February 2011 Rads

Congrats, Tori....I to had tears on Friday, but I think they were tears of joy....I found the day to be very emotional as was the weekend. I to am still sore and red...had a tough time sleeping the last couple of nights. Yes, waking up for lotion and Advil....one area is beginning to peel, and boost areas still look and feel nasty. The rash above my breast is really improving and no longer itchy. But we all made it with the help of each other....amazing how we all have the same effects...all kinds of strange tinglings, burns, etc...as well as the emotional effects....now to move forward. I am still very tired and feel like I can't make plans for Easter because I am not sure how I am going to feel. We really want to go and visit and grandkids but they are 9 1/2 hours away and I want to feel human when we get there...so I have a goal but not a date. Once the tiredness is gone we have lots of things to do. My sister passed away from breast cancer at age 54 and we are the administrators of her estate, (no will)...she has a house down on the Chespeake Bay that needs some attention, as well as my mom's house in the Pocono's of PA...so I feel responsible for those properties as well as our own home, and the apartment my mom lives in...I am not working right now which is good. I am going to have a hysterectomy sometime in the near future...will see that Dr. next week to talk about it. So lots of things looming, waiting for me to regain my strength....I know I will take it slow...as yo u all know we don't have a lot of choice about that...the body just won't go. That seems to be hard for other people to understand...sometimes you just can't do.

Congratulations to those who have finished, yeay! Keep moisturizing and take it easy. I finished boosts a week ago and am still really tired but am trying to get back to a normal work schedule too. This weekend was the first time I got out to do something fun since probably the 3rd week of rads. I'd been so sore and exhausted for so long - it was really great to just spend some time with my husband, and all we did was a little bit of letterboxing, lol!

I go back to see the RO nurse this afternoon - apparently they want to keep track of me weekly until my skin clears up completely. It's getting there, too - the boost area is lighter but still pretty red, and the rest of the breast has lightened up considerably with some peeling & itching still.

Hang in there! Wishing everyone easier days ahead :-)

Sharon

Kallimom, your a good daughter,...considering your not real well yourself. and that coming from a 76 year old whose daughter came last Saturday and cleaned what had to be cleaned in my house.........You probably are not aware of how much we appreciate our daughters......hugs to you.

Thanks for all the pats on the back....it is difficult to deal with all of my mom's needs as well as mine, but you do what you need to do. The good news is she lives in a Senior Community that provides meals, all kinds of entertainment and activities, so I do not have to go over there everyday....we also got her an electronic pill dispenser that is a God send.

I did have another lousy night...hot flashes, etc. Anyone know why rads gives you hot flashes? Actually went back to bed this morning and probably slept better for a couple of hours than I did all night. This afternoon I went to calling hours for a friend of mine, age 58, who passed away. She had a stroke in Feb and they discovered a brain tumor. She had ovarian cancer several years ago, hips replaced, etc...and has had some times of awful pain. She was one of those people that you were friends with when our kids were in sunday school, etc...then she worked with my DIL, then we reconnected again at PT a couple of years ago...just one of those people that keeps crossing your path. I know she is now pain free and feeling great, but such a loss. Just a scary story to hear when we are just finishing our own scary time.

Ducky B...use Calendula gel for the itchies !!! I don't know what I would have done without it. Always had it with me...hope it helps you. I found it at a health food store...not the ones in the mall.

Kallimom............thanks, will remember that name.........hugs

Just so glad to be on the other side of this phase. It's been almost a week and my skin has changed to a weird brown color, except for where the boost area--which is still quite red and raw. I tried about what ever lotion I could get my hands on. Went thru 2 tubes of calendula cream, on my second of miaderm, hydricortisone, and last week I bought some Aquafor. Fancy name for vaseline--but it really, really helped with the peeling and dryness. I layer the lotions and then wear an extra large cotton tee under my regular shirt. I am surprised at how it was so raw and now looks so brown in about a weeks time. But most of all, I am just glad its almost--almost gone.

You ladies sound like you have great support systems--children can be such a blessing. Ihave 2 teenage boys and where as I get my share of hugs, they are totally uncomfortable with what I am going thru.But I do have 2 great sisters, one who is a 3 year BC survivor herself. Yesterday, she sent me a fantastic box of chocolates to help celebrate another phase being done. ---the kind of chocolate that you nibble and not share with the kids!! : )

Hugs to all of my wonderful rads friends, it has been a such a help having your advice, friendship and gentle hugs!!! 

Ooh I forgot, I got the emu oil too!! Little overkill, don'tcha think??!!  : ) I was just at dinner with my husband, and had to stop and breathe cause I got that same sharp pain. Comes and goes a few times a day, so you are not alone!! Its along my MX scar so might be nerves coming to life. It's till totally numb there--which I consider a blessing with the radiation burns!!!

I get the sharp pains too! Me Too! Me Too!  They are not consistent and I never know when one is going to hit.  Some times it's just a tweak, and other times I kind of freeze and reach for my boob! Like I need to hold it on to my body!  Ha!

Still had those mystery pains today...very glad to hear I am not unique ! I cleaned and straightened up around here this morning...then we went to the store, Wally World, etc...cam home exhausted....guess I am not recovered !! I was a little surprised last night when I took off my super soft Jockey tank top that it had some fluid/blood stains on it...guess something must have opened up....putting my creams on etc...and assume that also is not unique. Was going to call the rad. Dr. but thought I would see what it does over the weekend...hope everyone has a restful weekend.

 Hello FeB Ladies, sounds like everyone is moving right along!!  hey i had a question, my last rad was March 9th and my energy level had been fine until now.Im so tired i just want to sleep and have no apetite,i actually got sick 2 days ago and threw up maybe its the stomach flu?? but its been 3days and in so tired ....anyone experience this a month later?

Hi Girls,

I finished radiation on Friday the 15th.  I'm glad but apprehensive at the same time since I am Triple Negative.  I'm done, completely done since other meds won't help me.  No Tamoxifen or anything for me.  I'm exhausted.  Fatigue is real.  We also had our Open House for our 40th wedding anniversary yesterday afternoon and it was a nice time but wore me out.  I woke up this morning as tired as when I went to bed last night and we've the added stress of my 84 year old Dad being desperately ill and my sister taking him to the Dr. today.  He is a colon cancer, aortic aneurysm and heart by pass survivor but we think he may have pneumonia.  Mom isn't able to take care of herself so she would have to go to my sister's if Dad has to go in to the hospital.

I too have the sharp pains in the breast and also Tori's experience that I think the radiated breast is smaller now.   Is that possible and does it ever plump back up?  I wasn't told this by the Dr.'s but wouldn't have had a choice on radiation anyway since mine was a lumpectomy/partial mastectomy (the term my surgeon uses).  Also another thing is happening that is pretty personal but I've no one else to ask before I see the Dr again in 2 weeks.  Sometimes the breast will have a sensation of drawing up tight and tingle, then the nipple will become erect.  That is so weird!!!  Has anyone else experienced this?  Really, you don't want that happening just anywhere!!! 

Hugs,

Juanita

Juanita - I have the same sort of thing with the tightening and tingling.  As the nerves begin to heal the tightening and the tingle are normal reaction to the healing process.  It will take a long time for the nerves to heal. In the meantime there are nipple covers that you can get to put over the offending nipple that greatly minimize the appreance or the lady at attention.  Also I have found that wearing shirts with pockets help hide this also.  Not sure where you can get the nipple covers, but check with the American Cancer Socitey or Healing Threads.  One of them may have what you need.

Saw the breast surgeon on Friday...he thought everything looked good...asked him about the shooting pains that happen now and again.....he said they were phantom pains....from having the breast removed...I really don't agree because it is only the side where there was radiation. Skin is actually still a little pink...but is all healed up. I have been seeing a PT because everything feels so tight...it has really helped with the mobility....need to continue doing gentle stretching exercises but it is good to be able to see improvement.