September 2010 Rads

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  • Dawn46
    Dawn46 Member Posts: 80
    edited November 2010

    Well, I finally finished today! Hooray for the last zap! Now it's off to Tamoxifen......  :)

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  • 1marmalade1
    1marmalade1 Member Posts: 308
    edited November 2010

    Dawn46:  Congrats!  The last one is always the best one!   And congrats to everybody else that finishes up this week.

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  • sespebadger
    sespebadger Member Posts: 249
    edited November 2010

    Hooray for our stragglers :-) !

    I HOPE everyone who started in September is done, but what with breaks for skin reactions, etc., the promised 6 - 7 weeks can stretch on longer. I know mine did.

    It's been 4 weeks since radiation ended and two weeks that I have been on Tamoxifen. My skin can still feel a bit sore in the neckline area and also behind my arm, on my back really. I still get numb arms on and off all night long every night. I had a BMX, so I think the combo of surgery and rads is to blame. I have sore thumbs every day. I think that is from chemo induced menopause.


    So far (fingers crossed) ,the morning dose of Tamoxifen has not increased any side effects I was previously having (hot flashes at night which started during chemo). I am thankful for that. 

    I am relieved not to have doctor appointments. I still tire after about four hours of activity. I wonder (at night mostly) if all the cancer cells are really gone. I try to enjoy each day as much as I can.

    I come to bc.org less often now, but I am thankful it is here as a great resource. When I do come on, I am saddened to see all the new women going through all the issues  . I think I read that there is a thread about "Class of 2010" or something where those of us who are done with active treatment can check in in the future. It is good to see familiar names and hopefully hear that we are doing all right.

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  • Teka
    Teka Member Posts: 10,052
    edited August 2013

    Hi!,

    Day 21, I now only feel the need for 1 prescription vicodin at bedtime, and radiation burn under breast should be healed by time of December 8th follow-up radiation oncologist visit.   I found that taking 1 vicodin every 4 hours was killing my appetite.   Maybe able to wear bra after X-mas.   

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  • Teka
    Teka Member Posts: 10,052
    edited February 2012

    jsmiley60,

    Hope you're feeling OK.

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  • Teka
    Teka Member Posts: 10,052
    edited February 2012

    gin2ca,

    Done Wednesday?

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  • Teka
    Teka Member Posts: 10,052
    edited August 2013

    Hi!

    Husband and I went on a day trip to X-mas shop at "The Vermont Country Store" before Black Friday.   I enjoyed the 1st day in over 7 months that my hair is long enough to go public with head uncovered, but cold enough to buy a Vermont made soft warm beanie for winter.   I now have 7 days to clean and cook for Thanksgiving.

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  • sespebadger
    sespebadger Member Posts: 249
    edited November 2010

    Hi Teka,

    Isn't hair great? I really hope I never have to wear a wig again. It was never comfortable and I tried to get away with a hat instead as often as possible.

    Good luck with cleaning and cooking for Thanksgiving. I am thankful for a house to clean and people to cook for. 

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  • Teka
    Teka Member Posts: 10,052
    edited February 2012

    sespebadger,

    I love Thanksgiving dinner!Smile

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  • sespebadger
    sespebadger Member Posts: 249
    edited November 2010

    Hi Teka,

    Me too! We are going to my husband's sister's house. We love to cook, so we always volunteer. But we won't arrive until Wednesday afternoon, so we'll just cook whatever they have bought supplies for. It's kind of like a cooking show where you have to use the ingredients supplied! We're flying, so can't cook ahead. Should be fun!

    Last Thanksgiving I was waiting for very first biopsy results. Little did I know what I was in for. I am THANKFUL active treatment is over!!!!

     

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  • SharonNM
    SharonNM Member Posts: 39
    edited November 2010

    Congrats Dawn!  I now have 6 more hours of free time each week.  I started anastrozle (generic AI) the day after rads ended.  Have not really felt much side effects.  I take them at night as recommended by one person.  No noticeable additional hot flashes.....so far so good.  Not much new to report on the radiation tx effects.  Still some itchiness (which could be related to the cooler weather) and crustiness around nipple (is that TMI?).  Anyway - not complaining.  Best to all.

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  • Dawn46
    Dawn46 Member Posts: 80
    edited November 2010

    Thank you SharonNM! I have been having quite a bit of itchiness myself. I have even had a few blisters pop up. I won't be starting my Tamoxifen until the results of my cyp2d6 test comes back to make sure I'll be able to metabolize it.

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  • flopsy
    flopsy Member Posts: 365
    edited November 2010

    Yes, Hallelujah, I made it through all 35 treatments and had the last one yesterday.  I got to ring the bell at the end and some of my co-workers came down and surprised me.  That was so nice but it made my cry.  My skin is a little touchy still and red and irritated along scar line but not too bad overall.  I am thankful to be done.  Congrats to all that have finished and to those still enduring ---Hang in there, you will make it!!!!

    Hugs to all my rads friends, Ginny

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  • Teka
    Teka Member Posts: 10,052
    edited February 2012

    Dawn46 and gin2ca,

    Enjoy the weekend.Smile

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  • Dawn46
    Dawn46 Member Posts: 80
    edited November 2010

    Congratulations gin2ca!

    Thank you Teka, Hope you have a great weekend too! Smile

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  • flopsy
    flopsy Member Posts: 365
    edited November 2010

    Thanks for the congrats--I start back to work my regular 40 hr wk next week.  They let me do 30-32 hrs during my rads tx's so that wasn't quite so bad.  I do drive about an hour each way for work though so it makes a really long day.

    Congrats  Dawn on finishing rads also.  I have been taking Femara for the last 51/2 wks and so far am doing well with that.   I have noticed a few more hot flashes at night but not too bad.  I was already post menopausal for several yrs.  

    Hope all have a wonderful, pain-free, fun weekend!!!!!    Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!

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  • Teka
    Teka Member Posts: 10,052
    edited August 2013

    Hi!

    November 26th, (day 31) my radiation burn felt tender but not raw under breast.   I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.

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  • CT124
    CT124 Member Posts: 85
    edited December 2010

    dutchgirl6-please start tamoxifen board. Just finished rads 1 weeks ago and tamox in ab 2 weeks

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  • SharonNM
    SharonNM Member Posts: 39
    edited December 2010

    Dawn46 - Have you been asked to take a survey when acessing this site?  It is all about tamoxafin - and reasons that some people do not absorb tamoxafin.....I think you will find it interesting if it is still popping up.  I had to answer the entire thing even tho I kept saying that I was not taking tamoxafin.  Good luck!

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited December 2010
    Ha Ha, me, too, SharonNM! I finally took it so it would go away.
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  • jsmiley60
    jsmiley60 Member Posts: 204
    edited December 2010

    Hello! I have not been on here for over a month. I guess I just wanted to be in denial and pretend I had never had breast cancer! It didn't work..........I remember every day when I take a shower.

    Had lots of excitement here - had my 50th birthday! Yay! and graduated from college FINALLY! Now I just need a job.

    My skin did well after rads, so was very very happy about that! I am not back to get saline put in my tissue expanders and hope to have my exchange surgery in February.

    Glad to catch up by reading! Everyone have a good day!

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  • sespebadger
    sespebadger Member Posts: 249
    edited December 2010

    Hi jsmiley,

    I'm not here (bc.org) anywhere near as often as I used to be, but I have the email notification on this thread (and one other I like), so I get notified when anyone posts and I can read the new message in my email. I like that feature. I really had better sign in to the actual site occassionally so I don't forget my password!

    Congrats on your B-Day. I had my 50th during last week of rads....booo, hooo, no fun. And congrats on college!  Good luck on your job search.

    I am 6 weeks out from treatment. Just wanted to hibernate for the most part the first month. I am sooooo happy to be done with chemo, surgeries, radiation. What we go through!! I am reminded about the ordeal in the mirror as well. I have done the BMX and no-recon approach. I think I really am going to get used to this. 

    I feel like a different person than I was a year ago. But that isn't such a bad thing. I think I mourned not being able to go back to what I was before during my first month post treatment. But now that I am feeling physically better I feel better about just going into the future as the new me.

    Good luck with your exchange. Let us know how you do!

    I've done a month of Tamoxifen and so far I don't feel anything different. I got regular hot flashes and night sweats during chemo starting this past Spring and I still have them. 

    I'll look for you on other threads. Your name became very familiar to me over the past few months.

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  • Teka
    Teka Member Posts: 10,052
    edited February 2012

    jsmiley60,

    Good for you!!!SmileWinkLaughing   My radiation burn is completely healed under breast, and tomorrow I see radiation oncologist.   May all enjoy the holidays.

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  • jsmiley60
    jsmiley60 Member Posts: 204
    edited December 2010

    thanks guys! Sespe, yep your name is familiar to me and I need to get on here more. :)

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited December 2010

    Hi Teka, woo hoo for yoo! It feels good doesn't it? I had my last visit with the Rad Onc on Friday last week (at least for 3 months anyway). He said I looked good. I made sure he knew to revise the skin care sheet to include the PROPER use of the silvadene cream...

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  • Teka
    Teka Member Posts: 10,052
    edited August 2013

    Hi! All,

    Today, radiation oncologist saw radiation burn is healed under breast and wants me to see a (PT) for breast massage  to remove edema, and prevent scar tissue and heavy breast.   I start on December 10th.   I'll have next radiation oncologist visit on February 8th.   Always, something.

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  • dutchgirl6
    dutchgirl6 Member Posts: 673
    edited December 2010

    Hi all.  It's been a while, but I have focussing all my energy getting back to normal.  I assume that most of you are doing the same.  I saw my rad onc last week for my two month follow up, and he said that he doesn't need to see me anymore, yippee!  I also had a mammogram on Monday, and everything seems to be fine there too, another reason to breathe again.  It was this time last year, in fact almost one year to the day that I had my US and biopsy that started this roller coaster, and going for the mammo was a bit surreal, but I made it through.  Next Saturday will be my "cancerversary", but I don't think that I will be celebrating Undecided.

    Good luck Teka, with your PT, I hope that everything works out.

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  • SharonNM
    SharonNM Member Posts: 39
    edited December 2010

    Hi Dutchgirl!  How long did you wait between the end of your radiation and the mammogram?  I saw my surgeon on Monday and he said I should wait 5-6 months after radiation and my breast "settles down" before I go for my next mammo.  In the meantime - I have received two letters from the radiology center asking me to come back to get a new baseline.

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  • dutchgirl6
    dutchgirl6 Member Posts: 673
    edited December 2010
    Hi Sharon.  I finished rads on September 29, so it was only two and a half months between that and my mammogram.  When I had my rad onco appt last week, he said that he wanted me to have one in six months, but the mammo was scheduled by my medical onco.  I am doing a clinical trial with her, and it was for that reason that I had the mammo when I did.
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  • SharonNM
    SharonNM Member Posts: 39
    edited December 2010

    Thanks for the response dutchgirl.  And thank you for being in a clinical trial.  I was going to be in a clinical trial until I had a problem with my surgeon.  I am enrolled in a "living post cancer" program with University of Coloradao and National Institute of Health.  I would just as soon not think about cancer anymore but - hopefully these progams will help people down the road.  I know I am grateful for every single women that has been treated for cancer before me - and all the trials (formal or not) that make our treatment and recovery so much better today.

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