August 2010 Rads

Carole, I'm for keeping the bra off as long as  you can. I had one on the other day -- all day and paid for it dearly the next three days. Very sore. Seems you can't rush this healing even if it looks good on the outside.

Also, I was wondering if anyone else is having trouble with irritability? Maybe it's just as I start feeling better and try do go back to the old routine -- then fail ( cuz I tire faster than I think I should)  Then I get really angry. Haven't had that problem before, always been fairly level headed and even in disposition.What's that about?

Arubajan, thx for the info on the Tamox. I start mine as soon as it arrives in the mail. Not looking forward to more severe hot flashes though. Hate to hear of the stiffness. I was going to buy a new ring the other day ( kinda my treat to myself for finishing tx) and my knuckle on that finger is bigger - and sore - is this arthritis or joint pain????????????????????  Gonna have to give all these little things a name so I can make fun of them otherwise I might cry. 

Well, surgery went good...find out Friday how my path report is. 

Wishing and praying everyone is well and doing great! 

OK - how's everyone doing? Questions I'm wondering about:

   Where's the hair? I've got about a half inch and it seems so slow growing. Not sure I like the color either.

   Anybody trying to get back into an exercise routine? I had a set back - fatigue hit after rads, was totally unexpected and now I'm trying to get back into walking again. Gotta lose this ten pounds I gained during chemo. I'm 5'8" and can usually hid it -- but not anymore. Seems to all go to the middle. Where's my waist?????

    Againmine: How's your brother doing? How's the Effexor treating you? Glad surgery went well.

    Had a 'deja vu' (not sure of spelling) experience the other day. I was driving down the road; on my way to the country for some fresh produce, it was beautiful out, the radio was on ( I hardly listened to it during tx) and a great song came on. I began singing along with it, keeping time with the music (hands and feet). Then I started laughing - it hit me - I felt like myself again, where have I been I thot. This was fun. Of course by the end of the day I was tuckered out, but hey -- I had a glimpse of life again.

          Blessings all, Carolyn

Hi Carolyn,

Know the feeling with weight - I'm 5'9" and have never really had to worry about my weight before but my stomach and bum are now huge! I've gone up a full size in clothes - had to go shopping for clothes to fit to go back to work last week. I find at the moment I've still got no stamina - I've just started a yoga class to try and get moving again (is helping with my lower back pain already!). 

Been lucky so far - hair is making a good comeback - still wear my wig to work and out for tea etc but go topless rest of time. I've just started tamoxifen and I've heard sometimes it affects hair growth so will see if that has an impact.

I returned to work last week on a reduced time fraction - just two days a week and after week 2, am handling it ok so far.  Only problem I have now is that husband decided to resign from his job yesterday so he's now unemployed. I am going to push myself up to 3 days a week starting oct 25th, but don't know what we're going to do as we can't pay all the bills on my part time status at the moment!!!! The irony of it all - I'm starting to get back on track and my hubbie is falling apart. This year sux!

Hope everyone's travelling ok anyway.

Hi, AnnieBear - just to ease your mind a bit, I've been on the Tamoxifen for about three weeks - the first couple of days I felt a little nauseous but since then I've been fine.  Nothing else that I've noticed going on from it, so hopefuly it will be five years of smooth sailing!  Congrats on finishing your rads.  The one thing that is strange to me is that it's almost like life is back to normal now - it's almost surreal at times to think what we've been through.  Best wishes to all - Mo

Oh it has been awhile since i have looked here. trying to get back to some form of "normal". lol had my surgery and NO cancer cells were found...so happy, once less thing hanging over me. The doctor thought it was a large fibroid but it was a huge polyp! 

I leave Friday morning to be with my brother who will be having his cancer surgery Tuesday. Please keep him in your prayers...he is so frightened that he will not wake up from this procedure. Even though he was finished with his chemo and rads month ago..he still has to go several times a week to get fluids. he just can't seem to keep them in his system.

I am slowly building back some energy. My skin is looking SO much better..very little brown pealing spots now. get pangs of pain sometime but getting less each day. The Tamox is what gives me my woes now. The joints hurt a bit more then normal and that puts a kink in my walking. The Effexor (75mg now ) has helped a lot with the hot flashes and mood...but I do wonder if i need a bit more. Maybe its the worry over my brother that has me fighting the depression still.

congrats to all of you that have finished or in the last of your rads!

Hi everyone! Just a quich check in with you all before work. Glad to hear things are getting somewhat back to normal for all of us. Againmine I'm so happy to hear your test came back no cancer and will keep you and your brother in my prayers. It seems there is so much cancer out there - or maybe there always has been and I just didn't really notice it on such a personal level till I went through it. I'm feeling better everyday - three weeks out from rads now and healing nicely just a little brown peely stuff left. I too have occasional pain in my affected breast but overall more comfortable. I'm going to start working out again next week. Wanted to give myself a chance to adjust to full time at work first. So far the tamoxifen isn't giving me any grief. I had my check up with onc. this week and all was well - don't go back for 3 months. Have an appt. with the surgeon next week. Love and prayers to you all!!!

                                                       Carole

Hello, everyone - I just wanted to drop in and say hello and hope you all are moving beyond this past year and are soaking up the beauty of the fall.  Is anyone in the Philly area going to the breastcancer.org benefit at the Academy of Music tomorrow night?  Would love to say hello, if so.  Mo

Hi, Bobby - I am on Tamoxifen - joint pain has been there but not unmanageable.  Hope you feel better in time.  Otherwise, my hair is growing and my toenails are growing back in - that was very freaky when they fell off.  I'll let you know how the concer goes tonight - I love Harry Connick, Jr. and have really good seats so I get a great view!  Take care - Mo

Oh I forgot to mention, my hair is growing very slow! and is a very mousy color.  Thought it was coming in straight but as it is growing I have hair curling up and poking out everywhere.  No complaining though, at least I have hair!

Hello everyone,

Just thought I'd check in and see how everyone's going - haven't been around much.  I'm back at school teaching 3 days a week - more than enough right now as I'm exhausted at the end of the day.  Have been on tamoxifen for about 20 days now - keep waiting for things to go down hill SEs wise, definitely have noticed a change in my moods very up and down and I snap very easily :-s

arubajan - was hoping that I was clear with the nails now that it's been so long since chemo but you've got me worried again!!  My fingernails aren't normal yet - they still have ridges all over but are slowly growing out, my toes hurt occasionally but are hanging in there so far......... well see I guess!  Comign into Summer would prefer not to have them fall out now!

Hair is comign in well now - still not really a style but am sick of wearing my wig so am now sporitng the short mia farrow look (so they keep telling me anyway!).  Am waiting to see if it's goign to curl - looking very likely.

Anyway, hope everyone's doing well. Love to you all! xx

Morning everyone! Just checking in to see how it's going with you all. Sounds like there is positive notes but as the rest of this roller coaster ride has been still the sudden shocks. I'm feeling better and my skin is feeling lots better. Saw my radiation onc this week and all is going good - don't go back for 6 months to see him. I'm on my second month of the tamoxifen - some hot flashes and joint pain but not too bad. I am working full time with a little over time which wipes me out but need the extra money now so.... I just try to rest more when I'm tired. I am also looking forward to thanksgiving as I feel I have so much to be thankful for this year especially! My children and grandchildren are all supposed to be here so that will be great! You are all still in my thoughts and prayers! Carole

Hello, everyone - just checking in, too.  Funny thing - went to the dermatologist for a microdermabrasion on face and chest today.  The technician, who I've been going to forever, was really trying hard to get out these blackheads on my chest - I was like, Oh, I didn't even know they were there.  It didn't dawn on me until the way home and after she couldn't get them out that I realized that they were the tattoos from radiation!  Gave me a chuckle.  Hope you all are on the road to recovery and that you can enjoy the holidays - living for the moment is my mantra these days!  Big hugs to all - Mo

Hello and blessings to all!

Pam, you've been thru so much.  I know you really struggled in your relationship with your husband so I hope this will be a very positive change for you.  Congrats on a new, fresh start.  You sound really excited... good for you!  Yes,  there's nothing like bc to give you a little kick in the pants to get busy livin' or get busy dyin'!!  (to quote from my favorite move, Shawshank Redemption.)

Good health and much happiness to all my sisters!

Pam, I echo the previous 2 posts and hope each day brings with it more peace and healing for you.  You are a Tough Cookie with gumption to get yourself and your brother through the storm and out the other side again.  Good on ya!!