Ok, time to pack and leave, have a wonderful week everyone. Wish me luck I can make the next two days.

Hugs my friends

Julie

bennybear · September 2010

Hi all,

Julie, I cannot believe your luck, a bee sting,, yikes, I hope you have a good time despite everything, Tracye, hope today goes well for you,

Donna and Sonia, I echoe so much of your feelings, I too feel I can't deal with the trivia, and I also feel very disconnected. I thought some of it is due to my new position and lack of connection, but I also think I am a fundamentally different person, boy is the idea of retirement appealing although I know not to make a major decision right now.

Sonia, your comment about feeling unseen is so true, I think they are afraid to really see us and talk to us, and yet that hurts. I guess no one likes to think about mortality and the idea that we are now just fine is much easier to handle, no one seems to understand the feelings that are involved. I know I sure wasn't expecting this, It seems there is always something else we have to deal with.

I usually feel very competent, but right now that is feeling pretty shaky. I think losing so much control over so many things in my life has been very hard. I am hoping these feelings will pass, but I think I am realizing that I am going to be different than I was, I don't know why that surprises me, I have always been the one to handle things and get things done.

I am off for a few more days as the bronchitis is still hanging on.

I hope we have a better end of the year and we all will have to really celebrate 2011!!!

Brenda

changes · October 2010

Hugs to all - everybody seems to be having a rough time

Tracye - let us know how the appointment went today - thinking about you and wishing you the best.

Julie and Brenda - so sorry you're both sick. I think Pat is right - our immune systems have just taken a bit of a hit.

It's too bad we don't live closer to one another - we could celebrate New Year's Eve together and make SURE that 2011 gets off to a better start than 2010!

MagPag · October 2010

Hi Girls,

Sonia and Julie, I'm glad your venting about your care giving feelings. It's good to let out the steam. I know it's the hardest job in the world and I admire you for caring so much for your folks.

Brenda, hope you feel better. You mentioned mortality and I thought of this column that I read in the tribune a few weeks back by Mary Schmich titled 10 things you didn't know about fall...

#8. Is there anyone who doesn't like fall?
A: No. Some allergy sufferers hate spring. Some heat wimps hate summer. Some people hate winter because they can't stand to shovel snow. Everybody loves autumn.
#9. Why?
A: The tender air, the angle of the sun, the incongruity of that color flaring while the light fades. And we're always more grateful to be alive when we're aware of dying.

Here's the link for the full column - http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-met-schmich-0922-20100922,0,4797933,full.column

I think it's really insightful. I wish I felt more grateful having had this glimpse of mortality. I hope this comes with time.

Wish me luck. I'm going to see the BS tomorrow. I've got several round red scaly areas on my BC breast that weren't there before. The nurse said likely still skin issues from rads, but my skin was pretty well healed. Psyching myself out because my tumor was dermal based. I'm glad she was able to get me in so quick.

Have a good night everyone. Donna.

Chicago1018 · October 2010

Oh my goodness I haven't logged in for a while and I've missed quite a bit!

Sonia - I am quite glad that none of us had to post bail for you because you committed homicide!

Karen - I am so glad that your scan was all clear and so sorry that you had to go through the stress of waiting.

Brenda - I am so sorry you had bronchitis and hope you are on the mend. I can't believe they had to do all that back and forth with your mammo!

Julie - I think you put the fear of god in your rad onc about the word normal. I am so sorry that you aren't feeling well and I hope you can still go on your get away. You deserve a little "oh la la" with Jim. ;-)

Pat - The mammo sound painful. . .not looking forward to mine in a few months. You bring up a good point about our immune system being depleted. Tracye - I am so sorry that you have to go through this additional testing and I am sending cyber hugs in your direction.

I actually had blood work earlier this month and even though I finished chemo in March my counts are STILL low. My PCP said it was "normal" (ugh) but I think I should run it by my onc just to be sure.

With October starting tomorrow I have to say I am a little apprehensive of seeing all the pink everywhere.

Here's to a less eventful 2011

Houndmommy · October 2010

Boy, it seems like almost everyone has had to go back to the doc for some concern. We just can't seem to get a break!

Julie - Hope you are having a great mini vacation!

Brenda - feel better soon!

Trayce - how did your procedure go today?

Donna - Like you, it is hard to feel grateful for my "glimpse of mortality" right now. Maybe I'll feel grateful when I am 80! Let us know how your appointment goes tomorrow.

Chicago - I'm nervous about all the BC awareness stuff that will be going on. I just don't want to have BC in my face everytime I turn around. It is hard not to think about it as it is.

Tomorrow I go for a breast self-exam class at my Cancer Center. I hope it gives me more confidence in my abilities to "feel" something. I think this will also be a rads follow up with a nurse (I haven't had any kind of rads follow up since tx ended). I am now kind of freaking out becuase I have this shooting pain in one of my ribs. It bothered me a bit off and on earlier but now suddenly it is happening frequently.Naturally I'm worried about mets to my rib. This is so frustrating! I'm hoping it is related to the rads. Have any of you had continued pain long after rads? I am a litttle over a month post rads.

Yes...here's to a healthy 2011!

Have a good evening everyone! It is a very rainy one here. Hugs, Kim

bailey1958 · October 2010

Hi Everyone,

Wow so much has happened this month to all of us. September has been a very challenging month for me. I discovered something about myself this week. Had a tough one at work with a situation that normally I would have ruminated about for weeks and let it make me feel really bad, lose sleep over and just generally beat myself up over. I started out having what would have been a typical response to a challenging situation and then I found myself in the middle of it and realized that I just didn't care about it and that my need to prove myself was gone. I have this sense of calmness and I've had this distinct realization how little importance something I would have thought before cancer was terribly important is now post cancer just not. I am stunned by people's insensitivity and disconnection from their lives - I feel like people just race aimlessly through life blind to the things that really matter. I feel like I have to reevaluate my work life. I also have realized how much more I want real, authentic connection with people and yet I am surrounded by people who aren't awake. Weird stuff going on for me. I don't work Friday so I am really grateful I have three days off to get a break from a mid-life post cancer crisis.

Thanks to all of you for giving me a place to be real and a group of people who make me feel normal (sorry Julie).

Julie50 · October 2010

Hi Everyone:

We are back, had a great time, even having a cold. However Jim is coming down with it...:( And this man never gets sick, must have been to much "FUN"...LOL

Will catch up tomorrow as I'm beat from no sleep the past two days, but in a good way.

Hugs

Julie

MagPag · October 2010

Hi,

Julie, so glad you had a lovely break with Jim. Rest up now.

Kim, I have rib pain off and on since rads and of course told 'normal'. I should have asked how long before it's not normal, but was too annoyed.

Sonia, the gap in priorities between myself and those around me is too big. I really get what you're saying. Feel like I should look for something more meaningful to do. Too bad we really need to stay employed to keep our health care benefits.

I saw the BS today for these red scaly skin patches. A week of cortaid and they only got bigger and few more popped up. She thinks its eczema, or a delayed rad reaction, or SE from the T, but since their on my bc breast, she took a punch biopsy. She said it would be really rare for a recurrence to show like this, and it would be really rare to have a different type of cancer occur after going through rads. She gave me the choice to watch it for 2 weeks or have the biopsy today, so I said go for it. Waiting until next Wed is going to be hard enough.

So I'm with you Chicago, way too aware of BC everyday and could do with a little less pink. Hope you're Onc thinks your bloodwork is normal too.

Take care everyone and enjoy the weekend. Donna.

spendygirl · October 2010

Hi ladies! Thank you all so much for your good wishes and asking how yesterday went. What an unnerving experience to be having a biopsy. Anyway, it was one of the most painful things I've ever been through, although short-lived. The worst part was probably five minutes, but it was hell. She dilated my cervix which I wasn't expecting, that's what hurt the most. The actual biopsy hurt almost as bad; but like I said not more than five minutes. Cramped for the rest of the day and I'm fine today. Now we play that damned waiting game.

I've read all your posts and can identify with something in every one of them. All I know is that this disease sucks and I am soooo thankful to have all of you as cyber-friends. Nobody gets it like you do. Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

Love and hugs, Tracye

bennybear · October 2010

Hi friends,

Donna thanks for the very interesting quote, what is weird is my maiden name is very close to hers. I agree that more mortality than I am wanting to think about. I too have a new red scaly patch, I have put some antibiotic creme on and hope that helps but will keep that in mind to watch it.

Chicago, I agree there is more pink than I want to face even where I am least expecting it, the bank??

Kim, I think it is a great idea that they are giving a class in self exam after bc ( is that an oxymoron??), because I don't know how I would know with scar tissue, (typo said scare tissue, I had to laugh)

Julie, glad you had a good time with Jim.

Tracye, my fingers are crossed and hope the results are good, it doesn't sound like a lot of fun, it sounds like a colposcopy which I had once and hated more than anything so far with BC.

Sonia, Donna, I agree with the disconnect, I feel so detached from my normal self. Sonia, it even sounds healthy that you had that perspective, just wish we didn't need to go on such a journey to get that. I am trying hard to keep my balance, and I guess I am afraid of losing it again, so in that way I am grateful that I learned that much. I feel quite detached from many of my friends, as I don't think they get it, so I find myself coming here to be with you cyber friends who do get it, So thanks for being there.

Big Hugs, Brenda

Chicago1018 · October 2010

Donna - I am glad she gave you the option to have the biopsy although I am sorry you had to have it. Sometimes it feels better just to get to the bottom of things then to wait around. I'll be sending healthy energy your direction (which isn't too far since we're both in IL) :-)

This is what I love about having all of you out there in cyber land. I can totally relate to what you are saying about feeling disconnected. . . particularly at work! When I hear people talk about various normal things (making a deadline, how traffic was so bad etc.) it all sounds so TRIVIAL to me. I can't make myself care about some of it. I don't know what I want more. . .to not let this feeling fade or to go back to the way I was.

Was watching Fergie (the black eyed pea not the duchess of York) talk to BC survivors on TV yesterday. They were talking about all the things you should never say to someone with BC. . .here were some of the options:

1. But at least your hair will grow back!
2. Once it is all over you'll have "new" boobs
3. You need to "do what you have to do" to beat this thing.

I've heard 3 out of 3 myself. . .what about you guys?

MagPag · October 2010

Thanks Chicago, I'm so glad your all here too! Keeps me sane. Here's my least favorite thing to say to someone with BC that I've heard many times "You're lucky"... as in it is early stage or it was small or your treatment is over, etc.

I think you mentioned in one of your older posts about buying a lymphedema sleeve on line. I didn't realize there would be so many options. How did you choose?

Going to London for work in a week and think I should get one for the long flight. Pending results of the biopsy, of course. So tired of having to qualify things when I make plans.

Anyway, hope you all have a good weekend. Donna.

changes · October 2010

Hi all - sounds like everybody's have a tough time health-wise. Sorry to hear that...

Donna - So sorry you have to wait until Wed for the biopsy results - uggghhhh! Sending positive thoughts for good results. Enjoy the trip to London - I never get to go anywhere better than Nashville for my job

Chicago - yea, I could do with being made less "aware" of breast cancer! My least favorite statement is something along the lines of "You can beat if it you have a good attitude." Does that mean that all those women who died of cancer had a bad attitude? That statement REALLY, REALLY offends me.

Kim - there's something called costochondriasis (I'm likely misspelling it) - it's rib pain that can be caused by radiation (I think other things cause it, too). I think Ibuprofen helps with it - had a touch of it right after radiation but it got better pretty quickly.

Tracye - the biopsy sounds awful. Sorry you're playing the "waiting game". Hoping for good results!

Sonia - sorry you're having a career crisis, but it's great that you've found some calmness. I'm just having the career crisis without the calmness (LOL)

Brenda - I can relate to feeling detached from friends. I feel like cancer has become this large barrier between them and me; they want to pretend it's not there and I can't forget about it.

Julie - so glad to hear you and Jim had a good time!

I had a good day today for the first time in forever. I went to an art show in Louisville and had a nice time. I bought a print from an artist I liked entitled "Prayer for someone crying". Weather was great and it was a nice day to be roaming around an art fair. Felt almost normal today (the good kind of normal, I mean!)

Sending positive thoughts and cyber hugs to all of you having tests or waiting for results,

Karen

Chicago1018 · October 2010

Hi Donna--I actually didn't buy the sleeve but I have taken a long flight since my surgery (11 hours to hawaii). My BS told me that as long as I get up and lift my arms above my head every few hours or squeeze a stress ball to pump the lymphatic fluid through I should be fine. I did a combination of making a releasing a fist every few hours and sitting with my arms above my head for a minute at a time. I've read that if you buy the wrong sleeve online they can actually be too tight and actually increase your risk for issues. . .I think you're supposed to be professionally fitted for the sleeves actually. (In all your tremendous amounts of free time I guess right?) If you call your doc I am sure they can point you in the right direction. . .protocol might be different if you had the Axilliary node dissection and not the SNB like me.

Karen - that "good" attitude thing would get me too. . .I am a very positive person 99% of the time but "say positive" was one of the things that annoyed me. Haven't I earned a day of wallowing in self pity now and again?

MagPag · October 2010

Hi and thanks again Chicago. I did more reading and you're right, there is too much to fitting than I would want to take on myself. Plus, I'm short and sure fitting into a standard size would be hard. I printed off some exercises to do and will drink plenty of water. I too had a SNB, 6 nodes, but still have swelling from time to time in my underarm.

Thanks again for the good info. Donna.

Julie50 · October 2010

Hi Ladies:

I hope everyone is doing well today.

I have to agree if I see one more PINK item I will scream...

Doing ok, still have that arm pain will ask my surgon on Tuesday for my 5 month check up, when I ask the Rad Onco, he just looks at me....One strange man let me tell you.

I see my Onco on Wed to start the pill from HELL, you have no idea how I don't want to start this pill, I just want my life back I really do...Oh well I can dream the dream...:)

Tracye-I had that done before my hyst. yup it hurt like made but over with fast, thank you god. I hope all turns out AOK for you.

Brenda-My friends don't even ask about my BC, its like "Ok you are done and over with it" WRONG....I feel like I only have my husband, this board and my dogs to speak about how I feel about all this. Shame on my friends...

Oh and the attitude thing, can't agree more, keep your attiude going "Julie", keep thinking positive thoughts "Julie", my god how can I when I feel like I do...Yes 90% of the time I do think good thoughts but I feel we all deserve to have an "off day"..People just don't get it unless they walk the walk....

My cold has really gotten to me, still feel like crap and I start my part-time job tomorrow, hours are not bad 9:00am until 1:30, then I can go and see mom each day after work, so I should get home around 4:00 each day...

The heart Dr. told me I have 40% blockage and they don't do much about it, but I have to go on some "PILL". He told me that 90% is better as they can stend that, but 40% they don't. He said my sister most likley have a 40-60% blockage and what happens is it breaks off and that will be that, so that scared the hell out of me....Just another things to worry about, but don't worry girls I will keep the GOOD ATTITUDE UP...:LOL Funny thing was he said, this is very NORMAL for someone your age, I almost died...I said Please Dr. Jaffee, don't use that word, I hate that word...LOL

Ok, off to the land of tea and soup. Have a wonderful Sunday Nite

Julie

bennybear · October 2010

Hi all,

Karen, I loved the riff on positive attitude. I read a really good article in MORE magazine from a cancer researcher, I believe a Dr. Li, who said it made NO difference and they should quit trying to make people feel guilty that they were not positive enough. She said that as that isn't a nice sentiment those researchers don't get the same publicity the positive camp gets. It actually made me feel a lot better, I too am a very positive person but if this thing doesn't try you, then you aren't human.

Chicago, I too am ticked about some of my friends not even asking or calling, probably because they can't handle it, It is just nicer for everyone to forget it all,

A lovely lady we have gotten to know walking our dog, also had BC and she organized the run today, although I wasn't up to participating, she asked me over for brunch and it was nice. I love being able to talk to her about my frustration feeling tired and taking so long to get over being sick, She also gets it, and we don't wallow and aren't super negative but I can be real with her, like all of you. Because I am feeling sorry for my poor DH as I seem to be mired in a negative space a lot of the time. I just find I can't handle those details.

Donna, I hope the flights go well, I have done Hawaii and France both and have been fine, I asked my surgeon and he said none of his SNB patients have gotten it, I told him I didn't want to spoil his record.

Julie, I hope you feel better soon We are entitled to wallow now and then, I think it helps some times. I hope your heart goes well for you, they have some pretty awesome meds, some of which I have been on for a year now.

Thank God, for good husbands, dogs, and some family and friends and all of you on this board!!!

Brenda

cheyenna · October 2010

hello girls, im half way thru chemo, AC x 4 now Taxol x 12, i have 5 left after tomorrow, my breast surgeon said she was happy with my margins 6 mm, Rads were never proposed to me but i noticed most all my bc friends are having rads. i asked my ONC and she said as a standard they do rads if tumor is over 4 cm and 3 positive nodes? i just dont want to short change myself, i had a mastectomy. She said she will set me up with a rads specialist, now im worried. i asked "if it was rads situation off the bat you would have told me" and she said yes. what do you all think? thank you Chey

Julie50 · October 2010

Brenda-What are the meds like that you are on???? Are they for high Cholestoral???

I'm with Brenda, thank god we have each-other, family, husbands, etc. Without all of you I think I would have gone crazy at times.

Starting my part time job today, wish I could stay in bed a few more days, still feel pretty crappy from the cold, but I will keep on going.

Chey-I think its "Normal" what she is doing, but then I'm not sure, I think someone will come and speak about this so you can understand it.

Have a wonderful day everyone!!! Stay warm, COLD here in Chicago

Julie

Houndmommy · October 2010

Hi Ladies!

Julie - glad you had a nice trip despite the cold. Good luck on your first day of work today. I hope it goes well!

Trayce - sorry your procedure was so painful. I had one last February and it wasn't bad but for some reason my cervix was open enough that they didn't have to dilate me. When do you get your results? I'll be thinking of you!

Karen - glad you had a good day on Saturday. Thanks for the info on rib pain - I will look it up.

Sonia - I can relate . I hope you had a good weekend.

Donna - I asked about my shooting pains on Friday but now I'm not sure that I emphasized it was my rib - Ugh! Anyway, she did say the pains were "normal" and that they could last 6 months to a year. She said they were nerves that had been irritated by surgery and rads. I am glad to know that you asked about the rib pain since I am not sure that I asked the right question. Glad you were able to get the biopsy right away. I would not have wanted to wait. I'll be thinking of you!

Brenda - the breast exam class was really good. I learned a lot and feel a bit better about knowing how to examine myself. Now I just have to remember to do the exam each month! I told the nurse that they should offer the class to all women. They had "breasts" (they looked a bit like my silicone breast form) that had lumps in them and they had us do a breast exam on them . If your cancer centers offer such a thing, go. It is worth the time.

Chey - I think it is good that you will be seeing a rad onc. Even though your surgeon was happy with the margins, it is good to get another opinion. I bet you won't need rads. I think most women with mastectomies, clear margins, smaller tumors and no nodes don't need it. But again, it is good to have a doc look at your specific case.

I am reading a book about a woman who had BC and in the chapter where she discusses her feelings after treatment I felt like I was reading posts from you guys. She experienced so many of the same things we are all feeling. The following statement (she was crying to her DH) hit home...."Nobody tells you how to deal with life after cancer! I don't even know who I am anymore. I'm not the same person. How can I ever be the same person again after all this?" She also talks about being so tired physically and emotionally.

Several of you talked about lymphedema in several posts and I was wondering - those of you who had a MX and just one or two sentinel nodes taken, were you told that you were at a greater risk for lymphedema because you had an MX (you lose a lot of lymph nodes when they remove the breast)? I am a little confused now so I will have to go read the Lymphedema Forum. At the breast exam class the nurse told me that even though I just had 2 SN removed, I was at a greater risk because of the MX. I was never told this before.

Well, I need to try to get myself out the door for a walk on this cold, rainy day. Hope you all have a good day! Kim

Chicago1018 · October 2010

Hi Chey - everyone is different and the radiation oncologist will be the best suited to help you weigh the options and decide what is best. I also had a mastectomy but my tumor was 5CM so my case was a little different than yours. Good luck deciding!

Kim - I haven't heard anythinga bout being at increased risk fro tymphedema because of the MX. I thought it was 100% related to the type of lymph node procedure you had done. I had the Sentinal Node biopsy so I didn't have any full nodes removed, just biopsied. He did say that rad upped your risk or lymphedema though. Sounds like I need to do some more reading as well.

Houndmommy · October 2010

Chicago - As I mentioned, when I had that breast self exam class the subject of lymphedema came up during the conversation the nurse point blank told me having a MX put me at greater risk because of all the lymph nodes in the breast tissue that was removed. That had never been mentioned to me and like you, I thought it had to do with how many lymph nodes in the arm that were removed. In my case I had 2 sentinal nodes removed and biopsied. The fewer nodes removed, the better (which is why the SN procedure came about - to avoid removing all the lymph nodes which is what they used to do.). I was floored when she said that to me and to be honest, I wonder if she has her info correct. I haven't had a chance to look into it yet. I'll let you know what I find.

Kim

Julie50 · October 2010

So, I had a long talk today with my surgon who I see tomorrow, I told her about this pain in my arm, she said tomorrow she will write me something saying I need therapy on that arm and a sleeve. I only had 3 nodes removed but she said this can happen....I love her....

She was worried about the cough and I told her my Rad. Onco said "Normal", she said BS, and if I have anymore problems with Dr's to call her ASAP. She said you have been through enough and don't need some Dr. saying "normal" with each concern I have.

Did I tell you "I AM SICK OF DOCTORS"...:( But I love her, she is wonderful...

Ok, off to tea land I go with my cold...

Hugs to each of you.

Julie

spendygirl · October 2010

Hi ladies! Honestly, I get a little choked up when I read each of you wishing me good luck. You all soooo get it. Well, I watched my cell phone at my desk for the most of the day today waiting for the GYN to call. I actually made myself sick to my stomach. Ridiculous, isn't it? She said she would be calling by Wednedsay, so I'm hoping for tomorrow. The waiting, as you all know, is just brutal. I can't imagine what it's like waiting for PET scan results.

Brenda - thank goodness for our doggies! Mine is an old lady of 13, we love her to death - she's still going strong.

Thanks so much for the good wishes. Love and hugs to all, Tracye

MagPag · October 2010

Hi everyone, Tracye, Thinking of you and sending positive thoughts for getting your results quickly. Fingers and toes all crossed for good news.

Kim, ouch I didn't think the rib pains would last that long. Hopefully yours will subside. Mine come and go. Sounds like an interesting class. I think they should start to teach it schools or at the very least at the OB/GYN. What book are you reading?

Julie, glad your BS is supporting all your care. Let us know how the PT goes for improving your arm pain. Hope you can shake the cold soon.

Brenda, Tracye, you're right dogs are the best, they know just how to be there for you and never have the opposite opinion! I have two, just took them to a dog reunion to see their parents, siblings and nieces and nephews. What a hoot, 25 dogs that all looked alike and they seemed to immediately know each other. The best part was that no one there knew I had BC. Just chatting and getting to know the other owners was great and so normal .

Thanks for the good thoughts. xoDonna.

bailey1958 · October 2010

Hey Ladies,

LONNNG day today and feeling really tired and it's only the start of the week. Yesterday was run for the cure and it was a really emotional day for me - it's was really weird to know people were out running with my name on their chest - I just couldn't face it. An another note, do any of you continue to have really deep itchy skin where you had surgery and radiation. I feel as though my skin is more itchy now than it was a month ago. I have my followup this week with my radiation oncologist and I am really nervous. I feel after all the testing you are all having that I should be getting the tests on liver, eyes, cervix etc. etc. and kind of don't want to bring it up because I can't tolerate waiting for results. I can remember those days tracye of waiting with my eye on my cell phone for a call that felt like it would never arrive. Hang in there - am I ever sending all of you NO MORE NOTHING NO BAD EVER AGAIN thoughts. All your talk about sleeves is making me wonder about a trip I'm taking to India in November and if I should be thinking about that to. I think I will check with my radiation oncologist this week when I meet with her. Take care everyone.

Sonia

changes · October 2010

Hi everybody,

Julie - like you, my friends like to pretend it's all over, and avoid saying anything to me about it. How did the job go? Your surgeon sounds great. It must be the radiation oncologists who like to insist everything's normal when it's not. My rad oncologist was that way, too, but the surgeon and medical oncologist have both been great.

Tracye - sorry you did not get your results today waiting is MISERY. Sending you cyberhugs!

Donna - the dog reunion sounds fun! I have three dogs myself: a lab mix, a shepherd mix, and a minpin mix. They are great company.

Sonia - I love the NO MORE NOTHING NO BAD EVER AGAIN thoughts - it does seem like we have all had more than our fair share of "bad" this year.

Thinking of all of you! Thanks so much for being there

Karen

Houndmommy · October 2010

Good Morning!

It is another cold rainy one here and if this keeps up I am going to become depressed - I can't stand cold, dreary, rainy weather (I'm so homesick for SC and all the wonderful sunshine). I did manage to walk yesterday in the rain but the rest of my day was shot as I was chilled to the bone and just didn't feel good.

Julie - Your surgeon sounds great! Glad she is taking your concerns seriously and is someone you can go to with your worries.

Trayce - Sorry you are still having to wait for results. How frustrating! Sending you hugs and hoping you get your call (with good news) today.

Donna - Love the dog reunion! I bet it was fun. I have 2 greyhounds (retired racers) and I have heard of greyhound owners getting sibs and parents together. They claim that the dogs seem to recognize each other. The book I was reading (finished it last night) was Breast Cancer and Me by Lois Olmstead. Overall it wasn't very good. Several weeks ago I heard this woman speak at a church function and she was sooooo funny! I didn't realize she had had BC until she mentioned it briefly. Since she was so funny I thought her book would be good. Personally I really came to dislike her as she told about her journey through BC because she seemed so upbeat and "everything is great", etc. I couldn't relate to her at all. Finally, in one of the last chapters she opened up about her struggles and seemed more "real".

Sonia - I occasionally get that deep down itch (it was very bad during tx) and I have shooting pains that seem to come and go. Last week I kept getting them in one place but they have stopped now. I also get a sunburned feeling in several places but my skin looks fine. Weird.

Am I the only one not having a follow up with my rad onc? I saw him Aug.23 (during tx) and had my last tx Aug. 25. I won't see him until January/February. I just think it is odd that no one is checking me post rads (like maybe a 1 month follow up to make sure I am healing okay or whatever). So far I am okay and my skin looks good so I don't really need to see the rad onc but after all the damage they inflicted you'd think they'd follow up soon after being finished. Oh well.

I go in to see my med onc today for a one month "T" check. I got my blood results in the mail and my Alk Phos is flagged as "low". It dropped quite a bit since last May (and my reading in May was significantly lower than my reading from the year before). I am kind of freaked about what this means. Overall I seem to be tolerating the "T" okay. I am very happy about that.

Sounds like everyone is taking or has taken some interesting /fun trips - India, London, France, Hawaii, etc. I may have to stow away in one of your suitcases!

Have a good day everyone and I hope you are having better weather than we are!

Kim

Julie50 · October 2010

Spendy-Keeping my fingers crossed for you today and sending a big HUG that all will be AOK.

Sonia-I am sure it was a hard day for you, I want to do the run here in Chicago next year--I'm sure I will bel like you and get very worked up over it.

I am like the rest of you, I want a BONE scan or PET scan and will address this today with my surgon, I came this far lets keep going. But yes the waiting can tend to drive you to drink...

Job went ok, came home very tired, but then I have this cold from hell. My mom is really sick and my sister just came out of the hospital (she lives in Devner). We just need this year to end on a good note, not happening...

Kim-I saw my Rad Onc last week for my two week check up, waste of time and money if you ask me, My Medical Onc checks me each time I go and I trust him more then the "NORMAL JERK".

My breast is all healed and looks great, I do itch from time to time and have a lump where the cut is and is freaking me out big time, but I see the surgon today and will address this also. My most pain is in my arm and hand....

Kim-How is the "T" pill going??? I start some pill tomrorow with the "A" not sure the name until tomorrow....yikes and Kim its only 42 outside this AM, heat is on again---Did I tell you I HATE WINTER...LOL

Ok, off to the job, nursing home, Dr. LONG day ahead of me. Oh then a wake, A cop Jim works with 41 shot himself a few days ago, why, you just have to ask "why"...So sad.

Many hugs my friends

Julie

July 2010 Rads

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